Messy and real
Overall I loved this movie.Set against early nineties Taiwan and university students trying to change a system that has been rife with uncontested top-down power structures.
Following characters that have nuance and depth. This is only a movie, so there isn't the same amount of time to flesh things out as you might get in a drama series. But they use subtlety and care to craft characters that are vibrant and distinct, and each have their own complexities that may not necessarily make them bad people, but certainly could be considered messy people. Flawed people. Struggling to balance protecting themselves and being true to themselves. Real.
There are some serious themes here. Nothing too crazy, but this is not just romance fluff. It is more about figuring out your place in the world and what you actually want from it.
All in all I was very glad to have stumbled across this movie.
Was this review helpful to you?
Diversity and authenticity
Overall this drama is such a gem!THE GOOD:
- Cute romance that doesn't rush
- Funny and cute supporting cast
- The soundtrack is really well used, and gives a cute vibe
- Imperfect characters doing their best
- An honest look at physical disabilities and how they are viewed in society
- Diversity beyond disabilities: I viewed this (at least 2 different character traits) as an exploration of less "visible" neurodiversity and how some things are not exactly a disability, but still make life very hard because society is built for a "typical" person.
- An unflinching look at some personality challenges such as insecurity, without washing it away. Possible BPD representation.
THE BAD:
- Some of the acting and pacing are a little rough, though nothing too bad, just some indie film vibes mostly where things might have been more polished in a bigger production.
- The ending is not bad or technically incomplete, but maybe not as satisfying as it could have been. A few of the conflicts in the story are either not cleared up or we don't get to see the details of how they were cleared up. This is probably mostly due to the short runtime not leaving enough time to tie off everything. And maybe it was intentional, as the ending is still satisfying and being reassured that everything is resolved cleanly is not what this drama is about.
Was this review helpful to you?
Domineering boss and nothing
Okay so domineering boss romance is not really my thing. But if it is and you like to see a lot of kissing, then maybe you will enjoy this.The actors do a good job with what they're given, but what they're given just isn't much of anything at all. There are no other actors and there are almost no other sets. It looks like 2 actors in a hotel room trying to have some premise that there is an office and coworkers involved in the plot, but we see none of it, and mostly just do domineering boss redflag stuff and make out a lot
Was this review helpful to you?
My Husband's Mistress Was My Ex-Girlfriend
0 people found this review helpful
Solid little vshort
This is actually pretty good for what it is. It very much is a vshort, in both production value and writing, but I felt like it put a bit more effort than usual into making the emotional beats of the central relationship actually interesting and impactful. The main character is so funny in the beginning arc, and in the final arc shows a strong, serious side, I hope to see more work from her.Was this review helpful to you?
A serious subject
This drama is a serious one looking at some real failings of modern society. Not specific to South Korea either, this experience is present everywhere I've ever been. This movie tells a very important story.Overall I felt it was well executed. There are times when some of the side characters feel a bit flat, like they are written just to exist to show us that people suck. But many of them still manage to portray some complexity; there is a lot of indifference that just stems from people just trying to get by too.
I would have liked to have seen the relationship with the friend and her brother in more focus. I think the things that happened between them were also important stories that showed a very realistic view of complex relationships. But especially in the ending arc I would have liked to get better closure or a bit more clarity on their friendship.
Was this review helpful to you?
My only criticisms are my own personal preferences. It is a bit too horny. And certain characters don't get as satisfying an ending as I would have liked. But this is not a rosy drama so not every plotline will be wrapped up with justice and comfort as the point. The story is more focused on being *raw* and really looking into the complex situations of the characters.
Well actually I do have one other criticism and it might be a big one, depending on how you want to look at it. But this film, at times, seems to be showing a dark side of sexual appetites and voyeurism... but doesn't the film do the exact same thing? Commodifying female sexuality for a horny ass audience... -_-
Was this review helpful to you?
What if you changed every day
First of all, if you are familiar with this story from the kdrama -- these are different stories that merely share the underlying premise of what the "magic" is. BOTH ARE WORTH WATCHING!! <3This one is the movie, and it is very good. I love the underlying premise because it really does ask fundamentally, "Who are you separate from your body?" and "How much of how you are seen, is based on your body?"
These are such important questions, and exploring them in the context of romance is extra interesting.
The vibe of this movie is pretty thoughtful and a bit melancholy; the film style is maybe reminiscent of French film?
One of the only challenges, for me, is that this movie's specific approach to this plot never has the main character have a "baseline" appearance. This makes is a bit harder to invest in the character, but also makes it that much more impressive when the movie *gets you to anyway*
Also the whole furniture maker angle is very cute and charming. Really got me wanting to learn to make furniture!
Which also serves the metaphor very well, as we shape our lives to fit who we are... a person whose identity is less "stable" faces many challenges that a more stable person will not understand. And their loved ones also face their own challenges trying to love someone who is always changing. And this movie takes the time to actually engage these ideas. <3
Was this review helpful to you?
An interesting peek into those affected
Interesting peek into a women's prison, and the way lives are affected by it. This is a slightly gritty look at actual lives. Not gritty in the sense that there is anything particularly shocking in the content, but more that it does not add any "kdrama polish" to anything. Just real people, living in the real world, despite often not having many options, still working toward figuring out their place in the world based on the options in front of them.The writers really put in some extra thought into a few metaphors and symbolism used, which adds a nice touch as the overall story and message settle in.
When you are passing a bus with the same number, give them a wave.
Was this review helpful to you?
Silly and cute romcom
Overall I found this very fun. Mostly your typical CEO romcom plot.It is definitely a vshort style drama.
One thing I found interesting is that this drama seems to have given more thought to the transmigrator concept. Most dramas are just like "and then she was transported" and its probably never mentioned again -- just a mysterious maybe-godly force? But in this, the link between the worlds feels like a real part of the fantasy landscape, there is a reason for it and practical ways that it works.
As far as the characters, the ML is pretty basic. He turns a bit too sharply into the romance but its a short so whatever.
The FL is a bit more interesting, as she is a cultivator from another world she is literally a warrior. Only occasionally does this seem to be forgotten, tbh I was impressed because most dramas would drop that premise quickly. But throughout this, her posture and movements and attitude are almost always informed by her actual background. She holds herself like a warrior and walks like one.
I was also glad to see that consistent characterization because the other red flag that starts sticking out is that as soon as she is dressing modern, she is almost always dressed in a child-like manner. Which is... a bit sus. But amusingly this just means that she acts like a warrior even though she has pigtails and overalls or whatever. Haha
The other piece worth mentioning is so many satisfying slaps. ngl its my favorite part of vshorts
Was this review helpful to you?
Very real and raw and bittersweet
Overall I found this drama to be very moving, and tackling subjects that are rarely engaged so directly. And I am not just talking about the CW parts, but the complexity of the underlying emotions and challenges and things you have to live with.If you haven't watched it yet, I do think you may want to know that...
Check the genre tags before assuming anything based on the imagery -- This is not a romance genre drama.
This is not a romance. In either theme or content. The cover may make you think this is a GL, but the story is not about love at all, or at least not about *romance*. This is really a situation where maybe they're romantically connected and maybe they are sismance / friendship connected. Trying to put it in a box is not really useful though, the story is not ABOUT romance, this is really more about HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS.
And it is good. Really good.
Was this review helpful to you?
Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko! 2nd Stage
0 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
Silly and sweet and a bit insightful
If you are reading reviews for S2 then you probably know what you're getting into. S2 continues the pattern of this being a silly romcom that relies heavily on misunderstandings to create conflicts. Overall this show has so much fun along the way, just being silly, and following Ayaka's joyous attempts to love Hiroko is a blessing.That being said, the core plotline can be a bit frustrating at times. The central conflict of this season is about physical intimacy, and it is immediately very confusing when they are living together and sharing a bed that this is still completely not discussed. Throughout this show the themes of lack of communication as well as the difference between infatuation and love, are explored pretty heavily. It is frustrating that it takes them years to figure it out, but also that is kind of relatable.
In the end though, it is rare for a drama to take the time to draw a line between the version of love that is one sided and in your head based on an infatuation, and the kind of love that you practice every day by actually communicating with the other person. This show takes time while having lots of fun shenanigans, to sketch this more serious conversation.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Fun and silly
I went into this without much preconception other than it was recommended as a jdrama GL I should check out.Overall, I had a lot of fun. This is a pretty silly show, so it is very much a romcom that emphasizes the "com". That aspect is not my usual, but I still found the emotional beats satisfying and many aspects of this show very charming.
The biggest criticism is probably an obvious one, and that is the misunderstandings are dragged out way too long and repeat way too many times. The entire first season is pretty much centered on a bizarre insistence of one lead that the other lead is straight. This is never supported in any way, and drags out to an absurd extent. It is a common situation but just exaggerated for comedy. Accept it early or you won't have much fun, because it is THE centerpiece of S1.
Well the misunderstandings can get annoying, but perhaps the worst part is that what we are left with is the majority of the runtime just watching a single character just thinking to themselves and generating thoughts that are wrong and create problems. Not only is it frustrating that the conflicts are ..just made up by her having dumb ideas, but is it actually enjoyable to watch someone go down anxious thought spirals over and over and over by themselves? Where is the plot? This is actually a similar pattern we saw in Cherry Magic.
Which is sorta relatable, but do I need to live this for someone else? This may just be the line where anxiety "comedy" is not for me.
Was this review helpful to you?
THE GOOD
- The leads are great, very comfortable and charming
- Strong FL despite plot keeping her powered down most of the time, she still has the agency and perspective of a strong character
- Some of the supporting characters are very charming
- Spirit beast companion friendships are everything
- Certain side characters are notable examples of strong women, portrayed in ways that not many dramas manage to pull off
THE CONFUSING
- The world presents itself has a pretty high fantasy (xianxia?) vibe at first but that premise drops away after the intro and the setting becomes a strangely low-magic wuxia. We clearly have major magic in this world but almost nobody actually uses it
- Certain angst cycle plotlines are overused seemingly to stretch the story. Frequently there will be only a very thin and vague reason for certain people to be apart or mad at each other.
THE BAD
- A certain antagonist gets WAY too much screen time. I actually think he got more screentime than the leads, like what actual reason was there to focus this much on one dude. Also he is worst combination of a character that is just unpleasant to watch PLUS he just never changes at all. No complexity revealed. No growth. Buckle in to watch the same characters do and say the same things over and over. The middle section was rough to get through just for the fact that nothing fun is happening and all the focus is on this one dude who is just cringey and gross.
- The main couple's conflicts are often thin, which makes it hard to conceive of their motivations and perspectives. A lot of "this makes good angst" on paper, but when actually played out within a story it needs to hold up to scrutiny. Many situations fall apart if you ask any questions -- Just why are you sacrificing so much? Just what level of trust do you have for them? The answers will just change depending on the moment.
- Some of the background relationships also don't hold up to scrutiny, if these characters are living in this world then why don't they have any human relationships from their backstories? If these dynasty squabbles are supposed to have impact then I would need something to make me invested in the families but none of that ever lands. It's just a flat backdrop for the main romance. Which is fine for what it is, but let's be honest about it.
- Fight scenes seem to be straight up avoided or heavily simplified. There seems to be some implied budget constraint? Or just intentionally avoiding luring audience looking for fight scenes. Which is fine, but the intro definitely fails to communicate this expectation accurately -- Beginning is VERY focused on a fight, and then barely any comparable fight will happen again.
Was this review helpful to you?
Cute and fun hshort
I really enjoyed this drama. The main couple are very cute and wholesome and a joy to watch. The ML is exceptionally nice and not toxic or weirdly macho or anything. He doesn't have to be good at anything, he's good at being a decent human being and taking care of his loved ones and that is actually enough !!The side couple is pretty fun, also mildly "breaking the mold", nothing that controversial, just pretty unique characters that feel like they aren't quite as bound by the usual archetypes and tropes.
Twenty-some eps at 8 mins long, this is a pretty focused little mini drama that I really enjoyed. I'll watch it again too.
Was this review helpful to you?
90s goth modern with a side of gay
This is a pretty unique drama in that it is a modern drama but also xianxia but also 90s goth aesthetic. The story jumps into a pretty deeply lored setting -- clearly stuff has been happening and we aren't going to handhold the audience about it.In general the team has fun with it, goth godlings all beefing with each other, some wuxia fights, some interpersonal drama, some layered backstories that are slowly revealed. All in all, this is a pulpy fun time.
Was this review helpful to you?
