Reviews

Hello, I’m Han, on old member popping up for a visit. Since I live in Japan I had the privilege to be able to watch this movie on opening day. Sadly, work got in the way so I went the next day. Since I know many of you are anxious to see this movie I thought I would share my feelings on the movie to whet your appetites for this amazing movie... or torture you, depending on how you wish to take it. Any spoilers would only be in referencing to the manga and will be in their own section. I also can’t get too specific anyways as I only understood the movie in my heart, not my head. Well, I could understand it in my head a lot more than the first one but the point remains that there were no English subtitles. The movie covers from the start of the Kyoto arc until the journey to Edo.

The movie opens in a glorious, if a bit cliche, horror movie like set with Hajime leading his troop of soldiers into what is revealed to be Shishio's self designed version of hell. This very clearly set the movie up. You are left with NO doubts about exactly who the big bad is. This scene also sets up one of the reasons I really like the series: The action, and the entire movie really, are very reminiscent of old Japanese samurai movies.

When we come upon the Kenshin gumi they are watching Kabuki in Asakasa (the historical center of kabuki) and boy is it funny! This I like for the comedy of the scene. I won't summarize the movie any farther but the first two scenes do a wonderful job setting up the movie.

I would like to point out that the director paid attention to details many modern movie makers are forgetting! From what I could tell, everyone's sword etiquette was taken seriously. When Kenshin is sitting down, you better believe his sword is on his right side and he sheathes his sword correctly.

The action scenes were great with only three or four moves that were truly impossible and obviously wire work. The action was BEAUTIFUL, exactly what I expect from this director and series.

Another great point is that the costuming is AMAZING! Do not expect Kenshin to stay in his classic red and white, he changes OFTEN. Not only that but there are so many beautiful outfits! The attention to detail is stunning. All of the yukata people are wearing are period appropriate and this entire movie is costume porn. The only thing I noticed that may peeve someone is that Yahiko uses a bokuto instead of a shinai for his 'sword'.

Further on this, EVERYONE looks like their manga counterpart, 100%. They did an amazing job with that. Shishio, oh boy is he great. Sejiro? Batshit insane, just like he should be ^_^

While the movie does try to give you an extended sense of time, it does not really manage to do it. The movie starts in winter and ends in summer (I am guessing, there were no hard dates posted besides the years).

Kenshin is very classical Kenshin the entire movie and has a beautifully choreographed play fight scenes with Masao and had everyone in the theater laughing.

On Masao, Karou, and Yahiko... Masao ended up being more of a token comic relief, just like in the manga, but when the fighting came down to it she was badass. On the other hand, I feel like Karou and Yahiko were a bit depowered from the manga which disappointed me. That is not to say Karou did not kick a LOT of ass, just not as well as I had always thought of her as doing.

The music was a disappointment to me because there were so many modern instruments and melodies. I really think the movie would have benefited from having significantly more classic Japanese music to really take you back. While there were some classic instruments and scores, there was also a lot of jarring modern music that brought me out of the movie.

Overall, I really loved the movie and felt so bad for the couple sitting next to be because I was quizzing the guy next to me on what it said on screen when kanji came up. For ALMOST the entire movie there is no point where you could point and say “CGI!!!” which I think is really important for this genre. There are lots of laughs in this movie and all the actors did a superb job holding true to the source material. This series has become the best anime turned movie. I wish Hollywood would take note and see what truly makes a movie good. I really hope they keep it up. Luckily, the next movie comes out in a month!

If you have any questions, spoilery or otherwise, please feel free to ask, I will answer them to teh best of my ability!

~~~~~Now for the potential spoilers! If you are super sensitive, stop here.~~~~~

The movie does a great job of following the manga while cutting some less relevant stuff right until the Battle for the Baby. After that, some stuff is a bit swapped around and changed. Not too incredibly jarring, but not great either.

Back to costuming: Crazy sword collector does not have his belt whip sword which I was VERY happy about. There was no way to do that without CGI and just... no. The costuming department and director do make an homage to it though. You will see about two or three glimpses of his belt being slightly shiny and metallic. There is also one point where, for a brief moment you see a hilt and it looks like it is for his whippy sword. That scene was great.

After this scene, some stuff does get condensed and jumbled, it almost feels like the first half of the movie they said: We have a third coming, we have plenty of time so we can do the manga justice. Then, by the time for the Kyoto fight came around they said: Oh crap! Look how long this is already! Let's cut some stuff but still end at the same point! The oniwabanshu do not get their amazing manga end, sad to say.

My one, true, horrible disappointment with this movie is during the horse scene (I am trying to be as unspoilery and obscure as possible here). At the end of it, there is some OBVIOUS CGI which made me really sad.

Other than that, the movie ends in a cliffhanger: Kenshin, washed up on a beach, is taken to an encampment by someone. They show his face, and I bet you are suppose to know who it is, but I had no clue. I bought the movie's book (which as a complete timeline on all the scenes in it) but it does not mention the mysterious person’s name. I felt really bad for his sword though, salt water is so bad for steel!

~~~~~~~~Spoilers about what is not there and I hope will be~~~~~~~~~~~

I really hope in the next movie we will see Kenshin as a child burying the three sisters and being taken in by his master. Maybe an early life training montage? I don't think so, but I hope for it badly because it is one of the most powerful scenes in the series, in my opinion.

I also really want to see the Enishi arc played out with Kenshin flipping out and becoming a street bum but I think they have their hands full finishing the Kyoto arc. Considering the title of the next movie, I don't think we will ever see Enishi's story line but one can hope.

Read More

I don't know why this show doesn't have higher rates. Seriously that goes easy to my top 10. It has everything I like in a show. I don't know if it's some personal preferences but I simply loved everything about it.
I even like it better than other famous top everyone likes dramas like Goblin, for instance.
I see here the right amount of comedy, romance, and a good plot to back it up.
Some shows I watch give relationships the main spot of the history, and something happening around, but with the main focus in the relations itself, usually romances. Those are romance focused, and others have a more twisted complicated histories, main focused, so the romances and relations get a little bit grayed out by it.
I can say, most of the dramas are that way. I'm not complaining, just stating a fact. But not this one. This drama had the right amount of everything entangled, a good twisting plot behind a beautiful romance, with the right amount of cliches(not too much, but enough to warm our hearts xD), in a so subtle way, we don't even notice it.
No, no second lead syndrome crap bad written romances have. (I'm second a lead syndrome hater hahaha )
Just pure love, with hints of fantasy, tragedy and comedy . An Odyssey after all.

Soundtrack(i'm getting ready to download it), the cast, the chemistry the leads had, the leads itself, I liked everything about it.
Some reviews I've read said that at some point the history got dragging, like they were filling it, like they were delaying it so they could make it longer. At some point, if I recall I can say that happened, but it wasn't like I wanted to skip it, so I could know what really happens (like I do in crappish dramas, I just go on skipping so I don't lose my time ove it hahaha). It was fun! That's why I can't complain about it. T
I really had fun watching this. I recommend it to everyone who enjoy fiction and fantasy like I do.

Read More

Hard to believe a drama that has 133 episodes could be rated a 10 - but this is almost a perfect drama lol
It never dragged or got boring, each episode had it's own excitement - the story progressed very nicely. There was one character I hated but he never got on my last nerve like some characters in dramas do (a.k.a My Daughter the Flower killer girl) - even though he was a hateful character - you just somehow knew he couldn't win...This drama is filled with optimism and looking at a persons best along with the worst - to see the human - it's truly beautiful <3 I loved every other character on this drama (well...maybe a few episodes in the beginning I wasn't that fond of Do Hui's step-mom but I warmed up to her later; & Ju Yeong's mom was a bit irritating until the last 10-15 episodes where I started to like her too -) I didn't much care for Jin Ju & Chul Su - she annoyed me a LOT in the earlier episodes & he to be honest wasn't much of a 'man' he was too wimpy. I loved Na Ri - she was adorable throughout the entire drama <3 I loved 4 characters the most: Jun Su, Do Hui, Hyeon Suk & Ju Yeong - I didn't know much about HS or JY early on so I was really fond of JS and DH but somewhere into the drama I started to like HS and JY a little more than the other 2 characters lol and oh boy does Hyeon Suk ever look really handsome when he smiles (it lights up his whole face) <3 oh and I Loved the 'teacher' In Joo (?) she always looked like a fashion statement lol - she was pretty funny too ;)
Music: Really good - I can remember about 4-5 songs :D
Re-watch Value: 8.5 - I would love to re-watch it again - but it is a bit long - I may skip around if I do ;)

Read More

Entertaining

I feel this series deserves a perfect 10 although many have thought otherwise.

The reason is Jing Chao's outstanding performance as Mu Ze (MZ), the Machiavellian. He was willing to sacrifice his son, wife's family, father and brothers for the sake of the throne.

Xing Fei is relatively unknown to me as I hardly watch modern Chinese TV series. But, I feel XF delivered her line well in this series as Lu An Ran (LAR).

Zhai Zi Lu, as Mu Chuan (MC), is a young actor we should watch from now. His character matured over time in this series which made me feel ZZL deserve a credit for his acting. Although Jing Chao overshadowed him completely in this series.

The storyline is very interesting: LAR time travelled from the moment she died in the fire in her palace. back to her encounter with MZ. This time, she tried to kill MZ by pretending as if he was a river bandit. The attempt failed.
In this life, LAR went straight to the point by proposing to MZ that she was willing to marry him to help him achieve his ambitions. And, he fell for her trick. Her revenge began.

In short, I love watching the scenes between MZ and LAR from Episode 4 onwards. MZ is like a beast to LAR while MC is like a morning dew to her.

Read More

The Snow Queen is a story about how some people are destined, fated to cross your path, and change your life. It is about intertwined fate.



For those of you who don't know it, this drama is supposedly based on the Hans Christian Andersen book "The Snow Queen", but I didn't feel it that way. Although the characters are alike, the story is very loosely based, but it did have the feeling of magic, and fairy tale, which I guess was the idea.



The story starts years back, and the whole first episode is like a prologue, or a prelude to the real story, it's used as a tool to make you understand the characters and their background. So, don't make up your mind about this drama in the first episode, although I do have to admit that I did it and made up my mind to love it.



When I started watching this I was expecting a tragic story, but it really isn't that much. I mean, yes, the main characters are screwed up, and yes they aren't happy, but it doesn't feel tragic because you actually think "if I were them I'd be the same". And it does mix very well drama with comedy, there are scenes that had me laughing real hard, specially in the first half. Besides, you are in suspense the whole time, waiting, dreading, to see when will all the secrets come out and how will the characters react.



I think the cast is really good. The leads have a lot of chemistry together. Not explosive, like Hyun Bin and Son Hye Kyo on Worlds Within, but it is the kind of chemistry required for this story. The second leads did exactly what every second lead is supposed to, although they didn't really stand out, just became a little annoying. I fell in love with the actor who plays Kim Bo Ra's father in City Hunter, so I think he really did his part well.



The music although it wasn't extraordinary, it really was according to the drama, and very well used, specially the main theme, which reminded me of a ballet, like The Nutcracker, it was just so magical.



Overall, if you like dramatic love stories, with deeper characters who aren't perfect and like to see them evolving, this is definitely your drama. I, personally, liked it a lot, although I wouldn't say that it is one of my favorites, and I'd like to see it again someday with a friend.

Read More

Therapeutic dating show

I'm not a fan of dating shows, but I loved this one. I started watching it because it was compared to His Man. In my opinion, this one is much better. It may not have such a spectacular love story, but it has so much more.
The participants were surprising. They were completely different from the first impression they gave.
One who looked boring and rough, but was actually hiding so much emotion.
One who seemed confident and sociable, but actually felt inferior to the others.
One who seemed so perfect that others didn't dare enter into a relationship with him.
One who acted friendly and like a big kid, but looked after others all the time.
One who seemed to have nothing to hide from other people, but was in fact shy.
One who seemed too direct to others, but deep down was lost.
One who was still very young, but surpassed everyone else in maturity and put too much pressure on himself.
One who seemed carefree and sociable to everyone, but experienced loneliness in such a way that others did not notice.
Watching each episode, I felt like I was attending a therapy session where I was taught to love myself.
At one point in my viewing, I noticed that I stopped caring at all about who would form a couple with whom. I only cared about how the bond between the participants developed. Watching the friendship form between them was the most important part of the show.
It was therapeutic, relaxing and brought me peace of mind.

Read More

Its a messy watch, but u could see me locking TF in

I DONT USUALLY TYPE REVIEWS WITH SPOILERS BUT I NEEEEED TO GET THIS ONE OUT.


Lets talk about why this is my 9/10 series first

two main reasons : romeraffy and arnoldtua PERIOD, POINT BLANK. Pretty self explanatory but i'll elaborate on why. (Ok...FINE. I love AouBoom......)
AouBoom and JossGawin did SOOO good. I was eating up every bed scene these two couples had, AND THE NON-EXPLICIT SCENES TOO. I loved ArnoldTua's pacing, they were quite honestly the only ones not making me lose my mind for a huge portion of the series. Like when the other couples were in distress, Arnoldtua were in their own little bubble. I also loved RomeRaffy AND THEY WERE MY TWO FAV CHARACTERS IN THIS SHOW + DEAN, and that should be obvious as is as to why.

And here's why that 1 went away.
I hated Jack x Dean. So much. Jack is a very toxic boyfriend. Period. BUT HE'S BEST FRIENDS WITH BOSTON, u can't be boston's bestie and be a good guy DUH. I genuinely hoped we'd get a boston x nick situation with these 2 and if u ahvent watched the series u jst wouldn't get it.
I really wanted to like Jack, I REALLY DID. Mostly because he was an INFJ and am an INFJ too. But the only INFJ thing this man ever did was "the show must go on." THERE'S A REASON WHY YOUR BROTHER HATE YOU MY GUY, LOOK INWARD.
He's been such a bad boyfriend that Dean gave up acting (yes he picked it up at the last episode but wtv wtv), he always thinks he's in the wrong, and he's scared of getting into relationships. LIKE, WHOLE TIME WE WERE GASLIT THINKING DEAN CHEATED ON JACK WITH GAMEPLAY BUT THAT ISN'T EVEN TRUE 💔💔💔💔🙉 I'm telling u rn, Dean was never the reason why Jack and Dean kept breaking up, it was because Jack couldn't bring himself to fully trust Dean.

I've seen a LAWT i mean a LAWT of hate on Raffy and Dean, which is really wild, because why are we not hating Jack instead....
I mean, frankly, Dean and Raffy were assholes BECAUSE OF JACK. Sure it was a choice, but people in love do some wild stuff okay? And they're jst sassy like that and lowk preach. I loved Dean, Raffy and Rome the whole show. And sure, you can tell me that Dean and Raffy kept going back to Jack on their own, but for two people who have loved Jack for years, it's not that easy to move on from him, even if he's a peice of shit. DEAN PROVED MY POINT BY GETTING BACK TOGETHER WITH HIM ON EP 12.....
My only problem with Raffy was him saying that Dean was a host at heart, knowing damn well if he was broke as hell, he would have done the same thing too. Why? Because Dean and Raffy are very similar people. But I get why Raffy doesn't like Dean, its not easy to like someone who's been ragebaiting u.

WTVWTV BUT OVERALL, a solid 9/10. Idc wat anyone says abt this not meeting season 1's standards, because you and I both know that if they kept it very similar to season 1, this series would get even worse ratings.

Read More

I haven't seen any thai lakorn before and this is my very first and I like it very much. The story is sweet and the main actor and actress's chemistry is amazingly lovely. Mark Prin portrayed the character of P'Thien very professionally and expressed the emotions very well. Mewnittha also portrayed Moei very well and cute. All the supporting characters are very good, too. Also, the locations are very beautiful and what I like the most is revealing the hidden beauties of my country, Myanmar. Thank you the whole production team, and all the people belonging to this lakorn for making my Mondays and Tuesdays meaningful.

Read More

Good Enough

Korean Drama " My Liberation Notes " is a slice of life melodrama.

My main problem with it is the pace. It felt off and the presentation of the story didn't suit well for me, as it was not cohesive.

Other than that, the story is pretty intense, with tragic characters, meaningful moments, simple, and yet, powerful scenes.

The romance, moreover, was original and didn't overshadow the main point of the drama. Rather, it let the characters shine and live their burdersome lives.

The performances, finally, were all great by everyone in the cast.

So, overall, seven out of ten.

Read More

Leads chemistry is the only strong point of the show.

The drama is a mix of many cliche tropes summed together but the story and its pace has been quite good so far. The drama as every other romantic C-drama has SML and SFL who are gonna try to separate the leads but get rejected and like every other drama they aren't the type to hear NO so will continue with their shit till the end.

There are moments where the story felt a little dud but the sizzling chemistry of leads make up for it. Lu Yang Yang has improved a lot when it comes to her acting over the years while Zhao Zhi Wei is one good actor who can pull of both positive and negative roles well. Both the leads have strong chemistry and don't really hold back in showing it off.

I still think the drama could have been done in 24 or less as the last few eps will be quite draggy with the confrontations, cliche breakup and stuff. The ending is done fairytale, even the antagonists who have commit crimes and done shitloads of bad shit are easily forgiven and let go without any legal issue so it was quite crappy to watch.

It is a one time watch, if you are fan of the actors otherwise it can be ignored.

Read More

Constant Barrage of New Characters

I like this show but it was a bit difficult for me to follow at first. It was a bit confusing because there were constantly new characters coming in... like almost every single episode there's someone new. Actually when I was on Ep 3, I had to go back to Ep 1 and rewatch the small monologue in the beginning to make sure it was actually related to the show I was watching.

It's a bit like this:
-There's introductions and then fighting and then someone thinks they'll win but the evil ppl are like, "We're gonna kill you", but no one really dies (until much later), and ppl lose and then they flee or the other person lets them go and then they meet someone new and then there's fighting and then there's fleeing, then there's more threats and someone lost again... Someone is always either praising the other fighter or the fighters are overestimating or underestimating each other as one describes or narrates their martial art prowess or weapons. Wash, rinse, repeat.

-Then there's the ML, Xiao Se, who either does an inner dialogue and we learn what's going on or he's telling someone what's what and who's who, or he'll say, "There's a rumor or story about this person or this event and I think that it's related..." So basically after 16 episodes, the ML is like a narrator rather than a real ML. He's basically narrating, fleeing, watching, directing the fight or bluffing or being stupidly chase by a lady acting like a little girl chasing after him. (The romance between these two is so dumb btw. He calls QianLuo "pretty" once and next thing you know she's constantly chasing him for "sparing", when really she's just stalking him. You have no idea why they like each other.)

Other things that are kinda repetitive are the same special effects like the firecrackers and fireworks and spraying sparkles and more flying swords and more flying knives. Let's not forget spraying fountains of water. How many times do we have to see two sword tips meeting at the center and then being frozen in place behind these magic barriers? And just as you're learning all these new characters, you realize that someone or everyone is a "Deity" of something like swords or knives (blades) or wine-making or fleeing... lol. If names of the constant new characters aren't confusing enough, don't forget the sword names too. Seems like everyone has one of the top 10 swords and each sword gets their own introduction. If it's not the sword names then it's each fighter's signature martial arts move or what phase they've reached or how long they've been training.

-Then there's the same constant clothing. Everyone wears the same thing day in and day out majority of the time or the same colours. With the exception of Tang Lian, the bad guys are usually clad in black.

-Seems like all the guys are falling for the women like "love at first sight" because they're beautiful like "fairies" but most of them average in looks so it's a bit overrated and hard to find the chemistry in all these love plots believeable or to feel anything towards them. All the love plots are awkward. I can't ship any of them. (I feel like it's a common cdrama thing, where the majority of male actors are always better looking than their female counterparts.)

-It's also confusing trying to follow the name of the clans and where they'll traveling to because really, there's no navigation or like map for viewers to see this "world". Like where is Tianqi or the Beili Kingdom exactly to all these places? And exactly how many Princes are there?

-Every time someone gets injured they spit out blood... Every. Single. Time.

-The dialogue and subtitles can go really fast sometimes that I have to rewind it back and pause it to read what they said. I feel like by now it should be more explained in depth what exactly kind of treason did Prince Langya commit? There should be more background story as to what unfolded by now and more hints or possibilities of who framed Prince Langya. So during his time in exile, Xiao Se didn't try to uncover the truth but rather just twiddled his thumbs as the owner of a villa?

- I also feel like Lei Wujie is more of a ML because he's done majority of the fighting. The problem I have with Lei Wujie is that he hasn't shown any character growth. His fighting improves throughout the show but he still just rushes into all the fights and hasn't show any maturity each time he faces a new adversary. Xiao Se says this every time they fight.

-Overall, the acting is just okay but I feel like we're just constantly waiting to see if the ML, Xiao Se, will recover from his injury and actually start fighting.

I finished this a while back and came back to update my rating but it remains the same. By the time the ML started fighting, the show was almost over.

Read More

Best dramas I’ve seen in a long time

This drama is one of those rare gems that completely pulls you in from the very first episode and doesn’t let go. I genuinely loved everything about it: the plot, the pacing, the emotional tension, and especially the two leads. This is the kind of drama that makes you fall in love with storytelling all over again.

There's no filler, no unnecessary scenes, no dragging episodes. Every moment has weight, and everything ties together in the most satisfying way. The story flows beautifully from start to finish, and I never once felt bored or confused. It’s full of heart, intrigue, and just the right amount of drama. You know how sometimes dramas throw in misunderstandings just to stretch the conflict? This doesn't do that. When misunderstandings happen, they’re handled thoughtfully and resolved in such sweet, believable ways. It makes the emotional payoff so much more real.

And let’s talk about character development—because wow. The growth of both leads is written with such care. You get to see them struggle, reflect, change, and become better versions of themselves, all without losing who they truly are. Their relationship evolves slowly but naturally, and it’s so satisfying to watch. It never feels forced or rushed, just perfectly timed and deeply emotional.

For the acting, I honestly don’t even know where to begin because everyone delivered. But let me scream about Liu Yuning and Song Zuer for a second—they were phenomenal. I mean it. Their chemistry is unreal. You feel everything between them—the tension, the longing, the heartbreak, the quiet affection. Liu Yuning brought such depth and quiet strength to his character, and Song Zuer balanced it out with vulnerability, charm, and fierce determination. I really, really hope they get cast together again, maybe even in a film. They’ve got that once-in-a-generation dynamic.

Another thing I loved: the aesthetic of the drama. The cinematography was gorgeous, the soundtrack was perfectly matched, and everything felt polished without being overdone.

This is easily one of the best dramas I’ve seen in a long time—and one I’ll absolutely rewatch.

Read More

I seldom give a drama a 10 on 10. Because no matter how well a plot has been handled and cinematized there's always room for improvement. But in the case of this fabulous Hong sisters venture, I can think of no other way to improve the story. From the cast, to story, to direction, to solid comic chops, to acting, to music and plot and character development, nothing was lacking in this gem. Although to be truthful I'd have liked for the romance to be a bit more pronounced. But I think the subtlety of feelings the leads had for each other, was needed to suit the general mood of the story. Another thing-people who had started hating Han Ye Seul after the whole Myung wol The Spy controversy, please watch this drama and prepare to be mesmerized. The way she brings out Jo Anna's arrogance and pompousness and Na Sang Shil's innocent charm onscreen, is a treat for the senses. And Oh Ji Ho proves that a solid, toned body isn't all that he has got. He made Jang Chul Soo appear so genuine and sincere. MUST watch Hong sisters drama, and on some accounts I'd rate this even higher than You're Beautiful yes!

Read More

A Storytelling Masterpiece!

I highly recommend this show if you would like to experience the following:
• A grounded portrayal of the lower-income class
• An accurate depiction of generation gaps
• A glimpse into the struggles faced by deaf individuals

This show delivers with:
• Fantastic chemistry and dynamic between the cast
• Intertwining plot structure and character arcs
• Meaningful reminders about the best and worst parts of life

-----------------------------
SPOILER BELOW
-----------------------------

What I love:
1. Li Ming's journey and Fourth's portrayal of him. In the beginning, Li Ming is depicted as an unintended victim of a rigid school system, unhappy with the paths other people imposed on him, and unsure about a romantic relationship. However, through a positive mindset about his future and working hard to better himself and help Heart and his family, he finds the answers to the questions troubling him. Fourth is fantastic in this role. Be it a scene with or without dialogue, he kills it. Considering this is his first significant role in a series, I am in awe. My favorite scene of Li Ming is in episode 3 where Fourth has to act without any dialog and portray the suffocation he feels while his friends are talking in a classroom. So good!

2. This series deals with the passage of time smartly. Not all significant character and relationship developments are shown in eight episodes, and viewers are encouraged to imagine and assume the progression. It is tricky to get this format working, especially in a series with time gaps in and between episodes. But with excellent writing and direction, this series manages to deliver. A notable example is how fast Jim and Wen's relationship seems to progress; we are watching them speed-running through eight episodes which can be watched in a day, but in fact, they took at least six months with plenty of interactions off-screen to build their relationship. The two plot sequences are defined, while what's in between is left for viewers to fill in and visualize.

3. “Show, don’t tell.” Related to the point above, some major plot developments are prepared as pleasant surprises for the viewers. One great example is in episode 7 where Heart’s parents could communicate with Heart in sign language. None of the characters in that scene was surprised, but I am sure the audiences are. It shows that within the gap between episode 6 and 7, Heart’s parents have learnt from their mistakes, and choose to prioritize and understand their son more. These are some of strongest scenes in this series. Kudos to the actress who acts as Heart's mom; almost all her scenes are all emotional and intense, and she delivers consistently with such finesse.

-----------------------------

What I wish were different:
1. The sound editing could be better in some scenes, notably the closure scene between Alan and Wen, also any beach scenes. There are squeaky sounds in the background when Alan and Wen are speaking in the restaurant, and as someone who focuses on facial expressions and reads subtitles, these distractions make it hard for me to immerse myself in such a critical scene. Though, the sound editing in episode 7 is fantastic. The backing sounds in some intense scenes are beautifully arranged and delivered.

2. Not all scenes are equally memorable, which is expected, but some are forgettable and can be replaced to better support the plot progression. Alan should have been introduced earlier in the series to flesh out the backstories between Alan and Wen.

3. As great as Earth's acting is, his portrayal of a 40-year-old man haunted by his past and selling chicken rice can be improved. His performances shine through as a parental figure for Li Ming and during flashbacks related to his previous relationship. However, when it comes to the daily portrayal of a chicken rice seller troubled by raising a teenager and trying to make ends meet, I find he lacks the signs of wear and tear surviving emotional and physical grinds.

-----------------------------

Best Episode -- Episode 4!
If I were to pick the best episode, I would be torn between episodes 4 and 8. I feel episode 8 is excellent in wrapping up the story and giving everyone the new beginning they deserve.

But for me, episode 4 takes the cake. Similar to the message it tries to convey about how happiness and despair come hand-in-hand in life, this episode has an outstanding balance of emotions.

My favorite scene probably in the entire series is when they celebrate Jim's birthday. Happiness is simple, and this scene exudes that.

-----------------------------

Takeaways:

There are important life messages that the producer and writers are trying to convey through this series.

Both Jim's and Wen's story arcs highlighted that our past could haunt us for the longest time without us knowing, so it's important to understand when to let go. On the other hand, both Jim's and Li Ming's story arcs try to remind us about generation gaps, that age is just a number at a certain point, and everyone can learn from each other regardless of age to become a better version of themselves.

Of course, all these are easier to say than do in real life, but they are good reminders nonetheless.

-----------------------------

At first, I was curious how P'Aof would be able to direct this series given the ensemble cast; Earth, Mix, First, Khaotung, also now Gemini and Fourth can lead an entire series just within their couple. And the fact that this series can balance them beautifully speaks about how great the director and his team are.

Kudos to P'Aof and his team for this masterpiece of storytelling!

Read More