"The Palace" is about two friends Chen Xing and Lui Li, who are palace maids, and their relationships with the 13th Prince. This movie is mainly about Friendship, Loyalty, Betrayal and Love. There is also misundertandings and a stealed identity.
One character turns into a mischievous and schemeful woman that betrays those who trust her. I like how they explain the origin of her behaviour - she wanted to have power and freedom in a place and period where she is fated to serve others.
Another character is portrayed as a pure and innocent woman who stays true to her love and friendships. She tends to make sacrifices and resign to her fate. Sometimes I was annoyed about this while other times amazed.
I liked the evolution of the characters and the contrast between them, but I would have liked some mixings. Not black and white characters but grey characters. Even so, I think that the fact that they are black and white makes the story more epic and memorable.
What I loved most was the photography. All scenes were recorded beautifully and each frame is like a photo itself. Great casting and costums.
I think "The Palace" should be more popular. I haven't watched any of the dramas named "The Palace" that are set in the same years so I don't know if the storyline is very similar or not.
I recommend this movie.
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Hidden Pearl
The story is not new, but the execution is great. I've seen a lot of C-dramas. This is not to be missed. ML and FL not only paint wonderfully in ancient costumes, but can also play. This was the first story I saw them in, but it certainly won't be the last. FL is beautiful, smart . ML is persistent, handsome and cunning. The chemistry, the humor, and the visuals are also great. The music with the heartbeat and the insertion into the series is perfect. Even though it's only a miniseries, I would watch the characters for a longer time.Congratulations for the team.
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This movie is about friendship and it is very close to reality. I think that is why it made me cry so much, both happy and sad tears. It made me miss my friends and made me wonder what will happen in the future.
The story is really good! The way they switched between past and present was really cool and the movie was very well directed. The costumes and music of the past were done really well. The camera work was really good. And it was a lot of fun to watch.
The acting was very good, of both teen and adult actors. I saw Sora for the first time on We Got Married. She's completely different from how she was there! Here she is a bad-ass leader of Sunny and I loved her! The other girls were pretty good too. Na Mi reminded me somewhat of Velma from Scooby Doo :P
They cast the adult actors pretty well too. The faces matched and it was like they were the older versions of the teen actors. So props to the casting directors for doing such a good job. Also, the situations in which all of the characters were, were very real. That's what I loved the most about this movie, it was very close to reality.
Either Kim Shi Hoo-ssi loves to play characters from the past or he has that kind of a face that the directors cast him as a 80s boy. He played the same kind of role in Love Rain and I was pleasantly surprised to see him in this movie. The crush thing was so cute! It brought back memories of my first crush :P
I would highly recommend this movie even if you don't watch Asian movies. This movie is really well done, the acting is really good, the story is amazing and touching and it is definitely worth your while.
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Put Your Feet in My Shoes
Despite a 7.9 rating here on MDL as of this writing, The Trust is a lovely drama. The idea of body switching is not new, but the execution of it is interesting and very funny. Imagine a distrustful couple, the lord of a city and his wife, switches bodies, and they must continue to perform the roles of the other as if nothing has happened. Putting their own feet into each other's shoes, they finally understand the other's pains, predicaments, and perspectives, and come to empathize with each other.This is a story of political power struggle and harem cat fights, though at a smaller scale but as deadly. Political rivals scheme to bring down the other, and the City Master tries to maintain the balance of power while silently fighting against the onslaught of his own uncle who is ambitious and treacherous.
Xu Yu (Song Yanfei) is the daughter of the most powerful general in the land, guarding the northern border with a formidable army. Growing up in such a household, Xu Yu becomes very adept in sword fighting, horse riding, bow and arrow, but not so good academically. She is a carefree girl and in love with Xiao Jinyun (Zhang Haowei) whom she has grown up with. After marrying him, Xu Yu finds life not what she had expected; she becomes disillusioned and unhappy. Disappointed, she stops caring about all matters in the household, and doesn’t vie for attention from her husband, while others in the harem fight tooth and nail. With such an attitude, her mother-in-law does not like her and she repeatedly gets into trouble, and is always being framed and blamed for everything that she hasn’t done by her husband's concubines.
Having a heavy burden to carry for his city kingdom, a discord court of academic (文官) and military (武官) officials, and a big household to maintain, Xiao Jinyun’s demeanor is serious, uptight and unaffectionate towards his wife and concubines (he has at least 4 of them). This has led to his concubines vying for his attention by backstabbing each other, especially they bully Xu Yu who doesn’t care to fight back. He is suspicious and wary of Xu Yu’s father, General Xu and her two brothers because of the strong military power they wield, more so when fanned by the academic officials like his scheming uncle. On top of that, the military and academic ministers don’t see eye-to-eye on anything and always bicker among themselves over even the most trivial matters. Again and again, the academic sect tries to take down General Xu at every chance they get.
On that fateful day, through some magical force from some meteorite stones and an eclipse of the sun, they exchange bodies; Xiao Jinyun lives in Xu Yu’s body and she in his. Now living in a man’s body, Xu Yu is liberated. She/he goes to the brothel, gets drunk, attends court assembly to fend for her father when he’s being attacked; she even goes to war to help her father in fighting the invaders. To others, their City Master has suddenly changed in character, playful, impulsive, an excellent sword fighter and an archer. To Xiao Jinyun’s surprise, Xu Yu manages her role as the City Master in court very well as her way in handling the disarrayed court officials seems to be effective.
For Xu Yu with Xiao Jinyun inside, her change is just as significant; she becomes mature, responsible, and calm in dealing with everything negative that comes her way. For the first time, Xiao Jinyun realizes how badly Xu Yu has been treated by his own mother and concubines; they criticize, backstab, frame her, and lie about her to him. In General Xu's daughter's body, Xiao Jinyun knows that the Xu family is totally committed to him; their loyalty is second to none, One of the hilarious scenes is when he also experiences her menstruation pains. As Xu Yu, Xiao Jinyun manages to improve Xu Yu’s relationship with his mother and helps her in reclaiming her status as the main wife, gaining respect from everyone.
As they grow to understand and trust each other more, all their misunderstandings resolved. They work together to tackle a series of crises, politically and at home. Their romance is gradual and sweet, from distrust to trust with no doubts.
I have never watched any dramas by Song Yanfei and Zhang Haowei, but I find their acting very natural and convincing here. I love how they each plays both characters, bringing out the contrasting individual characteristics and demeanor. How Zhang Haowei becomes girly and rolls his eyes when he acts as Xu Yu is hilarious, while Song Yanfei as Xiao Jinyun becomes the one that always has a plan, and makes the first move. The scenes are cute and very funny, accentuated by playful background music.
There are at least two BL/bromance couples here. The Xu Youran (Li Junchen)/ Xiao Jinming (Cao Junxiang) pair is amazingly good looking with wonderful chemistry. By the way, watch out for the rabbit Xiao Jinming brought for Xu Youran to care. I presume this is a hint of their relationship. The other pair, Jiang Tang (Feng Mingjing) / Xu Jun (Li Ji), is equally interesting and fun to watch. Too bad they have too few scenes and dialogs together.
My Verdict
This is a very underrated series. It is a lovely story, cute with very funny dialogs. As unserious the tone as it is, the acting and the plot are serious. The script writing, directing, editing, and acting are all brilliantly executed. The court powerplay is not boring as we have great acting here by Zhang Haowei, and the harem cat fights are not infuriating as Song Yanfei’s portrayal is brilliant and very lovable.
I've come to realize that the low viewership (hence rating) is probably due to the poor English subtitles. It is such a pity because this is a wonderful series that deserves to be watched and loved. Strongly recommended.
BRAVO!
Anime link:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBakWosU0sfj2hkpghsp3loSDXl6w-P1h
Very good. Recommended!
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1This review may contain spoilers
✨Don’t ask questions. Just vibe. ✨
This drama? Absolutely ridiculous. Unapologetically over the top. And exactly what the doctor prescribed for a lazy Sunday with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream. 🍦 I mean… people casually waving guns and machetes like they're in a Spicy Telenovela: Martial Arts Edition?? I was howling.The OST? On actual steroids. I swear the composer was like “give me ADHD in audio form” and hit export. And you know what? We vibed.
Brains? Logic? Emotional continuity? They said: “Nah, we don’t carry those in stock. But here—have some fiery chemistry and bloodstained love stares instead.” And I ate it up.
It gave me major Be Your Knight vibes, which totally tracks because apparently it’s the same director. There are certain things you expect from these dramas: chaos, slow-mo walks, inappropriate background music—and it DELIVERS. 💀
If you come in expecting Shakespeare, you’ll cry. But if you come in with a light heart and zero expectations of realism, you’re in for a wildly fun ride. I’m still wheezing at the romantic theme swelling as the leads lock eyes… absolutely soaked in someone’s blood after just wrecking a dude. Iconic. Cinematic. Absolutely unserious. 10/10 would rewatch this chaos and I'm only on episode 8 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Will update this once I finish it.
Update:
Ok, just finished this and can only say it was a good entertaining watch y’all. The drama stays consistently unhinged till the very end, and dang, I was really invested in the side couple — they had great chemistry. Too bad, cause judging by their chaotic tendencies, they were clearly doomed according to cdrama law (if you're not the main couple and have too much chemistry? yeah, you're done 💀).
Plot? Surprisingly engaging. Characters? Unfiltered madness but somehow loveable. If you’ve been around the mini-drama block, you’ll recognize half the cast — it’s basically a chaotic family reunion with more blood and fewer brain cells.
Now. THE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL THEY’RE CHUGGING??? Broooo. If they had three livers each, they’d still be on life support. I just mentally replaced it with apple juice to survive those scenes, cause the real thought makes me 💀
And let’s talk about the OST (again) — it went from “Final Boss Battle” to “Haunted House on a Hoverboard” to “Cyberpunk Romance at High Noon” with zero transition. My brain was overstimulated like I was on five tabs of caffeine and a carousel ride. I’m CONVINCED they cranked the volume so high just to distract us from the unhinged lines being said.
But let’s be real, I got exactly what I came here for:
✅ Hot eye candy and surprisingly dope fighting scenes
✅ Men losing their absolute minds over women
✅ Romance and kisses (PSA: the leads only start kissing properly after ep 23 — before that it’s giving CPR dummy)
✅ Iconic supporting cast
✅ And yes, a blessed happy ending for the main couple
Was it messy? Yes.
Did it make sense? Absolutely not.
Did I have a damn good time? 100%.
This ain’t high art — it’s high chaos. And I devoured it.
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another user stated that don't base your interest to view a drama solely on good/bad reviews. Guess what there will always be ppl who like and dislike a drama. I have tried plenty of drama that had great review and can't get into it and vice versa. Sure this can be a base but take it all with a grain of salt and don't have high expectations on any drama...try ....to go into a drama w/a blank slate... you'll always be disappointed no matter what. I like to mostly read the summary of the storyline.
I had no interested in this. I didn't find SJ good looking...whaat... can you believe that? Lol..i saw soo many preview of their head lock/charm scenes and finally tried it...I fell in love w/the characters. I fell in love w/DM when he shield her from ppl view of her crying. He had my heart. Heck they were all vulnerable and was comfortable crying in front of each other.
The chemistry of the fab 4 is awesome! Friendship Goal. They all love and care for each other. The silly antic of the 2 falling in love was hilarious. I appreciate no crazy villains or parental involvement. The M.C. was soo adorkable (I know not a real word). Once they realize they liked each other...there was no pretense. I know ppl might get annoyed with the F.L but I understand her. She may be selfish in that thoughts but I get it. Her heart breaks everything she sees him hurt and she loves him soo much. They are all flawed real characters. The bromance, sister hood....there was no crazy skinship but they make my heart go kong kong kong...and laughing like an idiot and I cried with them. It was more realistic. Him pulling her hair tie off was NOT smooth at all like a typical drama that make it look pretty. It was awkward and comical. They were awkward in their process of realizing they like each other. I like how honest he was w/his feeling. *blush*blush*
There is a freedom of adlib and you can see they are having fun enjoying each others company.
"Do what make your heart beats faster."
"When did you get such a good back up."
-they always had each other backs-
The OST is really good!
Love it all...it's all heart and it makes me feel good watching it and that is all that matters to me.
Heart
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Overall, after watching the final episode and not realising it was actually the final episode (changed from listed 75 eps to 74) I have to say I wasn't too happy with the ending but the drama is for sure extremely well made and in my top 5 dramas of all time. If you're looking for a drama with more depth, a little romance and a smart, independent heroine I definitely recommend this one!
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This review may contain spoilers
A Love Story That Isn't for Everyone
I have been wanting to watch this movie since I first watched the trailer and had "No Regrets" by Li Rong Hao on repeat for over a month. I knew this was a movie that would make me cry. I don't think this movie is for everyone, when it's a love story that isn't for everyone; especially people that doesn't like very flawed characters and that not all love will have a happy ending.Zhou Xiao Qi is our male lead that is super rash and emotional throughout the movie, while You Yong Ci (our female lead) was a girl that wanted to simply feel loved and safe in a relationship due to her past family issues. I honestly felt like female lead's character was not fleshed out well compared to the male lead's character, but I think the main focus of the story was on Zhou Xiao Qi. They are both very flawed characters though. The moment Zhou Xiao Qi did the stupid thing that ruined his future, I knew their relationship would fail no matter what. There would always be regrets for him, and then for Yong Ci will forever feel guilty for it. No matter how much they loved each other, it would just not work out.
I think the message that the movie wants to tell us is that just because you love each other, doesn't mean you have to end up together. It gave a realistic view on how when you are young, rash and emotional; you make stupid mistakes and say stupid things that can make or break a relationship. But it's important to look back and cherish the love you had for each other in the past. We should view it as a happy memory; it's better to have loved and been loved, then to not have loved and not been loved Also, it's important to live with the decisions you made and to not have regrets. Keep looking forward, learn from your mistakes and try to become a better person.
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Within the aura of a love story some socially critical topics on successful woman, work & family
"I Do I Do" tends to be humorous, offers a nevertheless emotional love story and at the same time the backdrop for the critical processing of a merciless everyday professional and living environment to which women in South Korea are exposed. As also, for example, "Romance is a Bonus Book", "Scent of a Woman", "Revolutionary Love" or "Angry Mom" the KDrama uses the comedic touch to lift the emphasis of the topic into a lighter tone that is easier to digest. Cheerful and serious aspects are well balanced, also thanks to a great cast.
Within the aura of a love story "I Do I Do" comes along with some socially dominant topics around woman, work and family that want to critically be processed. "I Do I Do" precedes "Now, We are Breaking Up" by nine years. Not much has changed in the status of the professional life of a successful woman (in the fashion scene). The scenario reminds here and there: the experienced, successful and talented designer (here elegant pumps) who has chosen career over relationship/marriage/family; the parents who want their daughter to finally get married properly; a younger man who, after a one-night stand, throws the orderly life of the confident businesswoman upside down. In the case of "I Do I Do", the protagonist ends up in a one-night stand, which is rather untypical for her (and him) due to a chain of special circumstances. The hook for further drama is her completely unexpected pregnancy. ... and 37-year-old Hwang Ji-ahn, still being single, having just been medically diagnosed with a premature menopause...
------------------------------- SIDE NOTE: --- Woman, Work and Family as far as South Korean society is concerned ---
- A woman (in South Korea) can perhaps be successful, but the price for this is her woman-ness (as in many places on earth...). She proves herself to be a better man and simply has no room for relationships where she could live out her soft, tender, feminine side. Showing her weakness at work whatsoever would jeopardize her position. Competitors are already waiting for a devastating neckbutt.
- A woman can be excellent and even unique in her work. From a marketing point of view, however, it is more promising (because it is more binding for business partners) if a man bears the official, managerial responsibility for business sucess... because who knows when the woman will leave the professional world behind and take up her role as wife and mother... The dramaturgical dynamics in this regard are astonishingly differentiated in "I Do I Do". There is even room for the aspect of how women envy each others decisions for either way (instead of solidarily supporting each other - here and there).
- A woman should get married. She can mercifully let off steam for a while in her professional life, since society has already become about 10 years more tolerant in 2012 than in the decades/centuries/millennia before. But the age of 37 is (biologically speaking) a magical limit... because now it's high time. (The KDrama actually offers an exceptional man as a role model who thinks progressively here...)
- Dating, a woman automatically becomes the one who needs/wants to be protected and the one who in turn provides the man with allround care. What a mess, if roles lose their clear assignments. Here, too, the KDrama offers, among other things, another (different) exceptional male role model - one who (although instinctively a protector, too, but nevertheless) is ready to develop in a different way.
- And then equally valid for men and women: relationship is not a private matter. At least the parents are the first to have a say.
-Also: The greatest happiness in life should be a permanent position. Everything else is extra...
---------------------------------------------------
"I Do I Do" defies these societal norms, which in South Korea seem to be chiselled in stone. This is no piece of cake. Interestingly, the KDrama offers only one answer to the question "What are the arguments in favor of deciding to have a child or a family as a professionally ambitious woman?" - this in the face of an almost endless list of reasons that argue against it... This single commitment to a "yes" (towards children and family) is located beyond rationality. This "yes" has nothing to do with virtue and values. This one and only "yes" argument is completely personal. (My respect for taking such a position - one that actually stands outside of society´s right to have a say in this!)
After all, "I Do I Do" eventually shows another variation in the Cinderella spirit of fairy tale love stories ... But. I consider the way as the goal! And the path described in this KDrama (the circumstances and processes of the main protagonist) makes it definitely worth seeing. In addition, Kim Sun-ah finds a good balance between a competent, unapproachable boss and an approachable, not so competent 'woman' with her heart in the right place. Lee Jang-woo also convinces me here in his role as the much younger, impulsive, unconventional Park Tae-kang.
By the way: Since it is about the world of fashion designers and pumps in particular, it would be worth mentioning that the viewers get to see a lot in this regard. Not only in Ji-ahn's well-stocked private shoe room, but also beyond that - 500 pairs of pumps were brought up for the series that were supposedly worth almost 9,000 euros. Also, the protagonist Ji-ahn's individual fashionable style (which goes back mainly to Kim Sun-ah's specific, personal suggestions) became a trendsetter at the time.
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This review may contain spoilers
Started out fun and engaging, even the cinematography (the yellowish filter which reminded me of the horror movies in the 2000s, i thought Sadako was gonna spring out out of nowhere) is A grade, Then somehow it got a little boring in the middle and then i realized i wasnt even looking forward to any of the episodes anymore, i just finished watching just for the sake of finishing the series.One big problem is the chemistry between Sahara and Toki. I dont mind and i actually like the awkward overacting, but they just didnt show enough to make me care about their characters and to root for the relationship. I didnt even understand the 'slap in the back' thingy which were supposed to be a thing of affection considering those were such strong slaps and didnt they say Sahara has (or had) a back injury?
The addition of Nekoto- and for goodness sake his emo hair is so annoying - n the last few episodes even made the show worse, no wonder why Sahara chose Toki isntead of him.
Let me get this out of the way too. The idea of a teacher getting into a relationship with a high school student is very cringy layered with too many inappropriateness that gets worse when being romanticized. I am not a conservative but this is not something that i would feel comfortable seeing in real life no matter how small the age gap is.
Is this something that happens normally in Japan and i wonder what is the targeted demographic for these kind of contents? it smells of something predatory.
The fact that this is the second Japanese BL within the past 6 months with this age gap (the other one is One Room Angel) kinda bothered me a little. One other BL with this kind of premise is Minato's Laundromat (with not just one but 2 of this kind of relationship) and that even got a second season. In these series, they show the younger leads vehemently pursuing the older guys, and they make you think it is ok. I somehow feel its not. These 3 series features younger HIGH SCHOOL male leads being partnered with adult guys (to be fair Minato's Laundromat handled it better) Im not against big age gap between partners but i think we have to be reminded that these high school students are STILL kids compared to the older guys they are running after. At least make both characters "adult" even if you make a 20-year age gap then it might be ok.
Overall, its a 6.5 for me. This is a series i wont even remember after a few months, and its not even entertaining enough to be rewatched.
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Queen's Classroom
35 people found this review helpful
1This review may contain spoilers
@ mobbing, friendship, class culture and reflecting moral behavior among 6th grade pupils. Great!
"The Queen's Classroom" is a dramaturgically fascinating story about kids at a South Korean elementary school, shortly before their transition to middle school. The young actors are fantastic. Likewise the adults. At the same time, it is a nuanced, clever study of bullying from 2013. I appreciate this series very much because it not only shows THAT there are enormous social problems with an increasingly traumatizing marginalization of young students, but also how/that the school, i.e. the teachers, can contribute in a creative, constructive, pedagogically valuable way, and thus counteract the trend. For this reason alone, "The Queen's Classroom" is worth seeing. In addition, the KDrama tells a wonderful story about the idea of friendship - about how the mere concept and label 'friendship' becomes a real, three-dimensional relationship with a solid grounding. Fabulous.The unique approach is a focus on the age between elementary and middle school - a phase that is crucial in the development of personality, e.g. for the cognitive development with regard to the moral assessment of situations, the ability to change perspective and a differentiated understanding of moral values. Eventually, the moral assessment of mobbing/bullying is the crucial first step in order to seriously counteract the ominous trend. This aspect is a characteristic problem in South Korean schools. (See side note below.)
In the case of "The Queen's Classroom", the homeroom teacher sets important impulses for the personal processes of individual pupils and the class as a whole with quite idiosyncratic, (of course also dramaturgically effective), provocative pedagogical methods. The aim is to use paradoxical intervention in order to trigger more profound emotional and cognitive processes, so that the students can move from the sometimes naive surface of their beliefs to their true, genuine core. On this basis only can they then stand their by all means noble, idealistic convictions powerfully and authentically against adverse circumstances. Personal processes can often be a bit painful, as is the case here. However, the result is quite spectacular for the individuals and for the class as a whole, too. It could/should be something like this or something similar, it HAS to be if the increasing trend of bullying in schools is to change.
Chapeau! "The Queen's Classroom" is boldly leading the way as a small but mighty pioneer in the KDrama world. To be fair, the KDrama is based on a Japanese production. Since the social problem is similar there, it is not surprising. In any case, the Korean remake didn't do any harm... Despite all the emotional seriousness, it's a great pleasure to accompany the kids on their bumpy road.
---------------------------------------
SIDE NOTE: --- Wang-ta - Bullying in a collectivistic society, like South Korea ---
While 'mobbing', strictly speaking, refers to psychological terror or physical violence by a group, 'bullying' describes the harassment itself, regardless of how many people take part in it. However, the choice of term does not change the fact that far too many students are involved - be it as victims, as perpetrators or as spectators/witnesses. This is an international phenomenon, with more or less extreme manifestations. There is peculiarity in South Korea, though: collectivism (vs. Western individualism). When the welfare of the collective has the highest priority, it means that the interests of the individual are subordinated to those of the associated social group - be it family, work, school, class, club, friends, etc. Peer pressure also exists in individualistic Societies, true enough, but in collectivism it has an even stronger impact. This should not be underestimated when dealing with the topic of mobbing/bullying.
'Wang-ta' is a specific, common South Korean slang term that is used in connection with and in dealing with a person who is not part of the group. One becomes an outsider very quickly, wearing the wrong clothes, having the wrong interests or preferences, belonging to the wrong group or to no group, having poor, stigmatized or less influential parents, living in the wrong family constellation or only achieving bad grades. However, this label commonly implies (in collectivist society) that it socially 'is allowed' to devalue and harass this person for being an outsider. When group norms are thus strong, such exclusion based on appearance, lack of achievement, special preferences, etc. can have particularly fatal consequences. Those experiencing 'Wang-ta' first hand, may lack the chance of getting rid of this label again.
- Those who 'choose' the victim are hardly aware of any guilt, since they are convinced, that they are rightly criticizing a deviation from the set norm.
- The other peers will thus avoid the stigmatized pupil and assume that there is something to it, so that the label (and exclusion) is justified.
- And those labeled ´wang-ta´ will only withdraw even further, ashamed of their 'apparent' lack, and feel even more inferior, than they might already do.
Empirical studies in 1998 ff with pupils from European or American countries (with individualistic socialization) showed, that in 85 percent of bullying cases peers were involved as bystanders. Of those, only 11 percent eventually intervened. Unfortunately, I don't have any comparable South Korean numbers, neither from then nor from today. However, I probably don't lean too far out of the window when I suspect that there are significantly less, who would actively intervene.
In the course of further international studies it was possible to prove that intervention by peers is, however, an essential first step towards change. Active intervention on-site in the middle of the situation triggers a (moral) debate among the peers about the situation in the first place. As long as there are only passive, tolerating bystanders, the act is socially approved and its justification defacto confirmed.
There are South Korean studies that show: although the majority of the pupils interviewed do not like bullying, at the same time they also believe that it is inevitable. In fact, they assume, that the victims in general deserve to be punished because of their (self-inflicted) being an outsider.
The peer group has the greatest influence during the school years from late elementary school to high school. At the same time, this is the phase in which generosity in dealing with diversity can and must be learned as an essential social value. If such a value is not socially recognized at that time, then young people will not be able to integrate it into their further lives, let alone apply it. This is the painful crux of the issue of "wang-ta" in South Korean schools (or later in the workplace): generosity in dealing with diversity has no tradition, no culture, no socially recognized value on the peninsula. If you want to change the school bullying trend, then you have to start here. I.e. as a teacher in elementary and middle school, opening up spaces for experience with tolerance and thus creating the opportunity for a new culture of social interaction. A confident class culture that explicitly acknowledges diversity, that socially and openly and explicitly questions wang-ta as a social option, can form the fertile breeding ground for fundamental societal changes that leave more room for individuality. In the face of an ever-approaching, globally networked world, this is becoming increasingly necessary in order to create the personal and social balancing act of a hybrid between traditional and global, between collectivistic and individualistic.
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I was in "drama mood" so in that period U wasn't picky at all. I just read the synopsis then I decided to watch this drama without expecting anything from it.
2) Storyline/Plot:
The general story wasn't very special but it can't be considered as a one of K-dramas usual plots. However, it wasn't outstanding.
Positive Points:
*The storyline had a great dramatical depth which can make you tagged to its events.
*Main Genres:
--->Romance: This is a romantic story with all the meanings that the word "Romance" refer to; it was well written in order to make developments go deeper and deeper after each episode.
The romance here is the "mature" type, not like those childish romantic stories that we see everywhere but it's not very serious that would make you get bothered since they added moments to cheer the audience and keep boring moments out; i believe it was a smart move in order to maintain the great romance.
One more point, romance was a play of fate, a play of reality to show how true love can survive no matter what kind obstacles it faces; I know it's a little dreamy but it was cool in the drama.
--->Drama: I consider this drama as a dramatical romance, it's not the rom-com type so the dramatical side was heavily present and well done in some points.
It can be devided to several parts since the storyline was devided, the middle dramatical part was the best then there's some good parts at the beginning.
Negative Points:
*The romance is good but only the main leads romance existed; no side romantic stories that can change the mood a little. Yes, there was the usual Korean triangle but the side romantic stories were absent.
*The dramatical parts in the end were really annoying because it took a wrong turn after the 15th or the 16th episode; I had high hopes for that part and even though, it didn't end up badly but I wasn't satisfied.
Story: 8/10
3) Acting/Cast:
*Joo Jin Mo:
I have a great respect for him as an actor, I loved his previous roles and I really liked his role here, it wasn't an intense role but the way he handled things was really well done.
The character was a very strong at first, you can feel the hartred and pain in Lee Shin Jun's eyes then as the drama went on, many changes occurred, many dramatic moments were held by his character, it was intEresting to to follow his character developments but at the end, I noticed some unsatisfying changes in the character's personality but it's all up to the story's changes above.
*Lee Bo Young:
I don't know her as an actress which means that I am not familiar with her acting skills, here she was acceptable and moving in some points because the role was portrayed in a satisfying way.
The character, let's see, I wasn't fully taken by kang Eun seol's character and I never sympathized with her. The character was off sometimes, cheerful some other times, cool most of the time and what I clearly remember that it was really annoying starting from the 15th or the 16th episode.
*Other Cast: I am only familiar with some of them but I think their roles were nicely done, except some annoying characters, the supporting roles were okay.
Relationships:
--->Romance: The chemistry was good, like I said earlier it's one of the greatest romantic stories that I've ever seen plus the leads made it enjoyable "most" of the time.
--->The triangle: Most of the time they were really annoying to watch, I skipped those parts often, I tried to watch but they weren't any close to the sweet triangles that we usually know but I have to appreciate Kim Pil Seo's character since it was "mature"
--->The leads relationship with Lee Shin Jun's mother: It was really well done at first but when it took the obvious turns near the ending, I became uninterested.
Cast: 7/10
Acting: 8.5/10
4) The ending:
I liked the final obstacle, it was somehow unexpected and cool to watch. Nice closure but it doesn't deny that it was one of K-dramas classical endings.
The ending: 8/10
5) My impression (How did it affect me):
*I was really interested in this drama and that's the main reason I finished it fast.
*I wasn't bored but I have to admit that I skipped several parts in order to make my watching time equilibrated plus there were scenes that I didn't like.
*Is this drama memorable: Yes, I am keeping this drama in my mind as one of the greatest romantic dramas but not as one of the greatest dramas that I've ever seen.
My impression: 8.5/10
6) Overall:
*If you like romantic stories than this for you.
*If you're into romantic comedies, I don't think that this drama would suit your taste.
*Watch this if you're looking for a great male lead.
Overall: 8/10.
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This review may contain spoilers
Love every second of it.
THE CAST IS INSANE.Honestly, it's refreshing to see a drama about the struggles of a declining family instead of the usual rich people drama, this drama also seems to be of quality... I like how simple it is, the common man has the most interesting and realistic stories.
Also wow they got Hu Yitian, Zhang Jingyi, Ceasar Wu, and Hu Chunyang in one drama-
I can tell how great the cast is because I recognize the older actors as well, they just picked up all the popular (and skilled) ones and said "Do your thing, this drama will do well"
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An intense binge worthy drama!
I am so in love with this drama. I saw everyone praising it so I casually started it out of curiosity. I was just thinking about giving it a try for the hype. But now I am actually joining the crowd. I feel like praising everything about this drama.
Reset is an intense story that revolves around a few characters binded by a time loop. What I am happy about is that despite it being a time loop drama where certain things will keep on repeating it was executed in such a nice way that I couldn't even think of skipping anything. No matter how many times they repeat it, a right balance of new things came out that was interesting.
So the story starts with a university student named Li Shiqing (Zhao Jin Mai). She was on a bus and on her way to somewhere when the bus gets into an accident and she dies. But she wakes up the next second and just considers it as a bad dream but woah! this is the best part. Things seem to get repeated and she seems to die because of the same accident again and again. Once she realizes about this horrible time loop, her first instinct is to escape, she uses a boy sitting beside her who is Xiao Heyun (Bai Jing Ting), a game developer to get out of the bus but unexpectedly he enters into the same time loop with her. Oh my god! Just the first episode and I was hooked up. I couldn't wait to see how they would continue this story.
Afterwards there are just crazy things happening. They both try struggling in all ways possible to change this destinied accident. Not even a single second is irrelevant or like filler in the drama. Everything is there for a reason. Even the expressions of each actor and how should they react in a particular scene is so perfect.
Their bond. Like two people who are in a mess of time, fighting together and just like two teammates going through life and death together. You can observe how slowly and reasonably their bond develops. Romance is not the visible center of the drama but it's just present through those little moments between them. You can see the care in their eyes and just the will to accompany her/him in the trouble till the end.
I love how almost every character has their own story and stuff. It's short like 15 episodes of 45 minutes each but they do justice to every character present.
Favorite line — "Human is iron and rice is steel. You can only save the world when you are full"
So, in the end, I recommend this to everyone. To even those viewers who are like me and who hesitate to watch time loops… this was a great watch. A well organized plot, high quality production with actors who know their characters well. It's amazingly set with an interesting story which kept me on the edge of my seat and I was like always looking forward to watch more and more. Meanwhile I will be off to dig up some good behind the scenes videos to enjoy more of this :D
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