Falling High School Girl and Irresponsible Teacher Lesson 2
26 people found this review helpful
by Jojo 
1
1 Familiar Faces , Fading Plot But still seated for Haiba Jin's extra charm!
The consistency from season 1 to season 2 was there ! Haiba Jin was still unhinged and charming and Mikoto retained her endearing awkwardness!The romance was again handled delicately but took bolder steps this season while still maintaining "that" boundary. I did enjoy their interactions and the ensuing frustration.
One of my favourite moments were when Mikoto put Haiba Jin in his place whenever he had saucy ideas. *grins*
But that's it! Lesson 2 felt stagnant. Nothing much was explored!
The characters were still the same as last season! While the story did progress it felt like it was treading familiar ground!!
I do see Haiba Jin being vulnerable in front of Mikoto but it was very briefly touched upon. Maybe I expected a deeper exploration.
Also the side characters storylines were completely undeveloped ! Mikoto's brother's story arc felt completely incomplete and rushed. Honestly I couldn't make myself care for any them.
For me , season 2 felt like a fan service , a follow up to high standards that was set by 1st season!
That said, I loved the acting of both the leads and was totally digging their undeniable chemistry!
The intro song was very catchy!! Also I felt the quality of shots was improved!
Overall , the season 2 is still enjoyable and binge-worthy but when you put it beside season 1 , it sort of loses its shine!
Would still recommend it 100%!
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CAST/ACTING: Quite good. In fact, it's about a guy who wants to be an actor. He's quite good.
MUSIC: OK
REWATCH VALUE: I'll watch it again sometime when I'm on a Strongberry BL binge.
OVERALL: Another entry from Strongberry. I do like their work and this is a nice piece with a happy ending. Always happy to support their work.
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Not as great as Taiwan's best BLs, but still OK
Falling in love with a friend can be terrifying but exhilarating.Ligong can’t be sure that Zeshou would even want to commit to anyone romantically, let alone him. And yet, their relationship always teeters on the edge of something more, a delicious sexual tension in the air as they begin to tip dangerously into the territory of more-than-friends. For me, this is really the best part of the show (the pair is just so whipped for each other).
As expected, their relationship goes through a rollercoaster of ups and downs but the show remains rather predictable at most turns with family and relationship drama. I would say that the first half of the series was more watchable than the second half, where the conflict proved to be silly and frustrating.
The side couple’s relationship, while noticeably fluffier, was a little shallow, but that is perhaps to be expected since they don’t have as much screentime as the main guys. As a laundromat owner and a bartender, I must say they make for an interesting couple, though.
Plus & Minus is not in the same league as Taiwan's best BLs but is still an all right watch.
Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/06/25/plus-and-minus-2022-bl/
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I have a habit of watching shows which no one watches and giving reviews. So I started this show after seeing there is no review in MDL about this show.
This show starts with college life and goes to after 7 years. But college life scenes are not looking fresh bcoz the actors are older enough to play college students. Then after the leap both leads still fight for various reasons but they love each other deeply too. Which we can easily guess.
I like Jia Wu and Ke San couple more than Yu fei and Chen Yi. Jia Wu looks very friendly and approachable. George Hu is another reason for me to complete this show. Songs are okay. The scenes which made me really angry are, the unnecessary plot at the end. And she leaves him and comes back after getting better. Those are not needed, since they wanted to drag the episodes, they used these plot twists.
There is nothing much as art in this show.
Rewatch - no no never
Music - k
Acting - could be better
Overall 5/10
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The first 8 episodes with the young/teen cast were sensational. All the young actors were excellent in portraying their characters. Kim Yoo Jung is cemented forever as the finest young Korean actress, in my book, with her touching and brave performance as the young Hae Joo/Yoo Jin. The story is set around the shipping industry, with revenge, love triangle & birth secrets galore. After episode 8 the story leaps forward 15 years later & at that point the story continues until the end of the drama.
Most of the actors in the adult cast do a very good job. Lee Deok Hwa as the pantomime villain “thug with a rug” as I dubbed him. Kim Gyu Chul as the weak, slimey butler forever in Jang Do Hyuns power. I hated them both, which was the point.
I loved Hae Joo’s adopted dad, he was wonderful and the love they shared was so moving to see. At first I didn’t think I would like the character of Hae Joo’s adopted mom but the journey she took was lovely to see. Lee Bong Hee and the Chun family ensemble provided some truly hilarious moments and much needed comic relief with all the drama going on. The Prosecutor was an admirable character, someone striving to right wrongs to the best of his ability throughout.
Chang Hee (young) I loved but I was not so enamoured with the adult version, he seemed to be weak and ineffectual even as a successful adult. I don’t blame the actor, more the writers for his lack of character development. Kang San on the other hand was played beautifully by Kim Jae Won as the happy go lucky guy hiding all his pain behind a façade of a clown.
The biggest weak link for me was adult Hae Joo (admittedly I have not seen this actress in anything else so cannot write her off completely) but in this drama she evoked no emotions from me whatsoever (except annoyance). The young Hae Joo was so excellent and the adult Hae Joo failed to live up to that promise quite spectacularly. Another weak link was Hae Joo's biological mother she just seemed to be a useless, weak woman who collapsed to the floor at any given opportunity, she did redeem herself slightly in later episodes, but her whole relationship with Do Hyun was a mystery to me.
I tend not to re-watch so that mark is always low for me.
The music/score was good, The main theme song I didn't like too much and started getting on my nerves in the end.
If you like melodramas this is well worth a watch the story moves at a fairly brisk pace (although it could have done without the extension).
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The cutest, fluffiest little rom-com ♡
For a one-episode drama special that is one hour long, this was so enjoyable and so, so adorable. I was giggling and smiling like an idiot, kicking my feet while trying not to wake the whole house up because it was way past midnight here. Why are they so cute omg!? I saw an edit of this today and as soon as I realised that it was Kim Do Hoon from Moving and saw that it was a rom-com special about two genius rivals, I decided to watch it. BEST DECISION EVER!!It was like watching a short campus rom-com movie, it had everything: the enemies to lovers, she fell first but he fell harder, college rivals, funny moments, and cute (almost cringe at times lol) and romantic moments, the whole episode was so nicely written. Seriously, I never rewatch anything, and never dramas, apart from some of my absolute comfort movies or Korean variety shows, but I could rewatch this again any day, whenever I feel like not watching anything from my list or when I can't find anything to watch. Perfect for an evening when you want a break from your current watching or on-air dramas, this has all the elements not to get you bored, it's cute and funny, and the actors have amazing chemistry. That kiss omg I don't think I ever jumped and giggled this much at a kiss scene before lol, that took me so by surprise lol, just the funniest scene ever!! Although the whole fake love confession plan was silly and childish from the male lead's side, both leads were smart and relatable, they were in two very different but similar situations and the message at the end was perfect. As a student myself, this really resonated with me and really gave me a little boost, so I loved it even more. It was a relatable message offered to us as viewers in the form of a cute little love story.
I 100% recommend this to everyone, and I hope everyone watching it enjoys it cos it is so fluffy and doesn't overthink it. This made my whole week, I honestly can't wait to rewatch it lol ♡
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The story was good, it covers a lot of different issues concerning things such as bullying, family problems and rumors. It's a story set in a high school setting, there's drama and even a love story. The drama is very short though, which is why I can't give it more than an 8 - because while it was a nice short drama, there are other things they could have done with it to make it an even better drama.
All of the main actors in this drama are younger ones, some of them even starting out with Kingyo Club being their first drama. That being said, I think they did a really good job! The acting seemed natural and there isn't anything bad I can say about it.
There were a few songs they played in the drama, I found both of them to be nice songs. Even though I'm not sure how they really fit the drama at some points.
Overall I think this is a really nice and short drama that I would recommend to anyone looking for something that deals with more than just school and a "cute couple." This is a drama that deals with more serious issues.
Also, I mentioned already - the episodes are only 20 minutes long! (:
The last 3 episodes were finally subbed recently and hopefully someone will update some of the streaming sites for those that don't download :D
I might rewatch this drama someday, although it might not be for a long while.
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1
1tokyo soul
I’m still thinking about Glass Heart. I am genuinely obsessed with it and there is really no other way to describe the feeling. Just about everything in this drama worked for me. The sharp clothing, the acting that actually felt like real life, the music, and that heavy, unmistakable feeling of being in Tokyo all just clicked. It reminds me exactly of how I felt watching Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born. It is that rare moment where everything just fits and you aren't just sitting there watching a story. You are getting pulled into a world that feels completely realized.Every aesthetic choice felt like it mattered. From the texture of the jackets to the specific way the neon lights hit the city streets, everything had a purpose. Most shows try way too hard to force a vibe, but this one just lives in it.
The way he builds the band was a huge highlight. I loved how he explains exactly why each member is required. It makes it clear that this isn't just a group of people playing instruments. It is a specific chemistry needed to make the sound work. Sure, there were pitfalls along the way, and his medical condition was a little trite. It is a trope I have seen a thousand times, but honestly, I am willing to overlook it because the show is just that good. It didn't kill the momentum because the focus stayed on the craft and the struggle to create something real.
The fashion and the look of the show deserve their own conversation. It isn't just about the characters looking good. The clothes fit the mood of Tokyo and the weight of the scenes perfectly. There is a grit to the style that feels grounded in the actual music scene. It avoids that sanitized, fake look that usually ruins these kinds of productions. And the music? It is a miracle.
Usually, dramas about musicians have these cringey, fake tracks that pull you right out of the moment, but here the music actually hits. You can feel the vibration of the strings and the intentionality behind every single note. It doesn't just play in the background. It is a character in its own right. The sound design pulls you into the creative process so deeply that you can practically feel the air in the room during the recording sessions. It is symphonic.
I know some people think the romance wasn't necessary, but I didn't mind it at all. I actually think it served a purpose that most viewers are probably missing. To me, it was the specific spark that allowed him to finally transform his music into Ten Blank. Without that connection, he would have just stayed looped in his own internal sound, repeating his own familiar patterns until he faded away. The romance was not just a plot point for the sake of having a love interest. It was a creative necessity for him to grow as an artist. It gave his music a new dimension, and watching that transformation was incredibly powerful. It turned his art from something solitary into something expansive.
The show also builds incredibly well toward the end. The final episode almost feels like fan service, but in the best way possible. It does not feel forced or over the top or like something that shouldn't be there. It felt earned. The detail in this show is just on another level and the characters actually respect the audience. It is the kind of show that stays with you long after the credits roll. The acting is so grounded that you forget you are watching a scripted show. It isn't just another drama to check off a list. It is a mood and an experience that I keep going back to in my head. I finished it and immediately felt that specific void you only get when a show actually means something. I walked away feeling like I had actually been somewhere, and that is a feeling that is almost impossible to find anywhere else.
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Passionate kisses, save the damsel in distress, hilarious
This drama has the most passionate kissing scenes in both count and intensity of all Chinese dramas I had watched – I meant really passionate kisses not those obviously fake moments. As with most romance stories, there were plenty of save the damsel in distress scenes accompanied by endearing gazes as the hero held the damsel in his arms.It is a lovely romance story with emotional and hilarious moments. The hilarious moments really made me laugh out loud. Unlike Hollywood comedies which mainly play on words, some of these comedic moments were based on suggestive actions of the actors.
The drama is quite straightforward with some small, but not totally unexpected, twists in the story. It has the usual hygiene factors – handsome lead actor, pretty actresses, excellent acting, lovely costumes, lovely music, beautiful cinematography and endearing romantic moments.
What I appreciate most about this drama is the lesson on courtship and early marital life - instead of the usual unrealistic romance dramas. At moments when they were trying to figure out each other, the XiYue princess had her confidantes giving her some silly suggestions which she refuted with some sensible corrections. Similarly for the ninth prince, Song was always giving him some creepy suggestions while Zhen would refute with some sensible analysis. Zhen played the sensible relationship guru here.
The adjustments to life together were comical but not unlike real life when married couples live together for the first time and discover the bad habits of their spouses to their horror.
I noticed some flaws – for the production team to learn from if they should ever read this review. The piece of music chosen for the hilarious moments was too modern for this period drama and a misfit – sound like a piece adapted from some old Shanghai movies. There are some illogical moments, for example, the ninth prince was always turning up alone for dangerous investigations, and covering up for the rebel leader, which was essentially obstructing justice. And he was always lying to the emperor – although with good intent, it still made him a liar.
As I watched this drama right after ‘Goodbye my princess’, I could not help but draw a comparison, as both involved a marriage of prince and princess from different countries. The ninth prince in this drama was supportive of the princess and allowed her to make her choice, in sharp contrast to the fifth prince in ‘Goodbye..’, who forcibly kept the princess by his side regardless of whether she was willing. The two dramas were antithesis of each other, including how they ended. This drama leaves a warm cozy feeling which of course elevated my rating of it above ‘Goodbye my princess’ although the latter has a more interesting and convoluted story.
Finally, a title of ‘Love by Hypnosis’ may be more grammatically correct. Hypnotic is a drug to induce hypnosis or a person susceptible to hypnosis.
As a whole I enjoyed this drama a lot and would highly recommend it.
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An arrow of pain and cuteness that hits you right in the right spot.
This is a beautifully portrayed tearjerker, the kind that hits you right in the heart, or is it the stomach?This movie does an amazing job inviting the viewers in to the world of a child who neither can see or hear. A child otherwise abandoned (by death and choice), manage to find her way in to the heart of a man who was brought to her by some sad circumstances. Though they may look like a total missfitt these two complete each other perfectly showing us what a little tactile communication along with love and affection can do to change a persons way of living. While staying away from scenes that may dehumanize, exotify or give out the feel peoples misfortunes as inspiration. This movie feels real, and makes the viewers feel at home in a way.
The way this was shot really conveyed the emotions as well as the perspectives of both the leads. This movie addresses important issues while showering us with fluffy animals and cute smiles. This actress may not say much but boy/girl does she portray her role well, hats off to this kid and the directors. To be honest most of the movie I was going between a 8-9 but the way the end scene was shot pushed the score to a 10.
All in all definitely a must watch!
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I wasn't familiar with the traditional story of Don Quixote, but that wasn't necessary because this drama really didn't stick to the traditional story. What the drama took from the Spanish story was a theme of "unconventional chivalry" and really played it up.
Assuming that you read the synopsis, this story is a Secret Garden type of switch but without the romance. (if you didn't see the Kdrama Secret Garden -you need to- but think Freaky Friday). Yes there is essentially no romance in this drama but you really don't miss it. The main characters are like fish out of water and it makes it hilarious to watch.
The two main characters are played excellently by the already awesome Matsuda and Katsumi Takahasi. I loved seeing Matsuda smile and be really dorky then witch to being all Yakuza, if you are a fan of his then there is no reason not to watch. Katsumi was really good to playing a totally dweeb young man , he made it believable.
All in all, this a undeniably great drama. It sucks you in, has great topics and situations and by the end you feel as if you too have gained 2 friends. Even if you see the end coming in this drama, the characters are so likeable that you want them to do their best. All the episodes are good and there is no need to fast forward, and i normally need to fast forward. If you feel like getting away from all of the plotting and scheming that some of the other dramas have, this is a good refreshing one. Watch it. Like now.
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Cast - Well, let's take a look at the cast first: Ken (Wonpuapan Theeradeth) plays the lead - Paat. He's a tea farmer, not terribly well behaved or educated but proud of rebuilding his family fortune and farm. I'm sure it's a part that Ken could play in his sleep but he really made you feel his sadness and anger at what he viewed as betrayals from his deceased wife and society in general. Yes, he's got a few friends and his workers see him as fair but that's about it. Think, walking thundercloud. It's a convincing act!
Every grumpy/mean lead needs a heroine to change him. In this drama, it's Namtarn (Wongsarattanasin Pichukkana) playing Rojanasnai, the innocent heroine. Friendly, good to her family (who does not treat her well as she's the adopted daughter) and a good student. Plucky to a certain extent but your are mostly believing it because she seems like a genuinely nice person. I've read this ingenue part was her debut role and she acted it convincingly.
The other main parts are all acted convincingly so I guess these actors did their parts well. Only a few seemed over the top and that eventually toned down. If you watch lakorns, you'll be familiar with the stereotypical roles - foolish servant vs. the proud servant, the brave soldier (in this case, the police officer), the villainous drug dealer, the humble, hardworking farmers, the ferocious beauty, the spoiled sister, etc. One item of note - the older actors playing the dads, moms, etc. were especially good.
Plot: Their forced-cohabitation romance comes about because their families' promises to wed their children together. It's a classic asian dam trope but with more of a city/country clash to it. He thinks she's too soft and she'll give up on the marriage. There is a fair amount of revenge-based behavior but it doesn't get too bad. In the script, his friends and mother know what he's trying to do and tell him to cut it out - but it still isn't something you'd want to experience. The side characters and plots - the women who want Paat, the drug dealers who want Paat to stop interfering in their trade and the guys who like Rojanasnai - all are well done. Even the monstrously bad behavior of her obviously mentally-unbalanced sister (whose been spoiled because her parents don't want to set her off) has some believable aspects. There are also some nostalgic plot lines involving the Hmong people now living in Thailand. Outside of the "will they or won't they fall in love" plot line - the most obvious storyline is about how lovely living in the Thai countryside is. The countryside and the tea plantation is filmed beautifully and seems like ad for Thai tourism at times.
Music: Nothing terribly special but nice. It doesn't overpower the plot although the theme song does get used a lot at what were probably commercial breaks.
Rewatch Value: You know, if it popped up on my playlist, I'd rematch it. Ken and Namtarn made a nice, believable couple There were some nice kisses and some witty dialogue. The countryside looked very soothing. I'm not watching lakorns for realistic, gritty modern life so, yes, it has a pretty high re-watch value.
I hope I'm not making this sound horribly bland. It's not a ground-breakingly exciting drama but it isn't the worst thing out there. It might help you acquire a taste for Thai lakorns.
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I like the way its scriptwriter measures various contents in Good Luck!! because they are well-balanced. Most of the story lines are revolves around the career of Shinkai. Every details and his job in the airlines (such as safety, seniority, check lists, training, and even periodic medical check-up) are portrayed very well. It's not suprising that this big-budget drama is supported by a premium airlines in Japan, All Nippon Airlines, so it didn't fail its expectation. Not only the pilot's everyday life, but his relation with fellow pilots, family, girlfriend, and neighbor are amusing as well. It's all natural and very realistic. Some anticlimax near the end may have deducting the overall points of this drama, but that's not a great deal.
Perhaps what bring this drama into life are the actors portraying the characters, particularly Kimura as young first officer (one rank below captain) Shinkai and Tsutsumi (my personal favorite actor) as Captain Koda. While Kimura plays his usual style, Tsutsumi stole the limelight with his superb acting and depth. The supporting casts play well too, while the actress playing the veteran flight attendant Togashi deserves honorable mention. Even some actors who are not known for their acting prowess play well here.
Last but not least, this solid drama may make you turned into an aviation enthusiast like I was. If it's not, at least you will be entertained along the show.
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This review may contain spoilers
Building 19; An Underrated Show
19th Floor or Building 19 as I think it should have been called because we never really saw 19 floors but the number on the building itself. This show was ridiculously underrated and that's sad. I didn't expect it to be good and only really knew ML, FL, and Bai Shu's characters from a few previous series. But it had a great storyline that never dragged and only a few baubles.Pros: A show has to be good for me to watch it with AI subs as it's something I very rarely do because they give me a headache. But even before I knew when Viki was actually going to drop with subs, I was invested in watching. I'm so glad that romance wasn't the priority shoved in there like most even sci-fi shows have done. The teamwork and friendships built gradually amongst the players of this life or death game was the main theme. We did end up with two couples ultimately but it was a very toned down process that wasn't forced.
Favorite characters were def ML and FL; the essential high IQ and EQ alpha male (GX) and female (CY) who really in a sense were childhood sweethearts. He had searched for her high and low and they ended up in the game together as her father helped him find and protect her. All of the members of the team went from annoying, having issues, or jackasses to great friends and supportive of each other. Absolutely everyone evolved and grew. I'm actually glad Uncle Lin never regained his game memories because someone else taking over his body and the rest of that would have been pretty traumatic. There were 3 fathers in this series that had daughter issues including the villain but he was just insane. I wish GX hadn't sacrificed himself to save him. I would have let him fry. Thankfully it didn't take GX too long to return to the land of the living and have his memories restored.
The basic premise of this show is that a villain (YML) hijacks a game from two other creators and creates a horror show where players must "die" somehow or figure out a way to pass each level to survive. Players never choose it, but a chip is implanted in their heads because they tried a free VR game and the device implemented it. Those that die in horrible ways, end up in a coma with their lives basically in this dude's hands. And all of this because of his own selfish actions and being unable to save his daughter but because the paramedics didn't get there in time, he blames the world and wants everyone to suffer.
The CGI was truly amazing how realistic they made each world. They showed a video of each level in the game and how it's created. There are comical moments too and tear jerking ones. They also showed each important person's family life and how imperfect it already is plus each night, they get sucked into the game no matter where they are; sitting, standing, on the toilet. All of the twists and turns of this series really had you wanting more. Even YML up until his last episode, you wanted to use a flamethrower on.
Cons: Starting with YML; he was just a loony that deserved jail time or to die in his own game. So him being saved by GX and from just a few of GX's words understanding his mistakes that for 29 episodes he didn't get wasn't very believable. Yes, this was an AI-VR sci-fi show so reality was superficial but this was basic human nature stuff and a leopard doesn't change his spots so fast.
The fact that the group actually believed him when he said he'd remove the chip was poor writing. Also when they sneaked into a high tech building on some occasions but got caught in others was unbelievable. A place like this that had guards and cameras everywhere, how could you not get caught? Or think you were in the clear? It was very unrealistic and this happened like 4 times. Another weird plot hole was that in the last episode the policeman speaking to the press said they'd been investigating this for months and had "the masses" tell them this was going on; what masses? Her dad that was in Uncle Lin's body? Only the ones in the game knew about it and the doctors that were made to disappear or director of the hospital. Where did this mountain of evidence come from that they'd been compiling? The group was afraid to go to the police because they didn't think they'd be believed. Meanwhile, the police supposedly knew and yet didn't do anything about it until they mysteriously and randomly showed up at the place when YML was chucked into reality by GX in the second to last episode to arrest him? Makes no sense.
Personally, though they made weird overtures with that random dude in the last 3 minutes of the show that there may very well be a season 2, I don't want it. Cast will most likely be different and the reason for it wouldn't make sense anymore. Leave well enough alone. Should have just ended it on our group walking away together from that alley fight.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Just wait for Viki to drop with proper subs; it's a great series if you like sci-fi despite some flaws in the cons. All of the actors did a good job. Worth the watch.
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