Let me expand on that:
Park Hae Jin’s acting (or maybe he was just goofing off the whole time?) was hilarious. Though I really enjoyed a lot of elements in this show, his facial expressions throughout it made “Man To Man” my new favorite drama. [I spammed my MDL feed with examples, if you want to see what I mean.] Kim Min Jung was also great playing our female lead, Do Ha, a quirky, independent, non-cookie cutter heroine who, thankfully, did not cling to the male lead.
The Plot: For some, the drama itself might seem to be a half-baked combination of humor, espionage, romance, and bromance—but for me it was perfect. I get bored if I feel like a show is stuck in one genre. The only time I was disappointed in the plot was during the last episode, because I disliked how it concluded the various story arcs. Last episodes are very important; they are the final impressions of each character and should wholly complete the story. I was regretfully disappointed in the “Man to Man” finale.
Acting-wise, I thought all the cast did great within the limits of the characters they were given. What I mean is, that all the characters were enjoyable to watch because they were portrayed well, but the characters themselves were underdeveloped. I thought Seol Woo and Do-ha were developed enough, and since they were the two main characters I was content with that.
Long review short, I loved “Man to Man.” Park Hae Jin’s face is hilarious, the plot is a spy-romcom, and the OSTs are great. I say give it two episodes, but you can probably tell if it’s the type of show for you or not after just watching the pilot.
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'"Passion" is a brand of Lubricant' said Chen Xi with a perfect little shit eating grin.
ᴍʏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ ꜱʏꜱᴛᴇᴍ: 9.5 = [ᴇɴᴊᴏʏᴇᴅ ɪᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪᴛ ᴀ ʟᴏᴛ, ɢᴏᴏᴅ ꜱʜᴏᴡ]I actually just loved this short piece in general!
Even just some of the candid dialogue lines in these short 4 episodes were so unique and so straightforward, and also quite true to how natural conversation and banter might go in a situation where two unfamiliar people are discovering attraction for one another and flirting. So let me break my thoughts down.
THE GOOD:
- Not only was their acting natural, smooth and appropriate to each scene, as well as their chemistry being easy and effortless, these two Chinese actors also might be two of the best looking leads I've seen together in a BL in a long time. For me personally, I usually end up liking one, or neither ML, looks-wise in a show, so the fact I think both of these actors were good looking was a bonus.
- The budget wasn't high for this but it goes to show what can be done with even a minimal budget if the actors, script, director and set designers are ALL competent. Very suitably written, designed and filmed.
- There was so much clear context in just four eps and yet it didn't feel rushed or forced or confusing. It was pretty complete for only being four episodes, we knew just enough about all the moving parts to understand these two characters individual situations and to appreciate their damaged yet sincere connection to each other.
- The dialogue, I loved the dialogue in this.
- Chen Xi's actor (and his character) was very unintentionally and intentionally sexy, it was a nice blend.
- Tidy little tale with a happy enough ending.
- No shitty slow motion, excessive music and all that crap that wastes time in the run of mill BLs.
No BAD here, but two smaaalll disappointments:
- Duh, the length, even just 4 eps at 30 min long would have been a little bit better.
- I wish they'd kissed properly even just once. The lip pecks were nice, but really, the visual of them kissing properly would have just been the cherry on top.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Again, some of the dialogue in this was so well written, just the right kind delivery too from the leads.
- Proper emotional range in the acting, which is rarely seen in BLs from Thailand, SK, Taiwan and Japan.
This is short but it's a small gem, I would 100% recc this.
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I would probably recommend watching this drama if u just want a good laugh tbh or if u just wanna kill time don’t quote me on that tho :0
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Review of BL episodes!
💋 Grown Up Kiss (7/10)The story was amazing, but the kiss was too short. I felt like they edited the whole kissing scene to make it less sensual. I noticed they removed a particular scene that was previously shown on the trailer. Quite disappointing charr
💋 Fever Kiss (8.5/10)
Many prefer the prequel, but I like the sequel more. Changing the setting from home to school is actually a great move. For me, it adds more excitement to the story. My only concern is that their kissing scene was too silent. Unlike the other couples, I don't hear much sound from their kiss.
💋 Idol Kiss Practice Edition (9/10)
This is already their third time appearing in kissxkissxkiss, and they always ATE... each other! The acting was great. Both of them really portrayed their roles well. I wish they would come up with a new storyline next time other than Mugi getting jealous. About their kiss, I love the part when they start kissing on the floor. For me, it was very intimate. If I have something arguable to say, I don't think school uniforms suit them.
💋 Atelier Kiss (9.5/10)
This one is the hottest episode of kissxkissxkiss ever. Both actors look handsome, but their acting is mid. There's no awkwardness during the kissing scene, even though they're from the same agency. I read somewhere that it was fine for them to do a kissing scene again, so I'm looking forward to their comeback next season.
💋
Overall, we got shorter kisses this season, but still an enough amount to enjoy. In my opinion, "Atelier Kiss" has the best kissing scene, while "Grown Up Kiss" has the best storyline. All the actors are handsome, and the OSTs are great.
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Typical drama
the friendship that made me wish i had a best friend like that- someone who understands you and thought the same as you or close to same as you.
There was a couple of people that bothered me.
Love triangle - its nice to see the relationship develop between Xiao Je and the two male leads.
the fashion- I live in Ny therefore if i try on some of asian fashion people will look at me funny, but how i wish i could get a stylist to do my makeup and clothes. The whole drama i was staring at the females eyelashes- too bad they are fake, but its nice to look at. ^.^
Not typical drama
I always get annoyed when the story rises to its climax and so many problems arise- most of the time I would just drop the drama or start looking for another drama to watch, but this was an exception.When i say this is not typical I mean It had this kind of nice and warm feeling. No evil mother. It was a mother who was open to accepting things- as many other characters except a few.
Although this is a mature drama, but i really enjoyed the romance and you know how romance can be childish at times. You have to see it.
And finally, this drama had a mature characters. A strong female lead- I saw how she grew in work,she doesn't always need someone to protect her because she can do it!!!
Overall there were many "awwww" moments and moments where i could not stand to see what the old grandpas where saying. But they weren't up to where i would drop the drama.
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Best KDRAMA of 2020
I have enjoyed each episodes. Park Hae Jin and Kim Eung Soo are so fun to watch. I love how the director did not focus on romance but in the story itself. It is not boring and once you have done watching episode you will crave for more and can't wait to watch what would happen next. The drama is very direct to the point, all scenes are worth to watch. It is also gives moral lessons to viewers. I love Ga Yeol Chan and Lee Man Sik's character. They are perfectly created to the story. And Park Hae Jin and Kim Eung Soo portrayed them well. Kuddos to both of them, great actors as always.I love all series of Park Hae Jin like Man to Man and Cheese in the Trap. Hope more more projects like this for him.
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Watch "Love Like the Galaxy" instead
The Long Ballad was too damn L-O-N-G!!! It clocked in at 49 episodes, which could have been easily condensed to half that amount. It dragged on unmercifully. There was zero chemistry between the FL and ML.Zhao Lusi was the only good performer in this show, as she is great in practically every show she is in. I watched this show mainly for her and Leo Wu. Leo Wu's performance was mediocre, maybe because he was young at the time (20 yrs old) and had not yet perfected his acting skills (but see my next paragraph about Leo Wu).
If you want to see a better historical drama with both Zhao Lusi and Leo Wu, I recommend that you watch "Love Like the Galaxy" which was produced a year after this show. LLTG has an outstanding screenplay, costumes, set design and special effects, and all the actors/actresses displayed excellent acting skills. That show is superior to this Long Ballad show in all ways! Although LLTG has 56 episodes, it goes fast without any dragged-out scenarios.
I will not be rewatching this show in future or recommending it to anyone.
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This review may contain spoilers
Acting is the saving grace
I initially tuned into this show solely for Luo Yunxi, without much expectation due to past experiences with modern Chinese dramas. However, the trailer intrigued me, and I hoped it might surpass my expectations. While it wasn't bad, it also didn't stand out significantly.Pros:
The acting stands out as the strongest aspect of the show. Each actor delivered their role excellently without going overboard.
As a fan of "Till the end of the moon," I particularly enjoyed the chemistry between GYZ and FMF. The main leads also had good chemistry, with many scenes feeling natural.
Luo Yunxi's performance deserves special mention, as he consistently elevates his acting in each role. This is arguably his best modern drama performance to date.
ZRN shows potential as one of the standout actresses in the Chinese entertainment industry, especially in emotional scenes.
Even the side characters portrayed their roles convincingly.
I appreciated the music of the drama, especially a violin instrumental piece that became an instant favorite.
Cons:
The plot and execution fell short. While there were enjoyable scenes and episodes, the overall story lacked coherence and direction.
The portrayal of kissing scenes was a letdown. While I didn't expect passion, I hoped for better expressions from ZRN during these moments.
As a medical drama addressing diseases like Huntington's, I wished for more exploration of the struggles faced by HD patients and their families. The focus on family and love drama detracted from the potential emotional depth of the show.
Overall, I'd recommend watching it once if you're a fan of Luo Yunxi or enjoy modern medical dramas in general.
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All of the actors were great. Jeong Bo Seok as Byun Il Jae and Jin Tae Hyun as Do Kwang Woo were just over the top awesomeness as the bad guys. They made this drama fun to watch. I also enjoyed Jo Bo Ah as Do Shin Yeong more than any other character. She was totally cute and funny.
The music is pretty good.
I won't ever rewatch this.
If you like a good revenge makjang, then this is definitely one to watch.
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Definitely a Gem.
This series was surprisingly good. It is a bit slow paced but it was consistently endearing. I’ve watched many Jdrama’s and this one is by far one of the best I’ve ever seen. Aside from the initial awkward moment, it’s genuinely a well written series. No supremely weak and and easily manipulated females. No forced dating. No weird triangles. Just good friendships, communication and humor. I loved how supportive the friends were towards each other and how they treated each other like family. It was a very warm series. There were some sad moments but so many heartfelt and funny moments too. I highly recommend this and will most certainly put it on my rewatch list.Was this review helpful to you?
The cast is nearly perfect, with the exception of the second female lead. Jae Hee and Han Chae Young have great chemistry as the lead couple. Jae Hee gives a heartfelt and comical performance at the right moments, showing his character's growth from a mollycoddled high school student to a college student who takes ownership of his relationship and makes a stand for Chun Hyang and himself. Han Chae Young feels too mature for the role of a spunky high school student at the start of the show, but she grew on me especially when her character graduates from high school and matures.s
Uhm Tae Woong performs the role quite suavely - an evil second male lead who goes all way out to thwart the relationship. I also grant him a concession because he is the Uhmforce. The second female lead is just mehh for me - in fact out of the four, she's the only one who has no name recognition at this point in time. She just performs the role of antagonist, as written. In fact, she has the kind of face that makes me want to slap her when she comes onscreen. Both second leads are just PURE EVIL.
Like another reviewer said, few characters will emerge from this drama blameless. Most of them have done something to hold the relationship back from progressing - but I wouldn't call them Nice Guy-type dysfunctional. The only two who seem to have common sense and foresight is Ji Hyuk and Mong Ryong's father. Even Dan Hee, who at the start seems to be a harmless and well-meaning friend, but at some point in the show, she started to grate on my nerves.
Pacing of the story starts well. After episode 8, it starts to be frustratingly slow but thankfully picks up towards the end of episode 10. But, the way everything is tied up by the end of the show leaves much to be desired.
The music is just alright. In fact, it gets very repetitive and it becomes obvious that the same tunes are used when certain themes and characters come up in the story. Pretty boring.
The wardrobe for this show, especially Chun Hyang and Mong Ryong, is pretty atrocious on hindsight. I don't understand how these clothes could have been considered trendy during that time. I would not allow anyone I care about to wear them in public.
All in all, even though there are many flaws, the show is spirited and full of heart. It also receives lots of praise since many Korean drama fans started out on this drama, of whom I am one.
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an excellent series (m/m reality dating show)
Overall: this is my favorite reality dating series ever. It had a very earnest feel while being entertaining. 10 episodes 45 minutes each. Aired on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81685212Reality Dating Series Note: When watching "reality" series, I always keep in mind that producers might tell the guys what to do/say and that editing can be extremely misleading (not showing things, change the order, etc). My goals are that the guys have some fun (maybe make a friend) and being on the show helps (or at least doesn't hurt them) in their personal and professional lives.
Content Warnings: trauma, past death, grief
What I Liked
- everyone was respectful of everyone else
- the coffee truck was a neat idea to have something else to focus on, the budget encouraged them to work/collaborate
- the first anonymous letter and then writing who they'd like to have a date with and sending matching pairs on a date
- it's good that people were able to leave the house as a month was quite a long time
- production value such as nice music, set design, editing, etc
- (neutral) it took some getting used to with the hosts, I generally don't like real people commenting on the relationships of other real people, however the hosts were pretty respectful and pointed out things that I was also thinking
Room For Improvement
- sometimes the editing was super choppy/jarring
- wish they had some formal group question prompts, or organized group games (it did look like the guys played their own board/card games)
- sad that they only gave viewers 10 episodes 45 minutes long with them living together for a month, seems this could have been much longer, perhaps they'll have a season 2 with a longer runtime when this is (hopefully) a huge hit
Comparison to other m/m dating shows
1. His Man (South Korea) on GagaOOLala/iQIYI, currently on season 3. Excellent visuals/production value.
2. Sparks Camp (Philippines) on YouTube, currently on season 2. Great diversity with the guys.
3. Boys Like Boys (Taiwan) on GagaOOLala, had a very similar aesthetic/vibe to His Man
4. Love House seasons 1 & 2 (Vietnam) on YouTube (most have English subs, this is ep 1 of season 2 no subs though https://youtu.be/TKzT_nHfVTA ). I liked this set up more than Bromance because the guys could all pursue one another. I didn't like the "secret couple" aspect and dividing them up based on sexual position seemed odd (can't they discuss that in private???) Season 1 was also the most brutal "rose ceremony" I've ever seen in any dating reality show. Season 2 was better.
5. Bromance (Thailand) is also on Gagaoolala. This is the typical Bachelor/Bachelorette set up with a bunch of people competing against one another to be with the 1 bachelor. I didn't like this because they could have all been hitting on each other and we have multiple couples! I got kind of bored and skipped a bunch.
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1This drama feels very real and scary at times. There are no silly cartoon characters or fill in empty stretches. Don't let 24 episodes deter you. I didn't want it to end. Also, the loyalty between childhood friends, which extends into teen years and adulthood, is very heartwarming.
Most people just watch new shows, so All In no longer gets attention. But it was a big scale production in 2003 with breathtaking scenes from Jeju Island all the way to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. It was extremely well done and is not dated at all. If you are a fan of Lee Byung Hun, you will find his acting, karate skills, and lovemaking exceptional here. All In has it all!
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I usually agree with Japanese ratings because they’re generally objective and I frequently disagree with international ratings because they’re often biased. This time around, I disagree with both of them; this drama doesn’t deserve the low ratings at all.
Kurokouchi isn’t your typical detective drama with an investigation hero or some genius scientist in it. How is it different? For starters, this is not an episodic drama where each episode they solve a case then move to the other one; Kurokouchi takes the 45 year-old 300 Million-Yen robbery case from a different angle. It’s notable to mention that the 300 Million-Yen case is a real robbery that took place in Japan back in 1968 and remains unsolved until today. The storyline is the writer (the mangaka’s Koji Kono and Takashi Nagasaki)’s hypothesis about what actually happened.
This drama is more of a crime mystery thriller than a detective drama; there are too many dark moments going on that differentiate Kurokouchi from any other detective drama. Of course, this remains as an investigation plot with a police department and detectives but there’s more than that to the storyline. It goes into depth of thrilling events with unexpected turns that make you eager to know what will happen next. The variety of developments and side stories that are always connected to the main robbery are a major strength point that counts for this drama.
The acting was pretty good. The performance by Nagase and Watabe Atsuro were quite remarkable; it’s been a long time since I haven’t seen them in anything that I forget how great they can be at portraying their characters. As for Gouriki, I will leave it at “Passable”; I think the main problem that people are finding with Ayame is her repetitive appearance on TV dramas and her lack of roles’ diversity. I didn’t hate her acting but I despised her character, she was a waste a space and a typical prey of “female dumb police partner” personality who knows nothing but asking stupid questions and lurking around for nothing. I wish that Japanese would change some of their female detectives’ characters. It’s about time that we get some strong, hardcore female investigators in the police department.
As for the male lead; this drama displays an anti-hero, a police officer who’s nothing like any other detective you saw before. He’s someone who affiliates with corrupted politicians, someone that you can never predict what he will do next. Kurokouchi always manages to surprise us with his choices and unexpected revelations. What also makes the character quite fascinating is its dark humor; it’s quite likeable even if it sounds hateful. On the other hand, there’s Sawatari: a manipulative silent character who always smiles no matter what. I happen to like those types of characters so I grew an ultimate liking to his way of thinking and it didn’t even matter that he was an evil figure in the drama.
Other characters were pretty well written to suit the diversity of crime stories and side events that always occurred in this drama. However, some of them weren't quite good and I still can't get over the sudden disappearance of a certain character.
In a line, the music suited the drama’s detective theme in a good way.
As usual, the rewatch value is always low for suspense twisty dramas that lose their factor of surprise once rewatched.
Watch this if:
-You enjoy non-episodic detective dramas.
-You like real stories but remember that this is only based on a hypothesis.
-You’re in the mood for a Japanese Crime/Thriller.
-You happen to like Nagase Tomoya.
Do not watch if:
-You’re not interested in detective dramas.
-You dislike Nagase Tomoya.
Kurkouchi ‘s definitely one of the best produced Detective dramas this year even if it’s underrated both nationally and internationally.
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This season had much more events than the 1st one but the 1st season's music was better than this season's. However, if we speak about the general concept everything was nicely done; The actors showed more skills and proved their great talent : I fell for that strong acting.
Domyouji remain as my favorite character in this drama, there were new cast beside the old one wich made the drama more interesting.
Basically, if you watched the 1st season you won't feel it's finished without watching this one.
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