Reviews

Heartbreaking film based on a true story- prepare your tissues!

This film was definitely worth the long wait for decent English subs! I don't even know where to begin...

It was so well written and it absolutely breaks my heart to read that this plot is based on a true story. Watchers can see the growth of Lawyer Jung Yup who didn't agree that bystanders were guilty of the crime in the beginning of the film become someone who was first to stand up and protect Da Bin.

The actors all did an amazing job, especially the child actress who played Da Bin and the actress who played the evil stepmother. It must have been extremely difficult to act in either position (the victim or perpetrator) so I applaud them both for embodying their roles. I read an article saying that several actresses even rejected to play the role of the stepmother but the actress who accepted, Yoo Sun, did it to spread awareness. I truly hated the stepmother ever since she came onto screen and still hate the real person who committed this crime in the real case. How can the law punish these criminals so lightly?

Additionally, the music in this film was very good. The dramatic ominous BGM matches the hard-to-watch child abuse scenes and the sad string instrument BGM makes you immediately absorbed into the tear-jerking scene. Those sad scenes made me cry multiple times throughout the movie so definitely prepare yourself! I was practically bawling by the time the trial ended.

Most importantly, this film brings awareness to the problematic issue of the law regarding child abuse (in Korean) and how people don't report the abuse when they see it and ignore it. Da Bin grew to distrust adults since they failed to help her and her brother leave her dangerous home on many occasions. This is a very meaningful message behind this film and I hope that those who watch can learn and gain the strength to help others when they see they need it. Well, at least I will do my best if the situation arises. We need more people like Jung Yup and the young boy, Jang Ho, who helped Da Bin in this film.

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Thank you, this is the worst series I've ever watched

I will be extremely honest (And I will try my best not to give spoilers, I promise):

To begin with, this series presents us with 2 different stories. This series is actually a story that is being told by a man in the square. From episode 1 to 16 it is a story about a spy who is the princess's look-alike and switches places with her to spy on the palace.
For some reason in episode 17, the people who are listening to the story get angry, and say that the story "didn't end well!", so the man who is telling the story decides to start all over again, and tell a new story TOTALLY changing the story. origin and personality of the characters. It's no joke, LITERALLY THIS happens.
They completely ignore the story of episodes 1 to 16. There were people who died, there were moments when we felt distressed, but they simply said "That didn't happen, forget it, let's start over" and excluded these characters. In the new story they only kept about 4 characters (along with the protagonists), and the rest they threw away and changed the cast.

Now let’s get to the specific points:
* The main couple is only a couple out of pure convenience, as there is practically no romantic development for them.

*All the other couples in the series are better than the protagonists! It's no joke, any other romantic story within the series is better. Actress Bai Lu plays 2 characters with 2 romantic stories, and the 2 romances are better than the main romance. Actress Zhao Lu Si's romance story is also better, and the emperor's lover's romance story is also better... Anyway, even the TRAGIC romantic stories that happen in the series are more beautiful than the main couple's romance.

*The female protagonist is only intelligent when it suits her, she is completely stupid for most of the series, acting like a child, then when something goes wrong she becomes the reincarnation of Sherlock Holmes.

*Everyone in the series hates her and wants her to die or go back to her palace, even the protagonist acts as if "it doesn't matter" to him.

* The secondary plots are attractive, but the main plot is this nonsense from the protagonists and it's very boring. If the story were about General Feifang's story, I believe it would be incredible, but it's not. I only felt relieved when these other characters appeared on the scene. I might have been angry with them (since some of them were bad), but at least I felt something.

*GOOD SIDE OF WATCHING Untouchable Lovers:

- I managed to watch Zhao Lu Si playing the villain;
- Now I have a series to put on the podium as "Worst series I've ever watched". So, whenever I watch something bad, I can say: "This show may be bad, but nothing beats the HORROR that was Untouchable Lovers."

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My stages of watching Gameboys 2020

*grin like an idiot*
*ugly cry*
*shake my head because I still can't believe how realistic this BL is*
*smile till it hurts my cheeks*
*squeal like a 16 years old girl*
*cry and somehow laugh at the same time*
*nod vigorously because I relate so much*
*hold my chest because heart is shattering*
*cry all the tears of my body*
*blush from all the cuteness*
*pinch myself to make sure this drama really does exist*
*grin like an idiot*
... and repeat for thirteen episodes straight.

Here is my review for Gameboys 2020. Thank you for reading.

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Something's weird with the summary but anyway it was already mentioned before.
I thought this drama/special (call it how you want) was really good, because it talked about something important in our society. I thought it would be light, but it was actually serous. Yet it was also beautiful and gives hope, and that's what makes it beautiful.
Lee Jong Suk and Jun Ye Seo's acting are also really good and the ost is really beautiful.
I also think it has a good rewatch value, because it can make everybody understand new things :)
The story is not only about illness, nor love. It's about relationships between people, and other deep values of our society.
I advise you to watch it, but be ready for the feels!

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Good watch but pace slows down and doesn't pick up

Story: great beginning with a funny scenes thrown in. The struggles of being a detective, and a police officer at that are well portrayed. There's a good fast pace as they rush to save the death row convict's life. Then things trickle down when they fail too. I think they reveal all the cards too early in the drama and where they aren't, it is too easy to guess 'who-done-it' which kills the suspense. Feel like Ji-Hyeok's childhood trauma wasn't brought out as well as it could have been which made it hard to really empathise with him.

Acting: commendable acting all round, can't really fault it. Do-Chang and Ji-Hyeok make a great time . Seo-Kyung did a great job with her role, didn't feel cringey as is common with many FLs in K-dramas. Jong-Tae is not the cliché psycho killer common in many drams which is refreshing . The Violent Crimes team two is also good fun to watch, especially Dong-Wook's baseball scene.

Summary: enjoy the first nine episodes or so to follow the story. It makes for good lazy Sunday afternoon watch after that.

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There are a few times when I rated a drama with 9. But this one really desrves it. The couple was adorable, and they had great chemistry which helped a lot with the progress of the story. Actually, the love story was really good, sweet and cute. I espicially loved the leading lady, who was fangirl goals. The addition of that in the plot mix was very clever. The plot, in addition, was well constructed and the story didn't get boring or frustrating. The events followed one another, even though the plot twist in the end was too cliche, as it has happen to too many dramas, but I will forgive them since the rest of the show was good. I also enjoyed the OST.
So, 9 out of 10.

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A League of Nobleman: Where Truth and Vengeance Collide in a Dance of Shadows

Introduction:

“A League of Noblemen” isn’t just a drama; it’s a journey into the very soul of its characters. It begins as a quiet mystery, but unfolds into a complex tapestry of emotions, where every choice, every word, and every silent glance between the leads holds profound significance. It lures you in with its beauty, grips you with its psychological complexity, and leaves you breathless with its hauntingly beautiful moments. This is a story of redemption, sacrifice, and the blurred line between justice and revenge—a story that makes you believe, if only for a moment, that the world is as fragile as the emotions we hide deep within ourselves.

Plot & Story:

At its heart, A League of Nobleman is a tale of two men, bound not by destiny, but by the heavy burden of their pasts. Lan Jue (Jing Bo Ran), a Vice Minister haunted by his father’s wrongful death, lives in a world where every step is calculated, every word carefully measured, as he seeks to clear his family name. His emotional conflict is as palpable as the silk robes he wears, smooth, delicate, yet fragile beneath the weight of his secrets. “Is justice worth the price of my soul?” he seems to ask, torn between his desire for revenge and his growing understanding of the cost of truth.

In contrast, Zhang Ping (Song Wei Long), a naive scholar with an almost obsessive pursuit of truth, embodies the purity and conviction of youth. “The truth must be uncovered, no matter the cost,” his heart seems to cry, even as he naively stumbles through a world full of darkness and deception. Their paths cross, and though their initial relationship is one of rivalry and distrust, it slowly, like a delicate flower, grows into something far deeper. What begins as a clash of ideals becomes a meeting of two fractured souls, seeking not just justice, but understanding.

Each case they tackle is more than just a puzzle; it’s a mirror, reflecting their own struggles with morality, their pasts, and the futures they’re fighting for. The mysteries, as complex as they are, serve only as the backdrop for the rich emotional and psychological battles the characters face. The story’s depth lies not in its twists, but in how it forces you to confront your own beliefs about right and wrong, and whether the end truly justifies the means.

Character Dynamics:

What sets A League of Nobleman apart from other dramas is its remarkable depth of character. Lan Jue and Zhang Ping are more than just protagonists; they are two halves of a whole, each embodying a different side of humanity’s moral struggle. Their relationship is not one of immediate camaraderie, but one that develops slowly, delicately, like the weaving of two threads into a single, unbreakable bond. Their connection is profound, built on shared pain and the mutual recognition of each other’s flaws. Each time they exchange a glance or a word, it feels like they are slowly stripping away their own facades, revealing the vulnerability that binds them.

The chemistry between them is understated but undeniably powerful. Where others might expect sparks to fly, the quiet, almost imperceptible shifts in their bond, each look laden with meaning, each moment of silence filled with unspoken understanding, speak volumes. There is something deeply poetic in how their relationship grows: “It is not the grand gestures, but the quiet moments, the subtle exchanges, that reveal the depth of love and trust,” their story whispers to us.

Lan Jue is a man of contradictions, torn between his loyalty to his father’s memory and his growing empathy for the very system he’s trying to destroy. Jing Bo Ran’s portrayal of Lan Jue is nothing short of mesmerizing; with each scene, he breathes life into a character whose every movement, every glance, betrays a mind always at war with itself. His journey is one of immense emotional complexity—struggling not only with his external enemies but with his internal battles, his deepest fears, and his most painful memories.

Zhang Ping, portrayed by Song Wei Long, is the mirror image of Lan Jue—young, idealistic, yet increasingly aware of the grey areas of the world he once saw as black and white. His transformation is nothing short of breathtaking. From the brash, unyielding truth-seeker to a man who understands the painful necessity of compromise, his journey is a testament to growth, loss, and the acceptance of the world’s complexities.

Gu Qing Zhang (Wang Duo), whose arrival midway through the drama shifts the tone, adds an additional layer of emotional intensity. His obsession with his mother’s approval and his tragic descent into madness offer a chilling counterpoint to the internal battles of Lan Jue and Zhang Ping. His presence serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most destructive force is not an enemy, but our own unresolved desires and the ghosts of our past. “The past is never truly gone—it lingers, like the scent of roses long after the petals have fallen,” his story seems to say.

Cinematography & Visuals:

Visually, the drama is stunning. The sets are beautiful but understated, and the cinematography captures every emotion perfectly. The muted tones and occasional bursts of color reflect the inner turmoil of the characters. Lan Jue’s white robes, flowing freely in the wind, symbolize his internal chaos, as he walks a fine line between his past and his future. The visuals aren’t just pretty—they enhance the emotional weight of the story.

Soundtrack & Sound Design:

The music is subtle, but it adds so much to the atmosphere. It doesn’t overpower the scenes but blends perfectly with the emotions at play. Whether it’s the quiet piano in moments of introspection or the dramatic music during tense scenes, the soundtrack feels like an extension of the characters’ emotions. It’s almost as if the music is speaking the words they can’t say.

Final Thoughts:

A League of Noblemen is a journey worth taking. It’s a drama that goes beyond solving crimes. It’s about understanding human nature, the choices we make, and the internal battles we fight. The characters are rich, the plot is compelling, and the emotional depth is something rare in this genre. Even with its occasional missteps, it’s a drama that will make you feel, think, and perhaps even question your own sense of right and wrong.

If you’re a fan of character-driven stories, where the emotional journey is just as important as the plot, A League of Nobleman is a must-watch.

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A sensitive, fond portrayal of dealing with being stuck in time

I found this drama completely on accident at Viki and watched it all in one sitting!

With short 8 episodes, this drama will grab your attention at the first and make you cry at least once. It has that magical jdrama ability of hitting you right in the feels without needing any showy imaginaries. The plot is tight and to the point: a cherry tree miracle happened -- a high school young man is revived 7 years later the date of his death to make his best friend/love interest wish of being confessed under a cherry tree come true, only his previous tight group of friends are distant now they are all adults, and the tree is going to be cut down soon. The main theme, for me, is getting back on track after something really impactful happened to you.

The cast is amazing, full of young actor who are really great. The main lead, especially, is so good. He is portraying a character forever 17 years old, in the middle of friends who grew to be 24 when he couldn't, and it's amazing how he looks the part. You can feel on his behavior, the way he moves, the way he talks, the way he sleeps (!!!) that he's only 17, not an adult yet, and it's heartbreaking. Not only the characters but also the viewers start to wonder what life would be like if the accident had never happened.

The pace, the editing, the sensibility of the director, the subtle ost that binds everything together, all of that leaves a harmonious impression. It's a human story, full of life, sweet story that explores human emotions in a way that Japanese dramas excel at. And it doesn't get sloppy.

You definitely should give it a chance!

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"Where's the love in that?" —Kashiwagi Tatsuya

Many consider the 1990’s a golden age in Japanese drama. It’s been said there was a certain spark at that time, an outpouring of talented writers and actors, even more daring scripts and sizzling romances. Unfortunately I have yet to experience many of these gems from another era. But after Hitotsu Yane no Shita (Under One Roof), believe me when I say they will be a priority and a must! As one whose go-to genre must be considered “family,” I cannot remember the last time I’ve seen one as memorable or involving. Plus the screenwriter is Nojima Shinji (Pride), so how can you go wrong?

Viewers join Kashiwagi Tatsuya—or An-chan—as he attempts first to reunite with his scattered siblings, then to keep them together again. But can blood ties bridge seven years’ worth of separation, resentment, and loneliness? Are they better off as a family or apart in their new situations? Hitotsu Yane no Shita ventures to answer these questions, focusing on the Kashiwagis and their struggle to live both as individuals and a family. Each sibling is granted their own plot line, from which many types of stories spring (some with shockingly mature themes); these build up throughout the series and connect to the final arc with a masterful touch. What stays constant across the board is the unique humor and gentle warmth that allows Hitotsu Yane no Shita continued relevance. One might connect deeply with the members of the Kashiwagi clan, and then leave the drama feeling they’d all grown a lot. What an incredible experience—though I must admit I didn’t watch quickly. It would have meant saying goodbye to this wonderful family, and I wasn't ready to for a while.

For those familiar with Wakamono Tachi, they are very similar to one another. They have the same high-speed bickering, brotherly wrestling matches, etc.

Casting a family must be tricky. If one member fails to ignite chemistry with the others, you can bet the whole thing will be thrown askew. But have you seen this cast? It’s pretty much perfect for the purpose. First we have Eguchi Yosuke, now an exquisite veteran actor, but apparently he could carry a drama even twenty years ago. His An-chan is a lovable dummy who follows his heart with admirable determination and adores Ken-Ken the Dog (Muttley from Whacky Racers!); beneath all his silly bluster, An-chan is reliable, hard-working, and every bit a pillar of strength. Eguchi-san proves his ability to perform comically and turn right around with the most believable tears time and again. The second brother Masaya/”Chi-niichan,” lands us another present-day veteran in Fukuyama Masaharu. Perhaps being a good friend to Eguchi-san helped, but their scenes make you believe they might actually be brothers. An early episode between the two could be considered one of the best of the series for that matter. And if you allow me a moment’s shallowness, both are as cute as anything in Hitotsu Yane no Shita.

Of the other Kashiwagi siblings, most memorable are Yamamoto Koji and Sakai Noriko. Sakai-san performs beautifully as the backbone of the Kashiwagis, the adopted daughter Koyuki; her presence is calm, gentle one without being pretentious, and there’s a maternal strength in her performance that’s very appealing.

For someone who grew up in the 90’s, Hitotsu Yane no Shita is a delightful nostalgia trip. Every single track sent me back in time and was an utter delight, especially paired with the series. Probably most memorable will be the fantastic theme song, “Saboten no Hana” by TULIP; between this and the family Muttley-laugh, there's a lot that I'll take away from this series. You can bet it's worth watching twice, too~

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My heart aches

Ahh I must say the movie is very well made , the actors are v good I usually don’t really watch movies/series without skipping at least one scene but I didn’t skip any scenes sooo must be a good movie!! I was soooo invested in the story but the ending !! I cannot be any more heartbroken , I thought they were going to end up together low key thought he died at one point lmao but vvvv good movie , realistic ending I guess? I feel like they should’ve made it a drama cause I feel there could be so much more to the story like his relationship with his father?
Also I want to want to go to an electronic festival now lol looks so much fun!!

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Not a fairytale with happy ending but not something you should miss...

It's a quite complicated to understand but it's still worth to watch, first thing it does not ending which usually is like they lived happily ever after so if you are looking something like that then it's not the place to find. It's a beautiful love story which makes you smile but also have a big twist that left you shocked.

It was well executed, acting was good it is far better than other movies about time travel but it also left with many unanswered questions so it does have many plot holes. It's definitely a tearjerker that will let you cry until the end and you'll get a unsatisfied ending also, but it still worth to watch because it's like true life we don't get everything as we want.

I'll definitely recommend you if you are not softhearted person, it's a heartwarming and tragic story but it will also give you some pleasant moments!!

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YAY OR NAY?!

This is my first time writing a review here in MDL so bear with me please...
I've recently finish watching Love At Night 2 days ago and here's my final thought regarding this drama stating what I like and what I dislike.

WHAT I LIKE :

1. Trailer — the trailer is very promising that 2 weeks before the airing date made me anticipate into watching.

2. Love At Night — the title itself is captivating that my mind goes into wildest (XD not something what you have thought)

3. Zhang Yu Xi and Liu Xue Yi — The reason I watched this was because of Zhang Yu Xi as I am a fan of her previous dramas. Although I am not familiar with Liu Xue Yi but as I dug deeper about him made me wants to familiarize him.
4. The chemistry — The Main lead has this oozing chemistry, although I haven't watched their previous drama LOVE AND REDEMPTION but I can sense already that they have a good pairing..

5. Their Acting — Zhang Yu Xi is great at portraying Xu Qing You and Liu Xue Yi as Mo Ling Ze and it is praiseworthy..

6. The 10 episodes — I guess thats my favourite episodes so far in the drama as I scored it high 9 for me...


WHAT I DISLIKE:

1.After ep 10— the plot has gone draggy and more on water fillers inserted. It would be nice if they keep it shorter. As the drama lost it's main pace.

2. Side Characters — I like the main characters but when they inserted the side couples ( Xu Qing Yu's bestie and little brother) I started to skip more and more as they have more screen time than the Main CP. Also other characters (the both exes ) are very annoying that it made the story worth not watching. Lastly, the childish obsessive fan of Mo Ling Ze , although she has her love line near the end with Mo Ling Ze's assistant but her actions are not very irritating to watch.

3. The ending — I don't know if it is happy or not . As they resolved some issues near end which made me keep wondering ???? ... It seems like its a rush ending with crappy theme..


If I were to rate it I would give it 7.5 over all...

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Enjoyable and funny mini-show with time travel theme

What a wonderful mini-show. This is one of these small hidden gems I’m sometimes lucky enough to stumble upon. The storyline of traveling between two worlds (or time travel) isn’t new but I don’t think I have ever seen one where the portal connects a living room in modern time and a bedroom in ancient time - allowing them to go through time/space any time they want.
Character wise we get this sweet FL that is a bit air headed but resourceful, a ML who is strong and clever, a not too smart princess and a general that is kind of a genius but also soft hearted. There are also a couple of interesting side characters.
Acting wise this might not reach the top but the actors all do a good job portraying their characters. Since it’s a comedy we always have to take into account that the characters are supposed to be a bit silly. Especially the general’s Kung Fu, is hilarious. I also loved the princess the King was originally supposed to marry - what a strong woman, LOL.
I enjoyed this mini-show a lot and since the ending is kind of open, I hope to see a season 2.
Anyway, if you like a sweet and romantic comedy - with a parallel world/time travel theme - this is well worth watching.

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