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Winter Is Not the Death of Summer but the Birth of Spring
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It is based on a true story
The book took 44 years to write, based on a true story, the story is complex but you realize why it had that ending, prison can be cruel, it makes you make decisions that you don't like just for your own benefit, the series itself is very good, totally recommended.The story is a bit slow, but entertaining, it catches you and gives you a new perspective, it is not a common and current series, it is not the typical Thai bl, it is very different but that does not mean that it is bad.
Both actors played their roles really well, you could tell their feelings and what was going on in their minds. The entire cast and production were excellent, I loved the songs chosen.
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1This review may contain spoilers
Wandee has the personality of a flip-flop
Why was Wandee ready to be boyfriends with Ter, the guy who had the personality of a two-in-one shampoo but needed 12 episode to accept Yoryak? Make it make sense?!?!Like, I don’t understand why Wandee was playing hard to get? Dude, Yoryak found you in the dumpster, in between two trash cans. Please, stop playing hard to get, he already saw you at your worse and still wants you.
That being said, I tuned in to this show every week because GreatInn were amazing. Loved how their chemistry was chemistrying and the plot was watchable. The second couple were good as well, Cher has my whole heart. All in all, an enjoyable show, but still some things annoyed me, so here we are.
Because, for a show about having a good day, it sure as hell ruined my day.
CHARACTERS
Listen. I liked YORYAK. He was in the running for my fav character along with Cher. I was rooting for him. Sure I had no idea what was up with that random grim reaper character that showed up whenever the writers remembered there’s supposed to be a guy in a cape for the plot-line, but still I liked him.
Then the finale happened and undid all that, making me think he’s an ungrateful jerk. Because his brother, Oye, gave up his dream, got beaten up by loan sharks and almost lost ruin his relationship, all to make Yoryak’s dream come true. But what does Yoryak do when he finally makes it to the top? Immediately dedicate his win to his fake boyfriend with benefits. Literally you met him like four seconds ago!
Dafug you mean this win is mostly because of you, and this championship belt is yours??? No it’s not! Wandee did nothing, this had nothing to do with him! Matter of fact he stressed you out with his indecisiveness so much you lost a match. Get your priorities straight child!
Really, what did Wandee contribute to his victory? Is it because he told him to face that hooded figure? His brother would have told him the same thing if he’d confind in him. Nah, that part was just messed up, especially after that family episode.
Anyway, I still like Yoryak, but that last episode did him no good.
Now WANDEE. Oh, Wandee my boy. Why you gotta have the face of a supermodel and the smile of a cloud, but the personality of a slipper?
Wandee’s inability to make up his mind annoyed the hell outta me. It wasn’t because Yoryak did anything wrong or didn’t communicate his feelings, our boxer did and said all the right things, but still Wandee wasn’t sure even after they kissed. Dude, he brought you home after picking you up from the dumpsters, he’d seen you at your worse and still wants you. What more is you waiting for???
When he kept dragging his feet about being Yoryak’s real boyfriend, I wanted to reach into the screen and shake him. Like, dude you were in love with that shifty arse doctor who looks like he steal pills during his lunch breaks, but hunky boxer is where you get sense? Child, if you don't sit your arse down!
I liked Wandee, he didn’t sit around crying for weeks when he was called vanilla, which lets all agree, dude looked like the poster boy for vanilla, but yeah, he didn’t sit there wallowing, he up and got himself a sexy faen with benefits, and he had a cool grandma to add to his charm, but I sure as hell was given him the stink eye. And I did so every episode after they first kissed. He was acting like a boyfriend, but still didn’t want to commit.
And also, did anyone cringed so hard, they wanted to jump off a cliff when Wandee started singing? I get Thai Bl dramas never leave the house without a guitar, but the secondhand embarrassment I felt, yikes! Like, why is now the time to start singing in front of all this people?
This show had no business being 12 episode. It could have ended the first time they kissed on the lips. Cuz it just dragged after that and made Wandee more annoying by not being able to make up his mind. I kept screaming at my screen ‘Mfer do you want to be with Yoryak or not?
Also, did we ever find out about how Wandee was scared of traffic lights, but like, drove a car? What he do when he stopped by a traffic light?
But like, do we all agree that Inn’s smile is sooo adorable?
Anyway TER! EFFING TERRR!!! I still can’t get pass the episode where he fumbles a beautiful doctor lady for Wandee, only to fumble him too and then try to come back to the dance floor looking for her. THE AUDACITY!! Did Ter think that boss lady doctor would still be waiting for his sorry arse?? Homeboy out there acting like spare tyre and thinking he’s the belle of the ball.
LMAO, what a loser! His sorry arse out there looking like an upside down question mark, and yet he thought he still had a chance with Wandee! Any screen time he had after that vanilla scene felt like I was being forced to accept his existence. Then instead of falling down the stairs in the finale and breaking all his toes and fingers, the writers up and gave the mfer a whole arse girlfriend. WHY? FOR WHAT REASON??? ARRRGGGGG
This world has no balance, why are all my enemies winning this season? First Tong and now Ter.
And speaking of the VANILLA scene. HAHAHAH, Ter out there acting like he collects stamps and have seks with the lights off, calling someone vanilla, dude didn’t seem like he knew any positions other than missionary, cuz what player with game would fumble two people in the span of a minute at a ball?? Vanilla! Boy if you don’t shut up!
I really wanted him to end up alone, bitter, and jobless, but here we are with his annoying arse waving at me and going ‘Bish, you thought!’
CHER AND OYE
I loved these two together. Usually I watch most of the second leads scenes on 2x, but these two had me hooked. Cher the most, the bestest boy, and so supportive. I love the ending they got, so happy for them.
PLOT:
Not gonna lie, watched all the boxing on 2x, cuz that hoodie figure was so uninteresting and if you see them punch once, you’ve seen it all, but the hype of the games and their gym added to their characters, so that was good. The competition thing with the doctors was also just sort of there, nothing to write home about, feels Ter didn't even try that hard to win? Also, them forgiving that bum arse father was meh, and dragging the series only to make Wandee more annoying was also whatever. But, the talk about protective seks and asexual characters was very much needed, so kudos to them. And Plako with his bedroom suggestions, his kinky arse had me rolling.
Anywho, I did like this show, I looked forward to it every week, so I recommend to it anyone who are funs of GreatInn. I’ll rewatch it, just to grin like an idiot whenever Cher pops up.
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Brilliant crime thriller that keeps you guessing til the end. The fact that the story is based on a true story, moreover, the movie is scrupulously faithful to the real events, really gave me the chill.Everything in this movie is working, and it's working very well. Just to name a few: The cinematography, the acting, and the plot development.
There are also a lot of poignant and captivating scenes that make the movie very compelling. It keeps offering questions instead of answers, that results in not merely a movie, but a truly engaging experience.
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It was late and I was bored, so I didn't have time for a new drama. Hence, I went ahead and looked for a movie in my "to watch" list. Ta-dah!
Storyline:
The storyline is in no way original. I've seen this happen in several melodramas before. It felt like a deja vu. Nonetheless, it was heartfelt and touching overall.
So if you're ever in a mood for another melodrama-I've-seen-it-before with good acting, then here is what Only You has to offer...
a) Looking for cute couple or nice feel romance? Here is the right place! I thought our OTP worked really well together. I've long overused the phrase "they complement each other". Though, it's true! That phrase applies here too. I also loved our two leads' complexity, but I wish they delved more into their dark pasts.
b) Sports/Fights. Want to see some MMA? Check this out. There are quite some worthy cringing gory scenes.
c) Willpower. I love how Han Hyo Joo's character, Jeong Hwa, is always so optimistic/cheery despite her circumstances. It was inspiring. Han Hyo Joo always lights up my mood.
d) Good pacing. I didn't find that it was too slow at any point. I wouldn't say perfect pacing either, but it never bored me.
e) Funny moments. Not laugh out loud moments, but I did chuckle a few times at the beginning from our OTP interactions.
If you're an avid drama watcher like me, then you've probably seen this storyline from somewhere before. Though, it's not done badly. It just wasn't something that blew me away.
Acting/Cast:
Great acting from Han Hyo Joo and So Ji Sub. Actually, the movie's strongest point goes to the acting.
This is the first time seeing Jyo Hoo in a movie and she gave a good impression like always. Though, I hope she won't stop acting in tv series.
She acted really well as a blind person. The way she looked at Ji Sub's character, Cheol Min, was really expressive. The same applies for Ji Sub. The way he marveled at her makes me believe that he truly loves her. They're both very expressive actors.
Though, the acting wasn't phenomenal. I've seen them act better in previous projects. Not to say that they didn't excel here, but it wasn't anything new.
I wish they delved more into the main characters' minds. I felt like I never understood them inside-out. I still had some lingering questions at the end about our main characters.
Music:
The songs were pleasing to my ears/heart while watching the movie. I especially liked the instrumental ones playing during the scenes where Cheol Min was boxing.
Truthfully, I don't remember much about the songs as soon as the movie ended.
Bonus:
Puppy/Dog!!!
Overall:
Nothing jaw-dropping or mind-blowing.
If you want something simple/slightly tearjerking/enjoyable then watch this. Other than that it's not a must-watch. If you're a fan of Han Hyo Joo (like me!) or So Ji Sub then this movie will definitely not disappoint you.
Overall rating for review: 7/10
Purely for entertainment: 8.5/10
My Dramalist rating (avg): 7.75/10
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The low budget, simple settings and slightly eccentric pacing give this show the feeling of real life. The characterizations are top-notch. Much of the tension comes from just how stubborn both of the main characters are. That they're able to rely on each other anyway is sweet, and makes them an interesting and memorable BL pairing. But the writer also portrayed a great father-son relationship and gave a humorous insight into the differences between China's poor and nouveau riche. The music is also good, and I often don't notice music. (The "It's Okay That's Love" shout-out in one of the musical selections made me very happy.)
The greatest flaw in this series is also the thing that makes it most interesting: the censorship of many scenes and the fact that China banned gay content before the series could be finished. The romance never feels fully developed because censors eliminated not only sex but kissing. The end result is a show where the guys talk about sex frankly (okay, Guo Bai talks about it, gotta love that cheeky bugger), but we never even see an affectionate kiss between them. And the story ends abruptly with a cliffhanger and a ton of emotional issues unresolved between the guys.
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I want to give a nice score to this story, I think it is something original and I was not bored in any episode indeed I was curious to know what would happen!The history of reincarnation is interesting and the parallels between previous and present life are convincing and well made.
All this I think is a good point to see the drama, if you already know and love even one of the protagonists then I think it's really worth seeing it!
The problem is perhaps in how the characters were written .. especially the main ones, there was more than one absurd, meaningless, incomprehensible scene that only brought misunderstandings and chaos and also to see badly the female protagonist who bored me more than once and I'm sorry because she is a good and talented actress.
I don't know if there is really any connection with the book being quoted "Wuthering Heights" but I started reading it out of pure curiosity.
Spoiler
The last episode left me perplexed .. in reality I didn't expect some things .. it is as if the two male characters had exchanged roles as a result of the feelings of Sa Bin.. and everything that happened before, disappeared.. and the message that is given is not understandable.
- we can speak of unconditional love: Jong Bum is accused and labeled as a murderer, who has no feelings, evil; it was not like that but he does nothing to avoid it. Everyone thinks badly of him and he accepts it. Sa Bin goes beyond all this and decides not to leave him alone. With her sweetness she helps Jong Bum not to fall into evil and try to make him live a normal life. But he doesn't even deserve the name of a good boy, he wanted to kill the prosecutor Kim and above all he was a stalker!
- does it mean that eternal love doesn't exist ?: the love story of Hyung Bin and Ha Eun was beautiful. At first it seemed (they made us believe) that they had reincarnated to continue their broken love story in this life! She seemed in love, she declares herself and when she finds out that Soo Hyuk was getting married she almost fell into total despair, when they could start a new love story she starts to walk away and afterwards she discovered that she loved who killed her boyfriend in the previous life in front of his eyes.. and after saying that she loved him forever also in another life!
Although Kim Soo Hyuk didn't always do well, he shot Jong Bum in the head without too many compliments and was obsessed thinking that Jong Bum was a killer, I don't understand how they decided to change Sa Bin's feelings in the last two episodes .. no sense, she proved inconsistent and her actions meaningless.
I also thought that the attention not given to Ji Chul has decided to give it to Jong Bum. but it seems more like a charitable action for not to leave him alone, instead of for love.
I don't know if I haven't grasped the message well or if in reality there is no real message .. anyway the drama is beautiful. it is better not to stress to understand the actions of the characters and to look at him calmly for pure pleasure.
Thanks for reading my review and sorry my english is not very good.
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Not for the Faint of Heart; Drama You Won't Soon Forget
this drama will always have a special place in my heart. i've finished it hours ago and went to sleep exhausted from all the crying. even now, i keep thinking of it and tears up again which prompted me to write a review, as someone who have been watching countless c-dramas for years and never write a review ever before but this time i feel so empty and need to vent my thoughts. SO PLEASE BARE WITH ME!! this drama will forever live in my head rent-free and piercing through my heart. A TRUE MASTERPIECE IT IS. i respect those who don't like it because this is not everyone's cup of tea. it is so HEAVY and DEEP at the same time that explores themes of mental illness and the impact of war so WATCH WITH YOUR OWN RISK!!first of all, this drama has broadened my ENTIRE perspective on how the current world is going through right now, causing them to live in fear and anxiety every seconds, not knowing if today is their last day or if tomorrow will come, while we're here with abundant resources and still not satisfied with our own lives. i wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to all the soldiers out there who endure the hardships of war, facing danger and making immense sacrifices to protect their nation and lives of their citizens. i am so proud of you all.
what left a big scar on my heart is that both main leads have gone through so much. they portrayed their roles SOO WELL. THEY NAILED IT!! EVERYONE IN THE DRAMA!!*applauses* the male lead who desperately wants to help those suffering from war and longs for peace in the world, tragically experiences a deeply traumatic event that leaves him irreparably broken. he was utterly destroyed, haunted by the past. watching him was like reliving the trauma with him, explain how his acting was SUPERB. on the other hand, the female lead also went through a great lengths of pain, highlighting how hard it is for those with mental illness to open up and their fear of being perceived as weak or a disappointment to others. i wish i could give everyone in the world who struggles with mental illness a big tight hug. you all deserve love and support.
back to their love story, this drama really represents a saying goes 'love conquers all' or perhaps more accurately, 'love endures through life and death'. i deeply admire their love story, witnessing how they love each other so profoundly that they would willingly sacrifice themselves for the other. last few episodes show how love meant for them in a way they can't live without each other. if one were to leave, they believe there would be no point in continuing. they went through ups and downs together and always have each other's back. even when one struggles with PTSD and the other with depression, they find solace and comfort in each other's presence. i was MOVED TO TEARS every single times they tried to put a smile on their faces to comfort each others during their shared suffering. it might seem weird to say, but i finally understand that love is not merely about being together. it's a quiet strength that holds u tgt during storm, the selfless act of putting another's needs before our owns, and the unwavering belief that u have in each other. love is so pure yet can make us blind.
as for the OSTs, i have no words. the way they seamlessly blends with the visuals and enhances the storytelling is truly masterful. it's like a hidden layer of meaning, adding depth and emotion to the overall experience. just hearing the music can bring me to tears. ik i might seem overly emotional lol but the OSTs are truly exceptional.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, i would like to say that after watching countless dramas for several years, THIS IS MY NUMBER ONE drama hands-down. it took me on an emotional rollercoaster throughout all 38 episodes, making me experience a wide range of feelings, from joy and laughter to sorrow and grief. i felt deeply connected to the characters and their journeys. HOWEVER, it also destroyed me emotionally. im so traumatized to the point im still processing the trauma of some of the heavier plot points. BUT EVEN SO, i hope to recover and rewatch it someday.
MY ADVICE FOR THOSE WHO HESITATE TO WATCH: dont let all the reviews weigh u down from picking it up. LISTEN TO UR GUTS. give it a try. if u dont like it, then drop it. dont force urself to love it because this is not everyone's cup of tea. although, i truly hope this drama receives high ratings because it deserves all the attention it gets.
Thanks for sticking with me to the end! i appreciated it.
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Akward nc-scenes and refusal to kiss does take away from a nice series
Some think this is the best JBL 2026, but of course it's not. Actors not commiting to their roles and everything what it should include does take away from this series. This *IS* disappointing. The script has the classic clichés in it, which we have seen so often for years and only drive forced drama. Still not a fan of that.As typical with JBLs we have an introvert, insecure uke but at least we know he is gay. But of course he gets bullied from many people. In contrast we have a extrovert, energetic, athletic seme who is sure of himself but has problems keeping himself in check, it always seems his desire for his lover will make him to do something stupid.
Of course when the uke is coming out to his mom, it's not going well. You should not do it talking on the street, that is not the right place to do it. Mom is shocked but they talk it out and mom is educating herself about having a gay son. The seme has not come out in school, but he does so with some people. His family is over the moon with his little uke. The talks between the couple are really in a very sensitive way, but - there is no real kissing ever, not even in the finale. They have two akward nc-scene in the show which made me wonder if they had an intimacy coordinator on set, I doubt it. Production quality was very high, cinematography nice and everything fit well together.
Overall it's a nice show, very fluffy, with some drama but with stereotypical clichés. Because it ends with uke senpai graduating there is a hope this series gets a 2nd season and it would be so much more well deserved compared to other series. The only downside are the dead fish kisses and the akward nc-scenes.
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Life's twists and turns can be unexpected.
I chose this drama because of its unique concept. This drama takes place in a world where cisgender men can give birth as well. This concept initially creeped me out. But then I thought, "Why not?" So, I decided to give it a try. And I’m so glad I did.The drama is one-of-a-kind and extremely well-executed. The story raises awareness about a variety of issues that should be taken seriously, as well as teaches us some valuable lessons:
1. The roles that a man and woman "should" take on when having and raising a child. Is it really required? Should there be a division of responsibilities?
2. This refers to the difficulties that a person faces when preparing to give birth, whether it is a man or a woman.
3. It also teaches us the importance of staying true to ourselves and how it shapes who we are.
4. Last but not least, the implementation of transgender people's pressures. This is not said directly, but this sure magnifies this. People should accept and value a transgender's individuality. Transgender discrimination, in my opinion, should be considered a crime punishable by law.
All of the actors and actresses in this drama are excellent. But, in particular, for the male lead, who played the pregnant Hiyama Kentaro. He was a perfect fit for the character.
This is unquestionably a must-see. This may not be much of an entertainer for some, but it does provide us with a glimpse of the reality faced by trans men, but from the perspective of an ordinary man. I wholeheartedly recommend this drama to anyone and everyone.
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Beautiful actors and a waste of potential
By episode 12, the leads are getting romantic and I still don't think I've seen one deep conversation between the two. Do they even know anything about each other? The showrunners just thought they could make two beautiful people stand next to each other for enough scenes and that was enough to lead this cast. The story encompasses so many characters yet fails to fully flesh any of them out in order to make the audience care. Xu Kai looks good as always, but this performance is nothing you haven't seen from him already if you're a fan of his work.That being said, I'm still gonna finish it
UPDATE - As of episode 24, the show has failed to progress the lead relationship in any sort of mature way. It feels like the characters we were initially introduced to are just dressing for the plot salad the writers are putting forward. This is all at the expense of intelligent characters; people seen as elders make foolish decisions - often costing their own lives - almost every episode, its hilarious. I'm only watching for the pretty actors at this point.
Also they do this really weird low-quality production thing where the actor's hair will be messed up in one shot and in the middle of the sentence they cut back and the character has perfect hair again. Really noticeable and entirely annoying.
SECOND UPDATE - Show feels more compelling plot-wise after episode 30, but I have now accepted that if I haven't cared about the main leads and their relationship so far, its not going to get any better, only more annoying. Definitely not recommending this show to any romance enjoyers, but generic fantasy drama enjoyers can still find this show entertaining at points I'm sure. Xu Kai needs better fantasy roles idk how he gets stuck playing the same character in every costume drama.
*SIGH* FINAL UPDATE - That was the climax we were waiting for? Felt incredibly underwhelming and undeserved. The last chunk of this drama is driven by its plot only, none of these characters feel smart or stupid enough to be making the decisions we see on screen, making them feel entirely hollow, cardboard characters. This show technically has a "happy" ending but I just feel dead inside I can't muster any emotion for these characters. Beautiful actors though, will have to see them in more deserving roles because anyone in this cast should take the drama off their portfolio/resume LOL.
All in all, I can't recommend this drama to anyone unless they love Xu Kai obsessively, love spear action, or love to put something on in the background while they sleep. The story is not worth 1/2 your attention span.
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Don't compare, just enjoy.
I honestly enjoyed this.The monsters were interesting (and sometimes even funny). The plot was well executed but you do need to keep in mind that though this is an adaptation of the manhwa/webtoon that doesn't mean it'll be the same scene by scene. This had in a way more depth than it's comic version. You feel a lot closer to each character. But you can watch this without knowing anything about the original webtoon.
Also, need to say I'm a fan of gore so if you get queasy at the sight of blood then you should probably stay away from this...
The CGI was obvious most of the time but in a way that you didn't really care. The story and acting sucked you in and the rest just looked cool or something along those lines ^.^
(also actors/actresses were really pretty so it was easy on the eyes ...Unless you count the monsters... and the blood... Actually, this was pretty rough on the eyes... The PEOPLE in this were pretty?)
Loved the stunts! Everything looked so real! I can just imagine the fun they had filming this.
It was so easy to watch that I accidentally on purpose binge watched this (the whole season) <3
But that can also just be because I was already familiar with the story and waited for this.
There were some funny easter eggs included for the fans. The music was rather random but I suppose it matched the mood.
I'm not entirely sure because my memory is sh*t but I feel like they created new characters for this but please don't trust me on that... The story was definitely different (slightly?).
To those that hate to watch stuff online for free (totally illegally) then your in luck.
You can find the whole season on Netflix.
Anyway definitely recommend this! Have fun~
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This review may contain spoilers
I started this review a few times hoping to relay a message across, that is hard to describe. What I want to say is that we all watch dramas for a different reason and giving ratings to these light, fluffy dramas the same way as to the highly constructed ones should be done carefully. This drama is meant for you to switch your brain off, root for the characters, laugh out loud and love every minute of it. And I certainly did just that, which is why I rate it so highly.Where this drama shines are definitely the characters. Not only the main couple, but especially the side characters. I loved every single one and their relationships.
KJR and OJS are the best. There is something special about the dramas where the female lead falls for the male lead first and it was done to a perfection here. She pulled the best qualities of KJR to the surface and it was a pleasure to watch them. Not to mention the great chemistry between the actors. I was sometimes afraid that my screen would burst into flames.
TYH is a character driven drama so you shouldn't expect a lot of various cases to be explored. They were utilised mostly as a background story but kept with the flow of the show. One of the plot points that was hinted at the beginning fell just a bit flat. I felt like it could have been utilised more.
The music is awesome, "Make it count" will be stuck in your head for hours. Believe me.
Overall, I loved this. And I will come back to it very often. I already miss all of the characters.
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Compelling tragic hero story weakened by uninspired direction
For me, it was one of those dramas you continue watching because you want to know how the story ends and what happens to the characters you like but not necessarily enjoy the road to get there. I felt disengaged from the individual cases because there was very little space given to get emotionally involved or get your brain gears turning as a viewer. Everything was quickly introduced and quickly resolved, with not much tension or nuance in the storytelling. There was more talking about investigating than actual investigation being shown on screen. I cannot stress this enough, this drama involves hours of people standing around discussing stuff... My fellow suspense junkies, do not approach! On the other hand, the martial arts scenes were nicely filmed and quite exciting.Cheng Yi excelled in his role as Li Lianhua. He is the soul and heart of this drama. A rare compulsive liar protagonist who completely won me over. Once a hopeful, audacious hero now cynical and disillusioned with the world. The wall he built around him gets dismantled brick by brick, first by an offer of friendship from an eager and idealistic young detective, then being forced to deal with unresolved past issues. Watching him shamelessly toy with young Fang Xiaobao was a pleasure. I wish the reluctant friendship with his erstwhile enemy, Di Feisheng, was given more screentime though. It was way more interesting to me than the overused master and apprentice bond.
I think Di Feisheng’s story arc dealing with his past was criminally underdeveloped. His lifelong struggle to break free from the confines of his brutal past was given a 5-minute resolution before the drama galloped on. That was a major disappointment for me. He was such an interesting, layered character and yet he was absent from almost half of the episodes. In general, secondary characters weren't fleshed out very well and only a few got closure. No one was particularly memorable or original. The villains were boring, shallow Wuxia clichés too. Honestly, if it weren't for Li Lianhua being such a compelling tragic hero, I would've dropped it before the halfway mark.
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Crime: The 3-4 cases this series is based on are REAL COLD CASES. These kidnappers, murderers, and rapists are on the loose to this day. It sickens me but I really like how they did those cases justice. There is so much commentary on current society about police and corruption. Our society, despite its progress, is still muddled with corruption and Lee Jae Han was definitely a shining beacon in this drama, demonstrating how our justice system should really be. Anyway, the writing for these cases was spot on.
Mystery: I find the cases well paced; they were timed with enough suspense but weren't stretched out. I initially thought this series would only focus on one case but I really appreciated that it was a mix of cases that in reality were all connected. This series was really unpredictable in how the cases would be solved & who would survive or die (as the past can change and those who died could still live and vice versa). I was on my toes dying to know what would happen til the very last minute of this drama.
Time-Travel: THIS WAS EXECUTED SO WELL. I love the complexity of the time-travel and how a subtle change in the past can amplify in the future; it was realistic for an unrealistic concept. The writers handled the shifts in the past and present so well & I couldn't even follow at points (which I think is a very good quality, if a drama can outsmart me haha). Definitely made this drama stand out! One thing I'd say is that if I was Hae Young on the walkie-talkie, I'd cram so much info in that minute they talked haha. The time-travel (if you can really call it that) was also perfect because you got a balance of present day and 80's dramas (which people desire like in Reply 1984. Reply 1988, etc.). You get very two very different vibes in the same drama which really caters to different interests.
Romance: This is so subtle. Don't go into this drama expecting a romance because you really won't get anything. It's just a little heartwarming seeing scenes where the main female lead pines over Jae Han. You get to see the care they have for each other. This definitely made the drama a little lighter from its heavy subject matter but I still respect how the romance was put on the side. This drama really needed to focus on the cases and the justice needed to be served which it did!
Characters/Acting: I honestly have nothing but praise for the actors. Cha Soo Hyun in particular. This character was stunning; the complexity of the character arc and the contrast of her past self and present self were acted perfectly by Kim Hye Soo. Her acting as a victim was great as well. The main lead, Park Hae Young, I also really enjoyed. He's relatable and real, and he can act! I really appreciate how this drama wasn't about having a flower boy lead; I could really focus on the character! And Lee Jae Han stole my heart really. He's such a strong spirit with bright morals; he definitely shone in the drama and had really great, passionate monologues. Awesome acting from the main leads! And Kim Bum Joo... what a despicable character. Well done, I guess. And there's another character, Ahn Chi Soo, who has a really complex character arc throughout the series... I just appreciate the depth each character has... amazing job writers!
Plot/Writing: As I've alluded to before, this series is well paced. I find everything unpredictable and nothing dragged. Nothing was too confusing and the series had an appropriate amount of flashbacks. This drama didn't have any typical kdrama plot devices and the writers definitely aren't scared to wring your heartstrings a little... I cried 6 times in an episode! Everything in the story is so intricately woven, I can't help but wonder if they planned all of this since episode 1. No episode was subpar compared to the rest; each episode got better and better which is truly rare. I just can't get enough.
OST: Very subtle OST that fits the theme of this drama. It's very heartwarming and like one of a "family" drama I guess. It sounds like home to me.
Overall, I am so in love with this drama. The ending definitely was open-ended so I am desperate for a season 2. My only fear is that it might not live up to season 1. Give this drama a go, I promise it won't disappoint!
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Forgiving Over The Tons Of Mistake, And Forget It!
A romance comedy drama. Another woman's life destroyed by a basterd man. Following a woman who caught her fiance cheating, then she's straight to breaking up with him. But, yeah, that jerk was destroying her life by leaving a tons of debt to her. While he enjoying his new life with his so-called-wealthy-woman.I thought this was pure rom-com, but not at all. Yes, heavy on romance-comedy, but the sub-plot wasn't a lite at all. There's a sub-plot about political bussiness and the bussiness monarchy. Not full of lovey-dovey, instead the sub-plot might be overshadowing the main-plot. At least, for me.
I would hundred percent enjoying this, if the sub-plot not stealing the whole spotlight of main-genre. Instead of focusing on the growth of fake marriage and their relationship, they're focusing more on the sub-plot of Kim Woojoo's family and the dirty political bussiness, kinda miss.
I get the dot of those political-bussiness-thing with Kim Woojoo's trauma, yes I got it. But, the way they switching the genre into thriller was a bit over, suddenly get darker, and suddenly soften. The tension was not build smoothly like the first 5 episodes. But, I'm glad the problem solving was undepth and simple. Eventho, not stick on the track.
Never doubting the performance of both heroine, Choi Wooshik and Jung Somin, they served their best chemistry. Both are success to delivering their endearing, cute, and cherish character.
The color grading that warmth and bright, giving the delightful ambience of romance comedy, while the cinematography looks pretty and simple. The soundtrack were ear-catching.
Anyway, shot out to Copywriter-nim, peak performance of copywriting by putting 우주 (Woojoo) 메리 (Meri) 미 as the title! The words-play of both literal meaning in english (Would You Merry Me) and the korean pronounciation (Uju-meri-mi) one was INSANE. So creative!
Overall, if you craving for romcom with fake marriage trope, this one might be for you. Not the best, but decent. I've been missing this kinda romcom honestly, so my experience still solid, cute and exciting!
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