3/4 of the way the plot seems to have slowed. And supporting cast in character Gary and Amy wasnt that interesting. They both developed a bit in their character.But Dal Nim, Bo nui's bestfriend is my favorite. Shes really cute and has her own charms.
Kudos to the writers for wrapping up this drama nicely. I love it their reunion ties back to their work. Often we see leads background abandoned secondhalf of a draman not in this case. I find it really sweet and great way to recap back all their times together and what they were to each other. And that letter from Su ho was simple but moving and the turning point to Bo Nui's decision to grow and be better. Su ho although inept and clueless in love always made the best decisions instinctively. He knows when to press the gas pedal and when to pull back to give her space. Oh my heart, il moss Je Su ho very much.
Ost part i love 90% of the songs. I find Junsu's track here better than the one he did for DOTS.
Wardrobe i find the stylist to be very bold. Su ho's tshirts sweats and shorts fit his character well. Most of the time i can tolerate Bo nui's boho look. She has the frame to rock it but 3 layers of denim is wrong. So its a hit and miss. And if theres too much negative comments on some of the dresses layered on bell trousers it means its distracting.
I find i enjoyed the drama better in marathon rather thn 2 episodes a week. Hence the last 6 episodes i waited it to air and watch in a go. Now i hope Ryu picks another nice project. Will miss him on the screen.
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I seldom watch tragic melodramas cause I have a very low threshold when it comes to hearttwrenching tragedies and unspeakable loss of loved ones coupled by horrid antagonist that from the start you pray for their death. So I have to be truthful that for my sanity I skip parts that I couldn't stomach. usually I would have dropped the drama but the plot was too compelling. Ji sung and Jung Eum are so perfect for their role I can't imagine this drama will ever work or reach their emotional pinnacle without them.
Ji Sung really cements his ability as a fantastic actor with his role of President Jo Min Hyuk. His pain, frustration, anger, loss and even hatred was so palpable. You almost reach towards the screen either to comfort him or shake him. His expression and the way his eyes speaks when he looks at Yoo Jung was so multi facet. He really channels that looks of love and longing. Of wanting to be closer to her to keep her by his side and yet still tear himself away from her. Episode 12 to 14 has really memprable scenes of them
I never thought too much about Hwang Jung Eum. She really blew me away with her role as the pitiful but strong Yoo Jung. Yoo Jung really turns out to be a character I have to admire .. To survive those loss, abuse in the prison, self guilt and looks of disgust from others. Also I think she cried truckloads in this drama and made me reach for the tissues too.
If I have to be critical. I would say the ending scene of them was too short for my liking. For all the tribulations we witness them, I would have liked to be rewarded for more. Which is why after this drama I'm moving on to Kill me, Heal me, another drama of them together.
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Easy breezy love after marriage
✅️ Super adorable FL✅️ Romance after marriage
✅️ Sweet love story
✅️ Understanding parents
✅️ No abuse or dog blood scenes
✅️ No 3rd wheel /love triangle
For a short vertical drama, this one was nice by staying simple, sweet but not saccharine sweet. Theres other versions of this story but i find the actress in this version, the cutest and make the FL character vibrant, energetic but still believable. Just under 2hr on YT, its really a breezy watch ❤️
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Purest of love
✅️ Romance in fantasy setting✅️ Purest, sincere FL
✅️ Honourable, charismatic ML
✅️ Hits you harder thn anime
✅️ Love after arranged marriage
✅️ Intrique & birth secrets
➖️Trigger: Violence and abuse alert
In this unexpected setting, Miyo gets bethrothed to Kiyoka. Miyo despite the abuse she faced growing up, remains unblemised in her innocence and purity of mind. Kiyoka who learns to trust her is drawn to her simple and sincere character. Their interaction was wholesome and sweet in the most beautiful form.
Imada Mio and Meguro Ren managed to potray the real essence of their characters that I felt truly resonate with me and surpass the source material.
Watching them was like sipping a hot Kabusecha: that has a nuanced, unique yet relaxing profile.
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Real. Painful. Moving. Wholesome
The first 5mins may make you turn away. That cruel moment of seeing someone losing the will to live and seek death can be too much for some viewers.Yet theres so much this drama offered beyond what I expect. For one it tackles real issues. There's JingJing who pulled a Robin Williams on all her loved ones including her 3 besties. She shouldered a lot of things and hid it so well. In a depressive state, she made a drastic choice.
The 3 remaining ladies like Jing Jing faces many struggles as North drifters, slang for people who left their hometown to go to the big city in the north trying to make a better living. During bad times, Beijing is a city so fast paced, one can feel like you are swallowed whole. Nan Jia is a strong character, a career woman with her own business. She too faced a lot of hurt in the city, faced issues with health and in love. Qiao Xi Chen who works hard, lives like a miser, struggled to be successful and wronged by backstabbers at office. Xu Yan who has a lot of insecurity and often too wrapped up in people's comments, had a lot of growing up to do in life and love.
With the ladies are 3 love interests and fortunately for us all 3 lads are good guys. That helped to balance off the sad elephant in the room. Its a story showing growth and more so in the courage and hard work the ladies put into living their life.
Wholesome are the great parents. The ones who love their children and tell them the words one need to hear. This sounds easy but is not often dobe. Sometimes parents set too high expectations or say the wrong words that can hurt their children. Xi Chen's parents words to her were so touching. Wholesome are the friendship among the ladies. Wholesome was when the 3 ladies care for JingJing's parents.
The acting is top notch. Ren Su Xi, Zhou Yu Tong and Sun Qian at different points of the drama moved me to tears. I felt their sincerity across the screen. Chinese dramas should do more lengths like this: 12episodes of moving story, poignant, meaningful and leaves us hopeful.
Parting words from JingJing: Even after the darkest of night, there'll be sunrise. Even after the longest journey, there is an end.
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Short, Sweet & Buoyed by the cast
"You're the most beautiful when you're doing the things you love and enjoy every moment of it"Love the message it ultimately delivers.
The story itself between Sato Ai and Hasebe Sosuke is truly romantic. They have feelings for each other as children. He came back only to slowly fall back in love with her without knowing her real identity. Despite a rough start, he remains attracted to all the wonderful personality and traits of Ai. While to Ai, Sosuke turns out to be the same cute clumsy and sweet guy that she knows. Its nice to see a ML who although initially misunderstood FL and comes off as rude but doesnt take forever to realise it. Gotta give him credit for being humble enough to admit and apologize.
This production is buoyed by casting the right people for the leads. Both ML and FL were so good in their roles. ML can switch between cool and cold to clumsily adorable to sexy and flirty. FL is so expressive without goin over the top. She makes Ai so much more beautiful and special. Both of them are top notch at emoting. They deliver so well attraction, shyness and sexual tension.
Lastly the plot and production is good. A longer drama like K or C versions would have made it draggy or annoying. 10 episodes is just right in fleshing out character, plot that continuously moves and wrapping up nicely. Do watch, its easily one of the best version.
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Tangible, Poetic Piece
When the screenwriter is the original author, you already know what you sign up for.The opening 5 minutes already set the tone: the picturesque setting, the weather, the bgm, the FL's expression. Character and world building all set up in the first episode.
FL is refined, unblemished, almost goody two-shoe and whole heartedly faces the ML whom she fell in love with at first sight.
ML is a gentle warrior. In war, he is accomplish and incites loyalty in his army. Off it, he is kind, gentlemanly and humble. He does not carry nobility arrogantly. He seem to have all the good traits a man can have.
I think the atmosphere is really tangible. There is a lot of things not spoken but expressed. There is a lot of meaning behind a glance, a smile, a gesture.
I think this piece is a challenge to both ML and FL, who both rose to the occassion. Allen Ren is already known for his expressiveness that earn him alot of praises since Under the Power. FL have a lot of renowned works, both in modern and historical setting. And I felt she manage to carve out a Shi Yi who is very diff from her other previous characters.
I want to mention the crown prince. From the moment he grace the screen, he eminated charisma. So much i went to check and boy hes so young but does so well and had so much presence.
Like the book, there is a poetic feel to the drama that I cant help appreciating.Im glad Mo Bao Fei Bao and PD manage to translate it here to the screen. Im not exactly a fan of her works, it tends to be tinge with melancholy melo tones. The story and setting reminds me not everyone have the ability to love and be with the one they love.. especiallly not in ancient China and the position they both hold. This is so sad.
The decision to split the past life from the present was suprising for me. It was woven seamlessly in the novel. I wonder are we gonna have flashbacks in the sequel since modern day Shi Yi has memories of her past life?
Like everyone else Im waiting for Sep 9. For all the heartache and pain they went through, we want nothing more than the two to be given another chance. Perhaps second time aroud fate would be kinder.
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Autumn kind of love
The feels. A little melancholy. A little warm. Depends on your mood. A falling leaf can be soothing, can be sad. And the drama seesaws between the two quite seamlessly.If you watch ML moving in the darkness in his house. Thats cause the blind does not need the light at night. Then next scene its in the bright joyful setting of the FL and her roommate. The first quarter of the drama shows the two extremes of our CP. I dont know i find that very moving.
As she gets into his world and move him bit by bit, his house too becomes enveloped with light. I find the picture of him and his heart to be parallel and symbolic.
Moving on to the characterization. Male lead has a more extreme personality. He doesnt like, he doesnt do, he doesnt care and he wont spare a thought or a look. He is extrememly quiet and stays in his world due to the unpleasant childhood and his lack of sight. Like he put in words later, a person like him doesnt love easily. And to forget the person he love, is even more impossible. So this explains and may let you condone some of his extreme actions and reactions.
Female lead is again those courageous girl that puts on a wonderwoman suit and fights to enter the guy's realm after she fell in love at first sight and the same person whose songwriting she admires. She sometimes fumbles or gets into sticky embarrasing moments. But shes always honest and makes a lot of effort to understand him.
The biggest gem is the songs and ost. As I Believe is my favorite. Its the type at first verse, im totally suck in. Fall was another winner. And ML's song sang by Lin Yanjun himself. They blend into the drama, and make the scenes more impactful.
There is some change in tone as the drama progresses, which i know peeps complained about. I wouldnt say its perfect. But it did reflect how the leads are the same and yet different as time progresses. The jealous fiance husband could be toned down but i suppose grown man can be childish too. Some couples like a lot of couquetishness so as long as they are happy, thats all that matters.
Lastly the chemistry is what makes it really work. You just only need to see the comfortable body language and feel the ML and FL are so right for this pairing. They have the best hugs, forehead touches and eskimo kiss! Do watch.
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CUTE
Cute guys. Cute FL. Cute cats. Cute story.Controversies aside, the dramas works because its a complete package. As shallow as it is, its a casting of a lot of good looking people and make esports arena a place of idols looking peeps. Theres a lot of witty dialogue that makes you laugh aloud. Theres team spirit and camaderie among the esports team. Theres nice animation for the game fights. Theres good progress in the romance department between the ML and FL. Theres a lot of cute edits from the editor, point in case they gave a HP bar above FL when she was unwell/suffering from mestrual cramps. I thought that was really cute. And theres the cute cats that totally steal my heart.
Worthy mentions: FL's bestfriend is such a nice character, i love her sass and confidence. Little Fatty is a really cute character, i love him in d novel, i love him the same in the drama.
Kudos to the production team that did great post-production work here. Ive seen C dramas with good cast and story marred by poor editing which makes it hard to watch and follow. Not the case here, episode to episode flows very well, very easy to binge.
If theres things to criticize it might be the FL's acting range. Clueless, nonchalance or adorable those were fine but more emotional scenes need a lot of work still. But they make it up with good chemistry cause Xu Kai prpbably is her best onscreen partner thus far. While i was watching my husband kept pointing out how over their makeup was and how everyone is too white ^^ lol. Still this was a fun watch.
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Good dose of Romance, Slight Mystery
Original chinese title is Fall In Love Shi Meng! reflects the drama better.. breakdown of the contents would be:5% plot setup.
30% cohabitation hijinks.
20% developing affection & attachment.
20% sweet start of romance.
20% 2nd ML interactions with ML, FL
5% Mystery & wrap up
Fate or destiny is considered part of the theme but in the end is also dependent on the person's action. Shi Meng and Fang Yuan can be considered "Interested at First Sight" but truly "Develop Affection and Love" as they cohabitate as the idiom says "Familiarity Breeds Fondness".
Shi Meng only focuses on work, has a rift with his brother and generally has an unapproachable air and gets annoyed easily. Fang Yuan can be considered duped into staying with Shi Meng as a 'caretaker'. They stayed together with Shi Meng installing a set of rules but Fang Yuan hilariously pushes his limits in silly ways. Fang Yuan is quite a lovely character, not stupid, positive disposition although sometimes her illness dampens her mood.
Theres some role reversal where FL takes the initiative and so things, small action to grand gesture to make the ML happy. Then theres the ML thats seemingly cool and reluctant would end up doing gentle things for FL like teaching her to skate or helping her wash her hair. So trust me, theres quite alot of lovely moments.
Ep 1 was not really interesting until the last 3mins. Ep2 to 4 I was distracted and turned to other dramas. Ep 5 onwards finally hooked me. Ep 6 onwards was binge worthy.
The plot isnt super original and the start wasnt without issues. But overall its a very good watch. The ML and FL makes a beautiful couple and their acting is quite natural.
Ps Theres really alot of tall goodlooking actors popping out in C dramaland everywhere. This year alone have com across quite a number of average to good dramas starring new actors. Truly spoilt with choice. You may have overlooked this drama due to lesser known actors and little promotion but its a show thats mostly light and sweet with a touch of mystery and good dose of romantic moments between leads
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The positives:
Plot
Each episode but one delivers a new cold case that needs solving. Unwavering each episode starts moments before a crime took place. The writing dives straight into the task force gathering clues, gathering info, meeting potential suspects. Unlike C or even K dramas that take time (or too much time) developing individual characters of main cast, this drama lets you observe their characters as they so the job. And through each case, we saw how it may connect to the main cast member. How it effected them and drop hints of the ghosts in their closet. Simple interactions as they meet at work or after work allows you to peek into their lives. Its something to pick up on your own, yet its purposeful and never as afterthought.
Character
Captain Ishikawa is like that woman you admire. Who is proficient, efficient and sometimes blunt. Who seems to be steadfast yet rigid in her stance. Who looks calm on the surface but like a deep pool of water, you are attracted to find more about her and indeed theres much in her past that made her the way she is now.
Takagi, the new guy who quickly found his groove with the rest of the team. He seem to see thing on the surface but you come to find out his many strengths, not just as a member of the taskforce but as a person. I find his nature sometimes sweet, sometkmes gullible. But he forms a fascinating contrast to Ishikawa
Motoki, the vice and moat senior from appearance to demeanor was always in control, dependable and conducts his team in a soft leader manner. We also saw a bit of how his work ate away on his personal life and family.
Tachikawa and Kaneko rounds up the team and both are very likable. Tachikawa exudes a sometime male egoism and biasness but hes a good cop that gains your favor as the drama progresses. I look forward to knowing more of them as character and their own background story in Season2.
Acting
The actors playing the main casts were all spot on and effective in their roles. Yoshida You is new to me and she amazes me with her own screen charisma. Shes the type of actress that draws you in from both performance and appearance. Not just attractive appeal but her portrayal of Ishikawa was multi facet, sometimes strong and tough, sometimes calm and sharp, sometimes bias and emotional and when she cracked, vulnerable and even broken. Exceptional is the only word i can sum up for both the actress and her character.
Music
Opening theme and songs used were very nice. A lot of nostalgic english songs used too.
Crime and story range
Almost every theme, with different victims in different background, decade, was explored. Suspects, motives and culprits were variable too. Cases involving kids were particularly emotional for me. Most of the cases gets you emotiobally invested and a few makes you put not just your detectice hat on but criminalpsychology too.
The negatives
I wish the season is longer. 10 episodes wasnt enough for me. The other was tje development in Cap Ishikawa's sister while i dont hate it, i didnt particularly like it either.
Verdict
If you enjoy the genre of crime, investigation,detective and mystery, this drama tick all the boxes. Theres not much frills and diversion, a major plus in my book. Im amazed that even though each episode isnt long and total episode count isnt alot, it manages to develop the main cast with the limited screentime on their personal lives. Season 2 will be out in less than a week at the time of writing this review. My suggestion is binge watch this drama's season 1, you wont be disappointed.
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The greatest weakness are one dimensional characters so i really didnt care for HaNi's prince aka Chef. They never explores his character further from his face blindness to his stern nature that dissolved to nothing aft a few encounters with our mermaid.
Some other characters fare better. Hyun Myung was a thoroughly good guy, sweet and does all the heroic things without saying a peep. Hye Yeong potrayed by the awesome Seul Hi was exceptional and fun. She has her own loveline with Big. Hani the mermaid literally brought out tje bubbles from the sea, shes bubbly, outgoin, childish but adorable. And her fairy godmother is veteran actor Ahn Kil Kang currently playing Kim Bokju's father in weightlifting fairy.
The first two episodes takes some getting use to as the comedic side was lashed out outrageously n a bit out of the norm for K dramas. They do dial that down lateron. The show also suffers from pacing. Cause by end of ep 9 you can literally hear the pd shouts Wrap it up hence ep 10 feels rushed. You have just gotten use to the surplus house and its inhabitants and suddenly they chased you out. Thats the result of 4 episodes being cut off.
Regardless its enjoyable for being an oddball, being alittle kooky and also its potrayal of how love isnt like what naive Hani imagined it to be. Additional .5 marks cause im happy a real couple is born from this drama and happy to report they are still dating.
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So far the plotline is different and sets it apart from typical k drama romances. However alot of things didnt appeal to me.
My main problem is Yeo Reum stringing along both males. At times i felt she was unfaithful and unfair to both men and to herself. So Yeo reum is not the heroine you want to root for. Im not asking for perfection in a female lead. But her selfishness makes me hard to care about her. I just feel sad for both males and that continuous limbo they are all in. Theres so much unhealthy lies (whether lie by omission or supposingly white lies). It makes me feel like realtionships are tiring and bitter. Which isnt what i would like to take out of dramas. I know love and relationship isnt all flowery all the time but the plot and the characters really move to the extreme unpleasantness. If you share my views than most probably you wish you didnt watch this drama.
I rated a. Generous 7.0/10 overall because of the acting. Eric and Sung Joon were intense and good in portrayin their character. Im ambivalent on Jung Yu Mi. To be fair it maybe because i really dislike her character in the drana i couldnt find much love for the actress.
So really before you start watching you need to ask yourself if this is your cup of tea. Else the bitter taste leaves a bad aftertaste ..
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Of Ghost and Curse and unfinished business in an unremarkable manner
Ghost/horror genre and ability of a human to see them is not new. ML has a fulltime job as a photographer of the dead prior to crossing over to afterlife. It's a cursed ability handed through generation in his family. His sidekicks are 2 ghosts (ex deskworker and ex cop) both with reasons of unfinished business and had stayed in the land of the living.The main selling point were the episodic telling of the stories of each ghost visitor. From child to elderlies, each with their final request. ML's role, often challenging but rewarding to see the visitors have a proper closing before sending off to the other realm. This worked well in the beginning.. I cried on episodes of grandma, the child, abd the courier deliveryman. Those were stories that were touching and memorable.
Enter my criticism. Later on its fixated on the overall big baddie ghost. And sidetracked by cop ghost's story about his wife (very skippable). That enjoyable nature of diff ghost diff story was abandoned.
Next the romance between our ML and FL. In the beginning I enjoyed how ML seem a lil antihero and FL was kind of bubbly and goofy. ML was just trying to survive the curse and escape the looming death. I felt their relationship never reached the height it should. If hot is 100C, theirs is like lukewarm. Cause of this I never felt the intensity of a love thats connected to life and death.
From execution of plot to casting of the leads, it never truly fulfilled what it was supposed to. Nothing truly disastrous, but isnt remarkable either.
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