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My favorite K-Drama of 2022!
Loved this psychological thriller, which is adaptation of the novel/film American Psycho.It has a nihilistic arthouse vibe that's more common in Japanese cinema/storytelling, but this is a K-Drama so it's got that K-Drama technical polish to it. It goes places that make Squid Game look tame. By far the most raw K-Drama release to date.
Acting, direction, cinematography and production quality are first class.
My favorite K-Drama of 2022 so far as it will stay with you after the credits roll.
Recommended for those with an open mind.
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Park Jung Min is seriously adorable in this, so if you are a fan, you will enjoy him in Korean (for parts) and in Taiwanese (dubbed). He brings so much to the character of Han Ji/Pu Xi Huan. Even though this is a comedy, he brings a lot of cute expressions that make him that much funnier.
The music for this drama is fairly well done. The opening theme is very cute, and on film, the opening theme is probably one of the most creative and bright in dramaland. The dramatic moment song is also beautiful. Both songs will stick with you.
The story itself is rather light hearted, although there are elements of melo laced within. Like any rich boy/ not as well-off girl drama with brothers, there is also family drama. Those parts are harder to get through, particularly in the earlier episodes. The drama as a whole doesn't really pick up, in my opinion, until episode 5, but the first four episodes are important for story development (so don't skip them.)
Overall, I found in Fondant Garden a much better drama than I expected from the outset. For a pick up drama (not one I wanted to watch initially), I rank it up there. It certainly is one of my favorite Taiwanese dramas, at any rate.
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If you're like me and you've watched your fair share of crime dramas you won't find the premise of this show exactly unique. You'll be able to guess most of the plot twists (if not all) and see a lot of things coming beforehand. Defendant comes with it's flaws. There are a lot of convenient coincidences that aid both our good guys and the baddies. Sharp tools just happen to be lying around jail cells just waiting to be used by the inmates, a circuit somehow just happens to break resulting in a power black out whenever it is needed, a very useful recording device disguised as a pen just happens to travel around wringing confessions from the evil doers left and right and our antagonist somehow conveniently transforms from an up to no good loser to an identity stealing mastermind overnight.
How very interesting.
However, with its slightly rocky plot comes a masterful execution. Even though you know what's going to happen, when it actually happens it feels like a completely new and exciting experience. Our good guys seem to be trapped in their own version of real life flappy bird. It's one step forward from the abyss of doom and twenty steps backwards. So when convenient coincidences happen to rule things in their favor, I'd be damned if I have a problem with it.
This is the kind of show that banks on the watcher's heart rather than the mind. It will make you blinded with emotion and leave all logic behind. But the real reason this show is a hit is the excellent acting put out by all the actors.
Ji Sung as always is phenomenal. From Secret to Kill Me Heal Me and finally to Defendant, you can see his acting evolve and grow more powerful. He's an extremely skilled performer and many a times I suffered through a serious case of gooseflesh while watching him. By the middle of this show I was completely invested, horribly torn apart and crossing my fingers for him to turn the tables on all the assholes that had done him wrong.
Usually in melodramas, when you see the main character go through tragedy after tragedy, it turns from heartbreaking to frustrating real quick. Soon you go from wanting to wipe the hero's tears to slapping his mouth shut and putting an end to the sob fest. However, Ji Sung got me every time. His pain, helplessness and tears always made me wail like a baby. I didn't realize I was rocking so much H2O in my body until it came out gushing from my peepers. I think I felt quite a lot dehydrated after finishing this show.
Uhm Ki-Joon with his Cha Min Ho put out the acting of his life. He's heartless, ruthless, evil without a cause and at last, pitiful. He's probably one of the best antagonists of Dramaland and undoubtedly one of the most hated characters. His impulsive acts of violence leave you shaking with fury and you'll find yourself thirsty for his demise.
A lot of people thought that his situation was a little unrealistic but as a daughter of a detective, I can say that I've seen many real life cases where the criminals start with seemingly minor and thoughtless crimes and commit far worse atrocities to cover it up. In Cha Min Ho's case, he sticks to it to the very end. His bag of tricks is endless and you never find a peaceful moment with him.
Even though this show truly focuses on the two main men, some other characters will weasel their way in your heart and take permanent residence. These were the characters that I wanted to hide in my back pocket and protect from all the cruelty of the world. And even though my wishful thinking did not save all of them, I treasured every moment they were on-screen.
My precious and loyal Seong Kyu, my shady but hilarious Optimus Shin Cheol Sik, Prosecuter Choi Tae Hong who never once lost faith, Jeong Woo's merry band of prison inmates and the resilient Seo Eun Hye all brought their own flavor to the show.
This drama has a deep underlying message about how family makes or breaks you. How people are willing to go to every length to save their loved ones and how it's never too late for justice. With an extremely satisfying ending; giving closure to all the characters and answer to your every question, Defendant takes a spot among dramas that are consistently amazing from start to finish.
A dark and gritty suspense drama that comes with its share of heartbreak.
An absolute must-watch
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The casts fit their roles perfectly and did a very good job portraying it and I heard they really prepared and trained for this movie.
A fast-paced story that fit a 2 hour length movie. The setting went to other countries in Asia which we all looked forward into. So they really spent a lot for this movie and it's really worth it.
The music gives you a modern Lupin the 3rd feel and I think it's really cool and catchy~
A star-studded cast, impressive production and a really great live-action adaptation. It's definitely a must watch movie!! b^_^d
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Nothing can keep us apart!
This was one of the most well balanced BLs I've watched recently, although I didn't love it 100%. One of the things I liked most here was how they portrayed thai culture and religion; I found it very interesting. Another good point was the main plot, which is also interesting and manages to keep you hooked for most of the episodes. The setting, makeup, and costumes were good too! Overall, I felt it was a well-produced BL with good investment and care from the team.I enjoyed both couples but the secondary couple was better for me. Jet and Chan were captivating, their cute-hot scenes were more appealing for me and even their reincarnation plot was better for me. I just loved everytime they appeared. I think Khem and Peem had some good scenes but they didn’t have the same level of chemistry compared to Jet-Chan couple and and I felt that the shipp worked mostly because of Keng’s acting. He was just sooo believable in the romantic scenes…
One of my few complaints is about Khem as a character. He’s lovely but the script gave him too much of a suffering and helpless vibe. It becomes a little boring at times. I felt that the pacing here was also a bit unstable too and I fast forwarded some scenes, ngl.
In general I think it’s a good and interesting BL. I wouldn’t give 10/10 but I’d definitely recommend!
PS: Don’t know if anyone knows this one but the reincarnation plot reminded me of Until we meet again and even Khemjira reminded me of Pharm lol
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This review may contain spoilers
I love this drama so much I don't even know where to start!I guess with the leads first. After watching them in The Legends I put them both on my watchlist because their chemistry is through the roof! Xu Kai expresses so much emotions through his eyes alone that I felt what he feels in scenes even when he's not saying anything.
Kudos to Bai Lu also for carrying her weight in this drama. It didn't feel like a woman pretending to be a man as it happens in most gender bender dramas. She really moved and acted like a man, with swagger and all that.
I loved the supporting cast as well, from the classmates to the faculty, and their friends outside the academy. Even the side stories and their missions were interesting!
The weakest link for me was the female antagonist. I felt her character portrayal a bit canned and 2 dimensional, no depth or layers to her personality. I didn't buy into her motivations for being the way she is.
Special mention to the styling - I loved the dresses, and especially loved the trench coats of both the males and females. Xu Kai's trench coats are to die for!
Lastly I would like to give a special mention to the opening OST. Most of the time when I watch dramas I skip the opening song and get straight to the drama, but here I find myself letting the song finish because I loved the beat so much.
A really enjoyable, well thought out production! Much recommended!
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This was one of the dramas I wasn't planning on watching, then started out of boredom but turned out to be a pleasant watch. Watching it made me forget all my problems and the things I stress about, and gave me a warm feeling. I enjoyed every second of it. I can't say they it has anything that stand out, but more of a number of things coming together in harmony and giving us this heartwarming fun dorama.
The drama is really about bringing people together. The title is about the ever changing form a family takes as time goes on and how we find ways to adapt at every upcoming change. I love that our hero Daisuke, played by Katori Shingo (my first time watching him - he did pretty well) is a typical introverted who treasures his time alone, only to have to deal with his extraverted father Yozo, played by Nishida Toshiyuki, who has no consideration for such issues. Another highlight is the growing relationship between Daisuke and his new ototo, and mostly the hearwarming relationship between Yozo-san and Kota. Then there's Ueno Juri playing lonely Hanako, with her lazy demeanor that takes out her boredom by complaining about anything, getting nicknamed *Complainer Hanako*. I enjoyed her bickering relationship with Daisuke, her mother, played by the lovely Fubuki Jun. Actually my favourite part of the drama was the relationship of Yozo and Ricchan and how they affected everyone around them with their warmth. Arakawa Yoshiyoshi as Daisuke's colleague doubled the fun, and the addition of Tanaka Kei was a great welcome. That guy needs to get a leading role next!
There were more. It's a huge cast and the drama gave the spotlight to most of them, and we saw both main and supporting characters grow throughout the drama.
Nishida Toshiyuki was at the center of it all. He brought lightheartedness to the drama, but can be a firm father figure when needed to, and when he gets emotional you can't help but get carried away by it. There were many instance I understood Daisuke's frustrations, and it would've drove me crazy if I was in his place, but the moment Yozo-san makes amend or explains himself, I just can't help feel for him and want him to be forgiven.
Anyways fun drama worth checking out ;)
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I was a bit surprised reading the reviews of the show here on MDL, but it might be because I interpreted it differently than some other viewers.
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Cute, But Not Much Else
As far as GL miniseries go, this one was cute and fun to watch (with plenty of kisses to make my heart happy). The characters were sweet and there was very little conflict, which can be nice to see. I'm not always a fan of miniseries, but this one did a good job in my opinion.But honestly, there was no real substance here. The characters were all one-note, and I found it hard to care about the relationship when it a.) moved so fast, and b.) there was nothing else in the show at all. Nothing in the characters' lives outside their relationship, and an almost comical amount of people just appearing onscreen because there was no world outside whatever was on screen at a time.
I'm glad we got this show, and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a quick, cute show to watch-- but I'm hoping that one day we will have plenty of GLs that are better than this.
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Caution: I think this movie should be watch by people 16+ because I think it's a little bit in- appropriate for people less than that age!
And if you want to watch it you can find it in gooddrama.net
This movie was funny and cute its fun to watch and also help you to learn new things in relationship the ending was so romantic somehow and it wasn’t boring at all it have no twist but it was cool so I really do recommend it and if you are going to start it enjoy your watch ;)
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I loved the framework of having the parallel storylines telling Ji Woo and Dae Yeong's college and present day experiences. Given the way their relationship unfolded, it was clever and appropriate to put equal weight on both, and they managed to paint both pictures enjoyably at the same time. The supporting characters were great too, especially the hilarious group of friends from their college days.
The plot did seem to lose its way a little bit in the middle, and I imagine if the creative team knew that they'd be losing two episodes at the end, they may have tightened things up a bit. I wish they had, because as much as I enjoyed the characters, there were too many loose ends and unanswered questions at the end of it all.
That said, the actors did a good job of salvaging the characters despite the issues and surprises happening with the plot. I saw a lot of criticism online of Baek Jin Hee as the female lead, but I really don't understand why. She was adorable, and if I compare the three seasons of this show altogether, to me she was the most relatable so far. And Yoon Doo Joon was perfect as Goo Dae Yeong, as usual. The role seems basically designed for him. (Was it? Probably? I don't know.)
My favorite performance, though, was Lee Joo Woo as Ji Woo's sister, Seo Yeon. At first I was kind of turned off by how similar the character felt to her role in Waikiki previously, but she quickly grew on me as the writing revealed more nuances of the character. She seems well suited to both dramatic and comedic elements. I'm looking forward to what she'll do next.
Anyway, for fans of the Let's Eat series and for anyone who wants to watch a lighthearted drama with a sweet storyline and mouthwatering food scenes, I do recommend this one.
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A Surprise
There has been a slew of dramas which started out promisingly and only to end with great disappointment!BUT Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty does no such thing, its captivating, intriguing and exciting from the first episode! The character development of the character is great, especially LLF, the ML, from a hard and arrogant man to a mature and developed gentleman is quite pleasant. Though there are female interests in the drama, they never became a handicap to the drama's main storyline, which I am very grateful for, as the genre doesn't warrant romance in it. This drama is definitely about two men, the Male Leads and the strange cases they encounter. I am so looking forward to the Second Season! Meanwhile, I shall rewatch the drama this weekend.....Was this review helpful to you?
I gave the story a 10, because it's a true life story, everything shown were real events and happenings......there would be additions or subtractions somewhere. During the whole time I was watching, I was glued to my screen, when they started chanting ''fighting'', I was chanting along. Even though I knew it wasn't a live match, but I couldn't just help it.
The cast are simply awesome, one of the main reasons I watched this, is because of Ha Ji Won. She's an awesome actress. I also love the dialect and the way they were speaking. The various casts portrayed their roles well!!!!
This movie is WORTH it!!!! After watching As One, I really wish NK and SK find a way to unify permanently. A lot of people got and are still getting hurt through this separation.
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