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Let's start with the story: This drama doesn't exactly have a ground-breaking plot, but it was well-written and I appreciated that it always moved towards one direction without having unnecessary plot devices thrown in. A negative point of the story might be the slower pace and lack of revelations to the viewer: One of the main conflicts consists of several cases of secret or switched identities, and while the viewer is aware of these as soon as they happen, most of the characters find out really late in the story.
What makes this drama worth it is following every step of the characters' journeys, because the time you spend laughing, crying and hurting with them makes the characters' reactions to the revelations all the more powerful in the end. The characters are definitely the strongest point of the drama for me. These are not the typical cliched people, that are painted in a black or white light in other dramas. They felt like real people, with real character motivations (even smaller supporting roles) who always stay true to themselves. I loved the whole cast, because I could always understand them even when they did evil things and I will miss seeing them on my screen.
As it's not a drama with lots of twists and turns, I can understand if someone thinks it's boring, but for me it was a heartwarming drama (despite the sometimes painful happenings), where I enjoyed following the characters' stories and watching them grow. If you're looking for a drama that isn't overdramatic, or like stories where the journey is the destination, I'd recommend to give Soo Baek Hyang a try!
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This review may contain spoilers
The first few episodes can be a little confusing, especially as the story slowly reveals the male lead's true identity as a prince. Once that mystery is uncovered, the plot becomes much easier to follow and far more engaging.The CGI is decent, the martial arts choreography is well executed, and the story is packed with political intrigue, strategic battles, and power struggles. As expected from a cast filled with well-known actors, the performances are excellent. Every major character delivers convincing emotions and adds depth to the complex storyline.
My only complaint about the visuals is the female lead's hairstyle. Especially when she's wearing military armor. The hairstyle often feels awkward and doesn't match her overall appearance, making her look less graceful than she could have.
Unfortunately, the romance is only a minor subplot. For most of the drama, the relationship between the main leads feels more like close companions who enjoy teasing and arguing with each other rather than lovers. Their romantic development only becomes apparent in the final episodes, so their chemistry as a couple never feels fully developed from the beginning. If you're expecting a romance-heavy drama, you may be disappointed.
I haven't read the original novel, so I'm judging the drama on its own. Sadly, the ending feels rushed and ultimately unsatisfying. The male lead sacrifices so much throughout the story to fight his way to the top and achieve his position, only to give everything up in the end, making all of those hardships and sacrifices feel almost meaningless. To make matters worse, he is left with only ten years to live after sacrificing his own life force to save the female lead. It almost feels as though the male lead exists only to suffer, with nothing more than a brief moment of happiness alongside the woman he loves before paying an enormous price. That bittersweet conclusion left me feeling more frustrated than satisfied.
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So, the movie is about Miyavi playing soccer, guitar, meeting friends... If you like myv you have to watch it! If you don't, then I wouldn't recommend it.
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It's cute. It's your typical popular boy, unpopular student romance. But I still liked it. I think this would've been better as a drama since everything seemed extremely fast. The whole teasing phase then relationship phase all seemed rushed which is uncommon for movies.
I think if you haven't read the manga you would probably like it more.
I loved the cast. Matsuzaka is some serious eye candy ~ all the characters were really likable but I feel like some of the supporting cast should've had a bigger role like in the manga. It's kind of like they were just there to be there. I liked the two main leads but I feel like their chemistry didn't develop well enough. They were cute together but I just didn't seem like they really liked each other, it was rather lacking.
The music was pretty good. The audio for the whole movie was a little weird so it was hard to hear the music clearly but they were enjoyable tunes.
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I especially enjoy a drama where the love builds unexpectedly between the lead couple. What I also liked about this drama is that even though there is necessary conflict and a bit of angst between them for drama's sake, they come to the realization of their feelings quickly and that kept me interested. Their chemistry was great and their scenes together so satisfying.
The writing is good. I liked the story trajectory for the main characters. The 11 episodes go by fast. The supporting cast was also fun. Riko's roommate Mei was a standout for me. She was so sassy and blunt. I loved her character.
Yamapi was good. He is one handsome bloke but I liked his acting in Nobuta wo Produce and he didn't disappoint me here either. In watching Kurosagi, I have decided I like when he plays quirky characters a bit more than when he plays a straight lead.
The soundtrack wasn't as standout as other Jdramas I've watched but I did love the opening song and the Beetles and Stones songs in the background.
I give the re-watch value a 9 because this was a very fun watch. I really liked the romance and the friendship of the OTP. Like the Jdrama Pride, this is set in the sports world but there is a great balance of both basketball, character study and romance.
I recommend this drama highly. It's a fast, enjoyable watch. Sweet, romantic and it has something for everyone.
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strongberry shorts coming for my heart
it's another cute little love story by strongberry so ofc it's wonderful.i always love these little shorts strongberry make. i love watching them they make me so happy. this little short story makes me want to fall in love with someone. i just wish it was longer but i will await for the release of a full length drama or film, and i'll give it all my money lol.
i want the leads to do a full series together like seriously. i think exploring/continuing the storyline with them would be really awesome. they seem to have that sweet awkward chemistry of people who have fallen in love for the first time.
the music choices were really great. whoever chose the music, you're awesome.
i would rewatch it over and over. it's short and sweet, it's an adorable thing that instantly lifts your mood.
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Frustrating!
The Story: The flow was good, it's a good thriller movie that makes you feel like you are the one getting chased. It keeps you on your toes. Although there are parts that made me exasperated because of the stupidity of almost all of the civilians or extra characters. In real life, the reactions of the civilians might not be possible at all.Acting/Cast: The casts are superb, it's like the movie was tailored for the casts themselves. There are no parts were you feel like their emotions are lacking.
Music: I can't really remember any music being played during the movie. I don't know if it's because I'm too focused on the movie or if it's because the music isn't memorable at all.
Rewatch Value: Personally, I don't think I will watch this again. Movies like these are only good during the first time watching.
Overall: The movie is great, I get the frustration of the other viewers who reviewed and said it sucks because of the lack of realness when it comes to the reaction of the civilians but besides those, I still think this movie is worth to watch.
PS. I kinda don't like how it ended. It feels like the guy had an easy way out of what he did.
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Sweet, Sexy, Smart & Sincere - a Rare Male Lead in Thai Lakorns
This was truly a light and entertaining show. Yes, it was full of cliches - family melodrama due to a stereotypical patriarch with multiple wives and children, with lots of backstabbing and battling for control of the company and wealth, contract marriage, and revenge-crazed villains.Yet, Wiwa Fah Laep was surprisingly well-balanced, with a good mix of comedy, romance and some suspense. The show was filled with slapstick, clowning, and low-brow and at times risqué dialogue, which time and again hit my funny bone.
The best part of the show was how good I felt watching it. In most lakorns, the villains always seem to be winning until the very last couple of episodes. Not in this show! Pokpong, the male lead was always a few steps ahead of the bad guys, able to anticipate and sidestep their traps and schemes. It was absolutely gratifying to see the lead couple triumph over the bad guys repeatedly. It was also enjoyable to see the villains unravel as they got closer to being caught, and ultimately punished.
Not only that, there was no annoying second female or male lead. The audience never had to stress about love triangles and what was more refreshing is that the drama did not drag the plot out with misunderstandings. Even potential melodrama between the main couple was resolved quickly and funnily.
Pokpong and Lin, our couple's romance was overall a slow-burn one. It started quickly with them drunkenly sleeping with each other, to being together in a contract marriage, and then finally culminating in a way that I found satisfying. Even though their coupledom was fake, there was mutual attraction and lots of fun-to-watch flirting. Both characters were likable as individuals, and as a couple, they inspired relationship goals. Those two were sensible and matured enough to come to the right conclusions about each other's actions and words.
Pokpong was one of the best MLs I have seen in a Thai lakorn and Tono played him well! Pokpong was sexy, suave, and charming. Always the gentleman but assertive too, Pokpong never hesitated to express his feelings for Lin and I enjoyed watching her reactions whenever he flirted with her. He was really quite smooth with his bedroom eyes - haha! Pokpong can also fight! Best of all, he was level-headed and patient, allowing the progression of his and Lin’s relationship to happen realistically despite being in a fake marriage. Our amazing ML was also savvy, knowing when to manipulate the situation to his advantage, and I like that he was able to handle Lin’s terrible family without really bending to their unreasonable demands.
Rational, reasonable and resourceful, Lalin was the perfect counterpart to Pokpong. She was no damsel in distress, and did pretty well when fighting the bad guys. She and Pokpong protected each other, and they also understood each other. Pooklook was beautiful and her outfits were fierce!
The cast in general did fine but the acting was so-so. I did like Ak Nimitchai in his role as a villain - he deserved kudos for adding the layers of manipulation and scheming that kept things fresh. He was also the bad guy in “My Lovely Bodyguard” and I wondered if he would be typecasted going forward. Also deserving a shout-out is Nutt Atirutt Singhaaumpol who played Tat, Pokpong’s best friend. I found that character endearing and the interactions between him and Pokpong were hilarious.
Music-wise, there was only the opening song that was memorable for me. The song was fun to listen to and lent the same tone of positivity that was infused throughout the show. For posterity, I listed it here:
รักในวันฝนมา - CINCIN IRADA X DIAMOND LAZ1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04wuYj-UVPs
https://open.spotify.com/track/34HpfHhOP7iajSuZHlexDa
Overall, it is a drama that I think most will enjoy. Now that it is fully subbed, do give it a try!
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Miles wei did not disappoint. I missed seeing him in modern drama as the rich, cold, aloof lead and glad this one was worth the wait. Sweet slow burn cozy watch. Also laughed a lot even though didn't expect it to be a comedy. May not be your cup of tea if your not patient with the romance but its beautiful to me and all about returning to love and not falling in. Though i didn't like how the leads kept secrets for so long.
Highly reccomend for Miles Wei lovers!!!!
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Slow Burning Adorable Romance
This is a slow burning, tug and pull romance. More than half way through the drama, the main couple still have not officially started their romance though they have strong feelings and admirations for each other. There are multiple love triangles with the third parties becoming the antagonists (sort of). The two male leads are amazingly good looking and lovable, and the female lead is beautiful and badass.The Story
This is the story of 2 people of different worlds meeting each other by chance and falling in love. She is from lowest of the low and he is an elite; they are like extreme ends of the world, opulence versus abject poverty. He’s attracted by her spontaneity and unpretentiousness; she is attracted by his good look and straight face that has a warm heart within. In the lower Jiu Liu, being poor, the people would eat anything and do anything to survive. And in the upper Jiu Liu, the rich lives in gluttony and opulence.
As the events unfold, their romance goes all the way to the palace. They encounter assassinations, imprisonment, tortures at the same time they resolve various conspiracies and mysteries, and eventually save the kingdom. Our OTP join hands together and cover each other’s back, and in the end, realizing their dreams and living a life they have always wanted.
There are some intense palace politics and conspiracies as official corruption is rampant. The supervillain is not revealed until the very last few episodes. However, the emphasis of this drama is on the dynamics of the main couple, which is really fun to watch.
The Characters and The Acting
Long Ao Yi (Bai Lu) is the kingpin of the Dragon Gang which has members and support from the lower class of Jiu Liu denizens of Silver City. She is magnanimous and takes care of everyone, making sure they live a decent life despite all odds against them. She is protective, tough, unfinessed and dresses in rags. Being poorly educated, she continually makes mistakes in the use of words and pronunciations, causing laughter and fun for the viewers. However, at the click of the fingers, she can transform into the most beautiful girl around, even overtaking the wealthiest best dressed women in town. With her beauty and unconventional demeanor, she immediately attracts the two most eligible men around. Bai Lu's character here reminds me of the Bai Lu in The Legends, a badass and stunningly beautiful, despite she doesn’t know how to fight in this story.
In contrast, Li Qing Liu (Lai Yi aka Leon Lai) is a very refined and sophisticated man. He is classy and prudish with a cold somber face. A silk tycoon and a fashion designer for the social elites, he runs one of the largest businesses in town. He is creative, intelligent and has a great business mind. However he’s prejudiced and looks down on Long Ao Yi and her ‘type’ initially until he comes to know her; he has thought money could buy anything and solve all problems until she proves him wrong. Lai Yi is naturally classy and he fits exactly into the image of Li Qing Liu.
Li Zhao (Fang Yilun aka Alen Fang) is a prince sent to investigate the salt trade black market. In his investigations, he also finds black markets for silk and peppercorn, and he discovers the corruption of many of the government officials. At the same time, he falls in love with Long Ao Yi who treats him no different from her other Dragon gang members. Time and time again, Li Zhao helps and saves Long Ao Yi. Fang Yilun’s portrayal is wonderful, making Li Zhao a very well-loved character.
The OST
I fall in love with one of the OSTs here: Heart City, though the other OST Seeing Dream is pretty good too. However, I have to point out that there is an instrumental tune that they have recycled from Luan Zang Gang of The Untamed, and for me, the repeated playing of this background music doesn’t go very well with the scenes and moments at all.
My verdict
Bai Lu's styling is beautiful especially when she's in elegant gowns. I love her badass demeanor, untamed and can be explosive at times. Lai Yi exudes that classy charisma right from the beginning, either as a rich merchant or as a prince. The overall CGI is not too bad. All the costumes are beautiful and props are proper. There are no obvious plot holes despite some minor lack of attention to details. The last few episodes are intense with the supervillain’s identity being revealed. The ending is what most viewers love with the characters we’ve come to love living the life they have always wanted, free and away from the palace despite the sacrifice of another lovable character.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable drama. Don’t miss it.
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Story: The story is hit-and-miss for me. The hits being the sisters and their adorable romances, the misses being the crazy mothers involved. It's actually kind of frustrating when you think of how much MORE time was spent on the mom's instead of the sisters. Really, if the drama had paid more attention to Lee Soon Shin, Yoo Shin and Hye Shin, then I probably would have given this a higher score. Instead, we got buckets full of frustrating mama-drama. Plus, Hye Shin and Jin Wook's story had so much ignored potential. In fact, a whole lot of side stories had ignored potential. It felt like the writer was just making this up as she went along without the foggiest idea of how much time she wanted to spend on story arcs.
Acting: So. Much. Wasted. Talent. Seriously. Jo Jung Suk was perfect here, but his character felt sorely underused. IU had a pretty decent break-out role, and I'm glad this drama was so popular, otherwise Jung Woo would have flown under everyone's radar for his awesome turn as Jin Wook.
Music: Like this drama, it was cute. But when the *same* song repeats the *same* word fifty thousand times at the end of *every* episode, I start to bang my head against the wall.
Rewatch Value: There were a lot of cute scenes in here that I'd like to rewatch, but I will never *ever* rewatch the entire thing. It just won't happen. I don't want to deal with premature hypertension.
Overall: My recommendation is that you have your finger on the fast-forward button while watching this. Otherwise, you're going to lose a lot of hair in the process.
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uniqe that's what she is
If, like me, you enjoy watching thrillers and learning things in bits and pieces (i.e., secret forest, signal, even sky castle in the revealing formula), then this is ideal. I'm always looking for things that will both emotionally stimulate me and scare me (in a loose sense), as the ride in the Secret Forest did. They're apples/oranges, and Stranger has some of the tightest writing I've ever seen, but the thing about Trap is that it's thrilling, you're on the edge.Truthfully, if the actors were bad, it would be even more campy—because there is a bit of camp; some of the shit is just SO bizarre, uncanny, and left field. But they weren't. None of them were. Watching it was genuinely entertaining, and I enjoyed every twist and turn, and, girl, there are twists and turns. Is it flawlessly written? Although I def wouldn't say that, it's not nearly as bad as people are claiming. It's seven episodes, dude, like, lmao. It's a brief and disorientingly nuts watch, but it's also very good because it's very odd, and that's its appeal.
If OCN dramas aren't your thing—and they weren't mine, and sometimes still aren't, as I only watched them when I didn't want to think—but you like the same things I do (via my list/comments/reviews)? I would watch. It's clear that this is a unique genre, and I think it marked something of a turning point for the channel (Guest/Hand, a good show, comes to mind as a good catalyst for the change). This and Strangers from Hell, outstanding shows that were a part of OCN's "Dramatic Cinema," made it clear that these are a unique introduction to the channel, and they are of a different level, at least to my taste.
Yet, I think that both shows are mischaracterized or perhaps misunderstood (though for different reasons). There's mixed reception for Trap, and I suppose that's because I'm viewing the drama from a different perspective than some people, which is obviously where we're all coming from and I'm not special, BUT what I mean is: in my opinion, you have to have fun with this show; you have to see it as fun, while acknowledging the quality and critiquing where deserved.
They're literally taking you along for a ride that you can't get off of until it's too late. Like Kanye West said in Primetime (song), "I mean who says shit like that and doesn't laugh?" I think the team was definitely inspired by works by "auteurs" like Yorgos Lanthimos, Park Chan-wook, other contemporary auteurs of the uncanny or horror. It shares the quality of being frantic and fast-paced but also tension-building at a honey like pace. Can't explain it well but it's an intentional, and creative, way to bend temporality.
So, if you want a thrilling investigative story and enjoy bloody weirdness along the way, Do you love to have fun and be entertained? I'd honestly go for it. There's never a dull moment, that's for sure. and i loved being on the rollercoaster swear to satan
EDIT 8/5/19: i think this drama was aiming for pure insanity and it worked
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