Reviews

Cute at first...but falls off

I had pretty much completely bought into this drama in the first two episodes — the main female lead was timid but not a pushover, bright but not stupid, and the main male lead was stoic but not rude, smart but not condescending. It was really quite a cliche dynamic but it was still enjoyable to watch especially because there were moments where they were equally hilarious and chaotic despite seemingly having such opposite personalities.

As the drama went on it it did start to drag a little with the very typical "does he like me or not" and the "I'm going to step aside for my 'friend'" — but that wasn't my main gripe with it. In fact, I like a good slow burn and I never thought these misunderstandings got too extreme and frustrating.

One thing that did get increasingly annoying, however, was how the main male lead's "social awkwardness" manifested when he got jealous; the number of times he consciously CHOSE to sabotage the female lead's work...it got very frustrating and was neither cute nor amusing especially when it was played off as an inability to express himself.

I also found both of the side ships either boring or over-the-top annoying; one of them didn't have any stupid miscommunications but the side characters also didn't have any sort of backstory or personality. The other one had a female character who was very clingy, a male character who was essentially the same as the male lead, and just no sensible development between the two of them.

Overall it was kind of a light-hearted watch and there were elements of a healthy relationship and great communication, but it was also a drama that just felt very trope-y and average.

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If there are only two super-wonderkid movies (those coming-of-age shows that accomplish technical-wise and impact-wise feats), this show must be either in the first or second spot. The other one, I guess...Battle Royale? Cut the crap, gotta begin the review.

I see why this movie is rated so badly in international fandom. Fans and even critics alike ripped this drama apart for its very unorthodox approach to the story and characters. And it IS really different to other shows at the same traits. Well, the makers of the movie actually took risky path anyone has refused to do, while it can be done in more mainstream way but it didn't. Yet, it appears to be very successful in terms of technical merit and the fact it won prestigious awards proves that this show is actually irrefutably good.

If you had watched Vantage Point or any kinda shows like that, you will easily notice that both shows do a number of point of views. In Kirishima Bukatsu Yameteruyo, they are a movie geek, a girl who can't make her mind, Kirishima's best friend, timid girl, bitchy girl, etc. The title-mentioned Kirishima itself disappears and practically never shows up. It is the aforementioned characters with their own point of views who are affected and exhibit subsequent changes due to the disappearance. Yes the plot is actually pretty straight without shocking twists, but if you watch in-depth, down to the character's gestures, you'll find revelations after revelations that even if they do not give you a very clear picture of the ending, you will know what would happen next.

It should be noted that the character developments are the main point of this movie and they are handled in masterful manner. I personally think the directing is a masterclass and so is the acting. What makes me surprised is, aside of some well-known former child actors like Kamiki and Suzuka Ohgo as well as acting prodigy Ai Hashimoto, most of the casts are no-name young actors, some even just begin their acting careers. The acting level in the movie is so even but very good, not a single actor displays stark stand-out or being weak spot. If I could name a single actor who plays the best, perhaps it's Higashide (the big guy) and I surprised because this lad is already 24-25 years old at the time of the filming and he plays an 18 years old boy. Not only for that, he plays Hiroki who is Kirishima's best friend (hence he is the most influenced one) with depth and heart. This lad, as the rest of the young casts, has a very bright future in acting world.

BTW, the song played with the ending credit is incredible and passionate, as well as fits the movie very well. The back sound during the "brawl" is also deserves thumbs up.

This shows may not be for everyone and even I have to watch it 2 times to research the details and depth. But it's worth trying and watching and I declare this one as one of my all-time favorite.

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I love food-related dramas, so I was really eager to see this one. Initially, it reminded me of Happy Home. Alas. it fell behind quickly. Happy Home developed wonderful characters but mainly the complex and well planned plot line carried them through 51 engaging episodes, and I was sorry to see it end. Although Wok of Love stated strong and had excellent actors bringing interesting characters, the writing was scattered and indifferent, Plot lines came and left - at one point, I wondered if they had forgotten that Jang Hyuk was even in the drama. To say that he was under-used is an understatement - they took one of the best actors in K-drama and treated him like an afterthought. He's the only reason I stayed with it to the end. Overall, this was a waste of talent and a waste of my time after the first few episodes - they even forgot to cook very much.

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I am tired of dramas giving me plot points, rather than plotlines.

I honestly do not understand why writers, directors, producers - anyone and everyone who has any say in the final product, are so stubborn into adding so many unnecessary plot lines and characters, when the majority of the short shows would work so much better with minimal effort, serving just the good vibes.

What I enjoyed about the show: the dynamics between the leads. The tiny twist to “enemies to lovers” trope was done in a refreshing way - adding both the tension and comedy depending on the situation. I liked how consistent the characters were. Best example - the difference in their dreams, and how it then corresponds to reality. Tiny details that just made sense. I liked how they both had clear internal issues they had to work through, and how they unintentionally helped each other deal with them.

I also liked the initial disagreements in the team based on their completely different goals and motivations. Them slowly starting to work together when they understood they can both benefit from cooperation was for sure one of the highlights.

And that would be enough for an 8 episode drama to be good. Focus and develop just these two aspects of the plot. But no, you need to make it more complex than it needs to be, add more unnecessary external drama. Create a huge issue just to solve it in 5 minutes. Why? I am tired of dramas giving me plot points, rather than plotlines. Nothing is developed or truly explained, because there is not time to do that.

I love how the poster makes it seem like it will focus on football, and have a rather big cast of important characters, when in reality the football did not matter at all and half of the people we see in the poster are there to fill the space so the locker room will not look too empty. They used their phones to film content more often than they kicked ball. Where was the balance?

The performances were rather good. Nothing too amazing, but I partially blame it on choppy editing and not so smooth storytelling. For a tiny budget it apparently had, the production was good. For sure did not stand out in a negative way compared to the majority of the other k-bl from the past few years.

Overall, it was not bad, but it was not good? The type of a show you won’t regret watching, but it’s not exactly something you would recommend others to watch either.

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It Keeps You Guessing Until the End.

(Last reviewed drama of 2025) 2nd modern drama of LYX and first good one; (the other wasn't good due to a miscast FL, no chemistry and dragged the show down). Other than a few of the support cast, I didn't know anyone else but this was a nice little Easter egg they snuck in at the end of the year as it kept everyone guessing.

Pros: I liked the first 5 cases and how original they were especially the Chimera spider case. For those who don't know, a chimera is a person who is born with both sets of chromosomes and sometimes both sets of organs (so like male lower parts and female upper parts can happen); it's a rare genetic mutation in humans and I myself didn't even know about it until maybe like 20 years ago from a CSI episode. But each case was tied back to the big main drug case involving the ML or QSZ who was a forensics examiner, his murdered girlfriend, and the SML or HF who was the aforementioned girlfriend's adopted brother who was a cop and in narcotics at the time thinking they solved the case when QSZ kept telling him they closed the case too quickly and it was not over; as they had transferred to the same location. At first personally they were very much at odds as the FL or ZQY and the last part of the so-called iron triangle said it to their police chief boss, there was a wall between them unless they were on the job. As more cases and strange homicides happened and the same drug and pill bottle with the same symbol kept popping up; HF, the chief and everyone other then QSZ had to agree that this was more then each case on its own. Witnesses that knew anything and still walking around were silenced by a murderer, part of the gang.

Poor QSZ had all of his friends from the college lab and even his teacher (3 people total) part of this thing. Two were killed, and the teacher who was as the ultimate monster and only caught in the end but thought of himself as sort of a miracle worker that didn't have to face reality (dude shirked responsibility and was completely delusional to the completely monstrous things he did) until his addicted wife was murdered. And even then he had the victim mentality of "why are you punishing me?"; it was really sickening to watch him until QSZ brought him back to reality in a savior type of way. He was responsible for many deaths including QSZ's girlfriend. But at the end of the day, QSZ still had HF and the rest of the squad subtract one they lost to the enforcer and another drug dealer. The entire squad of people were great and each case was unique where you couldn't put your finger on who the murderer was because there would always be some sort of twist. Its opening theme moving artwork was cool along with the OSTs. Also found it very funny that until the last episode, there was virtually no propaganda in this entire show, even though it had to do with the police and forensics and something you would usually see a little bit more of.

Cons: I felt taking FL out of the last 2.5 episodes and not even show her face when she did return to duty after her coma other than HF smiling was a total copout. I understand there was some conflict with the actress's schedule but they could have filmed it at another time. It was just strange the way they ended it. The main last case wasn't as exciting as the others as we all kind of figured out who the mastermind was. It was very anticlimactic. Or putting the tracking device on QSZ where they did; too obvious as well as using HF as the undercover again considering he'd already done that and would most likely than not be recognized; foolish things though obvious to help out QSZ who could mouth that their were bombs under the tables and HF would understand him. Another thing were the words on the screen of the last episode that one had to screenshot to translate about fake characters getting certain prison sentences, and what each one entailed. This is a story of fiction, no one needs all of that. Also basic principles weren't researched by production like meth itself was a manufactured drug and therefore couldn't be used as a raw material for other drugs. A bit sloppy on that and a few other things here and there but nothing major.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely would; for all the crime sleuths out there it's a great little something and only 21 episodes long. So ahead and enjoy!

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I watched and tremendously enjoyed the first instalment of the Let's Eat franchise. When I heard about a second instalment, I was pretty pragmatic about the probability of the original cast returning. It's simply a bonus that Doojoon even returned for a second season to play the same character. On reflection, it really wouldn't have been a Let's Eat without him and his character returning to the show.

In terms of story, I appreciate the effort to stay true to certain important themes of the first Let's Eat, like being single, living alone, and feeling lonely in a big city, yet introduce new dimensions like friends-turned-lovers, and talking about married people feeling lonely, not just single people. Frankly, I didn't like the recycling of the mystery theme which wasn't an important storyline for me in the first instalment.

The food porn was good, as always, and I like that they ventured outside Korean food and got the characters to try other cuisines like Chinese, Indian and Mexican cuisine.

Doojoon has made Goo Dae Young the character his own and I can’t see anyone else in that role. Seo Hyun Jin is a revelation in this show. I have never seen any of her previous shows and now that she’s in Oh Hae Young Again, I definitely plan to watch that too after watching this show. Initially, I was supremely annoyed by her character. But as the show peeled the layers of her character, I really grew to love her character and she was so good at bringing out the vulnerabilities of her character. Kwon Yul is a pretty interesting actor too and I look forward to seeing him in other shows. Park Hee Soon is hilarious as Doojoon's lonely, always-drunk sidekick. A great character actor.

Overall, an enjoyable watch that is peppered with romance, food porn, and just enough angst to break your heart but not too much that you can’t piece it back together.

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This is one of the best (if not the best) drama's I've ever seen.
The quality of acting is AMAZING. Every actor/actress was brilliant, but I must say the ones who absolutely blew me away were the ones who acted as Kang Chil, Gook Soo (Kim Bum) and the bad guy - i forgot his name :/
I was able to laugh, cry, smile, and I was able to relate to the story line.
There are some supernatural qualities to the story line, however it is incorporated so brilliantly that it just flowed smoothly with the drama.
This is definitely a MUST WATCH DRAMA.
If you are even second guessing on whether or not you should watch this... watch it. It is amazing and you will not regret it!!

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Two people who make pit stops, in this journey called life, right next to each other.

Josée is a mysterious, pretty woman who is helped up onto her wheelchair by an engineering student, Lee Young-seok. She offers him free meals every time he goes by their house and he helps her out, closing the distance between them little by little.

The movie is shot mostly from a third person's perspective thus lessening the probability of forming a real connection with the characters. Much like we're looking into their lives through the hole in the wall that Josée uses to look outside.

To be perfectly honest, I expected there to be waterworks because this pairing brought us one of the most heartbreaking dramas, Light in your eyes. But I gradually came to realise that this movie isn't supposed to make you cry. It is meant to bring you to tears, to leave them dangling for their lives right at the waterline. It needs you to think which then brings in this feeling of knowing, of understanding the characters and why they did what they did and why they brought in conflict when it didn't seem necessary. We don't really see how the characters feel but rather how they express it. The movie captures you not because of the characters individually but how they interact in a closed space. The feeling is so surreal and something I have never experienced before.

There are just a handful of characters and it is extremely aesthetic. While it seems like a vague and open ending to most, I really saw finality in it. There is great beauty in Josée and her white lies. A great beauty in their little world. A world built on loneliness and helplessness but one that blossomed into independence.

Do I recommend this movie? Yes but only in a specific kind of mood. Like I said it won't give you a good cry, you are just left sitting and staring at the void as the credits roll in and a beautiful song plays. However, it gives you an immense sense of empathy, of understanding without hearing. So, if you're in the mood for a slow-burning, introspective movie filled with beautiful cinematography and exceptionally acting especially from Nam Joo-hyuk, then yes.
I give Josée an 9/10.
(PS: I see so much of kind-hearted Nam Do-san in Young-seok. These two were also engineers, so it made me smile, all nostalgic. And Han Ji-min is just wow, but I don't think I've to say that specifically.)

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First things first: the synopsis to this isn't quite right. 2 guys do fall in love with her, but one becomes a complete ayouknowwhat.(sorry if this feels like a spoiler.)

Second, if you have heart problems, don't watch this. It will make you furious and cry alot. If you like dramas about revenge, this is perfect to watch.

Third, this is one of the best dramas I've ever watched, and i don't say that often. It has everything in it, melodrama, romance, comedy, suspense, and awesomeness!

You will not regret watching it, the first episode might make you have doubts, but stick with it!

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STORY: An actor gets in a car wreck due to foul play and wakes up to find that he was surgically altered using the face of the other driver who died. He now has to take on this other guy's identity in a quest for revenge. This is a very good story with a well-written script. There are few moments of levity and only some suggestive bromance. It ends with is a season-ending cliffhanger.

ACTING/CAST: Quite excellent. I think Ma Ke (Du Yun Xiu) did a great job and is much more capable and versatile of an actor than the part required, which was a shame; most of the series he was simply scripted to be broody.

MUSIC: The music was good. The main song was English subbed.

REWATCH VALUE: I probably won't, but I will recommend this to my friends.

OVERALL: A very intriguing show, kept me interested the whole way. The pace slows in later episodes. The English subtitles were adequate, but could have really used a fluent English editor.

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Not since "Nirvana in Fire" and "Ten Miles" have I seen such an amazingly written, acted (two leads made me feel their love was real and I LOVED their chemistry and facial expressions), and produced series. There's so much crap today that nothing's been catching my interest until I caught avenuex's youtube review of this. Boy, she sure wasn't kidding when she labelled it the best contemporary drama she's seen since starting her channel.

Finally, a romance with the most intriguing time travel mystery plot that's intricately written and doesn't fall apart. This is the time travel story I've always wanted to read or watch: Main girl time travels into the body of another girl and gets that girl's crush (male lead) to fall hard for her (he didn't like the original inhabitant). I've always wanted to read about a romance plot like that because it'll be such fun to watch the male lead slowly fall for someone he's never liked, but now is drawn towards only due to the main girl's soul inhabiting the body. It's like he truly falls for her soul/spirit and not the body. Sooo romantic!!! And the drama does such a good job at showcasing the male lead's "falling" process layer by layer and doesn't rush it. So delicious and swoonworthy!!!

No episodes feel like filler and such care is placed into the narrative and character development. This feels like a breath of fresh air! So many dramas these days waste screen time with bloat or scenes that add absolutely nothing to the narrative that I can hardly believe a drama like this can exist. Thank you Taiwan!!! This drama is on another level and I love the love story and overall plot!!!

The ending totally justified the means and resolved the narrative in the best way possible. It's both an incredible love story and a story about self-worth and the drama achieved both without seeming forced or preachy. Wow, can't believe how seamlessly the writers were able to intertwine both the love/self-worth plots without sacrificing either. Both heavily overlapped with the other, so it was impossible to become invested in one and not the other -I loved this as I hate too many plot threads that go absolutely nowhere.

Almost every plot thread in this drama was resolved in a satisfying manner, without leaving you feeling cheated. There was only one forced/conveniently written plot thread and even then, it made way for a good twist and didn't influence the most important aspects of the drama, so I was easily able to overlook it by the end. Overall, not only did this drama have my dream time travel plot , but also wrote it masterfully and had the best actors bringing it to life. Masterpiece through and through and will go down as one of my favorite dramas of all time along with "Nirvana in Fire" and "Ten Miles". Boy did this one steal my heart!!!

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Story: I felt the drama had no defined, real story. I also felt it was all over the place since it didn't feel consistent. I actually skipped a bit towards the later episodes.

Acting: It was just OK (though some were less than OK), but to be honest I had hoped that Kang Sora would do a better job since she was one the actresses in the group. I did like JinWoon, he did better than I had thought he would and I, also, liked Jung Yeon Joo's character and her portrayal of it.

Music: The music was great. For me, it was the best part of the drama. I loved the performances and the preparation scenes which took place before them. I also liked the "non-competition" music scenes.

Re-watch: I do no plan to re-watch this drama since I found it lacked a lot and I can just search for the clips involving the music parts, which is the reason why I even rated it a 5.

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Good Doctor     
 
The story line of this drama is quite peculiar – the fact that an autistic person could adapt fully and work in a hospital nonetheless is quite impressive because in reality it is unheard of.
 
The pilot episode had given me the impression that it was going to be a very promising drama, then by the end of the whole series I proved myself right. Although like any drama, Good Doctor has it high and low points along with loop holes. Due to the unbelievable premise, I say the writer was very much imaginative although farfetched for having such a plot. An autistic person basically has a lot of limitation but given the patience and perseverance to the people surrounding the person with a disability, it could be managed. Setting those thoughts aside, I love this drama because of the story and characters. It was like watching the movie Forrest Gump only in a clinical setting.
 
The main character Park Shi-on (acted by Joo Won) was such a lovable character. During the first few episodes, he may be an annoying autistic man who knows everything but after awhile his character grows on to you even his mannerisms become endearing… or maybe it’s just me because I find him really cute and funny? Anyyyywaaay… not to get side tracked, Cha Yeon-so (acted by Moon Chae-Won) is a woman with a strong personality. She has this tough exterior but deep inside she has a really fluffy heart which has a soft spot for our main lead.

I am not going to elaborate on that or else I might post unwanted spoilers. As for the supporting cast, they are essential in the series because they provide the substantial element of acceptance depending on the character's relationship with Shi-on.

Music wise their is nothing really memorable about it except that it adds to the drama.

Good Doctor may not be in my rewatchable list but it is very much in my recommended one. You don't have to be a medical literate to appreciate this drama because there are notes which would explain the terms & procedures. Over all it is a wonderful drama and it has exceeded my expectations.

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LIu Xue Yi deserved better!

This was not my favorite drama. It wasn't my favorite story or plot. Honestly, it felt like someone took the FL's "Blossom" and the ML "Kill Me Love Me", put them in a blender, and this is what came out. That having been said, I cannot dispute that the two main leads did an outstanding job.

Liu Xue Yi is always amazing. I will give every one of his dramas a chance every time because he is a fantastic actor and a tremendous gift to the Chinese drama industry. Even in the stories I don't like, I will skip through to watch some of his scenes. I hope he never retires and continues to give us wonderful shows to watch. He is consistent in showing deep emotion and insight into complex and difficult characters. Simply put, this drama wasn't worthy of him. Liu Xue Yi deserves better. MUCH better.

Meng Zi Yi did a good job as well. I have only seen her in Blossom before this, but she has very expressive eyes and comes across well. I felt her character was treated unjustly for most of the story and when she finally fell for the ML, I believed her. She is a good actress and I hope to see her in more in the future.

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