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An absolute masterpiece worthy of every award
To My Shore is the pinnacle of obsession, love, angst, redemption, and worshipping the ground one's partner walks on. Both actors are amazing. This level of acting has rendered me entirely speechless; I genuinely cried with them, my heart kept getting broken, and my anxiety kept skyrocketing to the point where I had to hit pause time and time again to calm down and get myself in order. I don't even remember the last time I felt so affected. Chemistry and passion are also magnificent here, they are so palpable, wow.Fan Xiao, to me, is a character with clear psychopathic and BPD traits. Manipulation is in his blood; he's cold, indifferent, cruel, and toxic in every way you look at him. What amazed me is that he's actually someone on the aro-ace spectrum! Gray-romantic and graysexual. Until You Shu Lang, he never felt sexual or romantic attraction to anyone. I've never seen it depicted in fiction, so I found it fascinating.
You Shu Lang himself is the perfection of a character. Very often, even if obsession is depicted well in some series, I remain skeptical of the reasons for it. The objects of other characters' obsession tend to be so ordinary that I just don't get what's so special about them to warrant this crazy level of devotion and adoration. With You Shu Lang, I totally get it, and I understand why Fan Xiao grows to worship him.
He's not perfect; he's really not the divine being Fan Xiao sees him as, but he's so deep and so fascinating. He's endlessly good, but he's the opposite of a pushover. He protects himself fiercely and he maintains very strong boundaries. He's unyielding in his decisions: using Fan Xiao's words from the book, if You Shu Lang says no, then it's a no. Hard stop.
You Shu Lang always wants to help people, but if he can't, he's not going to suffer or beat himself up over it. He'll accept it calmly because he understands how life works, and that sometimes we are hopeless in our effort to change something.
He loves his brother, but while he's willing to sacrifice a lot for him, he's not going to let him walk over him even if the price of this decision is high. You Shu Lang has so much dignity and quiet power that you can't help but admire him.
If he feels something is wrong, then he trusts his intuition. If he has difficulties, if he is beaten down, he gets up and carries on. If he is in a relationship, he's entirely devoted: I was amazed at how loyal he stayed to Lu Zhen (his initial boyfriend) even despite being clearly attracted to Fan Xiao at the start of the show. And then… he loved Fan Xiao so much. He took care of him in so many ways - only to get his heart broken and spat on and burned to ashes.
E8 killed me, I was so floored by the level of heartbreak and emotion in it… And Fan Xiao didn't stop after this; he didn't understand he was in love until it was way too late, and then he just couldn't let go because You Shu Lang became the center of his world. Threatening You Shu Lang, ruining his career, forcing him to have sex with him when he's clearly unwilling, all but keeping him hostage - all because Fan Xiao can't imagine how to live without him, and he can't bear to let him go. It was excruciating to watch.
But then the redemption arc began, and I believed it. I think it was done very masterfully. And the way Fan Xiao becomes by the end of the series… he's still psychopathic, he's still an obsessed stalker, but he'd also rather die than hurt You Shu Lang now. He's content to just stare at him for days and days; he forces himself to stay sane time and time again for the price of seeing You Shu Lang happy, even if it's not with him.
And You Shu Lang… being forced into cruelty, something alien to him; understanding he loves Fan Xiao and that Fan Xiao definitely loves him, but still being unable to forgive him… There are so many emotional struggles in To My Shore, and they are all so painful.
The show's ending, despite being happy, still feels a little bittersweet, so I can't wait for the special episodes! And I'm so grateful for the book because it expands on everything and shows what happens next.
So… yeah, I'm a huge, crazed fan now :D Endless thanks to people who recommended To My Shore to me. This show will stay with me for the rest of my life.
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Two halves of a fruit ,Vows, fate, and a role-swap romance
A powerful love story with reincarnation, epic fantasy, hidden identities, sword fights, devastating sacrifice, and love that makes you scream into your pillow — this drama will wreck you in the best way. It’s unskippable, unforgettable, and undeniably addictive. once you start, you won’t be able to stop. And once you finish, you won’t be able to move on.
"Everyone has their own fate. Sometimes, you can save a person but can't change their fate." - Ye Xin
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This review may contain spoilers
What a Great Comedy!
What a hilarious show! The number of comedy is extremely generous. This you can make you laugh, cry, then laugh again. The storyline doesn't need anything complicated.Unfortunately this show is far from flawless. The big names in this movie are somewhat a waste. With Jung Seon Ji having two personalities, I thought Yoona will have to play two characters. However, the day version of Seon Ji doesn't seem well developed. Character Jung A Ra and Hui Beom are both just cosmetics, their involvement is far too minimal. Also the story itself has a big letdown at the end. Actually, nothing wrong with the jar plotline. But why the jar has to be buried and placed under the boulder when it's just kimchi inside???
Still back to the first point, it's a show with generous number of comedy!
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A beautiful epilogue to the story with a strong and important activist point of view !
More than a SP, it can simply be seen as an episode 11 which serves as a beautiful epilogue to the story with a strong and important activist point of view ! As I have already written in my review of the drama, far from being preachy, it opens the door in a mindful way to reflection on the place of gay relationship in Japanese society.All the qualities of the series can be found in the epilogue : the outstanding chemistry between the actors, the sentimental and sorrowful music, the un-skippable opening song of the introduction generic... I like how water was once again an essential element of the storytelling.
I would recommend this to people that have seen the main series. Do yourself a favor and don't miss the epilogue of this amazing and poetic drama.
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Great story, and I need more!
Honestly, I am a fan of Zhu Yilong and I came to support him. That said, I am so very glad that I did and have zero regrets!! I've actually started to rewatch it with a few friends who I got interested in it, and they are loving it too! I'm still enjoying it the 2nd time around while I get them caught up to me.The first few episodes kinda set up the story and it gives you a few puzzles to start piecing together. After that, it’s just full speed ahead from one puzzle to the next! I often find myself thinking, why did that happen or why is X person doing that?! It really keeps me interested in what is going on and waiting for the next clue to pop up.
The acting is amazing, and you can tell the main characters had fun together shooting this, and they have great chemistry! They, also, keep things very interesting with their character's different personalities and long time friendship. The characters have made me feel every emotion you can think of and I never get bored watching an episode.
I am fully invested in this show to find out what, exactly, is going on and episodes can’t come out fast enough! The special effects are wonderful, the story is complex enough to keep you interested, but sprinkles in humor, sadness, horror-esque moments, and some tense scenes. Some of the settings are just amazing to look at, and overall it’s a beautiful show.
Some of the places where they left off, and the credits come, in have me clamoring to click the next episode to see the continuation, and it’s awesome watching the main characters start to put together all the pieces of the puzzle. I 100% recommend this if you enjoy a kinda historical, tomb exploring, horror, adventure! :D
Edit: I have completed watching this whole season and I'm not really disappointed in any of it. I'm just really sad that we don't have a date for season two yet. Overall, I really enjoyed every episode. I was always excited to get to the next one and I just have a great time watching it. I hope we get back to what's going on with the other group in the next season, and I hope the next season is very soon.
TLDR; I really enjoyed this whole season and can't wait for the next one. I feel it's worth a watch! :D
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I had it for a long time in my Plan To Watch list but I didn't want to watch it until I could find a good quality site, and oh boy! the waiting was worth it! Thai films never fail in making me laugh and smile.
I'm so in love with this movie, I loved the story and the way the writers told it. The scenery, cinematography, directing and clothes are beautiful and well done.
The actors made a really good job portraying their characters, I totally could feel sparks between them (which is funny because they know each other and fall in love with each other without actually seeing their faces). The kids did an amazing job too. I fell in love with them, they were funny and sweet.
I also loved the main two characters, I want Mr Song to be my boy!! hehe. He was my favorite character, he was funny, clumsy and kind hearted.
Miss Ann was a great character too, she was always so true to herself and loved her kids with all her heart.
The OST is perfect. It was so beautiful, and catches the feeling of the movie very well.
I would totally rewatch this movie anytime!
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If you want a lot of drama ,gags,games or competitions...like many of korean’s variety shows, this isn’t it.
I dunno how much of it is scripted (even though they say it is not. )It feels very real . They mainly focuses on the interactions between the 3 cast themselves or between them and the guest and they also showcase a lot of Jeju’s scenery. It is often just simple daily life activies like cleaning the house, grocery shopping,cooking ,eating,walking the dogs....and guest-house type of activies like greeting ,talking with guest,helping them with stuffs. It may be seem slow for some of you and there isn’t much ‘’exciting’’ activities.But personally,i find it very relaxing to watch.
This show has a special place in my heart along with Ji-eun, hyori and sangsoon. I feel so close to them now,its kinda weird. Lol
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It’s the baddies that perhaps make this show
Si Jin for most of its run was a consistent story that had much to offer viewers. The OTP were very good together. In fact, so much so, the ML never doubting the FL was refreshing.The Royal Princess is hard to beat as the pick of the characters. Her performance was fabulous. It’s always pleasing to see such actors give it their all from beginning to end - a ver professional performance. Her daughter, was a mini me and one that even frustrated her mother.
The emperor’s character was criticised by many as he wasn’t the same as in the novel. However, I thought his character was flawed, as it should be, with a solid performance. Forgiving his sister continuously, the Royal Princess was a tiny bit frustrating but it seemed to keep the story moving.
The friendship between the ML, FL’s brother and the upright magistrate was delightful. The latter two also had very nice relationships with their partners.
As for the OST, I enjoyed the song that played over the closing credits of each episode. It very much is a subtle composition that has an ear wig melody going on.
The costuming was also very good.
However, the final four episodes were, although good, too condensed and over very quickly and perhaps diminished one of the key elements regarding the Saintess.
Si Jin is worth your time 😊
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Thai vs Chinese
I saw the Thai version Hua Jai Sila first and I felt that had a better storyline and was tied together so much better than this version.The only reason I watched this version was cause of the actors. I liked them in other shows and wanted to see how they would take this show. Overall they did a good job.
This version just felt like it was very low budget with little effort. It definitely could have been way better. It felt extremely rushed, but it did get the whole story within 24 episodes. Definitely recommend Hua Jai Sila over this.
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This review may contain spoilers
Can Ideal and Reality align?
I watch this drama because of curiosity. It received quite a well received review. And I always like SunLi and Mark Chao.To be honest, I have dropped episode 1 twice, but after I finished the 2nd episode, I binge it during the weekend 12 episodes straight.
The drama follow story of SuXiao, a young cost engineer, that was put as a scapegoat by her line manager. At the same time, she caught her boyfriend cheat on her. So she lost her job, she lost her boyfriend. Coming from ordinary family, alone in a big city, but yet she want to keep her ideal and morality. She later entangled with many office politics. Many people telling her to be 'flexible', to compromise with her ideal, learn to play along and understand human's heart. Desire to exchange her belief to makes thing better is strong, but can her perseverance be stronger?
I somehow relate with her character. Coming out from university, people will start corporate ladder. You met many people along the way, some can be friend, some passerby in your life. Eventually, how good, how bad, these become a learning experience. Life itself is a war and workplace is another kind of war. How much you want to win the war, exchanging your soul for that one purpose. How people flocking at the side of power. Nobody is forever friend and nobody is forever enemy.
At the end of the day, the show is a very good show compared to most workplace drama. It doesn't mean that all workplace will be like that, but if you are attentive, you should be able to see one or two things happened in your workplace.
I will close it with few idioms, the higher you climb, the harder the fall. The higher you get up the mountain, the stronger the wind blows. And it is lonely at the top.
-- added after watching the full series --
There are bits that I enjoyed about the drama. The office politic feels real. The intense, the suspense, the acting. Yea, the acting is the best part. There are moments that you will just hold your breath. There are moments where there is not even a BGM. Pure acting. And you can feel it, the emotion, it feels real.
However, towards the end, it do feel rushed. They are adding major conflict while trying to close the lose ends. It is all in the last 3 4 episodes of the drama. Some of the incident can't be justified with the timeline. It is showing conflict but do not really show the resolution. Some things are implied but not properly elaborated, this cause difference in perception of some resolution. Some big words mentioned (like merger, IPO, liquidation, etc), but not balanced with the normal professional process. I understand that they can't suddenly introduce external auditor, external lawyers, internal legal team, bankers, administrator, liquidator, validator, consultant etc during the last 3 4 episodes, while they are squeezing 10 episodes in (I heard it supposed to be 50 episodes). Let alone, divorce process, selling house/cancellation of purchase, or even asset division.. I am not even sure if these whole things happened in days or months.
Overall, it is still enjoyable. It tried it best to portray real work environment. Common corporate conflict. Those that expecting love line, it may feel bit rush and have an open ending /interpretation. It is still a solid 9 for me.
Thank you.
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Complex & Beautiful Story
This is one of the best dramas I've seen in a long while. It's incredibly emotionally and visually compelling, with complex characters that develop themselves and their relationships to one another so captivatingly over the 6 epidodes. I held my breath all the way through the final episode, it's the kind of show that just draws you slowly and will make you feel emotionally connected to it.This show will make you feel so strongly about the characters and it's so well acted and produced that I was really captivated by the story the whole time. Particularly strong is the acting from the character Kiyoi, which is revealed so well in the later episodes as we understand more and more about him.
Also this show is just such a realistic portrayal of complex relationships, emotions, and the obsessive tendencies we have as humans when we like people. Specifically it portrays very emotionally the complications and contradictions young people may feel when coming to terms with their own sexualities, and navigating the social pressures in their surrounding environments at the same time. All of this emotional complexitiy comes together so beautifully with the settings, lighting, music, and camera work in the show (which is just visually stunning). I just felt so strongly connected to the story.
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Acting/Cast: Great. Amazing. I've got nothing to say when these character were slowly became the biggest point of how this drama could be so great even though i don't expected this drama to came out this good. Joo-won was great as always, and Shim Eun-kyung was amazing to have made her 'own' Nodame without trying to be the j-drama Nodame though she unconciously did that on few first episodes. Il-rak was just likeable character, while i don't expect Yoon-hoo to be a lovely character towards the finale. Everybody has done a great job on potraying their character.
Music: Definitely great. No comment for this because i just LOVED all of the songs. Including the OSTs!I've been listening 'Listen To My Heart' by Melody Day for weeks, and has never got bored of it.
Rewatch Value: It was cute and lovely. I'll rewatch this when i have times, although i really don't rewatch the completed dramas that i've watched.
Overall: 8.5/10
It was an unexpected good drama, and one of dramas that i won't forget 'cause of the feelings that it gives to me.
[SORRY FOR BAD GRAMMAR :)]
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This makes you wanna be strong
Korean reality series are always so good and this is no exception. Women from 6 different professions come together to prove which profession is the best. its not completely focused on strength, but also skills like teamwork, tactical skills, gathering intel and strategizing. I personally cheered for the firefighters as they seem so genuine. If you liked physical 100, you'll like this. It's similar but based on teams. Watch it for the female empowerment, the betrayals, the teamwork and the super tense feelings. no drama. all competitionWas this review helpful to you?
