K-Drama
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Love Place: Hakanaki Kata Omoi - Gaiya no Koi
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I put off watching the final episodes 14 - 16 because I was reluctant for it to end. Now I've watched ep. 14 which is clearly sequel in nature. I have to say I found it a hard slog, the sparkle has gone, the interaction between Goblin, Grim Reaper and Deok Hwa sadly missing. If this continues I would have to say it was a mistake. They should have finished with ep.13 and maybe a brief "follow up" finish. Don't mean to be b*****, but the idea anyone or any supernatural entity would span the universe in eternal love to chase Kim Go Eun stretches credulity.
Taking the plunge again at Ep. 14 better but I find the central romance utterly unconvincing, partly because it just goes on far too long - there's a limit to the sweet endearments and exchanges you want to hear.
Finished at last! A suitably complex and, I'm glad to say, unpredictable ending. Ah, if only life - and death - were like that. Turned whimsical again at the end, but inevitable I expect. Isn't it wonderful also how time can pass in a camera shot in TV dramas? Preferred Grim Reaper and Sunny and Deok Hwa to Goblin and Eun Tak, though the latter did improve markedly towards the end when she stopped playing all "kittenish". Which reminds me, what happened to Deok Hwa amidst all the complex comings and goings at the end?? So annoying.
The production values, background scenery and camera work were excellent throughout and the fashion sense fabulous - but when my mind keeps going off the story to the clothes and background scenery, annoyingly missing the subtitles, desperately waiting for the next scene with Grim Reaper and/or Deok Hwa, it's clear that it's not entirely absorbing my admittedly volatile brain. Music almost entirely good. Re-watch value? well not any time soon, but the fashion, design and memory of the comic parts may tempt me. Still, there's nothing else for it, but to give it 10/10 for the overall achievement.
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This review may contain spoilers
Excellent drama let down by the denouement
Excellent gripping thriller。 for my opinion the ending was a mess、 I suppose it stayed true to the initial theme of a person reborn to discover who killed him and the intertwining of two characters、but the conclusion of the story of the main character Do Jun was extremely disappointing。the explanation of repentance did nothing to explain the origin of the rebirth。In my opinion the introduction of a romantic element was misplaced: the idea a guy could be hauled into a prosecution facing jail and then want to date and marry the woman responsible defies credulity。I don't quite know what the writer/producer were thinking except that romance was an essential to get a successful drama、 but these days that is no longer so。in the end it fizzled out and did not have a prominent place in the drama so I question why include it in the first place?it would have been better left as a clash conflict without the improbable morphing into romance。
The very end was neat、 I assume as a result of Hyun Woo teaming up with Oh Se Yun again、though how someone os his status as Hyun Woo convinced Oh to take him on in a short time so he was suddenly catapulted into a partner in Miracle Investing was not properly explained、 probably because it could not be convincingly explained、 just another of those neat drama devices you are not intended to look behind。Very accomplished story and production for most of the drama but the ending was too rushed and was disappointing。would be a 10 but for that。
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Romance school and thriller drama in one
very good and enjoyable drama with sympathetic characters and character development and sufficient twists to pass the watch every day test、but why is it K dramas always have to pitch every angle to keep the drama and no doubt audience numbers going for 16 episodes? so here they have a romance and school drama but have to turn the focus to thriller action in the last few episodes: yes it added excitement but was predictable and I did not need it to keep watching and it did not feel right to twist Ji Dong Hui's character into an unsympathetic psycho serial killer even if they tried to explain why through a back story。bringing in the mother's return was a predictable possibility but did it add much? also they overdid the tear jerking sentimentality in the last few episodes I think though、though no doubt some people would love that。I do not mean to over emphasize the negatives: if it keeps me watching every day I rate it 10/10、 it was an excellent drama acted very well and I recommend watching〜Was this review helpful to you?
delightful if unoriginal
what to say about this drama?delightful couple(s) handsome actors and with the virtue of Taiwanese gay dramas that it brings equal treatment with straight dramas to the physical side of relationships as well as other aspects including marriage and the actors play their parts quite well without inhibition I would say。
on the other side it failed somewhat as a drama。 the idea to set this in a funeral business background is original but、it does not make the actual development of the story and romance original or add anything to the story、 its intrusion in the last episode truly is macabre。
this is a drama supposedly of two couples but the secondary couple's story was really drowned out by the main couple and the resolution of the second couple story putting it kindly rather unconvincing。
for me the drama went on too long and was beginning to drag around episode 8 and the twist in the last two episodes again putting it kindly rather weak and adding little to the resolution。
so. for me、 even with its good points it does not pass the ”I can not wait to watch and must watch every day test”; so a generous 9.5 from me because of the equality factor🩷🌈
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"Don't be afraid of the cracks that's where the light comes in ”
"Don't be afraid of the cracks, that's where the light comes in." I like Taiwanese lgbt dramas because they treat the stories seriously and sensitively, with plenty of space for character development、 though in Unknown there is maybe a little too much space I think。 of course this may reflect the story itself as it is predicated on Wei Qian only being able to accept his feelings over a long period of time however、 against this we have the "four years later" trope which I am unsympathetic to as a device。 Some of the action in the middle such as the re-surfacing of the gang theme and its violence could have been left out without detracting from the story in my opinion.。for me the OST also became intrusive as in many dramas unfortunately and producers should realize songs do not replace a script and even silence has more effect in certain romantic situations. however these are minor criticisms of a well crafted and sensitive drama. I accept we need to know of this early stage in Qian's story to understand his eye problem later、 as also the flashbacks to his mother、a marked contrast (intended dramatically I assume)to the family he managed to create and foster..I particularly❤️🌈Was this review helpful to you?
Good Chinese school drama
this is a really very good chinese school drama and in my opinion deserves a better ratingit includes many good stories in the short episodes and is realistic and the spirit of camaraderie among the boys comes over very well and there is great chemistry between the two male leads of different backgrounds。 the script and production are very tightly constructed including a lot in the short episodes without any feeling of cutting the corners。note for example how the wuxia book scene with Linghua as a child ties up with final episodes。Chinese censors of course make sure we do not get a ”wrong impression”、 but you can use your imagination 🩷
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Naked Dining: Love, Life and Liberation
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heartwarming and delightful
I am glad Japanese doramas especially can present serious emotional issues in gay romance doramas through an amusing and unusual or even bizarre storyline different from just sweet but formulaic stories、 so here [unlike the more usual story of teen struggle] we have a story of adult confusion about sexual identity in Souta set against Mahiro's obsessive love while struggling with lack of self-confidence and repressing his feelings。Yutaro's acting is especially good。for me this dorama deserves a higher rating I think。some of the comments fail to understand the deeper issues it raises I would say。heartwarming and delightful〜❤️🍉🌈Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Surprise endearing Chinese BL drama
this is endearing drama、 though low budget in production it does not matter they manage to bring out such emotions and interaction between the characters I cannot understand the low ratingsas for the ending、 bitter sweet but separation is part of life : if that was all、
however for me the failure here was Cheng Yi’s forced lovemaking knowing he intends to separate from Zi Min、g this comes into the category of playing with someone else's feelings which can have serious psychological impact
significance of phone call ambiguous I feel calling but unwilling to say where you are suggests further selfish emotional manipulation probably just unthinking not calculated ?
though this also leaves open the possibility for future reunion but of course it is unlikely this would pass censorship in China in fact it is surprising this drama seems to have fallen below the radar
though it is very welcome to find such a moving same sex Chinese drama
but anyway we are free to make our own imaginary sequel ❤️🌈
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Fantasy storybook and heartwarming bonds
I really came to like this: a series of supernatural stories revolving around the friendship、 with clear homoerotic intent、between a demon and demon hunter 。 the various stories are uneven and some lacked momentum、for me the last one about the scholar and spirit of the painting、 also by no coincidence homoerotic、 is the most beautiful and poetic。the ending brings everything together sweetly。 the production values are obviously limited although it is strong on creating atmosphere、 even a numinous quality if you let your imagination flow。this may not appeal to everyone〜 maybe just those with bizarre tastes like me❤️🌈Was this review helpful to you?
Missing: season 2
this really takes off after the first two episodes with lots of interlocking stories and characters great k drama mystery thriller with a supernatural dimension and the back story and fates of the main characters come together well towards the end though I do not totally understand the ending〜maybe leaves open another season? I also like that there is only minimal if any romance as similar dramas are spoiled by it in my opinion ⭐️Was this review helpful to you?
