This review may contain spoilers
I HOPE THEY REACH MORE (Audience)
A perfect reminder of that sweet first high-school love.A quick recap. This is the story of Yamato, the perfect student who is liked by everyone, but only yearns the love of his dorky childhood friend Kakeru, whom he liked for a long time. His feelings for Kaeru grew so strong, that even if he was afraid he'd be rejected, mustered up all his courage to finally confess to Kakeru. Kakeru on the other hand discovers that he himself likes Yamato - more than just a friend, and struggled to find the perfect way to finally confess that he feels the same way for Yamato.
Short. Sweet. Too short. Too sweet. I WANT MORE.
Both main leads fit and played the role perffectly! I was even a little surprised that Maeda Kentaro took on this role, as he has already starred in a few drama and doesnt actually need the BL hype. Kashiwagi Haru is so adorable as Kakeru. There is something about Japanese drama's 'awkward' acting that makes the scenes authentic. This is how we are in real life, and the way they talked to each other makes you really feel like you are watching the blossoming of love, the coming of age, raw and somewhat uninscripted.
There are times though that I wanted to know how their peers will react if they knew that the two best friends are now dating - there were in fact a lot of scenes that i thought the secret was revelead to the world but then it was glazed over. I do understand though that this BL is not about the acceptance of the world around them, its about the personal struggle of two boys realizing their feelings for each other.
What I also love is that Japanese BLs even if they are short, somewhat feel like you are watching a standard full-length full-production drama. The music and song is amazing and i easily found myself repeating each episode twice. Overall its a 9,5 and I hope a lot more BL fans discover this wonderful of a gem.
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Two young men with opposite personalities sparked love and growth in each other’s lives.
STORYComing from Korea, I already expected it to have a seemingly interesting and unique plot. The story beautifully portrays a growing relationship between two young men with completely different careers. Their opposite personalities added depth to their characters, and I love how they helped each other develop. I would also mention how I really liked that they added a character that depicts a “confident gay” as I may say without hesitations or whatsoever when it comes to what he truly likes (no more “I do not like men, I only like him” lines which irritate me, I guess haha). It felt like they were existing in a world where homophobia does not exist, and they just took everything casually.
The story also shows a glimpse of the entertainment/showbiz industry. The struggles of living a normal life as an actor and the realities of the controversies they get involved in. Also shows how media can be deceiving, and how it affects the lives of celebrities.
I really find the story cute and full of fluff with the continuous engagement of the couple. Their interactions made me want to fall in love again, and how they managed to make each other a better person. The pacing is beautifully done, and I love how things are not rushed nor too slow for this drama. They are taking their time and there is something within the story that makes it feel comforting.
The ending was great and sweet I really wish there was more. And what I think the edge of this drama compared to other recent Korean ones was the pacing, I do not feel that the ending was rushed. Everything was explained correctly and most of the things were settled at the end.
Their story makes me want to watch more episodes but sadly, it’s only 9 episodes that are roughly 10-15 minutes long.
ACTING
In terms of acting, I would say that they really act natural around each other. I love their chemistry and the cast did a great job portraying their own characters. It does not feel forced and awkward at all. They’ve done it well especially the main couple because every time they have cute little interactions, I would quickly smile knowing how comfortable they are with each other.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Since this is from Korea, I do not have issues with the cinematography as it is a lot better than the ones I previously watched from Thailand. In comparison, the production value of this drama is good and met the standards of the recent Korean BL dramas I’ve seen before.
MUSIC
The music is okay for me, I wish there were more songs in the drama but the ones used really suit the atmosphere of the scene.
Overall, this drama is very good in my opinion and probably my favourite among the recent ones that Korea has produced (Color Rush, WYEL, Mr Heart, Wish You). I fell in love with the cuteness of the plot and I really wish it was longer. Nonetheless, this is good and it made it into my favourites.
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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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Earlier episodes 8.5/10, finale 0/10
The story had so much promise. Great cast, great chemistry, interesting plot points:1) Who is DoDoSolSolLaLaSol?
2) fated romance of Rara and Jun
3) growing friendships in Eunpo
4) relationship lines of the secondary couples
But then suddenly at episode 14, the writers decided that things were looking too prematurely good for the leads that they had to go through one of those stupid draggy kdrama tropes: a lead character gets an incurable disease and the characters don't communicate, a lead character suddenly gets into a car crash and loses their memory, an ex-girlfriend appears and makes the female lead jealous and the leads don't communicate... you know, ONE OF THOSE.
And the way the writers attempted to resolve this conflict was even worse. Details in episode 16, I've marked this review spoilerless so ask in the comments if you are really desperate.
Long story short, it was such a wasted potential because that big fate reveal was so touching and the main romance line was totally shippable
until the writers decided to just play with our feelings and execute the most unrealistic finale just so they could tell the audience they gave us a "happy end."
I'm screaming. I had so much hope for Lee Jae-wook's big first male lead role, and for the amazing cast of support characters like the doctor and Rara's landlady. Never watched Go Ara's works before but she played this clueless happy-go-lucky girl pretty well. And the mysteries surrounding the leads' past and the identity of the titular character were nicely done. But then... sigh.
Verdict? If you're okay with leaving things open-ended, watch until the airport scene in episode 15.
If you're the viewer that needs closure, forget this drama existed and watch something else (Search:WWW is an amazing rom com where Lee Jae-wook gets a hilarious and cute love line). Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol's Episode 16 will have you screaming in anger.
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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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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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Although this movie was done in flashback, it was easy to follow and did not leave me confused (like certain flashback movies). The story line was great albeit a little too simple, with its fair share of hilarious antics and sad moments that had me crying like a baby. Nevertheless, the story was more than well-supported by an amazing cast. Bo Young was fantastic as Suni. She acted really well and her crying scenes made me cry MORE than her!
The star of the show has got to be Joong Ki, definitely. As much as I love him, I have never really considered him as an amazing actor (because the roles he were given so far were not so challenging, i guess). But he proved his worth in this movie due to his versatility. And catch this - he has barely 5 lines in the entire movie! This goes to show how great of an actor he is, being able to carry a story along just through actions. Super impressed!
I love, love, love this movie and consider this to be the best work of both of them so far. Will rewatch it!
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This review may contain spoilers
Should you watch this drama?
This drama is not for everyone. It contains blood, gore, death, sex, and a psychotic survival game with the intention of psychologically traumatising every player and causing death. DO NOT WATCH THIS IF YOU CANNOT STOMACH ANY OF THAT.The initial plot had me hooked within the first episode. I didn't feel the need to skip any scenes and instead was so focused on what was going on in the world around the characters and whether or not they would survive. Arisu left me deeply impressed. Here you have a homebody gamer, who in the beginning did not seem like he would do anything that great with his life at that moment in time, to being thrown into an insane death trap of a world. He showcased his intelligence and his knack for surviving and proved why he is the main character, and why he needs to survive. I found myself rooting for him every step of the way.
Then you have Usagi, a mountain climber. A woman, who at first, gave off the vibe that she did not care for other players and instead valued her own survival. We only saw a glimpse of her, when she had her first game with Arisu, but a few episodes later, they become a duo. Her development with Arisu was impressive. She genuinely cared for him, and he genuinely cared for her. They both fought for survival together and mainly put each other first. This was only a glimpse at what type of character development is to come for the two of them and I am interested in seeing how their bond will grow and develop.
I have never actually read the manga before this so I had no idea of what I was getting into when I first started this drama, but I don't regret it one bit. The acting from everyone (the main and even the side characters) was superb. They all gave their A-game and did not disappoint me at all. They provided the right amount of anger, fear, fun, and psychotic traits through the way they spoke and behaved, and genuinely made the entire 'post-apocalyptic world' seem realistic to an extent. Another thing I would like to point out is that although the entire world of 'Alice in Borderland' is fiction, I can't help but notice some realistic characteristics from the scenarios of suspense, the fights of survival, the divisions amongst people, the fight for leadership and even the betrayals. Yes, there are many 'fictional' aspects of the entire plot, however, the psychological aspects of the game aren't completely fictional and it's honestly horrifying to think that there are people in the world, that are willing to make such games a reality. Thus, for me, it is interesting to see the blurring of lines between reality and fiction to create such an intense, yet interesting manga and drama.
The soundtrack of the drama, I never actually paid attention to the first time I watched it. I was so involved with what was going on in the drama, the music was always in the background. However, the second time I watched it, I noticed that the soundtrack perfectly fit the drama. Aside from like one scene in episode one and three, there wasn't really any feel-good 'instrumental' that lasted for more than two minutes, it was mostly suspenseful music, that was put there to invoke anxiety in the audience and to highlight suspense, fear, and survival in the accompanying scenes. The music didn't overpower or take away anything from the scene, instead, it perfectly blended in and slightly amplified the scenes.
Would I rewatch this again? Absolutely.
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This drama (as well as its source material) depicts a love story wrapped around a social critique of the often cruel role "beauty standards" play in women's daily life. Meeting those beauty standards has become a source of stress for women worldwide, but in South Korea --as this drama suggests-- not being part of the "ideal beauty" results in a harsher treatment from society. This drama also emphasizes that the expectation to look a certain way affect everyone in different ways -- with no one --regardless of whether they are considered naturally beautiful or not-- being spared.
In that respect, Mi-Rae (our female lead) isn't the shallow person the summary might imply. It takes just the first episode to understand how she became a victim of society's expectations. She didn't undergo surgery to become beautiful, she just wanted people to accept her as a "person," which is incredibly heartbreaking.
The issue that arises afterward, one which she hadn't anticipated, was that people would still judge, reject and critique her. And that's where the story takes off. We not only follow Mi Rae as she gains confidence, but also other interesting characters who'd been suffering because (or for) their looks.
It's worth noting, however, that the pacing of this show is slow compared to other rom-com dramas. I'd say it's a stretch to tag it with comedy, since the comedic moments, despite how successfully they are implemented, are few and far between. That's not to say the show is weighted down by an overload of melodrama, because it's not. Instead, this show can be described as a sliced of life focused on self-reflection which, if you're open to it, will get you emotionally invested in the characters. Be forewarned, many of the male characters in this show (and some of the female ones) will definitely rile you up on more than one occasion.
If I have one critique apart from the wardrobe, it would be the disbalance in the portrayal of the male characters. Except for a few gems, all the male characters were written like jerks and that can be off-putting. Some balanced between jerks and good guys could've helped the show feel less toxic.
MAIN CHARACTERS: Interesting & lovable
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Kang Mi Rae (female lead played by Im Soo Hyang): She's a character who's suffered all her childhood because her looks didn't meet her peer's standards. She grew up as an introvert, keeping away from people, looking at other people's lives from afar and wishing she was allowed to have fun. Her frustration drove her to seek solace under the knife and, though she now had an acceptable face in society's eyes, her insides were still bruised and broken. Mi Rae is a complex and balanced character. If push comes to shove she'll fight, but mostly she tries to fly under the radar. She's smart and almost a natural when it comes to creating perfumes, but she struggles with an inferiority complex and doesn't like standing in the limelight. Though the actress looks quite old for the role, it is worth noting that the character was conceived by the webtoon artist as having an "older girl" look, so it stays true to the original intent.
Do Kyung Suk (male lead played by Cha Eun Woo): He exists on the opposite side of the spectrum from Kang Mi Rae but also grows up feeling lonely. He's a handsome, smart, strong, kind and very straightforward guy whose isolation came as a result of presenting a front of "perfection" and "hating" anything to do with beauty (for reasons later explained). As a result, he's socially awkward, brutally honest and a harsh judge. Though, to his credit, he's a character whose pride doesn't get in the way of realizing when he's made a mistake and make amends. Though some viewers didn't like his acting, personally I found his stoic way of delivering lines grew on me more and more as the show progressed.
Yeon Woo Young (second male lead played by Kwank Dong Yeon): He's such a good character that he ends up giving Kyung Suk a run for his money. He's kind, honest, selfless and very mature. Though his character is a bit imbalanced (as in he has more strengths than flaws), he's still a lovable man who, despite his good points, doesn't come off as being "too perfect". He's a character who helps those around him without expecting anything in return, even when he's financially struggling. Overall, his charming personality earned him fans within and outside the show.
ANTAGONIST: Complex and pitiful
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Hyeon Soo Ah (second female lead played by Jo Woo Ri): She's someone stuck between Mi Rae and Kyung Suk in the spectrum of society's judgment. Though she's considered a natural beauty, she's not a stranger to suffering. Her struggles come from forcing herself to live in service of what other people expect of her. She's a character who's not only dishonest with other people, but with herself as well. Though she earned quite a bit of hate, I personally found her character very pitiful. The drama ended up brushing over her backstory, so if you're curious you can always check out the webtoon to get a better understanding of her motivations.
PORTRAYAL OF ROMANCE: Slow paced, healthy & nurturing
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I mentioned before that the show is slow-paced and this is true for the romance as well. However, that pacing allows the progression of classmates to friends to lovers to feel very natural and endearing. There's a lot of cute scenes between the leads without making it cheesy, which is a plus for me.
Some highlights of the romance:
-Their relationship is always healthy.
-Both characters are new at romance, so they take their time to find their ground and, though they stumble, they do it together.
-Both learn from each other, creating a very balanced relationship.
-They learn to communicate what they want and need so the other person can understand, making their relationship not only refreshingly endearing but also nurturing.
OVERALL: Highly Recommended (and the webtoon as well)
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This is an interesting slice of life that follows a group of characters trying to find their place in the world and build the courage to live by their standards, rather than society's judgment. Though it's slow-paced, the plot is interesting and the mood is often lightened up by warm moments of affection between the leads, their families and their friends.
Keep in mind, I saw this as it was coming out. So binge watching it might give you a different experience because the plot moves slowly and the acting can sometimes come off looking/sounding very wooden. However, this is doubtlessly a memorable show that'll give you food for thought.
If you're able and willing, I'd also encourage you to read the webtoon. There's a lot of insight to be gained that will help you get a better viewing experience. There are scenes, especially at the beginning of the drama, that'll make more sense if you know the context the webtoon provides.
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This film is one of 2013’s most critically acclaimed films domestically and that doesn’t surprise me a bit. You see, The Attorney is based on the real-life story of the ex-president Roh Moo Hyun’s early years, when he used to be an attorney and human rights activist. It also takes a controversial case from 1981 as its main focus. This film is neither a legal thriller nor a courtroom drama. It doesn’t focus on a desperate attorney trying to win a case or someone trying to prove his innocence; it’s more like a serious depiction of the social and political status in South Korea back in the days. Something low-keyed but contains greater value.
The emotions and reactions throughout the film were quite penetrating. You’ve got to give director Yang Woo Seok credit for what he did with the storytelling, he didn’t only direct this film but he also wrote it himself creating a respectable piece. He didn’t use anything that’s high-profiled because basic elements and some emotions-play were more than enough to deliver great developments and captivating events.
Without doubt, no one can deny Song Kang Ho’s astonishing acting skills, he’s able to grab any character and make you feel it throughout. It was impressive how he delivered Song’s character, every emotion and every facial expression were too involving. It’s not for naught that Kang Ho ahjussi is one of the fewest critically acclaimed actors in and outside South Korea. The rest of the cast delivered so well, the director knew how to pick his actors because a little exaggerated acting would’ve blown everything into thin air but gladly, none of that happened here.
Considering the fact that this film was set in the late 70’s and the beginning of the 80’s, the cinematography felt fitting but not more than the music, it had an important part to make you connect to the characters and events.
Watch this if:
-You like films that are based on true-life events and characters.
-You like to watch an interesting film about politics in South Korea 30 years ago.
-You like Song Kang Ho; this is one of his better performances.
Do not watch if:
-You’re not into romance-free films with somewhat slow development.
-You’re looking for something light or thriller-like.
The Attorney is an interesting film that concentrates on political and social issues in South Korea back in the 80’s. It’s absolutely a success for the newbie director Yang Woo Seok and a wonderful introduction to follow his work in the future.
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In the current jdrama and overall Asian media landscape, LGBTQ+ themes aren't the best represented. There are a lot of stories created to cater to fanservice rather than representation, and it's usual to find series and audiences that can't separate the two.
This series is incredibly well crafted, which is not only a credit to the manga that originated it but to the overall adaptation and the great performances by the cast, especially the leads. Each episode is centered on a specific meal (they even tell you how to cook it!), a meal cooked and prepared at home, which connects to the intimacy and the complexity of this couple, two men in their 40s who deal with their daily lives and their very different ways to handle their identities in their respective environments.
Shiro is a lawyer, he is reticent to coming out at work or to not be hetero-passing enough in public, at the start of the series. He is out to his parents, but doesn't speak too openly about things and overall seems a bit unsure still on how to present himself. Shiro could very well be the prototype of "unwilling" you find in BL dramas, in those in which consent is never clear and someone always has to say "no" to no avail. But he is not. Shiro is certain on his feelings and his relationship, but he needs to learn how to reconcile the different parts of his life in order to feel more sure with letting others know. He cherishes his relationship and is actually the one who marks most of the pace, there is nothing in him that isn't consensual, and conversation is a big part of the drama that lets him grow as a lead.
Kenji is a stylist, he isn't embarrassed to be flamboyant and open about his identity and his relationship. He could very well be the prototype of "flamboyant" and "feminine" in dramas, but he is not. He establishes in various instances the misconceptions of gay relationships, the difference between drag and homosexuality, the elements in presentation and gender dynamics. He is very taken by Shiro and isn't afraid to show affection, but he is also filled with self doubt and needs to learn how to communicate them better throughout the series, and how to reconcile his past with his present self.
The series is filled with moments throughout the life of these two, their encounters with other characters that will widen the lens, and you can see a lot of layers of the prejudice and complications of acceptance in Japanese society and the way in which they, and other couples, deal with those. It's a series that isn't devoid of its tear-inducing moments but it's not intending to be sad, dramatic or tragic, it's a happy story, and the leads aren't used for any sort of gratuitious emotional torture.
The food is not only great, and boy do I love dramas with a focus on food, it's also increadibly heart-warming and cozy and it provides a sense of the emotion and feeling you'll see on the episode and complements the story really well. And, meanwhile, you learn how to cook it.
I also immensely appreciate the fact that the couple is over 40, it really serves to discuss things that dramas centered on relationships almost never focus on. I feel that every time a drama focuses on a couple, it's going to be all about confusion and misunderstandings until a grand over-the-top ending. This one, though, is relatable in its simplicity and emotional depth, not only for those in relationships, but also those who are not but are still figuring out ways into adulthood in a couple of generations where the landscape of expectations and reality have changed so much. It isn't just about life in a relationship or life as an LGBTQ+ person, it's also about adult life in a very fast changing social landscape.
Overall, this was a perfect blend of a drama to me, the cast made it a great watch as well (one character has an actor change mid-way because the original had medical issues, but they pulled through really well regardless), and it's definetly great as one of those dramas you can come home to and relax watching, while also having a story that is compelling and emotional at times. I don't even hesitate giving it a 10/10, something I rearely ever do, but this one did it for me.
I can only hope there is a second season or something else from it at some point.
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The first episode had some potential to keep me going. Weird and unusual moments, embarrassing moments, romantic moments, depressing moments, the story kept going on and on and every situation is so exciting to watch. As it progressed, it became more hilarious, more exciting on romance, and more tense (in some parts). You will jump and scream from romantic excitement because of the couples AHHH! I got to admit that in the last 2-3 episodes, just a pinch of scenarios didn't really rouse me but most parts did really made me laugh and excited. This is perfect for most of you (depends on your taste) especially for me since I get stressed most of the time, this is my stress reliever and you can't just watch this in the middle of the night because you might wake your whole family from laughing too hard (LOL!). Definitely a great light drama and it deserves more recognition indeed.
The cast did an amazing job as always. But the STAR of this drama is SOL! YES! GIVE HER AN AWARD! I got to admit Jun Ki's character was annoying to me during the start of the drama but as it progressed, his character became likable to me and I feel thankful for that. Other than that, the lead and supporting actors/actresses did a superb job on their acting. The chemistry of the couples is also amazing! And I love the bromance too. <3
I would REWATCH this in times of depression, anxiety and stress! The OST is amazing and I can't stop listening to it.
This is one of the dramas where you will feel like you are forgetting everything that surrounds you when you're watching this. For those who haven't watch this, PLEASE! WATCH THIS. THIS IS REALLY GOOD!
(SEASON 2 PLEASE!) T-T
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This review may contain spoilers
This is a LONG review. I know there are currently two other e-sports dramas airing but I ended up picking this one and loved it. Initially I was also watching Go Go Squid but ultimately dropped that one because I was hoping to see the female lead there pursue her own career. That’s another story for another time.
So, GGS didn't speak to me in that aspect but Qiu Ying (played by Wang Zixuan) in Gank Your Heart did. She isn’t into gaming at first but ultimately finds her calling as a commentator for e-sports. It’s motivating to see her start from being a newbie in the e-sports world to someone who advances to the final championships as one of the main hosts. She is a hard worker, fiercely independent, and knows how to strategically move herself up the ladder in the gaming world without pulling any dirty tricks. She makes no excuses and can be a doormat at certain times, but she isn’t afraid to step up to challenges and obstacles. She can be very loyal to people she loves. On the flip side, I wish she was a more aggressive and confident in herself because she runs away (literally and figuratively) at the first chance she gets when it comes to romance. The male lead chases, of course, but our girl eventually learns to step up to the plate too.
When we meet the male lead Ji Xiangkong (played by Wang Yibo), he is already somewhat of a successful pro player. His reputation slowly tarnishes as he is accused by beating up an opponent, switches teams (not by his own doing), gets entangled in a love triangle with Qiu Ying and his ex-girlfriend Miya, and is accused of divulging game plans prior to a tournament. He goes through multiple challenges but never forgets where he came from and his aspirations. While he’s a top player, he isn’t arrogant and is considered a loyal friend. He’s the type to put friends first so we see him make sacrifices throughout the series. He sounds like the perfect male lead, and sometimes I think he is, until we get to see him handling his relationships with Qiu Ying and Miya (played by Hanna). He’s obviously in love with the former but before he gets the chance to tell her, he refers to her as his girlfriend in front of Miya who still has strong and lingering feelings for him. Of course that doesn’t sit well with our girl Qiu Ying. Here’s where I give her all the credit because she flat out says she doesn’t want to be involved in whatever is between them. So yes, he may be a very good strategist when it comes to gaming but not so great in the romance department.
But what I like about this couple is that they grow together but also separately in their careers. They make a pact to reach the top of the (gaming) world together and they fulfill that.
As for the supporting characters, I will say that they were memorable in their own ways and never once did I felt like I had to skip their parts. Even all the "villains" are worth watching to see what other schemes they have up their sleeves. Each of them has their own purpose and they help shape the main characters’ personal growth and development so that’s why I enjoy them. I also don’t think anyone is actually a true villain here because most of them are jealous of the "winners". In a way, I find it to be realistic because we all have choices to make when we come across people we see as threats. We either choose to let our jealousy take over or we humbly learn from others to better ourselves. I think this drama does a good job in showing both ends of the spectrum.
Now, if you ask me who my favorite supporting character is, I’d probably say Pei Xi (played by Jerry Yan Yuhao) n a heartbeat. In any other drama, his character would have been the second male lead who’s romantically in love with our female lead. In this series though, he’s actually the male lead’s number one fanboy (the other would be Ding Guansen’s Lin Yixuan who is clearly the comic relief character here) and is willing to pretend to be Qiu Ying’s boyfriend so that JXK could focus on gaming instead of getting targeted online for his love triangle mess. PX is perceived as arrogant when he first appears, but the more we see him, the more we realize he’s just saying “senpai look at me” to JXK in a quite endearing way. JXK’s sharp words and rejection is really what PX needs in order to grow up and learn to be a team player. And I have to say, I’m honestly glad they didn’t give him a romance story. He is just way too focused on gaming.
I don’t know if they accurately portrayed the e-sports world since I’m not someone who plays games. There were some criticism from actual gamers, but the counterargument is that it’s an enjoyable and motivational series that might lead some general audience members to develop an interest in the industry. Personally, the gaming scenes really got me fired up. They are intense and actually made me grip the edge of my seat at some points.
Acting-wise, let’s just say that I have little to no expectations when I’m watching a cast of new faces. I initially started this for Wang Yibo (The Untamed makes me do things I normally wouldn’t lol) but was really drawn into the story by the rest of the cast. I can’t say they’re award-worthy performances but they didn’t hurt to watch. The acting is natural and the cast delivered the right amount of emotions expected of their characters and circumstances.
Will I watch this again? I most likely will because I really do like the main couple and the last 7-8 episodes of gaming were really enjoyable.
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This review may contain spoilers
I started watching this drama knowing that it will be a sad one. However, I never thought I'd fall in love with all the characters. This drama made me think and feel emotions that are not part of the drama. It made me pause and look back on my own life. Am I happy? Did I ever make anyone around me happy? If I die will people I consider family and friends act like how Yuri's family and friends did? It made me value more the meaning of life. Thus, I believe, this drama exceeded what it was suppose to do which is to share a story. Through every episodes of the drama, it tried to impart with us a lesson we can take in life.
I'm happy that the writer did not choose to give us an ending which is absurd. It stayed true to its title. I know somewhere along the way, we somehow wished that Yuri will stay and live but we started this drama knowing that she will die again eventually, heck, the title of drama gave it away. It literally is "Hi, Bye Mama!"
This is me being greedy but I wished they had a longer epilogue for everyone. I would've loved to see how Yuri's family is coping with losing her again and of course her best friend Go Hyun Jung.
PS: I was really hoping that Lee Si Woo's character (Jang Pil-Seung ) would've gotten more screen time. But will just wish to see him more in his next project.
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