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(bad) y/n fanfic meets k-drama
This is pretty much a fanfic adapted into a k-drama, so don't go into it with too high expectations.Overall, it was an ok-ish watch. I would have liked to see better acting (particularly from Lee Sin Young, as he was supposed to be the "main" lead of the show—he had the emotional range of a plank of wood for most of it), and a different ending. Just let the evil guy be evil. Why throw in a pointless "oh, he's just lashing out because he's hurt" twist? The guy schemed, lied, cheated and stole with the objective of tearing down the mart to erect a building there. Evil is, as evil does; the villain should have been defeated and sent to jail.
Also, I didn't get what the point of Gina, the girl idol was. Her relationship drama with Young Min added absolutely nothing to the story. Same as the love triangle barely hinted at between Ho Rang, Ye Rim and Tae Ho.
I feel like a better writer could have actually made a fun, enjoyable show out of the premise of a bunch of estranged, washed-up idols running a mart together, like for example if Ye Rim had been a super fan of Thunder Boys, and thus had vested interest in them making up and being successful in running the business together (plus, her quietly losing her mind out of excitement over meeting her favorite idols at first, only to eventually learn they are just normal people would have been a fun, meaningful development). Disappointing, really.
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a/n: Hopefully this could help you a least for a little bit. I'm not really good a doing reviews and I don't really post reviews, but I would like to try it so here you are, my first very review in MDL. Thank you!
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I really liked the story, although nothing really new, it was refreshing, funny, well paced and kept you entertained. Even if you are not familiar with the classic story of The Legend of Chun Hyang, you can still enjoy this movie, as I did.
The two main leads do a great job with their roles, and they do seem to have a nice chemistry. Seo Ji Hye as Hyang Dan was great, but her character was a little too "we come from different worlds". I would have liked to see her let that go a little earlier. Otherwise she is very sincere and believable in her portrayal. Choi Si Won as Lee Mong Ryong is adorable, and quite funny. He's like a little boy in some scenes, like when he is "studying"!
Even the supporting cast does well. Kim Kwang Gyu as Eui Jik -the bandit leader - was really quite funny! He had me slapping my head, rolling my eyes in one scene and then holding my sides from laughing in another.
The only thing I didn't understand, was the point of the two ghost? Perhaps this is some reference to the original story? They don't detract or add to the story in my opinion, but I just don't get it.
Over all this was a pleasant way to spend my rainy Saturday afternoon.
Please note that the "rewatch value" is such because I do not rewatch anything, but if I had to guess you could enjoy watching it more than once?
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The extended shots and continuous takes evoke strong vibes reminiscent of Edward Yang and Hou Hsiao-hsien, which might make some viewers find the material a bit monotonous. But if you're a fan of Edward Yang or Hou Hsiao-hsien's films, this is a treat. I would even go so far as to say this is the best thing I've seen from iQIYI and Chinese contemporary film/television in a long time.
The direction, production, and the actors' performances (there are some seriously impressive performances here) are genuinely excellent and ensure there's always something captivating happening within the frame.
The atmosphere and mood of the show stayed with me long after the credits rolled in the final episode. If nothing else, the final half-hour or so will linger in your memory long after the screen goes dark.
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An Enjoyable Way to Pass the Time
A fun romance/crime drama that managed to keep me entertained for its 16-hour run time. It's certainly not groundbreaking but then again, it's not trying to be.- 3 Pros -
1) The Couple
A strong couple is exactly what this drama needed and, luckily, the writers and the cast managed to deliver just that. Whilst they keep things relatively lowkey (there's no sweeping grand gestures or slow-mo gazing into each other's eyes), their chemistry is palpable in every scene they're in and the relationship itself develops in a way that feels sweet, natural, and surprisingly mature. It is very much a relationship of equals and, by the end of the drama, you can tell that their love for each other is rooted in mutual trust and respect. I feel it's still quite rare to see a truly healthy relationship in the k-drama world so it's nice to see Newbie and Chief Ko develop one that feels so normal.
2) The OST
A good OST adds another layer of colour and emotion any scene it's in and there are certainly a few of those in Catch the Ghost. Particularly memorable are Woosung's (The Rose) Feel My Heart, Roh Tae Hyun's Highlight, and ABRY's Wanted. They're on the more upbeat side and they normally made me smile and start humming along when they started playing (Feel My Heart Being an exception).
3) The Representation
Whilst Catch the Ghost isn't a particularly deep drama, I do appreciate its decision to tackle subjects like ASD and dementia. I thought both strands were relatively well handled (given SK's reluctance to address issues like mental health and neurological conditions) and I liked that the characters were allowed to be more than just comic relief.
- 3 Cons -
1) The Plot
The plot itself is really not that strong, especially with regards to the main crime. The pacing is bizarre at points (some key information gets revealed way too early) and there are leaps of logic left, right, and centre. It feels like the writers are trying a little too hard to mislead the viewer in order to fit in more plot twists but, because a lot of them feel so contrived, they end up being a lot less impactful than indented.
2) The Subplots
There are certain subplots I feel didn't get enough screentime to make their inclusion worthwhile. The Police Commander and her daughter had a really interesting relationship and it would have been nice to have seen it grow and develop. As it was, it just felt rushed and out of place, wrapped up too quickly for it to have any real impact.
3) The (Sort of) Love Triangle
This one is purely personal but I do hate love triangles with a passion so I thought I may as well include it. I personally didn't feel it was necessary or that it added anything to the story (when do they ever though?) and all it ended up doing was make me like one character a little less than I would have otherwise.
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too short to tell a believable story...
After "Winter Fever" I did expect more from Trufilm. The "kid" is quite abnoxious and of course with an age of 20 nobody is really an adult. But 4x8 minutes can't tell a believable story, because it happens too fast...What I did not understand is, does the kid study on the same university as he teaches? If he does there can't be a relationsship whatsoever. So we have to assume he does not. The kissing also felt akward for me... I also didn't feel any chemistry between them.
It's ok to watch around 30 mintues but it's not even medicore, it's too plain, too unbelievable and not well acted out. While I would like to support small production companies for sure, they need to step up with the quality of their script and deliver something outstanding and not the same old, same old. At least I expected something better from them. For me it's one of their weakest shows ever.
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It might be a medical drama, the plot is not what you expect! There is no rivalry between characters, no fighting for a higher rank in the hospital it is all about a doctor who wants revenge.
Go Kyung Pyo's acting is amazing in this and since I've only seen him in much softer roles such as Strongest Delivery Man and Reply 1988 it is really interesting to see him star in such a dark and suspenseful drama.
Jeon So Min is also great in this drama as I've only seen her on Running Man, it is quite interesting to see her play much more serious roles where she doesn't have to joke around as much.
Every single episode keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you want to watch the next episode as soon as possible. The amount of times I got scared due to the intense and suspense throughout this drama is numerous. Although there are some predictable parts throughout the drama, they did very well in delivering it even if it is what you expected to happen.
There is nothing much I disliked about the drama at all. The pacing of the drama is great, they don't drag certain parts and I understand each part of the plot clearly. It is definitely worth a watch!
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The acting was really good, and everybody acted their characters well. I also really loved the cast that was chosen. I just wasn't really fond of Joon-woo's character and his strategy throughout the movie. As for the Music, there was only one song that I remember. I feel like it fit the scenes, but it didn't really have the most impact and wasn't the most memorable song that they picked.
I probably wouldn't rewatch this movie unless I was forced to, but it was very different from what I anticipated it to be. I would consider this movie to be decent to watch, but don't get your hopes up from the trailer as I did.
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An Idol Drama That Actually Makes An Effort!
It's a rite of passage in KPop for a group to have their own drama. But it is a wholly different story for that idol drama to do what a proper drama (or webseries) would."Can I Step In?" puts all previous idol dramas (that I have watched) to shame. It is funny, thoughtful, endearing and just plain adorable. Unlike most idol dramas, it also has an actual overarching story and a teeny element of mystery.
To better phrase the story, it's a short and sweet tale of 5 boys waiting for their new roommate having to undergo the shock of finding out that there's been miscommunication and she's actually a female. What follows is chaos as these 5 boys with diverging personalities, adjust living in the same house with 1 very enthusiastic, outgoing girl who recently returned to Korea from the States.
The acting across the board is extremely well done. Not one of the characters felt lacking in comparison to the others. Can I also just say (feel free to stop reading here if you consider even minor details as spoilers) I appreciate that we didn't get a reverse harem trope in this drama and everyone was just the most wholesome little ball of goodness ever.
If I have to nitpick at something, it would be at the lack of Jihu. I wanted more of my beautiful Yuto. All I can say is each of the boys owns my heart and I wouldn't be surprised if 3/6 end up getting offers for actual roles in actual dramas! Godspeed!
I don't have much else to say except for STAN ONF YOU COWARDS!
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After watching "我們與惡的距離" (The World Between Us), I mostly feel impressed. Impressed because I'm familiar with the building blocks of fictional stories, and I think this is one of the best I've seen in years!
Right from the start, I was shocked (as in upset), then surprised, quickly angry/frustrated after that and eventually reached some form of acceptance, and from that point on, mostly cruised until the end with the occasional bout of wonder and surprise, but always, always impressed.
Most of the main characters (except for the young man suffering from schizophrenia) had flaws, qualities and circumstances that fueled their growth in a way that made sense. They sometimes surprised or frustrated me, but I loved each and everyone of them and really enjoyed the journey they each went through, even if it was painful at times.
Ironically, my favorite character is the one played by - arguably - one of the least talented actress/actor of the six I have in mind, but she was perfect for it.
I could write a lot more about this story, about how it portrayed human frailty so well, how it showed what makes us great and how small we can get. About how choosing to set many of the main characters in the world of the media was brilliant in this day and age. I could go over all that, but I don't want to bore you with things that are best left for you to discover...
I will leave you with a few more words on the casting, an example of character growth and a note on my favorite character.
The casting was excellent, and that includes supporting characters. Yes, most characters are attractive, but the type of beauty works for each.
Just to give you an idea of what I mean, physically swapping the husband working for the Herald and the lawyer wouldn't have worked as well, though the two actors have the needed dramatic range.
Similarly, the soft and slightly plump pampered young lady works, just like the thin, sophisticated, physically assertive female news director does.
About the pampered young woman, it was fascinating to see how her mother (so astute), her father (with his narrow view about providing) and her husband (with his moral compass) all helped her - through their very different opinions and actions - get where she needed to be. And this isn't the most impressive growth in the story...
Unlike other characters whose lives were tragically affected before the events depicted in the story, my favorite character's world comes crashing in front of us. Although a hardworking person, there was some naivete/simplicity about her, and that gradually gets crushed. She digs into herself to find a way out, while pulling others up with her. In that, she's also different.
The story wasn't perfect, but its flaws can easily be overlooked, which is why it will stay with me for a long time.
It is a pity though that because of the way media markets work, this one will not be as widely distributed as some other better known but less compelling Korean or Chinese alternatives...
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For the most part I am not a sporty girl. I do not go for watching many sports dramas, movies and television shows. I do not watch sports on television and the only time I EVER turn on Golf is for the gentle and quietly soothing vocal tones of the announcers that will surely lull me to sleep during my Sunday afternoon naps. That being said...I actually ended up liking Birdie Buddy...until the last 2 episodes. (insert annoyed growl here)
The writing was pretty solid all throughout. The story started out nicely. The acting was solid. The characters were engaging and as time went on you got to watch the stages of Mi Soo's development; her successes and pitfalls were entertaining. Her family life and orbiting friendships were interesting and sweet. Her meet/cute with her future coach was kind of delightful actually and her introduction and further learning by Teach was kind of cool. Then the story started ramping up with an unexpected plot element thrown in that picked up the pace of the drama and I sat back thinking...Oh! Here we go!
And it did go! That plot element was played out nicely right up until episode 22. And I was on board the Birdie Buddy train. No! I was on the 17th hole with a 3 under par! (I just made that up, but I think it's very good) But then, something happened...That twisty plot element ended at episode 22. It landed in the metaphorical sandpit and the writer just couldn't seem hit it back on the green.
I wish I could describe to you here why this ending failed for me. I felt as if somehow the story ended but they just had to keep filming so they threw in a scenario that wasn't necessary and it really made the ending fall flat for me. I'm still going to recommend this drama. I know it sounds strange but this is a darn good show and maybe the ending that I didn't like, others won't mind. It just simply didn't work for me.
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Another example that it doesn't need many episodes to make a good GL.
Here's another proof that an awesome series doesn't require a lot of episodes. It's all about the storytelling! While book-adapted series would usually generate more buzz and excitement, "AI Girl" proved that a unique concept combined with great execution are the keys to making a series stand out.Mame, the brain behind this series proved her writing skill once again with how well-structured the story is. While 7 episodes may seem short, "AI Girl" manages to pack a punch with its concise storytelling, solid pacing, and well-defined character arcs, without relying on unnecessary subplots. The focus remains on the central theme of forbidden love between a human and a AI-powered robot, creating an entertaining yet emotional journey for viewers. The 50-60 minutes runtime of each episode allows for ample time to flesh out the story and develop the relationships between the characters. The balance between comedy, romance, and drama is handled masterfully, keeping viewers engaged from start to finish. And the best part? No annoying parents or exes!
Other than the story, the acting is something worth mentioning about this series. Despite it being Myyu Khawisara's first series, she delivers impressively. Her years of stage experience allow her to bring Gen to life effortlessly, conveying the layers of emotion and conflict within Gen with such depth and nuance. Meanwhile, Chanya Amarit nailed the contrasting characters of Ai and Irene, enriching the story's complexity. Plus, the chemistry between Myyu and Chanya is palpable, drawing viewers into Gen-Ai blossoming romance. In addition to its well-developed story and impressive acting, this series also excels in its execution, production quality, and attention to detail. Hats off to the props and makeup departments for their amazing work in designing the sets and giving Ai such a believable humanoid look.
Out of many good points, one drawback of this series, in my opinion, is the lack of proper backstory, which I think lowers the overall emotional impact. Irene's story unfolds very slowly, to the point that the mysteries around her make her seem more like a filler than a central figure. Also, Gen's family issue feel quite shallow. Hence, I don't think it deserves more than 8.5. And while the love story between human and robot might not sit well with some people, it's a fiction anyway.
Overall, "AI Girl" takes a refreshing turn from conventional romance plots by exploring the complex dynamics between the human protagonist and a humanoid, and it worked! In a saturated market of GL dramas, this series exemplifies how prioritizing overall quality over mere chemistry and hype can create a good GL series that will definitely stick with viewers for a while.
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A drunken kiss that sealed my heart
To be fair , it didnt wow me , but it's a decent watch ! It's only a 16 episode drama, so something felt rushed.FL decides to confess to her class monitor that she has a crush on him but she was drunk when that happened so it turned out to be the ML , and she ends up kissing him. one year later , they meet again however female lead has no recollection of male lead. FL is a food blogger who likes desserts. ML Is a dessert chef. FL wants to learn more about the chef's desserts.
Romance ( ML +FL ) some chemistry but not passionate enough, to be honest the 2ML, 2FL had more passion and stole more of the moments/limelight . the ML+FL is more cute, sweet, simple, while 2ML + 2FML relationship was more lust and passion driven. I think because of the 16 ep, there was not enough momentum to build up their relationship.
What i liked-
Desserts- looked super yummy and i like that fact that each dessert told a story of what is happening with the leads at the moment.
The kid - he is a cute factor and liked that he try to step the aunt aka FL AND godfather aka ML together. They are cute as a little family but the time together was too little and he eventually got sent away and came back for the last ep...
Things to note about this drama that is not obvious
1) The male lead has/ has had depression... but its not very obvious ( unless i missed something) They revealed it more towards the middle/end . The male lead doesnt tell the female lead. The male lead gets triggered when he hears the word " lei zui" meaning burden.. For all the times that was happening.. i was expecting the female lead to discover him and comfort him but that doesnt happen...
What i didnt like
Livestreamer bullying : towards the end there is someone who tries to sabotage and ruin the reputation of the ML dessert store. Rude livestreamers try to see for themselves and not even care about what the owners and employees have to day, despite rejecting them saying they cant come in. ( felt like i would of given the drama a higher score if not for that last random incident)
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What I really loved about this drama is that no matter what, their love and trust for each other almost never wavered. The people around them were attracted to them because of that sense of devotion and innocence but were never able to get in between them. I thought the main actor was kind of too old for Qin Li but they made a great couple. There were so many sweet moments.
I skipped through all the cop and gang business. I hated those parts. As usual, the sins from the last generation were dragged down to the young generations and made everyone's lives terrible.
I loved the narration done by the main leads. What ifs, what could have happened, etc. After all, it's better to just never regret anything, which is greatly emphasized throughout the drama.
This drama's good point, in my opinion, is the love, ranging from family to friends to lovers. Definitely a must watch just for the pure love between the "siblings".
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