ryoato

A little too murky for me …

I’ll keep this short since I’m in the middle of binge-watching. I just wanted to share a few things about my first impressions.

this drama looked to be very grounded to its mystery, and dark edge from watching the trailer. it’s proving to be just that; and isn’t misleading it’s audience to being more campy or a romantic comedy. Instead this drama has a dark mood and starts off with a very promising story.

I’m already interested in seeing the characters develope and grow to know eachother more. From the first episode alone it gives off a lot that keeps me wanting to watch more. Especially with the cinematography.

It’s better than average right now and in seriously anticipating that the ratings will score high and this drama will be successful. It’s not like many others airing around it, it’s very unique with its mood and costuming that sets it apart already. I’m glad I picked it up and will be keeping up with it daily until it’s done. There is something about this drama that makes me believe it is so promising.

The further in, the more the setting feels constricting. I understand why some want out, and why some chose to stay. I hope they explore their surroundings though, but I am still pretty early into the drama. I must say that Ester Yu is so impressive here, she usually is casts in roles that are naive and aloof, but here she is very intelligent and cold and cunning. Zhang Le He also is too handsome to not pay attention too, and I am looking forward to more projects from him (Eternal Faith)


In the end I get what people say when they want Zhang Le He to have a break out role that gets him really popular. He has the face and the talents and the height, but this drama didn’t help him. He’s a great actor here, but the chemistry lacked and that wasn’t any of the leads fault. I fear it was because of their pairings in others dramas and the comparisons I can’t help but making. Ester Yu is very good here also, I just think the whole atmosphere ended up bogging this one down a little too much for me. I felt like I didn’t get what I asked for with the leads, I wanted a mature and steamy romance but instead I didn’t think they are in it enough to keep me watching. I also heard there is a cliffhanger so in the end if this drama doesn’t fulfill anything that it’s not worth finishing. It isn’t like the leads aren’t in anything else, and since I liked them enough here.. I’ll check them out elsewhere.

This drama is simply too dark and so much plot with little action to keep me satisfied. I have a low attention span and am a simple person sometimes, so it just got caught in the middle of other dramas I just liked better. Not bad but not great.

Read More

I don’t get it

so me, like many others, started watching this drama because of the promotions, the hype, it was highly anticipated.

While this show was airing there was nothing but praise.. but now I’m starting to understand the culture behind shows like this. It had its fan base and it still does, it profited a lot off of people watching without seeing any flaws. I believe most people who see this show with no flaws are fans of the actors in it and/or have loved the webtoon. As someone who never saw the webtoon I thought I would be ok watching this.. I thought I would get it. But still, even I thought the whole idea of 19 lives.. that’s a lot. I was right. The format of this into a show isn’t working, it’s so much and makes me wonder if maybe the webtoon does a better job at tying all the lives together. .. why 19 of them? They only focus on two- the 19th, and 18th.. any others just are there so the female lead has a one up on life.. she ends up in Korea and the other lives don’t really affect her besides her knowing a few people and things..

Still the logic I can’t buy into. Ji Eum lives a lot of lives.. so when she is reborn she remembers? So is she a fully aware adult when reborn? I really have a hard time with this. She can remember the flamingo dancing and remember her uncle, then those stories are dropped just so character exists. It feels like filler to me, but then again- 19 lives is a lot. So why is this drama so.. average? It is disappointing, because I’m trying to see what other me that rave about this are seeing. I just can’t. I have an issue with the main premise but thought .. hey if it’s rated this high.. then surely it is explained?

No- nothing is explained. You just have these characters in these situations right away. And honestly these characters are bland. Rich people, pretty one dimensional. I mean Seo-Ha’s character has PTSD and deafness.. I thought that could be interesting. Instead you only get his buildup to who he is now through a car crash scene that repeats itself. It is like that is who he is, he is just traumatized by that. He hasn’t grown and him being a hotel director or whoever he is- it doesn’t make sense to me.. he is just born into it and isn’t that cool honestly. So why of all people did Ji-Eum decide she loves him of all the people she met? I guess none out of the thousands she met through all her lives were important enough to even be in the show. .. so she likes him.. who I can’t get behind because she fell in love with him as a kid. He shows no growth or interest in her and she wants him so badly for some reason only other than him being nice to her as a kid- but - she had to have known so many people. Why is she so pulled towards this kid, following and seeing him grow up I guess.. it’s matured in that way.. I guess… but they can’t really show a maturing relationship. I mean they could, they just didn’t.

The chemistry between the leads I don’t buy into. A kiss they have is good, but still that can’t make up for stale chemistry. In all honesty I find Ji-Eum unlikeable. I am frustrated with her and this story. You have all these lives and experiences just to be stuck on one guy in this life. Instead I’d rather see her work to solve world issues, something on a bigger scale. This murder car crash is so obvious and so boring to follow. I really don’t care. I don’t like Ji-Eum for focusing on this set of people and acting like they are the only people she cares about when she knows so many people. Shouldn’t she feel plagued by losing so many people? Shouldn’t she have attachement issues instead of this.

No- this is based off a webtoon. So she is just a female lead who is looking for love. I was stupid to expect anything outstanding from this. I was pulled into this because I was following the trend. I regret it, my time is gone. I’m being so harsh because I’m frustrated. My review, my opinion. and my opinion is that this drama is dumb. Not even for hopeless romantics because the romance is bad. I would explain more but I’m not putting any more time into justifying how I feel about this. It is just how I feel. I don’t like this drama, not the worst I’ve seen, not really that good though..

The music is good. The acting I can’t take seriously because of how stupid the whole premise of the show is. I can get behind stories that I can’t follow in real life, but only when it isn’t cheap. Only when they immerse me in their world and story through building up plots, characters, settings.

Read More

I couldn’t even love two lifetimes out of seven

Love You Seven Times is a pretty show.

What I like are the costumes. The budget goes hard in this drama and it’s used beautifully with the makeup and the costuming of the characters. Especially in the heavenly realm. Although I do like the mortal outfits and they are less distracting for me to focus on the characters better. Nothing wrong with this at all, honestly I look at all the details in the costumes as the dialogue goes on but that’s more of my problem. It’s all so beautiful and the main leads are also both gorgeous.

My concern has been with Yang Chao Yue as I’ve heard she isn’t the best actress. I think she does a fine job with the comedic relief.. but her character is directed a little weird to me. I can’t get into her as a ground and mature character, and I don’t think she’s supposed to be- it’s just when scenes with emotional delivery and heartbreak will be sort of unbelievable because of this. Since I’ve seen her do outlandish things I’ll have a hard time adjusting to her suddenly being serious. Although with each episode it’s getting increasingly hard to watch her. I feel like she is cast here because she is so pretty. I am going to be transparent and just say that she is sucking the life from this drama for me.

It sucks because Ding Yu Xi is so amazing. He is very good at delivering multiple characters and multiple personalities of each character. I want this to be a hit drama for him and the work everyone put in. What is good is anything with Ding Yu Xi. Something about him just grabs my attention right away. Chu Kong is interesting and I like to see him in the mortal realm. Catered to love Xiang Yun and it’s funny to see how devoted he is. Although I don’t know why he is the way he is or what shaped him.

I’m not a fan of Xiang Yun right now as she is over the top stupid. Then again it’s the first few episodes that she is like this so I hope they are just setting her character up and she’ll develop to realize the gravity of her situation. I think the comedy in this show was a bad idea considering these character live and die nine times and you are supposed to feel and be invested in each live. Maybe in some way it could be done right, but my god it is so jarring here to see someone die and then a girl with a mustache gamble for no reason.

It’s like two separate shows between the scene with just the ML. It’s such a shame for the potential with him and the grandness of the worlds and stories here.

The whole seven trials makes sense. But I don’t get why Xiang Yun wants to sabotage her marriage, if she wants to save her marriage pavilion you would think she’s want things to go smoothly? I don’t know why she didn’t take the amnesia elixer.. I’m just a lost with that. So if I’m initially lost that is very bad, because I’m following them for seven lives and don’t even understand why someone did something and they just brush past it. The FL character is so over the place.. it’s just bad bad awful writing or maybe delivery or maybe both.

I’m slowly beginning to see the problem being the female lead and her acting is actually unbearable to me. She is so pretty and looks like a doll, but I feel she is very privaledged to be in a role like this. Maybe more low budget dramas would suit her better, but in this role it’s a large task to fill and she simply cannot. The actress does not have the skill to fill this character and make her feel real and likeable. I can’t help thinking that others would be better, for example, Sun Zhenni. I wasn’t a fan of Til the End of the Moon for the opposite of Thais drama. Amazing acting but bad script, but her I think Zhenni could be the female lead and do a much better job. She can act sassy and was someone I wanted to see more of from a drama I didn’t even like all too much. What could’ve been would’ve been watchable. Instead I can’t buy into the character of the female lead so I’m at a loss. She is the focus of the show, her love with Chu Kong. It’s just a shame he is so good at acting but she does worse than nothing. As much as the score can swell and the people around her are acting their hearts out I’m not dumb. I know shows that have low budget but the acting is amazing and makes me believe and feel even in a magical world. She wrings this fry of any emotional depth and merit for me. Seven whole lifetimes and different people to be all tied together by the same soul and love, but I feel she is like a low budget actress in this giant role. I’ll continue watching but only for the costumes and Yu Xi.

Long story short is I’m not buying into a love story that can’t even get me to understand why these two love eachother. It’s just a string of fate but why and how are they attached. What proved their devotion. This show is overly ambitious and fails to do the simple things and plays cheap tricks like music or costume without backing it up with a full narrative that is cohesive and makes sense. I can’t get behind trying to be invested in lives that I know they just have to get through in the end. The ultimate goal is what? Maybe I would find out if I watched the rest. I just realized if I’m skipping so much of the drama then I just can skip the whole thing and spend my time somewhere else. I honestly don’t think this show is going anywhere or will change me as a person. I don’t even think I want to watch anymore, I don’t think I’ll miss out.

If you like it then you like it. Just my opinion but I wouldn’t watch it. There are better things to watch.

Read More

moving in all the right directions.

so this k-drama I was hesitant on watching only because I had a hard time finding where to stream it. now that I found my ways I was really missing out from not watching this at the beginning when it first aired… or was I… this show is really that great that I have binge watched when I find a lot of k-dramas hard too because of their lengthy episodes.

this drama proves again my point that I’m capable of enjoying dramas and being so hooked that I don’t feel like time is dragging on. It’s because there are so many different elements put on the table for viewers that I can’t help but be immersed. There are likeable main characters, fast paced action, romance, high school relationships, dealing with anxiety and bullying, and gore.

This drama is such a fresh idea to me. It has been done before with a lot of American superheroes etc. But with this it just feels so new. The budget helps with making this drama a good watch, it’s expensive and each episode feels so cinematic. It’s intense in the right places and has a good pace. I like every plot this drama picks up, and I really like the sets of main characters with the parents and their children.

So this drama is really starting to pick up, and it never was boring at all. It has a good setup and the hook that comes in the middle is thrilling. I definitely will rewatch this and recommend to anyone honestly. I can’t put a name on the genre and that’s what makes it so unique. It’s a 10/10 for me.

Read More

Deus Ex Machina

The hype around this drama caught around my ankles and dragged me in... unfortunately I can't say any of that was worth it. Promotions insist grit, blood, perseverance and instead it is pretty faces and ease. Let me explain.

I haven't watched much, and am wondering why that is. I know this drama isn't getting any better, and that's because the first few episodes were really not that admirable. A first episode of a drama, the first handful even, are supposed to hook. Usually with Chinese Dramas they push the budget and fine tune things so they are near perfect to watch. Some dramas have catfished me with this tactic, here.. it is honestly a bit appalling how little it did to hook.

With the premiere, the first episodes did what they should and shouldn't. What's important is to introduce characters, their story, what the goal is or should be... even with stories with multiple arcs- just give something. Here that is done, but it is incredibly rushed. The Female General is already the female general, and that is taken away. The way that is taken away from her is so rushed and happens in one episode, less than even. So with that, it has the audience distant. As a viewer, I'm not pulled into her story. Her motivation makes sense, but I find it bland. She had her master of hers revive her when she was literally pushed off a cliff. So she didn't die- and that makes me thinking that she can't die. Anything that happens to her in the story has no weight because of this setup. A lead who survives getting stabbed, falling from a cliff, etc.. right within the first half hour?! She gets attacked by wolves later and acts like she is dying, but as a viewer it is just wasting my time because I know she isn't. I can't say enough how bad of a decision it was to just revive this girl instead of the rebirth..

And I know that rebirth with chinese dramas can't be done these days. Still. There are ways to have a 'comeback' without it being handed on a silver platter. Her adversities do little to hurt her, and she wants to reclaim her place as general. Why though? Why was that so great for her? Why did she like it? Show this somewhere in the drama with storytelling... the flashbacks aren't even put into the story thoughtfully, it is just a little scene at the beginning. It is becoming aparent how little this drama is trying. Is it rushed? I don't know. I can't even say that the FL is looking for vengeance because she isn't, there is no fire in her eyes.. she isn't intense at all.

I don't want to make this too long but with that all being said. This drama isn't that good. It is very basic. The only thing it has that is cool is the Female General. Which is very very hard to buy into with all the plot holes. I see everything that is going to happen so I don't feel the need to watch. What is cool is the promotions and the idea, the execution is not. The chemistry is not, the acting is not, the editing it not, all of it is just very surface level. What you see isn't even what you get, which is disappointing.

It is too bad. I am too tired to explain more of why I feel this way towards the drama, but there's a lot to it... it's full of tropes and cheap writing that makes me feel stupid for watching imsosorry...

Read More

“until there’s no time left”

Angels Fall Sometimes is a slice of life story that unfolds to a tragic and more dramatic yet grounded story. One that I find to be really interesting and enlightening so far, without offending or overdramatizing the wrong elements. It shows a more mature side to ALS and doesn’t use it as a card to play in terms of feeling bad for someone. It’s just the inevitable for our ML.

I can tell it’s mature because of the visualizations it shows of how ALS feels, to be held back and restricted even though you were once fully capable of moving. To be imprisoned within a wheelchair and feel like you’re suffocated. Lin Yi brilliantly plays these scenes in the dark so well, and it’s moving and heartbreaking to watch him realize that he can’t move even though he knows how to.

The male lead in Li Tao, played by Lin Yi. Who is tall and very handsome, who has supportive and overbearing parents. And who feels like a failure to them because he didn’t pursue this path they have paved for him. Instead he pursues his own goals and leaves his brother in the dust to follow his parents.

The scenarios involving work are actually interesting. Both the leads are very relatable as they navigate their way from college to building their careers and own self sufficient lives. It’s refreshing to see a main lead earn something rather than it being given. Specifically Lin Tuo, is very hard working. As opposed to other mailed leads I’ve seen in dramas, nothing is given to him, and he genuinely works hard to get a stable job and it isn’t just a luck of the draw either. He is motivated and hard-working, and both of the leads are. They both aren’t without their flaws either.

Zhi Que is played by Landy Li, who I find so adorable and full of charm. Lin Yi plays Lin Tao and is the lead where the story revolves around him. I find it really endearing how his girlfriend Zhi Que is who is one of the most important people to him that he invited into his life by choice. As he comes from a family that doesn’t give him much freedom or choice. He even gets cut off and get humbled, but was never a brat that leached off his parents and was good for nothing. His only wrong to them is not pursuing the path they layed out for him. I genuinely admire this ML, and I find his relationship with the FL to be a breath of fresh air for him. A relief and choice he made for himself. To be with someone as carefree as her that doesn’t have her life planned, is opposite of him in a way with her living situation. Theyey both make eachother a better person, and it shows what comes from two good people being together.

There are no toxic or jealous feelings between the two, they don’t question their love and it goes easily. There isn’t a villain or a bad person here either. Everyone is fully developed and isn’t a caricature to fit into. That’s because the main hardship of this drama is watching Li Tao slowly lose control and develop ALS. It’s extremely heartbreaking even more when I think of how strong he is with his goals and aspirations, and he is one of those people that doesn’t need an adversity like this, he’s already a great person that doesn’t need a challenge to shape him.

The only over the top character is the FL best friend.. who is very embarrasing and needs to tone it down. I look past that because of the leads drive and Li Tao isn’t perfect either, yet he’s not a push over. He gets frustrated too and has bad days.

It’s interesting to see the Zhi Que’s father’s perspective on being paralyzed and is definitely foreshadowing. It’s what a lot of people think and unfortunately Li Tao is going to be one of those cases. It will be interesting to see them tie all these preconceptions together and the feeling changes. Feelings of frustration, guilt onto holding someone back, and acceptance. I’m interested to see how this story develops and am anticipating a melodramatic future for our couple.

Sadly, what turns me away from this to put it on the back burner is the lack of chemistry between the leads. Landy and Yi are wonderful actors, but together there is a spark lacking here. I’m interested in there other dramas… maybe it is just how they are.. or the material here. Queen of Tears had a plot with a lead facing death and the chemistry was heartwarming and so good. Here the FL doubts her boyfriend and her friend is too pushy for the pair. It just doesn’t click unfortunately . If this drama were about 10 episodes shorter it would be better, or perhaps if it were a movie. It would be easier for me to finish that way, since the material is just so heavy.

Read More

the end of my sanity runs so thin

If I'm being honest, I am watching this show because of Luo Yunxi. I really hoped I would see him as Chu Wanning for now.. but this is what I get for now so I have to live with it.

This show has a lot of similarities to the one I wish I was watching, but looking past that I can see a lot of things that are convoluted and messed up about the story. There are an overwhelming amount of 10/10 reviews so I am rating this more realistically. I am being more harsh because so many people just say 10/10.

So its not bad. The costumes are gorgeous, the sets are gorgeous. Its really good looking. At times the CGI is over ambitious. I realize I am not like the many many others that are applauding it. It is way too much whenever it is there, it is like a bad marvel movie. I get it is the heavenly realm or immortal realm or whatever, but still- the amount of disbelief I can overlook is a lot- and it goes over that bar by a large margin. The CGI is CGI, if I can tell by that point it takes me out of the story. The half of the first episode is hard to watch because of the over saturation of the CGI. It is a huge battle and Luo Yunxi's demon god character is overpowered. This drama is just overproduced. I wish at some point someone anywhere would have told them to stop. I should have saw this coming with the posters for this show (the photoshop is horrendous.. why is there hair floating, Luo Yunxi's hand...) also I kid you not, they reuse shots.. and they freeze shots as if they don't have the material.

That's ok. They set it up so I hate him and he is irredeemable. He killed Bai Lu's characters whole clan (she has like three names so forgive me, I call her Bai Lu). Her father dies in front of her eyes and she is taken back in time to Demon Lord not being demon Lord so she can kill him...

This is where I have a problem. He is this dictator that kills anyone for power. He wiped out several races for power, and its fine it isn't explained why he wants that yet. I like the idea of seeing why he becomes bad and his life is honestly so pathetic that I don't blame him for being upset. It is just underwhelming that Bai Lu is sympathizing with him? He killed her whole family but she is so into this new life. The thing I am having a hard time digesting is that the life isn't even hers. I don't know why she cares so much, and if it is because she is nice than I think that is dumb. I'm sorry. She comes back to kill him, but is taking her time for some evil bone- but in the meantime she is sympathizing? The whole killing several races trumps over whatever he is crying about or getting beaten over. This show right there is off, the plot holes of her being the person in the first place to go back in time to kill him. Main character energy I like, but this is just too much.

It was because she was the only one who wasn't dead. I wish someone less easily swayed was there instead. So in the end when she wishes that she didn't sympathize and has her moment, I don't care. I just think she is so so so dumb. It is a whole romance story, but that is my problem. I get it is based off a book, but if other dramas have to change their narrative to make sense - why can't this one?

It would be a million times better if the narrative was changed. Like have Demon Lord not kill her family, change it to minutes before to show that he is about to but is conflicted. Then I would be ok with her sympathizing because of his pause. Or maybe cut out the romance. Honestly this show caters to the audience, to hopeless romantics. What is with China and romanticizing toxic relationships.

Luo Yunxi gets abused by Bai Lu in the previous life, but then she's nice for a few days and he wants to stay with her? It is Stockholm syndrome I swear. Both sides of knowing they are going to get together make me uncomfortable. There are stories that do the whole being evil but being human better. Luo Yunxi pre demon lord is established to have no feelings- so that's another plot hole? I am watching and getting frustrated by the absurdity of all these plot holes. So for that I rate it like I did.

The acting is very good. The costumes are good.. the story is something I can't get into because it is another drama that is yet again falling into the deep romance. I wish stories could be more gritty and stick with it. It is a shame because it is like there is a guy and a girl leading then in China they have to fall in love. Even if that is the worst possible decision for both of the characters.

I’m officially dropping after the multiple plot lines of drugging characters and sleeping together. There is a word for that- and it’s sickening. This drama glorifies the whole idea of that and it’s like they are trying to have it pass because the girl did it to the guy .. it’s flashy its- offensive and spreads the wrong messages. This show is unaware and I can’t buy into their love. Across all the different timelines or universes or lifetimes. It’s toxic and I refuse it. I could write a several page essay and it’s a shame. I wanted to finish this one but I’m done.

Summing it up it is way too much. Everything it too much and it’s not balanced. Maybe it’s good at the end but at this point I wasted 10 hours. That’s a lot and I’m not wasting 30 more

Read More

Solid Second Installment

So.. I fear what has ‘ruined’ this season for most is that the shock value is essentially gone. The promos say bigger and better and more of this and that, but what season two is-
Is a continuation. I don’t see it as giving any less or more. It actually makes me angry and confused that so many act like this season is horrible. When in fact, it is a cohesive season that is seamless from the first. Sure it isn’t perfect, but it isn’t horrible at all.

I think many people just say it is crap because the cliff hanger, and the fact that it isn’t season one. Like did they want the two of the seasons to be their own entity? Sure, that could have been the case I gues.. but this is a continuation and there will be another one. So I don’t see the problem with the fact there is a cliff hanger. People are impatient and blood hungry I guess. The argument of not enough kills is concerning to say the least. Like you need to watch red every five seconds, my goodness. This has a story to tell, and sure it isn’t finished, but I say it does a good job at building characters and relationships.

The difference from the second season is that there is hope here. It makes the first season better to me, and I will say that season is a lot better- but this one is not garbage. People just jump and have some mob mentality to say it is horrible to feel good I guess! You can’t tell me you wasted seven hours of your time. Goodness. You chose to binge watch it, the fact something can be binged means it is worth a whole lot more than most. It was engaging enough, it wasn’t BORING! THAT says a lot. The fact it was a good sit down watch was A LOT!

I will clean up this review but it needs to be said. This drama is good, not boring, and has a great cast of characters.

Read More

Two Souls Forever Drawn Together

This part was highly anticipated and that could make this part be very bad if it weren’t to be good. But the writing for this show sells the drama so well, that every doubt I have is fading away

I thought with a new actress for Naksu that would be jarring and her character wouldn’t feel the same. But her development is there with the last part and she is the same person. The writing for her is fluent and tied with the last part so well even if it has been three years for all the characters. They all are the same people but they have drastically matured by the situations and hardships they’ve been through.

This drama is a top notch one. The setting is stunning and the costumes are just as stunning. It’s got everything and more importantly the script backing this drama up is done very well. With a time skip it could’ve been doing too much or having us assuming, but they leave just enough to assume and enough for us to guess.

I love how well Naksu and Jang Uk play off each other, with it being reminiscent of what it was before. I hope the ending isn’t again a tragedy, but so far this drama is anything but. It’s so amazing really and everything is engaging. Impressive for me and I love this show so much. I’ll write a more in depth review once it all comes out.

Read More

Seriously frustrating

I firstly will just say, I am likely only have started this for Ryousei Yokohama. I have watched a handful of his works and the guy is just so captivating to me. I assumed that he'd be just as captivating in this Japanese drama adaptation of the Korean Drama and webtoon Nevertheless... and I was right!

Now this could get people upset at me.. but I honestly think this drama is much better than its counterpart. With the Korean version, it was a bit lengthy and therefor boring. It was boring but had great aesthetics. I will say that the original soundtrack for the Korean drama is a whole lot better, but this one gives the same aesthetic and reaches in on a deeper level. Let me explain why.

Now in the Korean version I found it overall a frustrating drama. Here and there the female lead isn't much of anything, she really doesn't have much development and is boring, naive, and stays that way! The actress here does a good job with the timidness, but to a point I wonder how exactly she lets loose and sleeps with with the ML? Here she seems a whole lot more conservative to me.. I don't know if it is the styling or not. I found it annoying in both how much focus there are on butterflies, and honestly I think the story just doesn't know what exactly it even is. Like this is NOT a romance to me, I am seriously unnerved by both portrayals of the ML, and I am sure that their respective actors knew that they were playing a lead that is a serious red flag. So my take is that maybe, just maybe, this is more of a cautionary tale.. but I know that is just not the case.

The Shapes of Love is nice with the side characters coupling up, unfortunately the main pairing is seriously unnerving that I am creeped out and left with a perpetual raised brow at whatever scene is going on between the two. I can say I like the characterization of the ML better in this adaptation.

You wonder why he is so liked, so 'special, and so arrogant. The guy seems like a fantasy man, like I wonder what seriously goes through his head. He seems to do whatever he wants without thinking he will have concequences, and has serious pretty privilege. Yokohama is very pretty, so good job with the casting there. He has got the looks to be a this seductive guy, as his visuals and gaze can play into that character very well. I like the changes where he is now an established artist that has succeeded. Put into the setting of college students who are pursing their passions with an uncertain future, it makes sense why people are jealous, and why people admire him. Ren is a successful artist, unlike the Korean drama, he has a reason to be there. He is a substitute teacher and a character that the others look up to in terms of his artistry and talent. When it comes to the ladies.. I wouldn't say anything more than being frustrated with his tactics (if that is what you call it). I don't see a sense why this had to be made, a frustrating tale in every way equals a frustrating drama. I can say I like the minor changes of aging up the characters and shifting the story. It would make a whole lot more sense to me if they could just change the story entirely... maybe have the perspective be Ren.. so you can see why he is so off-putting and arrogant.

Make something different, tell a different story. At this point it is just the same thing, a little better though! It has great production value! The good things are what they are, and it isn't bad.. it is just like.. why was this made? I don't know.. I am glad to see Ryousei on screen honestly, I could watch him all day haha. I wish he would do a melodrama.. but alas...
I kind of think it is supposed to be cautionary about not letting yourself be timid, but also not letting yourself think you are something you aren't. Like no one is special, not even this mystery man who is perfect.. he is just a guy.. we are all people.. I am just so confused here.

It is unfortunate to me when I see a competent cast with a great budget using itself towards something like this. A. it was done before. B. it was done and wasn't even good. This story simply is one that doesn't need to be told or retold. Each adaptation I believe was missing what was trying to be told. Or maybe there wasn't something to be told anyways?

Read More

Just what I needed.

I am currently waiting for the release of Immortality and started watching this on the expected release date

Best decision I have made. This show is so cinematic and every scene keeps me watching and wanting more. The politics hold depth and I never get bored even with those scenes where they discuss the lineage and the war throughout the countries.

Every aspect of this show is amazing. The actors know theirs roles and the chemistry between parings aren’t forced. To the master and the princess, to the prince and the princess. I understand what the characters motives are and can already see myself falling deeper in love with this drama

Compared to the original this show hits every detail perfectly. I don’t have a single complaint and recommend this to anyone who wants a cinematic and emotional performance.

I can’t get enough of the princess. She is by far the best female lead I have seen, I enjoy the acting, her style, her motives.

Even if the story could seems like it has been seen before this show adds key details. Each character has a motive and a backstory that is easily implied rather than exposition

Read More

Arthur Chen is the only reason I watched this

I know it’s bad to watch It for a reason that I have up there. But holy sh*t, Arthur Chen really has captured my heart. He is a hotty, and I love his aloof acting. His character is amazing and I love his sister and the rival guy that I don’t know the name of. The girl lead is annoying so far because she follows Arthur Chen around for no reason at all. I may come back to this for my man crush.

The music isn’t anything too special, and the production isn’t too special either. The wigs are meh. I applaud the little sister character because she was very young at the time of making this, I think she was 13?

Read More

Pretty Flower Cherry Blossom Boys

To my surprise this drama actually is pretty good. I don’t know why I thought it would be bad, but I think I was skeptical of it being a period drama. some period dramas tend to have cheap costumes and extravagant sets that make it looking cheap and uninspired. Fortunately for this drama, it isn’t perfect with the costuming and wigs.. but that isn’t all this drama is relying on to tell its story.

It’s a pretty simple and easy to understand story so far. I am just happy that it isn’t pushing in ways it shouldn’t, like being a romance or being too dramatic, etc. instead this drama isn’t that ambitious so I can’t say it’s magnificent in accomplishing anything that hasn’t been done, but it’s doing something that is rarely done and that’s a feat of itself. I haven’t seen many dramas focusing on relationships between men without it being a romance, just a strong bond that can be implied one way or another. what’s good is that there isn’t any fanservice and this drama is just what it is.

Kentaro Maeda is definitely the driving reason for me watching this. I love to see him in a different role and love his character also. It’s nice to see a rivalry/friendship. I also like the idea of him being flawed and ultimately going against his best friend, and holding himself off from friendships to begin with.

It’s no masterpiece but this drama isn’t bad. The swordsmanship is stunning and imaginative. I love to see the actors themselves know the choreography and pull it off well, so for what this drama is worth it’s a bunch of young men learning to be samurai with the focus being on two of them. Also Kentaro Maeda’s stunning visuals have me agreeing with anything he says.. he’s a heartthrob and also is good at acting so.. what can I say. I’m a simple person and if the drama isn’t outright offensive or trying and failing to do something it’s pretty good!

Read More

When the phone rings I’ll answer your call

I have been waiting what seems like ages for this drama. I’m a fan of both leads and know they are great at what they do. What I haven’t seen from the both of them was a genre like this for the pair, so I’m happy to see something sort of new.

Dramas are getting stale for me these days but I always knew I was going to tune into this one. I’ll be honest though, say what I like and what I don’t.

What I’ll say right away is that the first episode hooks you in through the first scene alone. You wonder about the relationship of the leads and how it go to that point. Why is the husband so narcissistic? Why does the wife stay silent? How and why are they together?

It is clear it’s based on a contract, but I hope it goes into each layer and detail as to why. Thriller is a perfect genre for this idea and I know I’ve seen many contract marriage drama before.. but going the thriller route with it is such a smart move from a writing standpoint. Having all these questions hook the viewer, and to add to that you’ve got great visuals and chemistry.

I’ll comment briefly and add each episode though. I’m used to dramas being great the first few episodes and then really showing their true colors of not knowing what they are doing. Dramas greatest weakness are the runtimes being too long or too short these days. Thrillers have an advantage of being a slow burn though, so I am ok with a bit of slow build up as long as there are visual clues and smart dialogue that tie into each mystery.

Cha Soobin took a great role. She is very sincere with her acting and has a charm to her the same as Yoo Yeon Seok does. It’s seems like a pairing made from the heavens to me. What I’m happy to see is tension, the isolation within the relationship. I really wonder if the romance will work out or if it will be entirely a thriller and have one against the other. Soobin as I said is genuinely full of charm, and is quite cute in all her roles. Here although she isn’t as outspoken, she is just as cute. She is styled amazingly and her straight and long hair looks so stunning. She is quiet but has the acting chops to fill up her role with subtle expressions and emotions.

Yoo Yeon Seok is playing a tricky character. I don’t really know what to say of the lead he’s playing for now, I am enjoying that he is a demeaning figure. Obviously he is oppressive, but to play that sort of role and still have likability.. the man is doing it and it’s impressive. Also he of course is styled so well and looks beyond handsome. If only the couple were actually happy and perfect as they look haha

This is the only kdrama I’m watching at the moment but seriously that’s a lot for me. It means it is worth while and worth my time, so I would recommend.

Read More

Bloodcurdling

I have really been looking forward to this one- it has Woo Do Hwan, it has action, and it has boxing. So right away the intrigue for me is off the charts.

With a first episode only being watched there is only so much I can say for now but- wow.

Woo Do Hwan is a stellar actor and this is definitely my favorite work of his I’ve seen. In terms of versatility he gives it all, he’s a badass, he’s a sweet son, he’s a great friend- he really is everything.

I can’t wait to see more from him and his delivery because with only an episode it already is so so good. This drama gives exactly what it should and honestly goes beyond that. It had by heart racing by the last scenes of the first episode.

It’s not boring and easy to understand, the motivations and character contrasts are clear. It’s a clean drama other than all the blood. The story is right knit and no story bears contradict eachother. So for now it’s a 10/10 simply because I’m enjoying it a lot.

The action really is what sells it. Just watch for yourself

I’ll update later when I watch more but I had to rave for now

Read More