MATES of Poongduck
Cute litttle series, the way it should be.A quick recap - this is an almost normal length eight-episode short series that starts with a handsome chaebol Ho Joon renting a room at Jaey Yoon's apartment. Lets pretend that it is believable, and that he will live in a so so neighborhood just because of Jae Yoon's water pressure (wink wink) because who doesnt like a good shower. From being forced to live together as roommates, Jae Yoon realized that Ho Joon was to become his superior in the company where he is working hard to get a permanent position. Soon after, they will have a silly fake enemy plot wherein Ho Joon will exercise dominance at work while Jae Hoon will lord over at the apartment. And as if anyone is surprised, from being enemy they become friends, and from friends, they become lovers. The end. Gamsahabnida.
But in all seriousness, I loved how the pacing worked. The story is simple enough but the execution and the visuals felt like a regular-budgeted Kdrama. After the first couple episodes I found my self excitedly waiting for the next ones and for one month Roommates of Poongduck 304 has become my Thursday night guilty pleasure. Oh, i dont know if anyone noticed but it felt like for episodes 7 and 8 used a different camera(or frame rate) but somehow it was more cinematic.
In their second pairing, Ji Woong and Seo Bin was able to find a script and a plot that works on their strengths and I must say this is so much better than their first series together. If this is any indication, both actors are ready for stardom but my BL heart hopes and wishes they could do another one together, as partners.
Would i recommend, definitely! It is a lot better than a lot of current BLs being aired right now. If anything, I would have wished they made each episodes longer, or at least added a couple more, cause I would have loved to see more of their sweet lovey dovey moments. Would i rewatch? Already has!
PS. That kiss at the last episode is so realistic and juicy it made me blush like a high school girl. One of the best kisses in BL.
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I Feel You Linger in the Air: Uncut Version
85 people found this review helpful
A Romantic Tale That Gave Birth To A Masterpiece.
I have a lot of things that I want to say about this phenomenal show, but I’ll try my best to make it as concise and spoiler-free as possible.The majestic cinematography is one of the strongest points in the series, be it in the modern day or the 1927 era. The filter or the soft bokeh effect that they put in the 1927 era gave the show an ethereal feel as if we were watching a movie set in a dreamworld, which in my opinion is a smart decision since it is told mostly from Jom’s perspective, cause literally, everyone in that time is already a ghost in the present day except Jom. It’s like putting the character’s lenses through our screen. This alone is already a brilliant way of visual storytelling!
The characters are all interesting and well-written. The acting? Outstanding! Nonkul and Bright did an astonishing job as Jom and Yai. In the first episode, we can already see Nonkul’s spectacular acting chops! His eyes alone speak of those devastating emotions that he is experiencing. In the succeeding episodes, you can feel those tantalizing romantic shivers that he feels every time Yai speaks poetry of his love to him. I would not be surprised if he wins an award for his performance as Jom. Bright’s big moments were in the later part of the story. But what amazes me is his versatility in portraying different versions of Yai. The non-verbal and verbal that he did is distinct from the other versions of the character. He did his homework excellently.
I also have to commend the supporting actors for a splendid performance! It’s great that the supporting cast had their own moments and was not left behind by the amazing leads. And did I mention that aside from the main gay couple, we also have a lesbian and straight couple? Yes, this series shows all kinds of love.
The series holds no bars in showing the ruthless treatment of the servants and women in that period. Its fearless portrayal of what happened in the past makes me realize that the series that I’m watching is a bold, unfiltered, and fiercely beautiful work of art. Despite that, it also shows that the abused and the oppressed CAN claim their power and stand up for themselves! Which makes it one of the most powerful scenes in the show.
The music and original soundtrack are magical. For some, it might not be radio-friendly, but the way the music was arranged fits the drama perfectly! Even the lyrics of the four songs featured in the show voiced the perspective and emotions of our main leads. Each note and instrument was meticulously placed to fit the scenes of the drama.
The show as a whole is heartfelt and hopeful. Especially the last few episodes which are excruciatingly beautiful, it made me dehydrated from wailing. Each second that goes by is a slow agony of the inevitable separation. The last scene makes some people confused, unless you read the novel, you will understand it. But I think it was left that way in the series to open the possibility of a 2nd Season, after all, there is so much more to tell.
The love story of Yai and Jom can be considered a one-of-a-kind timeless, classic, romantic tale that gave birth to a masterpiece.
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An excellently written masterpiece that will make you feel intelligent.
Season 2 of Stranger follows the journey of Prosecutor Hwang Shi Mwok and Superintendent Han Yeo Jin in their relentless persuit of the truth even when everyone around them seems hella shady.If you don't remember season 1 at all, I suggest you give it a rewatch before going into this or else find a friend who is a MASSIVE stranger fan to run you through the past events like I did. Why? Because, even though S2 follows a whole new storyline, the characters are the same. There are no re-introductions as their personalities have already been established in the previous season. And this season deals with the aftermath of a lot of things that went down in the past.
I, for one watched it 3 years after finishing the first season and because of my goldfish memory, I remembered absolutely nothing. Despite that, however, the story hooked me in and kept me with it throughout.
Stranger 2 is less action focused and takes more of a philosophical note for the most part. It's a critique on the system that runs a country. It shows how power is exploited. How the media, the prosecution, the police and the conglomerates influence the very foundation of a nation and yet there is always some conflict of interest between them.
The story starts with a battle between the police and prosecution as they debate over investigative rights. A lot of dirty politics is involved as both the sides try to one up each other. From there on it branches out to multiple plotlines as more and more cases, mysteries and problems come to light. Nothing is handed to you on a plate. The drama gives you a serious mental workout as it forces you to pay attention to everything. Slowly but surely, all the various plotlines come together to meet and punctuate the overall message with multiple punches.
The show, like its predecessor does not bank on thrill or 'the next big moment' instead it takes its time, moving with this undercurrent of tension you can't look away from. All along, you feel like something important is happening and you just can't miss it even when there are no huge developments.
The beauty of it is that nothing that's happening is stupid. This is not a show that is trying to pretend to be complicated and fool viewers into thinking it's smart with lazy writing. It's actually fucking smart with zero plotholes as the story flows smoothly, connecting all dots as episodes progress. And it hits home beautifully as the final episodes approach and the intensity skyrockets.
However, I will say that this is not reccomended for those who like their shows easy to digest. Who don't like heavy dialogues and aren't fans of politics, debates and philosophical questions. 'Cause there is a LOT of that stuff. To the point that I actually felt productive after watching each episode. I felt my mind broaden and working overtime and I absolutely loved every second of it.
Ofcourse, with a show like this the biggest danger is of it going in the direction where it becomes clinical, preachy, dry and boring. And that's where the drama wins by using small but extremely powerful interactions between characters that does wonders to humanize everything and make you emotionally connect with these people.
Shi Mwok, our emotionally stunted prosecuter is so clueless and indifferent about feelings that it's simply hilarious and adorable. Han Yeo Jin, with her quirky personality and chill as fuck persona is extremely endearing.
We saw the camaraderie between them in season 1 and that was one of the major selling points of the show. But, in this one, for the majority of the drama our duo stands on opposite sides confronting each other and you feel rather starved for their interaction. So when it happens, it's all the more impactful.
With incredible small gestures and tiny moments they show how they care for each other. How she's still his best friend. How they are the ultimate team. How she's the only one he feels comfortable around and how they just seem to get each other. And it's absolutely glorious.
These two are badass in a very real sense. There's no posturing or camera effects or cheesy dialogues/action scenes that make their badassery known. It's the effortless good in them and their dogged pursuit of what's right, realization of their own mistakes and unimaginable strength that wins your heart.
It also helps that both the main leads have extremely natural and nuanced acting. Bae Doo Na and Jo Seung Woo just killed it. With the latter blowing your mind with the subtlety of his expressions and the former making you invested by the transparency of her emotions.
The season also explores a plethora of other characters, with their own motivations and personalities that are extremely well developed. Strong women in power. Morally grey characters who come through deliciously. The acting is outstanding across the board and the soundtrack is phenomenal.
You think the OST (an instrumental with no lyrics) is nothing special? Wait till it makes the simple act of two people talking business in an office, the most thrilling thing to ever happen to you. Simply stunning.
The show also has one of the most beautiful endings I have ever seen. It's so full of hope and warmth that it made me cry.
Even as it highlights the never ending corruption, the ugly politics that makes one feel that their country is too far gone to make a change, Stranger comforts and shows what it could be. How, in these murky waters, being true to yourself is the real power because it gives you dignity, confidence and most importantly, peace.
So all in all, I'll say that while Stranger 1 is kinda like everyone's cuppa tea as a crime/thriller, Stranger 2 is definitely an acquired taste. It's still excellent though and completely unique in its genre with masterful execution. Hopefully, some news of a 3rd season will come to save all of our souls soon enough.
So hey, if you wanna leave the mainstream behind, feel a little bit smarter after every episode and question everything you know about the system, then this show is your go-to!
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Story | A regular high school senior is struggling in school with tests and college expectations building on her shoulders. One day while on her way to take a test that will "determine the rest of her life", she became able to transport to a different era through the rain. She then enters the Joseon era and encounters a whole new set of problems. Nothing new but for some reason, it's something I don't really get tired of.
Cast | I'm so happy to see Kim Seul Gi in a main role! I've only see her in a few things and adored her unique acting. She gave her character such a refreshing feel. Not sure how others will feel, but nothing about her acting was at all annoying and I quite loved how it was different than the typical main actress. Oh Doojoon. I really need to watch more of his works. He did a lot better than I had expected and in my opinion, I thought he showed perfect emotions in his face, which is pretty big for me. Him and Seul Gi were great together! Again, I wasn't expecting much but their chemistry clicked right away and I enjoyed every second of their screen time together. Their relationship developed so naturally I really can't praise them enough. Supporting cast was great too. Ahn Hyo Seop was a little awkward but his character clicked perfect with Seul Gi's as well and I enjoyed his character.
Music | There were a few songs that were used for this drama, I believe Kim Hyung Joong sang for this special and I enjoyed all the songs used.
Rewatch | Most definitely. Only 2 episodes and I loved every second of it. I already want to go back and rewatch it again.
Overall | Why can't Korean dramas always be this easy to watch?! Minimal drama but still enough to push the story along without anything feeling dragged out. The first episode felt like I had already watched 7 episodes of a regular Korean drama and was extremely content. I'm sad because this special was only 2 episodes but I'm happy because I wouldn't want this to be dragged out to 16 episodes..maybe. I honestly wouldn't mind more episode with Doojoon and Seul Gi. Maybe I'm just too big of a sucker for romance dramas. This is a very easy drama to get through and it's perfect for days when you don't feel like watching your "Currently Watching" list but also don't feel like start another 20-24 episode drama.
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1Sweet, Sexy, Submissive, Consensual ... slightly complicated too
This movie has a little bit of everything, fun informative beautifully shot and will have you thinking a lot of thoughts at once while still managing to make your heart flutter thinking oooh they are so sweet,.. and awch that must hurt but ohhh so sweet.Knowing very little about the subject I found myself intrigued by both the plot and the informative scenes here and there making this not only fun and pretty for the eye but also a source of learning.
I love how this shows deals with the extremely important issue consent as well as shows the difference between consensual acts of dominance as well as non-consensual ones with the main focus being on consent, acceptance and growing together.
The characters in this movie are complex, lovable (most), there are PLENTY of pets (human and non human), lots of humor and not a single annoying character in sight. So what do I say a rom-com done right, that I may just re-watch with my husband for some inspiration, or just for fun ;)
I would say this is probably the funnest rom-com movie I have seen so far, so I strongly recommend people to watch it.
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A sweet drama told with patience, a rare gem!
With Miles Wei as elite lawyer Xu Huaisong and Zheng Hehuizi as the resilient novelist Ruan Yu, the drama successfully balances professional challenges with a slow-burn, nostalgic romance.Plot: After being accused of plagiarism, the very person she based the story on just showed up out of nowhere. But ahh the feeling of meeting the right person at the wrong time...
This story is not about falling in love - its about returning to it. The central conflict isn't just whether they love each other- it's whether the timing is finally right,
It's a romance built on timing not iust chemistry.
He is a classmate from the next class she'd never spoken to. She thought he had never even known her before. Ten years have passed. They've changed, grown, and built separate lives.That makes every interaction carry more weight, because this time the stakes feel real.
Time and opportunities were needed and had to be built up through their interactions after a long separation.
It wasn't the obsession of an 18 year old Ruan Yu for an 18 year old Xu Huaisong that she couldn't have. It was a 28 year old Ruan Yu, still falling for a 28 year old Xu Huaisong all over again. Her lingering feelings weren't about regret, but about wondering why a reunion after so long couldn't lead to a different outcome.
Alas! If only she knew that her secret crush wasn't one sided...
On the other hand, it didn’t bother Xu Huaisong that he had a one sided crush on her. What troubled him was that after all those years, suddenly when he looked back, someone told him that they could be together. Now! Yet, Xu Huaisong at 28, didn't dare to confess easily. He was afraid that if he confessed, it would be 'in the past' for Ruan Yu. Insecurity, fear, hesitation kept deliberating him whether he could win her over again if he made his move, and how he should even begin. So he schemes to get chances to be close to her.
We follow their journey while their "long simmering affection" matures into a stable relationship, and builds a future together.
Review Highlights:
Refreshing Lead Dynamic: Miles Wei delivers his signature "charismatic, reserved yet sweet" performance, perfectly. In addition, he is seen as scheming, petty and witty and has been rightfully nicknamed as a "sly fox" by many commenters here 💖. Zheng Hehuizi shines as a badass and relatable female lead who takes charge of her own career. Their chemistry is sweet and natural, avoiding over the top tropes or forced dramatic moments.
Engaging Plot: The "plagiarism" mystery provides a solid professional backdrop that keeps the stakes high while allowing the leads to reconnect through a shared cause. Another point of note is the mutual support between the leads as they face career trials together. Ruan Yu's career progression to a screenwriter and while Xu Huaisong is already established as a highly driven and hardworking IP lawyer he reaches a high point in his career and successfully clears his father's name. There seems to be just enough family dynamics, sibling interactions, friendships and supportive partnerships
Creative Storytelling: The story weaves together dual timelines of campus flashbacks and the present day work related reunions which I thought was novel. It features inventive visual choices such as video/voice call participants appearing physically next to the characters which adds a modern and humorous flair. There are internal monologues and telepathic conversations which make the narrative lighthearted.
Easy Watching: "Comfort food," low-stress, warm vibes that is both hilarious and endearing.
The supporting cast are doing a pretty good job. Of note, Li Jun Xian, as Lawyer Liu Mao was great adding some hilarious interactions with Lawyer Xu (Miles Wei). It was great to see the siblings from 'I May Love You" back as siblings. Zhang Mu Xi as Xu Huashi was charming and played an important role to get the leads together.
OST, cinematography, dialogues everything is so beautiful.
Overall a charming and lighthearted modern romance that serves as a "belated joy" not only for fans of the "childhood crush to lovers" trope but for anyone who loves a warm, endearing story.
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This review may contain spoilers
Teen Emotions 2024
This series have more characters than the goddamn dictionary, literally, which dentist office did they find all these people in braces? Somewhere in Thailand, a dentist is missing half his clients, and they out here trying to start bands and find love. Also, did this drama make anyone else remember their first love? cuz, same!Listen, between the 1000 characters that we had, these children also had more drama/problems than the Kardashians. Damn, they were hustling. From emotional cheating, coming out, bullying, insecurities, misunderstandings, one-sided love, school work, abusive parents, blackmailing sisters, heartbreak, the band/singing, and to top it all off, braces! Like, how did any of them even passed their courses?
Now, why did these children came off more talented (acting) and their characters more mature than most veteran bls out there? That breakup scene between Aim and Phun was the most mature scene I’d seen in a bl. They took time off, cooled down, then sat and talked and even decided to be friends. And Noh and Phun were so mature as well with their feelings and how to move forward when there was Aim and Yuri between there. Kudos to the whole team for that, clap clap. Of course, this was a teenage drama, so there was a lot of unnecessary drama, insecurities and misunderstanding, but with the target audience, it was spot on, so again, kudos.
Even with its 3000 characters, this drama held my interest because it reminded me of my first crush/love. You know, those days when your friends push the two of you together on the football field, and you hold hands after agreeing to start dating, and you forget to breath for a second? Noh and Phun made me remember those awkward first love days, and that’s why I enjoyed watching this every Sunday.
So, yeah, with 15 episodes and 7000 characters, a lot of things happened in this show. Lots of side characters all out there doing their own thing, so I can't possibly review everything in details, so I'mma give a quick rundown of what I remember/held my attention on both plot and characters.
PHUN & NOH
When I find out this drama have like 10,000 characters already in the first episode, I thought I was gonna be confused on who the hell was who to even have a favourite, but Phun and Noh stood out, and managed to get my attention and keep it. In most shows that have these many characters, somehow, some side character always manage to steal the spotlight, but not here. The two leads did an amazing job. The way they handled their problems was how I came to love them. They were so mature and strong, making the characters very relatable. Which of course it's a testament to the actors and how well they understood the project. Almond (Phun) & Progress (Noh) were the perfect actors to play this version of the drama. Of course, the characters were teenagers and sometimes misunderstandings lead to unnecessary hurt, still, as a show about teenagers it was expected.
Noh is a better person than me though, being strong enough to let Phun go although they loved each other so he can keep being with his girlfriend, and then after they broke up, he even waited for Phun to sort out his feelings. Me and my broken-heart would have moved to Taiwan or something, cuz that must have hurt like hell. Most of the time, I felt angry and frustrated on his behalf when Phun gets jealous, and I'll go: 'Noh, my boy, let him sulk, he has a girlfriend, he has no right to get jealous!'
Phun on the other hand. I understood him as well, dealing with his feelings while also trying to do right by Aim, and trying to please his father. But he handle the whole Aim thing so well, and I'm glad he didn't even blame her, and also took some of the blame. I was happy that when Phun made his mind about Noh, he was all in and didn't care about anything else. That being said, no one, and I mean no one can outdo Phun when it comes to making that bitchy, unimpressed, sulky expression. Dude graduated from the school of sassiness with honours in attitude studies. Damn, sulk much?
These two grew as characters, overcome everything, and ended up together in what is a healthy relationship, surrounded by people who loves and cares about them. Well, there was like 15.000 characters, so they had a lot of people supporting them. I was happy watching their stories unfold, and glad everything worked out in the end for them.
AIM
I admire Aim’s commitment to not give a single eff at all. Literally, homegirl didn't even bat an eye when the whole thing with her, Phun and Li happened. I liked her, because let' be honest, they both cheated, emotionally or physically. She had her own thing going on with her mom, and then being rejected, finding herself. Yeah, her still being mature about everything and even knowing it was her fault for fumbling Li, was impressive. Also, imma need her and Phun to play a drama in the future as sibling/twins, cuz their expressions would be spot on! Loved her in the finale, still a Queen to the end.
EARN
Oh, Earnie, my boy. This child was so sad, falling for a bald-headed cute dude who let him down oh so easily, only for him to disappear from the drama like 80% of the run-time. No, where he go? Then, he came back in the final two episodes only to get his heart broken again. When he was sobbing. Yikes. Anyway, I liked Earn, he deserved so much more. If only Noh had a twin. That scene when he saw Noh sleeping on Phun's shoulder and got shock and hurt... I felt so bad for him, but like, I laughed a bit cuz, I love drama. I'm glad the friend finale made a move in the finale. As he should, with 17.000 characters in this show, if Earn didn't find anyone else, that would have been sad. Noh and Earn though, I aint saying anything, but I am not, not saying anything... wink wink.
YURI
I liked her, but homegirl needed to go find somewhere to sit and touch some grass. Damn, she made a whole relationship in her head, then proceeded to make it our problem when it didn't work out. Sure she was sweet and whatnot, but that girl needed to take a hike at some point or another. She knew Noh wasn't interested in her that way, they even talked about it, and still she kept her hopes up. Really, SUSAN?? I understood her though, unrequited love sucks, but she broke her own heart, so there's only so much empathy I can show her. Haha, love how bold she was in the finale, letting Phun know she's still around. Though, like how is this girl not looking for anyone else? This is a show with 20.000 characters, like, start looking elsewhere child. I really love how she defended Noh and them getting back to being friends, this is all I wanted.
OHM & MICK
Hahahah, Mick taking charge of their relationship was so fun. I was laughing so hard when Mick went 'yeah, I like you, so prepare yourself, imma make you mine.' and Ohm just went back to eating in shock, and just accepted his fate. Sometimes I wished Ohm would stop playing and accept the poor boy's feelings already, verbally that is, our boy did show his love through his actions. Ohm's best-friend energy was on point. Poor Film though, in the novel he said something along the lines of 'I can't believe I let a cat go look after my fish.' LMAO. No, but Ohm and Mick almost stole my attention for a moment. Glad they finally got together, and thank the eff Ohm wanted Noh as nothing but a friend, would have rioted if they'd ruined Ohm and Mick.
PER & WIN
First off, yes, Win is young so making bad decision is a must, but trying to get with the bad crowd and ruin your life because the guy you have a crush on don't like you back is dumb as hell. But, I love how he got brave and stood up to his military dad, thought at what cost??? #tears. Per was so over the place with his feelings, pretending not to want Win, dating that poor girl who had to put up with a jealous Win. But Per bit more than he could chew with Win's father acting like a waste of space, so I understand he got scared. I'm glad in the end he fought for Win and they had that two minutes of happiness. Though the ending of this couple was so sad, but also hopeful in that they promised to keep loving and waiting for each other. I really do wish they end up together, somewhere in the drama universe, they deserve happiness.
OTHER THINGS
- Ohm randomly, suddenly, having feelings for Noh in episode 14 was total BS, unnecessary and stupid. Whoever's idea it was to include that plot should be fired. Like, that friendship was amazing, did everyone and their mamas have to have feelings for Noh? I thought we moved passed the main lead being super special nonsense. Ew!
- Per's friend who liked him though... Pete? I felt so bad for him, cuz you could see his emotions on display in his eyes, and Per just... pretended he didn't notice. So sad.
- That one friend who went out to the other one and went, 'I like you, let's date' and then that was it. He was like, yeah, I have a boyfriend now, and the other boy was like, 'wait you were serious?' HAHAHAH, I loved it. No drama, no nonsense, just straight to the point, my kind of love. They win the couple goals. LMAO, in the finale, that dude was like... yeah we broke up. He needed me and I helped him, and now he don't so... what????
- Phun's father though, dude showed up one time and tried to be a father, like, go sit down. Also, is that actor like the only one auditioning for the father roles in bls or he's like the default choice now? I just saw him pretend to be a cop in Kidnap.
- Love how Noh and his house workers got along, also with his parents. At least not all the parents were portrayed as bad.
- Love how their age all the boys acted, their friendship was so chaotic and nice to see.
- That Jet or Jeremy girl was annoying as hell, they should have left her arse at the camp.
- Lowkey, but highkey liked EarnNoh though... like...
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LOVESICK 2014 Vs LOVESICK 2024
If you are wondering if you should watch the 2 seasons of the first adaptation of this drama, then I'll recommend it, because it had its charm. There are some difference, although they both follow the novel, the first version had lots of scenes/plot focus on the girl school as well, with lots of drama coming from them, so there was a lot more characters and storylines. Frankly, my glad the 2024 version removed most of the drama with Jeed and the other girls, it made the season 2 of the 2014 version dragged a lot. When it comes down to it, the changes reflect the current times rather than anything, so yeah, watch it if you want more Phun and Noh, cuz both couple did amazing job with the characters.
THE NOVEL (spoilers)
If you are looking for more depth, read the novel. It's in first person POV and Noh is the narrator, so we get to be in his head, and all his rumblings and thoughts are so much fun. I found myself laughing at his antics and inner thoughts throughout the novel. Since we are in his POV, everything is limited and we get told stuff that happens with others instead of being show, so there's a lot of telling and not enough showing, but we do get to connect and understand Noh better.
This 2024 adaptation of the novel is very cute and a heartwarming watch, although it had its heavy topics. It practically followed the novel, except of course a few charges to get with the times. A lot of people were waiting for a kiss between Phun and Noh. I saw some even complaining that, the ending scene in episode 10, when they finally agreed to become boyfriends needed a kiss. While I do understand, that scene was so emotional and well acted by the two leads that it didn't need anything more than what we got. Personally, I think the emotional impact with the viewers was better without the kiss.
But of course, for those who wanted more, I'd recommend you read the novel, cuz it has more intimate scenes. Which starts as earlier as in episode 3. In the novel when Phun first confessed that he wanted Noh, they had their first kiss, first time, twice. So, yeah, lots of things that both dramas didn't show, so if you want a more mature version, where you get a kiss and more during the let's be boyfriend scene, then do yourself a favour and read the novel.
All in all, of course this drama wasn't without flaws, the main one being, trying to keep up with the 20.000 characters and their storylines. I almost gave up, but then I kept going because Sundays were my drama watching days and I loved having five-six shows to watch XD. But even with its flaws, the team made a decent and coherent show that managed to keep my interest for 15 episodes.
FINALE:
Everyone, all 26.000 characters got their endings, and relationships and misunderstandings were resolved. I love how wholesome the whole series was, though that glass kiss in the finale was foul... like... seriously? I am satisfied with the ending we got. I am holding up hope for a special episode XD. This was a slice of life/coming of age bl that everyone who loves bls need to see. I will highly recommend it. The whole series was adorable and hilarious, filled with emotional and playful moments. I am looking forward to more from the cast, all 30.000 of them, they have a bright future ahead, given how talented they already are in their first work.
Until next time. Always Friday.
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Where to start? Hum at the beginning i thought it was just a random family Drama that i started to watch because of Im Joo Hwan and Kang So Ra.
After just the first episode i was really interested in the story and then became to love it after some more episodes.
The Cast:I love it all. The child actors were totally amazing in my opinion and i will follow them in the future.
I think every actor has portayed his/her character really well and so i could enjoy the Drama till the end.
There will be characters who will annoy you to the bones but they will make you proud in the end changing themself for the better.You will be there to see how someone can change for the people he/she loves.
I'm not Korean but i could understand what they were saying and doing without subs. The acting is really good and it will make you enjoy this Drama.
Story:
The story tells how different people become a family and have to accept each other.
They will go through dispair,pain to finally find happiness as a family.
They will come to undertsand each other and love each other like a real family should.
They will fight for love and to protect the most loved people in their lives.
Music: I really liked the music finding myself singing without realizing it.
I cried a lot and the sad music was a stab in the back making me cry more XD
One of my favourite was No Matter What They Say by Yang Mi Jin.
Why watch this Drama? It will make you feel all the emotions the characters feel,it will make you understand people more,it will teach you a lot of things you'll need in life..
If you start watching it you won't stop.
It's TOTALLY WORTH IT.
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To start off, I want to make one thing clear. Before watching 'EXO Next Door' I wasn't a fan. I did not listen to their songs or follow them on any kind of social media. I'm using the word 'wasn't' right now because thanks to this show I'm a fully integrated fan. These boys blew me away with their charm, wit and acting in 'EXO Next Door' in a way that i was not bodily prepared for. I now own half of their songs and have a merchandise mug on the way from freakin' KOREA! Now this all happened in the span of a week. Which, when I think about it makes me concerned for my mental wellbeing. But I won't talk about that, back to the review.
I watched this show out of curiosity and boredom and ended up enjoying it 'till the very end. The romance between Chanyeol and the lead actress didn't really interest me, I was more focused on the hilarity that was Sehun's friendship with her brother. What surprised me most about this was that the acting wasn't as horrid as I was expecting it to be considering their profession is singing/dancing.
Story is as predictable as can be. The question 'What would happen if my favorite band lived next door' was answered with a gift from heaven for a fangirl.
Though i must say. My favorite character by far was the lead actress' brother. His bromance with Sehun made my heart flutter and brought tears to my eyes from laughter whenever they interacted.
So, to be frank. I started this show being handed a romance. I left this show holding a bromance.
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A eunuch of a mystery.
After Word of Honor, it is such a delight to come upon another modest production that punches above its weight - 2021 must be the year of the diamond in the rough! This charming ancient crime solving drama is meticulously well written such that the disparate plot threads are tightly linked and hold up to close scrutiny.This story is set in Tang Dynasty, during the reign of Xuanzong 宣宗. During this period, Xuanzong and his predecessors struggled to wrest back power from the hands of the eunuchs, who were erroneously given authority over the Shence army (imperial guards) to check the power of the generals who guarded the borders. The previous emperor Wuzong was not succeeded by any of his sons but by his uncle Xuanzong, whose ascent was aided by the eunuchs because he was considered more malleable. This is important background context to the story that will make the various motives and power dynamics more clear. [@Skibbies posted a more detailed historical background in the thread which I link below since she didn't review this drama herself.]
Aspiring young coroner Chu Chu heads to Chang'an to obtain her qualifications from the backwaters of Qianzhou. Prince An, Xiao Jinyu who heads 三法司 or Three Judicial Office is impressed by this naive and ernest young coroner's brilliant deductive insights and intrigued by her links to a missing person from a very old cold case hailing back to Wenzong's reign (Wenzong > Wuzong >Xuanzong). This leads to the uncovering of a much larger conspiracy with deep links to the past.
Although Chu Chu is the titular character, this is misleading as the character lacks complexity and gravitas. In fact, this is as much Jinyu's story as it is Chu Chu's and he is ultimately the brains who puts all the pieces together. I have some sympathy for viewers who abandoned this drama because they found Chu Chu's naïveté and simple facial expressions inconsistent with the intelligence of the character. This actress obviously has a lot of potential but in this role, was not able to convey the difference between guileless and gullible. But I put it mostly on her voice dubber, which in my opinion is the production's biggest execution error. The actress should have dubbed herself, she has the perfect voice for Chu Chu, young but not child-like. The dubber's baby doll voice especially took me out of the romance - in today's Stein age (Weinstein, Epstein), it just gives me the creeps to hear romantic exchanges between a baby doll voice and mature male voice. The way the romance is written does not get in the way of the plot, it is very sweet, intelligent and avoids the typical angst tropes but given the choice of voice dubber, I would have preferred they left it out altogether.
As a largely plot driven drama, most of the characters are relatively simple but the sum of the parts is greater than the whole because every character is smart and has something to contribute. Jinli and Lengyue are the muscle that protects the team and have insights on military and jianghu matters. Jingyi is the investigator, general dogsbody and court jester of the group. Even though the cast is obviously quite green, their collective chemistry and rapport is what makes this click. The entire drama is largely carried by this young but rather wonderful ensemble cast. If the main characters are not meaty enough, this is more than made up for by the two wickedly funny eunuchs Qin Luan and Sun Mingde. In fact, Qin Luan can give Lord Varys a run for his money and is by a wide margin my favorite, most interesting character in this drama. So don't miss out on one of the few really solid plot driven dramas out there just because one or two characters don't resonate with you.
What impresses me most with this drama is how creatively details more easily explained in a book are adapted. The autopsy re-enactments and visual presentation of hidden clues in chess matches, riddles, and ciphers convincingly portrays plot intricacies without getting mired in mind numbing detail. That said, we are not given the ability to solve any of the side cases, we just get to sit back and let Jinyu show and tell us the devil in the details.
When it comes to the overarching plot, even though all major plot points converge brilliantly with loose ends tied up nicely, it could have been better done. The mastermind is not the best, most convincing villain in the drama and I do not like how they are revealed so early on and abruptly without any hints or surprise value. Ideally we figure out their identity at the same time Jinyu does. And that is the second problem, the mastermind pretty much self combusts. This is a character that is super intelligent throughout that becomes less intelligent towards the end. When Jinyu returns to Chang'an he only has the solution to the cold case, he is far from onto who the mastermind is. Instead of accelerating their plan while hiding in plain sight, the mastermind panics and tips off Jinyu by fleeing in a way that makes no sense when they should know they can't fool Jinyu's genius coroner. This also cuts them off from their easy access to the palace which is their end goal and from then from then on, they continue to dribble clues that are easy for a coroner of Chu Chu's caliber to unravel. This makes the ending pretty much a foregone conclusion and even though the team takes some unnecessary risks in the final denouement, I didn't feel any build in suspense or a sense of imminent peril. The drama for me climaxes when they find the witch doctor and after that it is just a series of incrementally less interesting and exciting reveals. At the end of the day, they focused too much on the details supporting the sub plots and neglected the main meal.
Everything said and done flaws and all, I still enjoyed this drama immensely and am happy to strongly recommend it. I can only rate it an 8.5 because this eunuch of a mystery is missing its best parts.
A link to more detailed background history credit to @Skibbies:
https://kisskh.at/50135-the-imperial-coroner#comment-6184389
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Plot:
The story is based on the historical character Wu Zhetian - the first and only female emperor in Chinese history. From what I have learned about that era, this drama reflects well on major events as well as some minor events. However, this drama focuses more on the romance of the main character. The pace and transition of each saga of her story is well organised.
Characters:
The chemistry between the actors/actresses are really well shown. The actors/actresses casted to portray the characters are well chosen and I cannot ask for better. The acting is well done and there was hardly any cringy acting.
Music:
The opening song really shows the strong Chinese dynasty and goes really well with the clips that are edited with it. After watching her drama, look back at the opening sequence you will feel very emotional as you look at the development of Wu MeiNiang (Wu Zhetian) and her interaction with other characters.
Overall:
This is the longest drama I've ever watched. It went far above my expectations. The makeup, clothing, movement to plot, music and characters are so well put together I don't think anything can be better. I hardly do reviews for dramas but this really worth a recommendation. My favourite part of the drama is the chemistry between Wu MeiNiang and Li ShiMin.
Sadly, the censorship which edited the clothing and scenes which were considered 'inappropriate' slightly ruined the character development and chemistry between some characters.
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This drama is amazing! That is all you need to know to start watching it. Of course, it has more then 100 episodes, but they are only 30 minutes long, so you wont really spend that much time on it.
I would like to start from the very beginning - parents story. Lets face the true: usually, its the most boring part of dramas. At first, I thought that I would skip it and go right to the actual story. But I warn you... DONT DO THIS! Story of their parents is actually really good as a stand alone story. Its sad, but amazing and really romantic. I really enjoyed it! And actors are just amazing... it has so many feels! Plus there are some really important aspects of the story and if you miss it, you will be lost later. So I will recommend you to watch fully watch it :)
As for the actually story of princess Su Baek Hyang. Again, it is amazing. From the beginning to the end, you will not feel bored. Actors are doing amazing job with every role that is given to them. I was never a big fan of Seo Woo, but she did amazing job with her villain character. And the main characters are soooo good! Main pairing is sooo sweet! Perfect!
There are so many things I loved about this. One of them were characters... They are very complex and fun to watch. Good guys are not not just "good" they have their bad side too. And vice versa. It is always fun to watch characters like this, because you never know what to expect from them!
There is also another thing. This drama does NOT have love triangle. OMG! Really... for a 100+ eps drama to NOT have a love triangle. Its like a precious jewel :D yet it still have interesting story to watch :D
About the story... its complicated :D I sometimes felt like I need to make a diagram about who is whos son and daughter :D
But who I loved the most was the main actress. SHE HAS SUCH A HIGH POTENTIAL! I enjoyed her to the bits! Perfect perfomance in every scene! She can be really funny, but also dramatic. Her character had the best development, yet she remained true to herself. I was really amazed by her acting skills! Bravo to her and every other actor and actress!
As I wrote... the story is amazing! Even if this is 100+ drama... and it has its own flaws... its perfect watch! Very entertaining and fun.
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My advice: I think there's a general agreement that the beginning of the drama was strong. Watch it. If you get to the point where you're starting to doubt if you should continue or not, then make your decision and drop it or watch on. There's a reason people are talking, and people are angry. There are various reactions, but they're all strong reactions. Love it or hate it. I think that's the magic. So to new viewers, give it a chance and see where you stand.
To me this drama meant something. I could relate to it on so many levels and became really invested in the story and the characters. It's not the drama you can just watch and feel good about. It makes you think. Who are these people? Why do they act this way? It will make you laugh, cry, squeal, squirm, and rage. It's a slice of life drama, but(!) that's not to say that people who want to escape reality and dream of a happy romance won't be happy.
Again, just watch it. See why it's got everyone riled up, and where you stand. If that's not enough, it's got a kick-ass soundtrack, gorgeous actors and actresses portraying all sorts of personalities, and great wardrobe to inspire your outfits!
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The perfect special for Love in the Air
This is a 70 minute special which looks at both Love Sky and Love Storm stories and brings them together. I was skeptical after the previous Don't Say No and Tharntype specials but this one was well done. It was the right balance of sexy, funny, a commentary on LGBTQ+ laws etc. I would boldly say it was a perfect special. And we didn't have any of the sometimes problematic MAME tropes so, winning!Rain and Sky, classmates compare notes on their relationships and find themselves questioning certain things. They decide to go away to the beach (which Thai BL would be complete without a beach trip? Come On!) and not think or talk about their significant others. It doesn't go quite as they planned however...
This was a decent episode as we had new NC scenes and the usual misunderstandings that happen with new relationships from jealousy and friends / exes stirring trouble. It also opened the door for new stories such as Payu's boss and Pai's brother Plerng so there is more from this universe still to come.
Definitely worth a watch as it gives us the perfect closure on this story. Some may find Rain and Sky a little immature at times but I gave them the benefit of the doubt as they're still students. Lovely to see Payu and Pai giving stellar performances here.
And there will be scenes you revisit. Trust me.
Enjoy!
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A riddle wrapped in mystery inside an enigma.
Ancient Detective is a rare treat for both die hard wuxia and mystery lovers that surpasses expectations for both genres. This drama pulls you in right away and takes you on an thrilling, suspense laden journey to solve a riddle wrapped in mystery inside an enigma.The plot is centered around gifted detective Jian Buzhi's (Yu Jiwei) quest to track down the four remaining witnesses to an epic jianghu takedown of a murderer eight years ago that killed his father. His own lost memory dances on the edge of the riddle of that day's events; he is determined to clear up all the remaining loose threads including the mysterious disappearance of the murderer's corpse. But there are shadowy vested interests that stand in his way including a deadly assassin's guild and a sinister antagonist that always seems to be just one step ahead of him.
There are many colorful archetypal jianghu characters with lethal fight skills that get showcased in this drama's exhiliratingly chareographed kick-ass action scenes that will satisfy any wuxia buff. Jian Buzhi himself has no martial arts ability so all of the fight action is centered around Zhao Wohuan (Wan Yanyang), the second male lead who has an engaging bromance with Jian Buzhi and is his main protector. Wohuan is the more interesting and entertaining character who is just a barrel of laughs. I think they should have made Jian Buzhi less of a "blank" character by giving him some interests or eccentricities instead of just being the blandly cliche super intelligent, righteous and chivalrous protagonist. Even his main love interest, the deadly Zhan Shiqi has the peccadillo of being a shopholic assassin with a flamboyant sense of style. Nonetheless, Jian Buzhi picks up a motley crew of companions with awesome skills who ride along on his mission and the comaraderie between them hit all the right notes.
During his quest, Jian Buzhi stumbles upon three murders and in each case, another piece of the bigger puzzle falls into place in a way that neatly ties everything together in the final reveal. All of the cases are meaty and structured in a classic Agatha Christie "And Then There Were None" setting where the suspects are confined in a remote location and are narrowed down by elimination. While the setting is somewhat repetitive, it is also very effective and all of the cases are unique and intriguing enough in their own right to keep things interesting. What sets this detective drama apart from its peers is that it invites the audience to participate in the cases by dropping many good clues and hints along the way. It is not at all afraid to let the viewer solve the case alongside Jian Buzhi. This hooks the viewer into becoming increasingly invested in the cases and the outcomes. I managed to identify all of the culprits before the end of the cases but not so early on that there was no challenge in it. While I had an early inkling as to the final enigma quite early on, I still groped in the dark for the final piece of the mystery long enough to feel a strong sense of accomplishment when I finally figured it out. The ending twist was still fantastic, thrilling and chilling. I love where they left things with Jian Buzhi - it was both satisfying and thought provoking.
I gobbled up this drama from start to finish. It wasn't perfect but it truly qualifies as a suspenseful and interactive mystery for amateur detectives with a dash of romance, bromance, adventure and action. This is definitely a must watch for anyone that loves a mystery.
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