thecheesz_

Can’t seem to be invested in the plot..

I feel that the subject matter depicted in this drama is quite ahead of its time as I don’t remember seeing a lot of shows that depict the scam industry. But it is super relevant now in 2024, where scams are such a big issue in Asia and there are many movies that portray the matter. However, I wasn’t as invested to the storyline as I wanted to be. Maybe because I feel sad for those that being scammed while it kind of glorifies the industry? Or there weren’t enough peaks in the drama? But the acting is great just not the music. I feel that it could do better but it seems like a trend for Japanese drama.

Read More

Poor acting and story that hinder its potential

My biggest issue with this drama is the acting. The actor who performed Yamato is quite awkward to make me be invested in the plot. The other guy who performed Kakeru is better but I just googled him and he is so young!

In terms of story pacing, I think it is quite draggy and seeing how Yamato not acknowledging his feelings in the beginning with not great acting is quite painful to watch. It got better at the later half where both ML began to acknowledge the feelings with one another.

Another problem I have with the plot is there were too many ??? moments like Yamato getting sick and had temporary amnesia? What was that about? And the two ML could have just confess in Yamato house but the writer(s) decide to add another scene in school for the confession? It’s just weird writing… overall, while their interactions are cute for the two leads but I think there are better BL to invest your time.

Read More

Best Taiwanese drama hands down

Watch it because you won’t regret doing so. This was one hell of a drama with so many twists and turn that you won’t expect. You might be confused through the journey as there are many mystery plots to unravel but it will all fall into place. The ending where everything is revealed is truly mind blowing for me and also love how they incorporate so much social themes into the plot even though as a whole it is a romance drama.

The two main lead are perfect for their roles they portrayed. Alice Ko was exceptionally good portraying the outgoing and later grieving Huang Yu Xuan and depressed Huang Yunru. Her getting best actress is a testament to her performance. This drama was also when I fell in love with Greg, he is just so hot and can really act.

The music is another big part of this show. Music soundtracks compliment the plot while all the songs were so good and fits the nostalgia vibe that part of the drama is going for. Once again, watch this as you definitely won’t regret.

Read More

Not so convinced about the acting...

The storyline is straightforward, just like what the title suggested. An overprotective undergrad trying to be independent and this was after she met her future lover, who does not have the luxury to be protected by his parents. Of course, her path to independence and self-sufficiency is not met with a set of challenges as her overprotective mum wouldn't want her to pursue that path and her family also met with crisis after crisis. As a drama, it is pretty enjoyable but I am not convinced if she will truly be independent. But I know there is a movie sequel for this, so I might want to check this out in the future and when I have time.

I think one problem I have with this show is that the FL is acting too unrealistically dumb even though I don't think her character is supposed to be that way. Also, I feel that the mum is acting way too mean which doesn't make sense. Like shouldn't she be very protective of her daughter but why at times, she felt like a bitchy person towards her daughter?? Besides that, the other casts are great. Overall, I think this is a decent filler show to watch especially if you are waiting for new episodes for other series. Or you just wanted a chill watch, this will be a great option too.

Read More

Love to see the duo in action

I didn’t have a lot of expectations for this because first, I didn’t watch the original Korean version and second, crime fighting drama is not really my go to kind of drama. But it was a pretty good watch considering I was hooked to the different crimes and how the duo managed to overcome the obstacles along the way. But storyline is pretty standard and the twist at the end isn’t that much of a surprise either since the final boss usually is someone close.

The two ML chemistry is really good and is one of the main reason why I continued watching. But I do feel that Kento especially tend to be a little trying hard to look good in many of his characters he depicted and here is a similar case. Probably due to his idol status that he needs to depict characters in a certain manner.

Read More

My favourite Taiwanese drama for a very long time.

This was my favorite Taiwanese drama for a very long time until Someday or One Day comes along. There were a lot of life lessons I got when I watched and it has stuck with me till now. And for a period, it really inspired me to want to be a scriptwriter myself because the writing was really good even though the story might not be the most novel.

Ariel Lin really hit the park with this because my impressions have been stucked to her performance of Xiang Qin. But here, she totally did a 180 change in performance style which I wasn’t expecting. Chen Bolin was also really good especially the parts where he was lonely and sad. Their chemistry is also another level and made me convinced that they are truly bestie turned couple.

Also, the side characters performed really well especially You Qing’s mum. Finally, it’s a mum that is not mean spirited and really knows the FL very well. How I wish my mum can be like this too..

The music is also really good and very fitting to the vibe of the drama. And the OSTs are really nice to listen. Overall, you are missing if you haven’t watched this.

Read More

Prefer They Kiss Again more

I actually watched the sequel first before watching this so I think it actually affect the ratings I put onto this first series. The main reason why I ranked this lower is because I find 30 eps too lengthy and there is barely any character development with the FL. Perhaps there is minute changes to ML as he is more accepting of FL and even accepted her as his wife but I just find the development arc is not as strong as compared to the sequel where I can clearly see the growth in the characters.

But nonetheless, if you want a good laugh, ISWAK still manages to do its job as the director and Ariel Lin does nail the comedic moments. I love especially the younger brother and FL chemistry a little more than her with ML. Probably because Joseph's acting tend to be quite flat throughout. He definitely stands out way more in the sequel.

Read More

Really infectious acting

This was actually my first drama I watched from Taiwan because I happened to come across it when it was showing in my cable TV. And it was the best choice in my life because I was introduced to the best acting prowess of Ariel Lin. She literally breathe in her character as Xiang Qin. Never failed to make me laugh to her dumbness and cry to her sadness. Story wise because I didn't watch ISWAK first, I don't have any context to how Xiang Qin came to marry Zhi Shu but the drama is still light enough to understand the plot without watching the plot. But you can definitely appreciate the growth in each characters if you have watched the first. Especially for Zhi Shu, who was a meanie but as he steps into marriage, he became a big shy softie which is really amazing to watch.

I know the plot is nothing innovative but you should try to watch because I can never say enough how good Ariel Lin's acting was. But probably, the downside is this drama kind of tapers to the lull side at the last few episodes. Episode 11 is probably the climax and highlight to the show. I also don't like how they have to change the younger characters because they have grown. Makes it harder to relate to them.

Read More

First half felt formulaic and repetitive, second half got better

I was actually slightly disappointed by this because the ratings were pretty high in kisskh. But I found the first half slightly to the boring side aside from the first two episodes. It's always there is a patient, and then the overconfident doctors tried to be smarty pants and operate the patient but failed terribly in the end and Tokai saved the day. If this is what happens in real life where there is so much politics and pettiness and so many incompetent doctors, I would have just choose to not be saved LOL.

I also would have like more development screentime for Dr Sera. It felt like his development as a doctor was accelerated without context. The second half of the drama got better as the mystery behind Dr Tokai hatred was slowly revealed. Music was pretty solid and the actor who acted as Tokai was top notch.

Read More

Commendable Attempt to Adapt

Flowers for Algernon was actually one of my favourite novel during my teenage years as I was given this novel to dissect for my literature class. I remembered the story was very thought provoking though I forgot a lot of details as I have lost the book. But this was a commendable attempt to adapt the literature text as the ML did justice to his role. I really felt for him in all his struggles from someone who has lower IQ to become a top genius.

However, my issue with the adaptation is that a lot of the side character development got neglected. But I guess I understand its hard to develop these characters as the original text was very protagonist driven too as it was written in a first person account. I think its not an issue if its a novel but for a drama, I wish there were more development for the side characters. Also, I feel that the turning point for ML from being cold hearted when he first became a genius to realising his inner warmth felt very abrupt too. Perhaps, the drama would benefit from a longer episode span. I was kinda meh with Haruka's acting too, felt that the actress is having issues with embodying and relating to her character.

The choice of OST was really good, I think it fits the story and a nod to nostalgia since the original text is pretty old. But like many Jdrama, I wish they would have more OSTs for a drama.

Read More

Straightforward Romance Drama

I have to admit that I did not watch the original Korean drama, so I am reviewing this work independently. I think its an enjoyable romantic drama with a straightforward plot where the FL who lacks confidence works her way up and finding a goal to what she wants to do. Nothing special.

I think the problem I have with the plot is when the 2FL got into a love triangle with the main leads and there was one whole episode where the FL just kinda not talk to the ML because she felt bad for the 2FL who is her best friend. The lack of anger was quite weird to me as the 2FL was seeing the ML being her back. I would feel kinda piss tbh if that happens to me as I would have expect the best friend to be truthful to me at least. The ML not finding out the 2FL real identity after so many hints also doesn't make sense too. But I do like the 2ML a lot and felt bad for him when FL didn't have feelings for him. But the chemistry between FL and ML is still good and thank goodness he was only mean to her for like the first few episodes. I don't think I will rate so highly if I seen more episodes of ML verbally abusing the FL... And I was also kinda skeptical of the ending for 2ML, I don't think he really needs to quit the company because he reviewed that he is a famous ghostwriter.

Beyond these plotholes, I think he was a nice watch. But some of the acting was a miss to me especially the FL and 2FL. I can't relate emotionally in their crying scenes which I normally can since I cry very easily. The music was also quite forgettable and a wasted opportunity to have a good and touching OST song. I would rewatch this though as it's a feel good show overall.

Read More

You won't like this if you are not into cliche plots

To be honest, I was quite disappointed with this as my friend strongly recommended me to watch this. But what I got was a very cliche plot. FL got into an accident, conveniently got amnesia and forgot all the memories with her first love seriously??? It does not help that the FL mother was being such an ass and prevented the ML from contacting her? Like there's really no reason for her to do that. Also, I feel really bad for the ML fiancee, like she's just there in the show to be a substitute and nothing else. And also, the FL son giving me stalker fan vibe with the celebrity crush tbh, idk maybe its the acting.

But I still gave the story a solid 6.5 as the chemistry behind the main couple is on fire and the nostalgia was done pretty well and not overdone. Satoh Takeru is fine af, The really good acting between the the main leads were probably the reason why I continued watching. Music fits the nostalgia vibes but I wasn't very into it. Personal preference.

But as I was typing this review, I thought that maybe the big cliche was intentional as it wants to fit the nostalgic genre. Probably but who knows. Overall, it was a nice watch but I wouldn't watch it again. But the ending was great though.

Read More

Great performances and interesting cases until it fell flat on the last one

What really stood up for me in this drama is Eiji Akaso’s charismatic and enigmatic portrayal of detective Haie. His performance was really interesting and brilliant to watch and it made me more invested to catch more of him in action. Other actors were great and really cute with their comedic moments. The only one I couldn’t stand was vulture, he was so off putting.

The cases started out really strong and you really have to guess what happens behind those will. But I felt that the writer kind of suffer from writer’s block at the end because it just felt like the detective and solving part is more and more predictable. The final showdown was a total let down because it just felt like Haie and co. was able to defeat the baddie so easily when he supposed to be really powerful. My favourite cases are the forgery, confectionery and the cat one.

As usual, music is not a strong aspect for j drama but I guess the ending song was not terrible, and the tune does stuck in my head.

Read More

One of the better BL shows but there’s room for improvement

The show started out strong as I love the chemistry between Kohei and Taichi. The plot development was great too considering how their first kiss at the staircase was early in the drama. But it kind of goes downhill from there especially with the appearance of Maya. The story also gets unnecessarily draggy. Some episodes felt like it gives nothing to the story development. I kind of understand the struggles that Maya felt but because the episode was short, it just portrays only her bitchiness, which naturally, lends to more people hating on her.

Acting wise, the one who portray Kohei was stronger in my opinion. The actor who did Taichi did well in the beginning but he kinda falters because his expression felt one-dimension when he tries to do the reflective expressions. And I was also kind of annoyed with his passiveness in acknowledge his feelings, like it takes too long in my opinion.

Music was really good. Love the ending song. Overall, enjoyable watch but also agonizing too.

Read More