1WORTH IT
the whole wait for kinnporsche was really worth it. you can see the difference between the first trailer and the second one. plus the ctors have put so much dedication and hardwork in this show omg. I'm telling u you're gonna love it. especially if you're a bl obsessed fan. like seriously, 3 awesome directors working together means super satisfying outcome. and let me tell you, you may think your favorite characters would be porsche or kinn but in the end its always gonna be vegas 💀💀highly recommended. just.. be prepared for the thrilling ridee
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NO SPOILER Miss detective wants to take the lead. Beware of unrequited lovers from second arc.
The story : Two people who hate each other are forced to get married. And to work together to solve cases.As they do, they are gradually drawn to one another. Will love or hate wins ?
Pros:
- Strong clever detective Female Lead.
- Strong clever military Male Lead.
- It is the first time I have seen a heroine, daughter of a concubine, who is loved by her entire family and not bullied. Not a cliché. Yes (*_*)
- Chemistry is fire and the settings make it even more beautiful to watch.
- Characterisation is outstanding for Male Lead (Ding Yu Xi) who looks very manly as the great Shen Du.
- The inquiry is very good. Complex and involving many people. I try to guess the outcome as it progresses but I have a hard time doing so.
- Comedy is just great between the leads. I hope they had more comedic scenes.
- Cinematography is great.
- Action scenes are worth watching. There are few but when performed, OMG they blew my mind. Especially with Male Lead. I am still in shock (*_*)
- Overall the story is good and entertaining.
Cons:
- The mystery unfolds piece by piece and it can disturb some viewers. But like in Agatha Christie's novels, you end-up getting the answer.
- Misunderstandings (who is Male Lead, who is Female Lead, what they do on their own...).
Sometimes they don't communicate enough.
- I don't like childish Female voice dubbing. Guess what ? The Female Lead's best friend has one. *sight*
- Female Lead is not perfect, her many flaws could spoil your fun.
- Lots of unrequited lovers from the second arc for almost every cast member. This should be titled "conspiracy in love island" o_O
Overall :
I like the investigation and the romance.
The investigation was very complex, a lot of clues were shown to give hints in order to know who the main antagonist is. So by paying attention to the early episodes you migt be able to decypher who it is.
The bickering romance was enjoyable generally speacking. You have to stand FL's temper sometimes but at the end the love story is beautiful and Shen Du is the bright light in this show. He carries it like the titan atlas who do with the heavens. He is just marvellous. Special mention to Yan Xing who stayed witty till the very end. And that's great for a female lead.
This is a good drama. So I recommend it if you like case solving duo with strong Leads. You might like it.
And the OST is great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLjFuY9p48E
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Ok, let's go now: Healer is the best drama I have watched in my two years of watching dramas. I am absolutely speechless, actually I have so much to say and I don't know where should I begin. I'm not biased or something like that because I started this drama out of pure curiosity, I didn't even know JCW and YJT existed(shame on me, stupid girl) and I wasn't fond of PMY's acting. However, the three of them did such a good job portraying their characters and overwhelmed me completely. JCW became my first favorite actor because his acting is simply brilliant, I've never seen a Korean actor before him who's able to portray emotions so perfectly, switching constantly (He played Healer and geek Park Bong Soo). His eyes are expressing every single one of his feelings, I just focus on his eyes and I can read his mind, just perfect. PMY also surprised me (like I said she didn't make impact on me with her acting before) but she was so amazing here, her character Chae Yong Shin suited her so well that it is unbelievable, her chemistry with JCW is something you can't see every day, they are the best couple I've seen in dramas, maybe even in shows generally. That love in Healer was portrayed so beautifully, so intense, so perfect!! Every their interaction made my heart skip a beat, they don't even have to touch, their looking at each other tells you everything! And when they touch I feel like going insane, I've never felt that way before watching some couple in a drama. but this couple is something else. Also, other actors like Do Ji Won who played CYS's mum Myung Hee, Park Sang Won as Kim Moon Shik etc did an awesome job too! Every single character in this drama was portrayed so good, even the ''bad ones'' like Kim Moon Shik and his secretary were interesting to watch because they are not the usual drama-like bad characters who ruin everything, they had their own characteristics which they are known for like every human being, so they were also intriguing. Everything in this drama was done so perfectly I can't even explain it here properly, even If I used so many words.. Plot done by a perfect writer Song Ji Na, acting, OST.. If you haven't seen this drama believe me and start right now, you won't regret it, you'll actually be thankful to God and me, and other people who recommend it. :)
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What we should ALL be talking about
I want to talk about this drama with someone so badly!When I saw the trailer I wasn't sure if I would like or watch this drama, but I'm so glad I am. The sex scenes are so well placed and tastefully done. The last scene in episode 4 is a MASTER class in the female gaze. I felt like I was watching a truly intimate and life changing moment instead of just a sex scene, if that makes any sense.
The story follows two women, one (Hee Jae) who is waking up from a five year loveless relationship and another (Min Na) who is not chasing love but sex. The two women are charged with hosting a podcast on sex in which they share topics and views with thier audience.
I love the premise, I believe you have to be a person coming out of a long term relationship or a person who has been in a long term relationship to truly empathize and understand how Hee Jae feels when she realizes her relationship has been one-sided and how selfish her partner was. For Min Na, I love the portrayal of a woman taking charge of her sex life and going after what and who she wants in a safe manner. I also like how the author, In Chan, talks about sex in the age of social distancing and how as human beings we long for touch.
As of this writing, I've only watched up to episode 4 but I'm hoping they continue to push the subject of healthy sex between couples and partners and to show that sex isn't anything to be ashamed of.
Update as of Episode 5 & 6:
Ok, I love this drama! The male leads are walking green flags.
Hee Jae chasing In Chan to be FWB (Friends with Benefits) is so adorably cringy. I like the role reversal where the man wants to fall in love and not just have sex. In Chan is genuinely showing Hee Jae that he wants to date her and fall in love not just have sex with her.
Min Na falling for Dr. Cha is unexpectedly cute. Her backstory was heartbreaking.
I dare say this drama is turning into a healing drama.
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You should be warned that this is a full on RomCom, so if you're not interested in romance this is definitely the wrong drama for you. If you are a romance fan, even a slight romance fan, then this is a must see! Not because of the story, which follows the standard kdrama romance formula, but what sets this romance apart is the chemistry between the two leads, and that is 100% due to the breakout lead performance of Ryu Joon Yeol as Je Su Ho. He is perfectly cast, and PERFECT is not an exaggeration. I think the first two episodes are boring because they focus on introducing the plot, and on Shim Bo Nui being weird, but as soon as we get to see more of Su Ho the show became instantly addictive.
Hwang Jung Eum has lucked out with many great pairings, but this one is my new favorite. She relies on her usual perky personality, which can be annoying, but it really fit the quirkiness of this character well. I also liked that even though the character was kooky, and irrational, she was also smart, and not just a doormat. Bo Nui is desperate, and self destructive, without losing her charm, which makes her extremely complicated. They both nailed the balance between silly humor and more emotional scenes. They also looked good together, even with her HORRIBLE outfits (I still don't understand the hospital gown couture). My only complaint about the pairing is their kissing scenes... UGH! Joon Yeol gives everything to those moments, including his beautiful lips, and she just presses her lips to his with no effort. It pisses me off too much not to mention it.
The rest of the cast is also amazing. Gary Choi is a great 2nd lead character. I like his dynamic with the leads, and that he's not a villain-type. I've never seen Lee Soo Hyuk in a drama before, so I wasn't initially impressed, but he grew on me quickly. Amy's character was not as likable, but I still think Lee Chung Ah did a great job. The office team is full of great smaller characters, with their own cute little stories (I loved the office bet moments), but the supporting character MVPs are BFFs Dal Nim and Ryang Ha. They really were hilariously cute together, as well as perfect support for the leads. Some of my favorite moments in the show are their banter. They are the perfect comedy relief when the rest of the story gets less humorous too. I really don't think there are any weak acting links in the cast, and it's the cast that drives this show. I am annoyed by the lack of development for Jung In Ki's role, but that has nothing to do with his acting, which I think was spot on, that's the writer's fault.
That leads me to this dramas biggest weakness, and that's the story. Not only is the premise ridiculous, but how it's handled left many questions unanswered. I think that's part of the charm of the story, not having everything defined as 0's and 1's (a major reoccurring theme), but it is also frustrating. Then there are other storylines that are introduced... a missing father... the chicken guy... disgruntled ex employees... but those stories just aren't ever as interesting as the main love story. Even the game development story is only slightly intriguing, and just another brilliant means for them to interact. So I thought the story was pretty average, but I was still a fan of the writing. What I thought the writer did well were actually what the characters said, or how they interacted with each other. Ju Ho has some brilliant moments, and unless he was totally created through improv, the writer deserves credit for making one of my favorite drama characters EVER.
The music got better. I wasn't initially a fan, but I started liking some of the later songs more. What I really love is how they incorporated the song "Sad Fate" into the story. I thought that was very well done.
Now for the real reason behind me giving this drama a 10, and thats the rewatch value. Of course I gave this a 10 for rewatch value, because I am already rewatching, and I'm already up to episode 7 o.O!!! I've never done that with a drama ever!
So overall, this drama may not be perfect, but Ryu Joon Yeol was perfect, and that earns this drama a 10 score from me. I can't believe he's only been in two dramas!!! Obviously I now have to watch Reply 1988! I know that the next drama he's in will probably have me doing a countdown 'till the first episode.
If you're reluctant to watch, just please remember not to judge this drama by it's first couple of episodes. Once this show gets on a roll it is continuously charming until the very end. There are also some great themes about love, life, and "fate" in it that I appreciate. Oh, and I truly appreciate my new ideal kdrama namja chingu... RJY. I have a feeling I'm not alone in feeling that way!
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1storyline is a 10/10 for me
the storyline caught my attention, for me it's a uniquely well storyline, i like the casting as well and they act very well. i love the tension between the two characters all i can is that the actors who portray the characters is very good with the acting.
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I'M GLAD I FOUND THIS GEM
I started watching this without any expectations, just out of curiosity and interest after seeing the trailer but this drama has truly captivated me and made me addicted to watching every episode.This drama has a GREAT STORYLINE, BEAUTIFUL CINEMATOGRAPHY, the calmness and elegant storytelling, soft color grading, aesthetically pleasing camera angles, good choice of music, and even the strength of each character is very satisfying. What stands out the most is the smart female character who doesn't just wait to be protected by the male lead but can also protect him in return, a truly well-written character.
The male lead is absolutely captivating. The expressions he shows make you both want to protect him and be protected by him at the same time. And the couple in this drama is so adorable, their chemistry is sizzling! His jealousy and His wide smile when he's proud of Dou Zhou is damn cute, He not only respects her choice but even expands her capacity to choose, He is the greenest green frorest. They’ve already given me butterflies, their relationship before and after fujin furen era. And I can't wait to see what actions they'll take to solve the problems in the future.
The story gets crazier and crazier, with a plot that keeps getting better and not a single scene wasted. The way the director showcases each character's development is excellent. DZ's coolness when she's angry is truly mesmerizing; her brilliance in handling problems never disappointed.
Surprisingly, this drama was directed by someone who usually works on mini-dramas, and this is his first full-length series. Hopefully, none of the characters will experience a downgrade. Please continue to develop their characters even further, making them grow stronger and more compelling as the story progresses and hope the drama will continue to maintain this excellent editing quality too.
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Why Are U Gay? Who Says I'm Gay?... You Are Gay.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooo. Dafug you mean this isn't a BL? All that tension is wasted on a bromance? Look, being friends is nice, best-friends? even nicer, but these two talks/look at each other like they tryna book a honeymoon suite. Respectfully, I think they should kiss each others faces and get marry... cuz aint no way that tension/chemistry/dialogue is of the friendship/bromance nature! Also, half of this cast should have died halfway through episode 1, in a coma or hospitalised from all that beatings and fighting.What's more surprising about this show isn't that it's tag 'bromance' but screams bl. No, it's how we had 16 episodes, and no one died from all that violence. And who even showed this children how to fight and start gangs? Whenever there's a fight scene, I'm always like, 'Ooooh, is you dead?' only for them to show up the next day at school like 'who, me? nah, I should be dead but like...it's Tuesday, we have Thai language classes so...' People, how did these children survive for this long?? Especially when none of them knew how to call the damn police?
Anyway, Listen, I think the word 'Friend' should be permanently ban from Saint and Shin's dictionary, cuz these two would do/say the most questionable, inlove-ness-ness thing ever then go:
Shin: I would have forgiven you for every bad thing you ever did, if you'd have stayed. You left me behind.
Saint: I'm sorry, I thought leaving was the best thing for you. The best way for you to live your dreams and be happy.
Shin: Without you in my life, I won't be happy. Apart from soccer, you are the only thing I care about.
Saint: You are the only person I care about too. Let's take a couple picture.
Shin: Waking up to see your face is what I've wanted my whole life. I don't like you, I love you.
Saint: I love you too, Shin.
Me: awwwwwwwww *heart doing jumping jacks*
Shin: You are my friend.
Saint: You are my friend.
Me: Dishonour. Dishonour on you, dishonour on your cow, dishonour on your ancestors goat!
I can't do this anymore. And no, it's not that I want every thing to be a BL, but like the writers and director are purposely trying to drive me insane with how they are executing this friendship. Legit, every episode I'm just waiting for one of them to confess, or just lean in a little bit and kiss, so I can go... 'I KNEW IT!' cuz, friends don't look at each other's lips like that. I was legit going 'kiss, kiss, kiss' in episode 12, instead of going 'how dafug is yous still alive right now Saint, you should be in a morgue.' And when they hugged, I cheered and cried a bit. Imma need GMMTV to cast these two in a BL so my soul can rest, cuz I aint finna chill with his whole bromance thing.
GMMTV were messing with us throughout this show. In the finale, with all the longing looks, playful touches and promises of staying together forever, and the 'I love yous' in the rain with faces so close, I was screaming, yaay, finally, only for them to go 'bish you thought'. Why are they playing us like that? Never before had a bromance tug hurt so much. Well, there's The Untamed, but we don't talk about that. Cuz really, is the bromance in the room with us? Huh, you call that bromance?
Not gonna lie though, I do love their friendship. To have someone who is there for you and cares for you it’s beautiful. I love seeing them goof already and tease each other of having 'feelings' and 'blushing'. Their roughhousing is all I'm living for at this point. Seeing how close they were in the past made me sad they had a fallen out. And with the little sister, they seem like a family. Still, I won’t say no to friends to lovers XD
This show is a BL, disguised as a bad bromance, cuz we can all see the BL in neon colours. Literally every episode Saint's like 'I want you back, I love you, please be with me forever' then Shin will look at him with those longing eyes and they'd stare real hard into each other's eyes. Why is this a bromance? In what world is all that tension bromance? Nothing about Saint and Shin screams bromance. Those two are in love. Literally these was them, word for word:
Saint: The most important thing that I'm giving up is not school, it's you, Shin. I'm giving up on the chance to be with you.
Me: OMG, this a BL.
Director: No, it's a bromance.
Shin: You say, you're giving up what's important, and that means you're giving up on me. But you know what? You gave up on me a long time ago. Three years ago when you broke my leg. So, you don't get to leave me behind again.
Me: *in tears* Seeee, it talks like a bl, acts like a bl, it's a bl. They are in love.
Director: No, it's a bromance.
Me: No one asked you, Sharon. Damn!
First off, for half of the series I kept asking myself, 'are those teachers at that school even qualified to take care of the children?' It seems like no one knows what they were doing. The students just walked all over them, disrespecting them, hitting them, straight up treating them like trash. Literally, why were these children still in school? In the real world they'd have long been suspended, right? But, in the last half, the teachers pulled through. I did like how they were there for the children, and did their best for them. With how horrible those children were, they could have given up, but they didn't, and fought for them, which is all a good teacher can do.
Anyway, I enjoyed this show, a lot. The whole mystery regarding what Saint did to Shin to make him hate him so much, kept my interest. But oh boy, I was ready to pull my hair, because 6 episodes in and Shin is still going on and on, and on about how dirty Saint did him. 'You ruined my life. I will never forgive you. I will beat you up'. And I'm like sure, he's the scum of the earth, now tell me what he DID. Damn! Boy was so vague about what happened it got annoying. Cuz, my arse is nosy and I wanted to know what he did so I could judge and hate him too, but they kept dragging it. Literally, that plot device was like that one friend who always have sh!t to share but never does like:
That One Friend: You won't believe what happened to me today. I'm telling you, when the Pope finally left, the police had to fly the rest of us home on a helicopter. In the end, the president and his details had to sleepover at my house.
ME: OMG??? What the hell happened??
That One Friend: It's nothing really. I don't wanna talk about it.
ME: *Inwardly* I am stabbing you in my head.
No, but, I am so glad they finally told us what he did. And when I heard how Saint ruined Shin's dream by beaten him the hell up, broken his leg and ruining his soccer dreams, then disappearing on him after, I was like... Never forgive him. As a matter of fact, beat him some more, cuz... what?? And knowing Saint did that because he probably didn't want his 'friend' to leave him is even worse! Nah, but Saint did Shin sooo bad. Learning that and seeing how Shin still didn't seem to truly hate him made me feel even more bad for him. Yes, Saint deserved all the hate he got got from Shin. Hell, he deserved more than that, but I was so happy when he finally earned his forgiveness and they became 'friends' again, or whatever the hell they are with those longing looks.
I was all giggles in episode 11, that roof top and bike scene was everything. I won't even mention the jump on your chest hug, the lip stares or nothing. Cuz apparently those are things friends do and say, so imma shut up, and consider for the millionth time if I should open ao3 and write my own damn fanfic about these two characters with tags #notabromance #nobromancehere #saintandshinnotfriendsbutboyfriends
Anyway, my main issue with this drama is the violence. Like, what school would allow all that to happen and not expel those students? They are so violent and mean, then, they return to school the next day like nothing happened. Some of these people should be in a coma, have major injury or like dead dead. Literally, after all the beaten Shin got, he showed up to school like it was nothing. That boy should have been in a coma or in an obituary page.
PLOT: the story is interesting, though there's so many gang stuff and nonsense fighting violence going on it drags. The bad guys are so generic it hurts. Ken and the twins were so bleh and uninteresting in the beginning, but glad they got a redemption arc, an emotional one at that. That being said, it took be a while to notice they were twins and not the same person doing both part. My bad.
CHARACTERS: My fav was Chatjen, Mark really outdid himself in this role. I knew Mark was a good actor since Last Twilight, even when Boston was wrecking his heart, I loved him. And here I just loved how well he played his character. The leads, Saint and Shin are a close second, cuz I like the tension between them, the push and pull and how each makes me understand the characters they are playing. They were perfect for the role, and they managed to make it a very enjoyable show.
Secondary characters: I'd thought the supporting cast were gonna be background noise, but most of them had depth. Cable, Peeta, Chatjen. Everyone seems to have their own problems, even Ken and his friends. I can't believe this show managed to make me emotional about Ken. This character was unlikable for like 12 episodes, then bam emotions. I legit don't know if I should respect the redemption/depth arc or boo at it for being so damn emotional. The twins really pulled through for their friend, I thought they were just gonna be airheads.
Also who the heck was cutting onions during that classroom scene in episode 15?? When they all decided to be friends and sharing food... awwwwww like, I was going through it. Love how they came together in the finale as well to help Ken. See how beautiful friendship can be instead of them fighting all the time. And don't even get me started on Saint and Shin confronting the mother that they were friends and the little sister coming to hold their hands and calling Saint brother. My tears were everywhere. I aint saying it looked like one of those forbidden love story scenes, but it did. I really do love how they are ride or die for their friendship.
That shady teacher, being a bully was a surprise to no one, and that one female teacher is trying, but the poor woman is just sad. Her hitting her self had me going 'what even are we doing here?' I understand her wanting to quit, but damn woman, give yourself a break, nobody is perfect. And was I the only one who went 'My sister, enough already, just go back to teaching like we all know you will.' when they kept baby-ing her? Yes, I understood her, but it was getting to a point when I was over that whole arc. And also who the heck was her father? In the finale, she kept doing 'dad I did it, I'm a good teacher, bla bla voice over' and i'm just sitting there like, whomst?
I also like how the Eve and Airy developed from being enemies to friends. I'm satisfied with the finale we got. Was so emotional when Chatjen left. Poor dude was so happy with his friends. I'm glad the students came around, and Class 2 became friends. Loved how closer Shin and Saint seemed in the end, and how the mother had accepted Saint into the family. It seems their future is gonna be tangled together forever, cuz Saint's whole purpose in life right now is... 'Shin. I'll follow Shin everywhere. If it's not Shin related I aint want it.'
All in all, I went into this show thinking it was a bl, and was surprised when it wasn't, but the story and characters kept me watching. Plot-wise, the story has been done before. The violence was very savage and I didn't buy it that it didn't have more dire outcomes. The teachers and violence part got a bit boring, but all of them adds together, and we got a beautiful story of friendship, redemption and forgiveness, which was told with a good cast and team. I enjoyed coming back to it every week, so I'll recommend this to all drama lovers, trust me, it's as bl as it gets, so don't let the bromance tag keep you away. Trust me. This is going on my list of fav dramas this year.
ALSO. We are getting WU with Sky and Nani as leads next year!! Ahhhhhhh. I'm hearing it's another bromance. At first I was like. 'No, curses!' but knowing the chemistry of these two, that show is gonna be more intense and gayer than any bl next year. So, GMMTV, go ahead keep playing with us, make them 'friends' again, I don't care, as far as these two are in the same series together, we've won. Damn, it's gonna be a long arse wait for WU.
Aanyway, imina SkyNani.
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Legend of Zang Hai isn’t the kind of drama you say you enjoyed, it’s more of an experience.. A story about revenge, it follows our ML who after witnessing the brutal slaughter of his parents, friends and family at the age of ten sets out for vengeance with the help of a mysterious group of people..The script, direction and screenplay are just impeccable.. And the performances?? Absolutely out of this world.. Xiao Zhan’s portrayal of Zang Hai is unforgettable.. He fully embodies a boy shaped by trauma and driven by revenge, yet unable to let go of the softness he was born with.. There were so many scenes where he proves just how good his acting really is..
This drama might not be for everyone.. It doesn’t have your typical ML who goes around killing and beating people up in the name of revenge.. LOZH proves that not every hero needs to be a martial artist.. Instead, it dives deep into the emotional cost of vengeance and how destructive it can be.. The story makes us care about the characters so much that we are forced to question whether what Zang Hai is striving so hard for is truly worth it..
I absolutely love it when we have two main leads who can actually act and not just serve visuals.. And also the FL being the one with the physical strength and martial arts skills?? Always a treat.. There’s just something so fun about watching a badass FL protecting her man..
Zhang Jing Yi was extraordinary as usual.. Loved her chemistry with Xiao Zhan.. Even though this wasn’t a romance centered plot, it still gave us one of the best matched couples.. It was heartwarming to watch them fall in love and heal their broken hearts.. After he meets and falls for Antu, the story becomes more interesting.. Because now suddenly he wants to think about a life after revenge..
Absolutely loved the cinematography.. It was artistic and beautiful.. Zhen tower was just magnificent.. Scenes like the Empress Dowager’s funeral, the boat scene in ep 15, the Prince’s residence, the dinner fight at the Marquis’s home, and the rain fight, just to name a few were all stunning to watch..
Overall, Legend of Zang Hai is truly worthy of being called one of the if not the best CDrama of the year..
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The One Who Can Stay With Her Forever
The chemistry of all the three male leads with Xiaoyao begins with... "because I was once all alone and abandoned and you stayed with me. And even if the world hates my dark side, is after my royal position, you like me for me..." Be it Cang Xuan or Tushan Jing or Xiang Liu, all three first found a great companion in Xiaoyao for their loneliness. While Xiaoyao herself, was on the search of someone who would accompany her till the end.Lost You forever is a compelling, intriguing narrative spanning over hundreds of years set in kingdom Dahuang where deities are struggling over power and these ambitious or least-interested-in-power characters are struggling to stay alive or do as they like among the harsh palace and wordly walls.
Half of the plot is about how these main characters have merely one percent control over there own lives and that's what made them selfish, desperate and cold. Ngl their struggles never end and no single soul has happiness in the whole Dahuang. More than liking or hate I've a truckload of pity for them... The male protagonists only see the leading lady Xiaoyao as their light of hope and Xiaoyao who is almost numb to the world, sceptical, she wants a man who can be kind to her forever without breaking her heart or promises... the rest half plot is about some fast paced politics where Cang Xuan is trying to make a name for himself.
Lost you forever has to be the most fast paced, polished, top tier production quality palace drama I've watched this year. The direction and acting are worthy of praises. Tbh I was reluctant to start this earlier but Yang Zi's performance here surprised me eminently. Scattered scenes like her visiting her father in Haoling after long, getting injured by thousands of incoming petals and her staring at stairs looking back at what she has been through, all these scenes made me as heartbroken as she was. Would dare to say that this might be her best work as an actress where she got to show her range in her craft.
Being a historical where female lead stays as a 'Male' for half of the drama, Yang Zi was far impressive in her part. her Wen Xiao Liu was so convincing that it took me some episodes to digest that she's a woman now. I often saw a man in her face after she transformed xDDD... But this was the reason Xiaoyao got along well with all four male leads in the first place (expect Fenglong who fell at first sight for her feminine side, but he later admitted how comfortable he was with her as a buddy indicating that he also liked her straightforward cool-bro nature)
Let me introduce you to the options, Princess of Haoling, Haoling Jiu Yao (Xiaoyao) has —
1. Cang Xuan (I'm far ambitious but I'm doing this so that I'm powerful enough to protect her. I'm so in love with her that I don't mind being her brother for life if I get to stay by her side)... Zhang Wanyi has crazy eyes that have accurate longing and helplessness this complex role needs. He's both a psycho and a heartwarming brother favored by ladies. He was so impressive that I kinda want him in more darker roles in future.
2. Tushan Jing (I like her but I'm also too kind, I'm good at strategies but I still fail in life becoz I'm too gentle for this world)... Deng Wei's face suits the nice male lead trope but he felt a bit off in some scenes. Maybe its about experience that he will gain slowly, even so he was good. his chemistry with FL is all mushy and cute type where they talk and paint and I'm blushing hahaha
3. Xiang Liu (yes I'm that white haired guy most of you were swooning over. I would kill and not kill for her. I wander the world in white robes but go back to tease or bite her once every episode)... Picking Tan Jianci for Xiang Liu is epic!!!!!!!! (He looks great( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)) He's scheming, maybe an extremist but damnnn his deep talks, nonsense bickering, drowning in water has hell lot of chemistry with Xiaoyao.
4. Chishui Fenglong (I met her late but I've power I can promise to stay with her for longer so who knows?)... In front of the three above, he obviously seemed less charming and like a supporting character instead but I'm excited to see his growth in S2.
While almost all the viewers have already picked up their ships and started rooting for them, I'm more like Xiaoyao and just enjoying it with the flow lol (maybe I'm heartless too :))... I was once all into Jing's puppy love, then I got swayed by TCJ's Xiang Liu and now I'm not choosing anymore haha. Just excited for season 2 and can they please release it tomorrow? Like waiting for 6 months means I'll lose this emotional build up I've for this drama right now.
The song I loved the most from the huge OST list has to be the theme song ♪Nothing Can Be Compared to You♪ (ä¸‡ç‰©ä¸Ťĺ¦‚ä˝ ) sung by Zhang Jie.
To sum it up, lost you forever is an addictive, thought provoking, melancholic romantic historical that keeps you entertained for sure. The exceptional setup and dramatic music is something you get in handy.
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“Why do you Run?”
This drama is about two adults who met in the oddest way, but at the perfect time - one who is an orphan and has been living only for herself, and one who has been living for others to the point that he's left with nothing for himself. And no, they did not need each other nor did they need saving, but they grew as their own person when their worlds collided. This drama follows their journey of self discovery and self love. This drama does not have your usual tropes, angst, and fluff (at least at the beginning- wait for it!), it doesn't have a major conflict, but it just shows the characters' day-to-day lives. It shows a mature and realistic take on relationships. It shows that we are simply the protagonists of our own lives. Moreover, It shows the importance of finding yourself and loving yourself first before you are able to give yourself to others. The cherry on top? Their chemistry. The main leads' chemistry is THROUGH THE ROOF so be prepared to fall in love with them.As the title might suggest - this isn't a sports drama, but a slice-of-life romcom. It's funny, endearing, impactful, and heartwarming. It carries so many life lessons and touches on many sensitive issues like sexuality. As the FL is a movie translator, this also includes a lot of classic movie references/ parodies that enthusiasts may like. It may be slow at the beginning but it's because of the many layers and depth that will be unveiled as the drama progresses. This is also full of parallelism and symbolism that might require reflecting before you fully understand because that's how rich and detailed the writing is. This is a dialogue and character driven drama, which might not be for everyone, but it's as good as it gets. This drama's charms are the raw, rich, refreshing, and excruciatingly honest dialogues, the witty jabs (trust me the humor is very, very well written), and how the story circles back to its title - Run On. Run On, move forward - even if it life gets difficult, you can always slow down, just don't give up. Despite your traumas, life must go on.
This drama is so healthy, real, and good for the soul - no toxic relationships or toxic masculinity. The men: the male lead is a character we haven't seen before - he's odd, awkward, but in every way charming. He is always ready to lend a helping hand to others. He has a hard time communicating and expressing himself but eventually the female lead broke his ice (isn't it fitting that the FL just happened to be literally, a translator?) The 2nd male lead is equally charming, a bit emotional and sensitive, but knows what he wants. He's quite the character. The women? Damn. The women are strong and brilliant. The female lead is the epitome of self love without any selfishness. Despite her tough past, she grew up well. The 2nd female lead is a chaebol (not your ordinary one) - a strong, independent woman, but puts up walls and boundaries. It's beautiful to see all of them grow and come together, with a bit of cute bickering on the side. The characters are very unique - roles/jobs that aren't usually shown in dramas (a translator, retired athlete, movie distributor, artist, and so) so this is quite refreshing. I also loved how all the characters have a relationship with each other (not just the leads) - bromance, sismance, even the male lead and 2nd female lead and vice versa. The friendship that developed among the leads and supporting cast is just phenomenal. The writer also managed to let the 2nd couple shine and not just make them a mere filler even until the last episodes. Even the smallest roles were given recognition. Cannot praise the writer enough for this.
If you are looking for a comforting and healing drama, this is for you. If you are at a bad place or if you are feeling lost, this is for you. Honestly it has been a while since i've been this attached to a drama. I assure that you will fall in love with the characters, the insanely beautiful cinematography, the OST, and the impeccable writing. It is in every way sensible and authentic. It is full of so, so many life lessons if you'll just go beyond the surface.
[Edit after completing] Well, it's still as beautiful as when it started. It's great from start to end, cried a lot in the last episode. The ending has to be the best i've seen in kdramas. I love how everyone was given their own happy endings. I also love how the ending shows that life just goes on for everyone - you don't need a big, grand, happy ending to find meaning in our day to day lives. Again as the title suggests, Run On. Amazing, amazing work by the writer!
It's a long review but in conclusion: YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS NOW!!! This is a rare masterpiece!
My favorite quote: “When you run, you don’t think about what’s behind you. The only thing that matters is what’s right in front of you. Normally, it’s the finish line. But today, it was you.”
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Story
Same old, same old, 2 police officers whose relatives get murdered by the same person, are teaming up to create a new division based on the emergency call police department and their end-game is to catch that bastard.
Been there, done that, so what did Voice do to break the mould of crime dramas?
First of all, the concept of Voice profiling. Not sure if this is a thing, but even if it’s not, we accepted a crime drama about a walkie talkie that could make a 2 guys living in different timelines to communicate, why can’t we accept a woman who can hear extremely well? The voice profiling was original for me, gave a different vibe and an innovative twist to the all-too-usual police procedural recipe.
Furthermore, the impressive cinematography and music. The drama is gritty and dark in all the right ways. Creative directing, haunting dark colors and soulful music just came together perfectly and clicked, making a drama that not only gives off ominous vibes but it is also sinister only by looking at it.
Continuing, the incredible side stories. Every two episodes or so there is a new crime story introduced for the “golden time team” –the aforementioned new division created- to resolve. This is where the writing along with the directing and montage click together doing miracles. All of the side stories were intense, engaging, thought-provoking (although the first two ones were my favourite), well-written and did not drag at all.
Finally, the most important one, the marvelous core story. Cliché done right. The concept of putting a psychopath as the main villain isn’t foreign to dramaland; however the drama’s atmosphere, world-building along with the casting literally did miracles. More specifically, I appreciated that there was not a lot of red herring involved –crime dramas seem to think that we enjoy being led astray every 2 episodes for some reason; while, it felt like there is a whole story going on in the background making this drama look like a part of a whole. Effectively, we were focused on the police side of a bigger narrative - plot twists, havoc and despair ensued.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting how every character, plot device and potential twist are beautifully connected and intrinsically linked to the bigger picture. Good writing - the drama is actually so good even when you see the twist coming, you're still gonna like it anyway cause the whole aura of the drama won't let you a moment's rest.
Lastly, It would be a serious negligence, at this point, to not mention the exquisite Serial Killer. Undeniably, the drama owes how well it worked to its main villain. As far as I’m concerned we’re talking about the best villain I’ve ever witnessed creepy, scary, disgusting and disturbing, the type that crawls up your skin only by seeing his smirking smile. He enhanced the drama while simultaneously we do get the environment in which a serial killer is born that was spectacular to watch.
Honestly, not many drawbacks can be cited by me. If I could address one it would be the somewhat conveniently written side stories. But, come to think of it, isn’t every kdrama ever like this? Rich hot arrogant chaebols falling for poor innocent girls, silly coincidences and other cliches and we accept that but can’t accept a crime drama with stories being a little far-fetched or exaggerated here and there? This is dramaland, if everything was absolutely rational there would be no drama to watch!
Additionally, it was claimed that the drama had gruesome scenes and a lot of blood. Having grown up watching American TV shows this felt like child’s play to me but I do understand if some scenes were too much for some people. Everything is censored (actually, too much censoring going on to be honest), but be aware if you are sensitive to such scenes. Moreover, I read comments saying the side stories were boring and dragged, which contradicts completely what I said. I obviously disagree. Frankly, the side stories might be the best part of it all.
What's more, people argued that the drama takes a hit after a strong beginning. Strong starts bring high expectations too. I think the drama did well in keeping up pace, not dragging and staying strong plot-wise. Yes, middle episodes weren’t as strong as the first 2-3 but still a solid drama overall.
In general, Voice isn’t perfect, but it is time well-spent for sure. It is extremely thrilling; the side stories addressed interesting issues like child abuse, rape ect and were generally on the humanistic side of society, definitely struck a chord with me. The drama deserves a 9 for its flawless story line (side+main) +0.5 for the fact that it was utterly stimulating and increasingly intense with fleeting moments of strong sentiments and despair that just make the whole thing feel that much more real and emotional; I was at the edge of my seat during pretty much every episode either being thrilled or feeling hopeless.
Acting
I admit I was purposely avoiding Lee Ha Na. I only saw her once before Voice, didn’t like her. That being said, thank god I picked this because she redeemed herself completely. I couldn’t even recognize her here and I drew the conclusion that she just doesn’t match cute rom-comy characters, but rather darker ones. Her performance was impeccable here and she had great chemistry (as co-police officers) with Jang Hyuk. I’d love to see her in a similar role, or even in a melodrama in the future.
It is established how good Jang Hyuk is, and here is no exception to his unending talent. Fearless and brave character with a broken and emotional side, he pulled off his role immaculately and he was a perfect fit for it. Such a well-rounded actor, he can do everything. Respect.
Where have Kim Jae Wook been all this time? Flawless and creepy, an absolutely perfect match for his role, I need to keep an eye out for him in the future. I can safely say he made the drama!
Recommend
Concluding, I’d say don’t turn a blind eye to this drama, it’s really good. Crime and thriller drama fans I call out to you, viewers who enjoy intense and provocative dramas/stories that aren’t extremely complicated this is for you. I can’t see how someone wouldn’t be entertained by Voice if you disregard the convenient part and you don’t have a problem with some violence ect.
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This review may contain spoilers
Here we have it folks - Shopping King Louie Joseon Edition!
It pretty much was, you can't deny it. However, all jokes aside, I cannot deny that I immensely enjoyed watching this drama. Without a shadow of a doubt I looked forward to each episode which brightened my Monday and Tuesday evenings (which are pretty grim), as the whole drama was just sweet and oh so refreshing. I absolutely loved it. If you are wavering about this drama, please give it a go, it was amazing.I'll actually begin my review with the acting and cast. It was lovely to see Kyungsoo as a main male lead, he pulled off the role incredibly well and proved his acting ability. I loved whenever he would get triggered by things and go "Oh hO!!" lmao. D.O. is clearly an amazing actor and that goes without saying. Nam Ji Hyun was also good, but I have to say that it felt like Kyungsoo was the one who shone between the two of them and pretty much made the drama - but I suppose it was inevitable by the way in which the show had been written. Nam Ji Hyun has proven before that she can play some stronger women roles, like in Suspicious Partner, so I thought it was alright. Jo Sung Ha was brilliant as expected but what I really enjoyed were the characters in the village! God it was so sweet that I felt like I wanted to live there at times lmao. The second lead syndrome was there for me in this one - it wasn't too much because the guy pretty much knew he had no chance from the start and didn't really make a move (unless it was to tease the crown prince) but I actually enjoyed his character and thought he was an amazing friend to the main leads. Lastly, I want to address the I know the King was annoying to some but I actually greatly enjoyed him as a character. Yes, we are seeing weak kings crop up quite often when the drama circles around a Crown Prince main lead but I felt his character was a bit more lovable. There wasn't too much fault with any of the acting.
Okay, so, the story. We can all agree, as I said earlier, it was pretty much a Joseon version of Shopping King Louie, with the rich guy with amnesia, Nam Ji Hyun (lol bless her, always having to play these roles) finding her brother- I mean it is quite coincidental but hey I still love both. I actually enjoyed the story, I didn't really skip much and I am glad that they didn't add too much seriousness and conflict as it would take away how sweet this drama actually was, but not so little that we were sitting here thinking "ugh when is something actually going to happen". The only disappointment with the story, in my opinion, was towards the end. I definitely felt that the last episode was rushed and there was too much to do - start/end a war and also get the main leads together. Moreover, I was getting a little annoyed that Hong Shim was telling the Crown Prince that she didn't want to be with him! I think that they had been through enough shit together that they really deserved each other. I genuinely have no idea why the writers decided to make us go through that bs at the end when instead we could have got some more heartwarming scenes between the main leads to finish it all off.
Moo Young's death was expected on my part. The man literally had been shot by so many arrows through the series as well as so much pain that I was surprised they didn't kill him off sooner. I definitely did not want him to die in the slightest, I liked him a lot, but I think the fact he went through so much pain and then DIED - ugh it's so upsetting. This fact was so important to me I put it in its own paragraph lmao.
The music was lovely, it fitted the series well and familiar faces, or voices I should say, popped up on some of the tracks which was a treat. It was memorable at the time in which I watched the series and perhaps if I heard them again, but nothing really stuck in my mind. It was wonderful though. What was nice was that there wasn't music in many scenes which meant that the music never felt 'overplayed'.
I probably wouldn't rewatch this drama unless I was with one of my friends and trying to get them to watch it. That being said, I've only rewatched half of one series lol.
Overall, this drama was an absolute treat, I really enjoyed it and I do hope that you did too. Thank you for reading my review and I hope I didn't bore you too much.
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Amazing True Love from HlSTORICAL Time until MODERN Time (MUST WATCH ONE & ONLY FOR THE 1ST)
why I wrote you have to watch "ONE AND ONLY" first, because your feelings when watching will be very much different if you start this without watching the first season...maybe you think you will still understand the story line but emotions, feelings and moods when you watch it will be much different ... well ... so you are strongly advised to keep watching the first season first, although you may read that the first season ended sadly but I guarantee you will be satisfied with the story and after that you would give 10/10 point for this drama with 2 season...actually this is my first time to write a review before finishing a drama as a whole....but my love for this drama has pushed me to write it....
In short, this drama begins with their very deep encounter and love story between a warlord and king of Nancheng who is very loyal to the kingdom, Zhou ShengCheng which has a called "BEAUTIFUL BONES " by all the people (because of his loyalty to the kingdom who always struggles to overcome the people, not interested in power, wealth or beautiful women only CSY who has melted his hearts) with his very beautiful and intelligent student, CuiShiYi. in historical times they both could not be united by fate where ZSC was accused by a cursed prince who was jealous and wanted to marry CSY had rebelled so that he had to end tragically and because of her love and deep loyalty CSY followed her teacher by ending her life too...but before she dies, she makes a wish if they meet in another life...she hopes ZSC can marry her first...and...
FINALLY HER WISH CAME TRUE , THEIR LOVE IS MEET BACK IN MODERN TIME....(FOREVER AND EVER)
Their suffering in historical drama finally brought them to modern life.
I've never read a novel from this drama before, so I feel I don't need to nor will I compare the story or characters of the cast to the novel....
I really like the story line which is unique and has different characteristics from modern dramas in general, even though it tells the story about now but every time I see an ancient building or residence in this drama can indirectly bring me back to feeling warm when I watch OAO (this is also one reason why you should watch OAO first ) I also like writers to write about the differences in their characters from historical dramas to modern times, so I feel there is an interest for me to watch those differences.....
ZhouShengChen who is an innocent chemistry professor but super genius, responsible, mature sometimes a little shy feels sweet and makes me feel excited to see him especially when sees him in a relationship with ShiYi...he is full of warmth and concern for him, as if made me feel how comfortable it was to be his girlfriend...hahaha...he was reunited with the girl he loved so much in the past but couldn't be with him (because of the oath he made before he met CSY that he would never marry for the rest of his life made him felt guilty towards CSY at the end of his past life for not being able to return his love)
ShiYi as a voice actress who is graceful, beautiful and sometimes a shadow of the past can be seen in her mind makes her have a deep feeling for ZSC from the very beginning of their meeting. some things in the past that hurt her deeply are still a bad feeling in her and I'm sure all of that will be cured after she entered into a romantic relationship and married the person she loved very much from historical times to the present, ZhouShengChen.
and...i really like watching their developmental approach when dating...hahaha...their relationship is very sweet, adorable and mature as well as caring and warm...i really love it....
ALLEN REN and BAILU really are actors and actresses who are very potential and professional...two different characters in two periods of time have been presented by them very perfectly. the characters zhoushengchen and shiyi feel very alive in this drama...their acting is very good, beautiful and natural...as I said in the comments page, so natural that sometimes I forget I'm watching and this is just a drama...
I'm really hope that both of them and this drama both One and Only (season 1) and Forever and Ever (season 2) can get a lot of AWARDS for their really very good performance because they really deserve it...
I'm also very happy that they didn't omit all the soundtrack from historical dramas in this modern drama, and made us still can feel the environment that was brought to modern times...they were good at doing that...some songs added for modern times this also feels okay to me and is suitable for modern-day stories.
I can be sure I will repeat this drama because even before this drama ends I have used my free time waiting for the continuation of the new episode by re-watching this drama ... so for rewatch value, no need to ask again, I will definitely give full marks for it.
overall : 10/10 for this season 2
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