Reviews

I have been literally blown away by this drama.
Discovered by mere chance while following Takenouchi Yutaka's work, it soon proved to be one of my best drama findings. It wasn't even listed on MDL, nor have I ever read a review or a comment about it.
Rondo is a romance thriller. The two aspects are smoothly interwoven and so well balanced that I don't know if I should say it's a romance on the background of a major criminal plot, or a thriller with an undertone of romance.
But let me go in order.

Plot: 10.
Should you decide to watch this drama, don't be deterred by the complex police investigation at the beginning. Slowly but steadily, the jigsaw pieces find their right place and everything becomes clearer and more and more gripping. Never predictable though; on the contrary, there's a twist at every turn.
The love story is simply beautiful. I love the Japanese-Korean interaction between the main leads, it adds a lot of colour to the story and create some very sweet moments. The two characters are a beauty to watch together: both intense and believable, both incredibly good-looking.

Acting: 10.
Terrific performances by all. Takenouchi proved once again to be an outstanding, very expressive actor and, I can just as well admit it, sexy as hell. The only asian man beside Takeshi Kaneshiro who looks good with a moustache. Choi Ji Woo, whom I had never seen acting before, is wonderful. I loved their first encounter and, since I'm very partial to those, I can say it marked the moment I decided I liked this drama. On screen they share the kind of chemistry which is created by tension and suspicion.
I was impressed by Hayami Mokomichi's and Shin Hyun Joon's performances too.

Cinematography: 10.
This is a dark drama. So are the colours, the screenshots, the city views. Black and gray are the predominant hues. The overall photography and direction are spot-on and there were times when I thought I was watching a long movie, instead of a drama.

Music: 11.
Wait... the option is not available. Pity, since the music is a blast, at least for my taste. There's an awesome instrumental piece in between ethnic and trip-hop which is so well used I was always longing for it to play. The music plays a major role in connection with the shooting. Very well chosen.

Re-watch value is obviously a little lower, as it always is with suspense dramas. Once the twists are known, a little of the thrill is gone. Which doesn't mean I won't rewatch this drama when a reasonable time will have passed.

There is only one sad note about this show: the quality of the streaming videos available. Subs: an atrocity. Although I marathoned through the drama, I must say it was an odyssey. The first episode, which is 90 minutes long, is impossible to find whole and in the right order. It almost made me give up the drama entirely, until I decided to find an alternative way... I'm glad I did. The rest of the 10 episodes has to be scraped together here and there. But if you have the patience, you won't regret it.

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Korea has always loved glorifying and immortalising into “ period dramas” from their gold age of history ( now commonly known as the “ Joseon Period” - 1392-1897). With more than six centuries of historical monarchal reigns, wars and rebellions, it is notable that South-Korean screenwriters again and again love to retell these events to viewers with expensive sets, hanboks ( traditional Korean dress) and idyllic scenery from a bygone age .

Whilst Joseon period drama have attempted to tackle crossovers of popular genres such as romance and action before with different results ( either for better or for worse), the more surreal take of horror/ fantasy in Joseon period dramas ( notably Scholar Who Walks The Night, Arang And The Magistrate and in flashbacks from the hit series Goblin), have very rarely depicted levels with historical realism or a grounded depiction ( I.e. in terms of cleanliness, monarchs or violence) of actual life during this period.

Screenwriter Kim Eun Hee ( Ghost, Signal) and director Kim Sung Hoon ( Tunnel-2016, Kidnapped- TBC) were paramount from the get-go to revolutionise this in their horror -period drama Kingdom . This creates a surprisingly brilliant fusion between the surrealism of violent zombies into a political and social critique of the bloodthirsty and ruthless Joseon period and hierarchy .( Although labelled as a “ zombie show”, realistically , the word “ zombie” isn’t used once by any of the characters, due to the concept itself coming from Haitian folklore and not even entering the English language until the 1800s.)

Set in the 1500s , Kingdom revolves around the estranged and traitorous Prince Lee Chang ( Ju Ji Hoon) , whose fate as the successor to the throne looks grim with the recent announcement of his stepmother and the young Queen Cho ( Kim Hye Joon) ‘s pregnancy. Chang, however, becomes suspicious when his father is suddenly ailing from a mysterious illness which nobody will elaborate about outside of the palace. After stumbling upon the truth that his father is a flesh -eating creature, he travels to the South in search of questions with his trusted guardsman Moo Young ( Kim Sang Ho). Naturally, however, they are not the first to stumble upon this truth as assistant physical Seo Bi ( Bae Doo Na) and the mysterious Young Shin ( Kim Sun Gyu) also come across this startling discovery, which will truly test alliances and friendships as a political bloodbath simultaneously corrupts even the heart of Hanyang ( now present- day Seoul)...

It is undeniable that the “ violent zombie” cliche isn’t anything new , nor exciting to television programmes . On the other hand, Kingdom’s strength lies in its focal point ( unlike many zombie programmes) not being on the undead, but the complexity and intricacy of humans.

From Lee Chang’s strong sense of morality towards his allies ( of all classes), Cho Beom-pal ( Jeon Seok- ho)’s gradual transition from one of the selfish members of the ruling-class to someone with a good heart , and the Queen’s ulterior motives against her father’s knowledge , it is notable that the majority of the characters in the show are fairly three-dimensional. Arguably, antagonist Cho Hak-Ju ( Ryu Seung Ryong) can often be written off as your typical moustache-twirling villain, however, there is still a notable level of depth to his character- a bereaving father who has lost his son and is out for revenge against Lee Chang , desperate to protect his family’s lineage and has many more secrets than first meet the eye.

Undeniably, the pacing of the show can be a little slow in the beginning, however, once the events of the show kick off, it is fair to say that time flies out of the window when watching Kingdom- the plot is engaging, the historical elements are surprisingly realistic, the characters are actually intriguing and the horror premises ( zombies, cannibalism and bloodshed etc.) are certainly not for the faint-hearted. Nevertheless, perhaps the one thing which should honestly be said about the show is that whilst the acting certainly wasn’t unwatchable and the actors undeniably had their moments of genuinely good performances , some acting in the show was often a little wooden and lacklustre.

Overall whilst Kingdom was undeniably slightly flawed by quality of acting and pacing at times, it was certainly a good show with an intriguing balance between history and horror as well as a deeper conceit towards a social critique contemporary of Korean society. Certainly worth a watch, if you’re looking for something to invest time and effort towards.

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Superb!
I really love Takeru eversince. He's the reason why I started watching JDramas. And I fell more deeply into him after watching this. For the first time, I've seen him kissed and hugged a girl so many times. I didn't know he can be that sweet, loving and manly. Sides of him we can't see on his other dramas. His gaze really amazes me. How can a person's eyes be so expressive just by looking. I can't take it!
It's been 3 days since Ive finished watching KoiTsudu and I still can't get over TakeMone. I don't think I ever will. Their chemistry is just so great, I almost think they're real. I'm sincerely hoping for more projects to the both of them (to feed my TakeMone ship).
I'm not a fan of medical dramas and I tend to pick Japanese dramas I watch as I'm more into KDramas but this one can be on top of my list. I really love the story, acting, cast and the OST. If ever this drama has a hundred episode, I'll still watch it. That's how good this drama is. I've watched this in one sitting and I'll rewatch this forever.
I'm hoping for season 2 (cross fingers) or a movie version with the same casts just like Rich Man, Poor Woman.
Overall, I'll rate it a hundred star. 10 stars aren't enough for dramas like this. My love for this drama will lasts forever.

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I loved every part of this drama except the ending. Ren Jia Lun is one of my top favorite Chinese Actors. The story was indeed exciting and great. Ren Jia Lun, Landy li, Jeremy Tsui did an excellent job playing their characters. All the actors did exceptionally well. I am emotionally broken and here is why...

I've grown weary of the emotional toll that comes with watching Ren Jia Lun in dramas where either he or the leading lady dies. It feels like the producers, writers, and directors often alter the endings to suggest that they might find each other again or to somehow make sense of the loss. Out of the ten dramas I've watched with this incredible actor, this kind of ending seems to be a recurring theme. I truly hope that before my time on this earth is over, he'll have the chance to star in a fantasy drama that ends on a positive note.

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i was 12 when i first watch this (which is basically 10 years agoㅠㅠ) and i don't remember it was this hilarious

I love every single second of this movie
but that lakorn sequence have a special place in my heart. i remember the times when dramas were done in that simple kind of format
the chemistry of the leads were really cute. there's a 3rd person, but she doesn't bother for too long

the acting was okay. i don't notice any music except the one FL used in her messages and the ones in outro. however both are good enough.

frankly, this movie doesn't have anything so special. for some people it's just another romcom movie, maybe it's a little bit boring (the length is 2 hours)

However this fits my taste and i love it, despite the plot holes and silly logics.

If you could handle silly logics and want some simple/comedic watch. I'd recommend you this

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Greater than the sum of its parts

After an emotional roller coaster ride and having invested so much time into watching this drama over the past month or so, it's only fair that I write something about it.

Story - Based on a real-life historical figure (google Liu Yi Kang), with added spice by the scriptwriters, this is a semi-biographical and mostly fictional story about love and betrayal, court intrigue and political rivalry.

Acting - Superb and on point by every single member of the cast. You will learn to adore the protagonists and despise the antagonists with equal tenacity (and savagery).

Casting - The cast looked neither out of place nor out of depth. Kudos to the production team for selecting the right people for their respective roles.

Music - Personally felt drawn to the closing credits' song (which is also the main love theme), Hiding My Heart by Bibi Zhou. BGM is generally dramatic with certain tender moments throughout.

Overall:
What it is - Serious and intense, strong and courageous FL, intelligent and stoic ML, clever and ruthless villains, excellent martial arts choreography, and probably the central theme of love based upon mutual understanding and respect that ultimately culminates in sacrifice for the greater good.

What it isn't - Light-hearted drama, weak and silly protagonists and antagonists, poorly executed action sequences, bad CGI, monotonous dialogue

-SPOILER ALERT-

This drama had a really good start, the first 20 episodes were outstanding. Action-packed and fast paced.

Then it slowed down in the next 10 episodes to focus on court machinations. Plenty of dialogues and unraveling of plots.

The following 10 episodes picked up the pace against the backdrop of full scale war.

Finally catastrophe, in the closing stages, resulting in a hugely tragic and dissatisfying end.

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Expected a lot more :(

Here comes my unpopular opinion, sorry.
When I first heard about the storyline it really pulled me in and seemed super interesting and sweet with the "soulmate" plot. But it turned strange and unhealthy really fast. I wanted to give it a chance and keep an open mind, but the dark and obsessive "love" felt really disturbing. It puts the relationship in a really unrealistic and unhealthy light.

This is in my opinion not a good BL show and I don't like the way this show glorifies unhealthy relationships.
If you want to watch good BLs I recommend HIStory3: Trapped, 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii or 2gether. Even the new show To My Star. All are healthy and you can see a relationship blossoming.

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What was that ending?

This review is going to mainly focus on the last 2 episodes. When Makiko was finally confronted and they just decide apologizing to their mother was what they wanted had me ??? After all that, they just wanted her to say sorry and continue on with their lives? Then Kiichi jumps out of the window for some reason ??? It was so over dramatic and random. I also don't get why they didn't immediately turn her into the police when she admitted it, they just let her sleep tight and create more lies not to mention Osamu is a sorry excuse for a father.

Now we get to Kiichi turning himself in which watered down Makiko being as bad as she was but then nope it was actually Shinji and it turned out to be an innocent accident and Makiko will not get punished for anything even though she still had their moms stolen possessions (which is also a plot hole because how did she return all of her things before the house burned down but still have so many of her stolen items???). And she's clearly a terrible mother who psychologically abused her sons but that was glossed over and the two never went against her or really confronted her even after she admitted to starting the fire. And when Shinji confessed to the mom, the whole grudge thing was??

And to top it all off, everyone has a happy ending. Anzu pleads to take Kiichi with her and cook for him and take care of him which was embarrassing honestly. Going back to the beginning, Kiichi definitely acted abusive towards her and we're supposed to be like yes, he's perfect for Anzu. Then Makiko gets back to being famous, Shinji gets a second chance and its clear he will probably end up with Yuzu and their mom plans on moving on with her normal life. None of it sat right with me. It just felt like a cop out ending where nothing really changed and no lessons were learned.

The end.

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Story: The story is great! Why? Because it is an every day story. There is no rich chaebol and poor girl thing, no forced marriage or anything. Yes, we have the childhood friends who fall for each other, but it's really "just" a friendship in the beginning and it evolves very naturally into love. In the beginning I found the story of the second couple a little annoying, but it was one of my favourite parts in the end. The only "bad point" is that I'm still asking myself why Dong Man's ex played such an important role in the beginning but then kind of vanished from their lives (although she was just living next door in the end).

Acting: It was great acting through and through. Enough said!

Music: Not annoying, suitable and there when needed.

Rewatch Value: I will definitely rewatch this at some point in time!

I really had to make myself watch the first 4 or 5 episodes as I didn't get hooked to it immediately. But once I got addicted I couldn't wait for the next episode to come. But, although of this "slow" start and the logical gap regarding Dong Man's ex (at least for me) this drama deserves a full 10 because it is quite realistic and therefore so different from a lot of other dramas!

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Taegukgi, as you know, is the foretelling of the korean war between the North and South. This film goes into a deep understanding between 2 brothers that have lost ties to one another due to war. However this film is very special. Special in that you are literally able to feel the emotions conveyed in this movie(props to the actors for this ^.^) You can see the passionate and tragic stories of not only 2 brothers but the Korean people as they were in the war. This movie will be eye watering for some and painfully sad for many.

Things that i Liked:

- The actors were able to truly convey their feelings towards the viewer/audience exceptionally well.(Especially to me T.T)

- Although the music is sad and painful it really is amazing to listen and fell how well it matches with this film.

Things that I hated:

- Being a war movie don't expect it to be all smiles and kisses. Be prepared! (I know I wasn't T.T)



Overall Taegukgi is truly amazing and it is a must watch for anyone that enjoys watching movies. This film will make you a different person. If not then you will get very emotional T^T

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Good drama

My ratings for the series out of ten:
Recommended series: 10
Acting: 9.75
Directing: 9
Music: 10
Chemistry between the main characters: 10
Dialogues: 10 It was very meaningful, the series helped personal growth 🩵
✨️ It's worth watching again (I think I'll watch it many times)
Overall series rating 9.75 Highly recommended ✅️
It's one of those beautiful series that stays in your memories💘🌈 I laughed and cried with it and learned
It's a series that I eagerly waited for the new episode every day.
I liked the characters in the series, each of whom had their own story and you could relate to them.
The chemistry between the couple in the series was great.
I liked the process of the series
The dialogues were great and it showed personal growth, that is love, sacrifice, goodness, selflessness, and many good and bad truths...

⚘️ A memorable series that I love and will love ⚘️
Don't get tired of the series team for such a beautiful series 👏🏻
I will definitely watch this series again 🌸 because I will definitely miss it 😭
✅️Recommended series

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enjoyable enemies to lovers vertical series

Overall: I gave this a rating bump since it's from China and it has good kissing as well as the best execution of a miscommunication plot I think I've ever seen. Episodes 1-4 are free on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XZKGQbzA70 Watch all 19 episodes on the DramaBox app which also has: The Mafia's Obsession, My Secret Agent Husband, Summer Indigo, Kiss Me With Unspoken Love, Desired by My Unknown Husband, Mafia Lover, The Forbidden Flame and My Serial Killer Lover.

Content Warnings: non con picture taking/sharing, vomiting, public outing, homophobia

What I Liked
- for once I wasn't super annoyed at the miscommunication, felt more realistic
- their dynamic
- kisses
- supportive colleagues
- story centered on the MLs
- production value (nice transition with the umbrella opening)

Room For Improvement
- some of the dialogue was too quiet
- wish he had first brushed his teeth/mouthwash
- perhaps a bit fantastical for how the CEO reacted


To watch for free (each episode costs 50 coins, need to get 15 episodes/750 coins): watch the series and if you don't have coins click off the coin prompt, you should be able to watch 10 episodes by watching an ad each, claim the coins you get for watch time 70 (or can watch another series free episodes (be careful it doesn't go to paid episodes or you'll lose your coins), do the check in (20) and watch an ad for a bonus (30), watch some of the ads for 20 each to finish the series in 1 day for free (the 15 adds in total will be 300 coins aka 6 episodes). There are also bonuses for logging in, getting notifications, following them on social media.

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ummm what can i say about this drama, bad just doesnt cut it, there should be more words to describe the mediocrity.anyways as always theres good and bad.
the good this is that it was short coz girl i dont think i could take anymore of the ridiculous journal. the other is that song jae rim mostly and the rest were a hot cast so kudos. one major thing that gave it a 5 instead of 2 is unlike other kdramas this has alot of kissing scenes so i liked it. there really was also some cute moments seriously. thunder actually did a good job for his first role, he was cute and funny but sometimes i could feel his nervousness.
the bad thing oh gosh its like 99 problems. park gyu ri, how did this girl get chosen for this role coz its definately not her acting. one of the baddest gender bender. this girl couldnt pretend to be a boy for the life of her. i watch shows for the actual acting and not the cuteness. she supposedly was writing a journal by pretending to be a boy and find out about this guy she fancied. everytime they re-enacted her stories is when i would want to throw this laptop. it was fake beyond fake including her fake wig, fake gumihos, fake hunters, fake guns and gunshots......i could go on to 99. some story lines were really great like the grandma/grandpa fiasco. its just the story lines kept getting plugged in where they shouldnt.
give it a try, u gonna like kay as he starts getting feelings for her/him and seeing the different styles of nail art.
how do u tell about someone by looking at their nails **smh**

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