News 
One of the most amazing short series I watched
OMAIIIGGGOOOTTT! I watched this as 'Rules Were Never Her Thing' in DramaBox. This short series is so good! I can't explain how much you guys that haven't watched this should watch it cus honestly I watched most short series and most of them weren't really good but this one is just wow! From the acting and most of the short series doesn't bother with the details and stuff but this one does.The actors did a perfect job on showing/expressing the roles and like even when they cried it was so real. Not to be comparing but these days most actors would just put tear drop to make it seem like they're crying and stuff but not this one. From the gazed of Yu Yin seeing the painting of Dawn to Ke Chun looking at Yu Yin with his eyes showing so much emotions especially in ep. 62 when they tried to shake off the cars that followed them. It was too good! I'm also in love with the background music they really did a great job at making it climax by putting the perfect OST in each and every scenes.
Was this review helpful to you?
1OMG! Why!!
Watching this series was torturous and you are essentially left with the question: OMG! Why? It really is that bad. It is bad from so many angles – too numerous to actually mention. From its infantile storyline to its mediocre acting to its awful and I do mean awful plot. This is yet again another cliché-driven trope-filled Bl that even if you have never seen a BL, one could figure out where the story is going. Oh, it had cute moments, but it unfortunately slipped into a standard formula that left no one guessing as to its plot, and frankly asking oneself why did I sit through this? Nothing was original in this story except perhaps the name of the vampire city which was named Thaiwlight City. Now that was cute!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
You definately gotta give it a try!
If you liked season 1 and wanted to see how this story ends, you should definitely see this season!New characters are added to the story, new plots, some well-known characters have important changes both in personality and in the plot. You must pay attention to all the characters, because each one, in one way or another, is important to resolve this conflict. This series excellently completes a story that left us waiting to see how they could destroy the educational system in that universe.
By the way, this is my first review. I really liked this series, so i trully recommend it!
Was this review helpful to you?
what it is trying to do, and does very well, is tell a fun and interesting story. there is a lot more of what americans might expect when they think romance than you usually see in k-drama. the four leads all nail thier characters and evoke in you exactly what they are supposed to when they are supposed to. it doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out what happens next, but you like the characters so much that you want to watch it happen, even if you know you arent going to be shocked.
Was this review helpful to you?
Xiao Fang is a breath of fresh air
Everything about it is perfect. The plot isn’t ordinary and it’s refreshing unique in all aspects. Getting pregnant before marriage is a taboo but this series discusses the effect of a choice a soon to be parent can have. It also focuses on familial relationships and dynamics, it’s surprisingly very hilarious plus the sceneries are breathtaking. All the actors that comprise the ensemble cast are very excellent in portraying their characters. This is the best drama series this year.Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
The Best Zombie Apocalypse Movie I Have Ever Watched
As the biggest Zombie Apocalypse fan, I have watched almost every movie and TV series in the genre, and this two hour South Korean zombie movie is easily the best one I have seen. From the very beginning, it throws you straight into the chaos when a biotechnology conference turns into a deadly outbreak after a rapidly mutating virus is unleashed. Once the facility is locked down, the survivors have no choice but to fight for their lives against the growing threat.The pacing is incredibly fast, intense, and thrilling. I was completely hooked from start to finish and never felt bored for a single moment. Every few minutes there was another shocking scene that left my jaw on the floor.
The zombie looked incredibly realistic and were absolutely terrifying. They were fast, aggressive, and relentless, which made every encounter feel genuinely dangerous. The blood and gore were also a major highlight and added to the intensity of the movie.
What impressed me even more was how realistic the characters' decisions were. Instead of making frustrating choices just to move the story along, their actions felt believable. The professor Se Jeong was especially clever, making smart decisions that helped keep the tension high throughout the film.
The infected environment with the glue and the police first person shooting scene reminds me so much of All of Us Are Dead. The camera angle is so clever and makes the whole sequence feel incredibly immersive.
I also love how the man behind all of this has the power to control the infected. It was such a unique and refreshing plot that we haven't really seen before.
The music perfectly matched the atmosphere, building suspense and making every action scene even more intense. Combined with the unique storyline, outstanding cast, and nonstop tension, this movie ticked every box for me.
What impressed me just as much was the incredible amount of effort that went into bringing this movie to life. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of people playing the infected, and every single one of them did an amazing job. Their performances made the world feel believable and added so much to the intensity of every scene.
If you are a fan of zombie apocalypse movies, this is an absolute must watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
The drama does a decent job of covering the actual historical events surrounding the rise of Emperor Daizong of Tang (Li Chu). But at its core, I would say this show is more of a romance story. A very bittersweet but extremely moving romance between the two leads / main couple. Will give you all the feels.
Character wise, Li Chu's character was a 10/10 - there was never a moment where I was frustrated or doubted his behavior / actions in the show. Meanwhile, there were certain parts in the show where I would get pretty frustrated with Zhen Zhu's character behaviors. I would question some of her choice of actions and such, but overall still a wonderful character who complements Li Chu's character.
Was this review helpful to you?
So, in short, I'm not satisfied.... but it's not anyone's fault just I'm too demanding lol as it's already satisfactory sometimes even more than enough. Not only does it manage to provide great romance, but awesome friendship with some really interesting entangled relationships.
I laughed, cried... I cheered. I was glued to the screen finding myself emerge in the race though I knew it's not even real and who's gonna win is predestined. It was the characters' and whole premises that made it feel so real. Not being very familiar with some technical sports terms didn't affect much (not well explained in the drama itself)
Story is nothing ordinary but characters is what makes it more interesting. It's not all-time sport-oriented but it is when it's needed. Romance is a slow burn: it's slow and burning... but very soothing and refreshing, even when they aren't officially together the time they spend with each other is precious with many 'Oh gosh, this is soo sweet' moments. The romantic development, the relationship dynamics are natural and very relatable. The thing is everyone is just so cute here... even the second couple, me who likes to skip the second couple all-time found myself rooting for them and taking interest in their story.
Friendship, sportsmanship, teamwork have big roles. The mother-son, father-daughter, mother-daughter dynamics are cherry on the top, sprinkled with some frenemies. Have to say I love Zheng Yi's dad wasn't a moment where he didn't make me laugh. Comedy is on point: not bland, not over the top, not cringy. There are many comedic peak points. There are some annoying, at a times very annoying characters... but with many likable characters, it gets balanced up.
My first time seeing Song Zu Er but I'm sure it's not last, I'm sold for her performance. Song Zu Er isn't conventional beauty... but she has that unique charm in her. Zheng Yi was tailor-made for her, coz she just perfectly portrayed her liveliness, cutesy, silliness, maturity, breakthrough, her setbacks. Her acting was really natural: she was just like any other 18 year adorable girl. I'm quite familiar Wang An Yu, and he's perfect for such roles.. a confident, sweet, cheerful, little (?) narcist young guy. I can't see Bei Sheng without Wang An Yu.
I absolutely adore Zheng Yi: her spirit, cheerfulness, hard-working nature. How mature she's for her age but same time silly as any teenager. Bei Sheng is the sweetest chocolate boy.. though there is some moments 'Boy why don't you get it but very few. Zheng Yi and Bei Sheng are cute little puppies, they rock even their bickering/fights are enjoyable, they have oozing chemistry with overflowed cuteness, it's THE couple where cringy moments aren't cringy... cliche isn't cliche as they just create such refreshing environment. There's only one little rough patch between them but apart from it... it's the healthiest relationship.
I was emotionally invested in characters as their stories never felt superficial.. apart from leads, leads relationships with other characters, subplots were interesting enough.
to sum up you get everything: Romance, comedy, friendship, a little slice of life, family, excitement, and the cutest couple that you want more and more...
Was this review helpful to you?
Don't miss out on this excellently written, acted and paced slice-of-life Family Drama!!
If you love “The Bond”, you will love “Romance in the Alley”. Both dramas are directed by the same person, and you can see a lot of similarities between the two. The drama title is a little misleading as romance is just a very teeny tiny part of this drama. Family is what it’s about. This is a well-written, well-acted, well-paced slice-of-life family drama that even someone like me who prefers plot-driven dramas, falls in love with “Romance in the Alley”. It reminds me of a hybrid of “The Bond” + “Go Ahead”. In fact, it’s actually a little easier to watch than “The Bond” as it doesn’t have characters that make my blood boil.Family
This drama focuses on two families who live next to each other in the same alley. If you ever want a BFF or a good neighbor, look no further than the Zhuang and Lin families. We follow the lives of the adults, working hard to provide for their children. All they want is for their children to go to a good school, graduate and find a good job, have their own family and buy their own houses. A stable and happy life is what they want. However, you will find that each family takes a very different approach in supporting (or not supporting) their children. Their approach puts pressure on their children in not disappointing their parents and shouldering the responsibility of taking care of their siblings, parents or any family member. As I follow the lives of these children and watch them grow up to have their own families, I feel like a proud parent myself watching them from the 1st episode to the 40th episode.
Neighbors & Friends
Friendship in the alley is complicated. I bet many Chinese viewers resonate with all the complicated dynamics and relationships in this drama. One day, you support and help each other. Next day you scheme and try to take advantage of others. When there’s a common enemy (system change, rules change or company complaint), they band together and fight together. At the end of the day, you are still friends and neighbors, trying to live the best life you can. The dialogs are so well-written: heartfelt speeches, subtle digs here and there, sarcastic and condescending remarks. All of that gives the drama so much flavor.
Character development
As I said, I feel like a proud momma watching the three main children grow up. Tu Nan (the older brother) is a top student who is mature and responsible. Dong Zhe is the mischievous kid who is a little smartass with a good heart but lazy. Lastly, we have sweet and quiet Xiao Ting, the little sister who is perceptive and sweet. Watching the three of them grow up into responsible, mature adults without losing their tight bond is lovely to see. I was especially proud of Xiao Ting for growing up to be a more courageous, independent and sensible woman, who is not afraid to speak up and protect those she loves. Aside from the three main kids, you will follow the lives of other children growing up in the alley. Some you will love, some you will hate. But each one is a product of their family and upbringing. You might not like them, but you understand where they are coming from and empathize with them.
Sismance
The friendship between the two mothers, Huang Ling and Song Ying is the best thing about this drama. These two women are so different from each other: upbringing, marital relationship, personality, family lives, and child-rearing philosophy. Yet, they complement each other so well and support each other in their own way. They accept each other’s flaws, defend each other and unconditionally step up to help each other.
Acting
I applaud the casting director for doing an amazing job. From the youngest child actor, to the oldest veteran, there is no weak link. There are many child actors and actresses in this drama, and each one of them performs so well, especially those three who play the naughty little Dong Zhe. Many of them are actually experienced actors who started acting at a very young age. Before watching, I was hesitant about Fan Cheng Cheng’s performance. But I’m glad to report that he did a pretty good job as well, so much better than when I last saw him in “Once and Forever”, also with Guan Xiao Tong. In that drama, Fan Cheng Cheng is definitely the weakest link. His chemistry with Guan Xiao Tong as siblings here is so much better than when they played lovers in “Once and Forever”. Wang An Yu made me fall in love with him. He is so good in looking smitten and in love, just like in “Forever Love”. Guan Xiao Tong and Lu Yu Xiao are talented and beautiful. Of course, the veterans are amazing. I bet they help keep the younger ones on their toes, as they have many scenes together and the young ones can’t slack off.
Pacing
Slice-of-life dramas are a hit-or-miss for me. I prefer plot-driven dramas rather than character-driven ones as I often find the pace to be slow. But not “Romance in the Alley”. This drama is well-paced with enough to keep invested and interested. The writing does an excellent job in making me smile, laugh, cry, and shake my head in disgust throughout the whole drama.
Minor Criticisms
As much as I love this drama, “Romance in the Alley” isn’t without fault. There are two main areas that I would have liked to see better writing - the passage of time and romance. Because this drama spans a long period of time, about 20 years. The drama doesn’t always tell you what year it is. Viewers have to pay attention to changing lifestyles or the addition of new household appliances starting from TV, fridge, home telephone, microwave, etc. Because it’s sometimes hard to tell time. For example, I would see one scene when the parents are disapproving of their children’s decision (a BIG decision) and then the next scene, the conflict is resolved and it’s not a big deal anymore. Or in one scene Tu Nan and Li Jia would be arguing about their relationship, and then time passed and they openly spoke about it, as if the previous conclusion of their relationship didn’t matter anymore. Regarding the romance criticism, I would have loved to see Xiao Ting and Dong Zhe’s transition from friends to lovers more clearly. The realization of feelings and subtle confession were so short that in a blink of an eye, you could have missed it. I miss the early days of their courting/dating.
With a Douban rating of 8.2 at the time of this review, I can totally see how Chinese viewers resonate to the family values and struggles, and a trip down memory lane with change of times in this drama. International viewers might not agree with the values and decisions made, but that should not stop anyone from appreciating an excellently written and acted drama. “Romance in the Alley” will make you smile and laugh, cry and frown. It has put me through an emotional rollercoaster. I cried so hard when the Lin family moved away from Suzhou and when the two mothers' tight friendship was put to the test because of their children. If you read all the way to the end of this long review, I wish you would give this drama a chance.
Completed: 12/1/2024 - Review #523
Was this review helpful to you?
I was overwhelmed with so many gorgeous sceneries, wonderful settings, astonishing colors in this movie. Yellow, orange and red- I have never loved more these colors so much like I loved them in this movie, so many light, so many beautiful details. Somewhere after the middle of the movie those colors became more dark going smoothly in the direction the movie went but all the time cinematography was simply majestic.
Honestly the main reason why I started this movies was Miho Nakayama, she is for me one of the most beautiful women in the world and in Sayonara Itsuka she was a real goddess. Her dresses, skirts, her clothes in this movie was so beautiful, I want those dresses, all of them and dress like that. The way she smiles, walks, talks, kisses and loves- she took my breath away. She really shined and carried the whole movie. And in the end she broke my heart and I felt so much pain, I love that feeling, that means that the actor succeed to win me over. ;)
Chemistry between her and Hidetoshi was outstanding, their relationship in the movie was breathtaking, from those passionate sexy scenes in hot Bangkok and ventilator turned on while their naked and sweaty bodies were hungry for each other, through their sweet and romantic scenes in the car, boat and just walking around to those heartbreaking and full of sadness and desperate longing, they were fantastic.
There are a lot of holes and flaws, from the main one where guy is cheating and not loving his wife, marrying her only to be promoted and succeed in his career to the one where they realize that they love each other even after 25 years and once again they had to apart, yes but I still think Sayonara Itsuka is a great movie. It depicted a very real dynamic of love, one that puts the head against the heart in an inevitable lose-lose situation, one that was brought to life by great, if a-typical, characters and exquisite cinematography. For me this is one of the best movies ever in the genre of pure romance and has one of the most memorable endings which will stay with me forever.
"At death, some look back on being loved
While some look back on having loved…
I’ll definitely look back on having loved…”
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A big disappointment
this drama started strong with great plot and character motives , in the middle it became flat and they dragged it out for a very long time and finally a very rushed ending .they kept talking about how Hua or empress LV was vile and ruthless but we saw nothing like they gave her 10 minutes in the final episodes we wanted more but about her backstory we never got to know anything maybe some little details but it wasn't enough.
taohua needed to make her mind does she love zaiye or not the kept going back and forth and she leaving him for his own good so he doesn't get hurt It just dragged things out It wasn't good at all .
in the end when he wanted to save her so he took the poison was a stupid plot , I mean we get the FL to live but kill ML what is that .
they just wanted a sad ending for no reason , even at the end I don't get did he wake up or was she just dreaming "imagining" .
really disappointed , on the other hand acting , casting ,music and the plot at first were great.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
This is will read as a rant It's going to be brutal.
Let's start with the toxic representation of an Independent Woman.
Without a doubt Noh Ah Jeong character is the worst depiction of feminism I've seen in a while. I can't even call her a Candy girl because it would be disrespectful to the title. Who runs off and has a baby without notifying the father in this day and age? No self respecting woman will do that and there are no circumstances that justify it. Cheating is not a reason!!!!.
So she goes off and has a baby on her own without telling the father then proceeds to lie to both her mother and daughter for 14 years for her own selfish pride. And when given the opportunity (many opportunities) to come clean and confess she continues to lie and allows her daughter to disrespect her father based on false information. How are we supposed to like this character and the fact that they attempted to portray her as a victim was an insult to single mothers everywhere. This character was toxic to everyone around her.
After making her with an awful personality and character, they continue to demean her by making her pathetic. After being a talented and rising star in cinematography in college, all that is thrown away and she has accomplished nothing after 14 years. Apparently becoming a single mother is such a great sin that one can never be successful in life unless the father of your child shows up to shine the spotlight on your talent. The disrespect she was shown was totally unnecessary. What was so wrong in depicting a professional working mother utilizing her talents to support her family successfully. She should have been a notable PD in her field with a some measure of success. That she was scraping by whilst her peers were successful in their own right peeved me to no end because clearly she was less than because she was a WOMAN.
Suffice it to say the writing was abysmal for this show and the Chinese mafia - just No!
On a positive note the acting was well done especially by Uhm Chae Young and So Ho Jun. The cast really tried hard to carry this sad excuse of a script but nothing could save this from being the tragedy that it was. Was not a fan and would not recommend.
Was this review helpful to you?
The drama delivers on the story. The characters are interesting and even those we come to dislike are shown to have a different side to them.
Through most of the series, you feel sorry for the male lead, for what he goes through. But, in a gratifying sense, when he figures it all out, his reaction and the questions he asks are the very same ones that's been running in our mind until then.
The kid is very cute and has been used to obvious advantage throughout.
Another character that leaves an impression is that of Guang Xi's mother who is antagonistic from the beginning but gets a 180degree change in character later on.
The one problem I had with this drama is that I didn't like the character of the female lead for almost all of the drama. Most of the time, Mu Cheng acted like a damsel in distress, like she needed saving from someone or something. There was some level of sincerity to the character in the first part of the drama which is lost and I couldn't recover it in the latter half. I think all the lies and denial got to me.
The actors (save for the female lead for lack of expressions) are pretty good. The photogenic moments they show in the OST are beautiful but aren't really very significant moments in the drama itself.
The drama in all is very watchable for the situations and overall feel.
Was this review helpful to you?
Story:
I give the story a solid 8.5 or 9. It wasn't overly complex or mindblowing, however the writing was wonderful and full of emotion that most dramas neglect or don't bring out. I believe that the main focus in this show was to delve into the more psychological and highlight the relationships between people, and while yes there is some mystery, it wasn't very difficult to figure anything out. More important than solving the mystery was understanding why or what brought the people to this point. Especially important was the relationship between Sakaki and Torii--a friendship so beautiful I felt myself moved on several occasions, something very rare for me.
Acting:
The acting, in my opinion, was rather well done. While I've seen Inoue Masahiro before and therefore had a good idea of what to expect, I'd not had the experience of watching Akutsu Shintaro act before. I can definitely say I was impressed by how he portrayed Torii. The awkward movements, the interactions with Sakaki VS. everyone else, and his general appearance were all very believable and made me want to see even more from him.
Music:
It's difficult to say how good the music was based on the quality alone. However, it absolutely served its purpose. During the narrative scenes, it really increased the impact of the words and made me feel more strongly what was being said or spoken about. Instead of getting lost in the background or distracting from the beautiful script, it enhanced it. I really enjoyed it.
Rewatch:
Maybe in future I will rewatch this, though I don't think the impact will be as strong the second time around. However, simply to see Sakaki and Torii together again, I think I would definitely come back to this someday.
Overall I highly recommend this to most viewers. If you are a big mystery buff, I don't think this will be the best drama for you (the mysteries themselves aren't all that complex), but if you want to watch something quick and simple that isn't about all the usual drama tropes with a decent psychological theme, I would highly encourage all to give it a try.
Was this review helpful to you?
