An amazing but simple movie that now lives in my head rent-free
This movie's summary sounded really bare but the trailer looked good and it was offered at a film festival so I decided to check it out. It was a damn good and I'm kind of obsessed with it right now! The story is about a high school student who witnesses a younger student being brutally bullied by her classmates and decides to step in, admittedly out of a hero complex. One of the most kindest MLs I've seen so far, he is so kind and sweet to her and they get closer... and then the story goes into some dark places but I won't spoil it, since it builds to a really romantic, heartwarming conclusion imo.The story wasn't groundbreaking or special, I'll be first to admit, all the weird little quirkiness aside, but it was still engaging and resonated with me. It was quite deep and heartfelt - it showed how even in the darkness of this world and human behaviour, there are still good people out here who commit to being someone's light. The acting was top-notch, especially on Ishii Anna's part. I didn't really notice the music that much but it wasn't bad.
Overall, an enjoyable movie, perhaps even one of my favourite out of all the Japanese movies I seen so far and I'll probably rewatch it in the future whenever it is available.
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Getting worse as time goes by.
(1) Story & Its Logic [-]Hah, I want to scoff. This is the drama that only knows the way to create the title, but doesn't know at all how to develop the story. Their story has only one idea which is "accidentally find love" as the title "一不小心捡到爱" says. Apart from the idea that the ML and FL accidentally meet and love each other, other things are totally a mess. There's no logic in any part of the story. The business part is especially wrongly portrayed. The decisions of each character that is supposed to be the elite class from the good educational background are illogical, irrational and I can't find the root of their characters.
Let's talk a bit about the business part as it won't be a spoiler:
- Everyone on the company board regards the contract that is forced to sign as legal despite knowing that it's obtained by force without the consent of the signee... Excuse me, guyssss. You don't have to discuss how to solve a situation like this at all. The contract is void when it's proved that the contract is done by coercion. How come the senior executives in this drama, including the ML and ML's family, are very less-educated in the basics of business law. This is so unrealistic to the point of stupidity.
- In front of the media, the executives openly quarrel about the share portions and fight over the chairman's position. And this is a company that is on the stock market. And the people fighting over the position are related by blood. This kind of immature action wouldn't only be unacceptable among the board members, but it would cause a big stir among the public and affect the reliability of the company that will eventually affect the stock price. If you can't foresee the consequence of this kind of action in public, you don't even have rights to battle for the chairman position. And when they ask the board to vote right there in front of the media eyes for the next chairman, damnnn... the board plays along?!! Ridiculous! The board wouldn't vote for the next chairman in an impromptu event like this and, top of all, they wouldn't vote for any of you following your immature fight before the media if they want to save the company.
Just a stupid story, I would conclude.
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(2) Character Design [-]
There's no characteristic in each character. There's only the writer who forcefully orders each character to think, speak, do what and what. All actions of the characters are just rootless. They stick to one thing like a robot without conscious consideration. They're like machines that stick to what they're programmed without wavering, but then suddenly change their mind again, and without cause, like they're re-programmed. There's no development in their characteristics. Their changes are incomprehensive as well as their prejudices, grudges, obsessions and stupidity.
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(3) Acting [-]
Overall is bad. FL makes quite a few trivial but awkward gestures. For the general gestures, she is ok, but when it's the details there're awkward parts. The ML is inexperienced in acting it's very obvious, but that also makes it refreshing to see him in love scenes. His ears are always super red... always like I don't know anymore if that maybe his ears' normal color. Good point about this drama is the chemistry between the leads, but this thing alone can't help with the overall bad points of it. The weakness of this drama is too strong.
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To have been anticipated for this drama is disappointing for me. To finish this drama is also a waste of time.
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Waste of a Good Premise
Sigh. What a colossal waste of so much potential. Blind wasn’t bad to the point of unwatchable but it was a waste of a good premise. Wasted, dare I say, on gimmickry (a de facto mystery box) so that in the end the narrative focus shifted from where it should have been — on the survivors of human rights abuses to the present-day murders and original villains from the Hope Welfare Centre running interference. The last half hour or so of the series was a decent wrap but not enough to save the rest of the package for me at least. It’s a shame really because the show had the opportunity to do something of substance with regards to exploring the egregious of human rights violations at the centre of the narrative but instead pandered to all the worst excesses of a K drama crime show. Corrupt cops going from bad to worse to cover their rear ends. Corrupt bureaucrats who don't see the error of their ways. Tight-lipped witnesses who have some "compelling reason" to stay mum. Over eager cops rushing headlong into situations for which they are unprepared. Incompetent cops floundering around causing problems or being designated comic relief. And frankly, not every K drama has to have an serial killing angle to it. It doesn’t always enhance a show. In this case it does almost nothing except create moral confusion about which characters to root for. The fixation to turn this into a jigsaw puzzle about who the mastermind behind the present day murders made it hard to connect with any of the characters.The actors should get their due for powering through this and throwing themselves into this over convoluted script. This has got to be one of the worst revenge plots I’ve ever seen especially considering the competing goals of the conspirators. The so-called “mastermind” lost control of the scheme very early on which led to more of a blood bath than was intended. Count of Monte Cristo this certainly is not. It’s not even on par with the far more straightforward Taxi Driver. All throughout the script gave a very superficial impression that this was a much more complex story than it really was. In reality, putting aside all the unwanted (and clumsy) interventions, the list of suspects was always fairly short. Only a handful of individuals could be party to the conspiracy to avenge. Moreover, the jury tampering for the first trial so that everyone’s in the same place on hindsight seem completely unnecessary. Plus I’m none the wiser as to how that was so easily achieved.
On some level I don’t think it’s a problem to be over using red herrings per se if the red herrings have another purpose apart from putting the breaks on plot progression. I’m not a fan of suspense for suspense sake especially when it’s rather obvious even before the final act who the perpetrators are.
16 episodes is too long for a familiar plot like this. (Especially when it aired around the same time as May It Please the Court) The pacing is a problem. There’s a great deal of intensity in the early episodes and then it falters, picks up a little and then slows down before the big reveals in the finale. Episode 13 saw me hitting the roof especially the latter part because it demonstrated how the conspirators could have achieved their revenge in a far more efficient fashion while revealing to the world what was done to the children in the welfare centre. All of that without tainting their cause and undermining whatever moral credibility that they had as victims of an unjust system. This show could have easily been achieved in under 10 episodes easily. And the messaging would not be as compromised as it ended up being.
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This drama was a surprise, surprisingly insightful and realistic, not the fairytale I thought it would turn out to be. Watch it, you'll be glad you did.
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This review may contain spoilers
Started strong. But didn't finish that way.
The first few episodes I really enjoyed, there was a lot of whimsy with the four cupids and how they went about their job. And I liked the storyline of a Cupid who falls in love with a mortal.But the serial killer murder mystery attached to it felt a little too serious and dark for how it started. I hadn't seen the FL in any main roles before, I found if she was doing something that required emotion, her eyes go dead, especially when she smiles. I don't know if she has Botox or filler or something but there is no expression happening on that part of her face
And her character made so many bad decisions that it was hard to watch, at one point when she gets beaten up and I didn't feel sorry for her. Every time someone tells her to stay safe and not go outside she continues to go outside. Until the point they want her to evacuate a car, and then she won't and almost dies again. I found that part of the storyline so frustrating.
Maybe because I disliked her character and the way that she portrayed it so much I didn't feel that there was much chemistry between the two of them. At one point he asked to spend the night and I went into it thinking it was platonic until the moment that it obviously wasn't. And even then it seemed odd to see them together.
The ML is easy to like, I think he was cast well. I would have enjoyed it more if they didn't have such a sinister murder storyline tied to it and would have kept it whimsical the way it started. Either that or start it a lot less whimsically and make it have more thriller vibes.
Also the little girls bedroom at the end, that sheep in the teepee is super creepy. And that might have been the strangest thing that has rhymed that I've ever written.
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Am I the Only One with Butterflies? Season 2
13 people found this review helpful
I’ve waited for season two to come out and of course it’s amazing!! I bought the whole series on Vimeo and it’s affordable and definitely worth it.
You can tell that the channel, NEEZ has invested more in season 2 compared season 1. Which is an improvement as they placed English sub in each episode for it as well as the change in set. I’m glad there are finally more representation for the LGBT+ community on shows, especially if it’s international.
This webseries, is light hearted and tells a story about a woman, Jung-ah who has a crush on her manager who is called manager lee at her workplace. It’s relatable and makes you want to squeal every time both of them interact. I ship these two sooo hard!
It also doesn’t dwell too much about sexuality but focuses on the relationship that exist between these two characters. I really like how they portray that it’s the norm for Jung-ah to have a crush on her manager and doesn’t overdramatise it.
I hope in the future more channels like this create more LGBT+ related webseries/shows for people to watch as it creates hope for the younger generation that whatever sexuality they come into terms to, it’s okay for themselves to be who they are. As well as that there are shows they can watch and relate to.
Overall, it’s worth watching if you want to relate to someone who is having a crush on a woman who they think they can’t have but who knows actually...
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What I did like was Hong Ki's smile, the girls overacting, and them pretending pro-wrestling was a sport. I have never been a fan of wrestling, but when they did the moves it seemed funny and made me want to clothes- line someone.
All in all, unless you are a fan of Lee Hong Ki, pointless dramas about girls trying to be tough, or if you are a pervert and like to see girls in mid-drifts and skirts hitting each other this drama is for you. Otherwise the first 3 episodes are enough to understand the plot and I really wouldn't bother with the ending.
oh and I didnt understand the lack of common sense and magical happenings in the last ep. just a note.
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Get ready for an emotional journey
"Umi no Hajimari" is an extraordinary drama that captivates with its depth, emotional charge and thoughtful narrative. The drama deftly tackles important themes of love, parenting and family relationships, offering a range of perspectives that show the complexity of these experiences. The excellent acting adds authenticity to the characters and their struggles. Each character has their own unique emotional turmoil, and their development is shown in an authentic and moving way.Rena Meguro's acting is unbelievably realistic. His ability to convey the inner emotions of a father struggling to find balance in difficult situations brings his feelings through the screen.
Additionally, visual aspects, such as the picturesque landscapes of Japan, support the narrative, giving it an additional dimension. The shots by the sea are not only aesthetic, but also symbolic, emphasizing the emotional charge of the story.
In short, "Umi no Hajimari" is an emotional journey that shows the beauty of life, in its simplest and most difficult moments. I wholeheartedly recommend it to any drama lover who appreciates emotional depth and artistic quality.
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Masterpiece
Another masterpiece was ended. Never forget the lessons we have learned with this series. Contentment, Love, dreams, family, friendship, patience, and forgiveness. We only have one life to live so live your life to the fullest.We all waited for a year to make this happen and the production never fails to give us the. hundred percent
I never thought that I cried so hard for the final episode especially the airport scene and when Tian bid farewell in the village. I hate goodbyes so this kinda broke my heart. My heart is overwhelmed with happiness at the latter part. They gave us the sweetest ending that we all wanted.
I cannot stop smiling at the last part. They act like a married couple! I wanted to see more of this because they look good together!
The instrumental music was everything. It always gave me chills whenever it's playing. It makes the scenes heartwarming and emotional which gives me a signal to start crying.
I remember how emotional I am with SOTUS, UWMA, and ITSAY. 💗
We can all agree that the acting, music, production, and direction were superb! Everyone will probably demand for another season. #ATaleOfThousandStars #ATOTS #ataleofthousandstarsFinale #EarthMix #phupha #Tian #PhuphaTian #GMMTV #alaiwaph
𝓙𝓪𝔂
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This drama is definitely dated, and I'm not just talking about the flip phones, or horrible outfits. The story itself is a very basic romantic melodrama. All four characters are in an epic love square with all the usual plot points (rich vs poor, obsessive jealousy, mean parents, betrayal, stalking...) and this gets stretched out for 20 episodes, which means there are LOTS of flashbacks. I can understand the idea of having a tough time choosing between 2 men/women you care about, but It was really hard for me to take the romance seriously since I don't think that an abusive relationship with a crazy man is very romantic, even if he's rich and cute. Most of the characters behaved in ways that often seemed ridiculous, and was often frustrating to watch, but I couldn't look away... That's because of the cast.
I'll start with my praise of So Ji Sub, who is always amazing. It's no surprise that he was great. He was my favorite of the cast, and super cute (even with the stupid hair choices). He plays the mysterious, and brooding In Wook perfectly. He was the only character I rooted for throughout the show, but I also liked that he had a bit of a dark side... sexy!
I'm also a fan of Ha Ji Won, but I'm not used to seeing her play someone so passive. As Lee Soo Jung she spends a lot of the show being used, yelled at, or beat on. Her character is portrayed as innocent, yet money hungry, and was honestly hard for me to like or root for because of her choices. Ha Ji Won did an ok job, but at times was a little too melodramatic for my taste. Still, I did like her chemistry with the two male leads during their few rare happy moments. I also liked her relationship with her Bff.
This is my first time seeing anything with Jo In Sung, and his portrayal of Jae Min was certainly entertaining, though definitely over the top. Jae min is super entitled, and completely manic, but somehow still kinda sympathetic. Many of his scenes consist of epic crying, maniacal laughter, explosive anger, and dramatic begging. His "crazy" is the driving force behind the whole drama, so in a way he's what kept me wanting to watch what happened next.
The square is completed by Park Ye Jin as the... i'm thinking of a word that rhymes with 'itch'... Young Joo. Her character is subtly manipulative, and easy to hate. It takes a talented actress to portray such an unlikeable character so well. Many of the supporting characters deserve the same compliment.
So if you heard anything about this drama you know about the widely 'controversial' ending. I was not upset by the ending, but like much of the show, it was very frustrating. I like that the writers didn't go for the predictable people pleasing ending, and tried something more shocking, but it was still cheesy in a way. I certainly laughed inappropriately.
Oh, and the music... I think that the soundtrack was starting to drive me slowly insane, but it's the kind of OST where once you hear a song from it it draws you right back into the drama, so I guess that's a good thing.
Overall, I see "What Happened in Bali" as really bad junk food. I would never call it good, but I had fun watching it. I guess my love/hate relationship with this drama fits the theme of the show. It definitely kept my interest, even when the storyline started to drag. I wouldn't watch it again, but I would still recommend it. However, if you are looking for something light and fun, there are very few of those moments, so avoid this like the plague. This is NOT a Cinderella story. If you're looking for something to make you yell, and throw things at the screen, you found it!
Plus So Ji Sub is in it, and do you really need more of a reason than that?
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So, we as the viewer start to become very weirded out, and although the romance is cute, it is really problematic to our minds when we dwell on it. I have no real problem with age in general, and I enjoyed the dramas called: I love Lee Taeri, the Prime Minister and I, Big ( at first, until the story went downhill, I was fine with the the age gap). All of these dramas have huge age gaps, the biggest age gap from these dramas was 14 years.
I would not have minded the age gap so much if perhaps, the son was not in love with the same girl. But, I guess that cannot be helped. For those of you that have problems with age gaps, at least know what you are getting into before you watch it. But, I still recommend you at least try watching it. It may not be so bad for you. Plus, the romance gets kind of boring and in the end I did not care who she went with.
The romance in this drama was secondary to the father- son bromance ( I don't know what else to call it), that was happening in this drama. I loved those scenes and I want to rewatch this drama just for those scenes alone. So, if you love bromance scenes, this is a drama for you, as long as you can get through the first few episodes with little to no bromance. Then, bromance scenes start and the drama becomes adorable. I know why it was beating Pinocchio for ratings now. Despite the boring parts this drama had more bromance than Pinocchio.
I enjoyed the music overall and the overall acting was very good. I officially love Lee Joon as an actor. I am going to have to go back and watch all his movies and dramas. The plot overall was quite interesting and I did not mind the plot holes as much. Anyway, I would recommend you give this drama a try, but, if you don't like it, it's okay this drama is not for everyone.
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A Good Story With A Lot of Lost Potentials
One of the rare dramas where it solely focus on a female's strength and power -- the type of drama where the female lead is mostly got away from troubles or death situations by her own will power and capabilities.Zhao Liying did amazing in this role. Her zero regards to all the males around her was astounding as you can see from early one that her family has always been the priority for her and nothing else matters. I personally think Lin Gengxin is under used here considering his character could do so much more than what being given by the script. And Shawn Dou as Yun Xun is a treat to the eyes! From his dazzling smiles and personality to his broken and damaged self after the tragedy was a great transition and he did it believably.
I personally think Yan Xun is stupid despite how intelligent he is as an individual. The one he needs to take revenge on is the Wei Emperor and not the people. But his war affects the people more rather than the Emperor. He should have just kill the Emperor (and his whole family if he needs to see more blood :() and his revenge is over SMH. But his war killed more innocent people than the King did to his family back then. So overall, his revenge is just dumb and unnecessary.
Despite all the positive reviews that the drama got, as someone who is a bit picky, I found that many of the plots were never being explored to its full potential. The great premise was there, but the writer obviously lacked the capabilities to expand the script to be even greater. This mostly masked by the great portrayal of the characters but there are many instances on they just glared through the matter with no justification and explanation. The great offender would be the Kung Fu of Ice that Xing-er possessed which were never explored. To the mention of Leader of the Afterlife Camp which seemed to have no problem when Yuwen Yue destroying his agency and took away his spies (lol) to the Moustache Man who doesn’t seemed to have purpose but just love to create trouble and influencing the politic in Wei, Yan & Liang states. Not to mention the useless Liang spies that despite their great potential and capabilities -- never actually achieve anything despite being the real mastermind of the conflict between Yan & Wei. But despite that I'm was adamant to give the drama 6.5/10 for being entertaining but in the end, it deserved 7/10 because of the great ending and how heartbroken it made me feels.
THE ENDING
I think the great thing about the last episode is that how we finally understand the inner thoughts of Xing-er's mind and the position of Yuwen You & Yan Xun in her heart. Her character was consistent throughout the drama that she never put love an emphasis in her heart no matter how many guys were interested in her. Family has always been her priority and later the people of Yan.
And Yan Xun is exactly like that to her -- someone she cares deeply and share dreams with like a family -- the reason why she lives -- a broken child that she needs to protect. That’s why no matter what, she always chose him over Yuwen Yu over and over again. And Yan Xun finally get it at the end that despite the fact that she always chose him, someone else has her heart.
So on why the dying scene of Yuwen Yue was so heart wrenching is the fact is that when Xing'er finally understand her heart, it was already too late. It was already too late when she apologised and promised not to leave him ever again -- everything is just too late at that time. Then when she said to him to 'Hold on' and he nodded slowly, it was even more heart breaking -- as we all know, and he knew it as well that he's not gonna make it but he did anyway for her. But that whole dying scene was really amazing though. I lose count how many times I watch it. Definitely the best dying scene in my book -- the acting was A++ since Yuwen Yue literally looks like he was dying at that time. ;_;
What I find very interesting is that mostly Yuwen Yue's great love are done just for the fact that he loves Xing-er. He knew Xing-er will never reciprocate his feelings but it was just enough if he can see her and knew that she is alive and safe. That’s why, he never told her the countless of times he saves her without she her knowledge because his love was selfless where he didn’t expect anything in return. He could hold her back and ask her to stay, but to him, what makes her happier is much more important rather than her staying by his side. That is why his love, despite being great is very sad as well. And the fact that he only knew that she actually loves him too as well at that time just make everything just even sadder.
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I wouldn't want to change a thing about it ...
Ever saw a drama that makes you think of all the things you missed in life just because you hesitated , just because you weren't sure , just because you thought that there probably will be a better timing for the same....well this drama pretty much made me reflect back on everything I ever missed ...just because I thought it wasn't the right time ....
it has always been about that perfect timing, right? but did someone tell you that the perfect timing you were waiting for, is now ....just do it ...whatever you want , whatever your heart tells you to ....don't hold back, for you might never have a second chance !
so now shall we move on to actual review ...the part above pretty much looks like a life lesson ....(and it wasn't just for you I wrote it for my self too)
the story ...as I said I wouldn't change a thing about it ...(skipping the synopsis....pls read it on MDL page)
the story line doesn't sound so promising ...I know that well but the drama just really makes you feel a hell lot of emotions in such a short time that you can't really find faults here ....bec you just spend all the time enjoying ...
when someone who really loathes amnesia as a trope says that she wouldn't want to change a thing about the drama....you gotta believe them . I have disliked amnesia because the writers often use it to just drag the story to make it to a 16 ep stuff and here it was pretty much the main plot ....but ofc done so well ....
I am all in for friendship and actually don't really appreciate the friends to lovers trope either ....but well they did do a great job with it too ....I wasn't annoyed even a bit by anything
as a watcher when you enjoy everything you have disliked most of the time then ofc it's the biggest compliment you can give to drama ....a drama that makes you reconsider your liking ! well I really enjoy watching such dramas ....and this one too belongs to my top rated dramas ....8.5 from me is a way good rating !
from a 4 ep drama if you expect a hell good setup then ofc you are bound to be disappointed ...but the lower your expectations the more surprised you'd be ...they do manage a decent plot build but ofc somethings are bound to be left out ...after all it's not like they had time to do an ep just for plot build !
the acting ...it was my first encounter with both the leads and they managed to make a mark with their skills ...I have checked other dramas too but I don't see many lead roles and they have mostly side roles in their account! I would really love to see them playing lead roles again cuz ofc I think they deserve it.
music I don't remember paying attention to it ....as for rewatch value ...I don't rewatch so imma not say anthing !
my fav lines from the drama ....
"Time flies....it's so fast I'm scared
Why can't it just slow down so that we can feel and experience more?"
"when I was so close to dying, when I couldn't think of anything else, I only thought of you , all the time we spent together !"
"In my life, in my youth, on that tough and lonely road you were always there , always there like air, you helped me breathe"
"The human memory is like a film, you cut the pieces and stick them together however you want, and in my memory, in my life, he will always be there."
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Best historical C-drama in 2022
This is so far the best historical drama that I watched (repeatedly hahaha). I love both the main leads. Zhao Lu Si as beautiful and clever Cheng Shao Sang really bring the story life and close to our heart. This girl show how powerful and independent a woman can be eventhough raised in difficult situation during war time. Being pulled in to the royals power struggling by her beloved one The Charismatic and Powerful General Ling Bu Yi played by Leo Wu, Our little cute heroine show bravery, integrity and we can see how her character develop during the series.I need to give my big applause also to Leo Wu (Wu Lei) who portray General Ling Bu Yi. Not just handsome, his acting is superb. If you see how clear his facial expressions portraying how General Ling Bu Yi felt in each episodes, his 110% effort in the fighting scenes, this prove Leo Wu is an A class actor in such a young age. General Ling Bu Yi who have conflicted heart between love and revenge, this character I think will always be a legend in C-Drama until many years to come.
Standing ovation also for Director Fei who have succesfully direct this wonderful drama. Romance, Family Issues, Betrayal, Royals Feud, and Wars are all nicely wrapped in smooth story telling and beautiful scenes. Selection of the casts is also superb, each casts really played well like melodius ensemble that compliment each others. This is the first long drama (56 episodes) that I watch continously without skipping ! And I even repeat again some episodes to appreciate the dialog.
Watching this drama starting my shallow obsession to watch C Drama again 😁hahaha… . I am now a confirmed fans of Zhao Lu Si 💜. All of her drama are already kept in my play list.. Plus I ship this WULU CP 💜💚 so hard ! I would love to see them again together in the next drama. 💚💜
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