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Messy Sequel
First of all I only watched this cuz LYR was in it and the story was kinda interesting at first even though there were plenty of messy parts but ML and FL acting was really good some are saying they don't feel the chemistry but ig it's cuz they can't freely do pure romance cuz of FL actresses age.I'm genuinely so disappointed of the times I even defended this drama on diff soc med platforms just for it to go downhill after 30+ eps and I actually really do like the Ximeng part UNTIL THEY MADE IT MORE COMPLICATED 😭💔.
Tbh Idc what anyone says but FL keeps making irrational and SELFISH decisions like I just don't get how u lit save each other and have the chance to be together BUT STILL DID NOT CHOOSE THAT 🤦♀️ like I'm career driven person myself but if I truly love someone and they sacrifice a lot for me, then why the heck not ill choose them over anything else.
Also the freaking ambitious ending oh fck noh 🙄 all that sacrifice and blood just for an open ending like btch it's straight up dog sht.
But overall I think the FL despite her age she's still incredibly talented and I hope she gets to have a proper drama cuz this drama made her a scapegoat. I truly feel bad on all the hate she's getting instead of blaming the writers and director.
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I DON'T KNOW WHO I AM ANYMORE
As a non webtoon reader, I'M in complete shock after watching s1 [2daysago] and s2 did justice to all the roll coaster of emotions I have gone through!!! MAIN ML (seo in guk) nailed his character, and also all the other characters are perfect in their own way!! I can't really tell maybe they should have done this or that!!EACH AND EVERYONE DONE JUSTICE TO THEIR CHARACTER. FROM THE STORY, THEIR PERFORMANCE TO THE ENDING ..EVERYTHING IS JUST SOO PERFECT.
If you didn't watch until now, do give it a try!! You will not regret it ;) just make sure you have plenty of tissues...
Here are few lines from the series I want to share..
If you're still hesitating
I hope you find the courage
To stand up again
And overcome it :)
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This drama stars Jung Hae In as Moon Ha Won, an emo super genius who is socially awkward but endearing. I thought his performance was great, but there is nothing in the writing to give this character much depth. We see flashes of his past, and the AI company where he is making this mysterious device, but even when this drama ended I felt like I didn't really know his character well at all. Since most of this drama centers around him, this made me easily less interested. He is matched with Chae Soo Bin as Han Seo Woo, a much more warm character but an empath who's emo in her own way. My trouble with Seo Woo is that I really like the actress, and at times wanted to like her character, but she was so ridiculously nosey she was often frustrating to watch. It's a typical "let's heal each other from past loss" love story. These two actors are the only redeeming part of this drama in my opinion, and honestly, it felt like a lot of good but wasted chemistry, unless you really enjoy watching good hugs... a lot of hugs... so many hugs. They really deserved a better-written script.
Why was the script so bad? First of all the story is completely confusing and all over the place. The connections between people, the technology and why it exists, and the random flashbacks make it extremely hard to follow the story initially. It is beautifully shot, which sets the mood, but with no comprehensive story to follow so, I was ready to drop this drama early on. I was encouraged to keep watching for the couple development (which I was told would get better), and I did become swept up in that story, but even that story didn't end up having much substance as the drama went on. This drama basically revolves around two major traumas. One trauma is in the past and slowly revealed through flashbacks. The other trauma is inspired by the first trauma and was so nonsensical to me I couldn't even react to it emotionally. Again, the scenery is beautiful, lots of running/walking/running again through the snowy forest. I could probably sum up most of this story as snowy flashbacks, hugs, talking into a blinking device, random plants, and piano... and that brings me to the supporting characters.
The supporting cast is also great, but with badly written episodes they all become pretty forgettable. My favorite character was Lee Jung Eun as Kim Min Jung (the maid from Parasite) who was such a fun character but her going from patient to random friend felt so disjointed that her story, although interesting, felt totally unrelated to the main plot. Lee Sang Hee as Jun Eun Joo who runs the Boarding House, was great support for Seo Woo, in spite of her own issues, but after an interesting start, she just faded into the background.
The most annoying characters in this were the other "leads" Lee Ha Na as Moon Soon Ho, Ha Won's older niece, who played obnoxious well, but I honestly couldn't stand her character. There's also Kim Sung Gyu who did a good job as Gang In Wook, the brooding pianist, who by the time more about his character was revealed he was still completely unlikeable to me. There is also a suggested connection between them that didn't work for me at all. Then there was Park Joo Hyun as Kim Ji Soo who is also oddly solemn and mysterious and most of her role in the drama was spent speaking in a soft way that kept putting me to sleep. Without spoiling too much, she is the person that this whole drama revolves around, and it doesn't help that she was really boring to me. She also made the male lead feel more like a creepy stalker than someone she had an amazing history with. Once she had less screen time the story finally picked up for me. In that case the writing and acting, I think, were to blame.
Would I watch this again? Although I'm curious to see if the story makes more sense a second time, and I thought the cinematography was beautiful, it was so torturously slow to get through that I can't see myself doing this to myself again. I fell asleep three times during the last episode, which relied on too many tired tropes. Once it was over I was still unsatisfied. I was left with so many questions, especially about this AI tech that was barely explained and Ha Won as a character beyond his traumas. They try their best to give most of the characters some kind of closure/resolution, but I cared so little about them at the time it didn't matter. It almost feels like it should have been a movie instead. They could probably edit this drama down to 2 hours of relevant scenes easily and I would like it a lot more.
Overall, this drama dragged with the intention of being deep when it actually lacked much substance and was often unnecessarily vague. This drama was more mood than real feelings for me, with a lot of the characters overreacting or just sulking and crying. The themes include unrequited love, women who can't mind their own business, trauma caused by guilt and lack of closure, literally running from confrontation, depression, being stuck in the past, curing insomnia and healing through hugs... with the insomnia thing being ironic because it often put me to sleep. If I knew how it would all end I would have dropped this drama when I wanted to initially. If you like the first episodes then I would encourage you to continue, since it does get better, but I would still be reluctant to recommend this drama as one to watch. I did like watching the romance develop, but I would rather see them matched up again in a completely different drama. There are sparks of redeeming qualities in "A Piece of Your Mind", but those pieces didn't make up an enjoyable KDrama whole.
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losers
if i wanted to see a pretty girl go head over heels for toxic men and not move on i would just go out and see my friends... both yu nabi & jaeeon they are both LOSERS ! there's no other word to describe them. they're both equally as annoying but jaeeon's a menace yea.. and yu nabi is just stuck with the "i can fix him" mindset OKAY SURE GIRL GO AHEAD ure so boring .last episode i literally skipped throughout because it was just them staring and yu nabi ruining the vibes at the start for being sad when everyone else was happy like oh my god girl MOVE ON!!! so annoying .. ure not gonna d13 without him.. whats so good about jaeeon anyways.. literally waste of my time watching the last ep cus nothing happened ..
i would say that the side characters carried the show definitely!! no need to explain who and what we all already know its soljiwan zz also justice for dohyuk poor guy nabi is stupid literally on the last episode she said "i know he doesn't make me happy and i'm happy when i'm with you but.." GIRL WHAT U NEED IS THERAPY NOT JAEEON my god..
overall i quite enjoyed it since i binge watched the show (also by skipping most parts) and thank god it only has 10 episodes .. the cinematography was amazing but not enough to make me recover from the stupidity of yu nabi and jaeeon.. i actually have nothing else to say other than that they are both Losers..
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This review may contain spoilers
OVER EXAGGERATTING!!!!!
Like I had seen lots of positive reviews of this show and I am glad lots of people are enjoying so do I, but the show has some flaws and we have to point that out like we are not going to ignore them,In terms of acting this show has one of the best cast and Aaron and Hank chemistry is really good and enjoyable, and the side couple is also good doing justice to the show and the side characters is enjoyable, this show is really good and I love how there is a coming-out scene (and that's a fact lots of BL series did not address this important issue) and my favorite scene when Shi Le comes out to his mother and another thing that how Zhen is not suddenly turning gay for one guy he was gay before he met Shi Lei and hats of the director and staff for amazing cinematography and I really enjoyed that and we have just 1 episode is remaining and I will edit this review afterward.
And why did I use this tag is over-exaggerating because of how slow-paced it became and Slow Paced DRAMA are not my cup of tea and like how last 4 episode just have been there with no relationship development so it just became annoying to wait for every Thursday and what do we get silent stares with ending music being "I Do,I DO, I Do" and it just became irritating to the point and on other hands, the side couple became Boyfriends and even make out and on other hand the main lead doesn't have any kissing and we even get a kissing scene with the Ex and the main lead but not with the main couple, and in the end, the story just predictable and became less enjoyable too and for sure in the last episode we get Zhen chasing and Shi le and confessing his feelings and then they will kiss and "I Do, I Do, I Do" and the show will end and the side couple even got married like I already predicted what going to happen in this last episode it exactly happenend what i thought but we got a good chemistry and the last scene was just a chef kiss, but can they both stop dreaming that Zhen thought that Shi loves Zhing and Shi thought that Zhing and Zhen are getting back together, but lets just move on from that and the kiss was really good i can feel their love
So Overall pretty enjoyable drama you can watch it and I love the chemistry it was really natural so it's a big recommendation and I would love to see Aaron and Hank in another show like their chemistry is superb
I really like the coming-out scene and the main lead chemistry
But I am not going to rewatch this slow-paced drama again, I would just watch it s Fan-Made Edit
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‘ Business Proposal’; The Revamped Rom-Com Formula With A Few Tricks Up Its Sleeve…
It is likely that most K-drama viewers can agree that the late 2000s to early 2010s was an era in the world of K-dramas predominated by melodrama and angst . Indeed for better or for worse, ‘ Business Proposal’ attempted to capture that in its rom-com formula.
‘ Business Proposal’ focuses upon Shin Ha-ri (Kim Se-Jeong- ‘ School 2017’, ‘ I Wanna Hear Your Song’ and ‘ Uncanny Counter’), a relatively new researcher at one of South-Korea’s top conglomerate enterprises, GO Food. Ha-Ri has always had an unrequited crush on Lee Min-Woo( Song Won-seok- ‘ Swan’, ‘ Switch’ and ‘ Never Twice’), a close friend since their university days. However after having her heart broken once again by Min-Woo, Ha-Ri soon begins to reevaluate her feelings.
Meanwhile Ha-Ri’s best friend and chaebol heiress Jin Young Seo ( Seol In Ah- ‘ Sunny Again Tomorrow’, ‘ Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life’ and ‘ Mr Queen’) discovers that she will soon be forced to go on a romantic date with a rich CEO’s son, much to her displeasure.Asking Ha-Ri to take her place, Ha-Ri agrees to do so in order to pay off a family debt.
When Ha-Ri shows up as Jin Young Seo, she soon discovers that her “date” is with the president of her company, Kang Tae Mu ( Ahn Hyo Seop- ‘ My Father Is Strange’, ‘ Thirty But Seventeen’ and ‘ Dr Romantic 2’).
Kang Tae-Mu is a straight-laced and career-orientated individual, even being labelled by his grandfather and founder of GO Food, Kang Da Goo( Lee Deok Hwa- ‘ Age Of Warriors’, ‘ Suspicious Partner’ and ‘ Hit The Top’), as a “workaholic”. ( Especially after the incident surrounding his inauguration ceremony.)
The “first date” is calamitous for Ha-Ri but unbeknownst to her, Tae-Mu has felt differently. Confiding in his chief of staff , Cha Sung-hoon (Kim Min-Gue-‘ Romance Special Law’, ‘ Perfume’ and ‘ Snowdrop’) that he will marry “ Jin Young Seo” ( aka Ha-Ri) in order to keep his grandfather off his back, Ha-Ri’s ordinary life is soon filled with an assortment of complicated and sticky misunderstandings.
‘ A Business Proposal’ is based on the lighthearted rom-com webtoon, ‘The Office Blind Date’ ( ‘사내 맞선’) by Hae-Hwa. Adapted to the small screen by screenwriters Han Sul Hee ( ‘ Ugly Miss Ae’, ‘ A Love Story’) and Han Bo Hee ( ‘ High Kicked!: The Revenge Of The Short Legged’ and ‘ Standby’), “ will likely appease and dissatisfy viewers of equal measure.
Of course, it is important to specify that ‘ A Business Proposal’ is supposed to encapsulate a certain “easygoing nostalgia” from rom-coms. For the most part ‘ A Business Proposal’ did possess a lighthearted, easygoing and fluffy edge; occasionally tipping into angst-ridden melodrama in order to “spice up” certain events of the narrative and keep viewers intrigued . ( This was particularly apparent with the “clandestine ” events surrounding the main leads’ relationship as well as lingering questions throughout the narrative surrounding the traumatic past of main male lead Kang Tae Mu.)
It is important to point out that the main leads in the series played by Kim Se Jeong and Ahn Hyo Seop were fairly delightful. Indeed despite some strained initial interactions onscreen, Se Jeong and Hyo Seop possessed a surprisingly easygoing chemistry as the series progressed between their onscreen personas.
However their onscreen roles Shin Ha-Ri and Kang Tae-Mu were admittedly not without their writing flaws. As a female lead and the main heroine of the series , Ha-Ri was established to be the “ hardworking” archetype. On the other hand, it is hard to ignore that while Ha-Ri does continue to maintain her hardworking ethos alongside her complicated feelings for Tae-Mu, she could sometimes be passive with her reactions and actions in the events of the series. ( This became apparent at times by Ha-Ri being “ beckoned by the calling of plot dilemmas” rather than character growth.)
For example one of the most noticeable problems of the drama arose from Ha-Ri’s personal drive and motives. Although it is arguable that Ha-Ri may have done so as a consequence from direct and indirect influences by her parents ( although the same cannot be said particularly for her brother per say) , it was hard to truly define or highlight exact causes given by Ha-Ri for entering this profession as a food researcher with sincerity. (Although this may seem like a nuanced and minor background point, it could’ve easily allowed Ha-Ri’s character to possess more definitive edges.) Instead Ha-Ri was often subjugated to the role as the “ thinker”; a brilliant idealist with a multitude of possible projects and new ideas for the company . However even as viewers, we rarely saw some of these ideas being taken further by Ha-Ri chasing her own dreams , or at least attempts by the female lead to become more ambitious with her imagination. ( Of course this may seem like a nitpicked detail but it seemed odd that the narrative would often highlighted Ha-Ri’s dexterous talents as a food researcher and her possible ideas but rarely pushed forward for it to the synchronic with the female lead’s character growth and development.)
Of course, this naturally brings up the discussion surrounding Tae-Mu and Ha-Ri’s relationship throughout the drama. Although as mentioned previously the onscreen chemistry between Kim Se Jeong and Ahn Hyo Seop is surprisingly dynamic, there is admittedly a lot to discuss surrounding their onscreen personas’ relationship.
Perhaps the most evident point of discussion and initial debate around Ha-Ri and Tae-Mu’s relationship can be sourced from one of the trope-induced setups of the series; “the contractural relationship”.
Admittedly Ha-Ri and Tae-Mu have both consented to the relationship and for different reasons. ( Ha-Ri’s motives being sourced for money to help pay off a debt while Tae-Mu’s causes can be found in order to appease his grandfather.) On the other hand it is hard to ignore that the initial treatment by Tae-Mu towards Ha-Ri as merely being a “ cause to an end” for his troubles ( and vice versa to an extent with Ha-Ri) as well as even offering money to Ha-Ri as an incentive to keep his grandfather off his back, could feel as though it was problematic by the narrative rarely pointing this out as a serious issue of discussion.
Of course it would be wrong to suggest that Tae-Mu and Ha-Ri doesn’t grow beyond the roles of the contractor and the contractee. As the series progresses and impassioned feelings grow for one another, the narrative relished within opportunities to highlight the obvious feelings of the “ lovelorn” main leads for one another. In later episodes of the narrative , this would often trigger an onset of misunderstandings and attempts by the main leads to “ cover up” their situations from work colleagues and family alike. Although the series did gradually present their potential onscreen relationship with more overt honesty ( especially with regards to Tae-Mu telling Ha-Ri about his traumatic past), this did often gloss over earlier issues of the series as a consequence. ( This was mainly due to the fact that Tae-Mu and Ha-Ri’s initial problems even for the effect of “ tension” such as Tae-Mu’s attempts to convince Ha-Ri with money, Ha-Ri’s reaction and fake guises as well as later treatment by Tae-Mu, were rarely brought up openly by the characters in order to acknowledge their mistakes and accept all of their faults as a point of further character growth .)
Under the creative leadership of screenwriters Han Sul Hee and Han Bo Hee, ‘ A Business Proposal’ offered viewers with a pacy narrative filled with the events surrounding the main storyline as well as several subplots in order to pad out the drama’s screen time .
Of course, thus isn’t a particularly unusual tactic used by screenwriters. However while this did offer opportunities for viewers to be intrigued and captivated by the events of the narrative, it could often enforce the classic dilemma of juggling a lot of different storylines. This could often lead to some of the minor counterplots of the series feeling rushed or somewhat anticlimactic by the ending of the series.
Perhaps one of the major subplots to discuss within ‘ A Business Proposal’ surrounds the potential onscreen relationship between second male leads, Jin Young Seo ( Ha-Ri’s best friend) and Cha Sung-Hoon ( Tae-Mu’s chief of staff). Young Seo and Sung-Hoon were characters who possessed less definitive storylines than the main leads.
Of course this isn’t particularly unusual per say in a drama but it seemed as though the series often moved away from initial inferences given by Young-Seo and Sung-Hoon’s character arcs to be explored in more depth. ( This can be particularly applied to Young Seo’s family situation and naivety rarely being brought up as a point of character growth, as well as Sung-Hoon’s own familial situation.) Of course Young Seo and Sung Hoon were supposed to play the roles of the “ assets” to the narrative and screen time . ( Although admittedly Young Seo was shown to make an executive decision with regards to her own dreams by the ending of the series, it was rarely given a concise buildup.)
Although Young Seo and Sung Hoon’s onscreen relationship was surprisingly sweet and offered lighthearted respite at times from the angst taking place in the main storyline, it could often feel rushed as a consequence of inconsistent screen time given to the secondary couple. In addition to Young Seo and Seung Hoon’s potential relationship being used as a major subplot, there were also minor focuses to draw out the narrative upon Ha-Ri’s workplace colleagues ( especially in order to highlight the potential onscreen chemistry and jovial animosity between her superior manager Yeo Eui Ju [Kim Hyun Sook] and team member Kevin [Im Ki Hong]), Tae-Mu’s grandfather and his fixation upon soaps and makjangs, Ha-Ri’s parents, Ha-Ri’s old crush Lee Min Woo and his initial jealousy towards Tae-Mu as well as Young Seo’s “ love rival” offered as comic relief, flamboyant and the eccentric Marine Group Director Jo Yoo Jung( Seo Hye Won).
Nevertheless it’s wrong to entirely digress ‘ A Business Proposal’ without acknowledging some of its impressive feats, specifically the directing leadership of Park Seon Ho ( ‘ Birth Of A Beauty’, ‘ Suspicious Partner’ and ‘ My Strange Hero’). Throughout episodes, ‘ A Business Proposal’ displayed some impressively mesmeric and creative touches; differing from minimalist palettes to vivid and slick editing cuts. Although these imaginative touches dwindled in later episodes and instead highlighted minimalist approaches to filming and palettes, it certainly offered an onset of aesthetic shots throughout the first-half of the series. ( One of the most memorable scenes coming from the narrative bringing to life the cover story for Ha-Ri and Tae-Mu’s “ initial encounter”; Ha-Ri imagining a monochrome and drizzly day in New York, before her entire being-quite literally- is brightened up by the sudden appearance of Tae-Mu and a canary yellow umbrella onscreen.)
For those intrigued about the accompanied soundtrack, ‘ A Business Proposal’’s OST is mainly comprised of an array of saccharine, upbeat and lovelorn ballads; some of which were admittedly generic and quick to disappear from memory. However, fast-paced tempo song ‘ You Are Mine’ by VICTON (빅톤), sweet vocal track ‘Love, Maybe’ (‘사랑인가 봐’) by SECRET NUMBER and ballad-style composition ‘ Melting’ by BAMBAM were particularly noteworthy tracks.
‘ A Business Proposal’ offered its audience with a nostalgic sweet and lighthearted topping of angst, cliches and romantic relationships throughout the duration of the series. Although ‘ A Business Proposal’ boasted an unoriginal plot premise with several writing flaws and tropes, the narrative did surprisingly offer several unexpected takes upon the setup, with decent onscreen chemistry between the main leads as well as imaginative takes upon filming and editing. Overall while ‘ A Business Proposal’ may not appease everyone with its niche dilemmas and plot premise, the series will offer a sugary and sickly sweet ride for anyone looking for an updated and lighthearted take upon old-school rom-coms. Overall, a decent binge-watch.
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This review may contain spoilers
Watching a lovable asshole struggle will touch your heart and soul
Let me break it down into some random categories:BL?
No, not a BL. But it is marketed as one in some places. I totally forgive them :) They should get all the views!
Does it support the gay agenda?
Oh, so very well! So fabulously! Is it a rainbow? It is a DOUBLE RAINBOW! This is so refreshing, even on an international level. But even more so as it is Korean. Everybody and their mother loves a good Korean queer-baiting bromance. But sometimes it is nice to get the real deal. And this is so unapologetically gay. Every time they delivered a line or story aspect where I imagined the backwards protesters lining the pride parades in Seoul (who were watching for sure) to gnash their teeth in anger, I couldn’t help but loudly laugh in blissfulness. And the main actor unapologetically and publicly not giving a shit about the haters is better than any fan-service ever could be. Especially as he absolutely MEANS it. A mainstream Korean actor who plays a role that says – and I quote here – “Fuck me deep!” – oh the joy! At times it felt that they really wanted to tick off every item from the things-that-gays-suffer-from list and I can’t have been the only one thinking “What is it now? Can’t you give this guy a break?” I was surprised we didn’t get assault during an app hookup or a good old gay bashing in the streets. Remember the olden days, when gay characters could only exist as a joke or in depression? I felt that there were traces of the latter in this too (but probably unintentionally).
And I wrote gay agenda and not queer agenda on purpose – diversity is not a forte of this series. This is a story about stereotypical gay guys only (the first lover is a bit of an exception, but he doesn’t get much love). And of course all the actors are super hot. This is Korea after all. Shut up and lust after them!
Acting?
Great. Except the Japanese guy. One thing all the reviews can agree on :)
Creativity?
Hm, not sure. The storytelling was pretty standard for a story that isn’t really plot-driven. And for a story that in its core is about one character only, character development was quite limited. And I had a hard time understanding some of the character’s actions. I feel there was some symbolism that went over my head. And the hints of reality and fiction being mixed were a bit too vague for me. But maybe I’m just too stupid. Or didn’t focus enough.
Should you watch it?
If you liked my review: yes. If you didn’t: yes.
Take-home message: Two men eating pasta in public is gay. Seafood is fine!
Also: Life can be struggly.
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The story was kind of cringe-worthy, so the only real thing to recommend about it was all the pretty male faces.
I truly cannot even recommend this to anyone unless you are just looking to fill about an hour or so and have nothing better to do.
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This review may contain spoilers
Actually, first episodes had me hooked. I liked that the heroine was more like an "anti-hero", selfish and a bit rude, the contrast between thriller and comedy was interesting at first, but then...I don't know, I got confused. There was too much stuff in there, and none of that was developed the right way. The comedy was horrible. The gang (the poop liquor and the beatings. UGH just NOPE), the monk (I mean what's the point of introducing a new irrelevant character at almost the end of the show??), the abused father...what's funny in that? I can save the gay misunderstanding only because both male leads had great chemistry LOL
DBS's mother was the worst mom I've ever seen so far, mine included. She abused the poor husband and told her daughter to force herself on the male lead :/
Also it bothered me a lot that DBS never took her job seriously (well it's HS in the first place who hired her just to have a children-sized desk in his office -.-''') or seriously get a thought about her powers and responsabilities.
The thriller part was the one that got me disappointed the most. Basically the culprit is a random psycho dude and he has really nothing to do with DBS except for they live in the same area...
I think this show could have been something but it just tried to be so much things and failed everyone, except maybe the fluffy romance
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1A Bold, Dark, and Addictive Chinese BL About Forbidden Brother-in-Law Lovers
I know this drama isn’t for everyone, but I enjoyed it from start to finish. It’s so different, unique, and daring, and I was never bored for a second.From the very first episode, this drama makes it clear that it is not afraid to push boundaries. It blends a dark, morally complicated story with simmering romance, creating an atmosphere that is both captivating and addictive.
XiaoFan is probably one of the most pitiful and pushover characters I have ever seen in a BL. His life is so hard that I just kept feeling sorry for him and hoping someone would finally treat him with some kindness.
The chemistry between XiaoFan and Lu Qing, his brother in law, is undeniable. Every look, every conversation, and every moment of restraint is filled with tension. Even when they are not doing anything, you can feel something building between them.
The story is much darker than I expected. XiaoFan leaves his rural hometown and is brought into a wealthy Beijing family through an arranged marriage meant to hide a family scandal because their daughter is pregnant and protect their reputation rather than create a real relationship. His wife is honestly so awful. Even though it is a marriage without love, she constantly belittles him and shows him no respect.
He soon realizes that he has no real place in the family and that everything is only for appearances. His life becomes even more complicated when he grows close to his brother in law Lu Qing. What starts as confusion and emotional dependence slowly develops into a forbidden attraction between them. I am always into the brother in law trope, and this one works especially well because they are not related by blood and the marriage was fake.
As their relationship deepens under unequal power dynamics and pressure from the family, XiaoFan is pulled into something that changes his life in ways he never expected. I really like how their relationship develops because there is so much tension and restraint before they finally give in to what they are feeling.
I also love that this is set in the early 1990s. The attention to detail is incredible, from the heritage buildings and houses to the cars, old TVs, couches, and clothing. The absence of modern technology makes it feel like a refreshing escape and adds so much atmosphere and authenticity to the story.
The acting is one of the biggest strengths of the drama. Guan Yue portrays XiaoFan with the right balance of innocence, vulnerability, and quiet determination, while Yan Rui Hao gives Lu Qing a calm and reserved exterior that slowly reveals deeper emotions. Together they create an intense chemistry that carries every scene.
This series has a unique plot, but it also delivers some seriously great love scenes. There are so many kisses, from the rescue scene to the couch and the kitchen sink. They are not just incredibly hot, but also filled with emotional tension, which gives each moment real weight instead of making them feel gratuitous. Their kisses, paired with that hauntingly erotic background music, feel like a release after such a long buildup. Every lingering glance, desperate touch, moan, and heavy breath adds to the intensity. You can feel all the longing they have been holding back finally erupting into something raw and consuming.
That scene where XiaoFan brought fruit to Lu Qing was pure tension from beginning to end. He dropped the basket so deliberately, and while gathering the scattered fruit with one hand, the other slowly brushed against Lu Qing's thigh. Then Lu Qing caught his wrist and whispered, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
That was such a good moment. XiaoFan stepped closer, closed the distance between them, and gently licked Lu Qing's ear lobe.
The chemistry was impossible to ignore. Watching them spend the night together and wake up still wrapped in each other's embrace made the whole scene feel even more intimate.
The music also deserves praise. It perfectly complements the dark atmosphere, enhancing both the emotional moments and romantic tension without overwhelming the story. Combined with the strong cinematography, it creates a mood that fits the series perfectly. What I like the most is the background narration during the first few episodes because it gives more context and helps you understand the story better.
Overall, it’s a 10/10 for me.
Unique and daring story ✔️
Forbidden romance ✔️
Age gap ✔️
Brother in law trope ✔️
Insane chemistry ✔️
1990s setting ✔️
Beautiful cinematography ✔️
Amazing music ✔️
Great acting ✔️
HOT NC scenes ✔️
One extremely pitiful XiaoFan who deserves nothing but happiness ✔️
First ever Chinese BL wedding ✔️ 👬💍
And the wedding was honestly so beautiful. 🥹❤️
The story is dark, the romance is complicated, and the chemistry between XiaoFan and Lu Qing is definitely the biggest reason I loved this so much. The tension, the longing, the stolen looks… they can make a single LOOK feel like an entire confession.
If you like forbidden romance, complicated family drama, slow burn tension, and couples with insane chemistry, WATCH THIS. I’m so glad I gave this drama a chance. It completely pulled me in, stayed with me, and reminded me why I love stories that dare to be different.
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I do not understand the hype
I will cut to the chase. It was not bad, it was a nice series to watch to pass your time but the reviews make is sound like it's a masterpiece. The only unique aspect this series had to offer is the stories of the secondary characters. However, in classic kdrama fashion, they decided to focus on the main characters' romance instead of them. That wouldn't be an issue, if the main storyline was strong or if they managed to smoothly play in the main story but I found their story the least interesting, the only interesting parts of the main male protagonist were almost brushed off and resolved out of nowhere so it felt predictable and rushed. Instead the producers decided to cram in many overused clichés that offered nothing to the story. The 3-4 minute blatant Domino's pizza ad in the middle of the last episode was the cherry on top... you knew at that point the creator didnt really care to make a nice story. Dissapointing, because it could have been so much more.Both main actors are amazing (and beautiful), great acting but the chemistry was not fully there.
As mentioned previously the stories of the villagers were incredible, they dealt with so many different issues and it left me craving for more.
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This review may contain spoilers
Love-Hate/Hate-Love Relationships; a Really Cunning(&Hot) Villain; Reincarnation; and Found Family
Summary:- ANGST AND PAIN ㅠ_ㅠ
- Resentments and desire for revenge spanning a VERY LONG time.
- Hateful grievances and many misunderstandings
- Really amazing cinematography and backgrounds
- Phenomenal acting
- Really good chemistry. Also, NO KISS SCENES but there exist an overwhelming TENSION between them ♡
- Music filled with deep desire, yearning, and sad feels
- A truly beautiful found family trope story
- Highly recommended for supernatural and mystery lovers
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OVERALL: A must watch.
Bulgasal pull on your heart strings, its heart-wrenching from start to finish yet also beautiful and heartwarming at the same time. If you’re still contemplating to watch because of the mix reviews, you’ll miss a chance to watch this compelling and unique storyline. This may inevitably become one of my most favorite Kdrama, this really kept me on my toes every week. The Mystery propels the storyline onwards and it’s done well- atleast for me. Racked my brains for theories but 'the truth' still surpassed my expectations very well. If you can withstand crying and if you also don’t mind being a mad theorist while watching this drama, you’re in the right place. ♡
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The drama FOR REAL gives more questions than answers in its episodes yet strangely, I find myself enjoying every minute of this. It was slow-paced but all in all, I was never bothered by how the story moved forward towards the climax. Maybe you’ll also see romance in the scenes if you’ll expect it like me. This drama is also certainly not for the weak heart. There are a lot of painful moments, blood, murders, triggers and trauma too so be warned. Yet, many also have loved and investigated every details within each scenes in the drama- find them in discussions and on twitter and maybe you’ll be pulled in too. I love you all my fellow Bulgasal theorists! :**. The drama also centres around cherishing Bonds, a strong feeling of shared beliefs and experiences that unites the characters instead of pure romance only. Base on the interactions between the leads, there is definitely GREAT chemistry and romance blooming each episode. It is to my great relief that I found this drama on Netflix. I was searching for something to watch next after “The Silent Sea” due to the emptiness I felt and I never thought I would be pulled in for another lot of sadness.
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STORY: ♡
With the "Legend of Bulgasari" background alone, It is clear this drama might have a chance to be either definitely unique, thought-provoking and interesting or just end up being tagged as a wasted potential. And for me, this drama ends up within the former choice. First, the cinematography is astounding and second, the story- irresistible (yes irresistible, like the coffee you crave every morning).
There are misunderstandings, there’s a genius manipulator and also, hard to break grudges from the past. Be prepared for the 'racking your brain for answers part' while watching though lol. A lot have said this is only a romance with an enemies to lovers trope. But. It’s much more than that. There is familial love, friendship, and a valuable bond that connects each and every characters. I love every part of this drama. But the most memorable was that one scene where Hwal and Bulgalady met again as adults on EP1 on a hilltop and that other scene on EP11 where everyone started to feel like they lost a valuable treasure as they leave the house when in fact they only stayed there for less than a month.
As for the main lead’s relationship in the present lifetime, “… two deeply wounded people finding solace and warmth in each other”. I definitely agree with this beautiful comment of “Swan Song1” that Hwal and Sang Un’s relationship is NOT forced. Their relationship may have started with full of hate for each other but that didn't stop them from realizing the truth that their hate was only a misunderstanding- a result of the lies and manipulation fed to them by someone evil. After their reconciliation, they didn’t even notice that they became closer immediately. There’s already care and love for each other even from the start. So in my eyes, there’s sizzling chemistry between the leads. It all starts from a past-life revenge type and is slowly leading towards the healthy shared purpose type of relationship. All the relationships and characters in the drama were built upon solid storylines and past. Even the revelations are revealed to us slowly, PLAIN AS DAY and everything will MAKE SENSE in the end.
Soon, as you continue to watch, you’ll also realise that their future fate may inevitably have a painful end. Despite that, you may still end up loving everything.
I LOVE:: ♡ ♡ ♡
* EVERYTHING most especially EPISODE 11&12&14
* How Aunt Hye Sook went from an annoying shaman to a caring mother figure for the four orphans and how she’s always smiling and stays bright faced infront of Hwal because she thinks of him as a son. ㅠ_ㅠ
* How Hwal struggles with himself while being with Sang Woon-someone completely different from his expectations. Most importantly, I love how his heart greatly softened due to Sang Woon’s honest & compassionate personality, and love for him. :))
*How Sang Woon and Si Ho cares deeply about each other and how they act as a mother figure for each other.
*How Do Yoon loves his brothers in the orphanage and can do anything for them ;and also how he slowly but effectively warmed up and cared for the others in their Home.
* And how Sang Woon definitely isn’t perfect and doesn’t let her fear stop her from finding answers. She is dauntless but also jittery, she is constantly kind to those who help her even when she doesn’t have much. But it is her imperfections that make her amazing as a person. Kwon Nara (Uri Sang Woon) will make you cry a lot in here but you’d also see her smile a lot especially when she’s with her sister, Si Ho. Oh and she's GORGEOUS when she smiles.
* I also love how Dark Hole is always suffering -from his own inflicted actions. The writer did his character with much thought. The actor too, is for real prefect for a villain.
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ACTING/CAST: ♡
First, I want to compliment all the child actors/actress’. They deserve a lot of hugs and awards! They were really astounding in their acting!
*Actor Lee Jin Wook’s portrayal of Hwal - The mix of hate and doubt is visible in his actions, words and eyes. And when he’s with Sang Un, he will make you speechless. It’s not new to find a cold character in a drama but he is undoubtedly amazing as Hwal. I can’t imagine another Hwal other than him.
*Actress Kwon Nara(Sang Woon) is amazing. I only saw her on “Suspicious partner” but She portrayed Bulgasal and bubbly Sang Woon so well! I can clearly see the difference in the two characters she portrayed. Her eyes and facial expressions as BulgasaLady full of hate & hurt, as Hwa Yeon filled with anxiety and the bubbly Sang Yeon were spectacular for me. Most importantly, she looks REALLY stunning!
*Actor Lee Joon(Ok Eul Tae/Dark Hole). Just Wow. I didn’t even notice he was the Lieutenant in “The Silent Sea”! His acting will give you goosebumps. For real.
*Actor Kim Woo Seok (Do Yoon/A’Chan) He did REALLY well. I did not even know that this was his first role despite being an idol! You’ll really love and care for Do Yoon a lot with his amazing portrayal of the character. <3
*And our Gong Seung Yeon(Si Ho)! I was shocked to see her as a mother! She portrayed it very well, I rooted for her happiness, I cried when she cried and I even started shipping her with Hwal too. *ahem*
When all of them gather in their house ( except Dark Hole HAHA) , I promise that you won’t be able to avoid the feeling of warmth and comfort in you heart.
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If I were to describe the main character's lives in one quote, I'd choose Gena Showalker's: “They gave each other what no one else had ever been able to give. A past to cherish. A present to enjoy. A future to anticipate.”
I will really miss this drama and everyone who discussed with me here AND ON TWITTER. I love you all and I hope we’ll meet again in another drama.
EDIT (6/29/2023):
I remember I was very emotional when I made this review while watching the drama. It was a fun ride discussing about the theories with fellow MDLers and the people on Twitter. I now reread my review after almost two years, and I realized giving this that kind of rating was indeed too subjective of me. However, I did ponder a lot for days before I did this review and I still think this deserves a 10. I really enjoyed the drama a lot (especially the phenomenal acting from Ok Eul Tae) first time. It's fine if you do not agree with me and my bad if this was not a satisfying review for you. But if you made it to the end of this review, thank you and have a great day. ♡
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P. S. After seeing this review got more attention than expected, I knew I should take responsibility and make my rating more accurate. I didn't want to put a big expectation to this drama from new watchers. So I ended up rewatching and finally edited my ratings. I only hope old readers won't get dissapointed in me after this fickle move. Much love to those who liked/still like this review!
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This review may contain spoilers
Pretty Faces, Predictable Chaos, and a Finale That Fully Lost the Plot
Oki besties, let’s get into it. This drama, as many fellow viewers have clocked with laser accuracy, is neither original nor particularly remarkable—but also not terrible. It’s the genre equivalent of your default dinner when you’re tired, uninspired, and emotionally unavailable: familiar, easy, and mildly satisfying if expectations are kept on a leash.The leads were genuinely enjoyable to watch. The ML is certified eye candy—face card never declines, no debate there. I’ve seen him around, and while he absolutely delivers visually, his acting occasionally felt a bit… stiff? Not consistently, just here and there. Could be his style I guess, either way, still a pleasant viewing experience.
The FL did a great job. I hadn’t even realized she’d transitioned into mini-drama territory, but honestly? We roll with it. She carried her role well and felt grounded throughout.
Now, chemistry. Personally, I didn’t feel a strong romantic spark between the leads—and yet, plot twist, I still enjoyed watching them interact. A rare occurrence for me. Their communication was handled surprisingly well, they functioned as an actual team, and that alone did a lot of heavy lifting. The kisses were… fine. No fireworks, no earth-shattering revelations, but also not full CPR dummy mode—though that first one was skating dangerously close.
The villain reveal, however, did absolutely nothing for me. Mostly because the actress is a professional drama antagonist at this point. She plays the villain in nine out of ten dramas, so the second she appeared I was already like, “Ah yes. Anyway.” Let me locate my shocked face real quick.
The supporting cast did okay overall. I especially enjoyed the mother-in-law and the concubines—always reliable agents of chaos, doing what needed to be done, and love that we got a good concubine on our side.
And then… the final episodes happened. The plot didn’t just go off the rails—it launched itself into another dimension. Full commitment to nonsense. The last four episodes said, “We’re going out with a bang,” and then proceeded to cram a long separation and a reunion into what felt like the final three minutes.
So yes, we got messy drama, revenge, concubines, inner family schemes, and a finale powered entirely by vibes, but yes, a happy ending for our leads, all things considered.
As a pit stop between heavier dramas, this was a perfectly serviceable, predictable watch. Not life-changing, not groundbreaking—but sometimes you just want chaos with pretty people, and this delivers exactly that.
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My favorite rom-com and I’ve seen numerous ones in the past few years. Often even disappointed by the HONG sisters. Cha Seung Won and Gong Hyo Jin have great comedic/dramatic timing/talent which allows CSW to mesmerize with an eccentrically brilliant, yet vulnerable performance. The supporting cast is believably entertaining and the writing hilariously witty. If you enjoyed "City Hall"... "Your Beautiful"... "My Girl", you shouldn’t be disappointed with "The Greatest Love"...
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A chill drama for you to enjoy!
I got hooked watching the trailer because Gushengnan sang “Big bowl noodles” by Kris Wu and ya girlie is an EXO-L so i started watching it, i watched all 10 episodes in just 1 day, yes i binge watched it and its really worth it! The story flows really smoothly. Every scene gives me joy and their great chemistry was beyond expectations even with the age gap (21 and 36) being portrayed. Their OST really shocked me because a lot of it is sang in english which is weird since its a chinese drama. Addition to that There’s always humor in every episode!! So i really recommend it if you like story without big problems or just want a smooth going story about how the two got together. Its still on going and I’m every excited to watch the rest !Was this review helpful to you?
