K-Drama 
1
Losing interest
Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of the FL actress: Park Eun BinI have watched almost all her drama!
From the title, I thought it would be about singing .... not family violence and abusive relationships ... the abusive dad story breaks the mood. I don't like to watch abusive stories so this is not my type of drama.
The story is not focused. To many stories and not enough about the Diva. I find it very difficult to connect with the main leads and their love story as adults because they don't spend enough together as a couple.
I can't connect with her as a singer either because the singing story is not continuous and distracted by other stories about family.
There only 12 eps. I feel it's too short to be focusing on crimes, family abusive relationships, etc ... more should be focused on her story ... I think there would be lots of good and funny moments about her adapting to a new modern life. But no: the writer chose an easier route through abusive story! I guess it's easier to write that story because funny stories are more difficult.
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Watchable while waiting for my favorites
This drama is typical and predictable. But the way they presented the characters and the actors/actresses makes you care for them. In the beginning, it's repetitive and predictable. But starting at ep 10, it's a decent watch.If you are waiting for a drama, this is actually not a bad drama compared to others that are being shown ... It's typical chinese drama scenes all mixed with some solid acting and comedy. The leads are likable ... I find the FL's role to be annoying ... her voice is so childish ... and her behavior too.
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Draggy at the end
This drama was slow at first. Towards the middle was getting interesting. Then towards the last episodes was draggy. I fast forwarded the last 6 episodes because the story was not interesting.The main leads have chemistry and acted connvincingly.
I didn't like the 2nd leads. They are just there and felt forced.
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An Open Engagement (as in Open Marriage)
To give this relationship between FL and ML a current contemporary definition: An Open Engagement (as in an Open Marriage)It should fail as the guy is not open to it but the FL forced him to. So as he said, he's forced to explored.
Open Marriage concept: both partners AGREE (and WANT TO) to the terms and allowed to explore their feelings with others. She has feelings for another person. He DIDN'T but was told by her to explore. Look, just because some one is interested in you, doesn't mean you are interested in her! He should go out and date people he's interested in, NOT HIS SIDEKICK that he always treated like a sister! Instead, he follows her command - why because she's like his hero- he does whatever she wants him to do!
The appropriate ending to this is:
1) the guy should learn that open relationship is not for him
2) he should break up with the woman who forces him to be what he doesn't want to be - he said it himself that it's not much to be content with his career path but it's what he wants. Because of his background, he doesn't want much- he just wants a stable life.
3) He should not disrespect the girl who idolizes him and ask her to be in a relationship with him - it's the same way FL is disrespecting him!
Respect is the most important thing in a relationship. When that respect is broken, there is NO way out but divorce. It's the best for both people.
The 5 rating is for the acting and acting ALONE. Both FL and ML have acting skills.
The ML always dresses like he's a model - seriously the stylist needs to dress him more appropriately.
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This review may contain spoilers
An entertaining drama with good visuals and acting
You can say whatever you want, criticize the story, age difference, loopholes, etcBut you can't deny that this drama appeals to the general public and garners high reviews because it's an entertaining story: NO it isn't realistic, it's a typical drama, and has a Netflix stamp on it, etc ...
BUT the characters are likable, with redeeming quality. The violence is not excessive.
The acting and chemistry were good. Yes, there were some cringy moments.
Ep 12 was unnecessary/nonsensical drama. But hey, let them add some fillers as the actor/actress really deserve some more screen time together! :-) I'll watch 13 for their kids' story too!
I didn't feel as if it was wasting my time. I felt entertained.
I am still giving a 10 despite all the loopholes and incredible scenarios. It's like comic story but it's entertaining.
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One of the best K drama
This drama started really slow. The ML is slow and shows no emotion in the beginning. But FL is so lively - this scenario is very typical in most Asian dramas.I initially skipped the first 2 episodes, not understanding the purpose of the drama. But after the ML and FL formed an alliance to make the movie, the drama became so interesting to watch as the ML grows in his emotion and frees himself from the past and just live his life one day at a time.
The entire premise of this drama is that true love is worth everything that it demands of us. It makes life worth living even through the heartache of loving someone who is dying. It doesn't make sense but it's better to love and lost than to not love at all.
The writing is so good that as a parent, I totally empathize with the FL's father. As someone who had changed through the power of love (various forms of it), I can understand that love is everything: it hurts, it elevates, it is transformative. Without it, I am not complete. I was born to love and through it, I became a better person than I was before I found it.
The other aspect of this drama is the story of an undervalued person who is seemingly worthless because she is dying. Death doesn't define our quality, our dreams, and our story. Everyone deserves a chance to realize her dream regardless of her physical/emotional ability. We all can learn from each other. Never underestimate the quality of any human.
I also like the theme of redemption. Hey, everyone makes mistakes. We can all learn to forgive each other. Forgiveness allows us to collaborate and do great things.
I don't like sad stories. But some how this story is very elevating and enabling. Yes, I did shed some tears. But there was laughter too. There was a feeling of joy to understand that people die, but as long as we love, our lives are better through experiencing it truthfully and fearlessly.
People say that the last eps drag out for no purpose. I feel it does have a purpose: it allows me time to say goodbye to a beautiful love story. It's a soft landing. It enables me to feel that death is slow and not so terrible after all.
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The type of anti-hero story
The saddest ending is that the heroine prefers the anti-hero because he would do anything for her ... anything that even her mom wouldn't do for her! Basically, a slave.Throughout the story I got the sense that she likes TJ because he represents safety and the "deepest" love that transcends even parental love. She said it herself in ep 62 that her mom wouldn't do something for her but TJ will ...
Without this love, she feels insecure. Well I don't know if TJ represents love or anxiety medication? But whatever.
Overall, the acting perfect in this drama. The song is beautiful.
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This review may contain spoilers
Surprising hit of suspense and romance
Surprisingly, I like this drama. The reason is the FL & ML. Wow the chemistry!!! They both acted really well too, especially the FL. I wish more romance storyline was developed to give the ML more screen time!I am not interested in the girls influencers. But learned some aspects about them. I have seen some K influencers in real life instagram so now I understand the perspective.
Very good drama. I just wish for a more dimensional development and not so many flashbacks and forth. It's confusing. I understand that they purposely did that to creative the confusion and suspense that she was killed. BUT come on! The FL can't be killed when there are 3 episodes left!! Give me a break!
But despite everything, still giving this drama high rating because I enjoyed watching it. I finished in 1 day !!!
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Plot is not interesting - Review up to 20
This is a review up to eps 20. I will be dropping the drama because the story is not interesting to me. Please don't comment/attack my review because this review is not attacking you, "your actors," or your values. It's just about how I feel about the story up to 20.I like both actors. Up to episode 8, the drama was great.
However, the script can't hold my interest. The love story is not compelling, especially when the ML disappeared for awhile. Then he lost his power. The SML seems to have equal screen time.
I normally like TSY. Here, when she was in the Princess role, she looks beautiful. However, in the XY role, her hair always looks unkempt. I love her when she was in Under the Power. She was really funny and cute there. I think it's the script.
The resolution of the Sui Meng Xian Jun [Dreamshard immortal] story doesn't make sense.
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Very Good Story - Female empowerment again
This is the typical CDrama recently: the female is in charge. Ever since the success of Lost You Forever made it huge with female lead being loved by 3 handsome males, every other drama is like this now: devoted love is the way to win the FL's affection.This and also the rebirth theme. I don't know when they will stop doing this theme.
There are so many handsome male actors in the story. The ML is sugary sweet and does everything he can to support the FL - how realistic is it? Can you find a man like that in real life?
The story is a long romantic endeavor of the ML trying to win the FL's heart - she only admitted she loved him in ep 28 after he professes to love her for herself regardless of who she is.
However, despite the old theme of rebirth and souls merging, the acting was decent and there is chemistry between the leads. The story is fun to watch. I recommend it because it's entertaining but I would not watch again.
Wasting time after ML dies in 32! I fast forwarded until 36 when he returns unexpectedly!
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A Classic Remake kind of watchable
I don't know how many times I have read the book while I was a teenager and then seeing the HK version for countless times. So, YES, definitely I am biased. I thought I would be dropping this drama because as DH said, it's been done too many times. And I know the story backwards. And yet, I am still watching it ... partially for old's time sake and partially because of the new special effects.Let's begin with what's wrong with this drama ... and why it's NOT rated higher:
1) Wang Hong Yi as Yang Kang cannot capture the complexity of this character. He doesn't have the look/presence of Yang Kang, who is supposed to be handsome, tricky, good/evil, and so charming.
2) Bao Shang En as Huang Rong falls short of the iconic role by Barbara Yung, who has the personality and the presence of this beautiful and smart FL. BY (although a little bit too old for HR) could capture the essence of HR from the book. Bao Shang En doesn't have the look and also the acting capability for this role.
--- although after watching her more and comparing her with other Chinese actresses from other remakes, she does a decent job. Watchable.
3) Ci Sha as Guo Jing ... Looks-wise I think he does look like Guo Jing. However, acting wise, he doesn't have a lot of expressions. Guo Jing is again not a straight forward person. He's gullible, honest but he's not dumb. Felix Wong as Guo Jing was a better actor. And when paired with Barbara Yung, they had so much chemistry.
4) Huang Yao Shi also failed because the way he acts was like a parody of the character! Not as I remember from the book. For example, when the GJ's teachers challenged him, he puts hand on his head as if to say, "you've got to be kidding me"! Seriously, HYS shouldn't have this type of gesture. He doesn't make jokes like this ... He's dignified and serious.
Same thing goes for the beggar king ... Yeh, they are not acting like the characters from the book.
Like a lot of other reviewers say, this drama glosses over A LOT of scenes and character development. It's like telling a summary of the book. For people like me, it's kind of ok because I just need a summary- I've seen it so many times. For others, please watch the HK version. It's just like the book ... so good in storytelling and acting.
Why I give music such low score? Please just go and listen to the HK version. OMG ... I don't speak cantonese but the music was amazing. And the singers too!
After looking at the other 2 Chinese adaption of this drama, I decided to give it another chance. The FL is not too bad relative to the other previous ones.
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A Remake of a Classic - FAILED
I don't know how many times I have read the book while I was a teenager and then seeing the HK version for countless times. So, YES, definitely I am biased. I thought I would be dropping this drama because as DH said, it's been done too many times. And I know the story backwards. And yet, I am still watching it ... partially for old's time sake and partially because of the new special effects.Let's begin with what's wrong with this drama ... and why it's NOT rated higher:
1) Wang Hong Yi as Yang Kang cannot capture the complexity of this character. He doesn't have the look/presence of Yang Kang, who is supposed to be handsome, tricky, good/evil, and so charming.
2) Bao Shang En as Huang Rong falls short of the iconic role by Barbara Yung, who has the personality and the presence of this beautiful and smart FL. BY (although a little bit too old for HR) could capture the essence of HR from the book. Bao Shang En doesn't have the look and also the acting capability for this role.
3) Ci Sha as Guo Jing ... Looks-wise I think he does look like Guo Jing. However, acting wise, he doesn't have a lot of expressions. Guo Jing is again not a straight forward person. He's gullible, honest but he's not dumb. Felix Wong as Guo Jing was a better actor. And when paired with Barbara Yung, they had so much chemistry.
4) Huang Yao Shi also failed because the way he acts was like a parody of the character! Not as I remember from the book. For example, when the GJ's teachers challenged him, he puts hand on his head as if to say, "you've got to be kidding me"! Seriously, HYS shouldn't have this type of gesture. He doesn't make jokes like this ... He's dignified and serious.
Same thing goes for the beggar king ... Yeh, the are not acting like the characters from the book.
Like a lot of other reviewers say, this drama glosses over A LOT of scenes and character development. It's like telling a summary of the book. For people like me, it's kind of ok because I just need a summary- I've seen it so many times. For others, please watch the HK version. It's just like the book ... so good in storytelling and acting.
Why I give music such low score? Please just go and listen to the HK version. OMG ... I don't speak cantonese but the music was amazing. And the singers too!
There is a version with better actors ... I think I will try this one: https://kisskh.at/2529-legend-of-the-condor-heroes-2008
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So far So Good - very surprised
This rom-com is actually pretty decent. The actress, although much older than ML, is convincing and funny. They are convincing as a couple. They do have chemistry.The story is a time travel one where the FL, who just won a French culinary competition, was transported to the era of the king who has sensitive taste buds to food.
Every step of the story is simple but convincing. It's fun and funny to watch the story of the couple unfolds.
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Review up to 11
I am only interested in the story of the aunt and uncle of the narrator. This part is about the pre-communist era. I am not interested in subsequent stories as I grew up in a communist country, escaped it: watching stories about the oppression of the system is depressing and not entertaining for me. Brings back too many bad memories.As I am heading to Shanghai next month, I am interested in the old Shanghai before the communists took over. It's a typical story of gangsters except this one took on the communist theme - all for the country.
The chemistry between the ML and FL is amazing, unlike (Legend of Female Gen - no chemistry and story was terrible). I think ML acted well in this story.
I dropped the rest of the episodes after the story of the old shanghai ended. I gave the story full marks - not that there was nothing to complain about - but as a whole, it was entertaining and convincing.
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This review may contain spoilers
Rewatch Value is a 10
I just rewatched it for the 4th time and it's still fresh. It's a classic. I don't know if there is a drama that I can rewatch it almost every other year and still find it so fresh and amazing.They just found the perfect actor for every role here. I don't think there is another actress who can give the innocence and intelligence of the female lead of this drama.
Yes, it's a feel good story. Yes, not every autistic person is going to be like this, and this drama shows it! I think it's ok to have a superhero who can showcase the genius of a autistic person. It reminds me of Justin Hoffman's Rain Man. Both Hoffman and Park Eun-bin show the contrary/endearing human and superhuman quality of autism.
I love that everyone is shown in a good light. Everyone deserves to be loved regardless of his/her handicap.
PERFECT SCORE
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