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Surprisingly good and cute! worth a try!!
The ML improved SO FREAKING MUCH since PYHOMS. His visuals, acting, chemistry with the FL has improved A LOT so give it a try, you won't regret. I fell in love with the entire cast. The story progresses really well and I'm glad I didn't skip this. I didn't fast forward any scenes but instead I rewatched (which I almost never do). the story doens't get draggy or boring anywhere.The FL isn't the typical damsel in distress but quite a strong one for a big change from her previous works. The leads have a sizzling chemistry and not to mention the second leads too! They have an interesting story. The actors portray their roles perfectly. I don't know how I'll be able to move on from this! Their smiles are so damn freaking contagious OML I can't stop smiling. The second couple have a really good story pace and not simply rushed just because they had to be together for the sake of being together. I wish they had an entire drama for themselves!
In short, you'll get hooked up when you smell the chemistry between all the actors and not to mention the kisses :,-) honestly this drama set the bar high for cutesy rom-coms xo.
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Establishing love is like the likelihood of a series satisfying the whole community. Impossible.
The first episode gives the wrong impression and doesn´t represent the quality of the entire show. It put a lot of people off and I understand that too, as that's where the production/plot was implemented most problematically in terms of keeping viewers' attention and where the beautiful aesthetic of the series hasn't yet shown its true colours, portraying the summerly love of three young couples, as various as the LGBTQI+ community themselves.Viewer description is advised if you are sensitive to gray area issues. One of the couples is critically disputed. But these differences of opinion are nothing new for us either, so from that point of view, just give it a try.
PRODUCTION
Positive:
First, the editing is done mostly very precisely and nicely, carrying some vibes of western youth series productions. The warm colours of the summer are the basic aesthetic that sets the series. They consist of a lot of yellow and orange tones which generate a smooth transition. Everything looks pleasingly fresh and warm, and the upbeat music accentuates the summer vibes. As a viewer, you yourself start to feel very alive and can easily understand the atmosphere of the series. The warm, lively mood is only broken by the cool nights and the inner conflicts of the characters.
Negative:
There was just this scene skipping issue from episode 8 to 9, which resulted in a few more mistakes concerning Torn.
Unsteady pacing and the viewer's confusion about the time spans (mostly in episode 9)
PLOT
It's about the life of Sport Science students facing their true feelings. Friends who have known each other since childhood, the pair seems rather one-sided and the pair that, according to other viewers, should never blossom.
The inner conflicts are overall nothing too overdramatic. However, the approach to reality and the taste of uncertainty runs through the whole story. While love is fresh and vibrant, it brings challenges that the aforementioned controversial couple, in particular, struggles to cope with. Vee and Dome. There is no right answer to love, but there is a lot of criticism.
Nevertheless, the series has a good arc of suspense and the main characters themselves are well presented in their own diverse complexity. I would have just hoped that Tupfah and Torn had more tension in their relationship, feel like they were lacking a bit of chemistry.
ACTORS
All actors had a solid performance, and I really adored the unique harmony of the two pairings.
I had a few little issues with Tae and Suar´s acting, but it could result in the two characters Tupfah and Torn being very calm and shy. However, the fact that it was Porsche´s first role (Vee) and that Kris – who btw turned 18 in February 2022 - is also a new actor, amazed me. He's talented and you could relate and sympathize with his role, which by the way wasn't an easy task. Visually I thought all the pairings were well casted...
OVERALL
Well-made show with satisfying shots, solid acting and overall breathtaking editing. The latter could have been better because the entire series had such a beautiful aesthetic, but skipping an important part of the plot is dragging down some points.
Good story about Sport Science students getting a taste of love and attraction. Relatively realistic. Personally, I would have aired it in early summer to undermine the warm summer vibes. Nonetheless. A show I would recommend to anyone, no matter their taste in LGBTQ+ films/series.
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This review may contain spoilers
“Like the hawk that soars freely, you reject the shackles."
Hei Fengxi and Bai Fengxi are a fated pair. To the world, they're known as the Hei-Bai Fengxi duo, "Hei" and "Bai" as in black and white. They're each other's greatest rivals, companions and partners in crime but also inseparable like light and shadow. It's hard to describe their relationship with just a few simple words."As beautiful as she is lethal." Bai Fengxi is a smart and brave yet carefree heroine who stands in the face of justice. She's a cute glutton when there's good food and a headstrong, cheeky opponent when there's a good fight. Secretly, she's also Princess Feng Xiyun of Qing who's renowned for her intelligence and eloquence.
Hei Fengxi is the embodiment of grace and elegance that's known as a diplomatic and just hero. But underneath that façade, he's extremely cunning and ambitious, just like the endearing nickname "Black Foxy" Bai Fengxi has given him. Like her, he also has a double identity as the Second Prince Feng Lanxi of Yong. From a young age, he was forced to fake illness and learn the ruthlessness of court politics on the path to becoming the royal heir. Hei Fengxi is tough and merciless towards his opponents but incredibly soft-hearted when it comes to his own people, especially Bai Fengxi.
I'm truly in love with the duality of both leads. They're adventurous and playful in the martial arts world, but very dedicated to their royal duties in bringing peace and prosperity to their citizens. There's an unwavering trust and teamwork between Hei and Bai Fengxi that makes them a force to be reckoned with. What's more impressive is that they're both on equal footing where no one side is weaker than the other in talents, martial arts or status. While political schemes and wuxia values do play a major role in the plot, there's a more evident focus on romance.
The chemistry between Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi is so sweet and overwhelming. Admittedly, I didn't know how this couple would pane out in a historical drama but this is way better than any of my wildest dreams. They just click so well together. I can see that both have matured a lot in their acting. Yang Yang has become more experienced with subtle expressions from his role in You Are My Glory, as well as with action scenes from Glory of Special Forces. His background as a contemporary dancer also greatly contributes to the poised and refined portrayal of Hei Fengxi. On the other hand, Zhao Lusi plays the dashing and charismatic Bai Fengxi very well. She's truly badass on so many levels. It's like she has combined the female power from both of her roles in The Romance of Tiger & Rose and The Long Ballad together. Despite the age gap in real life, this pair looks great together on-screen. Though off-screen they're so childish and competitive with each other, it's no wonder Yang Yang said they have the same mental age as a 5-year-old.
This drama also has a very vibrant side cast. Xuan Lu as Feng Qiwu is such a girl crush and I love it when she teams up with Bai Fengxi, total femme fatale style. It's nice to see Wei Wuxian's martial sister kicking up a storm and fighting like a general. The kid playing Han Pu is such a sweetheart. He's a smart little cookie that knows how to bring the vibes. Feng Chang, played by Zhang Tian Yang, is a great older brother. He's protective of Hei Fengxi and really cares for him. Zhang Feng Yi pulls a very convincing act as the sly and cynical King of Yong (Hei Fengxi's father). It's heartbreaking to see Hei Fengxi suffer at his father's callousness.
We can't not talk about the excellent production from the director of none other than Love and Redemption, Ancient Love Poetry and Under the Power. The costumes are absolutely gorgeous and really highlight the duality of the leads. Those high pony tails and headpieces are just chef kiss. The scenery, action scenes and CGI are seamless. I love how Hei Fengxi uses the fan and Bai Fengxi uses her silk ribbon, it's such an effortlessly cool way to fight. Plus, those flying sequences are so satisfying to watch. While the last few episodes do feel a bit rushed, the overall plot remains fairly coherent and easy to follow. As prementioned, it's not supposed to be full-on political, like for say Nirvana in Fire, but emphasises more on the journey of Hei and Bai Fengxi as they traverse the world and discover what is truly the most important in life. Admittedly, there've been a few controversies and problems with the production crew towards the later part of filming, but this drama has turned out to be a fine one so all credits to the cast and staffs.
The OSTs are very complementary as well. Unparalleled (无双) by Liu Yuning is so empowering and intense. Except it's a bit strange to hear from Zhao Lusi's lover in The Long Ballad, if you get what I mean. My favourite got to be Breath of Wind (风息) by Tiger Hu and Ye Xuan Qing as it's very fitting for the Hei-Bai Fengxi couple. A Dream Come True (一梦浮生) by Silence Wang is like a sweet love confession. While Like A Dream (如梦) by Sunny is like a bashful reply to that confession. Lastly, Orphan (孤注) by Tan Wei Wei is the emotional song that hits you least expect it.
*If you're confused about the politics and would like some clarifications, CloudA has put together a fantastic background summary in the Discussion forum below.
FAVOURITE QUOTES:
“If I die, no one will know your [Hei Fengxi's] true face. Life will be boring.” Bai Fengxi
“I can hide anything from the world. Yet, I can’t hide anything from you [Bai Fengxi].” Hei Fengxi
“They always say to love until the ocean and earth run dry. We both know that these are just false promises. To me, I only want to hold your [Bai Fengxi's] hand until the end of life.” Hei Fengxi
“I met you [Bai Fengxi] when I just started in the martial arts world. And thanks to you, I saw the kindness of the world. And thanks to your company, I know what true feelings mean. It’s all thanks to you that I gave the world another chance.” Hei Fengxi
“They said sometimes you had to lose one thing in order to gain another. But some things are too painful to be let go. I can’t let go of her [Bai Fengxi] no matter how hard I try… I can let go of all my mortal desire except for this one. I can discard three thousand strands of woes but let me keep this one strand… Let it bind me for the rest of my life.” Hei Fengxi
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The drama is definitely an eye opener. There are a lot of shocking moments in this drama where you go my dear god would people actually do that! They're appalling but it really gives you perspective on how seriously politics was taken back then. Also it gives great insight into the slave class and how they were treated in Korea. The drama does a great job of bringing light to that. On top of that the writers did an excellent job of weaving in romance where possible among the tragedies and mysteries of the palace.
Han Hyo Joo does an excellent job of portraying the righteous, just and beautiful Dong Yi who captures many a man's heart while she's on the quest for justice. Ji Jin Hee IS EXCELLENT. I don't know how else to say it. I'm actually a Bae Soo Bin fan so for Ji Jin Hee to steal the light from him in the drama was a pretty big deal for me. He's an excellent king! Very unlike the other kings I've seen in dramas who are portrayed very seriously and he makes it very easy to like him as a leader. Lee So Yeon is a scary woman...honestly her eyes scare me, she truly is the perfect choice for the seductress Lady Jang. Bae Soo Bin is sweet but not quite the main focus so I'll refrain from commenting on how awesome he looks with a beard.
The music behind the scenes is great and it suits the drama perfectly. Sometimes there's some pieces that when you know they come up something bad is going to happen and so I just started hating those ones but thats the only negative thing I can really say about that. Jang Nara is a great song.
And over all! It is honestly one of the best dramas I've ever seen.
Yes you should see it. Absolutely. You'd be a fool not to :) Even with it's 60 hour length!
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I haven’t seen this much heart in a drama before. It’s beautiful and melancholic. Serene and hopeful. And ultimately: very important.
The drama has a reputation for being an easy, fluffy, heartwarming watch however that’s just one element of it. Prison playbook, in its core is a show about a couple of men in a bad place, who’ve done bad things but have good hearts. It’s about finding purity in the most unfortunate circumstances and seeking warmth in a cold, hopeless time.
There are some hauntingly dark and jarring moments but the beauty of the show is such that it overcomes its darkness with a good dose of laughter and love. There will be times when you have to pause the screen to let out a jolly good cackle and times when you can’t stop the tears because you’re so overcome by feeling.
All the characters are fully baked and beautifully developed, so much so, that you’ll find yourself forming a personal connection with each and every one of them. The story flows smoothly with "almost" no plot-holes and the writing is exceptional, giving attention to detail and a tight plot. Each episode plays with a range of emotions with never a boring moment. It’s far from a tension drama and develops very slowly, yet it managed to hook me in a way that I binged it as fast as I would do any crime-thriller.
The OST is perfect. The screenplay is immaculate. The acting is top-notch. Kim Hae Soo plays one of the best male leads in a drama in a way so natural and effortless that you can’t help but adore him.
The drama gives birth to one of the most iconic bromances in K-Drama history. There’s real brotherhood and friendship here. The relationships between characters are incredibly fleshed out and the side of romance is also well-done.
So over-all, Prison Playbook is an excellent show. The only reason I didn’t give it a perfect score was because I had mixed feelings about the last couple of episodes. The fact that some of the characters that I had grown very attached to were given a somewhat realistic but quite unsatisfactory and abrupt open end, while other characters were given an almost ideal personality change and happy ending made me raise eyebrows. This contradiction made me wish that there was an additional episode that gave much needed closure to some aspects of the show and closed the story cleanly. However, in the grand scheme of things this could easily be overlooked.
Filled with sugar, spice and life- Prison Playbook is definitely one of the best dramas out there.
Enjoy!
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1) The first couple was cute but I found them a bit boring and the masturbation addiction really threw me off, as I didn’t expect it to center the first 2 episodes. I liked that they openly mentioned how sex/masturbation compared to some dramas where they hide away from it especially highschool ones.
I kept watching as I didn’t know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised with the second couple.
2) This couple need to have their own drama, the actors chemistry and looks really kept me hook on their episodes. Their plot is good, the fake dating trope was really well done and their end of story really wrapped up well. Their kissing was so much better than some other couples in dramaland, it wasn’t cringy or awkward as you would expect from highschool dramas. Like I already said if you don’t want to watch the full drama episode 3-5 are the much watch and you will not regret it. If I ever rewatch the drama I would be likely to just go back to this couple as I already done twice already.
3) I was slightly disappointed with the 3rd couple, I really didn’t like how the plot surrounded the girl’s weight, (especially the fact that in my opinion she ain’t fat but more towards healthy). Additionally I couldn’t enjoy the 3rd couple to the fullest as the second couple really put the bar high and therefore it was hard for them to keep me as hooked. The ending also left me slightly dissatisfied, but overall this drama is a good watch.
The music didn’t stick out to me so I won’t talk about it as I got nothing to say.
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This review may contain spoilers
Rookie Historian really has it all: gorgeous costumes, sweeping romance, laugh-out-loud moments as well as cry-your-eyes-out ones, and - most importantly to me - complex female characters who actively engage with the plot and confront social issues that are just as relevant today as they were in the Late Joseon Era.You may have your issues with Shin Sekyung, or you may have heard Cha Eunwoo is a bad actor, but neither of those things matter here. The former crafts the best performance of her career with a career so vibrant that it seems to have been designed for her, and the latter rises to the occasion and improves HIS craft as the story delves deeper into his character and explores his personal growth. I personally loved their chemistry and the pacing of their romance, and I find their resolution to be entirely fitting.
As for the rest of the cast? Top-notch acting and well-fleshed out characters all around. There are various arcs, both on the political and personal front, which bring a great deal of satisfaction without resorting to a bunch of extra beta ships that go nowhere. Park Kiwoong as the Crown Prince, Lee Jihoon as Officer Min, and the three other female historians played by Park Jihyun, Lee Yerim, and Jang Yubin are all noteworthy. The last group are especially great because we get to see a strong female friendship play out throughout the show, but Rim (Eunwoo) also gets his own set of friends who are equally adorable to watch.
There are times when the introduction of Catholicism can seem a bit heavy-handed, but overall the theme of a changing world and the impact of globalization is really well-executed and very unique compared to any saeguk (or even modern drama) I've seen. It's obvious the writer and her team did their research, and the story is engaging even if there are one or two over-indulgent episodes.
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The Legend of the Blue Sea
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2This review may contain spoilers
Fun. Touching. Plus light-heartedly questioning the matter of course of human interaction
"The Legend of the Blue Sea" refers to a very old Korean legend that originally tells the lovestory between a mermaid and a fisherman. However, the KDrama is just loosely based on this fairy tale.In the rich Korean folklore of "Imuldam" (mostly oral shamanic songs, myths, fairy tales and folk tales) which is still very much alive today, there are frequently supernatural beings that move around in the earthly dimension - whether mermaids, a nine-tailed fox, a Goblin, or other spirits. These "Imuldam" are particularly inspired by shamanism and Buddhism. KDramas repeatedly pick up motifs from this tradition and find contemporary ways to keep them alive and reinterpret them. The special attraction arises from the fact that our human world receives a different value, appreciation and perspective through the eyes of those non-human creatures less influenced by time and space.
"The Legend of the Blue Sea" is based on a mermaid caught in a net by a fisherman in the early Joseon era. Then he fell in love with her. However, mermaids rarely feature in Korean folklore otherwise. The topic makes a nice link to western tradition and that's probably how it was intended. Also, parts of the KDrama play outside of South Korea - in Spain.
At the same time, the story takes up another, widespread and popular motif in KDrama orbit: reincarnation. Most of the time it is about souls that were not able to complete certain experiences in the past and are confronted with these or similar situations again in their present incarnation - in order to do things better or differently. In "The Legend of the Blue Sea", the historical fairy tale from back then and its version, transposed into the present day, are developed in parallel in two narrative threads. Just as the protagonist (and also another character) slowly (again) remember their past life, we, too, experience what really happened back then. Eventually the question arises whether life must necessarily repeat itself or else other decisions could be made.
Actress Jun Ji-hyun obviously enjoys her character as a humorous, mischievous mermaid, innocently and ignorantly experiencing the modern human world. With her performance she definitely jazzes the story up. Her sometimes almost naive trust, which is a bit reminiscent of a puppy in places, stands in warming contrast to the distanced, calculating coolness of her Jack of Hearts in 2017. The picture is completed by - here and there - being able to look back into their Joseon past, where he rather personifies an amorous, honorable nobleman.
Ultimately, this KDrama offers a well-designed dramaturgical variety of telling an enchanting love story in two different ways - and at the same time (with a twinkle of an eye) questioning the matter of course of human habits and interaction.
It´s fun and touching.
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1This review may contain spoilers
‘Match Point’ Became My Sunday Obsession, Story Keeps Getting Better. Just give it a go.
To be completely honest, I didn't plan on watching this series at all in the beginning. When I first saw the trailer, I thought it looked decent and pretty watchable, but it definitely wasn't on my main priority list. Then, on a total whim one day, I found myself with absolutely nothing to watch.Out of pure curiosity, I was browsing around and suddenly realized that the very first episode was already out.I decided to just give it a shot, and wow, I am so glad I did! Believe me, that first episode alone was more than enough to completely captivate me and hook me right in. I fell so hard for this show that I found myself counting down the days, totally down bad while waiting for the next episode to drop.
The production quality over at GMMTV is upgrading tremendously day by day. I am genuinely blown away by how fantastic their work is becoming.
Before this, I used to actively avoid youthful, slow-burn dramas because I always thought they would be super boring and slow. But then a series called When Oranges Fall came along, and I ended up loving it so much. Now, Match Point has completely shattered my expectations all over again and easily passed my personal standards.
I really didn't expect Ping Krittanun Aunchananun to do this amazingly well in a brand-new environment with a totally new acting partner. His acting has improved by leaps and bounds. In his past work, it sometimes felt like he overdid his expressions just a little bit. But here? He is doing an absolutely incredible job! He adapted to this new stage of his career much faster than anyone could have guessed.
On top of that, the storyline itself is so refreshing, creative, and completely logical.A huge round of applause goes to his partner, Teshow Promsakha Na Sakolnakorn, as well!
He only joined the network recently and hasn't been acting here for a very long time. Even so, both of them did a truly phenomenal job. They act so naturally, and their synchronization on screen together is just perfect. They genuinely deserve so much more attention, love, and engagement from the fans.
I’ll be honest—I wasn’t planning to write a review for this show at first. I was really hesitant because someone recently criticized the way I write my reviews. That negative feedback made me try my absolute best to hold back and avoid writing anything this time.
But I just couldn't help myself anymore! I have loved every single episode from the very beginning.
Every single Sunday has become a day of pure excitement for me because of this drama, and I am going to keep happily waiting for it. After watching this latest episode, I loved it so much that I just had to express my feelings. I tried to force myself to stay quiet, but the show is simply too good to ignore.
To be honest, it gives off Bad Buddy vibes, but it's honestly so much better. It's incredibly cute, engaging, and the production quality and storyline are next level. I love that the characters didn't take ages to realize their feelings! I can’t believe it’s already halfway through—only 5 episodes left and I'm not ready for it to end.
This show is much better than Head2Head because it gives me a very special feeling.
I love the "enemies-to-lovers" theme from the very beginning, I thought it would be similar so I kind of skipped but thank god I didn't...
The funny fights between the two fathers are hilarious.
I cannot wait to see how shocked the parents will be when they find out their rival sons are actually dating.
The main characters already understand their feelings and will probably get together after next episode.
Sing Harit Cheewagaroon and Chimon Wachirawit Ruangwiwat look amazing together and have great on screen chemistry. Even a simple hand grab makes them blush like tomatoes, which is incredibly cute...
It is so endearing how obvious Bay's feelings for Sun actually are. He constantly claims to hate Sun, yet he absolutely collapses at the thought of being apart from him. Even though he tries his best to mask his affection, his nervous reactions give him away every single time. His supposed hatred is just a protective shield for how deeply he truly cares. How sweet.
They are getting more adorable with every single episode! Bay finally confessed his feelings—it was so obvious he wasn’t the only one crushing, he just realized it a bit late. I’m incredibly happy for them! Sun was blushing bright red, and you could tell that hearing the confession meant the world to him. I love how caring Bay is, especially bringing Sun breakfast every single day. Honestly, this feels so much better and different than Bad Buddy!
I'm loving ittt. This series had me kicking my feet and screaming. I have to pause it every five minutes just to recover, they get flirty, I get to red everytime..
Episode 5 as well as episode 6 were both the best ones..
From the beach trip, to their beautiful development relationship I love it all.
Bayy kissed Sun and I liked the way Sun didn't push him.
They're are going through they puppy love phrase, from bringing breakfast till secret staring are all extremely adorable.
I love the time they spend blushing and thinking about each other. Secretly getting into Sun's room, damn that's crazy. When will he go to Sun's room safely for ones.
I like the down bad Bay more than anything.. His adorable efforts I really appreciate them all. Those eyes, the he fell harder when he realised his feelings.
The way he calls Sun "My Tofu" Shiaaa I screamed fr. Since when did he became that much cute, it's true that love is crazy..
They really kiss so beautiful ohh godd, they looked so professional..
I love all those warm hugs, pretty kisses, red cheeks and cheesy wordss, I can skip everything but not thiss, I get ready to watch itt, and sometimes it feels like it's ending to fastt.
It's not just himm trying, Sun reflects that like it all too, Sun trys too, not like just some shyy bottom.
He blushes so hard everytime that I could see it from Mars. They like eachother so much that they're willing to fight for itt.
This isn't hard to say that the dad's have bickering relationship butt still cute.
How can I not call this adorable. They way they blushed at eachother everytime.
Thatt muahhh sounded so good, not only Bay is down bad, add me too I'm so obsessed with Match Point.
Ever since the first episode, I’ve been totally hooked. I spend the entire time blushing, smiling, and loudly reacting to everything that happens.
People around me think I’m acting weird, and my mom keeps questioning why I’m grinning so much, but I honestly just love this show too much to hide it.
This is so perfect for real, idk why many people aren't liking itt.
I can say it's so much better than Bad Buddy, and I'm sure about it noww.
They're just so adorable, people who skipped this series, are really missing a gem.
They are handling the rivalry aspect so much better than Bad Buddy did. For me, Bad Buddy started losing it's momentum around episode 6 or 7 , but Match Point just keeps getting better with every episode. They are truly mastering the enemies-to-lovers trope, and I'm obsessed with how well it's being executed.
They slowly got to know more about eachother, and finally realising all those feelings they decided to date. The most beautiful thing is that they were willing to fight to save their love, despite knowing their fathers relationship wasn't good.
Even the second couple is so adorable, having secret crush on each other for such a long time is so beautiful. Sing and Chimon did a good job for sure, they didn't do a kiss scene, still their screen presence was so sweet and engaging, their relationship kept growing closer.. They way they accompanied each other in every way, this drama is such a green flag one, literally every character is such a green flag.
At first I thought Bay's dad was the one who is supportive but then I realised it was Sun's dad, he did such a good job, at the end, he accepted Bay being with Sun, it felt so good. The role of dad he played really well with understanding his son's feelings.
I hate the fact that it's ending..
The ending actually affected me a lot, my Sundays are going to feel totally empty, I never felt like it was boring even a bit. If you start watching it you'll love itt.
There's no risk, just give it a go and I believe you'll be as obsessed as me.
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First, It's not a spoiler to say that this is indeed a Romance-Tragedy. It is inspired by the true story of Queen Dangyeong, who we know from the title, was only Queen for a week. If the title isn't enough to clue you in on what's in store, the show starts by glimpsing into the future, and we see a not so happily ever after moment where she tries to kill her love, the king, but can't. This was the same flash forward method that grabbed my attention in Empress Ki, and I knew that I would need to know exactly what road led them there. That road is not just filled with tragic moments. We actually go all the way back to childhood with the characters, and the journey to the end is more than just tears. There's humor, great friendships, some action, and of course romance, and what I thought was an interesting story of 3 people who's lives are controlled by their fate, in spite of their feelings.
I think Yeon Woo Jin was amazing as future king Yi Yeok. I've liked him in other dramas, but this one is a perfect vehicle for his range. He's matched with Park Min Young as Shin Chae Kyung, who I can say the same about. I think, because their child versions were so good, it gave them a lot to work with as far as backstory, and I truly believed all of their moments together. They may not have the most exciting chemistry, but that didn't stop me from liking them as a couple. The triangle is then made complete by Lee Dong Gun as Yi Yoong. I think his character, and acting, drives this whole drama. He also reminded me A LOT of a young Christopher Walken, and not just because of his big eyes. He has a charm and creepiness about him that made him the kind of villain I not only sympathized with, but sometimes rooted for in spite of myself. Even in his most over the top moments I totally felt for him. I really am a sucker for an actor who's really good at playing evil or crazy or both.
Most of the story revolves around the rivalry between these two brother for the crown, and their love of the same girl, but it still didn't feel too cliché to me. I think it's because every single character in this story, meaning every single supporting character, are so developed and well played, that it gave extra depth to the story and made me care about everyone... EVERYONE... even the Nanny. I would usually give a shout out to awesome supporting characters but there are just too many to name! I also loved that most characters, even if they were minor, had some kind of attention given to their specific part in the story, and some very emotional endings for their characters.
Ok, I will mention just one... Hwang Chan Sung as Seo Noh. *insert my standing ovation here*
As for the story, for me it just kept getting more exciting and addictive as the show progressed. The moments that may have felt slower were more of a build up to more exciting parts. Waiting for new episodes started to feel a little like torture, but sometimes I needed that week to breathe between episodes because the story got so intense. Sometimes characters were frustrating, but I think that's what added to them feeling human. Sometimes the political storyline was upsetting, but because it tied directly to these amazing characters, it kept my interest till the very end. The ending had a lot to live up to, and I think it was well done. I suffered from severe eye rain during the second half of the last episode, but the ending avoided just being completely depressing, which I think is impressive.
The music is beautiful and compliments this drama very well, and Junggigo's song will be on mental loop for a while.
Would I watch it again? Absolutely. I would probably need to watch a few light hearted shows in a row first, but sometimes you need a story that gets you in the feels too. I would just stock pile some tissues.
Overall I would definitely recommend this, BUT if you are not a fan of extreme drama then this may be too much. If you have never liked a sageuk ever, know this is more of the same, so don't expect this one to convert you. If you don't like stubborn characters who make you want to throw things at your screen, you definitely picked the wrong drama. Personally, I think it was beautifully bittersweet, and I I already added it to my favorites list before I even finished it.
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I was surprised to see how amazing this movie was made to be. I mean, I expected to be good, especially since the main lead is one of my favorites but the story of the movie was a tear-jerker.
It made you cry and smile at the same time because of how creatively the plot was. The actors did an amazing job and I think I've re-watched it about 3 times now in the same month. I don't re-watch movies, especially foreign ones, but this one was worth every single time.
If you do happen to stumble upon this, WATCH it! I promise you will not regret it!
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This review may contain spoilers
Worth watching and rewatching.
It was nice to see a wholesome drama with a great cast.My problem with it is how country people are portrayed as somewhat stupid, and then again, not. It was not something that made me dislike it but just something I thought a few times during the drama.
It is fun and not too much sweetness. It is a "Back to basic" drama with a lot of life choices. I would watch it again because I love the scenery and cast. The story is nice too. The cast is good.
In the end, it all makes sense, and when you follow your soul, all good things come to you.
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Overall, this drama gives you that realisation about life, if what you are doing is making you happy and creating a better you. I cant really write a long review but I would definitely recommend this drama to everyone. It is a MUST WATCH. I really don't think this one is the type to drop or not be interested in.I wouldn't be surprise if Just Between Lovers win awards this year, I am totally rooting for them.
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BL movies aren't a thing these days; poor cast, poor setting, it takes so little to drown everything into a sea of painful awkwardness for the viewer. But there are few to be remembered; well, not exactly for the visual efforts, but for the pleasant acting and the understanding of the plot. Simplicity is always better. Doushitemo Furetakunai // No touching at all is one of them; and hopefully, more to come.
I'm a faithful fan of Yoneda Kou's work, her plots start from seemingly plain points and develop beautifully with characters mingled so well, it has to break a heart or two half-way through the story. The simplicity is the key here as well - motionless, quiet atmosphere. Beneath the mundane way of living, people are far more complicated than they seem. They always struggle with themselves and their wounds left from past experiences every time their encounter new ones. So wouldn't it be worse to fall in love in such wearing circumstances?
Sincerely, I didn't expect much, mainly because the two characters have an unique feel about them. I was afraid of dullness, yet I've been waiting to watch this movie ever since it came out. They did it, they found the actors who, in my opinion, fit fairly well. Not only separately, but together. Acting was pretty good, felt almost! natural, my awkward sensors didn't react - rather, I was kinda overwhelmed by the ball of cuteness named Yonehara Kousuke (who are you again and why don't you act more?), and his bold words to cover it up. Togawa-san is /so/ Togawa too. Wait what. It's tough pointing out what lacks when they have such a chemistry going on.
Also, I appreciate how they kept the important parts of the story, without altering it. True, there some scenes left out (/certain/ scenes), but for a (Japanese) movie it's a decent deal, it feels smooth, feels nice.
So far so good, yet my one complaint is that you can spot the characters from afar and wish to see them closer, especially when they interact with each other. The characters' expressions are so important. That was kinda disappointing at times, even though there were plenty scenes to make up for that, but still. Isn't this an eternal pain when it comes to BL movies anyway? They always leave us begging for more.
While the movie is lacking, as most BL movies do out there, it's a worthy live-action. Maybe even better in some aspects than the previous BL productions, just maybe. I should reconsider my faith with this one and wait for upcoming projects.
If any of you haven't read the manga, you should do it before watching the movie. This way you can value the acting much better and enjoy it. With this in mind, take a good breath, don't hesitate to watch. Chances are you're gonna melt inside anyway.
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