Drama Special Season 13: Let's Meet in an Unfamiliar Season
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Love in the time of COVID-19
Set in the early months of pandemic, two strangers find themselves as neighbours at a recovery center after testing positive for COVID-19. Without ever seeing each other's faces and talking through a paper cup phone they become confidantes in quarantine and share secrets and worries.This was a really well done rom-com. The isolation from the outside, made it possible for these two people to get to know each other with out anyone's interference and they manage to create their own world which resulted in a very cute bubble. Every scene the leads "shared" was really fun, butterfly-inducing, blood-warming and heart-skipping. The characters are nuance on their own, not just as a couple, Hee Joo struggles with work life and whatever she will be able to find her way in life. On the other hand, Ki-joon has found success as a pastry chef but hasn't spoken to his sister in four years after a disagreement they had. Both characters have their own problems and with the help of one another they get the courage to do better. I love it when a drama portrays a green flag couple that manages to become the best version of themselves with each other's support.
The drama also tries to portray some of the struggles of this time period in human history, but only a surface level. It's more like the background to justify how the leads met. Props to Go Ae Ri who had to perform in a full body suit as the doctor attending the leads and somehow managed to show every emotion. Her eyes said it all.
Speaking about performances, I am shook at Kim Gun Woo's performance. For half the drama special I knew he looked familiar and then it dawn on me he was one of the nasty lead characters in The Glory. MY GAWD THE MAN HAS RANGE. In here he plays a charming, open-minded and sweet young man that made me fall for him.
Han Ji Eun gave a very solid performance (no surprise). I thought her character to be deeply relatable and that is one of the strongest points of this drama special, because one can see themselves in her and so you could be living that situation, share her concerns over the future and the world.
Overall, I thought this was a very cute drama that left me with a big smile and that's a big win for me. I absolutely recommend it!
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The best revenge is massive success.
There’s an argument to be made about how Perfect Marriage Revenge had a perfect execution because it was a 12 episodes long drama and didn’t have time for unnecessary conflicts. Everything took its right time and was resolved in a cohesive way with the characters development.Both leads were compelling and had amazing chemistry, but the secondary characters were equally interesting to watch. All the performances outstanding and you can tell the actors are enjoying themselves in their respective roles.
On a story about a woman looking for revenge against her own family, this kdrama had a perfect balance between makjang and romcom. Making it an easy and fun watch. I highly recommend it!
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One of 2023's best cdramas.
From the very start I was very impressed with this drama. The first episode felt grounded in reality and presented all the main characters as young adults behaving like such but also with a level of maturity that felt respectful. Sometimes youth dramas don't know how to balance the growing pains, friendship and romance but You Are Desire does it perfectly.Xia Feng Yan created a story with solid development based on actual growing from well rounded characters that act and react in ways that feel natural. I am amazed this is her first project and I will keep an eye on her because she has a bright future.
Deng Ke (My Huckelberry Friends) also started in the industry as a screenwriter before transitioning into directing, so it was a perfect fold for Xia's story. He understood the assignment and complemented the script with beautiful cinematography, camera movements and choice of cast.
This drama could have died in the hands of a lesser cast but Zhou Yiran and Zhuang Dafei carried the drama flawlessly. Most of the story centers around them and how they interact with others when loneliness has been a part of their young lives for a long time. The supporting cast were also at their best, each with their own lives and struggles which made them well rounded individuals and not an artifact to push the leads's story.
All of these elements created a beautiful group of people dealing with different experiences. A slice of life drama where we understand the world is not always fair and parents make mistakes; where people need to learn to grieve in a healthy way. That families can all look very different from each other and that's okay as long there's love. That you don't always pass the university exam and your workplace might suck. A world where you fall in love and support one another as you grow together with a clear understanding of each other. That life can be sweeter when you are surrounded of good people who truly appreciate you.
Overall, You Are Desire it's a wonderful story that enjoyed from the very first episode to the last one. Criminally underrated, for sure, as I don't understand how more people are not talking about what is probably one of 2023's best cdramas.
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Don't miss out on this found family! Their affection it's the real deal.
This drama was a pleasant surprise. It's not that common to see a kdrama that has as leads a single mother and her grown daughter, mostly because of the stigma this kind of family stills carries in South Korea.Thankfully, Not Others manages to not make it all about the stigma of teen pregnancy or single motherhood, it finds a good balance between every day life events, criminal investigation and rom-com. Particularly because Mom and Daughter are so unbothered by it that they carry on with a "it sounds like a you problem" when someone points out they are, within their society, wildly unconventional.
At the heart of it, there's a story of two women making their way in the world through hardships, love and growing pains. About how it's possible to choose your family and make that unit be whatever you want, not what it's expected.
My favourite part of this drama was the performances. Jeon Hye Jin and Soo-young shine as the outspoken Mother-Daughter duo. Their characters are kind, smart and brave about their live choices. They have great chemistry with each other and make you feel everything.
The rest of the cast delivers solid support. Kim Hye Eun plays the rich, cool aunt and she's a hoot in every scene she's in. Park Sung-hoon in a great counterpart for Soo-young and Ahn Jae Wook delivers as the lovable fool supporting whatever his ladies wish for in life.
There's also a murder mystery surrounding the central story that manages to keep it all very centered and makes all the characters interact with each other making their world better developed.
Don't miss out on this found family! Their affection it's the real deal.
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The perfect combination of sexy and cute
This was a sexy and cute love story between two office co-workers who start a BDSM relationship. I don't really know much about this subject but one of the key things that made me like this film, it's the equality between them despite being in a dom-sub relationship. Everything is a mutual agreement based on preferences and needs from both sides.The film never centers around sex itself, but mostly on the mutual agreement based on preferences and needs of both sides. This allows for the story to explore on other aspects of the relationship through contrasting colors indicating the character's emotional state.
Leading man Jung Ji-hoon presents himself as a clean-cute, friendly and career oriented. The story goes deep into why he has a need for BDSM and particularly being a submissive person in the relationship. It has to do with unfair expectations society has on man, but I won't say much because I feel like he explains it perfectly. Lee Jun-young plays the character really well and doesn't shy away from the physical acting, which is hilarious and smut.
Jung Ji-woo is the perfect counterpart for Ji-hoo. It's clear she has been raised in an open minded household and as a result she is an independent and outspoken young woman, who is not afraid to call out her boss's sexism and misogyny. It brings her most headaches than she deserves, to be honest. This character trait is what allows her to go into a BDSM relationship filled with curiosity and excitement, as she finds the physiological release she needs. So-hyun's performance is excellent. Quiet yet strong.
The production is solid and very entertaining. And I think they did a good job presenting what is BDSM and all its nuances.
A very entertaining watch and I highly recommend it.
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A life walked cannot be erased
It’s no secret Bai Lu and Zeng Shunxi are two of my favourite Chinese actors, so when it was announced they would be working together I was really excited to see what kind of story they would share with the audience.Wuxia it’s not something that I usually watch, except when my bias are part of it and it the plot seems interesting. Thanks to Bai and Zeng and rethinking this stand, and might give the genre more of a change because this drama was really good.
Feud works on different levels of tribulations through its 32 episodes, for our leads and the audience. The world building is incredible thanks to a solid script that new exactly the story was going. This is a treat when I think that so many scriptwriters force the narrative upon their characters, leaving them with no choices and, as consequence, one dimensional. Every character in this story had choices, particularly the leads, and it was their decisions what pushed the story, never the other way around.
All of this made for rich character build, which must have been really fun for Zeng and Bai, and it shows in their performances. Never once I doubted them as the many instances of their love trial unfolded. Waiting patiently for their next move and wishing for reconciliation.
Thematically, this drama is great as it explores how our decisions have a wide range of consequences that can’t be taken them back. A life walked cannot be erased. We can only keep going and grow as people trying our best, hoping for another chance.
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F the patriarchy!
Glory is an uplifting cdrama that combines romance, ambition, and personal growth into a story that feels both inspiring and emotionally grounded. Led by compelling performances from Gulinazha and Hou Minghao, the series explores how resilience, identity and family dynamics shape the paths people choose in life.One of the cdrama’s most compelling aspects is its exploration of perseverance and self-discovery. The characters face numerous obstacles, yet the story consistently emphasizes that setbacks can become turning points. Through determination and courage, they learn to redefine success on their own terms.
It also thoughtfully examines patriarchal expectations within society. Several characters must navigate pressures rooted in tradition, particularly the expectations placed on women regarding career, family, and personal choices. Rather than presenting these pressures in a purely negative light, the narrative uses them to highlight how individuals challenge outdated norms and carve out their own independence.
In contrast, Glory introduces the idea of a matriarchal family structure, where female figures hold significant authority and influence within the household. This dynamic adds an interesting layer to the story, showing how power and responsibility can exist in different forms within family life. It reinforces the importance of wisdom, generational guidance, and the strength that women bring to both family and society.
Alongside these themes, the relationship between the leads is built on mutual respect and encouragement, portraying love not as a distraction from personal ambition but as a partnership that helps both individuals grow.
With its thoughtful storytelling and heartfelt performances, Glory ultimately delivers a meaningful message: true achievement is not just about external success, but about courage, integrity, and the willingness to challenge expectations while staying true to oneself.
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Convoluted but engaging!
Since the presentation at the beginning of each episode is a short summary of the plot, I don't think it's spoiler when I say this drama involves a little bit of time travel. We have a leading lady who goes back in time, with her memory intact, for a re-do at family and court life. The drama, tho, starts the story like you are already in episode 5 and the viewer has to catch up. In my opinion this made the first third of the drama a convoluted, sometimes hard to follow but the characters were interesting enough to keep me engaged.I appreciate leading lady it's smart and an equal talent as her male counterparts. This is important to portray because the world she involves herself in is controlled mainly by man, so in many ways she has the upper hand when they underestimate her and she can be sneaky without them realizing what hit them. Of course, except for leading man and a few of his friends. They see her for her smarts, beyond the beauty and noble title. Which is nice. That is not to say the drama has some red flag here and there but, if I am honest, I am on vacation right now and I just took this story for what it is: a fun period piece with endearing characters and some intense chemistry.
The latter two thirds of the story were far more interesting. We already know our players, where they stand and who they are trying to take down. Now it's a matter to see how this chess game will unfold, which personally I think it's the most fun for this kind of stories.
Overall, I really enjoyed this drama.
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