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Kiss x Kiss x Kiss: Love ii Shower
26 people found this review helpful
Dec 13, 2023
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 5
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

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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Completed
The Queen of SOP
26 people found this review helpful
Sep 17, 2012
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
I have to admit i was waiting for this drama for about half a year and now I finally finished it!!! In this drama what i liked most was the acting and chemistry between characters.

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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Completed
My Pistachio
26 people found this review helpful
Aug 8, 2018
Completed 2
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
STORY: Cute story even if a bit cliche: the lower classman crushes on the upper classman and finds a way to confess. Of course, the upper classman has no clue that the lower classman likes him.

CAST/ACTING: Quite good. In fact, it's about a guy who wants to be an actor. He's quite good.

MUSIC: OK

REWATCH VALUE: I'll watch it again sometime when I'm on a Strongberry BL binge.

OVERALL: Another entry from Strongberry. I do like their work and this is a nice piece with a happy ending. Always happy to support their work.
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Completed
Kkondae Intern
26 people found this review helpful
Jun 29, 2020
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 10

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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Completed
Ayla: The Daughter of War
26 people found this review helpful
Sep 27, 2018
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 8.0
While my sis, her friend and I were waiting for the ppl coming out of the cinema salon we were shocked as how many actually came out with puffy eyes.

I personally had absolutely no expectations for the movie, but the puffy eyes frightened me as I am built near the water. However, every tear was worth it.

The story was appealing to me, because at the time of the Korean War my mother’s uncle was one of the Turkish soldiers, he returned wounded and died leaving a few weeks old daughter behind right upon return. So the story being a true story gives the whole movie an extra notch of authenticity.

The movie shows war in a more human way, not only it’s kill or be killed side. It was told in a way that everyone could see sth from themselves in the story. The Marylin Monroe sequence got me all emotional.
Usually I hate the main actor, but he did such a splendid work in this movie. Also all the other actors, especially the lil girl did a great work.

The OST was really suitable for the movie and fit the emotions. After I came out of the cinema I thought I wouldn’t watch it again, but I think I was wrong as I just watched it on TV 2 days ago.

As a side not, I was at the scene were Süleyman is at the train station, but of course waiting in my train. Every weekday I get through the train station and a few Turkish drama and movie scenes have been filmed at that historic station, so I wasn’t interested in the filming at the time. But in the cinema I remembered the green truck in the background.

Try the movie if you can find it with subs you won’t regret it.

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Completed
Monster
26 people found this review helpful
Sep 24, 2016
50 of 50 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
OMG...What makes this convoluted, revenge makjang drama get a higher score is the excellent ending. Finally an ending of satisfaction. Also, a great part of the story is that the people that are seeking revenge aren't stupid. The story and characters are all over the place crazy and I loved every minute of it. I admit that this kind of drama isn't for everyone. There are times that it gets so ridiculous that I laughed, but there is enough substance to keep me interested. Plus, the character development is very well done.

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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Completed
Siege in Fog
26 people found this review helpful
May 15, 2018
50 of 50 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers
So I had a lot of high hopes for this drama going into it. It had a lot of potential to be a really good drama for the time period, but overall the drama had weird pacing issues and so much story to tell/characters to develop that even though it was 50 episodes, it felt lacking in some places, and overstuffed in others.

STORY: Story pacing and being able to develop a full and intriguing plot with a good flow are the most important thing to a drama - second only to the skills of the actors involved. You can have the strongest actors, but if there are pacing and development issues within the plot, the drama is doomed. Like most people, I had an issue with the drama beginning in media res. The first episode begins with the assassination of a key military strategist for the Yi family military (I'm not going to consider this a spoiler because it's literally in the first 10 minutes). That's all fine and dandy, but because the story begins two years into the marriage of the main couple - it just already sets things up badly. Supposedly the main couple at the beginning have a very strained relationship - but why does it make sense then for our female lead to be rushing to death to be with the husband she doesn't actually have feelings for? If the drama was filmed chronologically then maybe we could see what was going through our female's mind when she rushed up to certain dangers to be with her husband, but we are thrown into the middle of the story and it really makes me agree with the thoughts of others (that she's only doing it to pretend to be a loyal and loving wife).

Literally just within the first episode, I already had issues with the story - but I kept persevering through.

The rest of the drama then had its ups and downs. I was still pretty hooked watching the drama - there were a decent amount of exciting "omg" scenes to keep you invested, but then it was also partially because if you missed even a small chunk of the drama it was easy to get lost completely. There is so much political/military plot going on with very little explanation as to who the characters are or how they are related. (Ex. I didn't know how the Yi Family and Mu Rong family were related for the longest time - so didn't understand why Qin Sang was allowed to pass up the mountain, etc. until it was later explained that the eldest daughter-in-law was from the Mu Rong family - which isn't until a few episodes into the drama). There's a brief explanation at the beginning about the various militaries that are at war with each other (Yi Family, Mu Rong Family, Li Chong Nian's army, and Jiang Shuang Xi's army) but again there's just so much going on that it's hard to remember who's fighting who at this point.

Romance wise - also weirdly paced for me. They have a strained relationship at the beginning - and there's understandable love triangles/side lovers, etc. going on, but once they actually work out their issues with each other - things are heated for a moment, and then really die down after that. From the moment they reconcile through the rest of the drama - they're supposedly now very in love with each other and actually care for one another; however, it felt like there was more heat/chemistry between them when they were estranged from one another. Maybe just a personal opinion.

ACTING:
I think it was more of who the actual characters were that I kind of got annoyed with.

Qin Sang - stubborn, loyal, strong-willed, but fairly bull headed. She was logical and understanding at certain points, but at other times she was unreasonable and caused trouble. I appreciate that she wasn't quite a Mary Sue character, but for someone who was fairly well educated and cultured, she was just bleh and kind of stupid at other points. That being said, I think Sun Yi did a decent job portraying this character. She pulled off the cold, unfeeling character fairly well, but I was hoping she'd bring in a bit more of her cutesy-ness (a la Because of You) once the relationship between the two was better - but it was still just a bit lacking.

Yi Lian Kai - I actually really enjoyed Elvis Han's portrayal of this character - and the character overall. He pulled off the arrogant, playboy, young master very well - but was also believably mature and logical when needed. You could see the changes in his personality when he was happy, angry, sad, etc. and overall I have a decent impression of his acting after this drama.

Pan Jian Chi - Another actor who I think did a fairly decent job in this portrayal. As I was watching, I actually felt like PJC cared for Qin Sang and believed that his feelings were real. You could also see the struggle between love and duty in his face and could understand why he made the choices he did. Overall good job.

REWATCH VALUE: I'm not really jumping to rewatch this any time soon. If I did, it would mostly be to understand better what is going on politically since I know who everyone is and what relationships are already established. It is another drama that I was hoping would be a new favorite, but kind of falls just slightly above memorable.

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Completed
My Huckleberry Friends
26 people found this review helpful
by Jay
Feb 28, 2018
30 of 30 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.5
This is the next drama to be adapted based on a trilogy of books centered on the students at Zhen Hua High School. Considering how much I loved "With You,"
I was eager to see what the other classes at Zhen Hua High School were up to. At the beginning of the drama, we are introduced to a large roster of new characters and I have to admit initially I was a bit worried that they bit off more than they could chew. However, I should have known better than to doubt this production team.

What I love most about both "With You" and "My Huckleberry Friends" is the attention and time they afford to each character whether main or supporting. As the drama says, every person is the main lead of their own story. That means all the characters will experience highs and lows. No matter how "big" or "small" the issue, all of their problems were treated with the respect they deserved. As a result, even when characters that weren't featured heavily throughout the drama had a moment of success/triumph, I couldn't help but be moved as well. Similarly, some characters also experienced setbacks and failures and I was able to sympathize with them. But these hardships/struggles also serve as learning experiences so that we can better ourselves. No one can predict if our past struggles will net us the result we want in the end. However, in the process, we will become better versions of ourselves with fond memories that we can look back on. As a result, we should cherish our past not mourn it.

I also like how Zhen Hua feels like a community made up of individuals that genuinely care about one another. Even though Zhen Hua is an elite school, students go out of their way to help each other if they see someone is struggling even if that means a student might surpass them in ranking. The students try to be inclusive and take notice of each other's strengths in order to help each other achieve their dreams. Sometimes we forget that school isn't just about learning different subjects/earning grades but also learning how to socialize/interact with people who may have different personalities, interests, dreams and so on. Ideally, you shouldn't have to choose a major/university only because you think you'll get a good job from it and your job/career shouldn't solely define who you are as a person. Instead, you should be able to pursue something that genuinely interests you so that you'll be more invested in what you're learning. Unfortunately, this isn't a realistic option for most people. But there will be a courageous (and lucky) few who will buck the trend and go after their dreams however impossible they may seem because when you're young, the possibilities of what you can be seem endless.

One of the main messages that both "With You" and "My Huckleberry Friends" promotes is being yourself. This also means discovering who you are in the process. For some people, high school is the time when you start to think about your place in society and how you'll contribute to it. Some of the characters in both dramas, select their majors because their friends/crush have chosen that major or have been pushed into choosing it by their parents. It's important to explore a variety of options to find what suits you the most. That is how you'll contribute to society but your interactions with other students/teachers/parents and how you conduct yourselves will determine who you are as a person. If you want other students to be more kind, to be more understanding/empathetic, you should lead by example. Be the change you want to see. I think it's great that the teachers are portrayed encouraging this type of behavior and that they understand the youth are the future.

One of the main differences between "With You" and "My Huckleberry Friends" is the greater emphasis placed on the students life outside of the school's walls in MHF and how those factors inform what kind of student they are at school. Social status, high expectations from parents, personal trauma are just some of the issues that are examined in this drama. We also see the students bond over shared interests such as Anime/manga, basketball, music, movies as a way for them to relieve their stress and temporarily escape the harshness of their current realities. Those interests will bring them together but their shared experiences will bond them for a lifetime.

Honestly, if I had to choose between "With You" and "My Huckleberry Friends", I wouldn't be able to. I feel that they both complement one another so well and together should be counted as one of the definitive representations of youth and the growing pains associated with it.

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Completed
Tokyo Salad Bowl
26 people found this review helpful
by niaoniao Award Hoarder Enabler1
Jan 4, 2026
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 7.5

all in the dressing

The "salad bowl" concept is the idea that Tokyo is a messy collection of cultures rather than some perfect, seamless melting pot. I love how this show respects that metaphor. In a melting pot, everything is supposed to dissolve into one beautiful flavor, but the Japanese monolith does not actually allow it. It is that rigid wall of culture that forces the individual parts to stay distinct, keeping their own texture because they are never fully invited in. It highlights the friction in places like Shin-Okubo or the industrial pockets of Edogawa, where the "one Japan" image meets the reality of the people it refuses to absorb. This is the actual reality of the world they built, and it defines everything from the cases to the characters.

Nao is just incredible as Mari. It is honestly hard to explain, but she just breathes this specific energy into every single line and every single scene. It is alive and refreshing. She makes the character so believable. She is a cop who actually bothers with the crumbs... the cases that the rest of the department treats as afterthoughts. I really liked that the show does not lean too hard into that tired "one cop against the world" trope. It is not that everyone else is a villain or too stupid to be believable. It is just that Mari cares about the community level cases with an intensity others do not have. She just wants to be good at her job and help the people actually trying to survive in that bowl.

I found the way the show handles Arikeeno’s and Oda's history has a level of gravity that caught me off guard. Professional survival in Japan demands a "dual life," a performance of normality that is mandatory within the police force and rigid corporate hierarchies. The 2023 Understanding Act failed by prioritizing majority "peace of mind" over actual protection, which basically sanctioned the harassment and sidelining of anyone who does not fit the mold. Because workplaces view anyone who is not a "family man or woman" as untrustworthy, a mask of conformity is required to navigate a culture of deep, persistent suspicion. Seeing how certain parts of a private life can be used as a threat makes Arikeeno’s stone-faced exterior feel like necessary armor. It is a heavy, honest look at the kind of trauma that comes from having your personal identity treated like a threat to society.

While I noticed the show occasionally uses strokes that are a bit too broad, it offers a necessary look at the real problems foreign residents face in Japan. It handles the labor market reality with actual depth. Many of these people are just looking for a better life and recognize they are helping a country that cannot keep its workforce full because of the birthrate issue and population decline. I know firsthand how wonderful and accepting most Japanese people are, so I appreciated that this isn't a blatant condemnation of the country. It is more about the friction in the system. It is a lens to give some focus.

The show gave me some truly heartbreaking tales of people trying their best to work within that system, like the elder care case. It is a sharp contrast to those who just abuse it. Even when the villain veers into a bit of a caricature or feels a little clownish, it was never enough to distract me from the weight of the story. It is the only part that feels a bit too drama-fied, but the rest of the show is grounded enough to balance it out.

The focus on language is the best part for me. It is rare to see a drama actually lean into the struggle of communication like this. The delivery was sometimes rough, but I expected that with a drama focused on language. It makes the world feel more grounded. Instead of everyone magically understanding each other, I saw the friction and the work it takes to get a point across. It makes the cases feel urgent because I could see how easily things get lost in translation.

In the end, it comes back to that salad bowl. It is a beautiful and messy collision of lives that do not always blend perfectly. Even with the rough edges and the occasional broad stroke, it is the most human look at Tokyo I have seen in a long time. It actually makes you care about the people trying to find their place in the mix.

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Completed
My Fated Boy
26 people found this review helpful
by Zogitt
Aug 14, 2021
29 of 29 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.5

A beautifully crafted romantic drama that recharged my spirit

Chinese rom-coms can be tropey and full of clichés. Those seemed to come from a well thumbed playbook that have been passed around the writer's guild. While its root is in that muddy pond, this show rose above it like a lotus flower.

Let's be honest, the plot of this show is quite straightforward. There are no big stars nor dramatic breakups. The ending was never in doubt and it was set in a provincial city. What it lacked were more than made up by a superior script and the acting of the ensemble cast.

I believe the ML is a newcomer and while he still have some rough edges, his natural presence and energy was perfect for the role. I have, more than once, found myself smiling like an idiot at the screen when he just radiated happiness. The FL is not an A-lister but she have been in various shows. She did very well playing a conflicted soul who was trying to choose between happiness and conformity. The CP has oodles of chemistry and some of their little cute acts were truly swoon worthy (not to mention the real romantic scenes). There is a good amount of skinship and that's because the ML can't keep his paws off the FL. Woof!

The support cast is wonderful. Most are older actors and I have no doubt some were locals. The script did not relegate them to the background but they have prominent roles and fully fleshed out back stories. It was a joy to see their banters, their support and shared wisdom when the CP needed them the most. Their acting were so good that they made you understand why some motifs actually became clichés. The writer really knew how to hit you with the feels. Not dramatic dam buster type but scenes that you can relate to and share their emotions.

BTW, most rom-com will cast the 2FL as the antagonist who will stop at nothing to tear the CP apart. Our 2FL started off like this but by mid show, you began to empathise with her as you get to know her. You will cheer her on and wish her the best by the end of the show. That is an amazing way to write an oft one dimensional character. Bravo, writer, bravo!

I also loved the vignettes of the CP growing up together that start each episode. Some were hilarious but one in particular was heart breaking.

The pacing of the first 3/4 of the show was good. Not rushed but plots were developed and progressed steadily. My only criticism is that the last 10% of the show did coast along. All the sub-plots were wrapped up neatly. Rainbows and sunshine blessed the land. As someone who enjoyed the show I cannot complain but I can see some viewers might find it slow going and a bit of self indulgence.

The OST was great. Worked really well with the scenes. The title track was written specifically for the show and not some generic love song. The production value was generally high and it probably helped that it was not set in Beijing or Shanghai which would have ballooned the production costs.

Not everyone will love this show, but if you appreciate a good romance this is for you. Your perseverance will be rewarded.

This Show is not about flashy sets nor crazy plot twists. It is about relatable people doing their best to find love, happiness and meanings to their lives. It is a true diamond in the rough. Peace.

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Completed
Sassy Girl, Chun Hyang
26 people found this review helpful
by rachel
Jun 13, 2013
17 of 17 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This story is based on a Korean folk legend, so most of the character descriptions are based on that, particularly Chun Hyang and Pres Byun Hak-do.

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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Completed
All In
26 people found this review helpful
by pattyrn4 Flower Award1
Jul 13, 2014
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10
One of the best Korean dramas produced, it is a Korean mafia Godfather show. There is plenty of action: fighting, shooting, stabbing, killing. The suspense with all the revenge, mafia hits, betting, and takeover moves will keep you guessing until the very last scene. My favorite part was the intense love story between two of Korea's hottest stars, Lee Byung Hun and Song Hye Kyo which weaves through the entire drama. Add to that Ji Sung and a huge exceptional cast.

This 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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Completed
Kurokouchi
22 people found this review helpful
by Cheer
Dec 19, 2013
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
Amongst many Detective Japanese dramas produced every year; it’s hard to find something that bumps of the crowd. Kurokouchi was able to distinguish itself from other dramas of the same genre despite the low ratings.

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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Completed
Boys over Flowers Season 2
26 people found this review helpful
by Rourou
Apr 22, 2012
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
I doubt if there's a person who haven't seen the 2nd season after watching the 1st. As for me, I don't seperate between the two seasons, I just feel they're one part.
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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Completed
Sleepless Society: Insomnia
26 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2020
13 of 13 episodes seen
Completed 11
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 10

A Hidden Gem!

TLDR: Insomnia was a breath of fresh air, consistent with its storyline and gripping for all 13 eps. I can't exactly put into words how absorbed I was into the story.

❛ Story ❜
I love plot above all and the plot of this drama is indeed quite amazing, everything is foreshadowed well and it stays interesting till the very end. When I started it, I wasn't expecting it to be THAT good and even managing to grab my attention with just the first episode.

It's really not what it may seem at first; what appears to be somewhat typical mystery drama about a mundane island in the beginning changes into something unexpected and dark. This is the first drama in which I couldn’t afford to fast forward any scenes because each episode of it kept me on edge of my seat and I loved every second of it.

To some, maybe the plot might be a bit predictable, but it doesn't lowers the enjoyment, it only proves that the plot-twists were believable enough for the viewers to catch and not get confused. Because plot-twists aren't supposed to be confusing, they're supposed to either caught you off-guard or make the story more interesting and complicated as new developments take place (at least that's what I believe, since I've watched my fair share of 'mystery' dramas that are a complete mystery for me to understand...)

❛ Characters ❜
The MC is the best thing about this drama. She's smart, strong, and capable without being unrealistically 'superior' (as in intelligence or other aspects) to other characters. She's exactly what we mean when we ask for a 'strong female lead' - someone who's not necessarily fearless or reckless, but brave enough to face her own fears and do the right thing.

As for others, they were great too! The side characters, whether they're likable or despicable, are really well-written and I love how they're written like actual characters rather than just some stepping stones for the MC. The whole cast also did a great job with their performances.

All in all, I'd really recommend everyone to give it a try! don't let the few amount of recognition it got discourage you because as I said before, it's a lot better than it might seem at a first glance.

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