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The One True King.
This drama packs a powerful punch from the very first episode with frighteningly intense fight scenes that had me flinching at every viciously lethal sword stroke throughout. The dark and intriguing wuxia plot is like an addictive, multi-dimensional jigsaw puzzle that brilliantly seduces with a mysterious backstory and shadowy motives of the key actors. This is a very intelligently written drama that will appeal to engaged viewers who enjoy pulling at threads until all is revealed.Be warned - there may be mild spoilers ahead although I will steer clear of major spoilers.
Wen Siyuan, the suzerain of the information broker Shanshui sect is tasked by a gifted itinerant doctor Zuo Qingci to help recover a stolen defense map that was entrusted to marquis Yan. They enlist master thief Su Yunluo/Fei Kouer and the two top disciples of the powerful Zhengyang sect (Yin Changge and Chen Manqing) to aid them in this dangerous quest. It turns out to be a bonding adventure for them that results in a friendship and trust that can prevail over existing loyalties and conflicting agendas. It also drags them into a battle for the throne and reveals secrets relating to a decade old conspiracy involving their elders.
From the start, that GOT callousness of characters dying at the roll of a dice probably made me protect my heart from caring too much about any of the main characters or couples. My favorite characters are the more peripheral ones - the Ghost Boy and the One True King. All of the characters in this drama are flawed and make mistakes. While Qingci and Yunluo are clearly the leads, there are many important, well developed and well acted roles. Our leads are both single minded to the point of obsession in their goals; Yunluo in a decade long quest to heal her shifu and Qingci initially with Yunluo and later on, with revenge. While I did not enjoy the obligatory angst, the overall progression of this relationship from an unhealthy adolescent infatuation to a mature and sustainable one was well done. Both young actors are charismatic and convincing but it is Zhou Tingwei's enigmatic Wen Siyuan that steals my heart and anchors the entire cast. Romance is not this drama's strongest point but the one between Siyuan and Manqing is sophisticated, witty and laced with just the right amount of spice to make the sparks really fly. The women are strong and independent and have their own agendas that can be higher priorities than love so they don't just meekly fall in with their men's plans. Best of all, they don't bore me with any high pitched squealing. The bro-mance between Changge and Zhuyuan is also very enjoyable although I don't love where the the story goes for both characters.
The real hook of this largely plot driven drama besides the satisfyingly bloodthirsty action is discovering hidden identities, motives and secrets, understanding Qingci's ruthless strategies and his end game and how he adapts when things don't go completely to plan. Which happens A LOT. Because the villains are just that cunning and that much more powerful that sometimes they win. The way tension and suspense is built in this drama is really masterful but can induce stress. The story is brilliantly written but unfortunately flaws and plot holes emerge towards the end. The first arc is really exceptional on all fronts but the excitement and ruthless brutality peaks there although the story continues to be absolutely riveting. From ~ episode 30, the story succumbs to crowd pleasing but unnecessary romantic tropes, some gratuitous deaths and imminent tragedies. While it builds to another climax the ending was only just satisfactory and did not meet my admittedly high expectations. There were too many holes and they unnecessarily wrote themselves into a certain outcome that they did not dare to follow through on with the same characteristic cruelty of the earlier arcs. I am left wondering if their quest was ultimately futile and if the high cost of revenge can be considered justice. To me, the true unsung hero of this story is the One True King who is willing to sacrifice for peace but is not king in name. This is the character that moved me the most. Does the legend of such a noble king make this a very dark wuxia or one that is bathed in bright light?
This is the most awesome wuxia of 2020, flaws and all. I initially considered it a 9.0 due to my high personal enjoyment but objectively 8.5 is more than fair given the messy ending.
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If I have to describe this drama in one word, I'd say it's "nostalgic". It does seem like an obvious choice since it's a story about past life, but making a mere viewer like me constantly feel warm and comforted by the characters and the bond between them is not something other past life stories can easily do. This is the product of seamless writing, talented cast and their acting, mesmerizing music and phenomenal cinematography. This drama is at the very top of productions of its kind, it will stay there for a long time, and it has possibly exceeded the standard value of other genres as well.
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The story, for me, sums up into a beautiful story about destiny and camaraderie that surpasses the boundary of time. Instead of being something completely new, it surely makes a lot of new choices in characteristics, settings and storyline.
You will experience this simple concept of love and friendship on two timelines: one is back in 1930s Kyungsung (Old Seoul) when Korea was under Japanese rule, and one is in present time Seoul. Although the present time is their main timeline and their past is shown as their recollection, both timelines have their own weight and are laid out equally well.
The main characters are this story's forte. In the present time, we have a bestselling writer who appears snobbish at first but opens up into a very thoughtful person, a ghostwriter who can look both like a caring gentleman and a lonely lost puppy at the same time, and lastly, a fan who is strong, caring and rather very respectful for someone entitled "number one fan". They really are a bunch of good qualities which you can't help but fall for.
These three characters are then tasked with a mission to find out what truly happened in their past lives that makes things the way they are in present time. As they recall past events together, they develop a strong bond just as how they did in the past – if not even stronger because now they also have a chance to learn things about each other they previously didn't know.
At the same time, their past timeline is where the political genre comes in. It's not heavy on politics at all, I can assure you. It rather weaves this setting into the main message very nicely because here our main characters share their passion in fighting against the Japanese for liberation. It's rather super romantic, I must say. "To protect the love I couldn't protect in my past life. To meet again in a liberated homeland and love freely." – This quote says it all.
Other than that, this story gives you a good laugh. Side characters are as three-dimensional as the main ones, and many of them will surely grow on you. Also, this could be because I'm Korean, but even their dialogues and choice of action are three-dimensional. Every word they speak, everything they do, has a good reference and reason behind it. The constant mention of supernatural beings is witty, and how they involve famous quotes, poems and authors really fits with the plot. I can't praise this drama's writer enough for her super well-done research. There's really no plot hole or boring/dragging moments.
And, oh, did I mention? The said writer is Jin Soo Wan, the amazing writer behind Moon Embracing the Sun and MDL users' all-time favorite Kill Me, Heal Me.
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For the cast, I have seen almost every single one of them in their past works, and they still didn't remind me of their other characters at all, which is always important. They were so alive in their roles. I specifically want to praise our leading cast Yoo Ah In, Im Soo Jung and Go Gyung Pyo who had to take on two roles each for their separated present and past characters. They all nailed it. Additionally, Kwak Shi Yang who portrayed the antagonist deserves extreme compliments. The fact that he made me utterly hate his entire being proves that his acting was marvelous. That is an A+ for someone who's been in the industry for merely 3 years.
Another thing I fell in love with was the music. This drama's OSTs are gems – not only because we have golden voices like Baek Yerin and SG Wannabe but because the lyrics were written according to the storyline. The music cues are planned out so well that it's almost cunning. They appear at every right moment to add meaning to what we're seeing on screen, and often times they call for tears. In other words, they are not just background music but part of the storytelling itself. Don’t ever forget to read the meaning of those songs, and you’ll be in awe.
Likewise, the cinematography, the costumes, sets and their props are also impeccable. "Visually stunning" describes this entire production. This is one of those few dramas that you can pause at any moment and get a beautifully-composed still image. Present day Seoul and 1930s also have a clear line between them – both done beautifully from a lot of research. The color is graded in a cozy lukewarm tone and will make you feel like watching a beautiful independent movie on a big screen.
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Romantic, evocative, delicate, sentimental, homely.
“Nostalgic” it is. Nostalgic really sums up everything.
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Witnessing how this drama played out every week felt just like witnessing a piece of art. I never thought I'd have a chance to give straight 10s on a review, but this drama felt like an exception from the very beginning, and it never disappointed me until the end. If this isn't enough to make you decide to watch, I don't know what else will.
I don't think I'll be able to get over this drama in a very long time. This drama is my home.
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I seldom write reviews for dramas, but I felt that this drama was worth my time to recommend it to others. Frankly, I went into this drama without high expectations because the plot summary sounded a bit funny at first. However, this drama proved me wrong and turned out to be one of the best rom-coms I have ever watched. I found myself waiting desperately for each Wednesday and Thursday to come, so that I could immediately tune in for the latest episode. And, more so, I found myself laughing and crying along with the characters.
This is a drama for people who like simple romance, without much salt and pepper, just pure unsophisticated interactions between two individuals in their home space as they gradually fall in love. This is also a drama for people who like to focus on main leads and don’t care much about side characters and their subplots, because all the side characters in this drama are purely for the development of the leads.
Story 8.5/10
The story is about a man called Kim Min Kyu (Yoo Seung Ho) who, due to childhood trauma, developed a rare illness that causes him to be allergic to humans (as in REAL skin allergy!) and he has since then lived all by himself for 15 years. Doctor Hong Baek Gyun (Uhm Ki Joon) gets Min Kyu to test out his newly invented robot, but due to unexpected circumstances, Jo Ji Ah (Chae Soo Bin) was sent in in place of the robot, and there begins their cohabitation life where Min Kyu slowly opens his heart and learns to trust people again. The story focuses on the two main leads and their daily interactions, keeping the story simple and linear. However, that does not make it boring, as seeing their relationship grow in real time was what I enjoyed most in the process. AND THEY WERE JUST TOO CUTE. Although this is a rom-com, it does have a melo downturn in the second half, so be prepared for some angst.
The reason why I deducted marks from the story, is because the pacing was a bit off in the last several episodes. Sometimes they would deliberately drag the plot for an episode to end in a cliffhanger. This took a toll on the plot development, causing the ending to be too rushed because there were many things left to resolve. However, the chemistry between the characters will still keep you anticipating for the next episode.
The story is not without clichés or plotholes, and while you may judge the realisticity of the story by asking “hey, how is it possible for him to not know how to distinguish between robot and human??”, I would say it depends on what you expect from watching this drama. Since this is a sci-fi/fantasy rom-com, its main goal is to present a funny, light-hearted story that does not necessarily have to follow the principles of reality, as long as it is internally consistent and effectively delivers what it wants to deliver. And I think this drama did an excellent job at telling a beautiful story about how bonds are formed, and how love could make you recognize a person’s soul no matter how they may change. As long as you overlook the basic assumptions that the story is founded upon, it is an enjoyable story.
Cast 10/10
Cast was well chosen and fit their roles A LOT – one of the major reasons this drama was well-received is because of the likable cast that keeps us wanting for more.
First of all, Yoo Seung Ho gave a stellar performance as usual. When he cries, you just can’t help but want to cry with him. His emotions felt so genuine and real, that his agony transcended through the screen. From happiness, to disbelief, and ultimately to despair, the transition of his feelings was like that of a real person. Imo, he delivered well the struggles and inner conflict of a character who fell in love with a robot.
Chae Soo Bin’s doll-like appearance and figure makes for a believable robot, and she did an amazing job portraying three personalities (a human, a robot, and a human pretending to be a robot) and they all feel different. On top of that, she had amazing chemistry with Seung Ho. Their adorable interactions were a major leverage to the story, and I don’t think any other pair would have spiked the same type of cuteness-overloaded, star-struck chemistry as they did.
I loved how the Santa Maria research team and the leads were like a real family that cared for each other wholeheartedly. Every member had distinct personalities that made them memorable. As for the villains, they were mainly there to establish the bond between the two leads (and to showcase Aji 3’s intelligence). I was looking forward to the push-pull brotherhood tension between Min Kyu and Yoo Cheol, but sadly it wasn’t developed. I wish the love lines of the side characters were talked about more as well.
Overall, the characters could have been explored in more detail, but since I happen to not be the type of audience who likes side characters and side stories, I am already satisfied enough with my devotion to the two leads. In terms of casting, they all fit their roles very well and I will always remember them as these roles.
Message 10/10
I liked how they made a contrast between characters who think using logic (i.e. the scientists, Aji 3) and characters who think using feelings (i.e. Ji Ah). it shows that emotional intelligence is also a type of intelligence and, although it is often left unseen, it is a quality that’s not inferior to logic. The deeper message – human emotions is something that cannot be mimicked using logic, it is something that can only be felt by humans.
I would say the main selling point of this drama is the sincerity of emotions that the characters share and the heartwarming message. I was definitely touched by the genuine emotions of Ji Ah. She made me understand that sometimes things don’t have to be practical or logical to be meaningful. It’s the heart of a human that makes them transcend robots, and the heart of a human that can make a seemingly useless object become meaningful.
OST 8/10
There’s not much to say about the OST. All the songs match well with the sweet atmosphere of the drama.
Overall 9/10
I can’t say this drama has the best plot, but the chemistry between the characters and the heartfelt messages made up for it. Overall, it’s a drama with sincere characters that are able to touch people’s hearts using their dialogue. The chemistry, characters, atmosphere, and Yoo Seung Ho’s expressive acting have made it work.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been so invested in a drama. This drama reminds me of why I started liking Korean dramas, and I’m certainly glad I didn’t judge a book by its cover and gave it a try. This is one of the dramas that I will always remember even after a long time. It has a special place in my heart.
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In the first two episodes alone there was cute singing, face slapping, sexy times, and a hit and run that turned into a murder. The crazy doesn’t end there though…it just keeps going and going. At one point a character does a work out montage and emerges as…a whole different actor. No wonder no one recognizes him. People die…but then turn out to have faked their death or have been put in a mental institution. It is just a bucket full of delightful craziness.
The very best part of this drama though, is the Emperor. Shin Sung Rok is a remarkable actor. I came to this drama for Jang Na Ra and Choi Jin Hyuk together again. I loved them in Fated to Love You and was so excited to see them both as leads in the same drama. But to be honest, I can understand why some people are not loving them in this drama. Choi Jin Hyuk’s character is as dry as burnt toast. But I really don’t think the actor is to blame for that. However, the Emperor could have easily been a horrible character if it had been played by anyone else. If you were just blindly reading the script, you would hate his character. But because of Shin Sung Rok’s skills and his facial expressions, you come to care for this admittedly horrible murderer. Like he has murdered multiple people and doesn’t even think he was wrong in doing it, and still you find yourself saying…he isn’t THAT bad… To be fair at least two of the people he murdered weren’t entirely his fault, nor was he the only murderer in those cases. And there I go defending the guy! You see what a good job Shin Sung Rok has done to convince me of this?!
In conclusion, I say you should definitely give this drama a try. If you aren’t mildly addicted by episode 2, then this probably isn’t the drama for you. Personally, I watched the first 17 episodes in one sitting before I realized I had spent the whole day watching kdramas. Not that I have any regrets about that. I have loved every second of this crazy crack drama. If you are looking for a serious, revenge drama…this is NOT the drama for you. Go watch City Hunter or maybe The Lookout. This drama is silly even when it is being serious. So come here if you are looking for your next dose of crazy!
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This review may contain spoilers
YOU HAVE TO WATCH IT BUT FIRST...
Despite what others think, I loved the drama. I'm sincerely so tired of how dramas usually start with the guy being ruthless at first then you never get to see his ruthlessness once he gets together with the girl. But this drama? It's consistent.The intense male lead is what first made me interested in My Lethal Man, but as you watch it, you'll realize how perfect the girl is. I understand how most people couldn't wrap their minds with the idea that the girl looks exactly like the male lead's sister. To be honest, I had the same feelings at first. However, when you come to realize that they have been apart for 17 years without contact, you'll start to be more accepting towards the plot. You'll realize that yes, the guy indeed loves his sister with all his heart, however, he loves the idea of his sister when she was younger. He doesn't have any attachment to his sister's face or the way she looks now that they're older because he didn't spend his years growing up with her.
In terms for romance, this is where you'll see how the girl proactively fights for their love. She was the first one to confess, and at every point, she was unafraid to show her true feelings. When she says "I love you", she always follows up with the question, "Do you love me too?" (not in a pitiful and pathetic way but in a light-hearted way). With a keen eye, you'll notice how the guy is always the one who gets the better end in their relationship especially with how chivalrous the GIRL is- her always telling the guy she'll protect him, her willingness to accept the blame, her picking him up from work, her kissing his hand, and other details. You'll realize how the guy is always the one who feels giddy and kilig. The girl literally is his home.
Acting: Tbh, I think the guy effin' carried (not that the female lead didn't do well, she perfectly played her part too). I love how lethal and deadly he looks in most scenes. One thing you must take note of is his hair. You'll notice how the scene would play out with his hair and this little detail just the drama more enjoyable. Hint: hair when he's with the girl, and hair when he's going to the office or when he's on an errand alone.
Honestly, amazing directing. I love how when the male lead feels vulnerable, you don't see it right away, but you see it with the way he acts- through the way he slightly bends to hide his face in the girls neck to how he sits down on the floor to signify just how low he's become (or feeling).
Tbh, I loved the drama. It was a good one, but I hate how sometimes, I couldn't see the emotion on their faces due to the whitening filter. When shots are taken from afar, I can see how amazing the actors and actresses convey their emotions but during close up shots, I could't even see how the tears falls down their faces (sometimes, it just seemed as though they were trying to cry without the tears which makes it a bit funny). Oh how I could only wish Chinese productions won't feel the need to whitewash their actors anymore.
Hope to see more dramas like this😭
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If you are searching for a light but simply addicting drama, you should pick Long Vacation. The story may began just like the other 'living under the same roof' dramas, but the setting is on 1996 so it was different from other recent dramas. No handphones or emails, so it was more about the characters dealing with themselves regarding their feelings. The simple twist at the end of every episode will keep you want to know more about what will happened next. And the ending is simply beautiful.
The chemistry between the main couple really worked out, it was fun to see them together. Kimura Takuya is as excellent as ever and Yamaguchi Tomoko did a very nice job playing a miserable 31 years old woman. The other casts are also awesome, I didn't find any of them annoying.
The soundtrack is also one of the winning factor for this drama. The opening theme is still one of my favorite song up until this moment (and I always sing it whenever I went for a karaoke) plus all the music pieces they chose for this drama is awesome.
Even though this drama is quite old, it will remain evergreen in my heart. Try watching this drama, you are not going to be disappointed.
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This drama has set the bar too high
How can a drama be so perfect?SHOWSTOPPING, JAW-DROPPING and just SPECTACULAR.
And this is coming from a highly critical kdrama watcher. I have honestly dropped so many dramas just because they got boring, and the ending felt too predictable. But with this drama, it was different. This drama has set the bar so high that it has become the golden standard for me. EVERYTHING from the humour to the romance and the little plot twists keeps you engaged throughout. There will never be a moment where you get bored. Even in the midst of a scene that you would think to be serious, you will almost always end up laughing. And speaking of laughter, your belly will probably ache at the end of each episode lol.
Apart from the plot, the actor and actress have outdone themselves. They will 100% climb up your kdrama actor/actress list.
The music is on point especially this one song that will get stuck in your head lol.
If you're a picky drama watcher I highly highly highly recommend this.
Have fun watching this :)
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1Fifty shades of cliche.
This drama is a dark, melodramatic blast from the past. It is fifty shades of the worst outdated bodice ripper romance cliches imaginable. Dong Tingyao is the sole survivor of her family's massacre. She suspects warlord Fang Tianyi to be the culprit and finds herself a maid in his household. The villain is obvious from the beginning but sadly our voluptuous heroine has more guts than brains and finds herself in one dicey situation after another. Fang Tianyi is the kind of alpha male hero that struts around flaunting his magnificent chest while he uses very coercive methods to seduce Tingyao. Yes, exactly the kind of story that has all but been eviscerated since the advent of feminism and political correctness decades ago. And yes, I unabashedly sucked up every ridiculous, outrageously hot but ahem,I mean totally unacceptable moment of it!The bottom line is you won't enjoy this drama if you think about it. But the leads sizzling chemistry and Fang Tianyi's hot, searing gaze and the heavy lidded way he eyeballs Tingyao is enough to make me forget to breathe, much less think. Despite the cheesy lines and some iffy costumes, the acting, especially by Dai Gaozheng is mesmerising. The melodramatic plot allowed both actors to demonstrate their ability to convey the gamut of intense emotions - love, hate, forbidden desire, fear, frustration and passion, lots and lots of passion. For the first time I really understand why these kinds of characterisations used to be so hugely popular in the past. It is a strong testament to the actors chemistry and skills that can make me look past all these out of favour tropes. Honestly if anyone in real life tries to pull a Fang Tianyi on me, he'd get a kick in the nuts that causes permanent damage. But as a fantasy guilty pleasure of a short drama (10 minute episodes), I enjoyed this immensely.
The ending was terrible but then so were so, so many other parts. Nonetheless I am peeved about it enough to give it a 7.5 instead of an 8.0. Yes I am petty that way. Still, this is a fantastic way to indulge in the occasional smoking hot guilty pleasure.
Final comment: consider stopping at ep 29 for best viewing experience.
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Unbelieveable!「不敢相信!」
A sincere-introspective-queer-supernatural-action-comedy movie sounds like a mishmash recipe for disaster. However, in director Cheng Wei Hao's deft hands, he is able to command these genres effortlessly. With no one genre overpowering the other, each transitioning into another seamlessly and blending beautifully. Thus, culminating into a film that is greater than the sum of its parts.Wu Ming Han, Greg Hsu, is your typical homophobic chauvinistic CisHet male police officer who believes he is God's gift to mankind. After messing up a high speed chase with a member of a drug cartel, he is assigned the task of collecting all the debris from the car chase. He mistakenly picks up a red envelope, and a chill runs down his spine when he realizes it's an arrangement for a ghost marriage. To make matters worse his ghost spouse, Mao Bang Yu (Mao Mao), is a gay man.
Mao Mao, Austin Lin, was killed late one night in a hit and run incident. His loving and supportive Amah didn't want him to be lonely in the afterlife, hence creating the red envelope for him. After Wu Ming Han performs the marriage, Mao Mao reveals to his husband that he is unable to reincarnate until all his affairs from this life are settled. The driver from his hit and run incident was never apprehended, and he demands Wu Ming Han find the driver that killed him.
Well, what's a crime film with out its action sequences? "Marry My Dead Body" ticks off all the must haves: high speed car chase-check, stand off gun fight between police officers and the drug cartel-check, main character in a hand to hand fight sequence-check. But all these standard actions sequences have a bit of a cheeky twist, which are played for thrills as well as laughs.
Speaking of laughs, the humor of this film works on so many levels. Wu Ming Han is the straight man in both his sexuality and as well as being the comedic straight man. Forever the foil to all the shenanigans, but without him all the comedic elements would fall apart. Some of the best bits from the film are references to specific Taiwanese colloquialisms, culture, and queer culture. My personal favorite is a throw away joke when Wu Ming Han recites his badge number. The comedy in this film never talks downs to its audience by going for the easy joke.
Come for the comedy, but stay for a gut punch to the feels. Both leads go on a reluctant journey of self-reflection. Wu Ming Han to see others and a world beyond himself and Mao Mao must face the rift between him and his father. Both of their personal journeys come crashing to a head in the climactic scene between Wu Ming Han, Mao Mao, and Mao Mao's father. All three actors deliver exceptional performances, but Greg Hsu steals the spotlight with his masterful ability to swallow his sadness through forced smiles. The movie patron who sat next to me in the theater perfectly encapsulated the experience of watching this film with "I though this was a comedy..." in between heavy sobs.
Cheng Wei Hao cleverly weaves a poignant narrative of love and acceptance under the guise of a goofy odd couple trope. With an assist from two of Taiwan's rising stars, we are able to believe the growing and maturing friendship between the two leading characters. An excellent cast of supporting actors rounds out the ensemble, with Wang Man Chiao standing out as the Amah every queer person wishes was in their life. Wang Man Chiao exemplifies how beautifully ordinary it is to love your grandchild for who they are exactly as they are. By normalizing the acceptance of queer identities, this is the exact type of positive queer representation pop culture needs. "Marry My Dead Body" is the rare comedy that will make you laugh with tears in your eyes, and leaves a lasting impression as you leave the theater.
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1The Making of a Di-tective
Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty is 2022's surprise hit and a must watch for mystery wuxia buffs. Inspired by zhiguai xiaoshuo 志怪小说, this is a collection of slightly supernatural mysteries set in Tang dynasty. This form of folk literature was very popular during that period and is not limited to ghost stories but also strange or anomalous phenomena. Fifteen centuries later, these fantastical tales continues to set imaginations afire and is a well explored genre in contemporary media. Well before Tsui Hark's wildly entertaining and successful movies from 2010 onwards, Detective Dee was already by far the most ubiquitous protagonist of this genre.The Tang Code is one of Tang dynasty's great accomplishments and was the model for all future dynasty's legal codes in China and East Asia. Di Renjie was a Tang judge renown for numerous fair and impartial judgements and one of the heroes of ancient China. He twice ascended to rank of chancellor during Wu Tzetian's reign. The popularity of zhiguai xiaoshuo and this rich historical backdrop makes this period rich fodder for fantastical Di Renjie inspired ancient detective stories like this. This is set during Wu Tzetian's son Ruizong's second reign. Ruizong was a pretty useless emperor and his sister Princess Taiping was the real power behind the throne. Harboring ambitions to be another Wu Tzetian, Princess Taiping was engaged in a power struggle with crown prince Li Longji (Xuanzong). In terms of recent Tang dramas, this takes place after Luoyang and before Longest Day in Changan and The Imperial Coroner. This drama is well researched, largely respects history and is true to the societal, institutional and legal norms of the day.
The county sheriff of Chang'an, the capital city is found dead under spooky circumstances. Su Wuming, a disciple of the revered Di Renjie is summoned hastily to Changan to assume this position. His path keeps crossing with that of Lu Lingfeng, a proud and ambitious young general of the jinyiwei or imperial guards. Their relationship starts off as adversarial as Lu Lingfeng clearly resents that Di Renjie once rejected him as a disciple While not his match in rank, resources or martial arts, the crafty Su Wuming runs circles around Lu Lingfeng and manipulates him (and his resources) into aiding in his investigation. As they race to unravel their entangled cases they encounter sorcery, shape shifters and battle adversaries with unworldly powers. Inevitably a grudging mutual respect and comradeship forms between the men. While Su Wuming is clearly the master detective, Lu Lingfeng is also smart and has great instincts but is foiled by his quick rush to conclusion and lack of experience. This is not another cliched and static brains vs brawn investigative combo where the brains (Holmes, Poirot) is elevated by how dumb and naïve their sidekicks are (Watson, Hastings). This is just as much Lu Lingfeng's story as it is Su Wuming's. Under Su Wuming's discreet tutelage and hilarious machinations that fall barely short of hazing, we see the makings of a Di-tective out of Lu Lingfeng.
Lu Lingfeng''s overweening pride and arrogance would come off as off-putting if it were less charismatically portrayed by Yang Xuwen with the subtlest sense of self-awareness and irony. Although the Tang rulers made imperial exams a mandatory prerequisite, scions of noble families such as Lu Lingfeng's were able to secure coveted positions and advance on the fast track as a result of patronage. This explains why at such a young age he was a fourth rank general in the elite imperial guard. I think most don't appreciate how ignominious it is for Lu Lingfeng to accept a subordinate position to a county level official such as Su Wuming. He rolls with the punches and learns from his mistakes to discover a greater sense of accomplishment by earning his way back to the top. After a long hiatus, it is good to see Yang Xuwen come back with such a multi-faceted, well interpreted character that is arrogant and quick tempered on the outside but pragmatic and even mushy on the inside. He has amazing rapport with veteran actor Yang Zhigang who delivers a flawless depiction of the astute, seasoned detective with keen survival instincts and a slightly diabolical sense of humor.
While Su Wuming is the maestro that pulls all the threads together, the cases are tackled by a motley team of talented and engaging characters they pick up along the way. Master Fei Ji is the extraordinary doctor who sells his soul for a chicken a day, Pei Xijun is insightful beyond her invaluable photographic eye for detail while Xue Huan and Ying Tao round out the formidable martial arts team. They are all lost souls who become found family and find meaning in their work together. It is rare to see such excellent character development in this genre, which tends to be more plot heavy. The team dynamics and witty repartee is one of the most enjoyable aspects of this story. There are two romances that don't take center stage but are quite charming although the second one in particular is not necessary. This is a wonderful ensemble cast that put a lot of heart into their performances. While some of the acting lacks finesse, it is yards better than all the boring posing by overpaid and entitled idol actors that the industry keeps cramming down our throats. It is clear from the production values, the well choreographed action scenes and the CGI that the budget was spent on all the right things.
This intriguing and engaging collection of strange cases from the Tang dynasty hooked me from the start. In a year where too many high profile Chinese dramas have started strong only to fall down on plot, this drama delivers into the final mystery. There are eight cases that wander down an intriguing path of murder, mayhem and all kinds of odd happenings that pay homage to real records of such occurrences from that period. The cases are well written and littered with clues that will allow the attentive viewer to participate in the solution. The supernatural elements end up mostly but not entirely debunked, leaving a nice eerie aftertaste. To me the most frightening case is the one involving the scholar Dugu Xia (shout out to the most underrated actor Han Chengyu), where true evil is not some supernatural phenomenon but resides within man's nature. The drama finishes strongly with an excellent cold case, one that evaded Su Wuming's mentor Di Renjie. If I have one complaint, I would have liked to see the whole team crack the final case together. Instead they traded in two favorite characters for two that are introduce late in the game. I also didn't like that Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng pursued separate leads for most of the final case although I understand that is to show Lu Lingfeng has come into his own.
I expected this low profile drama to be one of a long string of forgettable Detective Dee wanna-be dramas that is just good to pass some time. I am still rather befuddled at how enjoyable it is. It is on par with, if not slightly better than Ancient Detective, 2020's sleeper mystery wuxia hit, which I also rated 9.0. This has toppled many higher profile dramas to rank #2 on my watch list for 2022.
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ROMANCE not bromance.
This is gay. ෆIm not joking, this show is more flaming than a pride parade float lmao.
This masterpiece of chaotic gay tension masquerading as a school drama has no business being as homoerotic as it is. I watched it expecting a fun, angsty teen soap and ended up screaming at my screen like it owed me emotional reparations ffs.
So we have Saint and Shin, two former besties turned raging enemies forced back into each other’s lives when their schools merge. Saint, the cold, stonefaced heartbreaker who apparently majored in being dead inside spends his days ignoring everyone like he is allergic to eye contact. And then there is Shin ♡ bless his hot-tempered, heart-on-sleeve self, who is ready to blow a gasket every time Saint so much as breathes in his direction.
I am telling ya'll, THE TENSION between these two could power the national grid. Every time I watched them on screen together, I felt like I was committing a fucking crime because the way they look at each other is illegal in at least 23 countries I'm not even joking. Shakespeare himself would be clutching his pearls.
Also the flashbacks are so sadistic because they just drip with the bittersweet remnants of a beautiful friendship and they give you just enough “we were once so happy” moments to leave you screaming at the screen, "JUST TELL ME WHAT WENT WRONG!" And when the big reveal finally drops...well no spoilers but let’s just say Saint didn’t exactly follow the friendship handbook.
And the acting is also so DAMN good. Their scenes have me convinced they are soulmates in some alternate universe or possibly in THIS one because they are fooling exactly no one.
My only regret is that these two didn’t get thrown into an actual BL because they are serving LOVERS so hard. They are giving us slow burn. They are giving us tortured yearning. They are giving us “I’d rather stab myself than admit I love you but oh god I love you so much”. Honestly, Saint and Shin have more chemistry in one glare than half the official BL couples out there. No shade GMMTV, but shade.
Side note: shoutout to Mark's character, who has autism and brings some genuinely refreshing and much-needed representation. He is so fucking precious, authentic and provides a nice breather from the on-screen storm that is Saint and Shin’s "friendship" crisis. NGL Mark is probably the only sane one here, while everyone else is busy having emotional stare-downs or fighting.
So, to sum it up: High School Frenemy is the most non-BL, BL series that ever non-BLed. It’s filled with emotions, teenage angst, broken limbs, unresolved sexual tension and enough romantic subtext to sink the Titanic. You will laugh, you will cry and you will absolutely scream at the screen, “JUST KISS ALREADY!” ♡
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This movie is a true masterpiece by all aspects. It was so warming and I felt like it hit me in all the right places. Nothing felt overdone or underdone and the cast did a wonderful job of portraying people suffering from grief and tragedy. Although the movie is sad, it also has immense hope in it, much like its namesake. It is all about picking yourself up from the downsides of life and moving on with a smile. It forces you to think about all the harsh realities of the world and question the thin line between justice and fairness.
I have to really, really commend the stellar performances but on by the little girl and the actors who played her parents. It was too good to be true and felt too real. For a while, I lost myself in the movie and forgot that what I was seeing on my screen was not real. The irony is that it is real and at the same time not real. My heart goes out to the family of Nayoung and hope she is doing well in real life.
However, the reason to watch this movie is mostly to take a cue from it and smile in your life. This movie is indeed very inspirational and the direction is flawless. There are no bits of it I would want to change. Everything from the casting to the script were smooth and neat. A thorough masterpiece of a film that manages to capture a lot of reality and present it to you without any sugarcoat. It tells you how if you end up with a bitter candy, swallowing it won't make the bitterness go away. You rather have to live with chewing the candy and ingest the bitterness that comes along with it.
Do watch this movie if you are looking for something different. But be warned and prepare yourself with a box of tissues.
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This review may contain spoilers
Going On Strike Against This Thing Called Life
Summer Strike started with messages of self-discovery and how one should take a step back to move forward, but it ended with more than that. To me, recovery from grief and trauma was also one of the main themes of this healing drama.Through the journey of Lee Yeo Reum, who decided to go on strike from her life by breaking away from the confines of her job and Seoul, this drama is relatable to viewers who are tired of their busy lives. We all, at one point or another, just want to do nothing.
Yeo Reum was an overworked girl in her 20s who had to deal with a series of hardships in her personal and professional lives before making a life-changing decision. Realizing the hopelessness of her mundane life, Yeo Reum decided to stop enduring so fiercely and simply just be.
However, leaving the stressful city life and starting anew in an unfamiliar seaside village, Angok was not as smooth as Yeo Reum hoped. Encountering prejudice and unfriendliness at first, our young female lead had to go through some pretty harrowing experiences before finally finding herself at a comfortable point in her life at the end of the show.
Meeting a shy librarian, An Dae Beom was a pivotal turn in Yeo Reum's journey of self-discovery. Dae Beom's kindness and calm were like an anchor for Yeo Reum, but he was also tortured by his past. With a tragic family history, Dae Beom had his own reasons for saying in Angok. As the relationship between the leads blossomed, the show covered themes of support and comfort.
The romance between these two with scars was a slow-burn one, enjoyable for me because it was so natural. The emotions and the steady, growing attraction built around an interesting storyline were satisfying for me. There was no culminating intimate skinship, but the pace made sense. There was no doubt that there was something solid between the couple at the end.
I enjoyed watching the sisterly love develop between Yeo Reum and Kim Bom, a high school student, and other heartwarming relationships, especially between Kim Bom's grandmother and Yeo Reum. In addition, other characters with their own demons to face and romance between different couples added flavor to the story.
Interestingly, even though the show was touted as an escapist healing drama, there were sinister undertones throughout some episodes. Therefore, I was not surprised as the later episodes featured darker scenes including a murder scene. However, there was no true case to crack because the show gave no opportunity for the viewers to figure anything out. There is no mystery tag for a reason.
Instead, the ensuing tragic events were meant to serve as a further catalyst for Yeo Reum's and Dae Bom's personal healing and growth.
Some viewers criticized Yeo Reum's character as a doormat, being taken advantage of at work and at the end by the villagers in Angok. Similar criticism was made about Dae Beom and how he was easily manipulated by certain people.
I disagree.
To me, both lead characters have a quiet dignity about them. They chose their battles and fought for what mattered. Even during moments when the viewers preferred for them to stand up and fight back, their perceived passivity was relatable and understandable. They were consistent throughout the show, and the little changes the characters made in their lives had a more substantial impact on the story. Good character development does not always mean 180 degree change.
Without a doubt, the entire cast was great. How the characters interacted with each other and dealt with life, in general, reminded me of how the people I know and I would behave in real life. The show did a great job showcasing the layers of human nature, including its selfishness and selflessness.
Acting-wise, I have nothing but praise for the leads. Kim Seol Hyun and Im Is Wan impressed me with their quiet intensity and ability to emote so much with the smallest expressions.
Finally, to top it off, the soundtrack was memorable for me. The way the show wove the songs and background music into the story was fitting and perfectly set the scenes and moods. I especially like "A Strange Day" by JiHyo from TWICE and "Color" by Sunnie. Enclosed below is the link to the OST list.
Overall, I hope more people will give this drama a chance. For me, the beauty of a "slice of life" series like Summer Strike is how well the show depicts the everyday experience, the struggles of daily life and trying to find oneself during the process, and the stark portrayal of human nature's good and bad sides.
OST list on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIZ81nIsbgM
OST list on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4QoX21xv9cN6oVHumGfdZM?si=5b7d0c33e7cc400d
* JiHyo (TWICE) - A Strange Day
* The Boyz - Summer Night
* Fromm - A Slow Summer Song
* ENHYPEN (Sung by Heesung, Jay, Jake) – ZERO MOMENT
* Jiyoon (ICHILLIN') – I'll Wait
* Tearliner – We Swim in Dreams (Feat. Bang Jaemin)
* Tearliner – Me, the Protagonist (Feat. Love X Stereo)
* SEOLA (WJSN) - Lover
* Kum Junhyeon - Hello, Stranger
* Sunnie - Color
* Hwang Inhyeock - I Will Remember You
* Low-end Project - I See You Like I See the Sun
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Seldom can dramas make me feel this frustrated, excited, bubbly all in one episode. That’s what an incredible drama should do with you - completely play with your feelings, make you question certain things. The genre is definitely melodramatic so prepare to feel heart-broken and to weep a whole lot. However, this is also a realistic drama showing the unfortunate lives of two humans and their natural approach to romantic love. Seeing the two characters develop feelings for each other and being connected in the past made my heart oh so weak. I’m a sucker for the main characters to have a bomb chemistry. And oh boy, the lead actors killed it! First, Won Jin Ah is currently one of the most memorable young and starting actresses out there for me. She was so professional with how she transferred her character’s feelings. I have to say, this was my first time seeing Lee Jun Ho’s performance as well and not only is he an amazing actor, but a singer as well. Speaking about music, the OST was so sincere, the songs made such an impact on all of the scenes, and me included. To add, I appreciate that the viewers got to see the different lives and struggles of the supporting characters. Each of them have their own unique story which makes this drama worth rewatching all over again!
(Also, I felt the need to address something as well. Never drop a drama if you’re not sure on how the ending is going to turn out like. The natural progression of the drama, the characters, their developing stories are what make this series worth watching.)
Overall, this drama makes you appreciate life even more and live your life to the fullest every day somehow. I bow down to the creators of this drama for giving me a thrilling rollercoaster ride full of incredible emotions!
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