I don't think I disliked anything about this movie. It made me realise certain things, that you don't get anywhere if you don't try your hardest. I've always been someone who doesn't try their best, and I've always done the minimum possible when it comes to studying, that's why whilst watching this I could picture myself in a similar situation.
The story is in itself like a lesson everyone should learn, and I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of this movie. I don't know how much I can say without spoiling anything. Basically if you think this movie is all about laughs and a straight road to success, you've got it so wrong. It's so much more than that on many levels, it shows you the life of a student which never tried at school. It shows you the hardships of studying, hardships of life itself. Everything from the brothers story to the family problems was what made the story even more worth watching. Don't expect to watch this without shedding a tear or two, because I did, and I never cry with movies to be honest. It might have been because I'm probably too emotional at the moment since I'm going through a hard patch myself.
The acting was on point. I literally felt everything from all characters, I felt like I was being sucked into their world and right on the spot, all the tears whether of sadness or joy were there. I related to some at times with hard choices to make concerning friendships and school.
If I were to summarise this into three words I would probably just say: Watch this movie
You won't regret it, you'll probably think about it for a while after its finished, you might find some motivation in it to do something you've always wanted to do because that's what this movie has done to me, taught me to never give up.
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♡ Who wrote this sweet and hilarious script?! ♡
Story (10/10):It was funny and cute how Meng Meng was trying to find her heroine. During her journey, she met Murong Chen and decided to get Xue Tan Hua (a magical flower) for their own purposes. After that, she encountered the cool and charming hero, Yun Ya, who she fell in love with and eventually changed her objective. Yun Ya unknowingly rescued her especially when she was in danger every time even though she did not call for him. Not realizing they were actually the same person, she escaped the palace to avoid her engagement and continued her journey in the Jiang Hu (martial arts) world together with her friends as they developed strong friendship. Meanwhile, she learnt many things, when you love someone, you are willing to be there for him and help him without anything in return. She also learnt that when you truly love each other, you don't make sacrifices. The sweet romance begins between Murong Chen and Meng Meng as they experience many obstacles but still believing in each other and together, they overcome each mission along the way.
Acting/Cast (10/10):
All the casts did a fantastic job in their roles, like you can really see their effort and the comedy they put in this historical romantic drama. June Wu portrayed two roles differently, like I could not tell it was same person in a way that they had totally different personalities. I hope June Wu will have more main roles in the future!!♡ Lai Mei Yun played Meng Meng as a cute and funny character which she did a great job, the way she express herself, the humor she brings, I really enjoy it. Hu Wei as well as Wen Zhu did a splendid job too, we have one cute and strong couple here! Haha it was pretty obvious that Xiao Ai and Chang Kong like each other, so I can say the actors themselves (Tan Qin Xuan and Qu Tian Rui) did a good job, thank you to all the casts from My Queen for their hard work!♡
Music (10/10):
I love the opening ost 弱水三千 (Ruò shuǐ sānqiān) sang by our male lead, June Wu, he really has a beautiful and nice voice. I didn't really skip either the opening ost or ending ost 江湖策马 (Jiānghú cè mǎ) during the entire 24 episodes since the songs catch my attention so I'll give the music a 10/10 hehe :)
Rewatch Value (10/10):
The comedy is hilarious so I wouldn't mind re-watching all those cute and funny scenes again to make my day especially after a tired day or maybe after a heartbreaking show XD
Overall (10/10):
If you're looking for a sweet, fluffy, cute and romantic comedy drama, I highly recommend My Queen :D Hey, it's really a great drama, I was looking forward to every Friday and Saturday so I could watch My Queen, it was not easy waiting, I was anticipating every moment of My Queen and hoping each episode didn't end fast. Let's enjoy this lovely drama together! :)
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This review may contain spoilers
A story of love and pain
The second season was as good as the first one. Kim Go Eun as Kim Yu Mi did a fantastic job of portraying the real-life struggles of a woman trying to find her happy ending. The time jumps made the story feel more realistic as nothing was too rushed. Jinyoung and Ahn Bo Hyun portrayed their roles very well. Do not expect any twists and turns but you will still be entertained.In the end, we also got a happy ending that was not as predictable for those who did not read the webtoon. I am really happy that Yu Mi did not get back together with either Ba Bi or Woong. It truly felt as if she got her own happy ending. The final episode wrapped the series nicely.
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Middle: 6.5/10
End: 9/10
Ahh 17 weeks and its over! *sad face* Refresh Man was the first Taiwanese drama I watched, and I’ve got to say, I loved every moment of it! (except for the one episode per week, it was terrible!!) The story was pretty standard, nothing overly excitable but it was still delivered very well and captured my interest majority of the time. The middle did drag in my opinion, maybe just after that half way mark but the story picked up towards the end, and it was very suspenseful and left me wondering what was going to happen next! Aaron Yan (so charming ;-;) and Joanne Tseng have great chemistry, the friendship and romance between the two is very cute, overall they played their roles very well, and I look forward to watching more dramas by the two in the future! The rest of the cast also did a solid job, Lene Lai was brilliant, she was probably my favourite character! Refresh Man shows determination and hard work through the characters and their roles, and if you’re new to Taiwanese dramas like I was definitely give this a try, or if you just love romance and business-like themes I hope you will enjoy Refresh Man as much as I did!
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Simply because it's a musical film since I like musicals and rock was my favorite music genre at some point therefore I watched this film.
2) Storyline/Plot:
I haven't seen the anime so I didn't know the story beforehand.
Generally, it was pretty good and most of all interesting.
Positive points:
*Rock bands and guitar love; those facts were appealing enough.
*The relationships in the film were captivating since they enrolled too many great feelings.
*Compititions and races to prove oneself ability and passion for music (rock music to be more specific) was a great theme to follow.
*The story's development was smooth: not too fastforward and not too slow.
*Considering the fact that this was a musical film, the music rocked, even those who don't like rock would enjoy it while people who are into rock would love the guitar playing.
Negative points:
*There weren't a lot of concentration on the love story, it was verylight (I like light love stories but this one was ridiculously light).
*Other than that, everything was set up in an acceptable way.
Story: 8/10
3) Acting/Cast:
*Mizushima Hiro: I liked his character and the way he played guitar plus the acting was really convincing.
*Satoh Takeru: I'm not too familiar with this actor but I believe that he did a pretty good job especially when it comes to passion for music.
*The cast was nicely chosen and the acting was good.
*I loved the relationships between the cast specially Beck band's members; it was cool to watch them play, fight, laugh and everything else they've done because every scnene they had together was a simple masterpiece.
Cast: 8.5/10
Acting: 9.5/10
4) The ending:
I was really waiting for the ending because there was a specific scene that I wanted to know but unfortunatly they kept me in the dark about something I really wanted to hear at the end of the film but that doesn't mean it was a bad ending; it was a cool normal musical film's ending.
The ending: 7/10
5)My impression (How did it affect me):
*It made my night and it was fun to watch.
*Since it's a rock musical film, I knew that I would like it and that's exatly what happened.
*Even though it was a little long, I don't believe I got bored at the middle or so, it was smooth to watch.
*I enjoyed the music since it gave me back some old rock memories that I thought I lost.
My impression: 8.5/10.
6) Overall:
*If you like musicals then you really need to watch this (especially if you're Rock music lover).
*If you're looking for romance then don't expect much from this.
*If You're not J-rock or any type of Rock lover then you wouldn't appreciate this.
Overall: 8.5/10.
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This review may contain spoilers
A comedy parody of the BL tropes but with a twist!
I tried not to include spoilers but if I did sorry.So when this manga series got announced as a drama I was very suprised yet exicted to see the outcome. The manga is pretty much a gag parody making fun out of all of the BL manga tropes so how would it translate into live action.
Postives
The direction, production and casting for side couples and extra casting is A++++. Director Miki Koichiro (of pornographer fame) has bought this BL world to life. The side couples and even the god damn extras are like in a real life version of a BL manga. I just love watching all the extras and side couples interacting in this world.
This drama is god damn funny, the manga made me laugh but the over the top acting from the main character mob is funny. He makes these faces like he's a villian trying to be straight.
Negative
While most fans will REALLY LIKE the ending, a manga reader like me has slightly mixed feelings towards it and I hate cliffhangers.
One thing I'll say that I have mixed feelings is that ending. I may understand that the drama version of mob is more weak willed to be more nicer and less cold then the manga version. But the ending pretty much changed the whole meaning of the title
But on the other hand the big plot twist for the drama is heart warming and it will please the BL drama viewers
IF the producers want to do a sequal/follow up then I am all in for it but maybe change the title.
But I hate that cliffhanger! I think fans will agree this with at least.
Overall
If BL drama fans want to take a break from emo/sad BL and want to laugh from the BL tropes they often see in these dramas. There's eye candy of so many guys loving other guys. It's god damn funny to boot with a ending that most fans will love. It really needs a follow up/sequal because a cliffhanger ending is bad.
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It had the potential to be great but it was just mid:(
I like the start of the series. The kids are amazing actors, really so talented. They could really awoke some feelings within viewers. The plot was great at the beginning. I like the concept of family by choice and not the blood.Both father figures were great, you could really feel the love they had for the kids. But both mother were infuriating, i was so mad while watching so yeah great choice of actors on both sides.
I like the cast overall and didn’t mind the time jumpes, but what irks me the most is this - when i read about what this series was about its says that juwon was mad at them for leaving her (as she should be). And then all of this to just resolve in a couple of minutes?! They left her behind for 10 years! And withing (I think an episode) they come back, she stops being angry with them, and starts daring San-ha? Like what?
I get that they could not prolong the plot but still they should film maybe 20episodes not just 16. Everything seemed rushed. It would be way better for them to take it slow i mean we all know san-ha liked her before but it would be way better for junwo to realise her feelings on her own as the time passed. I was kinda disappointed.
I mean she was mad at her oppas and then the next moment she was dating one of them?? Also the description kinda implied rivalry for her love? I was really disappointed.
Also San-ha was traumatized, suffering with ptsd, it was a great opportunity to talk more about mental health but it was just brusher under the carpet. This was another great example of rushing through.
I think it maybe is my fault for expecting too much of it, but after watching love next door and hearing all the praise it got of course i had higher expectations because family by choice also got a lot of praise over social media.
Don’t get me wrong it’s not the worst kdrama i watched but it is definitely overrated and overhyped. But maybe if you don’t have any expectations it could be okay. I dont know.
So to conclude - great actor choice, lovely meaning about family, but rushed plot. Its kinda sad it really had all the potential:(
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Park Chan Wook's most entertaining movie yet. Maybe one that finally earns him his Oscar nom?
No Other Choice is one of those rare films that made me laugh, squirm, and quietly question how far I'd go if pushed into a corner. It's darkly funny, beautifully made, and a little too close to home--a story about pride, desperation, and what’s left of us when survival becomes the only goal. The title insists there's "no other choice", but that's the cruel irony, there are always other choices, just not the kind that let you keep everything you've built your pride on.The setup hits hard. Man Su (played by Lee Byung Hun) loses his job and starts to unravel, and the fear isn't just about money but also identity, about what is left when the work that defined your worth disappears. In a capitalist world obsessed with efficiency and cost-cutting, and how human labor can be easily replaced by robots/AI, that anxiety feels sharper than ever. [Ironically, Park Chan Wook was expelled from the WGA just two months ago for continuing work as an editor during the 2023 WGA strike, which protested the use of AI to replace writers. Timing doesn’t get sharper than that.]
No Other Choice treats unemployment as transformation, but for the people living it, it still feels like failure. The job competitors Man Su meets along the way mirror parts of himself, and the less time we spend with them, the less human he seems to become. Even his toothache, throbbing whenever guilt creeps in and ending in its removal, quietly tracks how far he is willing to go.
The movie walks a fine line between empathy and irony, treating the absurd premise of "eliminating" job competitors with the dry rhythm of office bureaucracy. The humor doesn't come from punchlines, it comes from restraint--the awkward gestures, the small silences, the moments that feel too human to laugh at without guilt.
Park Chan Wook lets those moments breathe. He stretches time just enough for the absurdity to hit, so you end up laughing and immediately wondering if you should have. It's darkly comic in that uncomfortable, Park Chan Wook way.
There's one scene I keep thinking about: a tense confrontation that should've been horrifying but somehow becomes comedic. The music swells until it drowns out all dialogue, leaving only gestures and anxious movement. It's one of those moments where you're half-laughing, half-holding your breath, wondering if you even want him to succeed. It's the movie's tonal centerpiece, the best example of how Park folds comedy and dread into one perfect beat.
Visually, No Other Choice is stunning. It's a full cinematic experience. Every frame feels intentional, even when no one’s speaking. The cinematography is so deliberate that the images often carry the story themselves. The direction is precise almost to a fault. Every camera move, cut, frame and screen transition suggests control, even as the story unravels underneath.
Light becomes its own character. The film starts in warm sunlight, matching Man Su's illusion of stability, and slowly fades into gray and artificial tones as his humanity erodes and his world turns mechanical. Even in the opening barbecue, when clouds slide over his smiling family, the coming darkness is already there. The autumn palette--all muted golds and dying reds--turns beauty into warning. Everything glows because it’s decaying.
The camera placement is equally purposeful. It doesn't follow Man Su, it watches him. It's like we're standing behind a window or bushes or trees, quietly complicit, as he prunes away his conscience, just like the bonsai in his greenhouse.
Characters are often shot through glass or metal reflections, showing not who they are but who they pretend to be. One shot splits the frame with rocks: on one side, a storm rages; on the other, Man Su carries out his plan. It's a simple composition, but it captures everything the film is about, the inner storm of a man convincing himself he has "no other choice".
If the direction is the engine, then Lee Byung Hun is the heartbeat. His performance is all about the quiet breakdowns and small, painful attempts to stay composed. The guilt shows in his eyes, in the smile that never quite fits, in every hesitation. Even his comedy comes from that restraint, until he suddenly breaks it with an awkward dance or clumsy movement.
Son Ye Jin doesn't need big gestures to leave a mark. You can see her thoughts shift across her face as she processes everything quietly falling apart around her. Her smile tightens scene by scene, her wardrobe fades from bright to muted, and that subtle change says everything about what she’s holding in.
Yeom Hye Ran is the scene stealer for me. I've always loved her in everything, and this is no exception. I'm used to seeing her in more ordinary ahjumma roles, so it caught me off guard how elegant and beautiful she looks here. She brings a sharp, unpredictable energy, switching from tense to funny in a heartbeat, and she makes every darkly comic moment land without ever breaking tone.
The rest of the cast fits perfectly around them. Lee Sung Min’s quiet desperation made me feel for him, Cha Seung Won brings a worn out melancholy, and Park Hee Soon adds just the right amount of smugness. Together, they make the movie feel deeply human. It's not about heroes or villains, just people trying to survive and losing small pieces of themselves along the way.
Compared to the operatic violence of Oldboy, the seductive chaos of The Handmaiden, or the quiet yearning of Decision to Leave, No Other Choice feels like a more grounded Park Chan Wook, more deliberate, and less interested in shock than precision. The violence here is quieter but hits closer to home.
In some ways, it reminded me of Parasite: that same perfect balance between arthouse and crowd-pleaser. It might even be Park Chan Wook's most accessible film, and honestly, his funniest. And really, if anyone deserves an Oscar nomination at this point, it's him. This could finally be the one.
On a cerebral level, there's almost nothing to fault about the movie. Maybe the third act stretches a bit long, or the final twist feels a bit tacked on, but those are minor personal quibbles. What stuck with me most was that slight sense of detachment while watching this move. It's fascinating, funny, and beautifully made, but I never felt fully immersed in its world the way I did with Parasite.
That said, just like Parasite, you don't have to catch every symbol or metaphor to enjoy the movie. It's engaging, darkly funny, and sharply observed in a way that lingers. I'm giving the rewatch value a 10, because I'm sure seeing it again would reveal more, the small visual cues, the quiet ironies, the things I only notice when I already know how it ends.
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This review may contain spoilers
Out with the Ancient & In with the Modern
Finally this elf on a 2 year shelf saw the light of day. I watched this primarily because of LYN and his character as this was again a different role and character for him plus I believe this was his first real foray into martial arts characters. I also knew QJJ from a previous series and a few of the supporting characters. Ironically though they never had a scene together here LYN plays sworn brothers with ZME in Eternal Brotherhood and that was filmed back in 2021, while here the latter was Lucky's Shifu. In any case, I'm glad I watched this as it it was all about out with the ancient and in with the modern.Pros: They didn't skimp on the martial arts here. That was my number one favorite thing in this entire series. Every episode had at least one great fight be it long or short, the quality was fantastic. From camera angles to the fights themselves. Everyone went all out. Considering they used some actual history here (which I only knew through speaking with others), it looked pretty authentic and believable. From costumes to sets everything was very well done, even the accents of the different region's characters was a nice touch. Favorite OSTs were LYN's and his with JF who played HQ (his lady love). LYN has a very wide range in his vocals so to have someone who can not only match him in harmony, Melody, and power, was impressive to say the least. They made the song sound like something from a powerful western genre.
When it came to favorite characters, I liked MSD aka ML or QJJ the best though ZBF played by LYN came in right on his heels. I like how we didn't know exactly when MSD switched sides because he was always so private and secretive about it, even struggling with it a bit. ZBF was morally grey because of his ambition but a protagonist nonetheless. He was willing to give everything up to live a peaceful life at the end, it's a shame they never got a chance. MSD and ZBF though started out on opposite sides, still respected each other and towards the end there was even a bond between them that was obvious. When these two would lock swords, it was a feast for the eyes. I'd rewind a lot of their fights because that's how awesome they were. Other favorite characters were Gege, LL, Lucky, Getai, the monks, some of the members of ZBF's sect that died, even HQ though she started off whining, she never wavered from her support of ZBF even choosing to die with him.
The story was ever winding and moving, you never felt bored or like it was dragging anywhere. They only found the treasure at the end but the entire thing was about it though with other things too. The ever changing alliances between good and bad also kept things interesting. Not to mention the cheesy introduction that was placed as the opening credits in some of the episodes. When good characters perished, they were given a send off of small clips and a song of how they affected us as viewers or what they wish had happened as opposed to what did. Some really left you feeling the way they died was unfair although you knew the body count would be large. Those clips left you teary-eyed. The show overall was good.
Cons: At first I wanted to add WJL to the pros as he was an important part of the trio and finding the treasure, I really didn't like the way they wrote the character at the end. He was the most stubborn of the three but also the most gullible, naive, and ultimately just plain stupid. He never evolved, in fact he got worse. It was like yes he could recite laws and scriptures but he never knew what any of them of them represented or truly meant. He was dumber than a donkey and it caused him to kill people without even thinking. I hated the way he killed ZBF and HQ (who was technically innocent in his charges to begin with); he executed them by gunfire and a battalion of people; ZBF was severely injured and WJL didn't even fight him sword to sword like he did ZBF's juniors but ambushed him; it was an embarrassment. He went back on his promise to MSD and ZBF in regards to the seal. He literally became the very thing he supposedly despised. The writers really did his character dirty. I would have understood if he never understood why the revolution mattered and stuck to his ways but the fact that he never really understood the very things he learned and became the absolute worse of himself, was de-evolution. In the beginning, he seemed funny because he was like a cat with nine lives, but at the end he just became a repetitive monkey and I was very glad he off'd himself.
LAJ who played the spy aka "lady love" of WJL was probably the worst character in terms of over acting and being horribly unconvincing. If it had been anyone but WJL, she would have been dead long before the third to last episode. I think she was miscast, simple as that. You had all of these actors in both good and evil roles that were nailing it and then you had her and it just fell flat.
Felt like the ending was rushed because they really had to step up the body count; so it took off with YHJ the money whore taking his sect mates, & officially betraying ZBF by severely wounding and nearly killing him twice (second time they were saved by MSD and Lucky), followed by the annihilation of the sect and ZBF and HQ's murders at WJL's and army's hands, bald asswipe general's death, then Lucky, LL, the Japanese spies, and finally WJL himself. All in a span of 2 episodes. Way too much, plus they located the treasure and still had time to give all of the good characters their send offs. They could have spaced that out way better.
Would I recommend it? Despite the flaws as each drama has something; I really enjoyed this one very much. If you like a good storyline, with great martial arts, this is the story for you. Enjoy it.
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Acting: The cast is amazing Especially the lead girl she nailed the childish yet pure character so hard. about the male lead i didn't like him at first but then his character grew into me as the movie goes on.
Music: The Soundtrack of the movie is awesome. Hey Say Jump: White Love will play at the ending credits.
Rewatch: Yes. If you're having a bad day. I'm pretty sure this Movie can make you smile.
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You Go Girl!
If you are looking for a show with strong female characters, then look no further! From the female lead, her best friend, her grandmother, the main villain, the ex girlfriend, and even the secretaries, this show was all about female empowerment. The ultimate message that I got from this show was that women did not always have to be independent badasses to be strong. Instead, they can draw a collective strength from each other.Compared to other dramas, this was a refreshing and wholesome watch, considering that most Thai lakorns tend to portray females as damsels in distress who exist solely to be rescued or to serve a male character’s journey. Not only that, most of the male characters in this show respected the women’s viewpoints, seeked out their opinions, protected and supported them as well.
I was interested from the get-go, so much so that I watched it without subtitles, and then again with Google Translate and finally with subtitles. Not surprisingly, I have rated the rewatch value highly.
While the main plot was nothing new - the CEO who fell in love with his beautiful bodyguard, the show had twists and turns that kept me entertained and engaged. What I thought would be cliched outcomes turned out not to be what I expected. It was a good emotional roller coaster ride as the show balanced the triumph and defeats between the good guys and the villains nicely. Plus I got the most satisfying ending ever with lots of endearing scenes of the lead couple leading up to it.
The show hit the jackpot with the casting of Vill as Saraphi and Ken as Thewan, our main leads. The chemistry between those two was sizzling and it didn’t hurt that they looked gorgeous together. I loved how committed the main couple was towards each other. The moment they decided on each other, there was no one else. Both were also sensible and intelligent enough to come to the right conclusions about each other's actions. As individual characters, they were likable, and as a couple, they inspired relationship goals.
Whether she was saving the day with her smarts or her physical skills, Saraphi was a well-written strong female character. She’s physically fit and skilled in combat. She was brave and resourceful, with a take charge attitude and possessed an unbreakable will that refused to be tamed and a stubborn optimism that refused to be broken. Yet, Saraphi also had her vulnerabilities and had moments of weaknesses that made sense. She was not so scrubbed of imperfections that she lacked depth or development.
I was surprised to see Vill in this role initially but she delivered an excellent performance as someone strong and smart enough to take on anyone threatening her loved ones. She was an admirable female lead with strength and intelligence bottled up in an undeniably attractive package.
Empathetic, fair and devoted to the people he loved, Thewan was the perfect counterpart to Saraphi. He was no wimp, and can hold his own in a fight. Saraphi and he protected each other, and they also understood each other well. Thewan is one of my favorite male leads - intelligent, calm, rational and his level-headedness tempered Saraphi’s hot-headedness. Interestingly, Thewan displayed more jealousy; those scenes were funny, and he was so adorable!
Ken was perfect as the charismatic and clever CEO, and to me, this role was his most attractive yet.
There was a secondary couple whose relationship was also fun to watch although I was annoyed at the SML. For someone who was supposed to be interested in the FL, he was way too flirty with the SFL.
Some of the characters fell a little flat and perhaps some overacting, like the main villain, but the cast did well overall. I enjoyed the dynamics of Saraphi’s relationship with her grandmother and close friends, as well as Thewan’s devotion to his nephew, Ek.
The OST list was short but memorable. I particularly like the opening song and the song sung by Film Thanapat that played during the poignant moments between Saraphi and Thewan. I have included the list of songs that were featured below.
If there was anything to complain about, it was how loud the background music got when it came to the suspenseful moments, and sometimes the music did not transition well. It is a common problem in many lakorns, so I am not going to take off points for it.
Overall, it is a drama that I think most will enjoy. Just let the story unravel and surprise you.
OST List:
ขาดเธอไม่ได้ - POTATO (Ost.หัวใจรักพิทักษ์เธอ)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WjqJ_oZ0p0
https://open.spotify.com/track/5ohIOZKF4E1SqxD3WEgMad
ชนะไปแล้ว [OST ฉันชื่อบุษบา] – ฟิล์ม ธนภัทร
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz9g-6Y3ykQ
https://open.spotify.com/track/6LItqWbHupqrmdWM6RD8d1
รบกวนมารักกัน - K.AGLET (THE RAPISODE)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIR7m2nM0n4
https://open.spotify.com/track/5kOOfHpddpYnj86u4dZB3H
ขอบคุณที่รักกัน (Acoustic Version) - Potato
https://youtu.be/pdcyz9VLEs8
https://open.spotify.com/track/5FKB5Ro2mXfjUVbSK5zFn8
นี่แหละความรัก (This is Love) by Peck Palitchoke
https://youtu.be/2f0TeAc0AYg
https://open.spotify.com/track/13jEKU2J3JJPe3tpo8p4vY
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This season, just like the first one, had witty writing and strong characterization (something that’s lacking from many Korean dramas) which made it very appealing. The thrilling events never disappeared and the captivating action was always there.
This season’s cases were more complicated and very difficult to predict. Although that was very good on the mysterious/suspense level; it felt a bit slow at the thriller/action level, don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean that the cases were boring because that’s not true but there were some slow cases and sometimes over dramatic ones.
In this season, I also disliked the near absence of outside-cases interaction between the main characters unlike the first season that held many side conversations between them. Except the two firsts and the two last episodes; we only got 30 seconds to one minute at the end of each episode which wasn’t enough to deliver a proper conversation and made me want more.
This is still an amazing detective drama; one of the best dramas produced in Korea even if it doesn’t get the appropriate attention. So basically, if you liked the first season, this one is a must watch.
One thing to add: The first season’s ending was way better than the second but it’s still exciting. I will be impatiently waiting for the third season.
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1. I could really feel the chemistry between the male lead and female lead.
2. When Prajak, played by Tik, looks at Wanida,(played by Aff), I felt like he truly loves her. It was very believable.
3. The main lead doesn't always believe the evil characters lies blindly like many other male leads.
I would recommend this drama because it is one of the most romantic dramas in my opinion. This is a story line that has been used over and over. The man marries a girl but he loves another woman and promises to divorce and marry her. Even though it had a typical story line, I was worth the watch and I didn't get tired of the story at all. From beginning to end it was very entertaining.
Lastly, this drama is a bit more slow paced and the ending is pretty predictable but overall I loved it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Expected more, but satisfactory
I’ll start off by saying that I’m writing this after binging this entire season without break so my brain is fried. I apologize if this is incoherent lol.Firstly, I love this drama overall and would rate s1+s2 a 9/10 bc overall, the story flowed well and the conclusion was satisfactory. However, I think season one is definitely better than this season, in all aspects.
Season one had interesting and engaging games, as did season two, but the problem was that the games this season weren’t showcased as well as the previous games. I felt like there was something missing in each one, I’m not sure how to explain it. Honestly, I just found the games this season quite boring. Still, I can see how this might’ve been intentional since this season is more focused on them finding answers to their questions and conveying the main messages of the drama. Additionally, the games this season were made by previous players that defeated the games but chose to remain in borderland so I guess it makes sense for the games to be easier. Personally though, I still wish this season had the same momentum as the first one did in terms of games since that’s one of my favorite parts about this series.
In terms of acting and performance, I have no complaints. Everyone did really well in their respective roles. The action scenes were amazing and the cgi was done so well, you can tell how much time and money went into this season.
Lastly, I’ll talk about my thoughts on the ending and the explanation for borderland. I’m honestly very conflicted on if I liked the ending or not. Don’t get me wrong, the explanation makes sense and I appreciate that we got a closed ending for the most part. But, I feel like there could’ve been more to it? For example, I would’ve liked to know if borderland was actually real and the meteorite had to be created after the players chose to return, or if borderland was just a metaphor for something. The ending is meant to be interrupted in different ways though, so that’s why I don’t hate it. I like that we got a completed ending that everyone can still make different meanings of. It was a great conclusion to the series.
From my perspective, borderland is self explanatory, it’s literally a borderland between life and death. The meteorite hit and everyone near it was left to fight for their life and in this world, the borderland between life and death is a game world where people’s will to live is tested. Throughout the journey, players question their lives and whether they even want to go back to the real world aka if they even want to live. Those that make it to the end and choose to become citizens give up on life and die/remain in a coma state while those that deny citizenship wake up since they chose to live. I love this interpretation of life and death, especially in the context of the series since everything makes sense. We also get to see different perspectives of life, each of which is important. In the end, you can’t really judge those that remain citizens since there’s a reason they made that choice, whatever it may be.
Overall, I enjoyed this series a lot and would definitely recommend it to everyone. It delivered an engaging story and provided conclusions without leaving too much to interpretation. Alice in borderland, I’ll miss you. :)
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2Romantic, poetic, emotional, mesmerizing, unforgettable.
Encounter is a visually stunning andemotionally deep romance drama that follows the love story between Cha Soo Hyun (Song Hye Kyo), a wealthy but lonely hotel CEO, and Kim Jin Hyuk (Park Bo Gum), a free-spirited young man who finds joy in life’s little moments. Their chance meeting in Cuba sets the stage for a heartfelt romance that faces numerous challenges due to social expectations, family pressures, and personal struggles.
Kyo delivers a nuanced performance as Cha Soo Hyun, a woman trapped in a world of expectations. Her portrayal of quiet strength and deep sadness makes the character both compelling and relatable. Unlike more expressive roles, her performance relies on subtle emotions, making every glance and silence meaningful. She beautifully conveys the inner turmoil of a woman who yearns for freedom and love but is constantly held back by her past and responsibilities.
The chemistry between Song Hye Kyo and Park Bo Gum is delicate and heartfelt. Their relationship unfolds gently, with moments of warmth and understanding rather than dramatic passion. Park Bo Gum’s portrayal of Jin Hyuk as an optimistic, kind-hearted man complements Soo Hyun’s reserved nature, creating a dynamic where he brings light into her dark world. Their love story feels sincere and bittersweet, making the audience root for their happiness despite the obstacles.
The cinematography in Encounter is stunning, from the vibrant streets of Cuba to the elegant hotel settings. The color palette enhances the emotional tone of the story. The OST also plays a significant role, featuring soft, melodious tracks that elevate the drama’s romantic and melancholic atmosphere
Encounter is a drama that beautifully explores love, freedom, and personal growth. It’s not a typical rom-com, but rather a slow-burning, heartfelt story that focuses on emotions and character depth.
Slow burn romance is so heartwarming and beautiful to watch and Encounter is a perfect example of that✨🪄 For me this is my most favourite and comfort kdrama 🤍
So If you enjoy slow-burn, mature romance with deep emotions, Encounter is worth watching☺️
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