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When you are away from home, your Sisters are all that you have.
Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25Stumbled upon “Sisterhood”, probably saw someone posted on the Feeds. It’s not an idol drama and the plot is probably not too enticing to many watchers. But I wanted to watch something different, and was glad to give this a shot.
This is an underrated drama about the “Sisterhood” of the Red Scarves ladies, who moved from Sam Sui (China) to Singapore for work. Not many dramas focus on the stories of women moving away from home. The drama focuses on the life and challenges of these Red Scarves ladies, and their career first in the construction industry and then branching out to others.
We follow Ou Yang Tian Qing (FL) through her career as someone fresh-off-the-boat to becoming the team leader of the Red Scarves ladies. Tian Qin is easy to root for but can also seem a little too ‘can do no wrong’. I enjoy her journey of growth and how she works closely with those she met in Singapore, especially her benefactress, Nan Lan. However, at times her words of wisdom and encouragement can seem a little preachy to me.
Romance is a side plot but enough to keep the romance lover in me satisfied but not wow me. I did not fall in love with male lead, Kuang Hai Sheng, immediately as he seems a little stalkerish in the beginning episodes. But he grows on me and I’ve grown to really like his character. He’s caring, sweet and supportive of Tian Qing’s career. Verbally, he might tease Tian Qing a lot, but deep down he was never pushy with his feelings. I wish the secondary romance didn’t happen but it’s also to-be-expected. 2ML fell in love again rather quickly.
The pacing of this drama is good. There are enough mini-climaxes throughout the drama to keep me interested in all 40 episodes. At times, I am a little confused about how much time has passed. A lot could have happened on screen and then I realized only a day or two went by.
Acting is good all around, including the supporting cast. Veteran actresses Yue Li Na (Nan Lan/benefactress), Xu Fan Xi (2nd Madam Lu), Xie Cheng Ying (Miss Qi) and Zhang Xi Wen (Sister Ling) are all amazing and shine brighter than the younger ones. There are also enough irritating characters in this drama that I want to strangle. I had to fast-forward some of their scenes. I think the one I dislike the most is the 2FL, He Xiao Chan (FL’s best friend). I dislike FL’s mother as well. I actually don’t dislike the villain as much as those two.
What I hate the most is the HORRIBLE English spoken by so-called foreigners and native English speakers, except for Police Chief Hunter. There are quite a few English dialogues and each time I hear the English spoken, my ears bleed.
Overall, I had a good time watching this drama. It’s something different for me personally. I would recommend this if you enjoy stories of women empowerment and sisterhood.
Completed: 7/11/2023 - Review #333
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Amazing Friendship, Exciting Badminton scenes but dragged down by Outsiders' side plot
“Racket Boys” is one of those dramas that is universally praised as amazing. To have an 8.8 MDL rating is no small feat. It has been on my PTW for a long time but I just couldn’t find the right mood to start watching it. Even now, it took me two tries to get into it. I blame this on a slow first episode and not a very fun start. But nonetheless, this is a great drama but with some areas I am not a fan of. Let’s start with what I don’t like first.What I Have Mixed Feelings and Don’t Like:
1. Slow Start - As mentioned, it took me 2 tries to get into it. The introduction of Papa/Coach Yoon is not really that exciting. He does not seem like someone I want to root for but of course, I expect some type of character development later on. Nonetheless, the first 15-20 mins did not suck me in, but I persisted and binge-watched the rest with no problem.
2. Villagers/Adult Storylines - This ‘negative” is the main reason I am not rating “Racket Boys” 9.0+. I like the story of all the villagers interacting, caring and loving our young badminton players. But I fast forwarded all the scenes regarding the City hikers and the redevelopment. I don’t care for them, and they have nothing to do with my beloved players. In fact, those scenes happen during exciting badminton matches and cutting back-and-forth between villagers and matches annoy me big time. The drama could have given me more screen time for the players and for me to get to know their backgrounds/families more. I do like some of the villagers' storylines, especially with Grandma and her playroom and the mural.
3. The White Wolf - I don’t dislike the White Wolf storyline but am not sure how I feel about him being away from the boys in the latter episodes to wrap up the story of the other player. I knew we would eventually see this player on the screen since his name was mentioned so frequently throughout the drama. I just feel if we take away that side plot, it would not have made a difference.
What I Like:
1. Racket Boys - I love all the boys! They are the stars of the show and the reason why everyone loves the drama. They each have distinct personalities and complement each other so well. I love that the drama focuses on their friendships and how they support each other through disappointments, rivalries and successes. There’s no jealousy or childish arguments. They are a joy to watch! I enjoy the rivalries between teams and that nothing really malicious happens.
2. Yoon Hae Kang - Hae Kang is an interesting male lead and I enjoy watching his development. He appears cocky and arrogant, but deep down he is the sweetest kid with a kind and gentle soul. That becomes evident right from the start of his introduction to viewers. He works hard for the scholarship and never brings up how poor his family is. He is always so sweet to his younger sister and immediately shows his kindness when he first moves to the village and meets Grandma Ki. It’s lovely following his journey of being a lone wolf to be the best of friends with other players is heartwarming. Personally, I would like to see him pitch a few innings to show me what an amazing ace he was, but we never got the chance.
3. Badminton Play - If you are a fan of badminton, this is an excellent drama. There are so many badminton scenes and matches, and all look so good and realistic. In the first episode, I thought the badminton play was a little subpar compared to “Love all Play'' and “Nothing But You”. But these are middle schoolers and college or pro players. But after the initial episodes, the badminton play improves a lot. It shows the hard work all actors put into their training. I love all the badminton scenes. However, I can also see some viewers might find these scenes a little excessive.
4. Other Characters - Aside from the Racket Boys, I also enjoy watching the coaches' stories. I knew Coach Yoon had to improve after the first episode, and I am glad to be right. He has changed as a coach and it’s nice to see the hard work he put into coaching the kids. It's nice to see the opposite of Papa Yoon, his wife, Coach Ra. Their styles are so different, and their journey of growth as a coach is different. The two female players might have a smaller role, but they are in no way inferior to the boys. In fact, the drama shows us the top female player of the country in Han Se Yoon. Even the villagers are sweet and caring. Oftentimes we see villagers or country folks as boisterous and irritating and I am glad that none of them are annoying to me.
5. Guest Stars - Since the writer of “Racket Boys” is the same writer for “Prison Playbook”, it’s probably not that hard to invite PP actors to guest star in this drama. It’s lovely to see so many of them just showing up for a scene/episode here and there. Hey, if Lee Kyu Hyung is reprising his role in PP, I am very happy that he’s moving to the countryside 😉
Overall, this is an excellent drama about these young badminton players. It’s a story about friendship and growth first and foremost. I strongly recommend this if you are a sports or badminton fan, or a lover of such teen dramas.
Completed: 6/3/2023 - Review #314
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Short and Simple Healing and Slice-of-Life Drama about Forgiveness
“Finland Papa” is a short (6 episodes/30 minutes long) healing, slice-of-life drama. Four individuals who have suffered through life’s challenges and loneliness found their way to work at this cafe owned by a mysterious Papa. They are instructed to become a fake (but found) family and learn to support each other in resolving their own inner struggles. I love them hula dancing together! There’s a central theme of forgiveness - to forgive and to ask for forgiveness.Because the drama is so short, we only get to know the bullet-point version of each character’s background story and their own arc, with the exception of female lead Yoo Ri. She suffered the loss of her father and her grandmother, and had to learn to live alone. Not only that, there are many unresolved emotions towards her father and his death. She has to learn to forgive and let go, and it took her a while to get to that point. We all know it’s hard to sincerely apologize but it’s just as (if not, more difficult) to forgive someone and move on.
I was impressed with Kim Bo Ra’s acting as the female lead. I’ve always seen her as the annoying high schooler, or irritating supporting character that causes trouble. I almost didn’t watch “Finland Papa” because of her, but I wanted to see male lead, Kim Woo Seok (he’s adorable!). I’m glad Kim Bo Ra took this role and showed a more mature side of her. Her character has to go through the happy-go-lucky high school phase, and move into the lonely, healing phase.
If you are in the mood for a simple, healing drama, this is it. There’s really nothing exciting or surprising. The plot is quite predictable but this could be just what you need as well.
Completed: 5/16/2023 - Review #308
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A Familiar Yet Unfamiliar XianXia Drama
When comedy is injected into a xianxia drama appropriately and smartly, a very unique and fresh drama is born. “The Starry Love” seems familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time. The general plot is nothing out of the ordinary. We’ve seen this before: brides switch, someone needs to be a hero to save the world, the Heavenly King as a hypocrite, and everyone from the Demon World is a bad guy.But what sets this drama apart, and why so many viewers are watching “The Starry Love” is the humor in all this. The drama doesn’t hesitate to poke fun at some common tropes, and have the characters act silly here and there. Because of the overwhelming praise of the comedy, I was initially worried that it might be a little too over-the-top for my taste. Rest assured, it’s not. Funny moments hit you at the right place, at the right time, and unexpectedly. Then it switches gears to other more romantic or serious moments seamlessly. It’s a good mix to keep you hooked right from the first episode. Comedic moments did die down towards the last quarter of the drama when the more serious plot and angst took center stage, and it really wouldn’t be appropriate to be funny here.
I’ve been a fan of Landy Li since I first saw her in “My Huckleberry Friends” and she has improved so much. She along with her co-star and sister He Xuan Lin are the stars of the show. The two female characters, though seem different at first glance, are both smart, caring, loyal and stubborn. I am so glad we have an awesome sisterhood in a xianxia drama, and especially happy to NOT see another naive/innocent girl. The two male actors also did a fabulous job. Chen Xing Xu basically plays 5 different characters. This is my first Luke Chen drama, and though he’s the least experienced out of the main leads, he was able to keep up with the other three. The supporting cast was fine. Although the veterans stood out a little more than the younger cast, I wouldn’t say they’re extraordinary.
For 40 episodes, the pacing is pretty good. There’s enough going on to keep me interested. I like all the strong friendships, bromance and sismance. I don’t think I dislike any character in this drama, and that’s rare as I usually hate one or two annoying supporting characters in a xianxia drama. Even the minor female character who won’t stop annoying ML didn’t irritate me that much. As unique as the first ¾ of the drama is, the last ¼ seems quite predictable. Many are disappointed with the ending. I am not overly disappointed, I am just not surprised as I’ve seen enough dramas to know this could be how it ends. But I understand after witnessing the hardships our leads have gone through, the ending could be dissatisfactory. Because the drama was so unique for the most part, I wish there was a more creative ending.
The pretty CGI sceneries are hard to miss. It evokes a similar reaction from me when I was watching “Love Between Fairy and Devil” back then. There are many scenes that are gorgeous, but the more I see them, the more I think they look fake to me. However, I really enjoy the starry nights and the CGI use of magic and fight scenes. The fight scenes themself are just average to me. Despite the inconsistent CGI, I really like all the costumes, hairstyles, and makeup. The two female leads look beautiful in their colorful costumes. Luke Chen (Chao Feng) looks absolutely handsome and smoking hot in his black attire. I personally think Chen Xing Xu looks better in a modern drama such as “Fall in Love” but I appreciate the different looks he’s in as You Qin, La Mu, Mei You Qing and Wen Ren. I am not sure if this is a big budget production or not, but I find the post-production dubbing to be below-average to average at best. Most of the actors/actresses use their own voices and I appreciate it, but the syncing is off sometimes when the lips are not matching the lips. There’s no live recording at all. On the other hand, the OST is great, despite being too repetitive for most of the drama (maybe a few more songs can help). It might not beat the OST of "Ashes of Love" but each song complements the mood and scenes of the drama appropriately.
This is a really fun drama with good pacing. It’s light-hearted and very romance-focused. I don’t think there’s anything I REALLY dislike about this drama (just mixed feelings). That’s always a good thing in my book. For that, I am giving this a solid 8.5.
Completed: 3/12/2022
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Disappointing and rushed Ending
Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75I’ve been putting off watching “Song of Youth” because I was worried the comedy might be too much for me, and I need to be in the right mood to watch a comedic slice-of-life drama. I finally watched it and realized it’s actually not as funny as I thought it would be. I thought it would be on par with “New Life Begins” but actually, it’s a lot less funny and only with comedic bits sprinkled throughout the drama.
It might not be official but I feel like “Song of Youth” takes on an omnibus-style, where the drama tells the stories of many characters that are interconnected. Our female lead, Lin Shao Chun, is the one that connects all the dots. She also seems to be the superwoman that solves everyone’s problems with ease. Unfortunately, I prefer all characters’ stories to be integrated and weaved throughout the drama. With such an omnibus-like style, our main leads disappear to the background for long periods of time, and only show up to save the day.
The drama starts with the romance between the main leads, Lin Shao Chun (FL) and Sun Yu Lou (ML). Their story takes up about ⅓ of the drama. From a storytelling point of view, it’s interesting enough, especially with how different they both are and the ways Lin Shao Chun wins the hearts of the Sun family and is welcomed into the family. But the romance to me is unconvincing. I do believe Bai Lu and Wang Yi Zhe acted their characters well individually. However, when they are paired together, it’s lacking in chemistry. Even though both actors are the same age in real life, Bai Lu looks like an older sister. Additionally, Sun Yu Lou’s personality is a lot more immature compared to Lin Shao Chun.
The second big arc focuses on the story of the eldest brother. This is when I started to get annoyed and bored. This arc lasted for waaaay too long. Spending another 10 episodes on just one brother and his troubles, limits the screen time for the rest of the cast, and this drama has a huge cast. I also think the drama could have done away with the story of the 3rd sister. The story of the 2nd sister only serves to highlight the 3rd brother’s personality. These two sisters are married off and were barely mentioned in the drama. Then all of a sudden, they both showed up and fought for screen time. I much prefer to have a better written plot about the eldest brother (shorter), 2nd brother, 3rd brother (longer), and maybe the parents.
In the last few episodes, I got really confused about the revenge and case investigation. I still have no idea what they did to FL’s father and how he was betrayed. What were those three 3 senior officials scheming about? In the very last episode, we finally found out who the real villain was, but it was told but not shown.
I would have given this an 8.0 for the solid acting, and actors using their own voices. But I was dissatisfied with how the last 5 episodes are written, so I am lowering this to a 7.5-7.75.
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Love the main romance but the rest of the storylines are underdeveloped.
Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25I have no expectation coming into this and not really sure why I want to watch it. LOL. Perhaps because I’ve always had a pretty good experience with Taiwanese BLs and I am always on the lookout for BL dramas in non-school settings. This one fits the bill and I have a surprisingly enjoyable time watching.
Firstly, I enjoy following along the romantic journey of our two male leads. I was somewhat surprised at how flirty Jin Xun An is after the initial introduction of his character. But after knowing his first love story, I understand why he had to change his strategy. Bai Lang is a lovely and adorable character. Their romance is cute and sweet. I love every single moment that they had before they officially got together. I love how mature Jin Xun An is and really gives Bai Lang time to recognize his feelings. I am glad Jin Xun An made Bai Lang wait and work for his love. Both characters are complex with interesting stories. I just wish the drama would go more in detail about how Bai Lang overcomes his trauma, and not just saying how Jin Xun An would support him. I want to see more actions than words, not that the supportive words are not important. On the other hand, the drama didn’t really give us much information on Jin Xun An’s family. I see where he’s coming from and wanting to give Bai Lang a real family, but the situation at home came at a surprise without any forewarning.
RJ and Alex’s story is cute as well, but the drama doesn’t give them enough screen time to fully develop. I thought RJ’s family situation would have a bigger impact but then it sort of disappeared. Instead, the drama wastes time on BigA and Chi Ren Min. It’s a half-ass romance that is insignificant and doesn’t contribute anything to the general plot. Additionally, I also don’t like how they have to give Bai Qing a partner in the end as well (especially not that guy!). Not everyone needs to be paired up, and the drama should have spent the time to develop the other two romance storylines.
This is not a perfect drama but the romance moves me and I love every minute of it. Thus, I can overlook its flaws in other areas and give this an 8.25 rating.
Completed; 1/30/2023
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Cute and Fluffy romance, but too much going on for a short drama
"Destined to Meet You" is a short drama with a very complicated plot. With only 20 episodes at 10 mins each (about 3 hrs runtime), it tries to cover too many tropes. - love at first sight, contract relationship, tragic past, amnesia, fight for inheritance and more.If the drama sticks to 2-3 of these tropes, the story would have developed more coherently and there would be fewer plot holes. But if you don't want to think too much and just want to enjoy a sweet romance, this is a good watch. The chemistry between the leads is pretty good, and the acting is decent. I have always liked Yang Ze and would like to see him in fewer web short dramas like this or "The Killer is also Romantic" but in bigger productions like in "No Boundary".
I have a hard time with the dubbed voices and find the FL's voice slightly annoying in the beginning. Nonetheless, their interaction is cute. It's nice to see a girl taking the initiative in a relationship. I thought she would be a little more experienced in love since she's 5 years older, but she acts like she doesn't know much in the beginning. Their relationship progresses well throughout the drama. The secondary couple is OK to me. A few comedic moments of 2FL's clumsiness but not much depth to their storyline.
Overall, it's a quick and easy watch to kill time, and I like the songs.
Completed: 1/18/2023
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Perfect for Romance Lovers - Cute, Fluffy and Low-Stress
“Hi Venus” is the perfect low-stress romantic comedy. If you want to de-stress like me, I recommend this sweet and fluffy drama to satisfy your inner romance cravings There’s no angst, no evil ex-girlfriend, no overprotective or over-demanding parents, and no misunderstanding. It’s not perfect, but it’s the perfect remedy to lift up your spirits.Plot - Even though the drama’s main setting is at a hospital, this is not a medical drama at all. You rarely see doctors in action and even though there are some hospital politics, they do not dampen your rom-com pleasure. This could be a good or a bad thing, as you might find the plot to be on the lighter side and lacks substance. Romance takes center stage and primarily about the romance between Ye Shi Lan, a pediatrician who was sent to a remote clinic, and Lu Zhao Xi, newly appointed HospitalPresident.
Main Romance - Romance between Lu Zhao Xi and Ye Shi Lan develops nicely and with good pacing. We start off with a typical misunderstanding, then they become good friends and eventually fall in love. There are plenty of cute and fluffy scenes, hugs and decent kisses. I love the “Does he/she like me” part of the plot before the leads get together. I also enjoy the honest conversation they have as friends, and continue on as lovers. Two individuals brought up very differently and have very different life experiences. They learn from each other, esp. FL who opens up her heart and becomes a happier person. As much as I enjoy their honest conversations about ideals, life and experiences, a small part of me thinks it might be a little too ‘preachy’. I also miss the spunkiness that FL displayed in earlier episodes. Nevertheless, this is a drama with enough scenes of the leads together and not just resorting to the last few minutes of the drama.
Secondary Romance - Another cute and adorable couple in their own way. They did not take up too much of the screen time, but enough for me to care about their love story. Not a whole lot of PDA for this couple, but I don’t think it’s needed.
Other Characters/Relationships - it’s quite rare to find almost everyone likable. There are a few ‘villains’ but they are not overbearing. It’s also rare to find a C-drama without mean and demanding parents. I love the relationship between ML and his mother. They are like best friends. I also like the boss/subordinate relationship between ML and his Secretary Lin. The deadpan comments and love advice Secretary Lin gave to ML are funny and they have an interesting dynamic. FL and her best friend Yao Jia Jia also have a great sismance going on. I was expecting a little more from FL’s ex-boyfriend and that he might play a bigger role, but that’s not the case.
OST - There are 3 main songs in this drama and they are decent. I do think they are overplayed a bit. There are some funny sound effects to complement many comedic moments. However, I also feel that these sound effects can seem somewhat manipulative in forcing me to feel a certain way.
Overall, if you are looking for a cute, fluffy and low-stress romantic comedy, I strongly recommend this drama. We have a good main romance with honest and open communication. There is no annoying character. But if you are looking for something with a more interesting plot that’s not as romance-focused, you might be disappointed. I needed a drama like this, and had a very enjoyable time binge-watching. 24 episodes is a perfect length for a drama like this.
Completed: 1/10/2023
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The Hopes and Dreams of those who Dedicate their Lives to their Sports.
Directed by famed Hong Kong Director Peter Chan and led by experienced powerhouses Gong Li (Coach Lang Ping), Huang Bo (Coach Cheng Zhong He) and Wu Gang (Coach Yuan Wei Min), “Leap” details the rise and fall and the rise again of China’s Women Volleyball team. This movie is well-produced and beautifully performed by not just these actors, but a younger supporting cast and a few of the professional athletes and Olympians themselves.Growing up, I was a fan of the 1980s China Women’s Volleyball team and watched many of these matches on TV with my family. I don’t watch them anymore but “Leap” brought back many memories and might have re-ignited my passion again. The high rating of this movie is very subjective but I also believe it's an amazing movie as well.
Even though the movie is about China’s Women Volleyball team and star player and coach, Lang Ping, one could argue this could be a story about any country, any sport and any athlete. The hard work, sacrifice and dedication portrayed here can be reflected in any professional athlete’s journey. What's different was China’s closed door policy for so many years. When they reopened, they had a lot of catch up to do. The rise of the volleyball team gave China hope that they could be as good as the rest of the world. There’s a quote towards the end of the drama by Coach Lang Ping about why China places so much importance on winning these matches. Look out for that quote.
The movie clocked in at about 2 hours and 15 minutes, but the pace is good and with no drag. “Leap” is full of emotions, excitement, plus quiet and deep conversations between two old friends, Lang Ping and Cheng Zhong He, supporting and encouraging each other. The use of music is excellent in conveying different emotions of the scenes. There is the usual cheering and exciting music at sporting events, but I was especially impressed when they used a violin score for one of the championship matches. The silence at the end of the biggest match let viewers soak in what just happened on their own, while watching quiet scenes of people cheering and celebrating. The ending theme, "River of Life" (生命之河), sung by Faye Wong and Na Ying is beautiful.
As I haven’t been following the sport in years, I did not know the outcome of the 2016 Rio Olympics. All the matches were exciting and it was great to see athletes participate in the movie and act as themselves. Their involvement contributes to the authenticity of the movie, and it must be a well-written movie for athletes to be willing to join in on the fun. According to Wikipedia, 10 out of 12 athletes from the China 2016 Rio Olympics squad appeared as themselves. The cast also includes players and coaches from Japan, USA, Thailand, Brazil, etc.
My favorite scene is the last scene. I don’t want to spoil the fun, but it involves a phone call made by Lang Ping to Cheng Zhong He. It’s the perfect ending and a perfect description of their friendship, hopes and dreams.
Completed: 12/10/2022
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Drama Special Season 9: Review Notebook of My Embarrassing Days
4 people found this review helpful
An easy and funny watch - a series of second-hand embarrassment
Completed - 9/22/2022“Review Notebook of My Embarrassing Days” is an-hour long drama special about some embarrassing events and memories of our female lead. As she runs into her first love again, more embarrassing moments are created while she navigates between her ex-husband and first love.
This is a light and funny watch. All the actors are experienced and they portray their characters pretty well. I was interested in learning about FL’s experience as an exam writer. I never knew there’s such an arduous process to come up with exam questions for students, and that these teachers have to go through a lockdown training camp for it! There’s some math talk which goes over my head and I just ignore it. LOL
The love triangle is front and center in this drama special. It’s funny and heartwarming at the same time. Although there isn’t much skinship, the chemistry between FL and her first love is great. There are no plot twists but just a simple and comfortable romance.
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Good intro to those new to esports but will be disappointing to veteran watchers
Completed: 9/16/2022 - 7.75 rating“Out With a Bang” is the latest esports drama that is a shorter, lighter-hearted production with a smaller budget and a not as well-known cast. It’s hard to follow the footsteps of other popular dramas such as “Love O2O” (the OG), “The King’s Avatar”, “Gank Your Heart”, “Cross Fire” (my favorite) and “Falling Into Your Smile”.
The plot is simple without too many unpredictable twists. It’s an easy watch with OK acting and no annoying characters. We follow the journey of male lead, Xiao Yi Chuan, a once top player of the industry. Due to a hand injury, he disappears from the esports world but comes back for another chance of success. Along the way, he finds love and camaraderie with his team members, and also finds his former self.
The gameplay of “Out with a Bang” reminds me of that in “Cross Fire”. Instead of relying only on animation, we have actors playing their characters and doing different stunts and shooting. This is my preferred gameplay, as I like to see the effort actors put in, instead of them just staring at a monitor and doing finger exercises on their keyboards and mice. Animation could be prettier, but this is more fun to watch as a viewer who is not familiar with the games. However, this is a lower budget production and it would be unfair to compare it to the gameplay in “Cross Fire”. I do appreciate the actors' effort and think they did a pretty good job with the shooting scenes. Unfortunately, there is a lack of exciting gameplay throughout the drama. The exciting scenes are all concentrated in the last few episodes. I would have liked to see some more during friendly competitions with other teams or during their livestream practices.
The romance storyline is OK. It’s not the strongest but it’s an easy watch. The leads are more fun before they become a couple. I am a fan of bickering couples and the enemies-to-lovers trope, so I quite enjoy the first half of the drama when it comes to romance. But once they confess their feelings, the romance becomes boring. The romance is reduced to two kids getting cute and jealous. There aren’t enough heart-fluttering scenes and the kisses are lacking. We got a decent kiss out of them.
The best part of the drama is the bromance. The bromance between Xiao Yi Chuan and his best friend, Wang Bo Yu, is funny and cute. It’s nice to see how much Wang Bo Yu cares for XYC despite not being in the same team but has been friends since they were amateur gamers. The bromance between XYC and Chu Tian is also done well. I enjoy the development from love rivals, to teammates, to mentor/mentee relationships. However, compared to other esports drama, the rest of the teammate camaraderie is a little lacking and hasn’t been the focus of the drama. Usually, team chemistry is the biggest selling point in this genre, but at least we have two pretty good bromances.
If you are a fan of the actors and want a simple and easy-to-understand esports drama, this could be a good introduction to the genre. But if you have seen the other more famous esports dramas as the ones I listed, then you might be disappointed. Personally I am going to rate this a 7.75 and not fault the drama for the not-so-great gameplay due to the budget. However, the writing and acting could have been better, and I don't like the dubbing at all.
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More of a Family drama than a Fantasy Romance drama.
Completed - 8/24/2022 - 7.75 rating“4-punkan no Marigold” also known as “Marigold in 4 minutes” should be viewed as a family drama and not a romance fantasy drama. When reading the synopsis, it seems like the focus is on the step siblings' romance and how ML is trying to change FL’s fate. I would say that FAMILY is the focus.
I didn’t realize the “4 Minutes” in the title is referring to the rule of performing 4 CPR within the first 4 minutes to maximize the chance of saving someone, until I read @timotey’s review. Doh… now it all makes sense. Initially, I thought the drama would be very episodic with different EMT medical case stories. I was concerned that I might be bored, but was pleasantly surprised that’s not the case. At least for me, it’s a good thing. There are still several meaningful cases but it’s not the one case per episode format.
When I think of this as a family drama, I could be a little less disappointed in the romance. I have a new crush on our ML, Fukushi Sota. When he smiles, his eyes smile with him. He seems so kind and caring. However, because the romance is between two step siblings, no time is spent on the development or getting-to-know-each-other phase of the relationship. The point of the romance is not the romance, but to show that ML loves FL that he wants to change her fate. I don’t think their romance is believable. They feel like siblings to me.
Jdorama is known for its fast pace, since they are quite short. However, there are times when I feel the pacing is quite slow, and I lose focus and get sidetracked. The drama does not hold my full attention throughout the 10 episodes. This might also be due to the fact that there aren’t enough mini climaxes. It’s a very mellow drama. It’s not particularly sad or exciting, and didn’t evoke a lot of emotions from me.
Acting is pretty good, not amazing but not bad either. Yokohama Ryussei was still quite young in this drama, and you could see his potential to be a future popular star. I am also glad that there are no annoying characters in this drama. All the supporting characters are friendly and supportive.
This is not a solid 8.0 drama for me personally, only a 7.75.. It’s decent and a good relaxing watch. Although it’s not a slice-of-life drama, it feels like one.
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Butterfly Effects keep things interesting and not reptitive
Completed - 8/6/2022After this year’s very popular hit C-drama “Reset” with a similar topic of time loop, I wasn’t sure if “Triage” could top it. I am usually not a big fan of the time loop theme, but due to the overwhelming praises for both dramas, I decided to watch them, and I am glad I did. Both dramas live up to the expectations. I am actually surprised I liked “Triage” quite a lot.
Not sure if there’s a production relation between “Triage” and “Manner of Death” but I was really hoping this would be a much better drama. I was quite disappointed with “Manner of Death”. Luckily, the overall plot and execution in “Triage” are a lot better and do not leave too many plot holes even though it could be quite difficult for a time loop theme. However, I have to say that the chemistry of the leads pales in comparison to Max and Tul.
I was not sure what Tin saw in Tol during the first few loops to fall in love with him. I didn’t think Tol was that likable and with Tin focusing on saving him, the chemistry wasn’t quite there for me. Once Tin got to know Tol after a few more loops, then I can see a little more chemistry (still not enough). However, I think the acting of Tin and Tol are just OK, and not amazing. Maybe that’s why I am not feeling the chemistry, especially when I might have subconsciously compared them to the leads in “Manner of Death”.
Regarding the plot,I was not totally invested in the story until about episode 3. The first two episodes have rapid fire time loops to showcase Tin’s frustrations in the process. But then the story slowly unfolds, like peeling an onion. I then realized the whole plot is more than just saving Tol. Side characters are slowly and smartly introduced. The time loops are so well executed that I don’t find them repetitive at all. With each time loop and butterfly effect, the story changes. We can then see how each side story is tied together to create the big central plot. I am still not quite sure why this all started. Was it because of the prayer Tin made when he was young? Is that why he was selected and given the chance to redo everything? I guess that’s for the viewer to interpret themselves.
One big initial concern of mine before I start watching this drama is whether medical procedures would be believable. Medical dramas are a hit-or-miss, mostly a miss. I am not a medical professional, so I can’t say everything they did in the drama is correctly done. But to my untrained eyes, it’s at least passable and not too fake. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say the same thing for the medical procedures and autopsies done in “Manner of Death”.
If you are looking for a more mature Thai BL drama that’s not in a school setting, I definitely recommend this. If you enjoy medical dramas and time loops, this is the drama for you. “Triage” might not top “Not Me” as my most favorite Thai BL drama to date, but I still had a very enjoyable time watching it.
p.s Wait.. I just realized I didn't notice/remember any product placement!! That's a first in a Thai drama for me!!!
Other Random Observations:
1. It’s nice to see a surprise guest appearance
2. All the women in this drama are pretty!!
3. Unfortunately, I only found Dr. Sing to be the only good-looking man in this drama.
4.Acting is decent overall
5. The professor really could get away with a lot of things in the hospital, even though they are security cameras everywhere.
6. Music is not memorable to me.
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Mixing genres = Identity crisis
Completed - 8/3/2022I did not watch the webtoon, so I am unsure how true this drama is to its original content. However, reading the genres and tags, "Kiss Sixth Sense" is not what I was expecting. I thought this is a true romantic comedy with mature adults, maybe a little more mature version of "A Business Proposal" with a fantasy twist. What I ended up watching is comedy + romance + fantasy + suspense + crime. This results in the drama having an identity crisis and not doing any of the genre well.
This is really disappointing as I was looking forward to something light and fun, but with adults who look their age in the business world. The comedy in the initial episodes were a little over-the-top for my taste, but that's OK as I thought this is a comedy. The fantasy element is interesting and I am always a fan of fantasy romance drama. However, when they added the very-Korean childhood connection and trauma, and the half-baked suspense into a 12-episode drama, everything feels underdeveloped, rushed and disjointed.
I actually quite like the romantic chemistry between the leads. I am all for bickering couples who are secretly in love with each other. However, I still don't see when Fl starts to fall in love with ML, as she only wants to find out what the future holds. That's been such a big build up for many episodes about this future event FL sees with ML, but because those future scenes occur so often throughout 2/3 of the drama, it was quite anti-climatic when that significant event really happens. There's nothing the audience doesn't already know.
Acting is decent, though some scenes are quite cringey when the leads finally get together. ML seems to have changed to another person once he's in love. Where's that cool, calm and collected leader? Now we have a lovesick puppy vying for kisses whenever he can. There are scenes when he's kissed or kisses FL and he doesn't seem to be in pain. Whereas, other scenes he is pain even when FL is right beside him. Is that a plot hole that I detected? Or I am not understanding his condition?
The secondary romance between the cousin and the doctor is underwhelming. You can skip the whole thing and not miss a beat. Yes, the last 15 minutes are weird and unnecessarily long. I think I know where the scriptwriters are coming from, showing us a different kind of relationship. But, maybe they can reduce those scenes to 5 minutes instead.
Overall, it's an easy binge and if you have nothing to watch, this hodgepodge drama is OK. At least there are plenty of kisses (but not as many steamy kisses as I anticipated given the premise of the significant event).
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Unique and Special drama with Great acting and appreciation of Chinese Opera
Completed - 7/29/2022Subjective Rating - 8.25-8.5
Objective Rating - 9.0+
“Winter Begonia is a rare treasure that most people probably won’t watch because it doesn’t scream hot young actors in a censored BL romance drama. Chinese Opera + Republican Era + mature male leads + Japanese occupation, do not really translate to instant popularity with the general audience. Growing up, I was NOT a Chinese opera fan myself. That’s why I was hesitant to watch this, despite its glowing reviews from almost everyone. Does this drama make me love Chinese opera? No, not really. But I learned to appreciate all performers’ dedication and hard work to this craft. It’s a beautiful part of Chinese culture that I wish it will continue on forever.
If you don’t love Chinese opera, this might be a difficult drama to watch because it's central to the plot, and there are many opera scenes and singing. But if you are a fan, or you don’t dislike it, you might grow to like it more. I will join the chorus of praises in the production quality of “Winter Begonia”. The opera costumes, accessories, hair and makeup = all top notch. So much effort (and probably research) is put into this.. I also really enjoy all the suits that our male lead, Cheng Feng Tai wore. Not only was he dashing and hot in all his outfits, I really like the subtle pattern and velvety (maybe?) quality of his suits. Shang Xi Rui also wears a variety of cheongsam/changshan, from the more modest white ones to the formal white ones. This might be the only drama I’ve seen all male characters wearing such thick wintery changshan.
The relationship between our two male leads is an interesting one. They are total opposites and it’s quite amazing how they have come to trust, care and ‘love’ each other. I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of sizzling, romantic chemistry between the two. I think the male leads in “Killer and Healer” have much better pure romantic chemistry. In “Winter Begonia’, Cheng Feng Tai and Shang Xi Rui are soulmates, they are more than friends/lovers/family. You can feel their deep affection from each other by the way they look at each other, and also through very casual, everyday conversations. You will not find the typical BL romance or fanservice in this drama.
It’s hard to tell if Cheng Feng Tai really loves his wife. Maybe he only cares for her as family because they have been together for so long. Yet, with the way he looks at her and the physical affection that he displays, he does seem to love her. In the second to last episode, while Cheng Feng Tai is facing danger, his last flashbacks are of his wife. Doesn’t that mean he truly loves her? But then, what about Shang Xi Rui? Does he love them both? Or as I mentioned, Shang Xi Rui is maybe more than merely a lover/partner. I guess that’s for the viewer's own interpretation.
The main reason why I did not give this a 9.0+ rating is because I got bored towards the 2nd half of the drama. The pacing is really good in the first 30 episodes. I enjoy the relationship development of the leads. I also really like the characters in all the opera troupes and see how they train, live together, and fight amongst each other. It was fun to watch the dance-off between Shang Xi Rui and Chen Ren Xiang. I also like the conflicts/politics of the opera troupes, and the respect the veterans receive from opera performers and audience. But when the drama turns political with the Japanese occupation, there’s too much talking and bad accents.. I understand the need for it but it’s not exciting or interesting enough, until the last two episodes. Even though the ending has a very strong political tone, I am interpreting it as a special way for the drama to demonstrate the unique bond between our male leads.
Lastly, you don’t really have to worry about the acting performance of this cast. They are veterans and they know what they’re doing. Big props to Yin Zheng for playing Shang Xi Rui, a multi-layered crazy genius. Huang Xiao Ming is very charismatic as Cheng Feng Tai and he is oh-so fine. I remember really liking him in “Nirvana in Fire 2”. The way he looks at Shang Xi Rui melts my heart. This is my first time seeing Merxat and Li Ze Feng NOT playing mature and sensible roles. I’ve seen them both in previous dramas and their roles here are so different and I’m glad they are taking different roles. As the female lead, Charmaine Sheh holds her own among a strong male cast. She’s wonderful as Fan Xiang Er.
Other Random Observations:
1. Yin Zheng looks quite old in this drama. He’s 9 years younger than Huang Xiao Ming but he doesn’t age as well.
2. Still some minor plot holes - what happened to Cheng Feng Tai’s nephew and brother-in-law in the end?
3. What happened to his little sister?
4. I like the opening theme song; it matches the feel of the drama
5. I appreciate the training that actors went through to perform on stage. Their mouths might not perfectly sync with the singing, but you can still see that they’re mouthing/singing those lyrics.
6. Yin Zheng, Tan Jian Ci and Andy Huang look beautiful playing the ‘dan’.
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