This version had some promising things, the ML was not as as mean as in other versions for one. BUT, he didn't have a reason to be mean because in this version he wasn't drugged, but actually cheated on his partner. Therefore his giving her divorce papers after the marriage is even worse cause he is then just a cheater who decided to take responsibility for his mistake but then flaked out. His situation was complicated yes but the character was much more flawed then the other 2 versions because of his lack of legitimate motive to suspect and dislike the FL before he gets to know her. AS for the acting... Truthfully I loved this actor couple in "The Eternal Love" but I found the chemistry lacking in this version. His random hugs were just weird not romantic. There was no "sexual tension" just a soft kind of devotion which was actually kind of flaky. I ended up dropping the series after the miscarriage episode and went and rewatched the Korean Version. The Korean Version is SOOO good, even as a rewatch. It was hilarous and touching, sad and satisfying hitting all the right points. Then I came back here to read reviews and seems I made a good choice not watching the last 11 episodes and others have written they sound frustrating and ending unsatisfying. My recommendation, watch the beginning if you like, some nice parts.... then before it gets too annoying go rewatch the Korean and/or Taiwanese versions - both of which I have re-watched multiple times and are still great!
It has high rating because not a lot of people watch it. If this was popular, I can guarantee the rating would…
Thanks for your reply. I came to this drama after watching Ryan Ding in The Romance of Tiger and Rose. That drama so far is a refreshing unique masterpiece, and the acting is spectacular for both FL and ML. The characters in that drama are also very complex and interesting. So I came hoping to find something similar. I gave Intense Love another chance and skimmed a few eps, tried to jump to the end... but I just couldn't get into it. The kiss/seductions scenes in this drama are sizzling and create some feels , but I feel there is no substance behind them. My favorite part of "romance" dramas is the feelings behind the interactions between the characters. And to me, because of the shallow nature of the characters and their relationship everything just fell flat. Characters drawn to each other based on shallow physical attraction is very realistic actually. But I don't like those kinds of characters. Usually the shallow spoiled characters are supporting roles not main roles. Especially the FL. If people like these kinds of characters maybe they can enjoy the drama but for me I need to actually like the personality of the characters before I can appreciate their "love". Also, it seems many people have said they liked the FL's acting. If she was directed to act ridiculous then maybe she is indeed a good actress but for me her childish over-acting is a huge turn-off. Quite a shame cause I really enjoy watching Ryan Ding. Ive see a big of Just an Encore and that one so far seems cute.
I'm wondering why the ratings are so high. The leads are both extremely physically attractive but the FL's acting is cringe-worthy and unbelievable. I struggled with the first 2 eps and not sure if I will watch more. The story thus far seems very superficial , and the director is trying using slow motion and close ups for dramatic effect when the characters just met each other and have absolutely no reason to be having the kind of emotions super closeups and slow motion usually represent. I don't feel there is anything to the characters at all besides for "hot spoiled actress that miraculously has never had a real kiss" and super hot doctor that claims he does not get affected by physical beauty but from the way the director pans his face when he sees the FL it seems he does indeed have a physical attraction to her very quickly. The ridiculous antics in the first ep also make 0 sense, are cringey, and ridiculous. So..... does this drama change and if not why all the high ratings? Just cause the actors are hot?
Started watching because of the great reviews but i had to force myself through the first two eps and thinking of dropping it now on the third. Everything is super predictable, not feeling any chemistry with the leads, the acting is often sacrificed for shouting and the main female is boring and not interesting at all... plus she seems to just go along with whatever, with no critical thinking.... like she is just stupid. For the people who loved this drama what was it? Maybe the drama was fresh and interesting in 2015, but im just really struggling with it. Will it pick up later or does it just stay like this for the rest?
As of now, I'm on ep9 and it got better after ep2. I mean this with no disrespect but I'm a little confused where…
For Romeo Juliet type situation I meant the opening animation at the beginning implied a start crossed lovers from warring families style relationship of the ML with the girl in the opening. There was no actual R/J in the first two episodes except for the intro. But the intro implied a powerful love between star crossed lovers for the ML and the other girl in the comic, so it was weird and strange that suddenly the ML is falling for the FL, when there was no fight or disagreement or any problem with the girl he was originally with. Again I am only going on 1.5 episodes. Mostly the acting was so bad I was turned off, but the weird situation of a FL starting a spontaneous "romantic" thing with the ML while he still had a GF and knowing he had a GF also really turned me off. I am glad you said it got better. I am learning thai so trying to find some decent thai dramas to work on listening but so far its been really hard, and the quality of most shows is either slapstick silly, ridiculously cheesy, or full of RAWR scenes. just started watching the thai secret garden, and im litereally cringing every few minutes. Music also soooo repetitive. Not sure why the Thai producers do this stuff. Hope to find some better Thai content out there eventually.
watched one and a half episodes and gave up. If it gets better please someone tell me cause so far, after the rip/off Romeo and Juliet cheesy animated opening, the acting has been painful. The so called "accidental skinship romance" scenes in the 2nd ep are also quite disturbing and uncomfortable. We know from the begining that the ML is supposed to have an established super strong "romeo /Juliet" type love with someone who is not the FL. There is no reason for him to have suddenly fallen out of love with that girl and the FL knows he is with the other girl so it just feels gross like the FL is trying to steal someone's BF. " The costumes are also not convincing, and the "box" scene in the 2nd ep is ridiculous, not cute funny ridiculous as I assume it was meant to be, but cringey, unbelievable, roll your eyes kind of ridiculous. Maybe this gets better..... If it does let me know... but I cant bring myself to continue as is.
If you like psychedelic experiences this movie will make you feel like you are on one. Watch it for the cinematography, action, special effects, very weird but kinda cute romance, and especially, the Giant Yeti, and Giant Flying Koi Fish. Don't watch it for the plot, or a plot at all. Also don't watch it for the title... as this is not a detective movie.
For all those left with an empty "ugh" feeling from the last 5 minutes of the drama, here are 2 amazing fan fictions that feel true to the canon and can help resolve some of those "Arghhh!" feelings:
1. "A Happier End" by KryliaDarr: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17346215 This series re-imagines the last 9 minutes and moves on from there, helping to resolve all the loose ends over 10 chapters in a realistic way that feels like it could have been a season two. *unfortunately its incomplete but still worth reading"
I think your perception is on point. The Virtuous Women Corp is supposed to be the comic relief collective; two…
I have not watched Arthdal Chronicles yet but I will look for that when I do. Good to know. thanks. Yes. I find it interesting that most of the commenters on my post strongly defended the drama's choices to make fun of these women or insisted it was all innocent or justified and good jest. If these commentators are the majority reaction to such scenes then I guess that is part of the reason why even in 2019 use of heavy or non-confirming to society standards of beauty characters in mostly "evil/comic relief/disgusting" roles is continuing. Whether that's a good thing or bad thing is up to perception.
I know Korea is a superficial country and dramas are even more so, but you would think in 2019 they could finally drop the "fat-shaming" as a running joke deal. In the first 2 episodes already there is the ML freaking out cause he might have to share a room with one of the more curvy ladies, (oh the horror!) then when he is told to share a room with the "beautiful" FL there is no complaint or avoidance. Then in the hot-spring there is a mean comment from a male character about the "broad shoulders" of one of the curvier women. Also when the male appears at the hot springs all the curvy ladies continue to show their shoulders but only the "beautiful skinny" FL covers up. Its another micro-agression against curvy women that implies " of course they are unattractive so no need to cover up cause curvy ladies' shoulders are not sexy or rsique, instead they are "funny cause they are "fat". Its doubly ridiculous cause realistically in that day and age a woman of their appearance and body type would be considered much more attractive then the super skinny beauty standard of today. There is nothing wrong with having leads who are beautiful according to 2019's standards, as of course one of the inviting things about asian dramas is the attractiveness of the characters... but I really am dissapointed and sad that a woman being heavier is treated with so much disgust, hostility, and humor in bad taste.
IF the white teen was removed from the movie maybe it could have been saved...... like, that teen and his whole plot.... all of that removed... and just leave Nini and Mark Chao in cool outfits speaking English. THAT would have been MUCH better. It was weird and fun to see Nini and Mark Chao in non-serious silly roles. Shame the plot was so.... ugh. basically a white teen boy's wet dream come true.
teen boy who has model looks, cut abs, and professional level mountain biking ability is bullied and feels worthless cause... ???? ....so a hot princess comes out of a video game and .....falls for him?!?!?.... whaaa??? Then she gets kidnapped and he goes into the videogame to save her and is trained how to fight by Mark Chao who is still amazingly charming and awesome even in this horrible role. Then Boy saves princess and she kisses him, and she learns how to "have fun and relax" because of him and comes visit him in his world..... urgh. What I want to know is why Nini has a real kiss here with a teen boy while nothing on dry land in ROTP...... Nini and Chao must have gotten paid really well or something for this... im still confused how this movie even happened.
I watched the first 2 episodes and was very disappointing. For JH fans.... don't bother yet, He gets less than 2 minutes in the first episode and none in the second. He is clealy not a main lead and just a recurring special guest appearance. As for the actual drama, I found it very predictable and full of tropes. The story line and character motivations are nothing new that we have not seen before. The 3 leads acting was very blah for me too. I started fast forwarding everything after 10 minutes... and was able to easily follow the story with just FF which shows how predictable the story line was. The "budding love" between the leads was also super predictable and unconvincing. I will keep watching to see if it gets better once (IF) Jang Hyuk starts actually getting some screen time. but as it is I have a bad feeling about this drama. For the future of JH, I hope he can do a propper lead part soon instead of having his last few dramas dominated by look-a-like plastic surgey- faced young idols.
The kiss/seductions scenes in this drama are sizzling and create some feels , but I feel there is no substance behind them. My favorite part of "romance" dramas is the feelings behind the interactions between the characters. And to me, because of the shallow nature of the characters and their relationship everything just fell flat. Characters drawn to each other based on shallow physical attraction is very realistic actually. But I don't like those kinds of characters. Usually the shallow spoiled characters are supporting roles not main roles. Especially the FL. If people like these kinds of characters maybe they can enjoy the drama but for me I need to actually like the personality of the characters before I can appreciate their "love". Also, it seems many people have said they liked the FL's acting. If she was directed to act ridiculous then maybe she is indeed a good actress but for me her childish over-acting is a huge turn-off. Quite a shame cause I really enjoy watching Ryan Ding.
Ive see a big of Just an Encore and that one so far seems cute.
The ridiculous antics in the first ep also make 0 sense, are cringey, and ridiculous. So..... does this drama change and if not why all the high ratings? Just cause the actors are hot?
Watch it for the cinematography, action, special effects, very weird but kinda cute romance, and especially, the Giant Yeti, and Giant Flying Koi Fish.
Don't watch it for the plot, or a plot at all.
Also don't watch it for the title... as this is not a detective movie.
1. "A Happier End" by KryliaDarr:
https://archiveofourown.org/works/17346215 This series re-imagines the last 9 minutes and moves on from there, helping to resolve all the loose ends over 10 chapters in a realistic way that feels like it could have been a season two. *unfortunately its incomplete but still worth reading"
2. "Your Lifetimes" by Nifflers_and_Crookshanks (also all the other works by this author)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/Nifflers_and_Crookshanks/pseuds/Nifflers_and_Crookshanks
A reincarnation fic done right
3. Also this"Ninja Reflection" is slowly translating some key parts of the original novel. Her sight also has a translation of the ORIGINAL Novel Ending which is a happy ending:
https://ninja-reflection.com/page/5/?s=rise+of+the+phoenixes
Yes. I find it interesting that most of the commenters on my post strongly defended the drama's choices to make fun of these women or insisted it was all innocent or justified and good jest. If these commentators are the majority reaction to such scenes then I guess that is part of the reason why even in 2019 use of heavy or non-confirming to society standards of beauty characters in mostly "evil/comic relief/disgusting" roles is continuing.
Whether that's a good thing or bad thing is up to perception.
In the first 2 episodes already there is the ML freaking out cause he might have to share a room with one of the more curvy ladies, (oh the horror!) then when he is told to share a room with the "beautiful" FL there is no complaint or avoidance.
Then in the hot-spring there is a mean comment from a male character about the "broad shoulders" of one of the curvier women.
Also when the male appears at the hot springs all the curvy ladies continue to show their shoulders but only the "beautiful skinny" FL covers up. Its another micro-agression against curvy women that implies " of course they are unattractive so no need to cover up cause curvy ladies' shoulders are not sexy or rsique, instead they are "funny cause they are "fat". Its doubly ridiculous cause realistically in that day and age a woman of their appearance and body type would be considered much more attractive then the super skinny beauty standard of today.
There is nothing wrong with having leads who are beautiful according to 2019's standards, as of course one of the inviting things about asian dramas is the attractiveness of the characters... but I really am dissapointed and sad that a woman being heavier is treated with so much disgust, hostility, and humor in bad taste.
It was weird and fun to see Nini and Mark Chao in non-serious silly roles. Shame the plot was so.... ugh. basically a white teen boy's wet dream come true.
teen boy who has model looks, cut abs, and professional level mountain biking ability is bullied and feels worthless cause... ???? ....so a hot princess comes out of a video game and .....falls for him?!?!?.... whaaa??? Then she gets kidnapped and he goes into the videogame to save her and is trained how to fight by Mark Chao who is still amazingly charming and awesome even in this horrible role. Then Boy saves princess and she kisses him, and she learns how to "have fun and relax" because of him and comes visit him in his world..... urgh.
What I want to know is why Nini has a real kiss here with a teen boy while nothing on dry land in ROTP...... Nini and Chao must have gotten paid really well or something for this... im still confused how this movie even happened.
As for the actual drama, I found it very predictable and full of tropes. The story line and character motivations are nothing new that we have not seen before. The 3 leads acting was very blah for me too. I started fast forwarding everything after 10 minutes... and was able to easily follow the story with just FF which shows how predictable the story line was. The "budding love" between the leads was also super predictable and unconvincing. I will keep watching to see if it gets better once (IF) Jang Hyuk starts actually getting some screen time. but as it is I have a bad feeling about this drama. For the future of JH, I hope he can do a propper lead part soon instead of having his last few dramas dominated by look-a-like plastic surgey- faced young idols.