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Underrated drama of the challenges/decisions of Court Judges
8/11/2021I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy watching this drama. I don't think this drama is recommended enough. First and foremost, this is NOT a crime or legal drama about court cases. You will be disappointed if you are expecting well-thought out criminal investigations or legal battles. The court cases serve as a means to tell the stories of court judges. This is why the drama is so unique, as we don't often hear the behind-the-scene career crises that judges face, whether you are a rookie judge or a senior judge.
The cases are those that happen in real life for normal people. Trigger Warning - the drama covers sexual assault/rape cases, as well as depression, family expectations, inheritance battle, custody battle, and teen drug use. I read that this drama is written by a real life court judge. No wonder those challenges faced by the judges felt so real.
I really like the character development of our ML. He went from an introverted, anti-social, logical and rational judge, to be come a more "human" judge through the influence of FL and his colleagues. I like the FL fine but find her character a little unprofessional and immature to be a judge in the beginning of the series. And this is why I didn't give this drama a 9 rating instead of a 8.5. Even though I understand her character has to be unique and vastly different from our ML and other judges to make a difference, it's still unrealistic for her to be that emotionally unprofessional in the beginning. I also love the bromance between our ML and 2ML. They are frenemies to start but really develop a strong bond throughout the show. They are so funny together. The supporting cast of judges, court employees and aunties provide many comedic moments as well.
Romance plays a very small part in this drama, so don't expect a rom-com/fluffy romance from our main leads. Instead it's a slower romance that develops naturally and very understated. I do love seeing the shy smiles from our ML. He's such a cutie with those adorable pimples! He's the reason why I chose to watch this drama to begin with. The second lead romance is a lot funnier and fluffier. They provide such good comic relief.
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Not the best or the worst E-Sports drama
7/30/2021After watching "Love O2O", "Gank Your Heart", "Cross Fire" and "Go Go Squid 1", this is my 5th e-sports drama. "Cross Fire" is my favorite out of the 5 shows. I have "The King's Avatar" and "Go Go Squid 2" on my Watchlist. I would rank this drama in the middle of the group. This drama has a stronger focus in the romance department than actual competitive gaming. It also spends a lot of time on the e-sports fan base/social media/online forums.
Many commented on the romance between the leads. And it is true that Xu Kai (ML) is just as handsome as everyone says. I am a fan of him after watching him in "Arsenal Military Academy" and am looking forward to watching him in "Ancient Love Poetry". He plays a very different role here, and he did a great job. I know this is an adaptation of the book and I read that his "horny" character was toned down in this show. However, I still felt that it is a little out-of-character for this cool, calm and rational Captain to suddenly become this lovable, clingy and somewhat cheesy boyfriend. I just find his Jekyll/Hyde personality a little uncharacteristic. But if the novel is like this, I guess it's really no fault of the drama and scriptwriter. This is my first time watching our female lead. I think she did an OK job, as I do find some of her facial expressions a little wooden. I don't find the chemistry to be especially strong between our leads, except for ML's loving gazes. Chemistry is OK, but not amazing. I enjoyed watching their slow-burn romance before they got together, than when they are together (it got somewhat cringey). Luckily, their kiss scenes (surprisingly there are quite a few) are believable and nice, and not the fish-kissing in "Love O2O". The secondary romance seems a little more realistic, we don't really see their romance much, compared to secondary romances in other rom-coms.
A common theme in e-sports dramas is the amazing friendship and camaraderie between team members and rivals. It's not an exception here. You will grow to love all the team members, even those from rival teams. They provide comic relief and for the most part, things didn't get too negative or dramatic. The friendship between FL and2FL is also great to see. I still don't understand why 2FL is so rich. We have somewhat supportive family members for most members and there isn't anyone too annoying in the show.
Gaming graphics are amazing in this show. I am not sure if these are original animation from the actual League of Legends games, or specially created for the show. But it's not doubt that the graphics and the music are amazing. It's different from the actual actor being in the games such as "Cross Fire" or the coding in "Go Go Squid". For a non-gamer, I do find it a little difficult to follow the gaming scenes.
I do have a minor criticism and wished the scriptwriter has added. Since FL is the first female pro gamer, I wish they would have followed her journey to encourage other fellow female gamers. I would love for her to be a role model. Unfortunately, for most of the drama, the show focuses a lot of gender bias, putting her down through online comments and social media. I know that's an important part of her journey as well, but I wish the show has cut down on some of the social media stuff, but empower her to do more for the industry.
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Sweet Rom-Com + Challenges faced by Book Editors and Authors
7/26/2021As part of the Sweet On series, it is to be expected that this is going to be a sweet and fluffy romantic comedy. I'm glad to know that there's more to it than the usual cheesy love story. I love books, therefore, I decided to watch this drama as it's about publishing companies and authors. It's a very different vibe from the K-Drama "Romance is a Bonus Book", but it's just as enjoyable. I am glad that the actors real voices are used and the drama seems to have a combination of live recording and dubbing (not that bad).
Setting/Plot: I am not sure how realistic this drama is in regards to the challenges editors and authors face each day. However, I enjoy watching how editors work with their authors and how much effort is put in to getting a book published. Though the scenes might seem overly dramatic, the gist of what's happening seems realistic enough. The drama also focuses more on the challenges of established/veteran writers, than newbie writers trying to break into the industry. In many C-Dramas, we always see overly-bearing and disapproving parents. This drama has it, too, but it's part of an essential plot and character development of our ML. However, I do have to say that the antagonists do seem quite over-the-top. If they are really working in a publishing house, they should have been fired long time ago for their unprofessionalism.
Characters: FL at first glance seems to be another cliché female lead that is innocent and naïve. Many give up on this drama because they find FL's real voice annoying. It does take a little bit to get used to her "childish" and "whiny" voice, but once you do, it's a great story to uncover more about her. She is independent, energetic, persistent, NOT a pushover, and a go-getter. I enjoy discovering her personality throughout the show. ML, on the other hand, has more character growth. He started as an introverted, arrogant yet childish and petty famous author, to becoming more open, caring and mature. FL is more of a discovery throughout the show, and ML is more of a character development. In contrast, the secondary leads are much more mature, and go through a different set of challenges in life and romance. At the end of the drama, they have changed to become a better partner and better versions of themselves. The supporting cast has their individual role in the drama. The antagonists make your blood boil and you really want to slap them in the face for their unprofessionalism.
Acting: This is the second drama I've seen FL in after "I've Fallen For You". Both her roles are quite similar that she's bubbly and high energy. After getting used to her voice, I enjoyed her performance as she could be cutesy but you still love her, and want to root for her. It's also my second drama of ML after " The Romance of Tiger and Rose". He did a good job in playing this awkwardly cute guy, and then changed into his author character. I am especially impressed in Ep 35 in the scene with his father. You see his eyes slowly welled up and all the feels! 2ML is a handsome guy but I feel that he could look a little wooden at certain scenes. His best scenes are when he's bickering with ML. As for 2FL, she did a decent job but I find her crying scenes not believable.
OST/Costumes: I scored the OST lowest in the categories because they play the title song a little too much for my taste. It comes up every time there's a romantic scene, and it's quite unnecessary. Give us some peace when we enjoy such romance. I am especially disappointed in the last episode when the two male leads are delivering their heartfelt monologues and songs started to play. The volume is as loud as their voices and it's really distracting. I want hear their voices and feel their emotions, and not the loud music. Having said that, Ryan Ding's song "月光变奏曲"/Heartless Poem" makes me happy as it's so upbeat (his singing is just OK though). On the other hand, everyone has quite a nice wardrobe. You see different looks - for work, for play, for outdoorsy activities and formal events. Our four leads look amazing.
Bromance: The bromance between our two male leads is the best part of the show. When they are together, you feel their chemistry and laugh at/with them when they are bickering like children. 2ML is most lively when he's with ML. I want to see more of them together as they have such a fun and supportive relationship.
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An interesting look into Shamanism with excellent performance by the whole cast
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75I had a surprisingly fun time watching “Head over Heels”. I wasn’t expecting much despite the general positive reviews and I also didn’t pay much attention to the synopsis. All I knew it’s that the female lead is a shaman and the drama was set in high school.
It turns out “Head over Heels” kept my attention and interests almost throughout all 12 episodes in my 2-day binge session. It has a great combination of shamanism, high school friendship and romance, mixed with tragic childhoods that work well with the shamanism and exorcism themes in the drama.
The acting is great. I’ve seen the leads in previous dramas before, but never thought their acting was excellent (they weren’t bad). But I have to say, both Cho Yi Hyun and Choo Young Woo are excellent. They play roles that appear to be typical high school students. However, their characters are more than meets the eye, but layered and display different personalities based on who they are interacting with. Emotional scenes are heartbreaking, yet sweet scenes are heartwarming. They toy with my emotions quite a big in this drama. They are also pleasing visually, and have great chemistry together. Cha Kang Yoon is adorable as the second male lead, and though his character might not be as challenging, he is pretty good himself. The veterans do not disappoint, especially when you have everyone’s favorite ahjumma Kim Mi Kyung and the always funny Yoon Byung Hee. Choo Ja Hyun being the villain of the show really tested my patience and that’s of course in part because of the great acting.
Another aspect I really enjoy is the focus of shamanism. I’ve seen other K-dramas with shamans, but I don’t think I’ve seen one with such a strong theme and focus. I enjoy watching and learning the culture, rites, and costumes. The dance done by the female leads with the lanterns was beautiful. The rituals look like it’s a lot of work, physically and mentally. I have no way of knowing how accurate the portrayal of shamans is, but I enjoy every aspect of it shown in the drama.
The romance is sweet, even though I am not a fan of love at first sight. At least there’s a reason why FL needs and wants to approach ML. Mmm… not sure if I would categorize the romance as slow burn but if you want to see the leads together, you will need to be patient. I also don’t think there are enough cute and fluffy scenes, especially after a somewhat long wait. There is of course, a sweet and adorable 2ML. But the love triangle is healthy and supportive. In fact, the bromance between the male leads is fantastic. The trio really are best friends and they are very supportive of each other through thick and thin.
If I have to criticize, the writing in the last few episodes was not as strong and tight when the focus switches to the villain. Even though the leads are still very much part of this plot, I felt the villain’s story took up too much screen time and I didn’t feel like I got a proper background story. We had a few flashbacks but not enough to persuade me that her actions are justified. It was difficult for me to feel sympathetic to her situation. Her constant lies became repetitive and I wonder why any of the characters continue to believe her. At one point, I thought she was de-shamanize (can’t be a shaman anymore) yet she continues to perform evil rituals and cast evil spells. Did I miss something? The evil spirit was introduced as something truly horrific and then we got… Bong Su? Definitely not what I was expecting, and I also felt the writing of his story lacks fluidity and clarity.
Having said all that, I truly had a fun time watching “Head over Heels”. The engaging plot, excellent acting, great friendship far outweigh my problem with the writing in the last quarter of the drama. It also toys with my emotions 'beautifully' by making me laugh, grin, and cry. Objectively, this drama might not be worth my 8.75 rating, but from an entertainment perspective, it deserves it.
Completed: 8/7/2025 Review #611
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“The First Frost” is a highly rated (currently on MDL at 9.0) and highly anticipated drama since it was announced. Was it worth the hype? Yes and No. There are so many reviews already so I am going to try to keep it short (LOL) and note down my own thoughts of what I like and dislike.
What I Like:
1. FL/ML Acting - I don’t think anyone would complain about the acting by our main leads, Zhang Ruo Nan and Bai Jing Ting. I was especially impressed with Zhang Ruo Nan in playing such a complicated and layered character. We see pain, controlled anger, embarrassment, shyness, flirtiness and love, all in her face. Bai Jing Ting sheds his sunny personality and plays the proud, arrogant, cold-on-the-outside character so well. Both of their acting is controlled and not dramatic.
2. Wei Yi Fan (FL) - Poor girl suffered so much and I wish her all the happiness in the world. It’s satisfying to accompany her on the healing process. She was abandoned and neglected, and does not think she deserves anything good in this world. It took her a long time, stumbled a few times, to get to the point that she is able to and wants to give/receive love, and believes she’s worth it. She had a few great and controlled confrontations with her family members. I was so proud of her!
3. Romance - it was a long, long journey. But when everything unfolds, and you get to see both sides of the story and how they feel throughout their cohabitation and courting, it was very satisfying. ML giving FL time and proceeding with caution. Him wanting to let her take the wheel (and scared that he would be left behind again). Him feeling powerless that he couldn’t take her pain away. Him wishing to break up with him is her biggest pain and not something more horrible. All these emotions and events throughout their journey are beautiful to see.
4. Visuals - Zhang Ruo Nan is so pretty even if she wakes up with bed hair. Bai Jing Ting looks awesome in black, especially in a suit. Edward Chen and Zhang Miao Yi also look good as a pair and give off totally different vibes.
5. Sleepwalking - The sleepwalking moments brought up so many different emotions. At first, it was funny when ML tries to figure out what’s going on, and their morning-after discussion/flirting. Then as daytime trauma really contributes to sleepwalking, it’s incredibly sad to see FL cries and seeks out comfort from ML.
6. .Flirting/Skinship - Despite being a little embarrassed, it’s nice to see FL flirt and want skinship and seek out kisses. When they have sweet moments, they are adorable and I feel like I’m a voyeur.
7. Prologues/Epilogue - I like how their past and different point of views are shown in the beginning and the end.
What I have Mixed Feelings:
1. Sang Yan (ML) - I debated whether to put this in the “Like” section or not. On the one hand, who doesn’t want a man who loves you unconditionally forever and ever. I love a male lead who does all the sweet things for FL behind her back. I love Sang Yan being all proud and arrogant, throwing sarcastic remarks here and there, yet deep down he’s done so much without anyone knowing. HOWEVER, if you look closely, is it really good to have a man who makes every single life decision revolving around FL? That’s a lot of pressure on the woman! Where are his own hopes and dreams? While focusing on FL, did he forget about his family and friends? Is he really a true Green Flag? I also always have a problem with perfect green flags who are bland and boring. Sang Yan definitely is not boring. So maybe his focus on FL makes him a flawed character, thus, actually more believable than a perfect guy? I AM CONFLICTED!!!
2. Hong Kong arc - Many people commented on the Hong Kong arc. I actually am OK with FL going to Hong Kong because I think that’s true to her character. She’s traumatized and she has a lot to lose now. Of course, it’s noble idiocy in a way, but at least it’s somewhat believable. What I dislike is all logic goes out the door during her time in Hong Kong and ML’s pursuit of her. Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. I don’t believe you could just walk around and locate her. People just willingly give out information to ML, despite not actually knowing FL or verifying that ML is the boyfriend. FL’s change of heart to contact ML also seems so sudden. She held out for so long, so all of a sudden she has come to her senses after just meeting with Qiao Qiao and Su Hao An?
3. The hijack of Grandpa - The grandparents are important in being the catalyst of Qiao Qiao and Su Hao An’s romance. Unfortunately, instead of spending more time on the couple, too much time is spent on grandpa. The second leads could be so cute together, yet I got bored of their interaction when grandpa is in the middle of it all. I would have liked to see more flirting, loving moments or deep conversations.
4. Sexual Harassment/Assault - The girl can’t get a break. I am not sure we need so much screen time on this subject to inform viewers of the trauma that FL has endured. What’s worse is that we don’t see any satisfying consequences to these men’s actions. They were not punished enough (or we don’t see that on screen). Yes, the main villain might be punished, but those court scenes are so ridiculously done. I would rather see him bleeding to half-dead, or in tremendous pain in the hospital.
I would recommend “The First Frost” for its excellent acting and the incredibly long, steadfast and moving journey between the leads. It’s not a romantic comedy, but quite a heavy watch due to the trauma that FL has endured. I debated rating this a 8.25 or a solid 8.5. In the end, I compared how I felt after watching “The Best Thing” right before “The First Frost” (I know they are different genres), and concluded I like them both equally for different reasons. Thus, I am giving it the same rating of 8.25 (rounding up to 8.5).
Random Observations:
1. Why is Sang Yan always so wet after a shower? Doesn't he towel off? LOL. 😍
2. Who knew Bai Jing Ting is so muscular under that sexy black suit. 🔥
3. Xiang Lang is really annoying. Back off already, little kid.
4. Isn't it weird and rude for FL to butt in and teacher a little girl ballet when the real teacher is sitting right there?
5. Aww.. ML is FL's warm sun that brings her comfort.
6. FL is really adorable when drunk.
7. Thank god no one is dubbed, even those with a Hong Kong accent.
8. Lovely OST
9. Really cute and unique proposal
10. Damn.. this is a long review and I said I wanted to keep it short. 🤣
Completed: 3/19/2025 - Review #556
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Don't watch this as a sequel but on its own - Romance more than Sports
9/7/2021This is not a sequel to Go Go Squid 1, but a spin-off in a parallel universe. If you watch and judge this as a sequel, you will be sorely disappointed. I am going to try my best and not compare this to GGS1. Even so, I am disappointed and decided to drop this drama. There are many good dramas waiting for me to watch and I have to learn to let go sooner. This is not a bad drama per se (hence my 7.0 rating), it's just not for me.
Things I like:
1. Robot Combat - I am happy to see a different type of team sports, instead of the usual e-gaming. I was a fan of the American show Battle Bots years ago, and was excited to see something similar here. It provides a different kind of excitement (when done right). For a novice, it's a lot easier to understand than video games.
2. Grandpa is back! He's so cute and fun. He definitely is the best wingman for his grandsons. Love the blind date episode.
3. OST - This drama has some great songs. It's also nice to hear the theme song of GGS1 when Team Solo is on.
Things I don't like:
1. Not enough Robot Combat - I watched 19 episodes and there are only a few scenes with competitions or team trainings. Robot fight was what I am most looking forward to, but the show focuses too much on the romance storylines.
2. Weak Team Camaraderie - Compared to the other e-sports drama, there isn't enough team building. This is usually the best part of e-sport dramas, knowing how the team members bond, go through hardships, train and compete. Not just the bromance between team members, but healthy rivalries against other teams. This is unfortunately lacking in GGS2.
3. Romance - as much as I love a mature romance, and unrequited love, there's too little going on. I enjoy watching ML's lovesick adorable eyes full of emotions, and I root for him. But a full drama of a lovesick puppy being all smitten, including the 2ML, is just too much for me, and I love romance! Maybe others would enjoy this sweetness more than I do.
4. Slowness- there are too many slow-mo close-ups to create this "romantic" or "cool" effect. There's at least one in each episode. Additionally, the pacing of the drama is very slow. Not much happened in the 19 episodes that I watched. There isn't enough materials for 38 episodes. It would be better if this drama is only 20-24 episodes long.
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Despite having witty dialogs and great acting, it's not well-executed
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75Well, the synopsis sounded interesting to me, and I am a fan of second-chance romance. Slice-of-life melodramas are a hit-or-miss for me. So, did I end up liking “My Youth”? Mm…it’s OK.
There are elements of the drama that I really enjoy. The witty dialogs and conversations between the 4 leads as a group, the 2 couples, and the 3 siblings. This comes from the same screenwriter who wrote “Run On”, one of my favorite K-dramas. So I am not surprised that I am really loving those sarcastic remarks and witty comebacks. These conversations brought the relationships of these characters to life and exuberated excellent chemistry - friendships, family and romance. I love the 4 leads. They are interesting and multi-faceted. The two pairs fit each other so well.
I also enjoy the acting of the whole cast. From the young ones, to the teenagers, adults and the veterans. There is no weak link. I haven’t seen Song Joong Ki since “Vincenzo” and I think he did a great job portraying the main lead. Ok, his hairstylist and the costume department could have done a better job with him. Seeing a grown up Nam Da Reum (he’s 23!!) is like watching my kid grow up in front of my TV. And how nice to see Seo Ji Hoon again. He’s the eye candy that I needed. He’s so cute and handsome, and I love his character as well. The ladies, Chun Woo Hee and Lee Joo Myung are sassy and interesting. They play the untypical female leads well and make them fun.
I had a pretty decent time watching in the first ¾ of the drama. I didn’t find the pacing too slow for me and despite being a character-driven drama, there’s enough plot to keep it going. But then, the drama’s pace starts to slow down in the last quarter of the drama. The back-and-forth of the main romance became a tiny bit repetitive. When I found out what ML has been hiding, I dreaded the story a little. Had I known this was his secret, I might not have started this drama (this is a personal reason, no fault of the drama). Although I continue to enjoy the interaction of the main leads, the plot itself does not seem as interesting anymore. It’s not moving fast enough and it seems like I’m just waiting for the bomb to drop. I wanted to see more of the secondary romance, but despite having enough time, time wasn’t spent on them.
The ‘villains’ aka parents in this drama are forgiven so easily. We didn’t see much of the process of forgiveness and it all seems to happen behind-the-scenes. On several occasions, the editing was weird. I thought the drama was going to show me and expand on what’s happening, but it just cut to a different scene. I am also not satisfied with the last episode. It’s not hard to guess the ending, but I wish it was executed better.
I would only recommend this drama if you enjoy a slow-paced slice-of-life melodrama. I enjoy the acting, the interesting main characters and relationships, and witty dialogs. But it’s not a well-written, well-edited and well-executed drama.
Completed: 11/6/2025 Review #640
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Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart! (Uncut Ver.)
1 people found this review helpful
Laughable Heists full of plot holes. Great Leads chemistry is not enough to save the day.
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75Objective: 8.0
The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment. This is what happened to me with “Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart!”. I really like the general premise of the drama, with a focus on the social and economic inequality and struggles of people who live in Suphanimit. I thought this might be a somewhat serious drama that gives me a different Thai BL, amongst the sea of rom-coms and school dramas. I was expecting a drama similar to “Not Me” with excellent chemistry between the leads, Yin and War. Unfortunately, this is definitely not “Not Me” but I do like the chemistry between Yin and War. I just can’t believe it’s rated higher than “Not Me”.
However, just relying on chemistry alone is not enough to keep me interested. It was a slow start for me. I enjoy learning the background history of the two leads. Their relationship also develops slowly but evenly paced. I don’t need a lot of skinship (not that I don’t like it) but the emotions and chemistry are there. And that’s enough for me. War’s acting is amazing and I look forward to his future dramas. Yin is not quite there yet especially in earlier episodes, but I see improvement along the way.
I also just can’t get past the cheesy and uninteresting heists, and numerous plotholes. Joker is supposed to be Robin Hood. Stealing from the rich and sharing the wealth with the poor. He’s supposed to be a genius mastermind that’s hard to catch. But the few heists that he cooked up are laughable. They’re not well-thought out and basically just wing it and pray for luck to be on their side. The comedy isn’t working for me. Many commented on the tone change from serious life-threatening injuries and threats, to comedic moments of fighting like you are invincible and can pull a rabbit out of a hat anytime to solve the problem.
I thought the villain was a worthy, cold-hearted meanie, but he turned out to be an over-the-top clown. What’s with the Four Horsemen? What’s their background? Are they powerful only because they have money? There are plot holes and easy forgiveness/redemption everywhere. I question Jack’s intelligence in blindly believing in the boss for 5 years. Does he never question that the boss is a big bad wolf, just by what he’s been ordered to do to those in debt? Yet he continues to blindly believe the boss will help him out of the goodness of his heart? The fight scenes also aren’t very believable, the taekwondo fights are definitely better than the gangster fights.
It is partly my fault because I can’t turn off my brain and just enjoy the chemistry of Yin and War. I really enjoy their stories, their fight for independence, and their development, bond with their families and healing. I want to see them rise up to the top and live happily ever after. There’s so much good, but overshadowed by poor writing. Luckily, there’s always grandma and the little sassy girl to provide me with comfort.
If you are looking for a high quality, serious drama about social change like “Not Me”, then this is not for you. But if you are fans of the leads, and don’t like a sillier plot and enjoy the ride, this is OK. I debated whether to rate this by rounding up to 8.0 or rounding down to 7.5. Ultimately, I was bored at the end and was finishing the last couple episodes, just to finish the drama. Therefore, it’s a 7.75 rounding down to 7.5 for me.
Completed: 11/26/2024 - Review #520
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Good quality, chemistry and acting for a low-budget web drama
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25“Provoke” is another well-produced low budget web drama directed by Zeng Qin Jie of “A Familiar Stranger” and “The Killer is Also Romantic“. The production quality is pretty good and I like it just as much as I like the other two dramas. Following a similar format, in twenty-five episodes, 12-16 minutes long, the drama tells the story of revenge, hidden identity and love. I can’t help but compare this drama to another popular web drama “Maid’s Revenge”.
Although I enjoy Dai Gao Zheng’s frequent flashes of his muscular torso and abs in “Maid’s Revenge” more than Zhao Yi Qin’s abs in “Provoke”, I have to say “Provoke” is a much better drama. The story is more coherent with fewer WTH moments. The acting and costumes are better and is also a lot less cringey and trashy.
Actress Daisy Li is beautiful as the sexy Jiang Ying. She is absolutely gorgeous in her various costumes and sexy when she is on stage singing and trying to seduce all the men. Male lead Zhao Yi Qin is handsome, but he is so skinny that when he’s wearing a long coat, it seems like he’s being swallowed. I enjoyed his body-building toned abs but a little too lean for my taste. LOL. Both leads have pretty good chemistry and the acting is pretty good as well.
However, my first reaction to the drama within the first episode is that there are too many slow motion scenes. Why are they walking so slowly? Why are they slowing things down when it’s not necessarily a ‘romantic’ scene? This got better throughout the drama, but I can’t help but also notice everyone speaks very slowly as well. Moreover, whoever dubs the male lead sounds like he’s whispering instead of speaking (a very airy voice). I like the first half of the drama more than the second half. The writing is weaker in the last few episodes.
Overall, if you are looking for a simple and short web drama in the Republican era, I will recommend this. It’s rare to find a pretty well-rounded low budget drama that doesn’t look cheap. Oh, and it has a pretty good OST as well.
Completed: 4/20/2023
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Misunderstanding galore
8/9/2021Let me preface this review by saying I am not a young (in age) viewer and have watched over 100 C-dramas. This might just not be the right fit for me. I enjoy romance, rom-com and historical dramas, so I thought I might like this. Unfortunately, I have to drop it. I watched 12 episodes and these episodes are filled with misunderstandings between the leads over and over again. It's one plot after another. The romance could have been good but it got too cheesy and immature. I've watched FL in "Chef Hua" and liked her OK, but I do not like her character here at all. She's supposed to be smart yet how can she not know the way she behaved in the army is going to cause all kinds of serious trouble? Being persistent in chasing ML is fine, but the way she's doing it is not OK at all. It's disappointing because I like the general plot of the drama and is a fan of forced-marriage-turn-love trope.
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Good chemistry, cute couple but slower pace in the second half
“25 Ji, Akasaka de” is a 10-episode drama that I think could have been shorter. The first half of the drama is fun. It was great watching two people who are clearly attracted to each other play fake boyfriend/boyfriend. The chemistry is great and their scenes together are sweet and cute. However, in the second half, the pace slows down, especially when the misunderstanding happens. Not a whole lot happened.The acting is pretty good and not overly dramatic. Komagine Kiita is attractive enough for me to believe that Hayama Asami is a very popular idol. Initially, I thought Shirasaki Yuki is just another passive and shy male lead (similar to Adachi in “Cherry Magic” or Hira in “Utsukushii Kare”). I am pleasantly surprised that though shy, Shiaraski does speak up and take initiative to pursue what he wants. He’s not as passive as I feared. The earlier kisses were meh but the last ones are a little better and their intimate scene was sexy and sensual.
I enjoyed the ending. The scene of Hayama Asami chasing after Shiaraski Yuki, worrying he did something wrong after their night together, was sweet and satisfying. I finally see some emotions from him, and he’s not holding back in expressing his feelings. Finally!! It did take 10 episodes for that to happen.
This is a sweet, nice watch, especially if you like faking relationships (though this one is not that fake) and the guessing-if-he-likes-me trope.
Completed: 6/22/2024 - Review #453
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It's not horrible, but not great either
9/30/2021It's very hard to write a review of this drama. I don't think it's a horrible drama, but it's not great either. Unfortunately, it did not hold my attention and I have decided to drop it at Ep 33. I enjoyed the first 20 or so episodes, but then I feel that the plot just keeps on repeating. It's quite a predictable drama. Nothing really excites or surprises me. I really want to find out who is the big bad wolf, but I got so bored.
The best parts about this drama are the acting of the cast and our ML and FL. Our leads are fantastic and the supporting cast is great. It's my first time watching Qin Hao, and he's quite charismatic as Prince Peng Cheng. I became a fan of Li Qin after "The Wolf" and she is just as beautiful and awesome here. Shen Li Ge has to be one of the most badass female leads in C-dramaland. She is strong from start to finish. She not only possesses great martial arts skills but is also smart! Our leads make a formidable pair. Their chemistry is not red hot, but is maturely developed with quiet understanding and loyalty. I feel that in the first 33 episodes, they don't have enough scenes together, I want to see more of them.
I do not enjoy the fight scenes. It seems like ridiculous that every time someone kicks or hits, the opponent would fly across the room. Since it's not a wuxia drama, I wasn't expecting too much to begin with. What is up with the random wind/fan blowing to show our FL's flowy hair? And a spin to take off her wedding dress and accessories? I also feel it quite unrealistic that our villain 2FL could get caught so many times, yet she is still alive. She's like this little cockroach that never dies. It's quite amazing actually.
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The acting is OK, not as good as the recent KBLs that I’ve seen. And yes, the fish kisses are bad. The first 2 kisses are acceptable fish kisses given the circumstances (pun!). But the other 2 should have been more passionate, or at least let’s not prolong the torture.
I have trouble understanding characters in these ‘individual circumstances’ (pun! LOL). No matter what you were dealing with, a quick text or phone call is not going to cost you a lot of time, especially when you care for each other. Additionally, just because you guessed the password to the laptop doesn’t give you the right to read its content.
The plot is actually quite simple but interesting enough to keep me going. At least I don't find anything cheesy or cringy. The acting and execution could have been better. I probably won’t recommend this unless you have nothing to watch.
Completed: 3/31/2025 - Review #562
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3 second-chance romances recommended only to those who like this trope
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75After finishing this drama, I wasn’t quite sure if I liked it or not. In the end, it’s a decent, modern drama about second-chance romances. I was also unsure of Xu Ruo Han’s acting. Coupled with how she spoke her lines, I find her acting inconsistent. It’s my first time seeing Li Yun Rui as the main male lead, and I think he did pretty well and fit in the modern rom-com category.
Second-chance romance is the main reason why I decided to watch “Go Back Lover”. The drama did a good job in showcasing three different second-chance romance couples using a reality tv format. All 6 leads are flawed in their own way, and have to overcome certain challenges. In the end, I like who they have become.
Our main couple, Sheng Xing Ruo (FL) and Lu Xing Yan (ML), have the most complicated relationship. I enjoy following their relationship from high school to reuniting after a 5-year separation. There are frustrating moments when I feel that Sheng Xing Ruo is giving off mixed signals, or Lu Xing Yan is too smitten and acts like a lovesick puppy (OK, I do like his loving and longing looks). I think the chemistry is decent and I’m glad to see quite a bit of skinship and kisses.
The second couple is the bickering ex-es who started off the show with a dramatic divorce ceremony. Their chaotic energy could be too much to handle, but they also lighten up the show with their hilarious and silly moments. Because of how over-the-top they are, I think their screen time is just enough.
The third couple has the least screen time but they are also the sweetest and most adorable. But you have to endure how shy they are with each other in the beginning, in order to enjoy the end result. Xia Hao Ran (as He Si Yue) has the cutest puppy look with a little pout, but at times he looks a little emotionless. I’m most pleased to see Chen Zhu grow to become a more confident woman.
Despite enjoying these couples and the reality tv show format, there are moments when the pacing slows even for a 24-episode drama. The taping of the show is interesting, but the content is not. They have the most boring dates! How can they mix and match the couples with unexpected guests, yet there’s no excitement? They need better producers for the TV show to drum up some fun twists and turns.
There are a few annoying characters to stir up trouble. For the most part, they aren’t too bad. The ‘villain’ in the end seems a little over-the-top. This drama also is less fluffy/rom-com than I initially thought. “Go Back Lover” actually covers a few serious topics not listed in the tags. Without diving deep into who suffers what, the drama talks about domestic violence, suicide, childhood trauma, parent disapproval, and mental health. None of these topics are discussed in detail but if you are sensitive you should be aware of them.
Overall, this is a decent, somewhat short modern drama. Nothing jumps out to say this is the best, or the worst. It’s very average and I will only recommend “Go Back Lover” to those who love second-chance romances.
Completed: 10/25/2024 - Review #503
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This review may contain spoilers
Short, Light, and Sweet
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25*don't think there are major spoilers, but just in case*
What a sweet and somewhat innocent teen drama! Why somewhat, because the first scenes showed us a different side of Amane that you don’t see for the rest of the drama. “Kimi to Nara Koi wo Shite Mito mo” aka “If It’s With You” tells the story of Amane’s growing affection for his classmate, Ryuji, after moving to Enoshima. Amane was careful in protecting his heart because of a traumatic event when he told someone of his feelings. But he can’t help but fall in love with the caring and kind Ryuji.
The seaside setting brings a different charm to this short drama, which is shorter than a movie, at about 1.5 hours long. I’m glad to see it speaks to the challenges of a teenager in coming out of the closet to his friends, and how making a joke about it has become his default defense mechanism.
On another note, this drama also reminded me a little of the popular “Kieta Hatsukoi”. We also have another lead who is unsure of his feelings after being confessed to, and needed time to process before responding. We often don't see this side of a love confession and it’s lovely to see male leads from both dramas really take the confession seriously, and give a lot of careful consideration. On the flip side, is it also selfish of Ryuji to want to keep this an one-sided love until he figures things out? How long does Amane need to wait?
Both male leads are lovely characters and that makes this drama very easy to watch. I can relate to bubbly Amane in the way he handles his feelings and the hesitation he has. He almost always wants to pull back, so he doesn’t hear the possible rejection.
If you are looking for something short, light and sweet, this is a good watch. Not a lot happens, so it could be a positive or a negative thing, depending on what you are looking for.
Completed: 11/5/2023 - Review #374
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