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This show is about 100 male trainees selected from 31 companies, who are competing for a spot in the debuting group. The debuting group is comprised of the top nine winners, and is decided through the final votes of the Citizen Producers. During the four months there, the trainees are given different evaluations. These evaluations involve a group battle, concept (singing, dancing, or rapping) evaluation, and mentor collaboration. The mentors assigned to this group of contestants are made up of people who have some sort of experience in the music industry. Whether it was a year or more of experience being on stage, the mentors were able to share their knowledge and experiences with the trainees.
Although the show is based off of another, it has its own uniqueness to it. It is not just the concept of the show that is important but the trainees and the mentors who made the show amazing. Throughout this journey, we can see that the trainees grew significantly, even those who seemed to be very good from the very beginning. Though many members of the show had left one by one, they still remained (and were remembered as) a big part of the show (Dong Yanlei, for an example), and the rest of the trainees respected them very much. What really made me love the show was watching the interactions between them. Many of them were kind and caring towards each other, not to mention the relationships they shared with the mentors were wonderful (I recommend watching the behind the scenes, Xin Fan, game times, and short footages of them in their dormitory because they were always funny and exciting, and it is where the audience gets to know the trainees more). At the end, the show welcomed those who were eliminated for a final performance on stage, during the season finale.
There is not much that I would change about the show, but I would have really liked it if the mentors had some sort of influence over the winners of the debuting group (not saying that I want to change anyone!). I love each and everyone who made it, I just wished it could have been made fairer for those who were not quite as popular. The selections were made solely based off of who the audience liked the most. There were many amazingly talented people who did not make it very far, not to mention were underrated and overlooked most of the time. Do not get me wrong, everyone who made it in the finale are hella talented, but the lack of mentor input made the show more predictable. Other than that, I am completely satisfied with the show and the nine trainees who made it! Plus many of my favorites (and bias) made it!
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Crazy, Seductive, Genre-Blending Fun
Rules for watching Affinity:#1 - Don’t Take It Too Seriously
This short drama throws together every genre under the sun (romance, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and more) into one juicy, addictive blend. This is junk food TV — just binge and enjoy.
#2 - Enjoy the Kissing Scenes
It certainly seems like the actors are — or at least, they’re very committed to their roles and not holding back in the physicality department (see episodes 7 and 16 for some particularly eye-popping examples). Cui Yu Xin plays his desperate, barely controlled, obsessive male lead to perfection.
#3 - Embrace the Nonsense
Does any of the plot, world-building, or sequence of events make sense? Not really. The structure sometimes feels like someone threw a bunch of creative writing prompt cards on the table and said, "Here's our story outline!". But it’s wildly unpredictable and weird and silly, and that’s part of the fun.
I’ve noticed that short-length web series often focus on style over substance — light on the character development and plot, leaning on actors’ good looks and chemistry to keep viewers interested. This approach doesn't always work, but "Affinity" manages to pull it off. What plot there is is strangely compelling (dabbling in topics like genetic experimentation and shadowy government organizations), and the chemistry is so sizzling that you’ll want to stick around to see what’s next.
At the halfway point (ep. 20), I’m hooked and waiting to see where all of this is going. The synopsis doesn’t even begin to capture the craziness that is this drama; you just have to experience it for yourself.
UPDATE after finishing the series:
The second half doesn’t have nearly the same spark and breakneck pace, but the emotional journey of the characters is easy to get invested in, and we do get a happy (and suitably wacky) ending.
What works:
– The leads. Their chemistry is undeniable, but let’s be clear: it’s not a healthy or equal relationship for the majority of the series. But the genetic compatibility angle adds an interesting layer to their dynamic and at least explains (but doesn’t excuse) the male lead’s bad behavior. He starts out as someone who’s unable to experience emotions, but his deep connection with the female lead unlocks feelings he’s never had before. On top of that, they need each other for survival, which gives their intense, magnetic attraction a narrative purpose.
– Cui Yu Xin’s performance. CYX’s role as Xin Xu elevates the show from a campy time-waster to something that’s compulsively watchable, and I don’t think it would work without him. His character has more depth than what you’d expect at first glance, and it’s fascinating watching his expressions shift over the course of the series from lifeless, to like a beast stalking its prey, to tender and adoring and vulnerable. The scenes that depict his emotional awakening — like crying for the first time — are quite touching. He’s a versatile and expressive actor.
– The soundtrack. There are several memorable songs that are intense and moody and really enhance what’s happening onscreen (although there are also some odd selections).
What could be better:
– I wish Fang Jin’s female lead had more to do than react with wide-eyed fear to all the chaos. More often than not, her character seems more like a foil to the male lead without the same level of agency or nuance. There are hints that she’s supposed to be super smart, but we rarely get to see that. Both leads are immature and impulsive in different ways, and while emotional growth is a theme in the drama, Nong Yu doesn’t get nearly as compelling a character arc as Xin Xu in this area.
The show is pretty ridiculous at face value, but I’m rating it on its own scale with bonus points for novelty and just how oddly entertaining it is. I would put the first half at about an 8.5 and the second at more like a 7.
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Aya Kito is a japanese girl with a life like all others. Lately some changes has started happening around her everyday life. This movie is the 100% true story of a sick girl, Its based on the Diary of Aya Kito. The Movie was from a different perspective than the original drama as The drama was more added on too and held characters who weren't in the movie.
I Think the actors all did a pretty good job. Aside of my point of view where I Thought The Drama actors would be starring in the movie aswell.. They did a good job and managed to win me over. As for the music, It wasn't a music drama so it didn't really contain too much music. The Music that was there to be found, Were good though.. I gave the music an 8.
I really liked the movie for the atmosphere it has too it. The fact that the story is true only makes it all the more unbearable. Its a really good movie allthough the pace is slow at some points, I'll have to say I don't think the story could have been any better..
Its a good movie, Aswell as the drama is a must watch.
I'd recommend people who like more serious stories to watch this series.. The Movie might start of slow, But It will have you crying by the time you reach the storys end.
R.I.P Aya Kito..
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This review may contain spoilers
Definitely the TOP 1 on my list.
At first, I was quite reluctant to watch The Untamed because its genre (traditional + bromance/BL) is not the one I typically prefer to watch and I was even so confused on the first half of episode 1! I find traditional dramas to be cringey especially with all those flying around but not this one, it comes naturally and it's justified with the setting of the drama.Now, I'm having withdrawal syndrome & sepanx. I can hardly move on from it that I even read the novel & manhua. After reading them, I probably would have expected more from the drama if I came across of those first. So I recommend to watch the drama first so you have no expectations what so ever then read the novel because THE NOVEL IS SO EXTRA. It's also quite a revelation to myself that I might like BL stories because of The Untamed. This may not be a popular choice and I may want more but I like the creativity & subtleness of how they work around the censorship in China. Anyway, we have the novel & manhua to supplement that need for more.
The Untamed are also full of eye candies! Wen Ning is so adorable especially when he was trying to sell the turnips, I love him there! Zewu Jun was like a different person from his role in Mr. Honesty, as well as Shi Jie (in Well Dominated Love) that I almost did not recognize her! Even the main villains are good looking too that you can't hate them! Hello Xue Yang! Hope to see you in another drama soon. Jin Guang Yao/Meng Yao is also cute & funny out of character. The only people I hate there would be those hypocripte leaders of small sects/clans and The Jin clans' Guang Shan & that unreasonably arrogant Jin cousin.
I particularly love Xiao Zhan's portrayal of Wei Wu Xian, his smiles in different emotions and how his character progressed and matured from being smart & charming yet annoying when he was younger to (as Jiang Cheng puts it) being "self-less" causing his fall from grace and ultimately coming into terms with everything that happened upon his return whilst he is still the smart & charming yet annoying one that everyone once knew and that probably what attracts the junior disciples of the different sects, without them realizing his real identity (believing that he is Mo Xuan Yu all along), to him. I find his interactions to them adorable as well as hilarious. He really charmed them especially Jin Ling, which I kinda feel that this is not the WWX Jin Ling had expected or imagined.
Wang Yibo, another huge eye candy! The more you look at him the more attractive he gets. His portrayal of cold & boring Lan Wang Ji is on point though I want LWJ to have more personal interactions with WWX. Plus I find it very amusing that only WWX is the only person who can call LWJ "Lan Zhan", never heard it from his uncle or his brother and everyone else is just intimidated.
The Untamed is worth watching and rewatching. I'll be hard to find another drama on par with this one.
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This review may contain spoilers
Surrealism at its best!
If this drama worth for something it's for its surrealism.The plot was weak, the characters inconsistent, the FL had a completely childish behavior, the Goblin's character is weak and immature and the end was horrible as the Goblin didn't manage to get what he wished for.
The clever trick of this drama is that we watch the story from the Goblin's point of view though the actual protagonist and the character that leads the plot is the Reaper.
Anyway...
The plot is inconsistent and boring but interaction between the actors who were improvising and had fun while they were filming ( probably due to the lack of a solid script!! lol ) along with the cinematography and the music make an unbeatable combination.
It is the kind of series that you would expect to see if Pedro Almodovar , Guillermo Del Toro and Tim Burton joined their powers to make a festive ( Christmas or similar ) series.
9,5 out of 10 from me for the surrealism and fun factor.
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This review may contain spoilers
Short and sweet love story
This is a mini drama. The female lead is a female lead inside an manga novel. She needs to get out of the novel to try to find the author to continue the story. She gets out and meets the male lead. The male lead is a science major and not very sociable. The female lead is a mary sue character (which is dumb and naive but cute) . At first the male lead is just interested in studying her, but then decides to help her get back to the novel. Along the way even the suppose male lead from the manga pops out. He is very chauvinistic and think he owns everything . ( at the same time his character is funny)It's a cute watch without nothing too dramatic or draggy. The story is interesting and funny. The leads have a cute relationship! but wish they had kissing scene. They had a peck on the head.
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Amazing Cast !
I have mixed- feelings about’ The Silent Sea’ and it seems a lot of people on the platform shared likewise emotions.On one hand I think that the storyline was intriguing and having read prior reviews I think that it was amazing that the director of the original film also decided to film this one.
I also loved the main cast. I’m familiar with our leads as if you begin to become immersed in Korean dramas then you become accustomed to these names and their involvement in their works.
However where my more critical views came through a few factors; the storyline and the filming styles and techniques .
The biggest problem I found with the storyline was that in theory it should’ve been impactful but I struggled to become enticed by the characters as their presence onscreen felt very controlled and enforced by the screenwriter rather than natural. This often resulted in characters feeling a bit boring onscreen.
My other peeve was that the series was really reliant on CGI. I don’t think this is always necessarily a bad thing entirely as after all it is a series set in space and the future but in all honesty the CGI wasn’t entirely the best. It wouldn’t be too bad perhaps if the series had attempted to present this more with real-life scenes but this often created a sort of trippy feel to scenes.
The ending wasn’t entirely bad per day but I did feel like it didn’t quite finish off the events of the storyline.
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Break Up Service
14 people found this review helpful
1This review may contain spoilers
A Fun Ride! My first ever Rom-Com to get a 9.5 / 10 Rating from me ;)
Came for the Guest roles / Cameos but found a Very Funny n REFRESHING drama.Hilarious, Very Sweet, Cute (and Sad during Break ups)!
I can't or usually struggle to watch Lengthy Romance Dramas of 16, 24 or 30+ episodes but this show with 12 eps is right to my taste.
Even the show format -- One Case per Episode, makes it more interesting (n easy on mind, to follow their love that is slowly built, without any toxicity)
Also, all my fav actors of GMMTV are in this, which gives more reason to love this :)
***
The Fresh theme of "Break up and Get Paid" is executed with a Positive & Hilarious Tone!
The concept "Break up Service" - that job -- Separate the couple as per client's request n Get paid by the client, is something New to me.
Though the job description looks morally bad or questionable, it's funny.
( Like Dating apps n matrimonial sites, Break up service is a good business idea, Haha -- Anything n Everything can happen in this modern age but for sure, the owner n the employees will go to Hell, if breaks up a good couple, breaking up a cheating couple is fine, I guess ;) )
Even their competitor, "Destiny" -- Make a couple fall in love as per client's request and Get Paid, looks different and cool.
***
All the cases handled by Break up service n Destiny companies n the main story have compelling storyline.
All the cases are Funny n Interesting, some are Emotional too.
Overall, a Good blend of Comedy + Different theme (break up service or Destiny) + Cute love story (main) + Sad love stories (cases), Everything in right proportions that keeps the viewer interested.
There's no moment of boredom throughout the drama.
It's so good that I can rate it higher than usual rom-coms! :)
*** ACTORS / CHARACTERS:
All Actors (main n supporting cast) performed very well.
Every character is well written.
Not just one or two, entire supporting characters are funny.
Special mention: Godji is hilarious as usual.
All the guest roles in each ep / each case are fun to watch.
The competition between the companies is funny n later the team work after merging of companies is very cool.
A Test to morality for Char Jued (Jorin) (viewer too?). She believes that breaking up any couple, good or bad, by a third party is not correct morally and
A Test to prejudiced faith of Char Boss (Off). He believes that Relationships are Fragile and any third person can affect them. He doesn't believe in strong love until he met Jued.
Boss - Jued moments are very sweet.
Off - Jorin's chemistry is very natural n cute, want them to be paired in future projects too, as Serious Off & Naughty Sweet Jorin!
Jorin (actor) is cute n Jued (char) is funny.
Boss falling for Jued but in denial, initially and later fell hard for her, is funny n sweet.
Off in women attires (female disguises of Boss) in every ep, is not at all Odd, instead Very Pretty & funny!
Usually, Off's comedy tone - Goofy n Chaotic, this is exactly what Jorin does here.
Jorin is like a Mini Version of Off here :)
While Off is all serious n dedicated to break up couples here, is funny.
(He did diverse roles very well in his previous works - comedy to serious).
Off n Tay interactions are sweet n funny.
Boss getting hurt after every Break up project, is funny.
It's like "Instant Punishment" for a sin, haha.
The Only time, he didn't get hurt after a break up is of Jued n her two timing bf (ep 1). So it's a good deed! :)
*** EPISODES / CASES:
Every ep starts funny, especially their investigations n disguises but turns emotional in the end.
***
Ep 1 / case 1: Jued & her bf
Cheating bf - Break up!
Also, Boss broke up his Boss, Chan n his wife.
(So two break ups in this ep)
Jued joined Break up service but is confused between her morals n professional requirements.
Guest role: Title
***
Ep 2 / case 2: The content creator couple
Faking sweetness without respect towards each other - Break up!
Guest role: Force, Jamie
***
Ep 3 / case 3: BL Ship
A BL actor who is shipped with his co-star, is in a secret relationship with another guy, who wants their relationship to be out in open, thereby troubles arise in professional n personal lives. Break up!
(But the essence of the ep is sad - Actors can't date in real life, especially when they are shipped with an on-screen partner (actor or actress). They really have to sacrifice true love sometimes for career or have to maintain a secret relationship, Tiring n SAD! )
Main Guest role: Drake, Aungpao, Prom
***
Ep 4 / case 4: Childhood sweethearts
Broke up once n reconciled but then have different life goals. Break up!
Guest role: Win, Emi
***
Ep 5 / case 5: The secret lovers / love triangle
Very funny, sweet n sad ep.
The secret lovers' bond is strong & Break up service's mission failed!
Here during this case mission, Boss n Jued became soft to each other
Fun moments:
Why is Jued so funny n silly!?
Her investigations about Khao's probable bfs are very hilarious.
Godji n Jorin are funny.
That funny surprised look of lady librarian when she saw her impersonator, "Lady" Boss!
This is their first failed case n so Boss didn't get hurt, haha.
For a moment, thought Kay deviated from his usual bad boy roles, surprised to see him all sweet n innocent initially but in the end, he is back to his usual role, haha.
He totally slays Bad Guy roles!
Guest role: Kay, Piploy n Tee
(Piploy with glasses looks like a cute female version of Mark Jiruntanin)
***
Ep 6 / case 6: Jealous ex gf, in between a sweet couple
The jealous ex gf is the client n Jued is against the company's requirements - opposes breaking her friends' love. But Break up!
So Jued resigns.
Guest role: Jan, Sing, June
***
Ep 7 / case 7: Married couple
Husband suspects his wife, having an affair with a young guy at her office.
"Destiny" is introduced here.
Jued hires "Destiny" to help Sing and Jan from case 6, to reconcile.
Married couple didn't break up.
Wife breaks up with her young lover.
Finally, Boss accepts that he loves Jued but a love rival, Tee (actor Foei) is introduced n so Boss's jealous era has started.
Guest role: Jeeratch.
Kapook and Foei are introduced as supporting cast.
***
Ep 8 / case 8: A gal with her three men
Funniest, Sweetest n Saddest ep!!
All favs in one ep - Namtan, Junior, Pod (n obviously, Tay, Foei, Off n Jorin )
The gal (Namtan's char) is in a polyamorous relationship with three men.
One of them, a rich older married man wants her to marry him, leaving the other two guys and is now a client to "Break up service".
Meanwhile, another guy (Junior's char), a budding author hires "Destiny" to make her his gal.
Sad to see Boss being sad seeing his crush, Jued confessing to Tee :|
For a change, Jued got hurt after the case, which usually happens to Boss :O
Cinematography in this ep is amazing.
Fun moments:
Funny - that surprise plot twist of Art (Pod), "Me too" said by 3 gals n a guy, haha.
Jealous Boss is Sweet.
Guest role: Namtan, Junior, Pod
***
Ep 9:
Case 8 continues. Break up!
Destiny and Break up service get into a tough competition and are working very hard, haha.
Rose (Jingjing) is introduced as Break up service's another team lead n Jued is jealous
Finally, Boss confessed to Jued! :)
Fun moments:
Junior n Namtan as finger licking elites are funny n cute, haha.
***
Ep 10 / case 9: Boss' boss, Chan n his ex wife.
Hilarious ep.
Chan's ex wife is about to marry another guy (fake fiancé or real?)
Both the companies get into competition -- One to break them and another to make the wedding happen.
And the teams within Break up service also get into a tough fight.
Guest role: Bangkok boy
***
Ep 11: Chan's case continues
The Chaos of case 9 continues. Hilarious!
There are big Surprises, Great Plot Twists and the secret about the spy from Destiny in Break up service is revealed.
OMG, the biggest plot twist is Oat! Haha.
Chan n his wife reconciled.
Fun moments:
Boss n Tee, challenging each other to fight, that entire scene is funny.
Chan: "Psycho Stephen Oppa is kidnapped, so no wedding, Aigoo!"
Next moment in the red rose scene, that Surprise look on his face when he saw that Stephen Oppa under the blanket. Aigoo! 🤭
***
Ep 12 / case 10 : Boss & Jued case - Break up to reconcile forever?
Both the companies merged and their first case is their co-workers Boss - Jued.
Lot of chaos!
Oat confessed to Boss but got rejected.
Boss - Oat friendship is strong but sad from Oat's POV.
Finally, Boss n Jued met again at the same place where they met first, like a dreamy romantic event.
Love the way how both the companies (Break up service n Destiny) merged and worked to break them up but later helped them to reconcile! :)
Me Sad, seeing my baby Tay (Oat) getting rejected and heart broken but then New's cameo cheered me up. Aigoo! :)
*** ENDING:
Aigoo, such a Sweet Closure to the Story, to Every Character n to the Drama! :)
Closing dialogues of Jued:
"It's undeniable that Relationships are Fragile. Whether to let it stay broken or choose to fix it, in the end, it is up to us to decide! "👌🏻
Overall, this is a Light-hearted Drama without much toxic characters n doesn't affect the viewer emotionally, though there are many break ups.
OST by Satang is Good.
***
My first ever Rom-Com (hetero couple) to get a 9.5 / 10 Rating from me ;)
Totally, a Fun Ride!
If U are looking for some light-hearted drama to sit back n relax while watching or to pass the time, then Don't Miss to watch this lovely drama!
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too many characters/love rivals - also deja vu???
Overall: though I was excited for a gangster romance, this vertical mini series was a let-down. Originally watched unsubbed on ShortMax (also has Kiss Me With Unspoken Love and My Uncle, My Ex-Boyfriend). 70 episodes under 2 minutes each. Watched May 2025 on Shortime episodes 1-10 free to watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTFqKh1zTrY My referral link is https://playground.shortime.en/invite/NKNIWI (all letters) and it should get you a bonus. Upon re-watch, I realized it has several plot similarities to KinnPorsche to the point that if someone had said it was a Korean adaptation, I would have believed them. Later aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/verticals/8660/gangster-like-me-got-a-boyfriend-2025Content Warnings: murder/death, blood, sexual assault, non con kiss, beaten up/violence, non con picture taking, blackmail?, past murders, rape?, kidnapping/held against will, torture, victim blaming, manipulation
What I Liked
- the tie pull
- sweet moments
- a few actual okay kisses
- good he didn't kiss him when the other guy was passed out in ep 27
- visuals
- good ending
Room For Improvement
- way too many love triangles/love rivals
- several camera blocked/cut to black kisses
- jumpy between episodes at times
- one character needed to stop drinking
My Watch For Free Plan (updated Feb 2025)
My referral link is https://playground.shortime.en/invite/NKNIWI (all letters) and it should get you a bonus.
On the Rewards (popcorn bag icon page)
- check in = 5 (increases over 7 days up to 25)
- create a login = 20? (I did create a login because otherwise you only get 1 Always Win box instead of 3 per day, I think this was 20 popcorn)
- do the 3 random popcorn from the daily Always Win box = 30 (I'd normally get 5-15, around 30 in total)
- Watch Ads, watch all 10 ads each day, have to wait 30 seconds in between ads = 110
When you run out of popcorn while watching, you can watch 5 episodes each day with ads
App Information/How to Watch for Free ShortMax
- you don't have to create a login for the app
- daily check ins were between 20-30 coins plus ability to double if I watched an add
- watched 6 ads for 25 coins each (wait time in between) plus 10 bonus for having watched all 6
- watched 10 free episodes per day (if you are out of coins, on the pop up on the lower right there should be an option to watch an ad to watch an episode)
- episodes cost 50 coins, you can't watch out of order, once unlocked they stay unlocked
- I was able to watch about 14 episodes per day, if starting at zero coins, that would take about 5 days
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- First of all the "OST" : is something I'm sure that you w'll love.
- The second is the "Cast & The Acting " : all the characters in the movie are real , my point is that you can easily feel them and feel there emotions , the characters in the movie are so simple , they only think in a way to save the people they love's and live with them in happiness , and that happened after they meat the main role "Eun Ah - Kim Sun Ah" and crosses with "Oh Jae Uk - Ohn Joo Wan"
- The third is the "Story" : which was written in genius way make you stay focus on the screen from the first second until the last one.
when the staff list beginning I came to MDL to but the movie on "My FV list" and I give it 10 of 10 ~
And for those reason you w'll watch the movie again and again ..
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For a reincarnation of Hana-Kimi I have to admit I was worried about pacing. The manga was too long winded for me and I actually never bothered reading the final two or three volumes because I knew how it would end and I found the whole thing tiring. Ironically when I started To the Beautiful You I didn't even realize that it was Hana-Kimi. Which is a good thing because at 16 episodes it is the longest version of the tale yet! Immediately I was drawn into the story and by the time I realized what I was watching, I didn't care. Nope, I was having fun. And in the end the pacing worked out perfectly. Giving every storyline it's time to develop and not turning valuable viewing time into an endless repeat.
To the Beautiful You is for the most part a feel good rom-com. It's not deep. Again, for the most part. This is easy viewing that simply makes you smile. Mission accomplished! That said the writers truly delivered on Cha Eun Gyeol. The instant I met him, it was love! As the story progressed and he becomes conflicted over his love for Goo Jae Hee, my heart went crazy. And maybe melted in a few poignant moments. Actor Lee Hyun Woo was amazing, and made me a loyal fan. Especially the moment when he decides love concurs all, even the boundaries on what society–and himself–might still find as a forbidden love. These are the kind of romances I live for.
Viewers will either love this or dislike. If you can separate this as a new take on a "classic", you'll do fine. If not, you know you'll be angry because this is not faithful. There's plenty of fan service moments for Shinee fans as Choi Min Ho really separates himself as good eye candy away from the band. If nothing else watch this show for the most epic paint ball fight! Assassin Choi Min Ho anyone? The show is plenty of laughs and I'll probably be visiting it just for good times, and when I need to reexperience the epicness of Goo Jae Hee. (Goo Jae Hee, the other reason this show needs to be watched. Let's be honest.)
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The drama was rather successful in blending these sweeter rom-com elements with a more serious and dramatic plot. There was a fine balance between these two storylines and neither one seemed to take too much time from each other, but rather work together quite well. Some dramas are upper sweet and cute in the beginning, but then it hits you with all the drama and it sucks the life out of the romance. But this show made the drama and the rom-com elements work.
The most memorable and the best thing about the drama was the main couple - as it is supposed to be in such rom-coms - not the revenge plot, even if I did start to really enjoy it towards the end. But I watched this mostly for the characters and the sweet moments and other cute bits. The characters, from the main couple to the side characters were really cute.
The revenge or the more serious plot was a bit too dramatic at times, but at the same time I felt as if it needed a bit more momentum at times to really work. The drama didn’t dive deep enough sometimes I felt, but it didn’t matter much to me, because that wasn’t what I was watching the drama for. But I felt like, in the end, the drama had said all that it wanted or needed to say. So it felt satisfying.
The drama had loads of great characters, but what stood out for me the most was actually the female character, Son Soo Jung, who was completely the hero of this drama and goes the most character journey of them all. It is usually the female character who has the role of making the male hero a better person but doesn’t always change that much as a character, but it seemed to be the opposite of this drama, which was something I really liked.
Soo Jung starts the drama of being kinda guarded against everything and everyone, she does not do well in life and she makes some wrong decisions at the beginning, which she has to pay for later on, but in her relationship with Kang Bok Soo she learns or wants to do better and she opens up more. She got the storyline that the male leads usually get. The drama spends a lot of time on her as a character and her developmental as a person, making her one of the stronger characters in the drama. It’s not all dramas manage that, or do it as well as My Strange Hero did, which was something I really enjoyed.
Out of all the main characters in this drama, Bok Soo, goes through the smallest character journey, but he as a characters does not change as much through the drama. He becomes less focused on revenge and opens up more, but I feel like the main goal of that character was to help some of the other character grow as human beings.
My Strange Hero was a drama I didn’t expect much from but ended up waiting eagerly for the next episode every week. It was so light and fun and overall a rather solid rom-com. At least for me. I haven’t found a drama with Yoo Seung Ho that I enjoyed this much in a long, which I really enjoyed, since I am a big fan of his.
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This review may contain spoilers
Starts With a Sizzle and Just Fizzled
This drama starts out sizzling hot. We have the ML (Li Zhuo Yang aka Chu Ze Jia/Chu Ze An) walking into the house as we see the FL (Meng Xi aka Yan Zhen) coming barefoot down the stairs. As Chu Ze Jia walks further Yan Zhen comes up behind him using her hand as a gun, she presses it into his back and says, "Stay still." Chu Ze Jia puts his hands up as Yan Zhen tells him to remove his glasses. Still holding his glasses and arms up, Yan Zhen puts a blindfold over his eyes. Chu Ze Jia tells her that her perfume gives her away and turns around. He starts to remove his blindfold only to have Yan Zhen say, "You want a surprise, don't you? " He smiles as Yan Zhen turns him around again and takes off the blindfold to show him the room decorated for their anniversary.Chu Ze Jia gives her a diamond necklace which he places around her neck. He then asks her where is his present to which she begins to take off her negligee and seductively let's it fall to the floor. Thus begins the most sexy and sensual make out session every. The chemistry between these two was off the charts. They could just look at each other and you could feel the electricity coming from both of them.
They were leading such a happy life until Yan Zhen's husband dies in a boat explosion after their anniversary. She then takes over the Anshi group as the general manager of her husband's company. But we knew something would happen when she was about to declare her husband legally dead. He comes back or does he.
Thus begins the question is he or isn't he her husband due to the fact we find out he had a twin brother, Chu Ze An.
We are lead on a good "cat and mouse" chase. There were moments when you suspected the SML (Wang Yi Lei aka Gu Cheng) of not being her friend but someone to be leery of. Then you had the SFL (Qiu Jia Qi aka Chu Ze Zin) who was the sister to Chu Ze Jia/Chu Ze An which was an utter waste because she served no purpose. Her voice and nonsense whining just took the drama down.
But the surprise comes in the very last episode. Yan Zhen, after everything has been settled decides to leave Chu Ze Jia. I was so shocked by this move. Her reason was: For the past four years, she was waiting for her loved one to come home. She was exhausted physically and mentally. She needed time for adjustments. She just said she was sorry. He tries calling her and gets the message: The number you have dialed cannot be reached. She further tells him not to try and find her. If they are destined to be together, they will meet. Even without her, she wanted him to believe that there would be someone in the world that would love him unconditionally.
I honestly was shaking my head in disbelieve. What was that. I was thoroughly put out by what she had just stated. They had solved the issues of what happened within the company and when they finally can be happy, she leaves him.
There is hope, if you can call it that, we do not know how much time transpired but we have Chu Ze Jia go back to where they first met still hoping that he will find her. As he looks away, you hear a camera click. Chu Ze Jia turns around and we assume it is Yan Zhen because he is smiling.
I had high hopes for this drama because of the casting of Li Zhuo Yang. I have seen him in all of his short dramas such as: The Princess New Clothes and Mutual Redemption Love. These are both good watches by the way. Each drama so far, he is in, the man is fire.
Unfortunately, for me with all the good intrigue and coming back together, it fizzled at the end because we were left empty handed with just a smile for comfort.
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Drama Special Series Season 1: White Christmas
14 people found this review helpful
This was a pure masterpiece! Full 10 out of 10 and I think this goes to my favorites here on MDL. If possible I'd give this 11/10.
I absolutely loved the acting in this one.
The actors may be young and yes, flower boys, but they are the kind of flower boys who knows how to act. At least that's what I think. In my opinion there are 2 kinds of flower boy actors: the ones who are there for eye-candy and just for that. And the ones who are there to act and offers some eye-candy too. This drama has the later.
There are few things in the drama that didn't make sense...
The ending was good but I don't quite understand the meaning of the ending... Maybe I need to sleep through the night and recap the drama on my head while sleeping and then I'll realize the meaning of the ending?
The music was really good and haunting. Except the Britney Spears song that was used as the ending song for some episodes... I skipped the ending song :D
I think Korea should make more dramas like this one.
It's a rare gem and I haven't stumbled upon Korean dramas like this one before.
My rewatch value for this one is really low because... You already know what's going to happen and how this is going to end.
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(Itsuka Kono Koi wo Omoidashite Kitto Naite Shimau).
Story: In my opinion, the story was very consistent, well written, with a meaningful romance story and very well portrayed by the casting actors.
The main focus of the show is the romance story but this show can also offer a journey with hardships sorrounding love, happiness, work and life objectives.
All characters contribute to the storyline, and there's no character left behind without helping the story progress.
While i watched the story was depressing, dramatic, pleasing and very cute at times.
I experienced a lot of moments throught the show where I was frustrated how the story progressed in many ways that i can't spoil, but i can say the story was well told and the characters were very well portrayed with their own point of views, thoughts and emotions, so i had no choice to care for them, but that is just me enjoying the show in my own way.
Acting: I feel like in this case everyone's perspective on each character will be different based on your own morals, preferences, etc... So what i can say is that i loved the acting and the casting, i think everyone was outstanding in portraying their own role.
Music/Overall: Pretty decent OST so nothing to special about it.
Overall: I like every aspect in this show, also i gave it 9 out of 10, because i don't consider this to be a masterpiece, but it was very well done and very well portrayed. I recommend it to those looking for a deep story with Romance/Drama/Slice of life.
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