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As typical as this set up may sound, it's so well done and enjoyable to watch it doesn't matter. I've actually never seen a movie premise like this. Well that's not true. A few years back there was an American movie about a ghost writer helping an author to pen a book but it was done poorly and there is no comparison.
Remember that they are writing an adult comic. There are a lot of sexual references but it's done very tongue in cheek as the female writer is faking 99% of her sexual experience. Most of the graphic sexual images are in fact, in graphic (comic book) form.
Watching Jung Bae get wise to her act...I loved it! Dae Rim is such a character and Jung Bae finds her tough to take at first. But when he begins to draw...it's her face that appears on paper. As the two leads gravitate toward each other and their feelings grow...it's so cute!
Lee Sun Gyun and Choi Gang Hee make a great pair. Able to be comedic and have you believe when they are sincere.
I recommend this movie highly.
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no guitars pulled out in a college/campus thai bl???
the low reviews don't make sense to me since this was better than a lotttt of college thai bls i've watched (i've probably watched all of them) storywise it might've not been a great start cus it seemed too typical but I did not care since I started it not expecting much anyways...howeverrrrrr the more it went on the better it got...i really liked the main couple's relationship development they were adorable and the side couples' stories were also good....all of the actors had good chemistry and the acting was surprisingly good....it was just generally less cringe than ur average thai bl.....production wise it was not the best but it wasn't bad...overall if ur looking for something nonserious yet still enjoyable to watch u should watch thisWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Pretty decent drama for having that many episodes
I know what you're thinking. 41 episodes, that seems a lot and bound to have a lot of troubles. Even I was concern too but in honest truth, it wasn't all that bad.Before I continue with my review, I'm just going to pinpoint a couple of things about this drama and hopefully that will determine if you want to watch it or not.
1. If you're not a fan of the drama cliché of the leads meeting each other as kids, then you might as well skip this one. If you're not bother by it, then continue on. I considered this as a good drama cliché.
2. There are no evil parents or in-laws
3. There are a few misunderstandings, in the beginning and then right around Ep 31-32. However, these misunderstandings are cleared up pretty quickly, so if you're concern about long episode wait of solving the misunderstandings, you don't have to worry. The second misunderstanding doesn't lead to a break up but more of FL's concern and need of reassurance about ML's love for her.
4. Very minor love rival for our main couple. I said minor because the FL's rival doesn't show up until much later in the drama and even then, she's only in a few episodes but she is hecka annoying. There is a love triangle but that's within the secondary couple. There are 3 couples in total for this drama.
5. Some people may get annoyed by Yu Da, the guy that forms our 2nd couple and is part of the secondary love triangle. Either because of his actions or they seemly are rooting for the other guy in the love triangle. He doesn't really bother me but I can see the annoyance especially when it's with the SFL.
6. There is a main villain but it's more like the forming of a villain due to the greedy nature of wanting to win and to bring down the ML.
I personally like this drama overall and my rating of a 9 doesn't necessarily mean that you'll have the same opinion or taste as me. I gave this drama a rating of a 9 because for one, it's a 41 episode drama and I got to admit, it's actually pretty okay from start to finish for having that many episodes. There are some moments where it drags but that's what you expect with dramas this long. However, even with that, I still anticipate for the next episode so at least it kept me interested for the most part.
Story is nothing new here but it isn't bad either as the FL will play the key role to the ML's recovery process. This drama does a great balance on showing the GO competition and the building of relationships between our couples. Now there are some scenes where they do explain the movements of GO and how the play of this game works but not enough explanation for a newbie like me to understand. However, in replacement of that, the drama shows cool and awesome fighting scenes between our GO players to show who will win and I for one, really enjoy those cinematic scenes.
The one thing I wish that could've been better is at least having one of the character suspecting our villain throughout the drama. In terms of that aspect, the characters are too trusting which leads to the villain getting away with a lot of stuff until close to the end. Now the stuff he does just impacts the ML for the most part, as he is his main target so while his plans and actions are evil, there not as evil as other villains I've seen in other dramas. Also, I wasn't too fond of the secondary couple love triangle. That wasn't needed at all for this drama.
In summary, I'm very impressed with the quality of this drama being that it's 41 episodes. FL is a little bit annoying in the beginning but she's a strong character overall so that's a big plus for me. The drama OST for the intro and credit are amazing. I never skip it! It may not be everyone's cup of tea but I for one enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
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*BEST OF 2020* *JUST GIVE IT A TRY*
*IT JUST ENDED* T_T T_T T_TThis drama shows a side of Life which we don't see much on TV, the struggle of life.
I think there will be at least one character to which you will feel relatable...
*ASIDE FROM*: usual Action, Thriller, Rom-Com drama
THIS is a lot different and Great Show
~IN MY OPINION "THE BEST FAMILY SHOW I HAVE EVER SEEN."
~All the different characters and their issues and how each of their issues are solved throughout the drama is so satisfying, I Haven't seen it in a long time...
~ It Helps u gain confidence in your-self and convey advice about growing up, a life of adulthood, psychological issues, what life is in Reality...
YOU CRY even if you don't want too
YOU LAUGH even IF you don't want too
that's just how lighthearted this drama is...
~GONNA MISS IT BADLY how I Bought IQIYI VIP PASS for it and how I used to wait daily for the episodes air... T_T T_T
~I felt so relatable to Ling Xiao and Qi Ming Yue.....
~The Bond of the sibling shown is so Touching.
~A person like Li Ba should exist in our life as well
Father so supportive
Caring neighbor
Loving Friend
~Its been So long since I have watched such a heartwarming drama
~A Drama which made me cry so hard AT ITS LAST EPISODE Tear OF Happiness... TvT
~this drama contains so many feelings...
hats off to the writer who wrote such a beautiful story and so many touching dialogues.
~I hope whoever reads this Review will Watches this Drama
~*JUST WATCH* it till EP3 and if you liked it, then continue after EP3
~I PROMISE YOU, YOU WON'T REGRET IT ;)
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I SHOULD HATE IT BUT I DONT
It started out as a typical "im a poor orphan boy and i work gazillions of job to make ends meet - you should love me and sympathyze with me because im poor but Im kind" story. It should sound overused on paper, but for me, it still worked.Lets begin by talking about the gorgeous cast - they're all just beautiful! Kaitoon and Nont is already a good pair, but Valen won me over. The second couple is intriguing too. Oh, and I love Valen's sister, and how she knows what's going on but is not being nosy and is just being a forgiving and supportive sister. I even like Valen's friends and how they're just nonchalant about their 2 friends love interests.
I am also hooked by the way they showed same sex relationships is a non-issue and doesnt need to be discussed as if its the most normal thing in the world. I also appreciate that there are no villains in the series.
However, I wouldnt even call the series short and sweet cause there were a few times, even at 6 episodes, when i cant help but fast forward. There was also a few plot points left unexplained and the way they presented it made me ache for the second part BUT even if some unforeseen events come to pass and they can't continue the series, the ending still feels like a good conclusion.
What i hate is the way Kaitoon treated Nont, cause Nont doesnt deserve that. The problem with that however, is even if the second lead is lovable, i still love Valen even more.
Im giving it an overall 7 stars. Lets just hope that when, and if they return, that they'd make this an even better show and not ruin it just like a lot of sequels out there.
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For starters, let me mention the difficulty to assemble my thoughts about such a wonderful drama. It took me a while to know where to start but let’s begin with this: Making a Taiga about one of Japan’s most influential figures was such an astonishing idea! Once again, let me insist on the accuracy of Taiga’s, they abide to historical facts with only few minor changes that can never cause the deviation of the historical flow. There is also the very informative “Travelogue” at the end of each episode to nourish your historical knowledge on some characters with the addition of real places to visit in Japan (when my long dream of visiting Japan comes true, I will go there for sure!).
Ryoma didn’t live much but through his short life, he did many unforgettable deeds for Japan and its people. Being born as a Tosa’s Kashi (Low Samurai rank), he wasn’t handcuffed by the daimyo rules or the common traditions. Instead, he had dreamy ideas to change his country to what Japan became like in our recent days. The Bakumatsu era aka the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate was one of the most turbulent times in Japan’s recent history until the Meiji restoration came along. Our hero had to go through that period with many revolutionary thoughts in his mind. Ideas that were harshly rejected at times, hardly accepted at other times but very much acknowledged most of the time.
Ryoma character always intrigued me, being a low-class samurai who stood up for the well-being of all the people of Japan must be the main reason behind it. When the bakufu was ruling Japan for over 260 years with the same old fashioned thoughts, an air of change had to blow them up and make them realize that the world is moving on and so should they. That air was Sakamoto Ryoma, through his adventures he was able to gather the essence of Japan’s future in a new world. It’s a world where they can be amongst the leading countries instead of falling into the merciless claws of imperialism.
Ryoma’s life had many turns and countless of encounters. It started with his family, his childhood play-pals, going through his first love, his idols in life, his allies, his enemies, his teachers, his women meetings and all of his comrades. Sakamoto Ryoma always managed to leave a deep impression into anyone he met, whether they loved him, hated him or even those who wanted to kill him. I think Ryoma’s most note-worthy quality was his ability to negotiate and convince the other party of the legitimacy of his views; he does that with perfection even against the most fearsome and huge figures of his time. Many believed in him and countless supported him as he embarked his journey towards a bright future and that didn’t come from naught, Ryoma was able to capture them one way or another.
Turbulent times are full of political clashes and endless battles but that made the drama even more exciting. Every detail of the Japanese history at the time was inserted in the most captivating way. Our narrator Yataro played by Kagawa Teruyuki added more attractiveness to the events. His historical tone while telling Ryoma’s life was priceless; one of the best narrations I ever came across in any Asian drama!
Now if I have to state my little displeasure about this drama it would be the over-idolizing of Ryoma’s character. I know about that because I actually read a lot about Sakamoto Ryoma and Japan’s history prior watching this drama and his character isn’t as perfect as the drama describes it to be. I know that they want to honour a Japanese hero and a little dramatization is no escape to make an appealing drama but I felt uneasy about those parts, even a little.
When we talk about Taiga dramas, we need to pay extra attention to acting considering its crucial role in maintaining ground-breaking historical telling. Fukuyama Masaharu nailed it so bad as Sakamoto Ryoma, he was able to make the character feel pretty much alive. He once stated about playing Ryoma’s character: “His appeal stems from being the kind of person onto whom anyone can project themselves”; that explains it all.
The supporting cast was full of many incredible talents such as Omori, Tanihara, Iseya, Takahashi, Aoi, Kiritani, Oizomi, Takito, Oikawa, Maki, Kamikawa, Sato, Kaname and many others. They were able to maintain a very intriguing historical tone throughout the whole drama. It’s no secret that Taiga and historical dramas overall are what make you test an actor’s skills and this drama’s cast gave wonderful credits to the characters they played. However, the best of them all was Kagawa as Yataro, no wonder he got many awards for that role; he was able to flawlessly play the role of Ryoma’s lifelong friend with all of their complex relationship, it takes an actor from a high calibre to pull that off. He undisputedly managed to steal the lights from Fukuyama countless of times.
The cinematography was pretty well illustrated with all of those charming sceneries in old-times Edo, Tosa and Kyo. I was pretty immersed in the realistic depiction of the historical setting and the soundtrack used in this drama. However, I was displeased with the camerawork. Directing has been the major issue with Taiga dramas. Although it can be disregarded since this is a drama not a film but I still hope this can be changed.
Watch if:
-You like historically accurate dramas.
-You like NHK Taiga dramas.
-You want to watch a drama about one of Japan’s most important figures.
-You like political oriented dramas.
-You want to discover Taiga dramas.
Don’t watch if:
-You don’t appreciate historical Japanese dramas.
Ryoma Den left me with many great thoughts about Ryoma’s character even with the little differences compared to history. My second NHK Taiga adventure was a total success and now I am thirsty for more!
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After the first episode I was convinced I had made a mistake, and was completely turned off. She was such a doormat, the look of it was so cheesy, and his laugh was out of control... I had no idea how hooked I would be. As far as K-Drama Rom-Coms go, this one is now among my favorites.
The story is indeed over the top, with moments of deliberate cheese, random fantasy cgi, and completely unrealistic scenarios, yet the story had enough heart to make it all seem completely plausible. This drama made me cry multiple times, surprisingly & literally LOL more than I think I ever have at any drama, and these cartoonish characters suddenly became completely realistic to me. It got me totally invested in their relationship and totally addicted to the show. Yes, it's still mainly just a love story, with most of the usual K-Drama love story elements (like a conniving ex girlfriend and damn near perfect yet hopelessly friend-zoned 2nd lead), but It deserves a lot of credit for doing exactly what's expected extremely well.
The cast is exceptional. It's pretty big task balancing slapstick comedy, heartbreaking drama, and romantic chemistry, but Jang Na Ra and Jang Hyuk make it look easy. I've never seen either in a drama before, and I was impressed. Jang Na Ra portrayal of Kim Mi Young may annoy viewers who prefer a stronger leading lady, but I liked watching her character grow while still staying true to herself. Jang Hyuk's Lee Gun was my favorite. He was hilarious, he was charming, he was touching, and even his laugh grew on me. I loved the entire supporting cast ("hamo hamo"), particularly Mi Young's mom. The weakest characters to me were actually the unrequited loves of the leads, but I thought they were still very good. Daniel Pitt and Se Ra were less colorful than the other characters, but I was invested in their story lines as well.
The music was great. If I can keep hearing the same songs over and over again, and want to sing along instead of punch myself in the head, then that soundtrack is a success!
I could see myself watching this again, mostly because Lee Gun is so entertaining, but also because the story is so well done. I also don't see it losing any of it's charm with repeat viewing. There were really no dull moments, no repetitive episodes just filling up the time, and the last episodes didn't drag, wasn't rushed, and left no loose ends. I also really loved the ending. It did have the potential to be extra corny, but I thought is was perfect.
Overall, I say this is a must see for rom-com fans. I can't compare it to the original, since I didn't see it, but I think I now understand it's popularity. If you're not that big on rom-coms, but you're ok with entertaining stories that don't try to reinvent the wheel, then you may be pleasantly surprised by Fated to Love You just like I was.
My recommendation is to give it a chance, and you probably won't regret it :)
Also, I really want one of those Ellie Kim bags... seriously. And yes, I did just stalk Yook Sim Won on the internet for one. Lol!
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This review will probably be my longest up to date. Bear with me because I have to put this film in its right temporal and spatial frameworks before talking about the film itself. If you’re not interested in history, you can skip the first two paragraphs and get to the film’s specific review.
I am history lover so it’s a given that I studied Japanese history way before I started watching Japanese classics and that knowledge in history helped me a lot when I started exploring the golden Japanese cinema. Seppuku is set at the beginning of the Edo era (17th century), an age of peace that lasted for more than 250 years in Japan where the Samurai class gradually lost the “warrior” side of their positions since there weren’t any wars to fight. As Tokugawa (the general who established his shogunate in Edo) gained complete control over Japan; many Samurai who fought the Sekigahara battle and others were left without clans to serve and were called “Ronin” meaning masterless Samurai. They were usually viewed as bandits whether intentionally or unintentionally, they lived in poverty but they didn’t lose their “samurai nobility” that’s still a higher rank than the peasants’ class. They also never gave up on their honorable ethics and beliefs.
In that era, many Ronin’s started to visit clans to request a “Seppuku” in their clans’ yard, meaning a ritual suicide where the Samurai has to literally disembowel himself using his Shinto (the Samurai in that era has a long Sword Katana and a smaller one Shinto that he always carry around with him, they’re considered as big part of his Samurai honor). The Harakiri (ritual suicide) is in fact an honorable death for a Samurai so it was dishonorable for clans to reject such a noble request from Ronins but they also didn’t want to let them kill themselves on their property so they either hired them as their clans’ Samurai (but that didn’t happen a lot since it’s an era of peace so the clans didn’t need many Samurai considering the fact that there’s no war) or they just gave them money and sent them away. As other Ronin heard about the story, they started to frequently visit clans in order to request a Seppuku but they never actually meant to kill themselves, they just wanted to take the money and leave. And that’s what’s called “Harakiri fraud” which is a cowardly, shameful act from a Samurai even if he’s a Ronin.
The history stops there although the clan that’s mentioned in this film (The Iyi clan) is a real clan that’s known as a very important figure in modern Japanese history. Now, let’s talk about the film itself; one clan (the Iyi clan) decided to stop these Harakiri frauds and made the Samurai who asked to commit seppuku kill himself so that other Ronin won’t dare show up in front of their clan. That’s how the story starts but through flashbacks, we get the overall story of that man, where he came from and why he came. His circumstances, his situation and his life were all told using flashbacks that were amazingly illustrated in order to produce spectacular turns of events.
Seppuku is a human Samurai film that deals with old Japanese codes of honor and ethical Samurai principles. Kobayashi wanted to introduce a somewhat anti-samurai film that deals with the shortcomings of some Samurai beliefs by using quotes such as “After all, this thing we call samurai honor is ultimately nothing but a façade” (said by Tsugumo Hanshiro) but then he comes back to insist on the codes of dignity. Unlike many Kurosawa films’ I saw where he always idolizes the Samurai figure. Don’t get me wrong, Kurosawa’s films are my favorites but what I meant to say is that Kobayashi and Kurosawa’s adaptations of Samurai stories are quite different even if they’re comparable, to each his own genius ideas of making masterpieces.
The film contained the sword fighting but it wasn’t the main focus of this film. The developments were surprising and quite intriguing to follow; in this film you get a taste of suspense, psychology, action, tragedy, revenge and even family. Although the film insists on the Samurai element more than anything else, it also focuses on family relationships, interactions and sacrifices as well as human and more specifically Samurai emotions.
If I keep talking then I won’t stop praising this film’s screenwriting by Shinobu Hashimoto and the original novel by Yasuhiko Takiguchi. I appreciated every angle of the story and the way it revealed facts at the most unexpected time. This is not a film that’s set to kill a Samurai through a ritual suicide or show the audience how a Samurai disembowel himself; it’s a film that describes the human emotions and feelings behind that act. However, I do understand if some people found the development a bit slow. As for me, my eyes were glued to the big screen the whole time without a single move or sound. Yes, it had that kind of impact on me.
The acting, oh my! what on earth can I say about that acting? I am not biased or someone who talks with full subjectivity so when I say that Nakadai was marvelous in this, I am not talking with a fangirl’s emotions, I am speaking with full objectivity about a Japanese legend. For me or anyone who knows classic Japan, Nakadai Tatsuya is a legendary star in the Japanese cinema and one hell of a charismatic astounding actor who can grab your intention in a split of a second. Like many of his other roles, Nakadai was amazing in this; his portrayal of Tsugumo Hanshiro’s character was flawless. Enough said or I won’t stop talking about that man’s incredible acting skills.
Other actors were also amazing; I was moved by their acting skills. It’s the golden Japanese era of cinema so it’s a given that only high-class acting exists. The characters were very well written and their relationships were fascinating to follow, I was moved by many characters’ developments in Seppuku.
Now let me talk about that breathtaking cinematography. I like to focus on cinematography while watching films and even though this was produced in 1962 (black and white); I was charmed by the back sceneries and great settings. Kobayachi did an awesome job with those mesmerizing takes that I will never forget.
I have to mention the soundtrack which I believe it’s the best music composure I ever heard in any Japanese classic.
Watch this if:
-You like Japanese classics or want to discover them.
-You enjoy Samurai films but keep in mind that this isn’t an action film.
-You love films with human stories.
-You like Masaki Kobayashi because this is his finest work.
-You like Nakadai Tatsuya because this is one of his best performances.
Do not watch if:
-You dislike Japanese classics.
-You dislike Samurai films.
To end my super long review, I will mention that Harakiri is a crafted masterpiece by Kobayashi and an eternal gem of the Japanese classic cinema that’s bound to take you through a great journey of amazing events and astonishing acting skills.
I will leave you with two quotes by Tsugumo Hanshiro:
“What befalls others today may be your own fate tomorrow.”
“The suspicious mind conjures its own demons.”
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Anyway, this is my first time seeing Eugenie Liu and I instantly like her, I'm always into badass, femme fatale who can kick ass and wouldn't go into the damsel-in-distress route once the 'prince' arrived.
She has a good chemistry with Jasper Liu, and their kissing scene is bam! Maybe because this is Netflix, so less of those frozen lips kisses and this one has been pretty satisfying. This is only the 2nd Jasper Liu drama that I've seen, the first one is his first drama with Puff Kou. I think that he has matured as an actor, and if he's given more chances to do more variety of roles, he'll be one of the best.
The other characters, especially Din Din and Angie's right henchmen, Liu Guo, gives the comedy relief for this drama. It was a surprise that they were given their own storyline, which makes this drama funnier and 'more open' to other love possibilities.
Angie's fiance, Eddie Kim, is pretty hot, and the twist at the end could mean that we'll be seeing more of him if there's a second season. BTW, he also the right chemistry with Angie and you can see that sparks did fly when they meet again as adults, if I'm not so biased with Jasper, I think Eddie and Angie's storyline has a great potential.
The story might be trite, but this drama is overall fun, something that will warm you up when its cold and would give enough sunshine during gloomy weather. Since this is only 6 episodes, might as well binge-watch this.
Oh....it also has a cool soundtrack, particularly the english song they played. Anyone knows the title?
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From Threads of Lies Comes an Entangled Web of Love
Unexpected Falling definitely lives up to its namesake; I unexpectedly fell hard for its gorgeous cinematography, delicious angst and pacing, and the frustrating yet heady chemistry between Peng Guanying and Cai Wenjing in their second work together after The Confidence (2020). This is a super slow-burn romance, which is mostly about the mystery behind the FL's deceased husband. It's not an intense thriller with bloody crimes; instead the story mostly revolves around large business dealings (i.e. stock trading and manipulation), and the gradual romance between two people who start off as enemies, become reluctant friends, and end as passionate lovers.I'd highly recommend having a watch for these reasons:
♡ A Chemistry and Romance that Simmers: For those of you who love pining, angst, and seeing our characters slowly fall for each other even knowing they shouldn’t, this drama is chock-full of all of these tropes. Unexpected Falling does an amazing job at showing the gradual change in two people who initially suspect each other, but then slowly begin inviting each other into their lives. This is not a fluffy, sweet, and rosy-tinged romance; instead it is one about two older characters who have undergone trauma, hardships, and have their own regrets and limitations. After the exhausting and tiring experiences in their life, they come together finding solace and comfort in each other. I loved how the drama slowly peels away the layers of our characters; while at first you think Zhenzhen has a very negative personality, and Guo Jun is extremely arrogant and domineering, you slowly realize these are only the surface impressions of our leads who are very flawed characters.
♡ Beautiful Cinematography and Poetic Lines: This drama uses a lot of darker colours and tones, and has a very melancholy atmosphere and feeling across the entirety of the story. I loved the attention to details made through its filmography; for example, certain camera angles are used in order to make you suspect the identities of characters, and also create narrative tension throughout the series. There are also other hints, including character habits (e.g. the drinking of water, the wearing of glasses, certain repeated dialogues, etc.) that are consistent with certain plot reveals throughout the drama. Most of all, I loved how the drama uses a lot of domestic scenes (e.g. taking your lover’s coat, cooking a meal, tying one’s hair) between our main leads that show how much they want to be close to each other yet at the same time must restrain themselves. This is a drama that doesn’t tell things through dialogue; instead it’s one where the visual language — from gazes, expressions, and lots of staring — are used to communicate to the viewer instead.
♡ Refreshing, Adult Characters: Similar to the calm atmosphere and the moody colour palette of the drama, our main characters are very mature and complex personalities. Ruan Zhenzhen is one of my favourite female leads of all time, because of how few Chinese drama FLs are extremely reserved and introverted. She is not a happy or upbeat character, but instead is someone who has few friends, ruminates a lot and experiences depressive episodes, and often keeps to herself. She is hard to get close to and distrusts people easily, but only because of the excessive lengths she goes to when protecting and caring for the people who she loves most. On the other hand, Peng Guanying does an amazing job showing the expressions, struggle, and guilt that he faces as Guo Jun. Not only does he have incredible charisma and presence, but you start off suspecting him and even disliking him, before falling in love for how swoony and protective he is towards Zhenzhen. Both of them play very realistic characters and personalities, and it's quite a nice breather from the recent wave of youth and campus romances.
♡ Interesting Background Plot and Relationships: One thing this drama also demonstrates is relationships, especially with families, friends, and the people who are in your life. There are a lot of characters who become hateful and despicable after Zhenzhen’s husband’s death, for reasons including money, jealousy, and bitterness. There are also others who go above and beyond to show their loyalty and support for Zhenzhen through her pain. Moreover, there is also a central mystery revolving around the financial world; although I didn’t find this as interesting, I appreciated how the drama used all of its characters to show the complicated and tangled relationships surrounding their crimes.
However, there are also some things you might not like about the drama:
♥ The Road to Happiness is Bumpy with Plot Holes: Honestly, much of the angst between characters would have broken down if Zhenzhen simply did a Baidu search about some people’s identities in the beginning. I was much more forgiving of this because I was really here to watch the chemistry between the main characters, but a lot of things are pretty inconsistent. For example, inevitably given the way Gao Jun was trailing after Zhenzhen the whole drama it’s a miracle that nothing serious happened to the both of them within the first ten episodes. I think you definitely need some suspension of disbelief, because honestly the investigations and proceedings of legal cases in this show (while not unrealistic) seem to be a bit sloppy given how smart the criminals are supposed to be.
♥ This is a Relationship and Family Drama, Not Really a Crime One: I don’t think this drama does thriller or tension in plot really well because it tends to lean in towards the slow-burn approach, and there were a lot of things they could have done to make the drama more intense (i.e. giving the sense that lives were really at risk, that someone may have the possibility of being hurt, etc.) At the same time, I realize that this wasn’t the goal of the drama. This isn’t really a drama that is about hunting down financial crimes, but it is really about Zhenzhen’s growth and her navigation of the mystery itself. That being said, those who don’t like slower-paced dramas, or who prefer intense shows with lots of action (there’s honestly not much of that in here) should probably stay away from this one.
♥ A Long and Winded Slow-Burn: This is not a fast-paced drama, despite the fact that there are mysteries that need to be unraveled and crimes that are uncovered. We don’t even get to an actual relationship and more discoveries about the main underlying conflict until episodes in the 30's. You will absolutely need to be patient when watching this show; and I think if you aren’t invested in the relationship between the main characters you may end up feeling bored. There is definitely suspense and tension, but it is drawn out and comes to a slow-burning fire in the culmination of the drama. At its best, this is really a drama that focuses on the process and journey rather than the outcome; at its worst, others may consider there to be lots of filler moments (about relationships) that take away from the crime (the financial and business aspects).
♥ Some Acting Issues: Cai Wenjing is quite bubbly in real life, while Peng Guanying is very good-natured and quite extroverted in interviews. I think both of them did a good job acting as characters that were very complicated and multi-faceted, but sometimes it was clear that some of the supporting cast had more acting depth. In particular, for scenes where the FL is attacked by others or becomes surprised, Cai Wenjing's expressions were sometimes a little out of place or slightly awkward. On the other hand, Peng Guanying sometimes came off as being a little stiff in scenes with anger or frustration. However, these are relatively minor aspects to pick on, as overall I cannot really think of a better casting choice for these characters, and I really enjoyed watching them together once again.
I'd highly recommend this drama for those who want a more mature, adult watch about older lead characters, those who like darker romances (i.e. a "villain" ML even though he is actually kind inside), and a very devoted ML who initially distrusts the FL and then grows to fall in love with her loyalty and kindness to the people around her. It’s not for everyone, given the fact that it seems to market itself as a series about criminal cases and a shady death, but is actually about the relationships that Ruan Zhenzhen builds through her experience with this situation. If you go in with lowered expectations and are a fan of romances between two people marred by the passing of life experiences, then you’ll find this a suspenseful watch with a main couple that leaves you breathless at how beautiful and encompassing their love for each other is.
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This review may contain spoilers
KDrama sure can do historical drama. Goryeo-Khitan War is another prime example of this
"Goryeo Khitan War" is a historical epic intended to honor not only the historically exceptional achievements during the Goryeo-Khitan War, but also half a century of KBS (Korean Broadcasting System). And it does. Perfectly done in all instances and scales. What's even more fascinating is how it succeeds to fill ca. 1,000 years long bygone history with life in a gripping way - close to the facts and colorfully embedded within the midst of the political milieu surrounding the royal court.If I hadn't accidentally stumbled into the filming set in the early summer of 2023, this thoroughly historical KDrama might have slipped a bit back on my list. But this personal connection eventually made me more curious. And now I'm full of praise.
32 hours long history lesson - history can be told so vividly… Complex personalities, an even more complex political context and a highly demanding challenge of war come very close to the audience. You don't have to be of Korean origin to be inspired - by its heart, intelligence, daring, perseverance and humanistic ethos. It is not about simply enumerating historic facts. It is colorful, complex, character driven – what happened about 1.000 years ago comes as close as it gets: Those years around the turn of the millennium at the beginning of the 11th century, when the 8th king of Goryeo - the then still quite young Hyeongjong of Goryeo - had to face the successive invasions of the numerically superior, Khitan of the Liao Dynasty.
What happened way back then obviously has happened a long time ago, but actually many policymakers today could be inspired and encouraged by the political attitude that is being exercised here. Even though facing the acute threat, this canny, courageous, responsible king isn´t willing to simply fly on sight, but rather acts cool-headed and with foresight. He is someone who does not shy away from complex, fundamental, unpopular, but far-reaching, forward-looking structural reforms... And then there is a government official, who not simply and opportunistically cares about himself, but about the cause - about the people, the country and the ´good´ (even if uncomfortable) decision.
The book "Sweet Rain in Winter" by Gil Seung-soo certainly contributed significantly to an excellent script. The historical greats, both large and small, impressively come to life. Romance is secondary, bromance is the theme here. By this I mean less the homosexuality of Mokjong, the 7th king of Goryeo. Rather, the intense struggle and relationship between King Hyeonjong and Gang Gam-chan, a scholar, government official, mentor of the king and crucial military commander during the third Goryeo invasion.
The KDrama offers a distinctively Korean (chapter of hi)story. One with a lot of pathos and even more ethos. One about people and their relationship dynamics, about their character strengths and weaknesses.
KDrama sure can do historical drama. Goryeo-Khitan War is another prime example of this.
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This review may contain spoilers
I. LOVE. THIS. DRAMA. SO. MUCH! Truth be told, I really debated and fought myself against giving this drama a 10. I mean the production values aren't great and it definitely has a high goofiness/quirky factor that some people might not get past, and for any other drama with those negatives, I wouldn't normally go above an 8. But no matter how much I tried to reason with myself, when it came down to it, I just think this drama is everything I ever wanted and everything I didn't even realize I wanted. Every time I thought I'd only give it an 8 or at best a 9, I found myself cheering or laughing out loud or crying soulful tears (yes, you will need a tissue box, maybe not even a box, but at least a few in your pocket), and then I knew I just had to give it a 10. It gets a 10 not because it is perfect TV, but because it was perfect to me. And, yes, I am an unapologetic and rabid Lee Min Ki fan, but you can see in my ratings of his movies that just because I love him to pieces, doesn’t mean I will automatically rate everything he does as a 10 with a 100 hearts after it. I try to be objective, even when it comes to my Min Ki :).
[Note: I will not be using the annoyingly bad English name of Evasive Inquiry Agency when referring to this drama but rather the more apt Mixed Up Investigative Agency (MUIA).]
First things first, if you are planning to watch this drama, be forewarned that it doesn't get truly great until episode 8 (some people might even say 10). Sure, it's loads of fun and entertaining and even exciting and the mysteries are all good enough to keep you going, but it really doesn't enter into the realm of greatness until then when you really start to see the heart and some surprisingly good acting. Up until then it's like the difference between how your chest feels when you are taking an exhilarating ride on a rollercoaster vs. how your chest feels when you realize you are in love. Sure your heart pounds in both instances, and both are lots of fun, but only love is profound and has memories that will last a lifetime.
Ok, so that out of the way, here are 12 reasons why MUIA is so darn perfect:
1. It's unique. One of the things that always tickles me the most and is most likely to land a drama near the top of my faves list is uniqueness, which, as much as I love Kdramas, is not always one of their strong points. I've seen many Kdramas where I've got the whole thing figured out within about 3 to 4 eps and the rest is just seeing where the details differ from the other 15 dramas just like it. You cannot say that about MUIA.
2. It's a true ensemble. Even in other so-called ensemble dramas usually 1 couple stands just a little taller than the rest of the cast, but not in this case. All 4 main characters are equally important to the point where you truly cannot say that any 2 are the stars. It is a true ensemble.
3. There is romance, but it's not really important. What's important in MUIA is friendship and a sense of family that comes not from blood but from loyalty and love and being there for each other in their time of need.
4. Speaking of family -- no meddling parents! Yeah! Meddling parents suck and are a staple of Kdramas that make me sick. So a show always gets bonus points from me when they aren't there!
5. Without being spoilery, another awesome thing about this drama is that it doesn't fall prey to crazy makjang machinations or hand of god reversals even where the story has left the door wide open for them. It is organic and moves where it should rather than being totally contrived for some kind of shock effect. I'm not saying it's totally realistic (because there are some silly and decidedly unrealistic moments), but it doesn't feel manipulated.
6. Conversely, some things that would normally NOT get fixed or reversed quickly do so in a timely manner. And expectations are frequently subverted. If you think something is going a certain way based on your prior knowledge of Kdramas, well, you are probably wrong.
7. The characters are not stock types and therefore feel like living, breathing people that you WILL start to care about. And I’ll just say it right here – Jung Hee Kyung (played by Ye Ji Won) is PURE AWESOME! I often find Kdrama female characters annoying or downright insipid or if they are of the evil type, well, then, pure evil balls of hatred. Not so with Hee Kyung. Yes, she is flawed, very much so. And she definitely has her annoying moments. But she is such an amazingly nuanced and multi-faceted character. She is a fully 3-D person that fits no character type I’ve seen before, similar to several, maybe but definitely not with all of her layers. I love her to death. She is one of my all-time favorite Kdrama characters, not just women, but characters. I love her warts and all (for those non-native English speakers, I mean that I even love her bad qualities).
8. This show has some deeply philosophical dialogue beneath all the fun. So watch out or it might really get you thinking!
9. Even the peripheral characters are treated as real people and you actually find yourself caring about them. This is a fully-populated world of real human beings, not just a set for our main characters to prance around in. (On that note, make sure you watch the end skit after episode 14. It was just the BEST thing ever! For that matter, watch all the end skits. They are pure gold!)
10. Acting! The main actors in this drama, despite some of the over-the-top quirkiness (mostly reserved for Lee Min Ki, a man who has made over-the-top quirkiness an art form all its own, even in photos, and yet still manages to also be a killer actor in serious moments when he needs to be), have some really special moments of greatness. Especially, again, Ye Ji Won, but definitely also Ryu Seung Soo and Lee Min Ki and even in a couple rare instances Lee Eun Song, when she was allowed to break her intentionally robotic character.
11. The soundtrack was fantastic. I think that a soundtrack can do 3 things in a drama: it can just sit there and do nothing to add or detract to the drama to the point where you can’t even remember if there was music; it can be overbearing and annoying or totally inappropriate and ruin the mood like a poop in pool; or it can add to every moment of the drama making it that much better. And, of course, that’s what MUIA’s soundtrack did. When a moment was funny, the music added to the funny, like using the MacGyver theme song during one scene and practically making me fall out of my chair). When a moment was exciting, the music was exciting (which normally meant adding to the funny by using intentionally overly dramatic music). When a moment was melodramatic, the music perfectly fit that mood too, or in a couple of particularly perfect beats, the total lack of music was what moved me the most. They used a huge range of music (theme songs from shows, American, Korean, classical), and each to outstanding effect. Well done, music director!
12. And finally, the best thing about MUIA, PLOT….and details, details, details. I’d say my single biggest complaint about Kdramas (but clearly not a big enough one to make me stop watching since I’ve now seen 116 in less than 2 years) is how they often start off with nicely nuanced and seemingly thoughtful plots and then start dropping balls all over the place about half way through. My understanding is that this is normally due to the live shoot system that most dramas end up in towards the end of their run and because sometimes scripts are being written while shooting is going on (everything I ever needed to know about Kdramas I learned from King of Dramas, hee ;)).
However, MUIA doesn’t drop balls, threads, or any other bits. It is as tightly plotted as any Kdrama I’ve seen – actually, it might be the most tightly plotted one I’ve seen. Everything that happens has a purpose and there are neat clues and details EVERYWHERE. In fact, all the clues are what gives this such a high re-watch value because I can’t wait to go look for them again! I never felt like the show was looping around to the same old plot over and over again (see most Kdramas) or that it was dropping characters and threads like hot potatoes just to suit the main plot (see nearly every TV show ever). It never did either of these things, and even when you might think it did, it will prove you wrong – just you wait and see!
When I was looking into this drama, I saw that it had really poor ratings when it broadcast. It was on KBS2, not one of the 3 main channels, but the ratings were still really poor. And not many non-Korean Kdrama watchers have seen it either because it isn’t on Dfever or Viki. Therefore, I have officially dubbed MUIA: THE WORLD’S MOST UNDERRATED KDRAMA! I think of it as the Firefly of South Korean television, a truly great show unappreciated in its time. So, I have written this review with the hope that my fellow Mydramalist-ers will give this drama a shot and in time, like Firefly, MUIA will get at least a little of the love and appreciation it deserves!
And if all that isn’t enough – IT’S GOT LEE MIN KI IN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Please note that I added a little bit more to this on 3/8, the day after I originally posted it.)
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An underrated thriller with a shoddy ending, yet lived upto the mystery genre.
This drama is definitely one of the most underrated gems of the year 2021. I am disappointed at the fact that very less people were watching in real time and not sure whether it'll get recognition now that it's over. I think the cast is the reason but wth; these are all brilliant actors.A lot of people might consider it's a makjang or chaebol drama for the dark complex synopsis but trust me it's not. It's rather a mystery thriller with a touch of makjang, let's say 30%…? Well again, this drama lives upto the mystery genre.
THE ROAD: THE TRAGEDY OF ONE is about the family, social, political, business and hierarchical affairs involving people of a posh place namely, "Royal The Hill", where top 1% people of South Korea inhabit. This is an adaptation of the famous Japanese thriller novel "Ichi no Higeki" by Rintaro Norizuki published in 1992.
Baek Hyun Soo (Ji Jin Hee) is a famous news anchor with tragic past of youth who holds enormous influence on the netizens that he's built over decades by the means of his work. Married to his enemy's daughter, Seo Eun Soo (Yoon Se Ah), Hyun Soo has always thrived for justice. But as soon as he tries to unmask his own father-in-law, Seo Gi Tae (Chun Ho Jin), things become awry and making everything a mess. On a torrential rainy night a tragic incident takes place and the secrets connected with it result in silence, avoidance, and confusion, which eventually leads to another tragedy.
The Cast is full of veteran actors and in fact, the side characters or minor roles are played by actors with good amount of experience. This fact makes the drama even more interesting even before you start. If cast is the reason the drama isn't getting recognition, man that's an act of foolishness because the cast is very apt and all of them are very skillful actors. They're not just old by ages, also by the time they've spent in the industry. Their performance in this drama is stupendous.
Traumatized by his past Hyun Soo often gets flashbacks of that one horrible day of his teenage that changed his entire life making him run away from everything. Since then, he's always sought escape thinking he can someday finally fix his life but could never reach the end. Eun Soo, a miniature artist, loves her husband and son and can go to any length to protect her family. She's always careful about maintaining her dignity but also has her own insecurities. Chairman Seo Gi Tae of Jaekang Group is very influential and can wield any kinda card to get his work done. Aware of Hyun Soo's intentions, he draws a big picture to prevent his forthcoming downfall. Cha Se Young (Kim Hye Eun) is an announcer and highly ambitious woman who is never satisfied despite owning everything. Her greed and evil motives lands her in many odd situations.
Apart from the main cast,Choi Nam Gyu (Ahn Nae Sang) playing Se Young's husband, Shim Seok Hoon (Kim Sung Soo) playing Metropolitan Detective, Kwon Ye Jin (Baek Ji Won) playing News Desk Chief, Bae Kyung Sook (Kang Myung Hun) playing Chairman Gi Tae's 2nd wife and Hwang Tae Seob (Kim Roe Ha) playing the assemblyman are some other major characters who contributed to the drama's quality. Even the 2 child actors were good.
It's definitely a thriller with lots of makjang elements such as marriage problems, extra-marital affairs, cheating your partner, infidelity, rich family affairs, dirty secrets, power politics, hierarchical dispute, birth secret, drugs, alcohol, hypersexuality, high ambitions, political fights, corruption, pseudo journalism, scams, etc. Still a thriller, I repeat, with lots of twists & revelations plus a steady plot development that's worth anticipating about.
First 2 episodes are honestly kinda slow as well as confusing because it's anyways the introduction of the drama and there are lots of going back and forth in time to showcase the past connections. This particular thing is also included equally throughout the 12 episodes which might be unbearable but flashbacks are very common for individuals with PTSD. Yes, the lead character, Hyun Soo suffers from trauma and goes through frequent flashbacks even after 2 decades.
Story and screenwriting are very good with a steady and definite plot development and harmonic progression. The plot becomes somewhat blunt and boring in the episode 9 but even a major revelation at it's end again picked up my curiosity. Since it's only 12 episode I was a bit scared the finale week (11th & 12th) would be rushed but thankfully it wasn't the case. The destination goal of the drama started unfolding after the 2nd half of the 10th episode and almost everything was crystal clear by the end of 11th hence creating scope for the finale episode to come out smooth. However, I am a bit disappointed with the finale episode. It wasn't exactly bad but the way the writer wanted to end is unusual for a Korean thriller drama. I understand that in real, that also is a possibility and that's evident but still...... The main culprit was revealed in the 12th episode to the audience and everything was explained but...... Idk how to tell this without spoiling. Anyways, not gonna say that they messed up.
Direction ia amazing. All the techniques used to make the drama interesting plus intriguing, yielded good results. Synchronization and linking and of events, pacing and screenplay are very well done. And another important aspect of mystery/crime thriller dramas that's sound editing, is also excellently executed. Intense sound effects with deep background scores make the screenplay more thrilling. OSTs are also good and suit the mood of the drama. Cinematography is something that's been aptly worked upon and the dark aura helps keep the suitable scenario.
"Memories" by Yi Sung Yol is deep, sad and tragic track. "Find the Way" by Jung In is also good.
Again, it totally defines what exactly "mystery" genre should be like. There were lots of revelations in here and till the end there were lots of questions like why, who, how, what, etc that left me astonished. It's very unpredictable throughout because everyone seemed to be possessing some secrets and everyone tried to climb up the ladder and save themselves like crazy. Also, there are few things they had been showing us till the last episode without much explanation but they were eventually made clear in the finale. I started the drama a week before the finale so I thought people would be making theories and going crazy but sadly, coming here I see very less are watching it.
Also, this drama has a bisexual and a lesbian character who are involved with each other but that's not shown in a good light, rather it's another dirty little secret of the story.
This drama deserves a lot more than this and tvN's to be partially blamed too because it seems they're not promoting it well unlike it's other big budget ongoing dramas. I expected it to at least do well in Korea if not internationally but things didn't go well may be, hence making it one of the most underrated of this year. I could have given it 8.5/10 but outcome of last 15 mins was a bit unusual even though it's somewhat realistic.
I know that at this point filthy rich, posh village stories with luxurious group of people, gorgeously dressed women, family secrets, fight for assets things have become old and usual but this drama stands out to be different from the trope because of it's thriller elements and definitely worth the one time watch. So please give it a try keeping in mind that the first 2 episodes might not interest you but trust me, it gets better with each episode.
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It adressed some really important issues in a very respectful way
I am usually not a fan of series where characters travel forwards in time, so I wasn’t going to watch it at first. But then I saw some scenes about Army and Joe and those go me hooked, so I decided to give the show a try. And before I knew it, I was not very patiently waiting for new episodes each week.The series is amazing! I really like that the cast was given mature roles instead of just making it a high school series. I feel like the topics addressed in the series can be better portrayed with some maturity from the characters. Even if there are a lot of comedic scenes, the series takes a very healthy and open-minded approach to relationships, intimacy, kinks, and sexuality. I really want to point out that seeing an asexual person and them expressing their lack of need for intimacy was really refreshing to see, especially as asexuality is often ignored (I was wrong on this - the character in question is actually a side, check the comments for more info). The fact that Alex is a gynecologist also helps to open topics such as STDs and safe sex.
We get to meet a lot of side characters that each have their own very detailed story, but I didn’t find it overwhelming, as they all connect in the end. Alex had quite a few photo mysteries to solve, not all of which were love problems. I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I am not going to say who ended with who when that is not already obvious.
Army & Joe – Fluke and Thor did an amazing job portraying their characters emotions, I could sense when Joe was uncomfortable just by glancing at him. The two characters are quite different but I think that’s what makes them a good match for one another.
Jedi & Rose – I really love their dynamics. It was not really what I expected and the episode dedicated to solving their problems was really interesting. The plot twists were brilliant!
See-ew – I was really interested in what would happen with See-ew once we got to see his future photo as it looked very bad for him. I also like how his kink was not just something that others could make fun off.
Kat – I really appreciated how they approached her picture story. The trauma she experienced was not taken lightly, not by her nor the others around her. It was refreshing to see, as many series and movies just ignore the amount of damage such an experience can leave.
Nim & Molly & Bew – these three ladies were an interesting bunch. Nim and Molly dated in high school but broke up, so Nim then started dating Bew. I think we saw a lot more growth for two of them, but marking the third one as just plain selfish would be too simple. There is complexity behind her decision that might seem very self-centered and damaging at first.
Alex – he showed a lot of growth and understanding for what was happening and what has happened in the past. He fully accepted his responsibility for the hurt he had caused to those around him. He did try his best to correct his wrongdoings, but he never denied his responsibility. And that is something that I really appreciate, no matter how much I wanted to hate him at some point. Not all mistakes can be fixed, and that is something we need to learn and accept.
Jean – she was a badass character! I enjoyed her high school self, her activism and the way she clearly expressed what she wants. Her story is probably the one that hurt the most, I was upset for guessing right what happened. I like how supportive she is to those around her, friends or not.
As for the ending, it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t what I was hoping for. I do understand why they decided to end it as they did though. I was not really happy with how they handled Jean's story towards the end of the series, which did bring my rating down.
I know a lot of people are / were bothered by the reason why Alex is solving all this mysteries and trying to make things better. I do agree that the whole idea that his main end goal is to be able to climax again is just ridiculous. But to be honest, it completely slipped my mind most of the time. Only when it was brought up by the characters did I actually remember it. So while it was not my favorite end goal, it wasn't that bothersome.
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