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The Man Who Bled Miracles
If you think you have seen every flavor of crime thriller, think again. Bloody Flower opens with a bang, or more accurately, a handcuff click. A man named Lee Woo Gyeom is arrested for kidnapping two people with disabilities. Simple enough, right? Wrong. As the investigation unfolds, it turns out he has been conducting human experiments and murdering people in the process. Seventeen victims. All with criminal records. All allegedly used as test subjects in his quest to cure incurable diseases.Lee Woo Gyeom is a medical school dropout who boldly claims he has developed a technology that can cure everything from common illnesses to cancer. The twist is deliciously dark. Patients step forward to testify that they have indeed been cured. He promises to reveal this miracle to the world, but only if he is exempted from punishment for his human experiments. If not, he threatens to take his own life, and with him, the cure that exists only in his mind. Standing at the crossroads are a desperate lawyer who needs Woo Gyeom alive to save his daughter with a brain tumor, and Prosecutor Cha Yi Yeon, who wants him sentenced to death for the seventeen lives he took. The question lingers like a stubborn echo. Is Lee Woo Gyeom a monster, or is he humanity’s forbidden savior?
What pulled me in from the very beginning was the morally grey battlefield. Seventeen murders are not a small number. But when those seventeen victims all had criminal records and slipped through the cracks of a lenient justice system, the narrative starts playing chess with your conscience. Humanism versus justice becomes the main dish, and we, the viewers, are forced to pick a side whether we like it or not. The dark allure of this premise had me glued to my seat. It felt like watching a philosophical debate disguised as a thriller.
Up until episode four, Lee Woo Gyeom remains an enigma wrapped in a lab coat. Is he a psycho doctor straight out of a horror manual? Perhaps. He does not seem to fully grasp the moral weight of taking lives, referring to his victims more as test subjects than as people. But here is the twist in my own heart. I believe he is good at heart. He does not kill for pleasure. He kills with purpose. Twisted purpose, yes, but purpose nonetheless. His journey into human experimentation did not begin with people. It started with plants, then a goldfish, then a cat, and only then humans. There is a strange, almost scientific progression there. Add to that the revelation that there is a specific pattern among his victims, and suddenly this is less random slaughter and more calculated vengeance or perhaps justice in his own warped dictionary. The mystery only deepens.
Then there is Prosecutor Cha Yi Yeon. As someone who usually champions strong female leads, I cannot believe I am saying this, but she tested my patience. For her, the world is black and white. You kill, you are wrong. End of discussion. She does not care about the lives potentially saved by Woo Gyeom’s research. She sees seventeen corpses and that is enough. I understand her need to prove herself, especially with her father looming in the background, but her inability to listen or empathize makes her feel robotic. Even her investigative arc feels oddly written. She has a whole team, yet she does most of the legwork herself while her subordinates hover in the background holding files that rarely add impact. Her sense of justice is textbook, rigid, and at times frustratingly tone deaf. Geum Sae Rok tries, but the character feels more like a plot device than a fully fleshed out person.
In contrast, Park Han Jun is the emotional anchor of the story. Portrayed by Sung Dong Il with the gravitas of a seasoned actor, he is a father first and a lawyer second. His daughter, Park Min Seo, is dying from a brain tumor. Suddenly, justice is not so simple anymore. This righteous man who once abided strictly by the law finds himself bending the rules to save his child. His partnership with Lee Woo Gyeom is one of the most compelling dynamics in the drama. They begin as reluctant allies. One is a convicted killer, the other a man of the law. Yet slowly, through shared desperation and quiet understanding, they form something resembling trust. Maybe even friendship.
When Lee Woo Gyeom rushes, injured, to save Min Seo and says he has to save her first, I was genuinely moved. For someone accused of being a heartless killer, his concern for his patients feels real. He even appears willing to defy court orders to help her. That mutual gratitude between him and Park Han Jun creates some of the drama’s most touching moments. It is a relationship built not on legality, but on humanity.
The plot thickens further when we learn that Woo Gyeom’s cure lies in his blood. Specifically, his rare RH null blood. But this miracle comes with a cruel limitation. The more blood he donates, the more his body regenerates new blood that lacks the same healing properties. In other words, he is not an infinite potion bottle in a fantasy RPG. He is human. Fragile. Exhaustible. This revelation made me nervous. If his blood is the key, what is stopping the world from turning him into a walking laboratory?
The backstory hits like a truck in the final stretch. Woo Gyeom was once just a brilliant kid with a loving mother. An accident and his rare blood type turned him into a prime target for Chaeum, the shadowy organization behind grotesque experiments. Not only was he experimented on, but his mother was silenced after discovering too much. Chaeum’s body count stands at 223 victims. Suddenly, Woo Gyeom’s seventeen does not look like madness. It looks like retaliation. Pain breeding pain. No wonder he took drastic measures. The real monster may have been hiding in a corporate lab all along.
The final confrontation reveals Chae Jeong Su as the true psychopath, obsessed with medical breakthroughs at the cost of human lives. Watching Woo Gyeom stab his eye felt both shocking and strangely satisfying. Justice, served with a sharp object. The climax escalates quickly. Police arrive. Cha Yi Yeon stands firm. Shots are fired. In one of the most touching moments, Park Han Jun steps in front of Woo Gyeom and takes a bullet for him. A former prosecutor shielding a wanted criminal. If that is not character development, I do not know what is. Woo Gyeom is eventually shot and jumps off a bridge. For a moment, it feels like tragedy has won.
The resolution wraps up corruption cases at lightning speed, almost too quickly, like the drama suddenly remembered it had a time limit. And then, the final twist. Just as Park Han Jun is about to discard the cure, Woo Gyeom calls. He is alive. I knew it. You cannot keep a Bloody Flower from blooming, can you?
Ryeo Un delivers an eerie yet magnetic performance as Lee Woo Gyeom. His large expressive eyes and deep voice make it easy to believe both the cold scientist and the wounded son. He walks a tightrope between psycho and prodigy, and somehow never falls. Sung Dong Il, as expected, brings weight and warmth to Park Han Jun, embodying a father pushed to his limits. The chemistry between these two is the heart of the drama. Their evolution from distrust to solidarity is memorable and deeply affecting.
Bloody Flower is not perfect. Some arcs feel rushed, and Cha Yi Yeon’s character may test your blood pressure. But if you enjoy stories that force you to question your moral compass, this one will keep you hooked. It asks a dangerous question. If a killer can cure the world, do you save him or condemn him? In the end, Bloody Flower does not hand you an easy answer. It simply lets the petals fall and leaves you to decide whether they are stained with blood or sacrifice.
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INGENIOUS PEOPLE
There wasn't only one ingenious person in this drama. Yun Xiang was the master of brilliant strategist, manipulator, thinker, a charmer, negotiator, but most all he's a loyal friend. It's all started when he came down from mountain, finishing 15 years of study and cultivation to seek justice of the dead his family and fellow 300 people of Luo village where he came from. Yuntai Sect is the organization that produce smart people around in many different aspect. A long the way Yun Xiang met friends, foes, love, understanding, trouble, challenges and happiness.Yun Xiang & Shu Yu Nan
Yu Xiang was brilliant with strategic while Shu Yu Nan was an incredible with martial art. They both love each other, Yun Xiao broke his sect's rule by loving her. They learn to trust and depend to each other because Yun Xiang wasn't entirely open with this strategy or manipulation to Yu Nan, while she's totally in his side she felt that she's being used by him as piece of chess. Around ep 22 the trust was broken, relationship strained, heart distanced, YuNan switched side and betrayed their love. Broken heart lasted for 10 episodes full of drinking, crying and daze...thinking hard for next step forward for both. Will they back together? We'll see that on last episode...
Mo Bu Fan/Kang Qiao (Guanghui Bank, Yuntai Sect)
They both have great relationship between father and adopted son (uncle/nephew). One of the smart Yuntai student in finance and banking. He monopolize economy in town, very money oriented - everything is for profit, cutting throat to his customers, sharp tongue to Yun Xiang, lovable in concern to his nephew. He went bankruptcy for mishandling trust of an old friend, business, reputation, and money was gone. BuFan was so heartbroken when Kang Qiao died, lost in disappointment of his sect and angry to his master. So sad, he didn't see way out - he'd rather died than go on living.
Su Ming Yu/Ke Meng Lan
While Su GongZe was a young handsome heir of rich merchant, he inspired to be a wanderer in martial world, forced to learn business from his sister and family, got PTSD after the terror of killing. In love with the manager of entertainment gambling house Ke Meng Lan. Although she's great with business and very loving, her character was a boring one, killing atmosphere to few notch down. The love affair was smooth one after MingYu's sister approved with their relationship although Meng Lan didn't come from respectable background.
Jin Biao
He called himself '10 Gold Tael' hitman for hire. Very rough looking, brash attitude, soft heart and kind. He liked Meng Lan's personal maid Tian Hu and became the patron of orphanage. He struck friendship with Yun Xiang for money at first but genuinely devoted to him after they've been through together. Ep 32 he went coma of poison.
Many critical characters came and went as new episode brought in new development with new characters, Mo BuFan should go as 2nd ML as he has important role and most of the crisis focusing on his money/bank and the way he handled things. Every character related to him....he's a pretty good actor with much charms and difficulties in such role. All this, at the end is about rebellion to overthrow the throne initiated by Prince Fu (Yun Xiang's master). As a master of Yuntai where Yun Xiang came from, they met face to face, at the end he came up with the ingenious idea to avoid revolt and personal grudges.
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GOOD DRAMA BUT SAD ENDING FOR ME
The first sentence I want to write for this drama is "OUXIAOJIAN ... you are the character I like the most and the HERO of this drama, even though we as viewers have to lose yourself at the end of the story, but you will still live in our hearts ... forever...."actually I want to give even more full marks to this drama because the storyline is so good and this is one of the 1980s-era dramas that I really like (considering we rarely see Chinese dramas that take stories in the era of the year at that time) but I It is very, very heavy hearted that I can only give8/10 for the whole drama because I feel very hurt and sad for losing Ouxiaojian at the end of the story. after what he sacrificed, fought for and what he suffered from the beginning of the story to the end of this drama. I really really hope the writer gives a happy ending for him ... a simple happiness for him at least to come back to MaXiaoXiao's side (although I know that will not change the story because from the beginning it was destined for MXX to end with YiDongDong who is the narrator. in this drama).at least the author can write that OXJ went far away with MXX leaving their beloved mayang street to live a life like ordinary people who are simple and happy ...remembering how deeply their love was from their childhood until they grew up. so much of their sacrifice for their love ....
although this drama ended sadly for me, but I highly recommend this drama ... a good, real, realistic storyline surrounding the lives of many families in Mayang Street ...
Timmy Xu, Seven Tan and Niu Jun Feng as the main characters really bring this drama to life with their very good acting performance, not only the main cast, the side actors also contributed their very good acting performance to this drama.
Their acting is so real, deep storytelling and naturally actually made me cry several times when watching this drama ... there were some scenes that made my heart ache a lot and my tears were running at that time ...
1. at the time OXJ cried sadly and my heart felt like it was slashed to see him so suffering (OXJ decided to choose to live a life like an ordinary person with MXX, even he had managed to win over the heart and approval of MXX's parents to bless their relationship, but the problem hit him insistently and he had to lose his grandmother because of it)
2.When OXJ sat on the stairs crying sadly because he had just lost his grandmother and had to lose MXX again (because of the misunderstanding that MXX broke their relationship), my heart felt hurt and sad when saw him crying because he had to lose the person he loved and as if so many problems have befallen him repeatedly.
and the most heartbreaking no one knows of the kindness and struggle of his life (even risking his own life) to catch criminals and is forced to disguise himself as a police spy .... everyone condemns his actions just because they see him working in a group criminals and they don't know what the purpose of it is ...and he must accept the suffering of body and soul because of this disguise.
sorry if my review dominates Ouxiaojian because he is the shining character in my eyes in this drama ...
the song in this drama is also very good and very about right for every scene ...
and if I will repeat this drama, maybe only the sweet parts of OXJ and MXX are important points for me, besides that there are side characters who are my favorite partner (XIAOBAO and ChengHaoHao), this couple is also very sweet and funny, especially xiaobao ... I really like him .... his cheerful and laughing face looks very handsome and sweet ...and I like shun zhun too, he is really a nice guy...he is one of the Mayang street people who always believe ouxiaojian.i like his character too...
overall I give this drama 8/10 rating ...
Thank you to the cast, producer, director, writer and crew for delivering this excellent drama....
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One of the best
I have read most reviews and I think they have reviewed too prematurely. HRZ is a definitely an odd character... too perfect.. in the entire plot but the ending (last ep 30) wraps up beautifully and unexpectedly.. and explained. I'm not going to give spoilers but this show is one of the bests, great acting. It got me chasing ep by ep. I was having mixed feeling for the ML's character but great wrap with happy ending.A word of advice to all.. dont review before you watch till the end. I hardly write reviews but cant help correcting and adding on. Enjoy the show.
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High school Action done right
I’ve been hyped about Study Group since it was first announced, and I can honestly say it didn’t let me down. It’s the kind of show that mixes high school drama with jaw-dropping action, and it does it in a way that feels fresh and exciting.Let’s start with the fight scenes—they’re exaggerated, sure, but in the best way possible. It’s like watching a webtoon come to life. The action is intense, the choreography is slick, and the camera work keeps everything dynamic and engaging. It’s the kind of over-the-top energy that makes you want to watch again and again.
But honestly, the best part of Study Group is the friendship between the main characters. The bond they share is what makes this show so special. YGM, KSH, LJU, CHW, LJ, and their teacher aren’t just a group of people who study together—they’re a team. They have each other’s backs, even when things get crazy. There’s this genuine camaraderie that feels so real, and it’s clear that no matter what happens—whether it’s fighting enemies or stressing over exams—they’ll stick together. The way they support and challenge each other through both the ups and downs makes their dynamic so much more than just a group of characters in a show. It’s their friendship that makes everything work, and that’s the core of what made me fall in love with the series.
Even when they fight or have misunderstandings, you can always feel the underlying respect and care they have for one another. It’s not just about the action or the drama; it’s about the moments where they laugh together, encourage each other, and show loyalty. This group really feels like a family, and I loved seeing that growth throughout the series.
The villains, though? They were totally villainous—and honestly, that’s what made them so fun. They felt almost cartoonish at times, but in a way that fit the tone of the show. The exaggerated bad guys were a perfect match for the exaggerated action, and they added to the overall enjoyment, without ever feeling too serious or overdone.
And then there’s YGM’s mom. She was so good at fighting, which makes total sense since she clearly passed those skills down to YGM! It’s like “mother, like son,” right? Even though she didn’t have a ton of screen time, she really made an impact. She had this tough yet caring vibe that made her easy to root for, and I honestly wanted to see more of her in action. Her fighting skills added a fun twist, especially when paired with how protective she is over YGM.
CHW and KSH? Absolute cuties. They brought such an endearing dynamic to the group, and their interactions were always so fun to watch. They were the kind of characters you just couldn’t help but love, with their charm and little moments that made you smile. I think they were a perfect complement to the more serious or intense characters around them.
LJU and LJ were another perfect duo—always bickering but in a way that made them even more fun to watch. Their constant back-and-forth made for some of the best moments, and you could tell that underneath all the teasing, they really cared about each other. That kind of dynamic always adds so much personality to a show, and they were no exception.
Honestly, I could’ve used even more of the LJU and LHU twins. Their dynamic was fun, and I wanted to see more of their relationship unfold. There was something about their bond that felt like it had so much potential, and I was left wanting more from their storyline.
And I can’t forget about the OST. The music was so on point, especially “Pack Packers” and “Let’s Do This.” I’ve had both of them on repeat ever since. The soundtrack really added to the energy of the show, giving each scene that extra boost of excitement or emotion when needed.
All in all, Study Group is a high-energy rollercoaster that balances action, humor, and character development so well. But the friendship at the core of it all is what really makes it shine. These characters are so lovable, and their journey together—through the chaos, the challenges, and the fun—is what makes the show worth watching. If you’re into high school dramas with a wild mix of action, heart, and friendship, this one’s definitely worth checking out.
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Brave Yoshihiko and Great Satan's Castle
22 people found this review helpful
The plot follows a ragtag team of heroes as they travel through a strange land fighting monsters (many of which are paper mache). This show has a sense of humor I have not seen in a Jdrama before. It's very random and silly on an elevated level. I found it thoroughly entertaining.
Although the characters are far from realistic, they are consistently developed and draw you into their bizarre world. The actors have wonderful comedic timing. While I"m not sure if the jokes in this drama will be as effective upon reviewing, it is definitely the type of show that would be in syndication in the US.
I gave this drama a 10 overall although the rewatch value and music were not rated highly because it is a stellar example of its genre.
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As good & thrilling as the main drama.
Moebius: The Veil, also carries the same message as the main season, The Veil. Human's own conviction of truth and righteousness is something that can either raise them high or destroy them for good. And when it comes to to loyalty, what harbours, nurtures and strengthens it is trust upon each other. The 2 episode short spin-off, had these things to convey.Plot is nothing but the back story of the main series, keeping Seo Soo Yeon (Park Ha Sun) at the centre. How & why she ended up in the NIS and during his mission he discovers astonishing facts about the agency and at the same time gets involved with Chang Chun Woo (Jang Moon Sung), the black agent who has been cornered by his own agency years ago. They develop a close bonding between them and the story ends with a mission and it's subsequent results.
This also is a proof of how personal greed, power trip and high ambitions ruin an organization, putting the life of people working in it, in danger. Lies, conspiracies, greed for wealth and power, etc. bring hazard to intelligence agencies like this.
The production value is again very high. The direction and screenplay are intriguing. The short yet intricate & exciting development within 2 episodes with awe-inspiring twists and revelations, truly amazed me. Action scenes and the characters' skills and performance has been delivered well, which is worth looking forward to. The writer didn't forget to showcase human emotions and psychological behaviours this time either. The melancholic elements with the shady tracks and bg scores will melt your heart.
We all craved for more because the main series has only 12 episode but thanks to this pre-planned spin-off episodes that was on the productions' mind all along, we got another treat of a superb action thriller, yet again.
Also, some were mad about Seo Soo Yoon's insignificant role in the story, but lil did we know about how significant her character was, that laid the foundation of the entire thing years before. Her character makes so much sense now. This was much needed.
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It's weird but I love it!!
Beyond Goodbye left me with an immersive feelings. Sad but longingly beautiful. If you watched this series because Kentaro's latest kdrama What Comes After Love and not a fan of sad ending, sorry to say but this series is just not for you because this is jdrama where the illness/sad troupes are pretty common. However, for me who used to this kind of ending in jdrama found the ending pretty satisfying. Keep in mind, the main focus of this drama is not romance. This drama deals with grief, loneliness, memories, longing, sacrifice and etc.The cinematography is amazing within 3 different countries (the sea, the mountains, the coffee fields, the apple farm, the railway track) and the four seasons are shown plus with the storm, they are such breathtaking sceneries, the great and natural acting, the subtle moments, the emotions, well written scripts, marvellous casts, beautiful osts and of course the best ending song by Kenshi Yonezu.
Each of the character is so passionate, deep, complex and empathic especially the five main casts. I personally like Saeko's personality. She is ambitious, fashionable, optimistic, fun, independent yet buried her burden, deep inside her heart and only visible to others closest to her.
I can relate to Kazumasa's confusion with the heart beats for other woman other than his wife, who he loves so much. Even I as a viewer got confuse with the mixed feelings he has. He is kind, sympathetic, a very good man.
We all feel bad for Miki, a wife who trying to protect her marriage as she should. Watching her husband slowly becoming a different person, loving a thing that once strongly disliking can be devastating. She is an honest, patience and caring person.
The best character for me is Yusuke. I know, there is not much of his scene but from others' POV, we know he is a good person, goofy, simple yet deep (fireworks is the best, right?).
And lastly, Kengo, an emotional best friend, a good listener, readily to give an advice, so that none of them were hurt.
I will recommend this series to whoever like to watch from different kinds of perspective, not just from one character but all of them and understand why the characters make the decision that way. They all have flaws and make mistakes like all human do, something you can relate too.
Major spoiler after rewatch.
Hurm..I know a lot of people turned off by this series mainly because Kazumasa was indeed a married man. Is he cheating on his wife? Yes, clearly he was. Then, is this series glorified cheating? Of course not. Even he isn't married, he will also be cheating if he has a girlfriend. This is because the series intended him to has a wife.
Even if Yusuke's heart function healthily in Kazumasa's body, the series will be finish on episode 7. Kazumasa already made his decision to stay with Miki because he remembered the promise he made. To be a goofy husband and wife so that he feel that he is really healthy and alive (after he saw a sweet banter between Saeko and Yusuke). Besides, he promised maybe they could have kids in the future (clearly, they couldn't before this) and those had to be broken again. Also, he didn't wear off the ring until the end.
And Saeko's made a decision not to meet Kazumasa again even though she loves him because she knew the boundary and reality of the relationship. Yes, we all hate the kissing scene but what led to that scene? Because there wasn't technically an affair between them (according to Miki), thus, having one is easier isn't it? Saeko was the one leading Kazumasa but gradually stopped herself. Then, she remembered Yusuke and reminisced herself with the memory of her and Yusuke under the umbrella which leading to the decision she made that I stated earlier. Lastly, Saeko put off the necklace with her engagement ring in order to move on and forget the tragic accident and kept the boots and umbrella instead that I believe contained both memories of Yusuke and Kazumasa altogether.
Then, we got served by episode 8 as the proper goodbye between Saeko, Kazumasa and Yusuke that I believed a significant and satisfying ending. Maybe, part of Kazumasa wanted to see Saeko but he also wanted to be fair that Yusuke's heart was dying inside his body. Last message to Saeko from Yusuke was smile and be happy which Kazumasa sincerely conveyed as they exchanged the handshakes and hugged as their last goodbye.
Again, these will be my interpretations. Do not expect the chemistry because romance isn't really a focus of this series. This is not kdrama. No chemistry chemistrying here. (Even the piggyback scene felt sad). And I didn't really know why people said the romance was forced. Maybe because Kazumasa is a married man, that's why he restrained himself?
Please, make another drama between them where they can end up together (this is their forth drama where they got sad ending..haha)
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It's complicated.
The plot twist is nice, and there wasn't a part of the 2 hours that was boring. It got everybody to feel all sorts of feelings throughout the movie. It was a bummer that one of the hottest cast wasn't the main, but it was overall a good story. Does have a little bit of violence but not as much to a point where you can't handle. It was really complicated. However, it was one of the best movies I've watched at the theatres. There were lots of ups and downs and the thing about the movie is that it shows a lot of action before they move onto the storyline. Like most of the storyline ended up being explained near the end, whilst the whole movie is just about someone making difficult decisions throughout it. It was also really fun because it was literally about 4 people, and then all these really famous people just being in the movie in and out a bit. Overall, great movie love it! REALLY recommend!Was this review helpful to you?
Started strong then lost steam
This started off wonderfully, with a fairly original plot and a lot of energy. I loved the interaction between Bai Lang, a restauranteur, and Xun An, a dentist. Bai Lang is terrified of dentists, and in fact suffers from serious PTSD. Until he doesn't.We also have Alex the bartender who is pursued by the much younger RJ, who also works at the restaurant. This is quite refreshing as RJ is adorable and yet he's rather aggressive with the much larger Alex.
The story was well-written, funny, fast-paced, and full of vitality and chemistry, with beautiful and taleted actors.
Then it deflated like a sad left-over balloon a week after a party. Xun An's ex shows up and chews up an enormous amount of screentime in a dull and cliched story, Bai Lang sheds his complex personality (and somehow his PTSD, which is never heard from again), and then on top of that, it turns out Xun An's father is an abusive homophobe who beats Xun An for weeks, which causes him to draw away from Bai Lang for two episodes, which leads nowhere because Dad easily welcomes Bai Lang into the family.
Likewise, RJ has to leave and is absent for 4 episodes, so that storyline ground to a halt, although we had plenty of time for Xun An's ex to woo Bai Lang's sister.
It felt like the director really didn't want to do a BL, so he tore the partners apart so there didn't have to be too much icky gay stuff, and inserted a straight couple, which added absolutely nothing to the story. This is underscored by the series ending with a heterosexual wedding. Why? Gay marriage is legal in Taiwan! How is that not homophobic?
From the tight and focused writing of the first half, the second is a sloppy and dull mess.
I'd give the first half a 9 and the second half a 6. Do I recommend it? I guess it won't kill you to watch it, and the beginning really is delightful and the cast one of the most attractive I've seen - but prepare to be disappointed by the descent into mediocrity.
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Maybe She Will Defrost on a Warm Day!
This is my first review!Watching Because Of Love was like going through a real-life experience in a short period of time.
I've watched many K/C/J/T dramas but none of these dramas affected me as much as Because of Love.
What was it about?
A young couple very much in love was forced to break up because the male lead's father wanted his son to be ready to take his place as CEO.
Because of this, the romance was severely stopped and from that point on the female lead had extreme anger against both the male lead and his father. This anger lasted almost until the end of the drama. To make the situation worse, the young couple got pregnant and a son was born, unbeknownst to the young man.
A lot of anger, revenge, sexual frustration, the feeling of unrequited love, and most importantly the lack of forgiveness on the part of the female lead was carried throughout the drama.
Both of the main leads suffered tremendously for seven years until finally the last episode #30, almost everything got solved and peace was made.
About the actors:
I feel that Wallace Chung essentially made this drama successful. I think his father did an excellent job on his part also. Of course, the child was adorable. I do have my doubts about the female lead - perhaps too stoic, too unforgiving, too uncommunicative. I felt that she didn't add too much to the drama and instead she subtracted from it. Her stoic facial expressions rarely changed throughout the drama.
Others had their own side stories with excellent acting on each of their parts.
As far as the story goes, it was excellent halfway but drowned on the beach toward the end. Ok, they were husband and wife at the end but no visual satisfaction for the viewer. Almost until the end, she had the same stoic face and he was still dependent on her love to make him happy. Good luck to him. Maybe she will defrost on a warm day!
I give this an 8 mainly because of Wallace Chung's excellent acting. One deeply felt his pain, his joy, and his sorrow.
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I can't help to compare the two versions against one another. Anyone who says they don't for any drama that has another version is a big ol' liar. Of course I had some problems with this version. I didn't mind the reality aspect of the drama at all, in fact i loved it. But I did have a problem with Da Jung. It's impossible to not compare her with Japanese version's Nao. In the Japanese version, the whole big deal with Nao is that she's just too honest for her own good. Too trusting. In the Korean version, Da Jung's whole thing is that she's just too kind. I thought this was incredibly stupid. Who's even heard of such a thing. And since when is being too kind a bad thing? I just didn't get it and thought it was completely stupid. Also, with Nao, even though she was completely naive and very stupid, the girl was genuine. I felt her sincerity in all her actions. She felt one of a kind. Da Jung does not feel unique at all. My problem is that there's nothing special about Da Jung that all these ppl are going out of their way to help her. What makes her so likable? She's not dislikable, but she's just there quite frankly, and I just didn't feel anything special with her other than her being the main character.
Also, the whole reasoning Da Jung has for sticking with the game is so stupid. I still don't even know why she just didn't get out when she had the chance. With Nao I understood and ttly respected her decision, but with Da Jung I'm just shaking my head.
I know it seems like I'm complaining a lot about this drama, but thats really the only big issue I have with Korean Liar Game. As I stated before, I loved the reality show aspect of it. Very original. I also love that the loan shark guy had Da Jung's back. And my favorite character of all, Ha Woo Jin. Loved him! I definitely love Japanese Akiyama more, but Woo Jin held his own. He was ttly likable, had swag, and I ttly ship him and Da Jung lol.
I also loved the ending. I think it was excellent, and this version definitely feels like more of a psychological thriller especially towards the end. It was especially creepy. I didn't like the games in this version. I loved the roulette game and the poker game in Liar Game 2, but this version definitely washed them down. Still Korean Liar Game definitely holds it's own against the japanese version. I just happen to personally prefer jdramas over kdramas. Anyways, since I just finished this drama, I want to write my review before I forgot my initial feelings. I'd say it's worth a watch. Definitely entertaining.
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This was by far the best Korean drama no scratch that the BEST Asian drama I ever seen to date. I mean it was so captivating sometimes I forgot to eat ( yeah that is how addicted I got :) ). The story line was inspiring, funny and captivating. The actors did a very well done job in conveying their emptions well with their acting. The music was just amazing, i could not get it out of my head even if i try to. Personally, despite being 60 episode, you will never get bored because, each episode has its own story line and a new adventure for Dong Yi and her fellow people.
As always there can never be a 100% perfect drama out there so here are a few pointers i found a bit annoying.
*To muchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh bloody flashbacks, i will guarantee you there will be flashbacks every 5 min in each episode.
* The actors sometimes seem a bit lost while in the middle of filming, they just seem to stare out into space.
* sometimes it feels like the story line was a bit repeated.
*To be honest 60 episode was not needed they could have stopped at 50.
Overall, if you like Historical drams then this is the one to watch, it was witty, charming, charismatic and just lovely to watch.
Let me know what you think (",)
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Gonna give this 9/10 which is better grade than what I gave to the original (8/10).
Even though it dragged at some points in the middle, I liked how they made it different from original version. At some points especially in the beginning it seemed like an exact copy of the original.
The ending, the "double scene" (you know what I mean haha), them kiss scenes and the acting itself was better than in the original. Except that some characters *cough* Xin Yu and the reporter *cough* were way worse and not as natural or funny like in the original version.
What comes to the acting in general:
- I didn't like how Jiro Wang was missing the "Hwang Tae Kyung" style aka the facial expressions. They were in Japanese version so I was hoping them to be in this one too.
- Su Li Wen was annoying when she was playing Mei Nu playing to be her brother. But when she was playing Mei Nan himself she was kickass. I hope they would've showed more interactions between the twins haha
- As I mentioned above... Hwang In Deok playing Shin Woo / Xin Yu was awkward. A big minus from that. He was worse than Kim Hyun Joong in BOF (Don't kill me. I love KHJ btw)
- Evan Yo as Jeremy was super adorable yet he couldn't reach the level of the original Jeremy played by Lee Hong Ki.
There were no annoying characters in this one. I remember how I hated the mom in Korean version and the biach in Japanese version.
I liked the music in this one of course. I also like how they changed the "Otteokhajeo" to a completely new song. Points from that ~~
But the original one is the best one to me because it's the original and special to me.
Would I rewatch this? No.
Funny, because I can rewatch the original many many times and so far I've rewatched it like 3-4 times.
I guess there is some "magic" in the original one always hahaha XDD
By the way, the Japanese version got 6/10 from me. I can't even remember anything from it...
While I was watching this Taiwanese version I could see the Korean version in my head all the time. Which is why I was always surprised when they added some new things to this version ^^
I think that's all I have to say. Thanks for reading this ~
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