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Not from the novel, rushed ending
If you thought it is an continuation of "Addicted" and have read the novels you will get disappointed. This version has nothing to do with the novels at all. It's a story of what might have happened. The story is a bit confusing and till the end there is no resolution especially with the woman who "drove Yoki to the ground".Instead of wasting 6 minutes with a long intro and credits they should have invested more time in the actual story telling. Because they did, especially the last two episodes felt rushed, even when the finale got 11 extra minutes or so. I still have no idea what the contract was with the village chief because the translation was not clear enough. Also the subtitles had timing issues, so sometimes they subs where only shown for a second or two which is annoying because you have to stop the playback and go back and stop at the right moment.
The most positive about the show are the actors which did a really good job and the music. The negative is, that the show in a show did not feel like it... Normally you have tons of crew. multiple cameras, boom microphones and lights and nothing was present. I guess they had budget constraints, but they could have build in their own crew/stuff into the scenes to make it believable. Overall, this is an ok show, but nothing special.
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What I love about the story itself though is the message it sends through it's morally broken heroine is that it is never too late. The focal point of the show is not the story, but the characters. Especially Oh Hye Won and Lee Sun Jae. The characters are soo real to me that I feel their pain and understand every decision they make. The acting is done so superbly that I believe they are in love when they play piano together. I can go on and on and on about how marvelous and unique and artistic this show is, and I do not want to forget to mention how the piano pieces highlighted in this show are so wonderfully showcased that people who are not fans of classical music will appreciate it. Watch it. WATCH IT. It is so much better than a lot of shows out there. Secret Love Affair is worth your time.
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Okay so this is my first ever review , which is kinds bad considering the fact i've watched so many dramas , where do I even begin , I started this drama on a whim legit had no idea what it was about or even who were the cast , half way into the first episode I realised that the main leads where the same as a love @ seventeen. I have grown found of Li Guo Yi (Ke Zhen Yu ) through the pat few years since I've started taiwanese dramas, saying this I had no idea he was lead in this loool , but any way moving on to the actual drama , where it wasn't perfect I would 124% recommend watching it.
I find that the plot is unique even to time travel has been done and done again countless times , there was something about his the story just really stuck out , I love the character development and countless plot twist , I tell to one thing this writer is good. The only place where the drama fell through would be the female leads character it self like for real tho as much as i love Nikki (Cheng Jia Le) she was slow sometimes and kinda dumb also , but the romance and chemistry between the lead made it all worth it like I fucking ship them so bad and they hella cuteee I cant like .
The drama real does keep you on your toes wondering wtf is gunna happen especially if you haven't watched a lot of drams the plot might be difficult to predict but being the nerd I am I've come to the point where I notice all these little details like when I get it right I surprise my self because I feel smarter then I acc am . BUT BE PREPARED TO BE SUPPRISED BECAUSE THIS SHIT CRAY ESpecially towards the end also get your tissue ready because I cried so hard it hurt but THE HAPPY ENDING makes up for it
Overall this has honestly become one of my fave dramas of the year and I know I might even watch it again because its so cute once again MAIN LEADS ARE OTP FOR LIFEE.
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A great storyline, solid cast and some incredible romance is all I look for when I want to watch a romantic movie and this one had it all. I am a sucker for cuteness along with hotness which the couple in this movie possessed. :D
I have been repeatedly let down in the past by a lot of movies- be it lack of romance, excessive melodrama, lack of decent kisses/chemistry between the leads or a sad ending. However this one did not disappoint me. The leads acted well, had good chemistry and were very pleasant on the eyes. The movie has a few sad parts but it's not too overwhelming. The romance was sweet without being cheesy and the humor was good without being over the top. Every thing was just in the right amounts.
Sometimes it's good to see the girl doing the chasing than the guy. It wasn't done in a horrible way. It was just kind of sweet and the guy was too. I loved the certain innocence their love had. I liked their kisses as well. There is also a minor side romance which was also cute. The only thing I didn't like was that a couple of things in the story were not required but it seemed like they were included just to make the movie longer.
The best part was definitely the ending. It was cute and reminded me of Bollywood movies. LOL. So I'd recommend to every person who wants to watch something light with a bit of seriousness. It sure won't disappoint.
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Han Ye Seul really impressed me as a strong character who always gets to the bottom of the story. She may have been a little naive but was not the stupid female cliche. I liked that she looked for sincerity. The two second lead males Seung Chan and Ji Ho had cute interactions that were always fun to watch.
It was a weird idea to that experiment but it was interesting and entertaining enough to watch. The main problem was it dragged on too long. Also it feels like Soo hyun never learns and that was annoying. I still don't know what the point of the doctor was.
Overall, I found the drama to be a little over the top and unrealistic, but as a romantic comedy it was good. The romance part was a little disappointing though because too much of it was an experiment, at least to Soo hyun.
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Acting: I really liked the acting. The initial reactions everyone had, the way people mourned. I've never seen a "nokanshi" work, but the way the actors gave life to the ritual in those scenes through the movement of their hands, and body in general, made it look like art. It was beautiful and I felt fascinated by all of it.
The way the movie closed was also touching and beautiful.
Music: The music was excellent. It created the right atmosphere by intensifying the feelings and actions the actors were portraying or by creating a calm atmosphere when needed. It never felt like it didn't belonged.
One thing you should know before starting this movie is that it's not a terribly exciting like those with lots of action sequences. It has a slow kind of pace, but it's over before you know it because of the way the story flows and the way the music helps that flow. It also has a few minor comedic scenes tossed in there. I'm sure I'll eventually re-watch it.
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Story- I love sport movies, and this one was no exception. I loved both main characters, one who was very talented but didn't wamt to swim and the other one who was less talented but trained a lot and was pressured by his dad. I specially liked the bromance between Wu Sang and Won Il, it was my favorite part of the movie. The weakest part of the story for me was the romantic part. The female lead was shallow and poorly written so I could never understand how they would fall in love with her? What did they see in her?
Acting - I already knew both SIG and LJS could act really well, they have proven it before, and this movie was no exception. Seo In Guk nailed his performance of an orphan rebel kid, bringing life and joy to a character who could've been very tragic and Lee Jong Suk also excelled in his role of a pressured kid who doesn't know how to have fun. Sadly, I can't say the same thing about Yuri. Saying that I suffered watching her acting was an understatement. I understand that the producers were trying to attract a younger audience and that's why they chose an idol for the love interest, but why did it have to be Yuri? She barely knows the basics about acting and her character seemed too plastic, taking credibility from the love story.
Music- Again, it was a weak part of the movie, way too mellow and pop-ish.
Rewatch value- I will definitely rewatch this again because it's the kind of movie that you enjoy watching several times
Overall, if you're looking for a good sports movie about friendship and bromance, this is your movie! PLUS! Lee Jong suk and Seo In Guk shirtless 95% of the movie! :D
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This review may contain spoilers
This contains all kinds of spoilers...It has been a while since I wrote a review but i thought I should since this drama is getting such bad ones.
The story is well done. There are a few flaws but overall it connects everyone and everything well. If people are mad about who the FL ends up with, then I'm not sure we are seeing the drama from the same perspective.
Cha Hyung Bin helps set up Gong Ji Chul as a serial killer just because that is what he believes and NOT because of any real evidence. One murder does not make a serial killer. Who really cares that Ji Chul who was habitually mistreated kills a woman that has killed a child in his misguided attempt to save the one person who was kind to him? I don't. It seems justified to me.
Jung Ha Eun is who pisses me off. WTH? She doesn't even try to see the truth and betrays Ji Chul in the most hurtful way by calling him an animal. She is blindly in love with a man that is blinded by his own bias against Ji Chul. Hyung Bin is a know it all trying to act all righteous.
Then in the reincarnation Kim Soo Hyuk is no better. He's doing the same thing with more power. Setting people up based on his belief. The writer tries to pull it off as righteous judgment but it is just plain wrong.
Then we have Chun Jong Bum who is again misunderstood and mistreated. What a messed up family. Still he does the best he can, but Soo Hyuk tries to set him up again. Then Soo Hyuk friggin' shoots him in the head with no consequences. What kind of BS is that?
It is ridiculous to me that people see Chun Jong Bum/Gong Ji Chul as the bad guy and Kim Soo Hyuk/Cha Hyung Bin as the good guy. They both have depths to their characters and there is a bit of grey area in both but I feel Jong Bum is a way better person than Soo Hyuk.
At least in the reincarnation Jung So Bin tries harder to see the truth and finally sees both men for who they are in this life time as well as the previous one.
Personally I feel like she didn't deserve Jong Bum or Ji Chul.
The rest of the enter twining characters made it interesting.
All of the acting was good. Those boys did a really good job.
The music is good.
No reason to watch it again.
I recommend this drama. It is very entertaining and makes you think.
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The story is slow paced, but it's extremely addictive. It's very mysterious you never know what's going to happen, and I didn't figure out what happened during ''the day of the incident'' until a few seconds before that scene started. I loved the way they used the scenes of ''the day of the incident'' throughout all the episodes, adding a few more seconds to the scene in each episode. There were a ton of beautiful moments too. Also, the character development was brilliant.
The acting was AWESOME. Nana Eikura was amazing, she did a great job playing Nozomi, one of the best performances I've seen in a while. Masataka Kubota, Kento Kaku and Keisuke Koide did a fantastic job, too.
The music was SPECTACULAR. This is probably the best OST I've ever heard in a japanese drama. I can't stop listening to it. And the theme song is really beautiful.
The cinematography was so beautiful that it left me astonished. You need to watch this in HD.
To sum up, N no Tame ni is a really mysterious and beautiful drama, filled with great performances, a fantastic story, outstanding music and a spectacular cinematography. You really need to watch this as soon as possible.
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This review may contain spoilers
Shrimpie, you can now rest in peace
I started tgis expecting a fun Republican era mystery with some Lost Tomb lore and somehow ended up emotionally destroyed by Zhang Haixia😭Watching him go from this smart, sarcastic accountant constantly bickering with haiyan to someone willing to give up everything just so his partner in crime could live was painful enough, but the show somehow made it worse.
He doesn't get a heroic ending,he doesn't get peace,he comes back broken, traumatized, stripped of his own will, turned into a weapon while Haiyan desperately tries to save him as everything crashes down around them, it was just tragedy after tragedy.
And Ding Yuxi absolutely wrecked me throughout the serie especially larest episodes, the emptiness in his eyes, the way you could feel Haixia disappearing piece by piece... I genuinely wasn't prepared for that Shrimpie deserved happiness and instead got endless suffering. I'm sick, devastated, and probably not recovering from this anytime soon 😭💔
Haiyan trying his best to save him and save tgeir mentor was heartbreaking, he was grieving his only family while they were dying infront of him slowly, his guilt run deep, he killed his shrimpie and left living with this reality.
When it come to overall storytelling, they cut a lot and added some side stories that i didnt care about, we deserved the scenes that were deleted, anyway this was a ride, recommended
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Why? Just Why?
This has been on my anticipated list since it filmed back in 2021. I really wanted to see VG in a Republican Era vampire role because I knew he could hit it out of the park (which he did); at the time I didn't know the rest of mains or some of the supporting cast. But what started as an interesting drama and story devolved into yet another ridiculous push for a supporting character to outshine everyone except the lead. Why? Just seriously why?Pros: VG as a vampire or SZH was truly awesome even though his character wasn't very smart at times and couldn't put two and two together. I loved everything about him as an immortal that did his absolute best to be human. It was a great role for him and I hope he does something like this again just maybe with a different director and script. I loved SZH relationship with SWL who turned out to be his younger brother. Those two really did deserve so much more screen time even SWL by himself or with other characters like ML, our child-like FL or Jing Xue (who I really wish sounded like an adult not a 12 year old when she spoke or whined/cried). The four of them made this drama worthwhile to watch. The real antagonist was the Mu lady at the end and she gave the right kind of villain vibe. I loved the vampires kicking butt parts very much but then again I'm usually happy with any sort of martial arts in a drama or the kicking of the butt.
I have to say unlike SZH who was being as human as possible, SWL was the opposite. He was born as a vampire and didn't know human emotions or what being human really meant and though it seemed ok with him at first, he started getting confused once his feelings couldn't be explained with vampire logic and that's why though he came across as unserious or goofy, his character really was quite complex. Mi Lan remained as child-like through out her entire portrayal whether she was blind or when she was turned and could see (being blind to start and than getting used to seeing, ON really nailed her role). It being republican era, made the sets and costumes just really beautiful as well as the OSTs.
Cons: Was it really nepotism that swung TML and supposed villain into basically second ML lead status but in the worst way possible? Second drama that has done that after TPR. The director was determined no matter how many people he harmed, killed, etc., to give him a redemption arc death but he made most of us want to vomit because, I'm sorry but this actor couldn't be taken seriously, was miscast, and/or was just no and given way too much screen time, side tracking the story seven ways to Sunday. He had mental health issues and many complexes I couldn't remember or explain. I just wanted him gone and had to ffw a lot of his scenes because they were so repetitive, it was boring to the point of headache inducing. His death redemption arc was in the form of a lava bomb when he pushed SZH out of the way and you had to yet again do a facepalm as his life with SZH flashed before him just before he went kaboom. And Mu lady's death was laughable because one moment they were just on an erupting volcano fighting, the next SZH gets another power and he throws her into a very convenient and somehow nearby lava flow which of course consumes her though just minutes ago, she was able to control the lava.
What happened to that ending? HE in the book supposedly but filled with plot holes, the death of SZH (or maybe he just disappeared for a few decades and reappeared later and walked over to her playing piano in a park with an umbrella as per some HE writing released by production) in a completely ridiculous manner that made no sense; so after all of that, I'd call it an OE that still made absolutely no sense. Furthermore, they had to do it in a phony Titanic themed method of both floating on a wooden board in the ocean and than without us seeing it as the camera panned out to the sun that hadn't bothered him until recent episodes, he supposedly disappeared as Mi Lan was calling his name.
Sorry y'all but I didn't feel any chemistry between SZH and Mi Lan and it had nothing to do with their age difference as actors or vampires for that matter. But just because Mi Lan acted so child-like that they appeared as a family of three with SZH being the big brother and protector of SWL (even though didi was way stronger) and ML.
Loopholes included; how did Mu lady survive? How did Mu Lady get all those people from Chi's office on her side and when? Why and when did Mi Lan put that necklace back on? Had she not had that pendant on her, Mu Lady would have been killed and SZH wouldn't have had to fake die? If there's traffic on the road, why use horses when one is a crow and two are vampires that fly as well? You're going after a boat and yet back to a horse you go for starters? Mi Lan may have been weak but she could have easily overpowered that shadow soldier before he pushed the self destruct button of the boat. Oh and episode 24 had zombies that came from some weird location when that was never even part of the story. Many others I can't wrap my mind around. Like make it make sense, please! I'm just glad I never set expectations on dramas before watching them because when they essentially self destruct, I don't have to deal with disappointment.
Why couldn't the remaining living characters get proper endings? They ended SWL and Jingxue in mid conversation with dead bodies all around and no ML but a voice over of what she was going to do in the future. Oh and her flower bloomed. One of the most "wait, that's it?" endings ever!
Would I recommend it? Only for VG, ON, and SDC (actor's acronyms). The beautiful era and sets and costumes plus OSTs, but the storyline fell apart in the teen episodes. So I can't say one or another, sorry.
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This review may contain spoilers
I have not wrote many reviews. When i am done watching a drama (even ones people hate the ending to) i typically have some sort feeling. I hit episode 58 and watch the end then realized it was over and that almost perfectly mirrors my experience watching this show. A lack of attachment or feeling in general. Literally, a waste of time, which is sad becuase i like the world that was set up. Lots of crazy stuff happens but i never really felt connected to any of it. I just don't get why its rated above a 7 at most. There are no blaring issues with this Drama its just not a very enthralling story. In short, its boring and the characters are unlikable and unrelatable. There is no one to cheer for. The show doesn't give us a reason to care for the main character, she is almost unlikable for most of the Drama. Her love interests, are bland and more than stoic. They are stoic and at the same time super irrational (its dumb). Heck, even her child you cannot care about because clearly she doesn't. The child shows up and disappears like its some sort of toy. Oh don't worry mommy got her memory back but doesn't really give a shit about you baby, WTF.
The only character the MC shows any kind of decent connection to is her Master and he is asleep 90% of the show.
I think a 6 maybe high, but i do understand that i am rather harsh on shows.
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An Interesting Cross-Genre Concept Executed Well
I'm alone on an empty street.The sun is shining brightly.
The clock which is never wrong says it's midnight.
I wonder, is it day or night?
This recurring line (copied NOT verbatim) really hooked me into the premise of this show. The real answer is revealed in the show and while it doesn't exactly translate to a true life lesson, it's interesting in its own way.
Let me begin by saying I LOVE crime/romance hybrids: Flower of Evil, *chef's kiss*, Come and Hug Me + Cruel City, *thumbs up*. This is why I couldn't help but be a little disappointed to find not so much external romance as internal romantic motivation; which, while still nice, is not what I expect from a romance tag.
Add in some fantasy/sci-fi elements, splashes of comedy, and you have all the makings of a drama tailored to my tastes, maybe yours too.
The story is interesting, paced well, and developed in ways that I didn't expect but still made sense. Many characters get their time to shine in different scenes without dragging the drama down.
The cast chemistry is strong throughout and I found myself particularly enjoying Seolhyun/Hye Won's character and journey. Nam Goong Min brings his trademark charisma to this role. His scenes with Lee Chung Ah/Jamie were particularly entertaining as characters who understood each other well.
A weakness or dislike for this drama would be the villains. There are a few and I never really found myself invested or interested in their motivations. They were generic, sometimes weak, but it is easily overlooked IMO because I don't consider the villains, or their POV, to be necessary here. They exist as a set-up, a vehicle for the conflict, and I'm accepting of that. Would it be more intriguing if they weren't this way? Of course, but they're not so I'm moving on.
That is not to say the villain roles were not played well; on the contrary, there were many standout performances, notably Ahn Shi Ha/Hyun Hui/Mad Scientist. I enjoyed every terrifying moment she was on screen.
If you're looking for a well-executed crime thriller from beginning to end with bits of romance feels on the side, definitely give this a try. Thank you!
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One of the best Cdramas in 2022. Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions!
L&P is not just your average Cdrama. I dare say it surpassed the usual dramaland cliche for many. If you are in for a very different and intriguing drama, L&P is your best bet!Story:
The story revolves around college students. At first, it might seem like many school dramas, but as the story goes on, we go deep inside the lead's lives. we realize how different and hard life can be for some. It's not glittery or fluffy all the time. It has its dark moments and happy moments.
The story is divided into 3 phases: Present, past, and again present all within the span of 3 years. All focus on character development and the lead's interactions. The writers did a marvelous job depicting these characters and we get to know how they are. it's thorough and sweet altogether. Kudos to the writers for their awesome job and to the novel writer for creating a masterpiece!
Acting:
It was my first time seeing Chen Feiyu, but i dare say he is really talented and such a great actor. His face is full of emotions and he will melt your heart while watching the drama. he deserves an award for his role!
Zhang Jingyi, aka the FL. She seems a bit naive and poker-faced at first to some, but as the story goes on, she shines and develops into a character that you will never forget. She really matured and by episode 36, you will realize how the actress made the character lovable to us.
The villain and other cast were all also great. Especially the villains. The actors did a wonderful job.
Chemistry:
One of the best aspects of this drama is focused on chemistry. due to the fact that this drama has 3 phases, We encounter leads in different situations in their lives. In the first college phase, they open up and start a relationship. we gradually see changes in their behavior and they turn into one of those power couples. Yet the story gets interrupted, and the other phases follow. But you should know the couple has a burning chemistry. They might not touch or kiss directly, but you see their eyes full of emotions, Their looks burning their existence, and their actual intimacy and skinship like a natural pair.
And if you are into romance, this drama will satisfy your cravings. There are many kiss scenes, many intimate scenes, hugs, bed scenes, etc. Get ready to enjoy it fully lol
OST:
The songs are brilliant. They match the mood, the scenes, the emotions, Everything! even the lyrics speak for the characters in each scene.
Production:
Unlike many Cdramas with shabby locations, this one actually has a really decent production. The places they filmed different scenes are greatly exerted. From the college to companies, and their private homes, all are in accordance with the story.
Especially the scenes where important events happen, we get to envision special effects and great shots ( trees, forests, snow scenes, etc)
All in All, one of those memorable dramas that will stay in your mind for a long time!
It's not cringe-worthy, it is not silly, and there are no loopholes.
watch it for an awesome chemistry and an engaging story altogether at once( Which is really rare tbh)
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A tight 13 episodes, intricately and perfectly plotted, the show has lovely performances by Alice Ke and Greg (Han) Hsu, a great soundtrack and a fascinating twisty-turny plotline. A love story between Huang Yu Xuan (Alice Ke) and Wang Quan Sheng (Greg Hsu) across space, time and reality, Someday or One Day might be a time travel drama or a parallel universe drama or a doppelganger drama (or possibly all three). For me to outline the plot would be for me to spoil the plot. And that says something about just how ambiguous and enigmatic the show is.
It’s rare for a show with a supernatural element to be so real, so emotional and so raw but Someday or One Day is as heartwrenching and bittersweet as it is intelligent and challenging. It will have you speculating wildly and attempting to puzzle out its mysteries, while agonising with its characters and feeling their every pang of love, pain, loss, grief, confusion and joy. Someday or One Day manages to be complex and intriguing while never compromising on the very real human emotions being experienced by the characters. Verisimilitude within the magical is almost impossible to adequately capture and yet these writers have done it.
In the midst of the unreal, these people feel real. And they feel real in a way that is truly raw and truly human.
While it's far too early to declare this the best show of 2020, I am anyway. It was almost perfect.
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