The most devastating thing about this drama (and there are a fair few to choose from) is that you know there's no way it can end happily. It's very premise sets it up to have at best a bittersweet ending.It is extremely well written in this respect, and believable throughout. I found myself truly invested in the characters and the storyline, desperately hoping both Nao and Reina could find safety and happiness on a more permanent basis than constantly being on the run.
I would now spend a paragraph picking apart the faults of this drama, except I'm rather convinced it doesn't have them. Everything from the acting (Ashida Mana may have become my favourite child actor of all time through this drama) to the movie-esque quality to the filming records it down as a must-watch in my book. It truly is once watched, never forgotten.
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the biggest WHAT IF
I'm editing this to add: if something is wrong it's better to fix it and show the right thing instead of burying it and everyone involved in criticism. make them be a lesson for the rest. past bullying? let them do community work or a movement against school bullying. "inaccurate" history? force them to show a documentary at the end explaining how things really were. you don't fight a problem by cancelling everyone.... the only thing people will learn from this? don't waste your money and time at making historicals..I'll just use this space to vent a little more. as a fan of JDY I've been waiting for this since last year. and as a historical fan who's bored of the repetitive palace politics, this was going to be one of the most unique stories. Kingdom explored zombies but this was bigger and had more characters. this combined vampires, zombies and demons. it sounds overboard but the combination was so fitting. they bit people in the neck and they were as brainless and lost as zombies, but they were evil spirits controlled by the biggest demon
this was going to be so much fun!
JDY was Sejong the Great ! I did not know that TT_TT no wonder why he was such a sweetie, honestly if they wanted great representation of the past they had the bestest boy to play their bestest beloved king TT_TT
the biggest mistake on this was the timing and the fact that historicals don't seem to check facts beforehand.. every historical right now is under some sort of fire but this got the biggest blow...
and even if they let the dramas air, they turn their pitchforks onto the actors.. the issue seems so easily avoidable, there needs to be a big historic association so people can check their facts
like we all knew this would be about king Taejong from the start, so like they (whoever they are) could've showed their stance before. if they didn't want a historical figure to be showed as a person who kills possessed people then they shouldn't have let them film it!
it'd have been easily avoided by naming them differently. and they didn't even let them change that. they just attacked this until the canceled 14eps worth of hard work. the actors got injured... we'll never know how they'd have dealt with the process, but the promise of the plot was unique and it will forever be the biggest WHAT IF TT__TT
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An Absolute Masterpiece
This drama will make you laugh, this drama will make you cry, this drama will teach you about life, this drama will give you hope, and this drama will give you happiness.Overall thinking:
As my title says, this is an absolute masterpiece. But there are so many masterpieces out there and people claim this word rather very easily nowadays. So, what is so special about the drama? Some others say a lot of adjectives like Heartwarming, Healing, Therapeutic, Soothing, great acting, etc. All these words perfectly describe this drama, but here I would say my own word to describe this drama, it is UNIQUENESS. There are so many healing, heartwarming, slow-burn dramas out there. Still, the drama makes itself unique from others (will explain later).
The drama shows its sublimity in every department- Cinematography, Script, Location, Story, Casting, Acting, and Music. Everything is to absolute perfection. This is a drama where the main story is very simple. You almost know where the main story is going. But here the end result does not matter at all. It’s the journey how you go there is what is important here. The drama is the mix of stories of the female lead, male lead, and other 5-6 supporting leads (and many other characters) to find themselves. The characters are very much realistic. The characters actually mirror regular people like us. Just like regular people, the characters are not perfect. They have a lot of issues, but they don't know the answers yet. The drama is their journey where they find the answers from their life experiences. The main strong point of the drama is that the characters are so realistic and they are examples of real people just like you. Everything is delivered in such a way that while watching the drama, you will feel like you are a part of the drama (hardly any other drama can make you feel like that). So, you will learn your life lessons just like the drama characters. You will get to know what are the things important in your life, what things you need to care about. The drama explored this in a wide range of ways like Family bonds, friendship, grandmother-grandchildren relationships, parent-children relationships, siblings relationships, neighborhood relationships, and so on. Unlike other slice-of-life dramas, which explore a lot of life issues but fail to give entertainment to the viewers and are often regarded as boring, this drama is totally different. It is super fun to watch. You will get a good happy feeling while watching every single minute (except ep 1, the first episode is a bit sad) of the drama. Some simple moments can make you laugh so hard, and some simple moments make you so emotional to make you cry, but at the same time, you will feel good and happy. This is the greatness of the drama.
Romance:
The drama is both a life drama and a romantic drama. But, different life stories and lessons with everyday interactions will captivate you so much that you might forget to tell about the romantic part of the drama. Romancewise, the drama did an excellent job. You will see a very natural romance development between the leads. It might be one of the best natural and realistic romances you can find in any drama. And you will enjoy and love every bit of it.
Slow Pacing:
I also need to talk about the pacing. It is a slow-paced drama. But for this particular drama, the slow pace is not its weakness but becomes its strength. Some people might have some problems with the pace at first. But if you are not too much impatient, you will get used to the pace quickly. In the other dramas, the slow pace means the drama is doomed to fail. But, here it becomes its strength due to its script, its unique way of storytelling, and the acting delivered by the cast. The interactions between the characters, the dialogue, and the conversations become an art in this drama. So, if you are too impatient and try to fast forward too much or skip scenes as you do in other dramas, you might miss the real beauty of this drama. But, if you are patient enough, you will soon get used to the pace. And you might find this drama as one of the best dramas that you have ever watched.
Story:
The plot is pretty simple and easy to follow. You already read the MDL summary. So, I won’t write the same words. I would say, the plot is rather simple. But the story is not simple. This is a wide big story. There are a lot of stories that are mixed together and make a wonderful and magical mixture. So many characters in the drama. Yes, not only the main leads. There are at least another 10 characters (actually more) whose stories are explored in this drama. The story is not plot-driven, but rather character-driven. Unlike other dramas, the interactions and conversations between the characters matter the most here. There are so many GOLD conversations in this drama, which I cannot write here (not want to spoil you), you need to see yourself. The drama runs in a smooth manner from beginning to end in such a way you can’t skip any of the conversations. You might need to stop sometimes and go back to see the conversations multiple times. Because the conversations are so fun to watch. And they are the soul of the drama. The conversations are pretty simple daily life conversations. But sometimes, they tell us different stories, and different values and give us different emotions, insights, and life lessons. Sometimes, those conversations make you cry due to emotions, sometimes those make you cry due to happiness.
Characters:
There are a lot of characters and the characters are very much well developed. You have the FL who is a former front office Hotel Manager who came to the village to spend time. Previously, she made a plan with her best friend to come here, but her best friend is dead now. So she came to the village for both of them, to fulfill their promise. ML is a local boy, who is highly educated and used to doing a good well-paid job. He is now back in the village and now wants to improve the village. Then, you have Nana- A waitress working in the local café, Damai- An aspiring young novelist, Mr. Hu- A singer and songwriter, Mr. Ma- The man who keeps himself busy doing meditation, Xiaochun- A local woman who is divorced, has a cute daughter, and manages the different business for ML, Xiaxia- A woodcarver (local craft), Grandma Xie- 80 years old but still strong woman with a lot of wisdom. I can mention a lot more. But it will be a long list. (Special Mention: Aunt Gui, Aunt Feng, Aunt Baoping, and 4 cute little kids). All the characters were acted by a perfect cast. While watching this, you just can't stop praising how the cast acted perfectly in each of these characters. All the characters are unique on their own. They have their fair share of struggles in life. They have some stories to tell. The drama explores their life struggles and stories. From my description, it may seem like the drama is heavy. But you are totally wrong here. The drama is very lighthearted. All these characters are super fun to watch.
Acting:
10/10 from me, and I believe anyone who gives a score below 10 for acting might not be fair in his/her review. Female lead, Male lead, Supporting characters, Grannies, Aunts, and Children, all the characters are acted by perfect casts. All were absolutely perfect in their role. The cast delivered some of the most realistic, natural acting you can see in any drama.
Screenwriting:
I would say one sentence. The drama is a screenwriting masterpiece. YES, it's true. Not only the characters are written well-developed, but they are also super fun to watch. You will like all the characters. Yes, all the characters. Not a single dislikeable character. You will also remember their name (which I hardly do in other dramas) because they are so impactful you can’t just forget them. All the conversations are written in a such masterful way, I can’t find just enough praise for them. Many of us don’t know the beauty of screenwriting, because we never see the real strength of screenwriting in other dramas. Just think, the plot is there and screenwriting is a simple script to drive the plot. But, the drama will prove you wrong here. You need to watch this drama to see what is actual screenwriting and how it makes a drama a good one to a great one.
Music:
10/10 on the music. This is not an exaggeration. That is what truly I feel. Simply awesome. The OST, BGM, and use of music with different moments of the drama were simply wonderful.
Enjoyment:
The drama keeps getting better and better. The first episodes are introductory episodes. The characters are weird at first. Once you get to know the characters you like them. As I said, it keeps getting better and better. So, for example, episode 10 is more fun than episode 5, episode 20 is more exciting than episode 10, and episode 30 is more exciting than episode 20. After watching episode 10 you might think, the drama is already so good. How can it get better? Yes, my friend, it gets better. Unlike other dramas, which start with a bang and attract all attention, but later you find out that drama is a total mess. Not, no chance here. It gets so good; you can only see it if you watch.
Some Weak Points:
Yes, there are some weak points.
>>Simple Plot and Predictability: Yes, the plot is pretty simple and predictable. You can always guess what might happen next. You get what you expect, and drama doesn’t disappoint you in that case. For some people, this might be the weak point, but those who watched the drama would say a different thing. The greatness of the drama largely lies in its simplicity and predictability. Our daily life events are pretty simple and predictable. But, as you explore life, you see it is extraordinary. This drama is the same as life. It is extraordinary.
>>Not many WOW moments: The drama is different in many aspects compared to other dramas. Nowadays you watch dramas with your computer or mobile phone. There is a 5 seconds/10 seconds forward button. You always press the button. You skip the conversations and go to some WOW moments. Yes, most of the time you don’t miss any important part of the story by doing this. For them (☹ for me too), at the beginning the drama might not suit you and some of them might find this drama boring. Because there are no such moments. But, if you watch properly, you will see the conversations are GOLD in this drama. Believe me, you will find more enjoyment in some simple conversations than in those WOW moments in other dramas.
Rewatch Value:
I wish there were 11 out there to rate the rewatch value. The drama actually deserves 11/10 rewatch value. I saw so many people already watching the episodes 2-3 times before the drama even ended. Same for me. I will watch it multiple times. I don’t know how many times.
Recommendation:
I absolutely recommend the drama. While most people will absolutely love this drama, there might be some people who would not like this drama due to its slow pacing or some other reasons. Even if they don't like it now, I would recommend they try watching this drama maybe in the future or maybe when they are facing difficult stages of life. Not only for enjoyment but this drama will show you the beauty of life, and help you think the life in a positive way.
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This review may contain spoilers
When Perseverance, Confidence, and Strong-Will Work Together
"As long as I'm working as an editor, I will never give up on any author. That's why I became an editor in the first place." -Chu LiThis quote? Chu Li, the female lead, who is also an amazing editor, said it. I admit I was a little reluctant to start Moonlight, as I was watching other airing rom-coms. But I don't regret my decision at all, because it has just joined my favorites list. I was expecting a cute and fluffy rom-com, but not only is Moonlight cute, but it is so inspirational as well.
Moonlight is a unique rom-com. It's not a love story that takes place in high school or even college. It takes place in work, but it's not exactly an office romance-comedy. It's a cute romance between an editor and an author. Moonlight has made me think more about the powerhouse behind an author's success: The editor. From this drama, I've learned that editors contribute more to a book's success more than most of us think, and even if these characters aren't real editors, authors, and publishers. they've certainly shown us the hard work and perseverance needed to be one.
Story-9.0
As this was an airing rom-com, I was scared as to what would happen in the later episodes, because as we experienced Asian drama watchers know, a drama's later episodes can go downhill sometimes. With this doubt, I continued to watch this fluffy drama, and it did not disappoint. When you're watching Moonlight, say goodbye to the stupid misunderstandings and "I'm doing this for your own good" breakups, because there aren't any! We all love relationships with trust and encourage and love and nothing more, don't we? There are jealous scenes, yes, but when it comes to trust, Zhou Chuan and Chu Li is our model couple! They trust each other no matter what, and help each other on their editing and writing journeys.
Why do I keep on mentioning trust? Well, another female is introduced around episode 30 or so. I was totally unprepared for her, and was terrified that she would cause a huge misunderstanding or breakup, but our strong leads were mentally prepared! 500 second female leads could've stormed in and our couple would probably be left unharmed. Perhaps a tiny bit of suspicion, but nothing more than that. The second female lead was a bit unnecessary, but I like how she found her closure at the end. She deserved hate, yes, but also deserved some understanding.
On the surface, Moonlight is an ordinary rom-com, with a few cliches: Cohabitation, a little bit of Hate-to-Love, Male Chases Female First, but these cliches are used in such a cute manner that this drama was an absolute gem of a rom-com. We do have the online and offline connection, as Chu Li and Zhou Chuan didn't know that they were online friends at first, but the trope wasn't boring at all. Not to mention all the lovable side characters, who never stopped teaching the audience life lessons. If there were two things that Moonlight showed me the most importance of, they would be the importance of mutual trust in a couple and the importance of seeking help from the people around you. It's great to be an independent person, but we all need some help sometimes.
As I said before, I really liked the new environment in this drama. Moonlight was adapted by the Chinese novel "Chu Li is Coming", so most of the story can be owed to the author, but it was refreshing to see a Chinese rom-com set in a different setting. This time, in a publishing house. Chu Li starts off as an intern in the editor branch, but through her hard work through the long nights and many troubles, she proved to everyone just how good of an editor she could be.
The antagonist of this drama shows real life so accurately. Sometimes, jealousy can be dangerous, both to the person we target and ourselves. We shouldn't allow jealousy to overcome us, and take it slowly. This drama also showed the different kind of relationships during work, from friendships to almost-enemies. These relationships are all normal, but we should learn to control these relationships well to not learn these overly take control of our jobs.
Cast-10.0
I'm just going to talk about the dubbing first. Some people had issue with the female lead's voice: Chu Li's voice is dubbed by the actress of the character herself, Yu Shuxin (Esther). Yes, her voice is very high, but that's what I love about Chu Li. She is a perfect example of a bubbly but hard-working girl! Ding Yuxi (Ryan) isn't dubbed either, so you're getting the leads' real voices! I've heard some small complaints about Esther's voice, but I had no problem with it at all.
Back to the cast. No better actor and actress could have been chosen for Zhou Chuan and Chu Li. Ryan Ding gives off that seemingly-cold-at-first-but-actually-cuter-than-a-bunny vibe so well. I did not want another ignorant cold male lead, and Zhou Chuan satisfied my needs. He might be a little cold to total strangers, but he knows when to be polite and when to be cute! From the earliest episodes, I had already decided that he was going to be one of my favorite male leads. Zhou Chuan is a successful author, but there is a rocky path before success. With his perseverance and the encouragement of his family and friends, he made it to the peak of the mountain.
I would not have chosen another actress for Chu Li even if the director gave me a chance. Esther Yu as Chu Li is perfect! She is a real cutie pie in real life, with her kindness, generosity and intelligence, which is why Chu Li was acted so well. You could say that Chu Li is almost an exact version to Esther but in another universe. Chu Li is cute and bouncy, but she is (thankfully), a real strong female lead as well. This tag has been thrown around a lot these days, but you have my word that Chu Li is actually strong. When something seemingly fails, she never gives up, but only stands up from the place she fell down and tries again. And just like Zhou Chuan, her perseverance led to success that no one in her publishing house expected from her.
I loved the second couple as well. I don't tend to smile like a donkey when it comes to second couples, but I did for Jiang Yucheng and Gu Baizhi. They did have some on-and-off moments, but they never stopped loving each other even when they thought they didn't. Sometimes, jobs can be hard, but when you manage to balance them with your lover, you will get the perfect combination. I also like how this couple was a little older than our lead couple, giving us a different perspective of love and jobs. (both couples had to overcome difficulties and such, but their journeys were a little different)
And the supporting characters were real concoctions of happiness and frustration as well, depicting different kinds of people in our lives so well. There are supporting co-workers, as well as jealous ones, bosses who believe in us, and family and friends that will always be there for you. No, while Moonlight mainly focuses on Zhou Chuan and Chu Li's love story, it shows the importance of friends and family as well.
Music-8.5
Moonlight doesn't have many songs, but they songs it has are upbeat and cute. Both leads contributed to the ost; Esther Yu, a member of the girl group The9, sang "Chu Li is Coming", which is the ending song and is very cute. I didn't know that Ryan Ding sang songs for his dramas, but his "Heartless Poems" was very well-sung and upbeat. There were a few other songs as well, "Niu Niu" by Shuang Sheng, and another specially used for the second couple scenes.
Rewatch Value-9.0
I don't tend to rewatch dramas, but I am sure that I will rewatch certain episodes of Moonlight in the future, if not all! This journey has been so inspirational and it never hurts to take a look back at your favorite characters once in a while.
Overall-9.5
As a person who has watched almost 40 Chinese rom-coms, I would recommend Moonlight for people looking for a fluffy drama in a heartbeat. With two cute couples, no stupid misunderstandings, and such inspirational stories, this rom-com should not be missed! (Not to mention the extra cute and satisfying ending!) We can't be successful in a flash. Success takes years of dedication and confidence in yourself. These characters failed countless times, but what made them succeed at the very end? It comes down to these things: Perseverance, confidence and encouragement from others. And that, my friends, is how an amazing Chinese romance-comedy is made. Enjoy Moonlight!
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An honest review of an underrated series
Hi everyone!First and FOREMOST the plot summary does no justice to what a beautiful refreshing drama this is.
Lemme explain why,
1. Don’t judge the rating, As a person who enjoyed- it’s okay to not be okay , DOTS, crash landing on you, RIAB book, what’s wrong with Secretary Kim I ENJOYED THIS DRAMA.
2. This is one of the most REFRESHING Korean dramas I’ve seen in a while. I just feel like people aren’t used to this kind of new aspect. The interview format is lovely. Love the different kinds opinions to taboo topics.
3. I LOVE LOVE THE CINEMATOGRAPHY. No words. Just breathtaking.
4. Even though there is a flashback and present- it’s so beautifully and carefully executed so that it’s always refreshing. LOVED THE BEACH SCENES.
5. There is a bit of a mystery to it and the plot slowly develops but I LOVE THE MOMENTS. THE DRUNK GIRL MOMENT , THE COKE MOMENT AND SO MANYYY MOREEE
6. Another thing I loved is how we don’t have to wait for a kiss between the main leads forever.
7. The tribute to some of the best kinda music out there is fabulous! The rock bands.
8. This drama is an entirely different vibe, you might be scared to give it a try but do go ahead and watch the first 3 episodes. It might be your cup of tea.
9. Gotta love my confident side couples as well. That is a Why a 9/10. I’m waiting for more on them as well.
10. I just strongly believe this is not a 7.9/10 kinda drama. I got super sad looking at the rating. THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT. And the actors deserve so much credit for going ahead with producing something new. I REALLY LOVE THAT this is one helluva COMFORTING UNIQUE WATCH. (Atleast for me) It’s really got a very nice energy to it! Watch it!!
Hope you enjoyed the review,
Good day pals;) <33
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The story is cute. There are no DUN... DUN...DUN... moments at all. It's mostly generic, will I be exposed in this most random way ever kind of moments.
I think the main couple did a great job. The female lead, Nishiuchi Mariya is quite well suited for the comedic genre. While pretty much everything she does is over-exaggerated, that's what made it funny. It's fun to watch the her oscillate between her two personas. I also like her well "mostly" internal dialogue. Her facial expressions are hilarious, and I do enjoy the "acme" cartoon effects.
The main male lead, is also adorable. His character is played in a much more subbed way, to offset the female leads over the top presence.
The music was fine. There are no "WOW I will always associate that music with this drama" songs. The music didn't really add anything to the viewing experience, but it didn't detract from the viewing either. Just complimented it nicely as background music.
Overall this is a fun romp when you need a little sugar in your diet. But like all sweets, don't eat too much or you will most likely end up bouncing off the walls from a sugar high, or curled up in a corner weeping because your belly hurts - then again maybe that's just me =-p
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Sweet cute and I appreciate the continued efforts!!!
Hello! I rarely review but need to remind the viewers to think like a business. We are getting a lot more lgbt content in recent years. The veteran actors, writers, directors and producers spent decades to get us to this point. This point? YES we get films, big production series, dating shows, gay couples on major Korean magazine covers AND we get multiple small studios crowd sourced for cute stories to film in a week and bring it to us. Please do not forget! I am grateful and appreciative.Please appreciate the small stuff too.
We would read this manga and be super happy. Someone spent the money to give us some visual with cute story.
I appreciate them. I appreciate how hard it was to get to this point. I look forward to the future.
The boys did a good job. They were pleasant to watch.
For me the actor playing the chef is damn gorgeous! Phew
Sure if you peel back his actions it may seem stalkerish lol but because it goes so fast he is honest immediately and it's all good. Real life gay is hard anywhere and this showed four different types of men (in one episode) and how they handle things. Was cool.
What I loved is this series is set in a gay friendly world. There was no mention or hesitation of being gay. No fear. Thai BL started doing that too and I am happy with this turn.
Anyway it is very fast, it's cute and worth our stream on legal iQIYI site.
Enjoy and if you can leave a comment for each actor. The actors (mainly Koreans) come to mdl and read our stuff!
Thanks!
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The Lost Art of the Sitcom!
As someone who grew up watching classic American sitcoms, Rak Diao is a like a favorite warm blanket, or a comfortable old chair. Three years ago if you'd told me I would be addicted to a sitcom from Thailand, I would have looked at you like you were crazy, but here I am singing the praises of a show that has become a weekly treat for me.I was three episodes in when I found out it was a "Y" or "BL" sitcom, and was impressed at how cleverly the bromance and "BL" aspects were woven into a classic sitcom format. This show provides a lighthearted and whimsical break from a lot of the heavier BL dramas that seem to be everywhere right now.
The show may initially turn folks off due to it having a laughtrack instead of a live studio audience, but don't forget it was filmed during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many shows had to either shutdown, or enact sweeping restrictions to keep in production. This show gets big props for being able to do this.
The cast is very lovable, especially the two titular characters Rak (played by Earth Thanakrit) and Diao (played by Win Songsin). These two are relatively new to the entertainment industry, but man do they have a ton of chemistry on screen, as well as presence! For BL fans, both are absolutely handsome for sure, but their real appeal is their awesome performances. To be so young, they are doing some fantastic dramatic and comedy work!
Ask any soap actor or sketch comedy actor and they will tell you that comedy is HARD, mostly because you need to not only be a great actor, but you also have to have great timing. All the cast has great comedic timing and chemistry with each other, even the supporting cast.
Week to week, hilarity ensues as the two main characters rivalry kicks into high gear. Though this is not a typical BL, it does contain several tropes found in BL, but they are so expertly embedded into the sitcom format that they feel natural. Don't worry, there is no accidental "dead fish kiss", lol! (EDIT: Sorry, spoke too soon...there is one).
-Enemies to lovers/bros
-Dutiful brother/son
-Meddlesome sister/mother
-Flirty same sex innuendo/situations
As I mentioned before, I was a fan of classic American sitcoms. This show hits all the marks of one with absolutely funny moments, some somber and thoughtful moments, and some dramatic moments. The cast and crew handles them beautifully. In terms of a BL, it seems to be a 'slow burn' between the two main characters, where each week, they get closer and closer and do not realize that they are falling for one another.
Those expecting realistic sex scenes or anything like that may be disappointed, but the show does have many little romantic and sexy moments that will make your heart race and you will be rooting for the two characters to get together. All of this is still done perfectly in the context of a sitcom...just masterful.
So I would recommend BL fans who are looking for a whimsical break from the heavy stuff to check this out. Don't let the laugh track turn out off...it becomes a non-issue by the third episode. Grab some snacks on your favorite comfy spot and just relax and laugh! The music is also fantastic! You will find yourself humming or singing the themesong, and even the show's background music is beautiful and fits every scene.
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This review may contain spoilers
The film which catapulted little known Lee Jun Ki into instant stardom all over Asia. Yes I admit quite candidly that I watched this movie for my recently found Jun Ki mania but I'm going to remember this movie for the masterpiece it is rather than just a random K-movie featuring LJK. The controversy regarding the racy humor used throughout the movie notwithstanding, the movie is a fine portrayal of love, friendship and betrayal. It is heart-warming to see the effeminate Gong Gil and the heroic Jang Seng's relationship, which was most certainly much more than just friendship. At the height of utter despair and chaos in their lives, when they flee from the countryside in the hopes of a better life in Seoul, the way they act out the parts of two blind men in the middle of nowhere is a treat to watch. That is perhaps the most poignant scene from the film barring the one at the very end. There's a puzzle in the title of the movie since it leaves you in doubt about who the real king is. In my opinion it's Jang Seng rather than the tyrannical, literal king since he desires to be a commoner even in his next life and chooses the right to live on his own terms rather than living a life of luxury whose terms will be dictated by others. He is the real king of the movie. The actors have portrayed their parts to perfection. Jeong Jin Yeong has done especially well in conveying the inner turmoil the King suffered from, his eccentricities and frequent displays of mindless cruelty. Excellent acting by Kam Woo Sung as well. And last but not the least, LJK proves in this movie that he IS after all an actor and not just a great looker. I think it will be hard for even a straight guy to resist his charms after watching this movie.
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This review may contain spoilers
I can’t believe it...
In general, I don’t write reviews. But after finishing this show I’m so angry. I need to spit it out.Positive Parts.
1. The casting is pretty good. I liked all actors and their chemistry. Her parents were the funniest part of the show. Great job!
2. I find the idea with the past life’s intriguing and it offered room for much development. I enjoyed watching all eras. After understanding the whole situation it was even better. Best part of the show for me!
3. The CEO was a great character and offered so much.
ULTRA SPOILER AHEAD
Negative Things.
1. I’m really frustrated about the character writing of the show. It’s my first time experiencing dislikeable leads. As I mentioned was the CEO (male lead) a great person. He’s the only one I liked the whole time. The female lead was terribly written. Sometimes she appeared strong and confident, but when it mattered she was the most passive persons I’ve ever seen in a show. All talk. After reaching the second half of the drama I even hoped for the ml that he won’t end up with her. I really felt sorry for him that he liked such a selfish person. The second male lead is handsome without a doubt. In general, we get the perfect SL that ends up alone because he’s so nice. This one fulfilled most of this till the second half. After 8 eps he developed into a clingy and selfish character himself. No empathy for others, secretive and only interested in the fl without using his brain. I skip the second female lead. She was insecure, but okay. But her mother was the most pathetic character I’ve seen in a while. Introduced as strong career woman did she end in a ridiculous revenge story for her broken heart 30 years ago. I know it’s a fantasy show, but that was too ridiculous. If I were her daughter I would’ve send her to a mental hospital for a check up.
2. After knowing the whole picture I can’t help myself but feeling frustrated with the relationship of the leads. In fact, the show is a story about a man that is willing to give everything for his love and to repay his guilt. (Unnecessary in my opinion and I really don’t get why he’s always the guilty one. After knowing the reasons for everything, he should be embraced with open arms.) And the female lead! Honestly? I had several moments where I wanted to punch her into the face. While he’s doing everything for her, she’s doing literally nothing for him. Not one tiny thing! First, she lets him compete with the SL because she’s too stupid to say the men that she s not interested. Then she’s head over heels for him and can’t even hear him out after their first fight. But the most annoying thing is that she didn’t even react after knowing the truth. Her conversation was pretty lame and it was not relatable for me that she was still suffering from her trauma even after getting to know the truth. No! It got even worse! In the end she wants him to give up his only dream to stay by her side while she can live her own. Let me summarize! He’s doing everything for he. She does nothing for him. And the Happy End is that he gives up his dream for her. Honestly, he deserves a lot more than her.
3. The moral of the story. During the last minutes of the show I was so annoyed that I want it to end right now. Little did I know that another annoying part was waiting. They end the show with the moral that you don’t need a marriage certificate to become happy with your loved one. Yes! That’s true and I agree. But the perfect closure would’ve been when she would have married him and both would’ve made sacrifices and start new. It’s so sad that such an important moral was undermined from annoying written characters. If they intended to do that from the start, they should’ve written the fl nicer or at least a balanced relationship to make it believable.
4. SUMMARY I watched 16 eps about a relationship which was unhealthy to begin with. He does everything and she’s just talk. In my opinion, a happy relationship is about that WE and not just YOU. But the way they showed it makes it okay for someone to do nothing. Unsatisfying On a high level!
5. Another point to rant: the kisses. The make Lead gave everything to show passion. A great praise from me! The female lead was frozen that it was even embarrassing to watch. She didn’t deliver the classical fish kisses, but did nothing while he kissed her. Especially in close camera shots it’s embarrassing to watch. In those moments I even felt sorry for the actor!
ULTRA SPOILER END
Don’t get me wrong! I really like the cast and also the actress, but the way the characters worked wasn’t relatable for me. I ended up feeling annoyed or ranting while watching the episodes every week. The good thing is that I didn’t get bored out of anger.
In general, I always say that people should watch a show to gain own experience. Everyone has its own taste. Therefore, it’s wrong to stop people from watching. That’s why I say in this case: It would be a pity not to see the great acting and scenes of the male lead. But the rest could get annoying. My recommendation for you is to watch the first episode. Find out if you enjoy the wedding or not. If yes, continue. If not, drop the show immediately.
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I find more fault with the whole "Drama Producing Machine" rather than with the writers, actors or director. I think if this show would have been able to stay on course and end at 16 episodes it would have been beyond great. The extra filler did it no favors. Having said all that...
This drama had such a different and fresh feel to it! Yes, it was quirky and had clichés but there was also a charming departure in the way they used those clichés. It seemed the familiar drama tropes were thrown in for fun here and there but not used as a fall back due to lack of writing skills. The relationships were written differently. All across the board; whether it be the family dynamics [which was particularly refreshing and endearing], how the love square was treated throughout and of course the main couple's budding love. There were a lot of genuinely funny moments. And again, the romance was portrayed slightly off from the normal..."Couple meets, don't like each other, they fight, there is sexual tension, love, trouble, noble idiocy, true love!" trajectory that most dramas follow.
A standout part of the plot for me: The friendship of the three women. I am speaking of how this drama decided to take a different tact with the female second lead, Na Yoon. They curled her into the already established friendship of the Myung Ran and Eun Seol and made her a part of them. And oddly, comically and rightly..she fit! It was charming. Rather than turn her into a clingy, clueless one dimensional bitch, they gave her character development. She had her own endearing quirks and she ended up being one of my favorites to watch. Show, I heart you for her! Thank you.
Don't let those few slower episodes in the latter half turn you off. This Drama has a lot of wonderful moments, great plot, story momentum, refreshing writing and acting to recommend it. Funny, Quirky, Sweet! Check it out!
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Let me tell you why you shouldn't shelf this drama aside as 'yet another time traveling drama'
- The series focuses on our main leads, who have been married for 14 years and are getting divorced. It stresses on the fact that marriage is not simply the happy ending, as it's normally shown in dramas. Throughout the whole show, little by little, we get to see what it was that went wrong with our OTP in the first place. The drama portrays the painful reality of marriage.
- Going back in time to change one's past mistake might not appear to be a fresh idea for a drama. But believe me when I say this, that the execution is simply top-notch. This drama hits all the right notes for the viewers. This drama explores the question of If you could go back, back to the time before it all started, what would you do? Would you make the same decisions you made before? Or would you do something you didn't get to do before?
- This drama is just so beautifully realistic in it's approach. Whether it's the flashback scenes or back to the time 1999 scenes, every struggle, every problem, every situation that our leads face is handled in such a realistic way, that it's hard not to appreciate that.
- This drama is going to play with your emotions. And I mean this in the best way. One second, it'll make you laugh out loud. And the next, it'll have you tearing up. Specially the scenes of Seo Jin and Jin Joo with her mom will have you crying out loud. So better prepare some tissues, 'cause you're going to bawl your eyes out in every episode.
- The second lead syndrome is really strong in this one, there's no denying this. The first few episodes, (or in some cases, maybe throughout the whole drama) you're going to ship the leads with the second leads. Specially Nam Gil sunbae. He's simply...perfect. He's cute, kind, funny and well, always there for our lead girl. It's impossible not to fall for this guy.
- One of the best things about this drama, and one that I really loved is the narration by Ban Do & Jin Joo at the opening and ending scenes of every episode. I love how they start with something painfully honest, and end with something hopeful.
- Instead of asking yourself what does this drama has to offer you, question what doesn't it has to offer you. My answer- Nothing! Yup. Might sound unbelievable, but it's true. And you'll realize it too. This drama has everything from comedy, romance, friendship to slice-of-life and nostalgia. Every genre is balanced enough to give viewers an unforgettable watch.
- The OST is just beautiful and melodious. I have had plenty of dramas where I liked or even loved the OST, but this is one of the few rare dramas where I was moved by the songs. They are just so good and so fitting. My personal favorites being 'Dream' by Lucia & 'Wind Song' by Sohyang.
After reading my review, you might think I overused the word 'beautiful', but honestly, that's the only word I can describe this drama with. It's beautiful. It's heartwarminlgly and hearwrenchingly beautiful. So I sincerely hope that you give this drama a chance.Happy Watching!!
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This drama.. Where do I begin? Phenomenal acting aside (which, I mean, look at that cast, they did fantastic), the story was amazing. I saw so many people saying that they knew nothing about baseball but were still enjoying the show. Why is that? Because the show isn't actually about the sport, it's about the people. What made this drama so great was that it was heavily character driven. You don't have to understand the mechanics behind baseball management because you understand the basics: if the characters get what they want, you're happy for them, and if something bad happens, you hurt for them. Each one of these characters were so special, and the writers--round of applause to the writers, folks--were able to take characters that you didn't care about or that you actually disliked and made you root for them. That is skill right there. The bond between the staff and the bond between the baseball team were addicting. And the twists and turns, and watching them build up this team from nothing was so thrilling! And to top it all off, there were some really great messages woven throughout the drama.
I'm going to miss these characters so much. I know it's a hopeless dream (pun intended lol), but I would love for them to make a season two.
10/10 would recommend.
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First, It's not a spoiler to say that this is indeed a Romance-Tragedy. It is inspired by the true story of Queen Dangyeong, who we know from the title, was only Queen for a week. If the title isn't enough to clue you in on what's in store, the show starts by glimpsing into the future, and we see a not so happily ever after moment where she tries to kill her love, the king, but can't. This was the same flash forward method that grabbed my attention in Empress Ki, and I knew that I would need to know exactly what road led them there. That road is not just filled with tragic moments. We actually go all the way back to childhood with the characters, and the journey to the end is more than just tears. There's humor, great friendships, some action, and of course romance, and what I thought was an interesting story of 3 people who's lives are controlled by their fate, in spite of their feelings.
I think Yeon Woo Jin was amazing as future king Yi Yeok. I've liked him in other dramas, but this one is a perfect vehicle for his range. He's matched with Park Min Young as Shin Chae Kyung, who I can say the same about. I think, because their child versions were so good, it gave them a lot to work with as far as backstory, and I truly believed all of their moments together. They may not have the most exciting chemistry, but that didn't stop me from liking them as a couple. The triangle is then made complete by Lee Dong Gun as Yi Yoong. I think his character, and acting, drives this whole drama. He also reminded me A LOT of a young Christopher Walken, and not just because of his big eyes. He has a charm and creepiness about him that made him the kind of villain I not only sympathized with, but sometimes rooted for in spite of myself. Even in his most over the top moments I totally felt for him. I really am a sucker for an actor who's really good at playing evil or crazy or both.
Most of the story revolves around the rivalry between these two brother for the crown, and their love of the same girl, but it still didn't feel too cliché to me. I think it's because every single character in this story, meaning every single supporting character, are so developed and well played, that it gave extra depth to the story and made me care about everyone... EVERYONE... even the Nanny. I would usually give a shout out to awesome supporting characters but there are just too many to name! I also loved that most characters, even if they were minor, had some kind of attention given to their specific part in the story, and some very emotional endings for their characters.
Ok, I will mention just one... Hwang Chan Sung as Seo Noh. *insert my standing ovation here*
As for the story, for me it just kept getting more exciting and addictive as the show progressed. The moments that may have felt slower were more of a build up to more exciting parts. Waiting for new episodes started to feel a little like torture, but sometimes I needed that week to breathe between episodes because the story got so intense. Sometimes characters were frustrating, but I think that's what added to them feeling human. Sometimes the political storyline was upsetting, but because it tied directly to these amazing characters, it kept my interest till the very end. The ending had a lot to live up to, and I think it was well done. I suffered from severe eye rain during the second half of the last episode, but the ending avoided just being completely depressing, which I think is impressive.
The music is beautiful and compliments this drama very well, and Junggigo's song will be on mental loop for a while.
Would I watch it again? Absolutely. I would probably need to watch a few light hearted shows in a row first, but sometimes you need a story that gets you in the feels too. I would just stock pile some tissues.
Overall I would definitely recommend this, BUT if you are not a fan of extreme drama then this may be too much. If you have never liked a sageuk ever, know this is more of the same, so don't expect this one to convert you. If you don't like stubborn characters who make you want to throw things at your screen, you definitely picked the wrong drama. Personally, I think it was beautifully bittersweet, and I I already added it to my favorites list before I even finished it.
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Misaeng's path of story transcends the typical office narrative. It's not just watching office workers struggle, suffer, get praise, or be joyful. We know these characters; we know their faces and names, their pasts, their hang-ups, and their fears. However, we don't know them only as Jang Geu Rae, Oh Sang Shik, Kim Dong Shik, Jang Baek Ki, Ahn Young Yi, or Han Suk Yeol. We KNOW these people; they are our friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and often, ourselves. That's what Misaeng brings in its storytelling, its cinematography, its constant image of being small in a big world and finding what we can do to be significant.
That path was taken by, in my opinion, one of the greatest ensembles I have ever seen in a drama. The entire cast has this way of making one completely identify or not identify with their actions. We see how everyone starts--naive, raw, rough, intimidated, at times, arrogant and ridiculous. Yet we also experience their growth, admissions of success and failure, and admissions of self-centeredness or guilt.
Behind the ensemble, traversing the path of Misaeng was an exciting and memorable soundtrack. Each piece told a story. I enjoyed the somewhat folk storytelling of the OST tracks because it mirrored the narrative of the day-to-day experience of the office workers. One could argue that the music is a character in and of itself as it travels the visual text.
Through its story, cast, and music, Misaeng took me on a journey. At times, I felt like Jang Geu Rae, wondering and asking myself the same questions. That's what I loved about Misaeng. I'm not an office worker, but I identify with their struggle. I ask myself the same questions. I feel defeated at times. At the end of the day, I'm just an incomplete life looking for completion.
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