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it is quite entertaining since there is funny scenes and characters in it and the plot is excellent as well...
people who liked movies like Ocean's eleven, twelve etc would enjoy this one as well and also who like logical thinking and such
the story develops slowly and it is enjoyable as the lead character is quite interesting
it does not include any romance so those who wish to see that...well it is not in this movie~ :)
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The movie is heavy, serious, not tear jerker but you'll feel down, you can feel the sadness, regrets, lost and pain the characters are portraying in the verge of divorcing. IF you dont pay too much attention and do not feel what it is, you wont appreciate the movie. If you just got out of breakup, then don't watch it because you may relate into it and you might cry (hehe).
In my opinion, they perfectly portrayed it, no matter how the male lead wants to go back things as they were (he decided to move his office in the basement of the house so he can be with her since he's been working all day till night---car scene) things won't be the same. It is true that some, or mostly women, when they get tired, fed up and already find somebody new (in this case, she cheated on him, and he admitted that he is also to blame, he neglected his wife), it's too late to mend a broken relationship, and it is very seldom that a woman will change her mind and heart (to be back in their marriage again), and the guy is correct, "Getting mad won't change anything.".. You can feel the sadness, the regrets, the wishes but things in reality are not that easy. And I think this movie have best showed that not all relationship that is undergoing "rocky road" will have happy ending.
The cinematography is great, it was able to portray the dark and down emotions, the large and beautiful house became dark, with some roof problems (rain is pouring to some spot)...Personally, I like the movie, some may not appreciate it, but I like it, I felt it.
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This series had one of the best figurative interpretation on how to love someone selflessly. It came to a point when I felt like how can a robot be more human than me in forsaking oneself due to the love for someone. And then I asked myself, "Can I be like him? Can I love someone selflessly?"
Have your tissues/hankies ready at the last quarter of the series.
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This review may contain spoilers
Four Minutes to Live a Lifetime
There is a saying: "Death is a strange thing. People live their whole lives as if it doesn't exist, yet it's one of the most important reasons to be alive." We don't contemplate death for the sake of dying, but to live more profoundly. The closer one gets to death, the more one truly lives—in a way one has never lived before, the way life is truly meant to be lived.4 Minutes conveys a message that is both simple and timeless: live a meaningful life, don't wait until death comes knocking to truly feel alive. Cherish everything in the present. Life (often hidden in the shadow of death) will always greet you with opportunities, but no one can change the past. The only thing you can change is yourself.
I honestly wonder if having read reviews and knowing the premise of 4 Minutes beforehand was a blessing or a curse. Because I knew the direction of the story, I could better understand the filmmakers' intentions, and the narrative flow felt clearer. While it sacrificed an element of surprise, the smaller details within the film were still enough to leave me reeling. Knowing that the first five episodes represented the four minutes where Great’s brain relived his life after his heart had stopped allowed me to piece together his story more clearly and better comprehend this character who is far from being purely righteous. It also made me all the more astonished by the multifaceted nature of Tyme, a character I had initially pegged as a hero.
As some reviews have noted, no character in this film is simple or innocent. Hit-and-runs, disposing of bodies, secret recordings, murder, adultery, manipulation, exploitation, schemes and conspiracies, breaking the law and denying guilt—and yet, strangely, this is what allowed me to watch the film as if I were observing a human experiment. All the sins are magnified to a level of complexity. The human mind is not a flat screen, and these are not archetypes or one-dimensional plot devices acting "righteously" because they are protagonists, or acting villainously because they are antagonists. These are people who carry sin, as people always have. They cannot wash away what they have done; every action has irreversible consequences. What they can do is purify who they are—first in their minds, which then leads to action.
The characters in 4 Minutes are profoundly, ordinarily human. Great is a coward, fleeing the consequences of his actions after an accident (regardless of whether the victim intended suicide) and not daring to report his "friend" after witnessing him commit murder. He is numb to the pain of others because he has become numb to himself. Then there is Tyme, so blinded by vengeance that his entire purpose in life is reduced to it. His path leads to a single destination, causing him to ignore everything around him—emotions, reason, and the small wonders of this life. And we have the weak, compromising, and pragmatic Korn; the broken and frenzied Tonkla; and Win—the supposed barrel of justice, who still surrenders to the one he loves (even if it was love at first sight). All of them, these spiritually flawed individuals covered in scars and past traumas, carry their regrets as they cross paths, weaving together a suffocating, insane, and unpredictably dramatic tapestry.
It's said that "red flags" and "toxicity" in fiction can bring a certain vicarious pleasure, allowing us to experience feelings we'd never want for ourselves—to hurt with the characters, go mad with them, and love as fiercely and intensely as they do. This "toxicity" is no accident; it is a deliberate narrative device used to explore deep psychological territories and create high-stakes drama. It’s strange how humans are fascinated by our own dark side, often without even realizing it. Through this toxicity, we witness psychological trauma and internal conflict, which then allows us to observe the process of redemption and transformation in each character, leading to a conclusion that achieves emotional catharsis. Naturally, what viewers want most is a fulfilling ending, to see the change in these fallen characters.
I must say, the script of 4 Minutes stays true to its course. This doesn't make the film predictable; on the contrary, it makes it more complete. The timeline is non-linear and constantly shifting—it begins with the characters' "rebirth," follows their redemption from their own perspectives, then guides us to the objective reality of a "God's eye view," and finally concludes in a "next life," a timeline where they have been wholly reborn as different people.
Redemption, rebirth, life and death, second chances, love that saves and love that gives meaning—it is all the story of a single moment that lasts for four minutes. The entire narrative is told within this elasticity of time: Great's four minutes stretch across five episodes, the return to reality from an objective viewpoint takes one episode, Tyme's story gets one, and the final episode is for the conclusion. In my opinion, even if the film has its flaws, leaving some questions and plot holes, its narrative structure and pacing, contracting and expanding within just 8 episodes, is an incredibly impressive and commendable feat. The unique arrangement of the timeline, combined with a fresh storytelling approach for an already novel plot and theme, truly wowed me in a sea of formulaic dramas. The editing, cinematography, sound, and lighting are all polished and well-crafted. The script is well-invested, with symbolic imagery like time and the number 4 recurring with artistic intent. The narrative is compelling, and the climactic scenes are deeply emotional. Furthermore, the explicit scenes, which cater to the genre's audience, are bold and impactful, yet never gratuitous. These scenes carry their own meaning, though their "eye-popping" direction might lead some to think this is purely a "flesh-fest." For instance, the love scene between Great and Tyme during the 4-minute revival reflects their true feelings: for Great, it's the confirmation of his love in a parallel universe where he is a good person, a hero on Tyme's side, earning his recognition—this is what Great yearns for in his final moments, a chance to atone, to start over, expressing his regrets. For Tyme, it's a life not defined by the smell of blood and dust from the past, not consumed by hatred, but filled with sunshine, peace, and a gentle, melodious love. This stands in stark contrast to their lovemaking in reality, which begins with conspiracy, is stained by hatred and torment, where love never truly offers them solace.
That's my assessment of the main couple. The side couple's story is a bit harder to grasp and left me with some questions. For example, if the first part is purely Great's 4-minute dream, even if from various dream-like perspectives (first, second, third person), how could he describe in detail things he couldn't have known? Or was an omniscient narrator's voice interwoven with Great's POV from the start, penetrating all characters, inside and out, showing us reality? And how does Dome's return lead back to the present? Or are we, the viewers, also being led by an unreliable narrator—the director himself? This ambiguity and a few scattered, almost surreal puzzle pieces can make the film feel a bit chaotic. But ultimately, grounding the story in a scientific premise and exploring such a new theme is a fascinating direction, showcasing an effort to create something more than just another run-of-the-mill rom-com.
Lastly, I truly want to affirm how fortunate I feel to have watched this film on a whim, amidst a forest of criticism and some surrounding controversies. My own moral compass isn't the yardstick I use to measure a film. I want to see it from a deeper, darker, even amoral perspective—because good and evil are intertwined. To borrow from literature, as Georges Bataille suggested, when humans violate the established rules and prohibitions of organized society, they are, to some extent, marked by evil. Literature that writes about things beyond the pale of reason is considered to be writing about evil.
"Goodness is tedious, for it is bland
Goodness is trivial, for it is safe
Goodness is wicked, for it murders passion
Are you afraid of goodness?
And you?
What about you?
Have you ever been as repulsed by goodness as you are by evil?"
(translated from Mưa Nhã Nam - Nguyễn Huy Thiệp)
P/S: The actors are truly talented. To appreciate this film, you have to look past couple shipping and fan service. I'm not comparing or judging any pairings; I'm watching it as a standalone work. What attracted me and earned my highest praise was the novelty and uniqueness of the narrative above all else; the romance was secondary.
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Why not ,
When I say that i loved this, i mean i loved this with my whole heart. The acting was so superb. The actions and the conversations felt so real, like this is an actual conversation that may happen in the real world. The mishap that happened was dealt with and not avoided. The only downside is the length of the movie. It was so short but a nice enjoyable watch. I would really love it if someone took this up and re made this either into a longer movie, or full drama. It has the potential of being great.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Who's it gonna be - Oya's full-time Leader!
In the six episodes we are following the storyline in the Oya High School. The series begin with the introduction of new first year characters that admire to steal the position from Todoroki's hands, and become the school's leader for the full time students. This incident takes place, after the fight containers of the High & Low movie and during the Kuryu groups casino plan.
At the meantime, while the full-time first year students are trying to prove themselves, Murayama's group are betting who is gonna be this year's leader for the full-time students. Will someone win over Todoroki and be the next leader? Who has the highest changes of become the one to rule over the full-time students?
Todoroki (Maeda Goki) is in a position that he has to defend his position, from the people who want to take it, with every available tool. Nakagoshi (Kamio Fuju) is a first year who declares that he would become the new leader of Oya high school; while Yasushi (Sato Ryuji) and Kiyoshi (Uekiya Satoshi) are not only threatening that they would take the leader's position, but they also invited the potential candidates for the position to a fight. One of the people who are invited in this fight is Tsukasa (Yoshino Hokuto), however, this second-year student, has no interest in the position.
Even though, in general the plot is rather fast-forward, I have to admit that there were a lot of flashbacks from the main story. I do realise that we needed to establish the same timeframe between this series and the parent story, but we don't need to be introduced every time what SWORD is and is the current story.
I am not going to analyse their acting, as there are too many characters; I will say only two words: amazing acting. For the whole franchise, people with good acting skills and ability to express themselves through their emotions, were picked.
I know that I might be biased, as I said that I was not going to analyse their acting; but I have to point out how amazing Yamada Yuki was. In my humble opinion, he was the best actor in the series, as he was able to execute the peculiar character of Murayama and his questionable sanity. Hands down to his acting skills.
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This review may contain spoilers
My favourite BL series of 2022
It is interesting, that some of the best BL series this year revolved around the topic of the life after death - ”On Cloud Nine”, ”Eternal Yesterday”, ”Something in my Room”, and of course the most beautiful series of 2022, ”Choco Milk Shake”. I was excited when Strongberry announced this series, because this South Korean production company has never disappointed the BL community with their short films, and the worst thing about CMS was that we had to wait for those magic 12 minutes on Tuesdays and Thursdays when it aired.The plot is a fairy tale: Choco and Milk, Jungwoo's dog and cat, want to reunite with him after they died (Choco in a car accident and Milk because of an illness), and they find a way to cross the rainbow bridge and meet him in human shape. The three of them spend a short, but beautiful time together, before Choco and Milk have to return to their place in heaven, from where they will watch Jongwoo for the rest of his life. For a moment, Choco is tempted to stay with Jungwoo, but Milk reminds him that he will be gone for good if he does.
This sounds very much like the plots of other animal-to-human series like ”Meow Ears Up”, but CMS is unique in that it is the cutest and most fluffy series of 2022, but at the same time has always an undertone of angst, because the viewer realises very soon that Choco and Milk won't stay with Jungwoo for long, and I know that many people around the world were scared like me thinking of the moment we would have to say goodbye to Choco and Milk.
When Choco and Milk actually leave in episode 10, this is one of the saddest moments in any BL series I've watched so far, but Strongberry wouldn't be Strongberry, if they didn't make Choco and Milk come back once again in episode 11 – ”this time not to make Jung Woo happy, but for their own happiness” - so that the ”magical love story” can go on for another 99 days or so.
But it isn't only the story that makes this series the most beautiful of 2022, it is also the acting. Lee Jae Bin as Choco and Kim Seong Hyuk as Milk must have spent a lot of time observing cats and dogs, because in every action, with every facial expression it is absolutely clear what kind of animal they used to be in their previous lives. Go Ho Jung as Jung Woo and Park Seung Bin as Jung Woo's uncle, and the owner of the bar where his nephew works, are good actors, too.
Cinematography, directing and editing are first class like in all Strongberry productions, so there is literally nothing to complain about. The live chats during the premieres of the episodes were a gathering of enthusiastic fans of the series from all continents, and all the episodes have been watched by more than a million viewers, the first episode even by more than 3 millions. This proves that Strongberry have hit the nail on the head once again.
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The characters in this drama are dynamic and interesting in their own way, especially the main female lead. I appreciate that she stays true to her character throughout-Fearless, loyal, impetuous, and kindhearted, yet crafty. I enjoyed that many of the women in this drama more than held their own place, and were independent, loveable, and strong. The characters and their unique yet strong personalities blended quite well which made this drama seem to go along much smoother and pleasantly for the viewer.
I liked that the drama was upbeat, even though there were life and death crisis after crisis. I hardly felt I was watching a period drama, and would highly recommend it.
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Summary -
Its about Gae Hwa a 30 something year old lady who is having a hard time finding a job and providing for her daughter. She is divorced and due to circumstances has to let her daughter go under her ex husband's, Kim Byung, care until she can find a stable job and get a house. She meets a top star Sung Min Woo through one of her temp jobs and later on finds out a secret about Sung Min Woo that even he didn't know about. This secret brings these two together ( not in a romantic way ).
Positive
Relationship is slow, but there is something really cute happening every time.
Ye Eun so so fcking cute. She is the cutest child I have seen in a drama.
Love triangle and love interest changes
Immature man and older lady relationship- very interesting
Happy ending
Negative
Ending to me was decent not good. It didn't satisfy me enough.
I highly recommend this drama just sooo cute.
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For me it was a 'Just one more episode' drama and I ended watching it all in one day. The actors portray their characters perfectly and the ending song made me dance in excitement. The story line was was great but re-watching this series would be a bit of an effort. I will definitely scan back some of the episodes and re-watch parts of it but the whole series isn't a must.
This is a very funny and bubbly drama that I recommend to those who liked 'Hana Kimi'.It had a few of the same actors and has the same 'Let's do it!' feel to it. :D
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Story
The drama is an excellent and unique combination of horror, crime and psychology that actually works!
First few episodes, and the drama is rather weird, difficult to follow at times, too many seemingly unconnected stories, dark and gritty cinematography. What the actual hell? Horror. If this drama does one thing right is setting the atmosphere, noone can deny that. The female lead is a likeable girl who can see ghosts and ultimately be possessed by them. The drama is possibly the only kdrama about the supernatural and ghosts which actually tries to be... not scary, but rather creepy and spooky, and it succeeds!
The girl wants to avoid them, be free of them and be normal, but she can't. And there is one guy who makes her feel safe and can potentially help her. No, not in a cute/romancy way, no, the script is just too good to resolve to romance to be likeable! The guy is a genius psychologist and crime profiler with a dark past. He does help her, or... that's what he wants us to believe! Plot twist? He uses her in reality to get revenge for his dark and sad past! And here we have the base concept of the drama which isn't really obvious from the beginning. Revenge, and its repercussions.
The drama pretty quickly switches from horror, and moves on to crime and psychology and here things get serious and interesting fast. Soul wants to address several morality issues and negotiate the very core of the human identity. It revolves around the idea of serial killers, how are they made, what do they think, can they be saved? What does it mean that we can examine and judge our own emotion-driven behavior and that of others? Can killers still be considered human? Where are the boundaries of responsibility between stepping up and overstepping? Can violence be stopped without more violence? Can there be serial killers who are not psychopaths? And in the very end, when we do step up are we better than those we hunt? Is there a difference or it's just an endless cycle?
The drama is very twisted in the best way possible. It is thrilling and offers several plot twists. It did have its boring moments and some problems of discontinuation while it took a few episodes for the plot to connect all the dots and find its way. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic overall experience. The story was to the point and quite fast paced. I can't say it was unpredictable but that didn't stop it from being interesting.
Acting
Lee Seo Jin shines the most in what i want to describe as one of the most twisted and yet most sentimental characters i've seen in kdramaland. He delived on several levels being sensuous and pleasing to every sense.
Im Ju Eum's role was rather demanding. Her character walked in the fine line between vulnerability and helplessness. I thoroughly enjoyed her 'crazy eyes', she suited the character completely and i think she really felt it. There were scenes where she was really incredible, and other were i felt she overacted quite a lot. Overall, she was great, and quite memorable, if she hadn't been lee seo jin's character wouldn't have developed and worked as exceptionally as it did.
I want to especially mention Lee Kyu Han for his amazing performance as a disturbed serial killer and Yoo Yeon Suk for his impression of a serial killer in-the-making.
Recommend/Rewatch
This drama isn't child's play, it's rather heavy and difficult to digest. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. If you are a crime and psychology fan, this would appeal to you. Horror is present but takes the back sit rather quickly. I can see myself rewatching it in a few years.
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This review may contain spoilers
Love, Laughter, and Family Ties
Perfect Match is a drama that truly shines due to its stellar casting. The actresses did an outstanding job in bringing their characters to life, making them not only admirable but also genuinely funny and loveable. The women of the Li family were particularly captivating, each displaying a unique blend of loyalty, intelligence, humor, and diligence. Their strong family bonds were beautifully portrayed, making it easy for viewers to grow attached to each of them. It was refreshing to see such strong female characters who uplifted each other rather than belittling others.The standout performances came from Wang Xing Yue and Lu Yu Xiao. Despite the script not fully utilizing their exceptional acting abilities, they still delivered memorable performances. Winwin also deserves special mention for his portrayal of Yang Xian, showcasing his impressive acting skills. Huangyang Tian Tian, though young, proved to be very promising with her compelling performance.
While the cast delivered exceptional performances, the script itself had notable flaws. At times, it carried misogynistic undertones that could be disappointing; however, the actors’ dedication helped soften these moments, making them less apparent. Another significant letdown was the lack of a preview into Kang Ning and Chai An’s married life, despite them being the supposed main couple. This omission left a sense of incompleteness, especially given the buildup of their relationship throughout the drama. Similarly, Mister She, Madam Li’s son, was a character with great potential, yet he was only present for three episodes. His character could have been explored further, as his presence added another layer to the family dynamic.
Among the various couples in the drama, Hao De and Shen Hui Zhao stood out as the most compelling. Their relationship was well-developed, and their dynamic was beautifully explored. Hao De’s honesty and Shen Hui Zhao’s integrity made their love story believable and heartfelt. The last couple added a humorous element to the show, though their dynamic sometimes leaned into unnecessary violence. Nevertheless, their relationship successfully depicted the wild yet amusing nature of young love.
Leshan was another entertaining character, standing out with her unwavering honesty and upright nature. Her humorous personality added much-needed lighthearted moments to the series. Special mention must go to Fan Liang Han, whose natural comedic timing made him the funniest character in the show.
Beyond the romance and comedy, Perfect Match excelled in its portrayal of family dynamics. From the deep sisterly bonds to the depiction of a devoted single mother willing to do anything for her daughters, the drama captured the essence of familial love. Even the sons-in-law had their own secret alliances, adding an extra layer of warmth and humor and their commitment to their women and the family was also something nice. The drama successfully conveyed the comforting and supportive nature of a true family, making it one of its strongest aspects.
Overall, I would rate Perfect Match an 8.5 out of 10. Despite the script’s imperfections, unnecessary scenes, and missing moments, it remains an enjoyable and well-acted drama. With stronger writing and better utilization of its talented cast, it could have been even more impactful.
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My reccomendation for those who can't start this show or dropped it? Watch the directors cut till episode 2, the first 20 minutes, then go to the normal cut episode 14. I know the show starts off slow but IT IS WORTH EVERY SECOND!
For anyone who doesn't have Netflix, you can search for the 33 episode of You Are My Sunshine on Dramanice.to, episode 33 (they also have the directors cut as episodes 33, 34, 35, and 36) then switch to episode 14.
Happy watching! :)
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Lost and Found.
Set in the 1990s, this is a riveting suspense thriller about three teenage boys who go missing on a dark and stormy night. Three years later, Xiao Qi, a pick-pocket is caught and identified as one of the missing boys. He is reunited with his grateful family but he does not seem quite the same and claims to have little memory of what transpired three years ago. This revives the investigation of the old case, with Wang Shitu leading the investigation. His investigation shines a spotlight on human trafficking rings. His search is painful and personal as his son has been lost for more than a decade. As the investigation advances, he gets to know Xiao Qi and the Jin family and more questions emerge as to what really happened that fateful night.This drama does a terrific job building suspense, planting the seeds of many credible explanations with each frightening new reveal. Mystery buffs will enjoy trying sorting through all the lies to pull all the pieces together. The first villain's confession however was not convincingly obtained and that case is too hastily tied up to focus on the final villain. There are too many confessions obtained using this same threat of shaky evidence against a loved one. Even though a shadowy image of the main villain and what must have happened emerges early on, the cat and mouse of pinning them down is riveting. This is one of the most layered, selfish, manipulative and just plain evil sociopaths I have seen in a long time. What is truly scary is their motive is vile but understandable; that this is easily something someone, anyone is capable of doing simply because they want what they want badly enough. The final solution however is somewhat anti-climatic; there are many more interesting ways this could have played out. There are also a fair number of plot holes and loose ends.
The strongest and most moving aspect of this narrative is not the mystery but the relationships that evolve around it. The mother and the father who lost a child and the unimaginable and continuing pain that they endure. And the lonely boy that was lost and found, and how through all this mess they somehow manage to heal a small part of each other. With this kind of cast, I don't have to praise the acting. Zhang Songwen and Rong Zishan's chemistry is well established and as expected, they deliver in spades and make me root for them every step of the way. But the most surprising and distressing performance is Guo Keyu's portrayal of Bian Meizhen's confused longing for her lost child and her devastating moments of awareness.
Overall, the mystery plot is good but does not live up to its early promise and is not as tight as could be. But the character arcs are superbly done and the ending is perfect and brilliant in the most realistic of ways. This is a highly recommended 8.5/10.0.
ENDING SPOILER COMMENTS
Doudou was a red herring from the start and considering the theme of this story is lost children, it is no surprise that there is no fairytale ending. Nonetheless, Wang Shitu does not give up and continues to look. This kind of story is not easy to write or to end in a way that acknowledges and respects the suffering of victims of child trafficking. Jin Manfu is the manifestation of what must be every parent with a lost child's worst nightmare. But this story also reminds us that there are Wang Shitus and Bian Meizhens in this world who can still open a corner of their hearts. And that maybe they can also find some solace by opening a small part of their hearts. The only small bone the drama throws the audience is Doudou probably ended up in a family with a dog and where he is much loved and may one day still be found.
X
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Super, Super Short Review
If you want to laugh your head off, bust a gut, and be in a good mood all day, Run BTS is the variety show for you.In a nutshell, Run BTS is basically BTS being wackos. They have all sorts of fun with activities, challenges, games, sports, etc. It's highly entertaining to watch them have fun and be crackheads. It's hard not to binge watch this because the episodes are short and it holds your attention.
I gave it a ten not because I'm biased (maybe a little though) but because I genuinely enjoyed it. If you ever want to release all your stress or you're in a bad mood, watch this variety show. You'd feel better in no time.
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