Reviews

This groundbreaking, progressive drama really needs to be rediscovered by a new generation! Decades ahead of its time in its frank and explicit depiction of GLBT life, I’m absolutely astounded that this show aired in primetime in Japan ... all the way back in 1993! And scored 17% viewership! Though understandably dated in style now, this was a mainstream drama with good production values and acting and a theme song by none other than Mr. Children! While not exactly gritty or realistic, it’s definitely lacking the stylistic artifice of most modern BL dramas.

So it’s all the more shocking that it’s got gratuitous male nudity in almost every episode (all three male leads bare their butts multiple times), gay kisses, shower scenes, sex scenes, uh ... “self-love” scenes... Seriously, I have never seen such an explicit live action drama, and it is definitely on a par with the raciest animated yaoi OVAs. Top-tier hunk Kousuke (Takashima Masahiro) is certainly not shy about showing off in his skimpy leopard print bikini briefs (ahh, the 90s).

But it’s not just about the eye candy ... the theme is about love in all its forms, and the characters are sympathetic as we see how they make mistakes, fall in love and struggle to find happiness in a repressive society. The plot twists you definitely won’t see coming – love pentagons are more interesting and unpredictable when several members are queer, and the story takes some remarkable “Modern Family”-esque turns. Yes, the melodrama gets dialed up to 11 at times, and the plot goes completely off the rails in the second half (seriously, the last 15 minutes are one WTF moment after another), but it never stops being completely entertaining.

I watched this raw, so I got the gist of the story but missed out on a lot of the details. I implore any BL subbing group out there to overlook the age of this drama and please sub this so it can discover a wider audience. “Dousoukai” is a classic of Japanese GLBT culture and history, and not to be missed!

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What Does Life Truly Mean?

In this compelling story of "Fake It Till You Make It ", we embark on a profound journey to unravel the essence of life itself. Is it akin to a meticulously scripted movie where every piece effortlessly falls into place? Or do we navigate its twists and turns while relentlessly pursuing our desires? Our story delves into the myriad relationships and perspectives of a group of industrious young individuals from diverse professions. Even within the cocoon of love, there exist two distinct vantage points, each held by the parties involved.

In the pursuit of dreams and desires within the relentless rat race of our world, we often wear masks of pretense. We mold ourselves into someone we believe will garner admiration from others, for we reside in a world where pretense is the norm. We toil relentlessly, pushing our boundaries, sometimes sacrificing relationships, health, and happiness along the way. And then, at the culmination of it all, we find ourselves asking the ultimate question: Is it all worth it? Does it carry meaning?

Our story explores the very essence of falling in love, the significance of marriage, and the enigmatic nature of attraction between people. Should we surrender to the whims of fate, letting life take its course, or should we seize control and fight for our desires?

Throughout the story, we witness multiple examples that illuminate the diverse relationships and perspectives of our characters. Tang Ying, haunted by past heartache, yearns for a new relationship but fears rejection. Xu Ziquan, a flamboyant individual, shies away from committing to a lasting relationship. When their paths cross, burdened by their respective baggage and consumed by their careers, they struggle to prioritize their love. Eventually, they come to a realization: they must take a leap of faith, committing to each other wholeheartedly, regardless of the outcome, as long as they give it their all.

Lin Xinzi has always sought the perfect love, envisioning it with a man who embodies ideal looks, status, and wealth. Yet, when she believes she's found the one, she discovers herself suffocating in the suffocating embrace of Xu Jiabai's obsessiveness. After parting ways with Xu Jiabai and meeting Xia Tian, she learns that relationships need not adhere to a script, and life rarely unfolds as planned.

Every character depicted here exudes a striking realism. Encounters with individuals akin to Xu Ziquan, who shy away from commitment, are a common occurrence in our lives. Simultaneously, we often encounter characters like Tang Ying who crave reassurance and commitment at the same time also keeping an eye out for potentially better partners. While the Xu Jiabai character may be toxic, it undeniably mirrors a prevalent archetype in society. This dynamic is a familiar facet of the human experience. The value of this drama lies in its effort to delineate the characteristics of such individuals, enabling viewers to recognize them in real-life scenarios and make informed choices when navigating such relationships.

All the characters are meticulously crafted and portrayed, evolving authentically throughout their journeys. Elvis Han portrays Xu Ziquan's character with a familiarity that resonates with many viewers, while Elvira Cai's Tang Ying is captivating and utterly believable.

As the author poetically observes, "The city never stops; it won't pause for anyone, just like our lives. When we reflect upon the people we encounter, we realize that from the outset, we all strive to move forward and upward. Between pretense and reality, let's offer ourselves some soulful nourishment. Superiors, subordinates, rivals, friends - we often find ourselves trapped in various roles. We say what must be said and do what must be done, staunchly believing that this is life. However, as if scripted, just as pretense reaches its zenith, we stumble upon a universal truth -- prosperity, success, and happiness - these elements are never meticulously planned but are derived from our actual experiences."

"The city has introduced us to countless souls, each revealing the vastness of the world, beyond our wildest imagination. The path we choose should be uniquely ours; discard the well-crafted script. Through struggle and determination, seek a life that truly belongs to us. It's alright if we falter, and it's perfectly fine if we lose our way. What matters most is living in accordance with our heart's desires, for that is the essence of true freedom."

My Verdict

In our relentless pursuit of life's ambitions, there often comes a price. Tang Ying pays with her health, Xu Ziquan carries the weight of a broken relationship. As viewers, we too navigate life's labyrinth, occasionally finding ourselves adrift, much like Tang Ying and Xu Ziquan. However, if we view the lowest moments as transformative phases, we may eventually find our way, just as they do. Above all, let us approach life with expectations, appreciating the occasional moments of reaping its rewards, for therein lies the true essence of our existence, as the author puts it, "常常期待 有時收獲"

This captivating drama unfolds as a rich tapestry of life's profound lessons. It comes highly recommended for those seeking inspiration and introspection.

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Compelling idea but lacking any real development

I'd been looking forward to this drama since it was announced and went into it really interested and excited. Unfortunately it didn't live up to what I expected.
Truthfully I wasn't really sure what to expect, but after the writers introduced the several plotlines in the first episode, I was excited to see what they would do, and then nothing really happened. Every single plot point (connect, organ traffickers, serial killer, etc.) was underdeveloped and didn't really go anywhere meaningful. Nothing was explained (I'm guessing they're counting on another season for that) and it just sort of ended.
I also had a hard time liking the characters, which makes it really hard for me to get into a series. The only person I did like was Ha Dong Soo, but even he was a little sad and pathetic that it was difficult to get fully onboard with him. Again, I think this is due to being undeveloped.
The actors did a good job, but I don't think they were given enough to work with. Or maybe it was just how the story was actually filmed/put together. I'm not really sure, but in the end the whole thing felt like it was missing something vital.

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This drama is one of my favorite light hearted rom-com dramas...The main leads Sung Deok Mi and Ryan Gold had perfect chemistry and it is fun to watch them get close to each other. At times it felt that they weren't acting and that makes it even better. Their relationship was was very mature and sweet and very honest. One thing i loved about the drama was the unique storyline which shows that Deok Mi is a fan girl which is very relatable and it's very fun and interesting to watch. The way this drama was produced, the OSTS, the acting....it was amazingg!!! I definitely recommend watching it!

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Bad start but get's better

Sometimes you will see a cover and instantly know that this is just not for you.... but then you may look a bit closer and find out that Greg Hsu is the star and all of a sudden you just have to watch it for that smile.... But deep down inside you know that Greg is probably the only thing this movie has to offer.

And well it started off just like it´s cover suggested, annoyingly bad silly humour... Greg Hsu as a homophobic over the top jerk (with muscles) slightly painful to watch second hand embarrassment making me rethink my choice to watch it, but since Greg Hsu is the star and they trowed in a bunch of open minded granny's I stuck to it and it actually got better. Showing me yet again the Greg is a versatile actor (having like 10 personalities in this) and more then just a pretty face. The other male lead did a really good job too. Some twists where more predictable than others, actually most of them where predictable. the character development was however lovely and I think I may almost have shed a tear.

So I am not going to say this is great, but if you are a Fan of Greg Hsu or ghosts, this is not a bad place to watch them just don´t judge the movie by its cover or first 30 minutes or so. It does indeed get better. But honestly it is probably worth a 6,5 or a 7 but the cast and moments of brilliance (few as they are), as well as the presence of a cute dog truly adds a whole lot of stars.

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A really funny movie starred by 5 outstanding actors including Oguri Shun. I can't help laughing through out the duration of the film.

Why? As the five characters slowly investigate among themselves the truth behind the death of their gravure idol during her 1 year memorial anniversary, they unfold each other's personal lives and connection with the dead idol. During this time, they are all cooped up in a small apartment formulating reasons as to what really happened before and during the time of their idol's death.

If you think this is a boring film, well watch the movie and think again. This isn't your average film full of talk, mystery and well… more talk. This is one of those films that would make you scratch your head in the beginning, then seat straight-look-forward-to-screen in the middle and finally say "So that's what happened" in the end.

Its very entertaining to watch not that their acting was over the top, it was simply perfect. Every character portrayed themselves so well. The way they analyzed each other, puzzled things together and draw a conclusion to each scenario... it was very smart and witty. There were flashbacks to give a better visual of the scenarios they come up with and that definitely helped in building up the story and make the unfolding of the mystery more fun. I give kudos to the writer of this movie who made everything interesting.

Cinematography wise, it wasn't much since the focus is more on each characters who are talking inside a small room and as for the music I wasn't able to remember it much but it did somehow help as a background to build up the mood of the film.

Recommending this to those who like watching films which are more on the conversation side with mystery and comic relief on the side lines. BTW, there's no other film that I could compare it with since I think… it is one of a kind.

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ONE OF THE BEST SERIES IN 2021 [MAYBE SO FAR!]

I just completed watching ATOTS yesterday and i was like crying like a baby 😭😭🥺 like it does have a happy ending but still the fact that this series ended made me cry more 🥺 .This was such a beautiful series out there with the reality facing. Cuz love is not all about lust and sex but far more a real love is all about acceptance of each other and being together as far as you can.
This series is all about facing the reality not just about lovr but also other problems out there and realising their true self.
Cuz everyone just think that gay/lesbians always look on to making out and not about the reality in front of them. But here they just faced it together and we can see that phu[earth] is a realistic person who tries to wake tian if he is just in a fantasy world.
And coming to the cast EVERYONE each and everyone did a great job like everything was so perfect.Mix as a new actor made such a great acting that actually no one can believe that it is his first acting on the screen. If you guys just go through the official page of GMMTV in YouTube you can see the bts of ATOTS and how much risk did the mix had taken to become the TIAN we see in the screen. He just risked a lot.
And about EARTH as we all knw he is not a starter but to me this series will be the most recognizable role for him as an actor that may just changed his all profile just before.A leading role that got more attention than the water boy role. His character as PHUPHA is not a flirty but such a mature guy [ but changed in front of love in the end😂😍]was a reasonable and perfect guy that anyone could fall for. He did this role so perfect.
And all other cast like khatong,drake,kids, white and all others who lived in pha phan dhao mountain made this story more realistic that even we can feel like we are among them.
And about the OST! It will really give you that cold feel of pha phan dhao mountain whenever you hear it 😍😍. Such a worthy drama and let's wish one day they can make a Season 2😍.

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I'll keep it short since there are already many other very thorough reviews, but this really is a lovely show for true romance fans. To start on a very superficial note: the leads are beautiful, the secondary characters as well. The costumes are wonderful, it is very well shot, and with its sweet, dreamy and melancholic atmosphere, this show is a real treat. The acting is strong, though perhaps Park Bo Gum shines even more than Kim Yoo Jung (whose looks are so ethereal in this show, she almost looked like an alien, albeit a very very pretty alien), as he conveys the giddy romantic feelings of his character (those cheeky smiles!)  as well as the depths of his sadness (those teary eyes!) wonderfully. His character is extremely touching in that he is very open about his feelings, all while being admirably witty and quick on the political front. This is a show that really treats its viewers more than the usual in the romance department (I would say about 10 episodes are purely romantic), though it does take a bit of a backseat in the last 2-3 episodes. However by then the drama had set so much intensity between the leads that I didn't resent it too much. The two secondary characters, aristocratic Yoon Sung and rebel Byung Yeon, are really worth mentioning as well, as their complicated loyalties make a very touching story. I loved how the drama showed examples of people intertwined in difficult circumstances that sometimes de facto opposed them to the ones they cared about, but how somehow despite their allegiances and actions they never betrayed each other at heart, because they were coherent with themselves and with their values, and because there was a general trust and respect amongst these characters that admirably avoided many of the cheap misunderstandings dramas often give us. Overall this show went above my expectations in terms of romance (compared to the regular romantic drama), all while maintaining a clever, subtle tone that never made me feel dumb as a viewer. It's a romance drama with quality.

P.S: I actually dropped this show several times in the first couple of episodes because it was perhaps a bit too goofy for me, though I really started to feel invested around episode 3 when the leads start to connect more.

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I was very reluctant to watch Dr. John because I am not a big fan of hospital dramas. I am however a big fan of Ji Sung, and as Dr. Cha/John he doesn't disappoint. This drama is a great showcase of his talent, and this character is a unique and memorable one. The Doctor with issues genre is a little cliché but this drama does a really great job of creating an interesting story about doctors, and what ultimately motivates them, without being too sappy or cheesy. It's also best to watch without knowing anything and just trust that everything will come together and make complete sense eventually. Based on the first episode I had no idea what to expect, but one thing I knew from the very beginning, Ji Sung is awesome and that was enough for me! His abs are just an added bonus.

What I loved most about Ji Sung's performance is that Dr. Cha is often very poker-faced and hard to read, and when he was emotional it was usually very subtle where just a simple look from him, or tap of his finger, could break my heart, or get me excited. He is matched with Lee Se Young as Dr. Kang Shi Yeong, who is pretty young in comparison, so I wasn't sure if they would match well or have any chemistry. I was definitely wrong about that and she was often great at matching his subtle intensity and definitely held her own in all of their scenes together. This is less of a cute romantic pairing and more about watching two people inspire each other to be better. I really enjoyed how they worked together and complimented each other.

As for the rest of the cast, there are supporting characters that I loved and others that were a little annoying. I absolutely loved the team of doctors in the Pain unit, especially Hwang Hee as Dr. Lee Yoo Joon (aka the poor man's Gong Yoo). It felt as if I was actually watching a team bond and come together. On the flip side, I was much less interested in characters like Nurse Chae and prosecutor Son Suk Ki. I thought their story was interesting and resolved well, and I did empathize with them initially, but eventually, their actions became way too repetitive for me to continue to care. A large part of the "mystery" in this story revolves around them and they became my least favorite part of the story. I did like how the story took its time in revealing what was happening, but I wished some parts weren't dragged out for so long once things were revealed, especially in the later episodes. The last few episodes were definitely the weakest.

What I surprisingly did like a lot were the random stories of patients. They were extremely interesting, and their diagnosis was like solving mini-mysteries. Some moments are a little graphic, but never without reason. Many of them also stuck to the show's main themes about what the role of doctors can/should be and the more controversial topic of euthanasia. All of the stories are handled with respect and without heavy-handed judgment, which I think is what makes this show so thought-provoking. Maybe that's why I liked it more than I usually like other hospital dramas.

Would I watch this again? Yes, I can see myself watching this again, although I may be tempted to just skip past a few parts. Some of the mystery would definitely be gone, but it's still entertaining enough to hold my interest. I also think the soundtrack generally complimented this drama well.

Overall, I think this is a great drama to watch, even if you're not into medically-based stories because the mystery element makes it all more entertaining. The love story feels real, although it may not satisfy fans who like a strong focus on romance. It's at times heartbreaking, and frustrating, but also inspiring. The patient's stories are strong enough to override the weak hospital rivalry stories, but overall the hospital atmosphere also felt very real. I am curious about the book this is loosely based on, but I think this drama definitely stands on its own. I also don't understand why Cha translates to "John" but no matter what you call him Ji Sung nailed the role! This is yet another drama that won't be added to my favorites list, but I can't deny what this drama does well and that I am glad I watched it. By the end, I felt good, without there being an extra cheesy feel-good resolution. If you don't think you have a high threshold for dramas like this, give this one a chance, and you may be surprised like I was. I prescribe at least 4 episodes of Dr. John before making a decision. Just like this drama's themes show repeatedly, you can't always go by your first impression, and Dr, John definitely deserves a chance to really be seen, especially if you are a Ji Sung fan. If you're not, I suspect you'll become one after watching!

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This is a good drama. I actually like the leading girl on this one, which is rare for me. She might have been annoying at first episodes but I really end up liking her.
She was responsible and kind but not someone you can easily just step on.

I Just watched The King's Avatar and Go Go Squid and had previously watched Love o2o, although they are different there are certain similarities (well, they mostly have the same themes LOL) I think this perfectly filled the lack of romance from the king's avatar, a better leading lady from go go squid and as sweet as the love story of Xiao Nai and Wei Wei.

The entire drama is cute and a definite "feel good" kind of drama. It'll make you laugh, cry and jump in joy. There were ups and downs but it the time that I spent on watching this was definitely worth it.

This drama introduced Yibo to me so, Kudos!

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favorite drama

I started Meet Yourself only because of Liu Yi Fei and at first I wasn‘t sure if a Slice of Life drama with 40 Episodes could be good and not turn out super boring but I was totally worried for nothing. This drama is perfect, was everything I could every hoped for, a masterpiece with a good overall plot, many interesting side stories and full of likable characters. This is now my favorite C-Drama I ever watched.
Liu Yi Fei she is one of my favorite chinese actresses and I was so expected about her new drama, Hong Dou was made for her, she was amazing and became one of my Top 3 favorite FL.
It was my first drama with Li Xian but surely not my last. Xie Zhi Yao is husband goals, he was sich a caring ML, I loved it.
They are such a perfect couple, healthy relationship with the best Communication!
Favorite side character is Damai, I adored her from the start. I found her story also really interesting, she went from hiding in her room to have a amazing friends group that support each other. The friendship between Hong Dou, Damai and Nana was also my favorite! Loved that trio.
All the grannies were also highlights and made this drama so special.
If this place would be real I would move there myself.
Highly recommend this amazing drama!!

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I personally recommend this one. This drama is one of my favorites and will remain for the rest of my life!

This gives you the best of Yoom Eun Hye. Actually, it made me huge fan of her. A thin girl, with no makeup and short hair made her the cutest boy on the planet. Though, the girl disguised as a boy plot, is ancient but this drama adds a new charm to it. Gong Yoo did amazing as the lead. His character left an imprint on me. I have not dared to watch him in any other drama due to the only reason that I want him to remember as Manager Choi of Coffee Prince.
The chemistry between the pair is worth dying for. As for music, I was so busy watching Eun Hye, I hardly remember.

Others characters also add to the awesomeness of the drama. You just can't stop after Episode One. It gives you the warmest feeling ever.

P.S. You'll drink twice as much coffee as now, after watching this.

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OH! MY! GOSH! What an amazing drama this was.
I started this drama this on a whim and boy, am I glad I did. Ever since I started watching this I couldn't stop; I found myself binge-watching. Spectacularly done. Now let's get into this review.

STORY:
Warning: By no means is this drama full of fluff and such. If that's what you're looking for then find yourself elsewhere. If, however, you are willing to take up the challenge of not breaking your computer/phone/tablet screen due to your anger, then this is the drama for you. This drama is all about ENDURANCE. Yes, endurance. You'll definitely need that for this drama. There are points in this drama where it will be tested. Trust me.

First off, I don't think people should be intimidated by the amount of episodes. It's going to have you so hooked you won't even know how fast the episodes are passing.
There is something I learnt in school when giving critiques about something or someone - 'Sandwich Critiques. You start good, mention the bad in the middle and then end good. That way, overall, it'll sound good and make people feel like they did good. I think this could have also applied to this drama. Give us some good, some bad in the center and then some more good at the end. But No. This drama didn't want to. From the beginning it was throwing stones at ya! BAM! BAM! BAM! One thing after the other. It seemed as though that things were just not meant to go the right way and things just went from bad to worse to 'worse-er' (if you'll allow me :D).

Of course it couldn't be all bad. We had an amazing ball of sunshine: Im Ha-Yoon. What a cupcake. We also had our side couples who would give us some laughs before we went back to the battle feel.

This drama really was a beast in some ways. But be not afraid, there is a nice pot of gold awaiting you at the end of the rainbow :).  Satisfying!
P.S This drama will just make you fall head-over-heels for Gun-Woo. This man's devotion is no joke! *Faints* Perfectly perfect (too bad he only exists in a drama)

ACTING
Honestly, I don't think they could have picked a better cast for this drama. This is my first time meeting Lee Yoon Ji and I must say, she made me fall in love with her acting. She did a great job portraying the character. And boy! Can this girl cry or what? Her crying came so naturally for her - it was amazing. I'm sure after she was finished with this drama she had no tears to cry for a year. HAHA! As for our handsome man Son Seung Won - handsome indeed. Another oppa to be added to my already larger-than-life list! He's relatively new to acting and he hasn't had any main roles before this drama, but I think he did pretty good. And this was a long ass drama so yeah, 'pretty good' in an understatement. Kim Mi-Kyung, this ajumma that's everywhere tsk. I love her. I've only ever know her as a good person, so seeing her acting this evil was a punch to the gut for me. BUT she was so amazing in her role. I respect her. GO! Kim Mi-Kyung! This was also my first time seeing Lee Ha Yul in action very handsome. Not my first time with Ha Yun Joo; very pretty. They just had to play the bad role though, didn't they... Nevertheless, very convincing.
Shout out to the supporting roles. Honestly, without them this drama would have been as cheerful as a graveyard, if you get what I'm saying. They provided lots of laughs and peace to soothe the aching hearts of not only the main characters but the audience as well.  

All in all, everyone did an amazing job. They made you feel all the suffering, anger and joy along with them.

MUSIC
Honestly, I don't know. Was there any music in this? Hmmm. There was?! Oh, my bad. I was a bit too indulged in the drama to notice it. Yes, that's how bad I was.


Other Notes
Honestly, I really wanted to see more of Myung-Sun and Gwang-Soo. They were my sunshine in this drama. Too funny. ALSO! HOW! How could they not show us Myung-Sun's daughter at the end?! WHY? Why did you do this to me. An interaction with Gwang-soo and his daughter was much need....for me at least. I was so looking forward to that. :(

Also I felt like there were a few loose ends in this drama. But nothing much to worry about. Overall, it was great! Now. On to my next drama. Bye~

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If the viewer has a bit of patience, My Brother will reward them with a relatable tale of sibling rivalry and its consequences. Since it is a slice of life and character study, it has a slow pace with which to reveal its core message. The individual plot happenings are not as meaningful apart as they are as a whole. This unfortunately means that the story feels like it's meandering...until you've seen the entire film. Personally once it all hit me, I instantly began reflecting on my own family and my behavior toward them. There's a big emotional impact.

What's better than having Won Bin star in a film? Having him perform alongside Shin Ha Kyun. The two are chameleon actors with a lot of chemistry (no doubt from previously working together on Guns and Talks); they really seemed like brothers despite looking nothing alike. Many viewers will relate to Won Bin's Jong Hyun, especially if they've ever felt their parent has played favorites. He's the more human of the two brothers, delinquent, rude, and jealous...but also loving and inwardly kind. It's a complex part that I lost Won Bin in; I totally forgot it was him for the longest time despite his unique look.

Shin Ha Kyun's Sung Hyun is something of a saint in comparison; he's sweet, smart, perpetually patient, the beloved son. Despite the fact this is also how Jong Hyun jealously sees him, Sung Hyun suffers a lot too. He was born with a harelip and never has an easy time of anything, even establishing a good relationship with his younger brother. Shin is fresh-faced and subtle here, a perfect foil to Won Bin's dynamic performance.

Unfortunately, My Brother will not be to everyone's tastes. The music was nothing special and, as mentioned before, the story is slow. So this is not a re-watch friendly movie; once you've seen it, there's nothing to go back for unless the interaction between the leads impressed you. The one time you do see it is definitely worth it though.

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I would give this an 8, which for me means, I liked it a lot, but I'm giving it an extra point because it has masterpiece qualities to it. It's such a unique drama. It's short, slow paced, and it doesn't focus on a direct story line, but it has such a powerful way of invoking the feels through it's atmosphere, music, dialogue and characters. This drama just had a unique way of coming out of the screen and working on the inside of me. There were several moments where I felt touched and moved, but what was interesting was that it was not in a way you would expect. It was different in a good way. It was even sad, but in a good way. I also really loved the movie quality film production, and the acting was very good.

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