Hilariously Funny Great Watch
This is another Isekai story whereby a female scriptwriter goes into her own story with her male lead and both fall in love with each other in the parallel historical female centric world. Imagine a historical world that has the male and female roles switched. Just the idea itself is enough to engage any viewers.The crazy logic and plot holes here and there - all these would have been considered poor script writing and poor editing in other dramas, but for this drama, they're done on purpose and left unedited and such, have made the series absolutely lovable and funny.
The drama has a mixture of modern day directness and historical day indirectness. There are hilarious misunderstandings and strong tendency in jumping into conclusions, creating even more hilarious moments that can really make the viewers laugh out off their couches. What seemingly crazy plans always work out perfectly for Chen Qian Qian (Zhao Lu Si) and people would praise her for thinking out of the box; her mishits become perfect solutions. Han Shuo (Ding Yu Xi) has always tried to maintain his dignity and honor but with our crazy Chen Qian Qian, whatever dignity left is utterly gone because he's so hopelessly in love with her. All the dialogues are simple, childish and most of the times, illogical, but putting together, it's just so hilariously funny.
Zhao Lu Si's portrayal of Chen Qian Qian is absolutely adorable with a modern day teenager charisma. Her acting has improved tremendously in this drama. She is natural, authentic, relaxed, spontaneous and yes, very comedic. She's a perfect "Sha Bai Tian", literally means "Silly, Fair and Sweet". Zhao Lu Si is simply one of the cutest actors around.
Not particularly handsome comparatively but oh boy, Ding Yu Xi (Ryan Ding) captures hearts. He is an amazing actor, versatile in any roles from being a high school teenager to an accomplished professional. As Han Shuo, seemingly cunning and calculative, at a next turn, becomes the most silly and childish boy. It's like watching the most fearsome tiger which can suddenly turn and become a little fearful mouse. Ding's portrayal is absolutely fantastic and he brings life to the character and makes viewers truly empathize and love him.
All the side characters are brilliant in particular the two male servants of Chen Qian Qian and Han Shuo. They are stupidly cute and add enormous colors and comedies to the scenes. All their silly dialogues and facial expressions just make viewers laugh out loud, love and care for the characters.
With only 24 episodes, this drama waste no annoying fillers. Every episode is a page turner. Everything is concluded well in the end. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and hope new viewers will do too.
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A picture paints a thousand words
As usual every year we will get at least one underrated C-drama gem in dramaland. Under the Skin is this year’s gem for me. Along with Reset, this drama becomes 2022’s first quarter surprise package. Another astonishing aspect is that although this iQiyi production is a detective investigation thriller and whodunit mystery, it doesn’t carry the Mist Theatre’s Light On series tag. Which is just as well considering the disappointment with the recent (2021) additions to the series.For the first time ever in a Chinese crime drama, as far as I’m aware, the concept of forensic art is featured extensively as the main premise of the story. The narrative revolves around the talented and highly perceptive mock portrait artist, Shen Yi, and his partnership with police detective Captain Du Cheng of the Beijiang Branch’s Criminal Investigation Detachment. Each of them share an interwoven backstory that provides the backdrop of the overarching main mystery and the development of their dynamic and respective character growth. The drama is presented in an episodic procedural format where the leads utilise their unique skill sets in solving extremely unusual cases, usually involving murders.
Under the Skin is based on the original screenplay co-written by Jia Dongyan, winner of the 27th Shanghai TV Festival Magnolia Award for Best Screenplay, and Wu Yao, Gold Award recipient for the Feature Film category at the 2012 New York International Film Festival. Jia Dongyan also serves as art director for the production, which is directed by the prolific Xing Jianjun. Principal photography took place in Xiamen which began in March 2021. The production team reportedly conducted considerable research into crime scenes depicted in famous art pieces as well as the application of forensic art methodology in criminal investigations.
What I Loved
There are numerous aspects of the production which I absolutely love and in comparison with many Chinese crime dramas in recent years, for me this drama ranks amongst the best in the genre. It’s innovative, refreshing, and does the basics of storytelling very well with a fantastic cast and crew. It may not appear as gritty or visceral and perhaps lack a little bit of realism at times but despite what I feel are subtle flaws, the things that exceed my expectations leave an indelible impression indeed. To briefly summarise the positive points:
1. The forensic art premise that focuses on how art is used to aid police investigations in its various forms. Whether as a composite sketch, predictive facial renderings or age-progression/ regression predictions and many others, I find the entire concept and display extremely enthralling. I’m a huge fan of crime thrillers, noir and procedurals but I’ve never encountered such an in-depth study into this subject matter before. The added bonus is seeing all the beautiful art pieces and creative artwork on display.
2. The characterization of Shen Yi, an artist of immense talent who possesses a perceptive mind and sharp deductive reasoning. I find his inherently calm demeanour and generally empathetic nature deeply endearing. This character captivates not only with his enigmatic backstory but also his multifaceted and rather charming personality. He is by no means faultless or exemplary for he constantly has to face the presence of his inner demons throughout, as well as the initial prejudice by his colleagues but he gradually overcomes all these challenges with poise and sensibility.
3. The second male lead, Du Cheng, who at times feels more like Shen Yi’s sidekick. His character progression and the subsequent evolution of his working relationship as well as personal friendship with Shen Yi is heartening to see. The “buddy cop” depiction here which incorporates elements of enemies-to-friends and bromance is one of the most rewarding strong suits of this drama.
4. The well-structured and coherent storytelling approach along with uniquely written individual cases as well as the overarching mystery. Most, if not all, of the cases depicted are highly unusual as far as either the method of execution or the motive behind the premeditated crimes. Where the investigations are concerned, I love that this drama is straightforward and no nonsense where viewers are immediately immersed into the cases and without the interference of fillers, unnecessary side stories or off putting comic relief. Even when the focus shifts to the characters’ interactions and development, it never feels redundant or superfluous to the overall tone which remains consistent throughout the show.
5. The depth of the narrative. Despite being an episodic procedural, it feels more like an anthology of short stories because each case spans more than an episode. Rather than simply focusing on solving the crime per se, it explores the background and related characters involved within each case to the fullest, complete with all the emotions of the human drama. Most of the culprits are not merely bad or evil perpetrators but are written as profoundly layered individuals who are bound by a tragic twist of fate that has led to their existing circumstances. The drama very delicately imbues subtexts on current societal concerns and even cautionary tales that enhance the storytelling. I find it surprising that the presence of certain themes actually passed censorship; for instance the subtle hints of GL, showcasing domestic violence as well as psychological abuse and gaslighting.
6. I have to pay tribute to the production team because the technical execution is quite superb. The editing renders remarkable scene transitions, clear sound mixing and audio quality even if overdubbing is utilised, and the authentic production design. The music is truly on another level with an impressive versatility to capture the different moods, in addition to the sinister “Hitchcockian” vibes of the more chilling scenes. Coupled with the impressive cinematography and beautiful colour grading, each case has a distinctive feel to the atmospherics - carefree youth, sweet romance, melancholic sadness and regret, as well as intense edge-of-the-seat suspense. Kudos as well to the styling department for the way Shen Yi is presented. I really like his fashion and overall appearance which makes him stand out from the rest of his colleagues.
7. The perfect casting choices. It’s my first time seeing Tan Jian Ci in a lead role and what an inspired selection it has been. He is perfect as Shen Yi where his portrayal exudes much intrigue, charm and likeability that draws you in deeper as the story unfolds. He possesses a strong sense of presence that encompasses a wide variety of emotions indeed. I think I finally understand why he is chosen as the lead for Winner is King so I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for him there. His co-lead, Jin Shi Jia, delivers a decent depiction of Du Cheng who balances grit with adorable goofiness at times. Both leads work very well together and are absolutely fun to watch.
Final Thoughts
Under the Skin is such a pleasant surprise and has to be considered an absolute gem for the first quarter of 2022, if not the whole year. Despite the somewhat far-fetched final arc and Shen Yi appearing exceedingly "superpowered" at times, they did not detract from the ingenuity of the writing and my overall enjoyment. I’m also tremendously pleased with the ending that provides a fitting and most satisfying closure to what truly has been a wonderful viewing experience. This comes very highly recommended indeed.
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The story is brilliant in itself and I am honestly sure it did the book justice. I think if you're watching this without reading the book beforehand, you would love the show a lot more because you're watching without expectations plus either way, Eternal Love will blow you away (even if you're not a fantasy/xianxia/historical genre kind of person) Also, If you like The Journey of Flower, you will love this without a doubt.
Everything, every single thing is so stunning from the costumes, to the set and the cinematography. And the most beautiful part is, of course, their love story. The different clans coming together and all the magical elements and all are very interesting. I won't delve into the story too much because its pretty complicated but fear not, you will never be bored of it for a second.
The acting was spectacular. Yang Mi did a fantastic job as always. Although it was my first time watching Mark Chao, his character as either Mo Yuan or Ye Hua is so easily to fall in love with because he is that good at acting. Chemistry was flawless. A transparent love was beautifully portrayed; you could feel their love and pain and share their happiness. Kiss scenes are very good too. They're not exactly rough but tender and deep? I honestly did not expect so many kiss scenes because I was quite disappointed with the lack of intimacy in The Journey of Flower but you're blessed here :')
Every other character was very likeable having their own unique personalities. The other side characters and love stories are also super sweet especially Dong Hua's and Feng Jui's.
It seems like everything about the drama is perfect even its music is so apt. The entire OST is so enchanting played at right timings. The duet is so haunting which really gives Bai Qian & Ye Hua moments that goosebumps. So, so good.
The only problem I have (not with the drama) is that I hate misunderstandings that cause conflicts in a relationship which my heart cannot handle. Ye Hua and Bai Qian's relationship has many 'tragedies' that can really break your heart because they've been through so many tribulations caused by some side bitches but in the end, everything for this drama is worth it.
Rewatch it? Definitely. No qualms about it.
This is truly a masterpiece and I can safely say Eternal Love is my favourite C-Drama.
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Best 20 hours of my life
Never would have thought there could be such a storyline. The clueless acting of the ml was Oscar worthy and I am sure fl won the hearts of many people. Shin hye sun(fl) I had watched her in a lot of other shows but this character was just built for her.The music for the show was spot on, especially the outro song at the end of each episode was so good. Plus all the music or sounds at funny moments made those scenes even better.
All the supporting characters where making this already awesome show even better.
I don't know who the author/writer of the shows but you can definitely tell I am gonna check out his other works until I die. I just want to thank all the people who where responsible for this show , amid all the covid-19 problems you guys kept me happy. Truly best 20 hours of my life
Ps. I am a picky guy , I find fault in everything but no mater how much I tried for some reason I can't think of any. This feeling is certainly wonderful.
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I want to play this dating sim!
I want to play this dating sim!Our Dating Sim is a short 15 minutes - eight episodes series , so what did the makers do with it? They made a sharp focused series about our main couple that literally had almost no scenes without one or the 2 of them in it. They rightfully focused on Ki Tae and Lee Wan and made us fall in love with both of them.
No excessive drama, no filler scenes. It doesnt feel rushed and its just the right pacing.
And, its not like some other concurrently airing drama out there (ahemmmmmm), this one has the right amount of lovey dovey and the star's chemistry is electric.
And the end credit for each episodes is genius!
Easy and quick watch and rewatch. Highly reccommended! 9 out of 10 stars!
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A masterfully made drama about insanity
I wrote this review in response to the underwhelming attention this show was getting. As a serious movie and TV show addict, having seen literally 1000s of shows from around the world, trust me, this show is a master piece.Let me start of by saying, this show creeps me out, but in a way that leaves me wanting to know more. It isn't a supernatural horror show, but it sure feels like it. From the dark dingy rooms, to the close ups of the mad faces of the housemates, this show plunges the viewer into a world of madness the likes of which I have never experienced in a Korean drama before. I would dare say that some parts of the show remind me a little bit of 'The Shining', which is definitely high praise.
The acting quality by pretty much all the cast members are top notch, especially Im Si-wan, who literally nails every scene he is in, allowing viewers to relate to him and feel for him. Lee Dong‑wook also did a stellar job in breaking out of the stereotypical handsome guy roles, proving that he has what it takes to be a really f**cked up bad guy.
But I don't want to just praise the two leads, because each and every one of the tenants of Eden Studio performed wonderfully. It is their chemistry that left me in awe and made me want to keep coming back for more.
From a storytelling point of view, all the characters have interesting and distinct personalities that make you want to know more about their past and how they became the way they were. The pace is reasonably slow, but the fact that the show is only 10 episodes long made it a lot easier for viewers to stay interested. The plot is well spaced, though there are some loose ends that could have been tied up before the finale. Nonetheless, I was still left smiling when the show ended, even watching through the entire credit sequence (if you never do this, do it for this show, trust me).
But what truly hooked me was the music and cinematography. Part of the reason I enjoy Korean dramas is because of the masterful combination of music and video that one usually only sees in the theater. Well, this show featured a great combination of heavy music (both the rock and hip hop kind) that fit the dark theme of the movie. The cinematography is as expected from an OCN "Dramatic Cinema" show, very high end.
TLDR: I'll be honest, I was expecting a horror show with some jumpscares here and there. What I got was something far better than that. I got a show for true horror/thriller fans who want to experience claustrophobia and paranoia all in on go, and then just get their mind blown at the end.
Trust me, watch the show. You won't regret it.
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Story/plot: -10- I heard that this storyline was very similar to a Japanese drama/manga called “Itazura na Kiss”; however, I have never watched the drama, or any of their remakes, so I am writing this review with nothing to compare it to, pretty much. With that being said, I loved the storyline of this cutesy, heart-warming drama! The cliche style of a not-so-smart girl liking the perfect guy definitely took a positive turn in this show! The transition between high school to college to adult life was pretty smooth, in my opinion, with majority of it focused during their high school years, which made it an innocent and light drama. As the story moves on to the adult life, the relationship between the main leads became more intimate, which made me squeal so many times at 2 o'clock in the morning.
Acting/cast: -10- The height difference between the 160cm Chen Xiao Xi (played by Shen Yue) and the tall 188cm Jiang Chen (played by Hu Yi Tian) made me squeal every time! Both of the main leads are decently new faces to the entertainment world, and they definitely made a good impression, on me at least haha! For her first main-lead role in a drama, Shen Yue did a spectacular job of performing the different sides and attitudes of the character, Chen Xiao Xi, from the happy, always positive high school youth to the independent grown women that Chen Xiao Xi becomes later on in the drama. NOW, LET’S TALK ABOUT HU YI TIAN! OMG, HE IS SOME HAWT STUFF! So cute, and for his first main-lead role, he played it really well! It’s hard to fall in love with someone who plays a, supposedly, cold-hearted, not caring character, but later on, we find out that the character, Jiang Chen, is pretty much the opposite! The way Hu Yi Tian smirks and acts to care for Chen Xiao Xi in the drama can make any girl's heart flutter! (I think I found my next man crush tbh) The supporting roles might have not done a whole lot, but their contribution played a huge impact throughout the whole show, and it made the drama 100X better! Nothing to complain in general, great leads, great actors/actresses, and great chemistry! :)
Music: -10- The opening song is truly the perfect fit for the drama! When I first heard it, I already loved it and how the melody matches the drama’s theme, but after reading the lyrics, it made me love the song even more! If you don’t believe me, take a look yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIKib5Bymz8 I especially love the line “wo xihuan ni pei wo kanshu fen xin kan wo tou xiao” which translates to “I like you when you’re accompanying me to read a book, distracted by looking at me, smiling quietly,” it brings back many ridiculous smiles when I watched the drama, and I can't seem to stop replaying the song in my head now!
Rewatch value: -8- I love A Love so Beautiful and I have rewatched my favorite parts more than a dozen time, but I am sorry, I can’t rewatch the whole drama from the beginning to end more than once. I am not sure exactly why, but I guess the whole drama wasn’t capturing enough for me? For the parts that I love though, I have rewatched it so many times, and I will never get bored of rewatching them!
Overall: -9- This drama truly created a great end to my 2017! The sweet, yet simple story is my cup of tea! I can’t seem to let go of this drama, it was too good and too sweet! The characters played their parts so well, the mixture of the songs and the cute relationships between the characters are too much to be given up so easily. So sad that I watched it in only 2 days! I wish I would have spent more time to savor every second!
If you are looking for a romantic, and heart-warming drama that takes place mainly during the high school life and transitions to more serious matters later on, A Love so Beautiful is definitely the drama for you! Hope this helps and thanks for reading!
Chào for Now!
Lily L.
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First I want to start by saying that if you are considering watching this series, then you need to know that this is not your usual fluffy drama with tons of comic relief. This is a very raw story and it's not so much about their relationship (them being together) as it is their emotions and how they handle the situation(s) they are put in.
This series is very heavy with the topics it brings up and is not a drama I would recommend for someone who's just looking for some cute relationships, because this is NOT that. This drama is more psychological and may be triggering if you have experienced violation of any kind. There's manipulation, lying, heavy drinking, dubious consent and very explicit scenes involved. I saw one of the reviews written for this show gave it a very low rating because I don't think they were expecting it to be as explicit as it was. Because it is very NSFW, and also again, NOT A FAIRYTALE LOVESTORY.
There is a lot of depth to this story, and I don't think everyone choosing to watch this will be able to see passed the cruel nature of a lot of the things that happens. This series requires the understanding that it isn't about the romance, because this isn't romantic. It's about the characters and how they deal with the situation they are put in, how they take into account the feeling of the other people involved, etc. Also, they do not romanticise the seriousness of the topics in this AT ALL, but then again some may think they do, but they don't. Just don't watch this with the mindset that this is going to be a fully functional and healthy relationship throughout with fluff and epic romance. Because, it isn't.
So, do I recommend this drama? Absolutely, I thoroughly enjoyed it! It is probably the best Japanese drama I've seen. The acting is on point, the emotion is raw and honest, the dialogue is natural, they have chemistry and are not shy to be doing the things they do for the performance to be truthful and believable. 10/10, honestly. However, I would be careful when deciding to watch it, because they do bring up topics and themes that could be very sensitive and triggering for certain people, so it honestly is not for everyone. So, I also DON'T recommend it for those looking for that cute fairytale BL, because again, this drama isn't really about that. And I would be careful if you have PTSD or similar mental health issues related to being subjected to manipulation, sexual and psychological trauma, or similar things.
I hope this helps some of you with deciding whether or not you should watch this. Also, watch this before Blue Indigo (this came out before anyway) because there's a few things you won't get with Blue Indigo in terms of character development if you watch that before this. Also, it makes Kijima's character a lot more mysterious and that is what makes the plot make sense. Kijima's character is supposed to be a wild card and unpredictable, so watching Blue Indigo first sort of ruins that.
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This review may contain spoilers
HiraKiyo Eternal !!!
For disclaimers, I am not a fluent Japanese speaker, but simply someone who understands a level of Japanese to understand the context and translate contents sometimes, so I might have gotten some details slightly wrong. I fell in love with Season 1 first after it aired, and went on to listen to the drama CDs.The movie essentially focuses on 3 conflicts. One, HiraKiyo has to go apartment hunting after Naho and Tomoya prepare to move back to the house the couple is currently staying in. Two, Hira prepares to graduate from university and enter the adult world. He's chasing after Kiyoi who seems to be walking a step ahead by starting work earlier, and loses his confidence to shoot Kiyoi beautifully after seeing Noguchi's work. Third, Anna and Kiriya's story, which Kiyoi finds himself tied up in. This movie overall, focuses on Hira's growth as a character.
HiraKiyo does feel more like a couple who has dated for a while here, compared to Season 2, from their domestic acts to ways of showing affection. HiraKiyo has learnt from their past in the previous two drama series and have grown a lot in terms of intimacy. Kiyoi is a lot more direct with his affection and doesn't hide behind his tsundere ways, and Hira takes a bit more initiative this time. Hira does still idolise Kiyoi by calling him a "king" and himself a "fan", but the "God" nickname and treatment (in the extreme end at least) has stopped. I do think that compared to the drama seasons, there's nothing people will be able to call "toxic" and in a sense, I think they are turning into a more "normal" couple (or as normal as they can be with HiraKiyo lol) like what Kiyoi wants without Hira's extreme worship and Kiyoi's tsundere manners.
Noguchi was definitely the MVP here. He's the only one apart from Kiyoi who really understands Hira, so he's the only one to truly get through Hira's brain and see through what Hira is trying to deny. It's because of him that Hira can grow as a character. I think most of the important scenes with him were kept so everyone can also feel how important he is when they watch the movie. Also just a note for the Koyama fans who didn't read the original work, he only has two relatively quick scenes.
I absolutely loved how the soundtracks and flashbacks to Season 1 and 2 were used throughout. They're both effective in bringing nostalgia to fans of the drama series, as well as to provide context for those who only watched the movie. The soundtracks, paired with the beautiful cinematography, gives you goosebumps no matter what scene it is. Bitter was also unexpectedly used in the climatic scene, which I think was really smart of the crew, considering how well the lyrics and Hira's emotions there paired together. My favourite soundtrack of the movie would be "Time to Forget Myself" (恍惚の時間), as it's used in a particularly gorgeous and touching scene (both in terms of the movie and behind the camera since Riku is the one holding the camera there) with little words.
Considering how the movie was 103mins long, I think they managed to include all the important scenes from Nikurashii Kare, rearrange the scenes and make everything flow well. Having known the novel plot, I do think there were some scenes I would have liked to see in the movie or preferred the novel version, but watching the movie as it is was amazing nonetheless. I'm also glad they scrapped certain parts from the novel and rewrote it. Something I want to point out though, is that I feel fans of the original work should probably try to judge the movie as a separate entity rather than compare it to the original novel.
The side characters (notably Anna and Shitara) and Kiyoi's own more minor storyline (since the main focus in the book for Hira's) as an actor were definitely more developed in the novel, but having their scenes cut didn't really make anything feel like it was 'lacking' while watching, at least to me. Such scenes would perhaps have added more depth, but I do think, after all, there's only so much you can squeeze into less than 2 hours of a film, compared to a whole novel. So, I would think it's more important to focus on HiraKiyo as a relationship during that limited duration.
In terms of acting, I've always thought Riku and Yusei were impressive as actors but they genuinely outdid themselves here. Their chemistry has always been amazing, for if you know these two outside of Utsukushii Kare at all, you'll know they're extremely close friends as well. Both of their facial expressions just screams HiraKiyo's love for each other while somehow still showing its subtle complexities. Their range of emotions, with Riku showing Hira's devotion, insecurities, possessiveness, etc and Yusei showing Kiyoi's "ore-sama" side, adoration, hurt, etc, is just insane. There have been multiple directors going to watch the movie, so I do hope they take a liking on RikuYuse's chemistry and acting skills, and somehow pair them up again in a vastly different show. I would love to see them co-star again, as the two have also mentioned wanting as well.
Of course, the supporting actors were amazing too. I especially wanted to point out Nimura Sawa and Ochiai Motoki's facial expressions and the way they delivered their lines. I can't point out which scenes in particular made me feel this in particular without giving out major spoilers, but they were absolutely great. The entire casting was perfect. I wouldn't be able to imagine anyone else in the current roles they're playing.
The movie, like what I believe many Utsukare fans feel for Season 1 and Season 2, is very rewatchable. Heck, if a fan can go to the cinema and watch the movie 53 times within 2 weeks of the movie showing, I don't see how it's not rewatchable. The staff put in so much thought into each design, be it regarding the set, costume or story (e.g. https://bit.ly/3qMBLeT), and the actors outdid themselves in playing their characters as well as they did. There's just so many little details to catch, from both the background in each scene, to the acting and story.
My bit of criticism though (even though it didn't really affect my experience with the movie), is that I wish that they could have shown how they resolved the conflict better. To me, it just felt like after the incident with Shitara, everything was just resolved? I didn't expect the Hira's confidence issue to necessarily be fixed, since that is who he is, but it did feel like a spur of the moment thing, both when he promised to stay by Kiyoi's side because of the impact of the incident on HiraKiyo, and when he took Kiyoi's pictures. I guess they could have talked it out after Hira returned home like they had planned to before Shitara happened, but it's never shown so it's kind of left as a '?' for me. I don't really remember whether the self-confidence part was in the novel, so this could either be me criticising the novel and the movie adapting it as it is, or the movie itself.
Still, it's also because of this that I want to see more from Utsukare. The movie ending was good, but there's still slightly more content I want to see, notably Kiyoi releasing a photobook with Hira's name on it beside his as his photographer, and Kiyoi's growth as an actor. I don't really expect a new drama series season (despite how welcome that would be) nor having Nayamashii Kare adapted as well (which would be especially hard to adapt knowing the main plot), but a drama special would be nice...
What I can conclude though is, if you love HiraKiyo solely because they are HiraKiyo, you'd absolutely love the movie. Or even if you don't know HiraKiyo at all, this will be a lovely story to witness of two people who are so different, but somehow love and understand each other better than anyone else and will always return to each other.
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Easy to follow
Easy to follow. The story line is very simple. Watched it because I’m so intrigued of xing feis acting skills. I’ve watched kdramas & cdrama and a lot of story are repetitive with no eye catching acting skills but not xing fei. She does knows to cry, laugh, smile, sad, angry, scared frustrated in natural ways, that’s why I’m pulled in to watch more of her work. She doesn’t disappoint. This story is to how to overcome psychological difficulties. And she really can pull the “I’m in love with you” character no matter whom she’s paired with in non cheesy way.Was this review helpful to you?
1Is there really a monster or is it just us?
Μonster is being advertised as a Hirokazu Koreeda film and indeed it is directed -splendidly as always- by him. However, the man behind the script is Sakamoto Yuji, the person that wrote Soredemo, Ikite Yuku (Still, Life Goes On) and if you have seen that series, then you know that Monster is not going to be just a good film, but it will stay with you for a while.I don't think I can explain how good this movie is and honestly I don't want to try nor I should. If you are by chance reading this, let me tell you that it is better to watch this film, without knowing anything about it. Don't watch the trailers, don't read the synopsis, don't even read what kind of awards it earned.
As stated before, directing is magnificent, acting is great from all of the cast involved, with two astounding performances by the two younger actors, portraying Yori and Minato. The music, composed by Sakamoto Ryuichi is heartbreakingly beautiful and it feels so sad and hopeful at the same time.
The plot is magnificently written from beginning to end. Even if at first you may feel that some scenes last too long, they are not just there for the atmosphere. They are important and that is the beauty of the film. Nothing is there just to exist, just to lengthen the movie, just to make the audience feel melancholic, just to make it feel more cinematic. It needs to be there, because it wouldn't work otherwise.
Without giving away anything of importance, I will just say that every detail matters, every character is vital and realistically written. Everyone is so flawedly human, you can't really hate or love them. They are just important, they matter, because they exist. They are so real it kind of makes you ache for the beauty, complexity and ugliness of human nature.
It is a film that is character-driven, slow paced and it truly shows the power of perspective. It deals with so many subjects in a very delicate manner that doesn't feel forced nor preachy. I can't thank myself enough for watching this on the big screen.
I understood how truly beautiful this movie was, when I couldn't stop thinking about it hours after watching it and when I ended up crying with all the little details that have such a huge impact and importance.
Many times, with all these critically acclaimed films, I feel like I am getting forced to like them, to overanalyse them, to convince myself that they are something better than what they actually are -or maybe I don't have the ability to fully understand them-. This is not the case here, though. This is truly an exquisite film. It is better than I ever expected. It is one of those movies that you get to discover something new with every watch. It needs to be watched, because at the end of the day we are all humans and this is a film about us.
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I have a psychiatrist friend who insisted on watching this film. She already knows that I don't mind any sort of special story no matter how horrific it is; I was fully prepared to any type of scenes and so I watched it.
2) Storyline/Plot:
They weren't kidding when they said "This movie contains EXTREMELY graphic child abuse! Do not watch if you are easily disturbed.", I intentionally repeated it because this film isn't directed to all types of audience, even if you are an adult you can easily be disturbed.
Positive points:
*It's a true story that focus on a world wide issue: a great topic.
*The producer wasn't afraid of showing the horrible fact to the audience.
*The script writers did a great job by delievering a masterpiece.
Negative points:
For me there isn't.
*Some people would feel sick or shocked that's why I said it's not directed to everyone but if those scenes were absent then it couldn't be fun to watch considering its theme; it was realistic and special in a great way.
Story: 9.75/10
3) Acting/Cast:
I really loved each and everyone of them here.
*It was different yet cool to see Gong Yoo in a serious role.
*The three children have done a great job because their roles were mainly sentimental and they were skilled to portray that aspect.
*The actors knew how to deliever feelings and leave us affected with their issues.
Cast: 8.5/10
Acting: 9.5/10
4)The ending:
It wasn't what anyone wanted but it was great because it was realistic.
The ending: 8/10
5) My impression (How did it affect me):
*As I said earlier I don't mind any sort of special stories, this film was interesting enough to keep me hooked up for two hours.
*The grafic child abuse is what gave this film its taste no matter how horrible it was.
*I got the conclusion that this world is full of bad people but they only need one courageous person to change the whole thing.
*Protecting children's innocence is our responsibility as adults.
My impression: 9.5/10
6) Overall:
I repeat this film has shocking abuse scenes therefore, if you're a sensitive person don't even think about watching this.
*If you like special stories and don't mind the abusive scenes then you would like this.
*Human rights lovers may want to check this out.
*Don't be fooled about the fact that Gong Yoo is the main lead, it's nothing like his previous Dramas/Films.
*If you're looking for a romantic story then you shouldn't be reading this in the first place.
*I repeat for the last time sensitive people KEEP OUT!
Overall: 9.5/10
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Reply 1988 outshines its predecessors. The story primarily takes place in a singular setting, and yet the narrative does not stagnate; it does not become boring or trite; it does not make you sleepy when watching daily interactions of the families. Instead, the story of R1988 pushes at the heart and makes you yearn for friends who love each other this closely, for parents who love each other this much, for a life as simple and yet as hard as these characters' lives were. It takes you out of 2015 and 2016 and supplants you into 1988 where you take that same journey with the characters.
Perhaps the star of the narrative of R1988 is its ability to exert both laughter and tears at the passing of a few minutes, yet it never feels stilted. It brings us richness and variety of character within just the five friends, let alone the parents and siblings surrounding them. With that, we see intricate details of each person's character--like Bora's unspoken love for her parents, or Dong Ryong's inner philosopher, or Jung Hwan's hidden sweetness, or Taek's competitive strength. There are so many elements of character that we see, often unspoken, rise to the surface with the passing of a quick moment or a prolonged incident.
Not only did the narrative of R1988 promote emotions from the viewer, it also brought the winds of unpredictability with it. The writers, in their infinite wisdom, flipped the switch and delivered a romance not built on the standard female lead being the only one in love for the majority of the series nor a male lead who said nothing but ended up the romantic star. It gave the person who stepped up and took a risk the chance to shine (and shine he did-delivering kisses to die for and a sweet chemistry with the lead that was noticeable from the get go). Furthermore, the show gave many couples a chance at love, both new and renewed, lost and found. It was never unrealistic or unfair to anyone in the cast (as some are quick to say); instead, it offered options and chose the best one.
The laughter and tears that made me giggle until wheezing and leak all over my crooked glasses came from an illustrious cast. R88's five friends gave their all to show us their characters' fears, tears, love, admiration, consternation, that random move in Baduk, and so much more. I have to hand it to Ryu Joon Yeol and Park Bo Gum; they made me root for both of them and create #TeamPolyamorous as a hashtag. Their performances were so spot on, and a new star was born. Go Kyung Pyo has always been a personal favorite, and as the sweet, slightly nerdy but quite handsome Sun Woo, he once again stole my heart--this time, though, not with laughter so much as with sweetness. Lee Dong Hwi as Dong Ryong was simply adorable; I would like to see more from him. Hyeri's Duk Seon, though the weakest of these performances, was true to Duk Seon's character--bubbly and outgoing, if not a little bit kooky.
I could talk all day about the parents' roles as well. Ra Mi Ran, Kim Seon Young, and Lee Il Hwa trumped most drama mothers for being the most awesome trio of moms in a drama. They were not only funny, but they all showed signs of vulnerability and strength, and true to form, they were an unstoppable force on screen and in front of their husbands. Speaking of husbands/dads, all the dads were awesome as well, but Kim Sung Kyun takes the cake. His President Kim routine will forever been ingrained in my memory, but also his relationship with Ra Mi Ran showed a great example of how love grows with age.
The music of Reply 1988 also played a special role, not only in the background OST, but in the characters' lives. From Duk Seon trying to win a Walkman to her waiting anxiously outside a concert venue, to Dong Ryong's cover of "I Just Called to Say I Love You," to Ra Mi Ran's special dance, the power of music pervaded the narrative of Reply. It gave us warmth and it made us want to dance along.
Even at 1:30 to 2 hours per episode, I'm going to watch this again. I enjoyed it too much and loved it even more. There was never a dull moment in this series, and I will treasure it for a lifetime. However, now it is time to move on--to leave the streets of Ssangmungdong 1988 and flash forward to Dayton 2016. I look at my neighborhood--siding coming off of roofs, puttering old cars emitting exhaust, the paint on the doors of my house chipping, and the possibility that after I leave in a year or so, it may be the last time I see my home of nearly 22 years. It may be the last time I get to say goodbye to my neighborhood, just as it is my time to say goodbye to my youth.
For all things considered, the first 28 years have been a good run. That is my Reply.
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I think almost everybody who is familiar with this story knows that there are several adaptations for it. It all started with the manga, then the anime, then the 1995 movie and then 4 drama adaptions from China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea. This version, the JDrama one is my favorite. Reasons? Here I go.
Story:
The story isn't your typical Cinderella. Yes, there's a poor girl and a rich guy and yes, he falls in love with her, but this Cinderella definitely doesn't want the charming prince to return her glass slipper. For me this story is a master piece not because of the love story, but because of its crudeness. It deals bluntly with heavy issues (even more forbidden in Japan) like bullying, rape, tolerance, corruption, class differences and the general injustice that is high school. I think this a story that every teenage girl should know of, because it says that you don't have to be anything to please a guy.Instead, you should worry about the things surrounding you and how you can make a change.
The love story is pretty good and addictive too. You have a strong female character who deals with a LOT of things throughout the story. She isn't searching for love, she has her hands already full with school and her family. She isn't pretty OR nice. Neither is she elegant or flirty. BUT, she is loyal to her friends and always defends people against injustice. She is honourable and honest, she always speaks her mind, even if it will get her in huge trouble afterwards. She's also fearless and does what most people are afraid to. Watching this now, I realize that Makino has been my role model throughout my teenage years and has helped me morph into the person I am today. I am still very far from being like her, but she's a truly inspirational character who makes me always push myself harder.
Then there's Domyouji, who is far from your perfect prince charming. To put it mildly, he's a total jerk and a bully. He's used to getting his way and everybody is afraid of him. He's a really rotten human being, if that can even be called human. But, when Makino confronts him instead of running away from him, he falls instantly in love with her. For me one of the greatest thing about HYD is seeing Domyouji slowly changing from being the monster that he was at first to a truly beautiful human being. His love for Makino makes him grow as a person, become someone kind and adorable, and he learns a little more about life, and accepts that he can't always have his way.
Acting:
All the cast does a perfect job. They made the characters from the manga come alive completely, instead of changing them. The chemistry between Inoue Mao and Matsumoto Jun is so real that I often wish they were a couple in real life while watching them, and the chemistry between the F4 is great too. They really came together as a group of friends who always have their back for each other.
The thing about this story is that you don't say: wow this person is a great actor/actress. It is the kind of awesome acting that makes you forget they're acting. It's simply natural and perfect.
Music:
The OST is really good. It's not mad good, but it's the kind of music that gets stucked in your head for several days in a row. It has been on my iPod for several years, and I sometimes use it as a ringtone from my phone.
Rewatch:
I've watched this several times and I will keep rewatching it, because I learn something new about it every time I watch it.
Overall:
This is one of those dramas that for ME, is really a must. If you haven't watched it, I recommend it greatly. I don't know if you'll think of it as high as I do, but I seriously think you'll like it, what are you waiting for? :)
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1This review may contain spoilers
We could have had it all.....
Up until ep 9 this was a solid 10/10 drama for me.... but then the last two episode happened and I don't know anymore.For the past two months this drama gave me immense joy and happiness.... maybe that's why the disappointment at the turn of events feels enormous. I wish they had taken a better, different route for the journey they set sail for.
At the end there I couldn’t even recognise the characters I came to love so much in the previous episodes. I don’t understand what the whole point of the journey was anymore. These two very different characters were healing each other and growing together towards a better life. And that journey ended at ep 9. That should have been the end.
Everything after that feels kind of pointless…. Especially the last two episodes….
I wish instead of so many time skips they had actually delved a little deeper into Mhok’s character… the trauma he had because of his sister’s death… how he didn’t want to leave Day because he was afraid of losing time with the people he loved…. I also just do not understand why he was the one who was apologising to Day when he was genuinely afraid about losing Day from his life.
“Thank you for breaking up with me”????????? Yeah no. That did not feel right at all.
I’d have preferred if Mhok and Day had an actual conversation about Mhok’s feelings and fears…. for Day to understand where Mhok was coming from. I’d have preferred if they had talked it out and then decided to do a long-distance relationship while Mhok gets to go forward in his career….
Oh well…. You can’t have it all I guess….
I would still say that it was good, well written story till ep 9. If I ever rewatch this drama that's where I would end.
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