Reviews

"Don't judge the book by its cover"

First let me start this review with a mini rant

The only concern I see people having with this drama is that they said it normalize pedophilia. My defense on that matter is you would only consider a person a pedophile if he/she is occasionally attracted to children which in this case she's not because she was not attracted to him because he's a child. I know most will not agree with that argument but let's say you are correct and she's a pedophile. Does this drama normalize that psychiatric disorder? BIG NO. She's attracted to him but didn't take advantage in fact she was despised the whole time, the school, students and the society. The drama won't make you feel they are romanticizing that idea. As for the matter that it might affect the thinking of underage viewers. Do those kids have parents to guide them? Then what about stories like Robin Hood, mistress protagonist, serial killer etc. are those stories being normalize just because they were made? If you are inclined to call it a trash just by reading the synopsis then I am sorry but with that kind of logic I just couldn't help but think you are DUMB.

Chugakusei Nikki portrays the forbidden love between Hijiri, a middle school teacher and Akira, one of her students. The drama follows their story for the course of several years. There will be time skip in the middle of the drama, 3 years to be exact, when Akira is 18 years of age. The characters are well written, Hijiri was portrayed really well as an inexperienced teacher, adult yet not matured, and also Akira as rebellious and confused teenager. Side characters are interesting too especially Haraguchi and Shotaro, it's also interesting to see their love story develops. Their love is somewhat similar yet different. The plot is sensitive but the drama handled it tastefully, it is nowhere near as creepy as you might think. This show is also grounded to reality in that every emotion these characters portray is very relatable. What I also like is the pacing it's very balanced which makes every episode engaging. The drama also knows how to play with our emotions. The director is just so good on how to build tension and also how to end every episode. Expect roller coaster of emotions, it's highs is wonderfully high and it's lows is absolutely devastating, there's even couple of scenes where I was on the edge of my seat and to think this drama is not a thriller.

~ A good rain chooses the right time to fall and so it falls ~
~ When it comes to spring, the rain is certainly falling ~
~ It follows the wind and secretly enters the night ~
~ While the wind is blowing, the rain continues to fall until night ~
~ And moistens everything softly, without any sound ~
~ Silently, almost making no sounds at all, it makes everything wet ~

This poem in episode 1 summarizes the whole drama. It is a metaphor to the kind of love between Hijiri and Akira, a pure love similar to dramas such as Sekachu, Endless love series, Koizora, Be with you, Heavenly Forest etc. Pure love genre if you would know is what popularizes Asian drama. It basically portrays a couple that faced many obstacles. Pure love in sense that even after so many years they still long for each other. We haven't seen this genre for quite some time and I already see upcoming dramas with similar genre. This drama will trigger another pure love era.

Cinematography is just captivating. I love how they capture the green landscape on camera, the shot during sunset, falling rain drops, fireworks and that weird fish eye effect they always use. Those are not just gorgeous shots but also serve as a symbol to what these characters feel. That's beauty about Japanese drama, it is full of symbolism and just like what I always said, great cinematography is similar to great painting, it is not just beautiful but also captivates you, will make you move closer and examine the painting and not just say "oh this painting is beautiful". Music in this drama is just perfect, it underlines the mood and helps showing the emotions of each characters. It is a really great piece of background music. With great drama comes great ending song and "Prologue" by Uru is just like that. It's not just a great melody because if you read the lyrics it will make sense why they choose it as the ending song.

The acting is just brilliant but other than the acting, the casting needs more praise. They just casted right people for the roles, Arimura Kasumi for example, she has this cute, inexperienced image and if you watch the drama having that image made her portrayal of hijiri so effective. They also cast a rookie for the role of Akira, it a nice decision by them as it requires a certain rawness to the character. It doesn't mean Okada Kenshi is not a great actor though. He is indeed fantastic as he provides the intensity and angst to the role. They won't call him a super rookie is he is not. The side characters are also well casted, if you follow Japanese drama long enough you would be familiar with Yoshida you and Natsukawa Yui, they were both underrated actresses. Their characters played an important role to the story and they played them really well. Aside from Akira, it's the portrayal of those characters made this drama so much better.

Final episode will be tomorrow but I decided to make this review because what ever happen this drama will go down as one of the best Japanese drama I've ever seen and definitely my best Japanese drama this year. End game won't decide the rating this drama should get in my opinion because just like they said the journey is more important the than destination. More than just a drama but also an experience.

Edit
I've just watched the last episode and I don't want to spoil anything but it is indeed one of the best Jdrama ever!!!

Best Student-Teacher Romance Drama List
https://thatjapanesedramaguy.blogspot.com/2019/10/best-student-teacher-romance-japanese.html?m=1

Check my Blog for other reviews & other JDramas stuffs. (｡◕‿‿◕｡)
https://thatjapanesedramaguy.blogspot.com/

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Not a Bl but Queer Story

I’ve seen a lot of mixed (and even negative) reviews about Soulmate, But honestly, I feel like that kind of thinking misses the whole point of the story.

Not every relationship needs a label like “boyfriends” to be meaningful. And intimacy doesn’t always have to be physical to be real. What Soulmate shows is something quieter but deeper—a connection built on understanding, respect, and simply being there for each other.

The title “Soulmate” fits perfectly. Their relationship feels like more than friendship, but not something that needs to be defined as lovers either. It exists somewhere in between, in a space that feels very real but is rarely shown on screen.

Another thing I really appreciated is how the drama portrays family. It reminds us that you don’t have to be blood-related to be a family. And you don’t have to fit into traditional stereotypes either. A family doesn’t always have to look like “one mother and one father.”

In the story, two men step up to take care of their best friend’s child after her husband passes away. The three of them build a life together, taking turns, supporting each other, and raising the baby with love. It’s such a simple but powerful way of showing that family is about care, responsibility, and connection—not labels.

What I loved most is how they live together, find happiness in small everyday moments, and respect each other’s boundaries. It’s not dramatic or intense in a typical way—it’s soft, calm, and emotionally intimate.

Honestly, this is the kind of relationship I would want in real life. Just living peacefully with someone who understands you without needing to explain everything.

I feel like this drama introduces a kind of “new genre” for many viewers—one that focuses less on labels or physical romance, and more on genuine human connection.

And maybe that’s why it feels so different… and so special.

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An aesthetically pleasing, original fantasy drama

When I saw that IU would be cast in this drama, I felt that I had to give it a shot, and I'm glad to say that for the most part, it did not disappoint. Without a doubt, Hotel Del Luna is my favourite kdrama of 2019. There is plenty to love about this drama, ranging from its stunning cinematography, decent storyline, excellent cast, oh and how could I forget: the most beautiful OST in kdramaland.

Plot/Storyline:
I thought that the writing was pretty solid throughout the drama. It is refreshing to watch a drama that ventures into foreign territory and breaks free of the traditional kdrama tropes and cliches to explore the less commonly visited genres of horror (though I wouldn't really consider this drama to be scary at all) and fantasy + romance. The plot is layered and has some depth, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on the edge. The main character Man Weol's story captivates you right from the get-go, as the show uses flashbacks very well to reveal small snippets of her past at a time, causing you to be curious about her past, and eager to find out more. The generous use of humour also helps to balance out some of the heavier, more emotional scenes, while also allowing the drama to be easy and fun to watch throughout its lengthy episodes. Personally, the ending did not play out exactly how I had hoped it would, but it was fitting to the themes of this drama and very beautiful to watch, as well as very emotional. The drama explores the themes/ideas of 'letting go', 'resentment', 'unselfish love' and 'forgiveness', which are all very meaningful, thought-provoking ideas, not just in the context of this drama, but these themes also have a place in our lives as well.

Elaboration on themes for those that are curious:
For example, the drama shows that it takes a greater act of love to let go than to hang on, which the same can be said about many situations in life. Suppose this: a severely ill person is given a few months to live. His family can choose to convince him to receive the surgery that would extend his lifespan by a significant amount, but which would also drastically reduce his quality of life (place him in a vegetative state), or let him die naturally of his illness. One may argue here that the greater act of love is to let go and allow the man to live out the rest of his days to the fullest, eventually dying a dignified death, rather than trying to desperately hang on and cause the dying man even more pain. Don't quote me on this sketchy analogy, but this is my best effort at trying to explain the themes that the writers explore in this drama.

Cinematography:
the cinematography of this drama is frankly top-notch, and can be compared to the likes of dramas such as Goblin. It is that good. The elements of fantasy were conveyed by great camerawork, skillful use of special effects, and excellent editing. The drama truly bought the supernatural fantasy world of ghosts to life, creating a vivid and charismatic viewing experience. It is difficult to describe in words, but once you see it for yourself I'm sure you'd agree that it is spectacular. The production team also did a phenomenal job of picking out Man Weol's outfits. IU looked absolutely incredible in pretty much all of her scenes, and I've lost count of the number of unique, beautiful outfits that she wore throughout the drama.

Acting:
the cast for this drama is a highlight for me. After watching IU's brilliant performance in 'My Mister', she was one of the main reasons I came across this drama in the first place. The drama is largely centred around her character Man Weol, and she absolutely nails her performance. She plays her character like it is second nature to her, effortlessly conveying emotions through her facial expressions, while also managing to bring out the complexity of her character. Her character is the focus of the drama, and IU does an excellent job in portraying her character's growth arc in the drama, all while making it seem very believable and authentic. And as a bonus, she looks absolutely gorgeous flaunting her giant wardrobe of high-end clothing. Furthermore, this drama exposed me to Yeo Jin Goo, who also delivers a very commendable effort and holds his own against IU. He appears to be much more mature than his age (considering he is only 22 years old), and the scenes of him breaking down emotionally feel raw and sincere. The chemistry between IU and Jin Goo both on and off the screen is also evident, and the relationship they develop seems to be very natural and genuine. The supporting cast also complements our two leads well, providing some comedic relief and some interesting side-story.

Soundtrack:
Although the soundtrack is supposed to complement a drama, Hotel Del Luna's soundtrack is far from ordinary and deserves a shoutout. Not only does the OST include big-name artists including the likes of Taeyeon, Punch and Heize, the tracks also have excellent synergy with the drama. The OST helps to effortlessly set the mood of multiple scenes and makes the emotional scenes even more powerful. There are many excellent tracks in the OST, but the standout for me is the special, unreleased OST by IU that is used at the end of one of the episodes. This track only plays once throughout the drama, but it merges into the emotional scene perfectly and elevates it to another level. (end of ep 12, )

Overall, this drama performs strongly across the board and ticks many of the right boxes for me, other than a few imperfections here and there. Although I wouldn't call this drama perfect, it comes pretty damn close in my books. I think I'm already experiencing withdrawal symptoms having finished the final episode an hour ago. It has been one heck of a ride, and now that it's over I feel like there is an empty void within me that's not going to be easy to fill. But giving credit where credit is due, hats off to the Hotel Del Luna team, as they have created something quite special and unique. Worth a watch, especially if you're an IU fan, as this drama is all about her.

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Perfect soft angst.

You know that perfect angst that rather than making you feel like you want to die, makes your heart flutter? That was it.

Truth to be told, it strongly felt like every fanfic ever came to life and... it works. Pinning over each other for years, longing and wanting the other, but never taking the step forward, protecting each other, making sure the other is not hurt. All the best tags we can find in fanfics are here too. While the story is extremely simple, the directing, editing, acting, ost... everything works in such a harmonious and perfect way, I fell for the show and died a few times waiting for the next episodes to air.

Some people wished it was longer, but I honestly disagree. With this type of plot it would be hard to make a good show, which wouldn't be a cheap fan service. The storytelling here was perfect. Not once was I confused about the plot or characters' motivations. They used the screen time efficiently and showed a cohesive story from the beginning till the end. I think extending this drama could ruin it.

Tae Joo and Kang Gook are nothing alike, but that's why they work so well together. Playful and flirty Tae Joo driving the stoic and collected Gook mad. The dynamics of them, the jealousy they tried to tame... That's the highlight of the show- amazing chemistry between Gi Chan and Eui Soo.

Usually I don't pay that much attention to ost, but the songs used here were truly amazing and fitting. If I noticed them, it means they were really good :)

So why not 10, if I loved it so much?
There were a few scenes where I was not completely convinced by Gi Chan's acting (like the talk with his dad in the last episode). At times I could not connect to the emotions he tried to convey. Since the cast was small and the plot was simple, it all relied on the acting skills of Gi Chan and Eui Soo. I believed every line Eui Soo said, but felt disconnected from the few delivered by Gi Chan. What's more, I wasn't the biggest fan of how they executed the last few scenes. Not to get into spoilers, I was happy with the content, but not crazy about how it was presented and structured.

That said, I would DEFINITELY recommend watching.

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So bad it's good? No. Just plain awful.

Well, that happened.

You know how a lot of BLs have eight episodes-worth of story stretched out to 12 and have 4 totally unnecessary characters that just chew up time? Well, this series has 4 epsiodes of story stretching into 18 with 40 totally unnecessary characters that just chew up time.

So again we have Fluke Natouch paired with a talking mannequin that makes him cry a lot. That's OK, though, because we have the sublimely handsome Peterpan Thasapon and Noh Phouluang, who I had thought was dull because he was in Nitiman, but he's actually really sexy and appealing, and together they make one of the better BL couples I've seen in a while.

So naturally, they're separated for literally half the series and their story is resolved offscreen. This is so frustrating that it's hard to express how much, especially as I had to wade though 9 episodes of utterly static story hoping to get more Rain and Payoo - but nope. They did manage to introduce an entirely new couple in episode 17, but no Rain & Payoo. There are 5 secondary couples. Only one of them gets together.

Nothing in this makes sense. All the characters' lives are perpetually in danger, accentuated with truly OTT music cues, and since you know nothing bad can ever happen to anyone, even if they jump out of an exploding helicopter from 50 meters in the air (this happens), there are no stakes. Ohm's character's brain is bleeding for 9 episodes, and instead of hospitalizing him and having bodyguards protect him, he's dumped in the middle of nowhere for three months to engage in archery and equestrian sports. Is it a good idea to race horses when your brain is bleeding? I don't know - I'm not an expert, but intuitively it feels like a bad idea. Fluke will die unless he eats apples. You know this because whenever he goes without one for too long, he melodramatically clutches his heart and keels over. Or at least that's what I think causes it. He's an uke, so it could be sunlight, or walking, or maybe he didn't dry his hair thoroughly enough.

Speaking of which, we reach a new low this series when an uke manages to cut himself with a butter knife. I'm waiting for one of them to accidentally garotte himself while trying to floss.

Whoever wrote this series doesn't know anything about music, despite it being about musicians. They couldn't even be bothered to get a real cellist - it's all synthesized, and sounds like a casio keyboard from the 1980s.

I think we've gotten to the point in Thai BL where we need some self-examination. Are we really so desperate that we're willing to be exploited like this by productions that aren't even trying anymore? This story is infantile. I'm not exaggerating, it feels like it was written by a 12-year old (no offense to 12-year olds - I realize most of you could have written a better story than this). It's so boring, repetitive, poorly thought-out, overstuffed with characters and endless melodrama that it's just tiring.

Story: 1 - There is one, sort of.
Acting: 5 - This is generous. Peterpan and Noh have a certain presence in the first half. Fluke cries a lot, and Ohm is there. Everyone else is passable and the villainess (the villain of the story is hidden. It's a big mystery. Who could it be?) would be twirling her mustache if she could. She almost literally shouted "And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for those pesky kids!!!"
Music: 1 - it's awful. Oppressively schmalzy, with overblown dramatic cues, MY brain was bleeding by the end listening to that synthesized cello.
Rewatch value: 3 - There are a lot of hot guys in this, so there are individual scraps I'd watch again.
Overall: 3 - probaby generous, but the first half did have a "so bad it's good" vibe. Then it just got bad.

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Ok let me get started with one of he best dramas that HAS NO ROMANCE (I know shocked right especially for being a romance buff)! To all you people who love romance in everything and don't really know whether to watch this or not let me put your heart at ease.....:watch the dang thing or regret it! Lol not to be too harsh..... It is an amazing drama!
The acting was phenomenal, the characters were so well oriented with each other and the actors all seemed to be living the life of the character as they were on screen! I cried for all the right reasons watching this drama and I might even watch it again so that I can get that feeling! The bromance was so well developed that it maybe sometimes gave me this big goofy smile that I usually wear when I see the main couple interacting it's each other in other dramas! Haha! Nam Soon and heung soo are seriously he best ones in this drama! Also the teacher student relationships are really unique and also described perfectly!
The story it elf is a deal brake because all these school dramas that we love to watch no matter how much we dream they aren't really realistic, even though they dramafy everything in this drama this stuff happens at school everyday and we all know it! This school drama Is perfect and I know the some of you who don't want to go through a school drama are missing out on every thing you have ever wanted to watch.
All In all this drama is with every second and very tissue that you use! Even for those of us who like romance don't miss out on this show amazing actIng and an amazing storyline! I believe you people will savor evey second of it!!!!!

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I actually started this drama when it first began airing but at that time I was distracted by other dramas (mostly Pinocchio) and gave up on it after watching only half of first episode. I picked it up again after a couple of months. 14 episodes were out by then and I remember dramathoning the whole thing in two days straight. This drama is seriously addictive and edgy. The plot is fantastically written and every ending makes you want more. And apart from the amazing action and thriller sequences, this drama has a great romance. There are no second leads annoying you but there are those terribly sweet jealousy moments. I love mysterious sexy male leads who turn clingy and cute. I can't believe the ratings for this drama weren't sky-rocketing in Korea. I really don't understand Korean preferences. They watch makjang shows one after the other but when gems like Healer turn up, they switch the channel.

Coming to characters, Healer. God I love healer. I love how he's jumping around buildings and coming up with these exciting plans. I love what he does for a living and I love his little high-tech shack. I love that he's a loner. I've only watched Ji Chang Wook in Empress Ki other than this drama but I must say he is always a delight to watch.

Park Min Young. I must admit that the only reason I ever hesitated to watch this drama, it was because of Park Min Young. I've watched many of her dramas and I've generally not cared much for her roles. But it was Kim Nana in City Hunter that ticked me off. God I hate Nana. She's a bodyguard who needs a bunch of bodyguards. In fact, I think it would be better if someone locked her up somewhere far, far away until everyone's done with whatever they're trying to do. She seriously messes things up and then goes around acting cute about it. So, yeah, basically I was weary that Park Min Young is going to play a role like Nana here. But I guess 2015 is the year of Reinvention for Korean actresses (with Park Shin Hye also winning hearts for her performance in Pinocchio). Park Min Young not only did a wonderful job in this drama, her character Cha Yeong Shin was a delight to watch. There were a few times in this drama where I held my breath because I was afraid that Yeong Shin would make a terrible choice that would create a havoc and make me hate her. But she was so awesome at those points that it really made me love her character overall.

The rest of the cast was great too. My favorites were definitely ajjumma and Yeong Shin's family (her dad and the rest of the criminal staff). I really held my breath there towards the end when I had a feeling Ajjumma is going to die. My Eun Shi Kyung feels were returning to me, I was all set to cry. I'll never forget that moment of relief when I realized she will escape. Thank you writers for not killing her off. I wish they had shown an emotional reunion of mother and daughter though. The ending was just a little rushed. Or maybe it's just me never wanting Healer to end. lol.

The music was great. I have the whole album on my phone. My personal favorites are Eternal Love and When You Hold Me Tight. I like that song by Ji Chang Wook too, although I've only heard it a few times.

Overall it's a masterpiece and even though the ratings in Korea weren't all that great I'm so glad it's getting it's due on MDL (9.2 avg yay!) and other internet portals. It's doing well in China too, with Ji Chang Wook being one of the most searched Korean actors there these days. I guess a good story would always find it's worth one way or the other.

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some things said or done can never be undone...

Overall: I'm pretty torn on how to rate this series. I thought it had a strong start but the writing/pacing ruined the series for me. This was adapted from a webtoon which I didn't read (it's on Lezhin Comics) and I reviewed the series on its own merits. 8 episodes about 30 minutes each. Airing on GagaOOLala & iQIYI country dependent. Ep 1 GagaOOLala link (vpn to Taiwan works) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4176/jazz-for-two-2024-e01 Episode 1 iQIYI link https://www.iq.com/play/jazz-for-two-episode-1-xiat5zva94?lang=en_us

Content Warnings: past death (see comment for another one), manhandling/injury, mental health struggles, bullying, non con touching, sexual assault, non con kiss, grief, beaten up/violence, parental abuse, homophobia, manipulation

What I Liked
- explored more serious topics such as internalized homophobia
- some mystery of what happened in the past
- A Shoulder To Cry On cameo for 2 characters
- the blue haired guy's friendship with the two leads
- that Se Heon wasn't a total pushover
- the jazz music
- the bike riding in episode 6 was funny
- sweet moments mostly in episode 6
- showing taking medication and going to therapy for mental health struggles
- the revelation at the end of episode 7 was interesting but not enough time to fully explore it
- the final kiss in episode 8 was well done
- production value

Room For Improvement
- failed redemption arcs for multiple characters, they needed to tone stuff down if they wanted me to root for their romantic relationships, one "I'm sorry" was not even close to what was needed for what those characters did, they also needed to shorten the length of bullying because a character was a jerk for five episodes and then again for part of episode 7 (and the writers leaving out a character repeatedly kicking/beating up another character many times in episode 7 flashback did not escape my notice though it seems like they wanted viewers to forget that part)
- pacing, there was way too much time searching for an apartment but then the ending episodes were extremely rushed complete with a 3 year time jump and no sign of a few characters, they had too many relationships and it meant not enough time on any of them
- cliche poor communication/noble idiot trope (thankfully it didn't last long)
- multiple dead fish lip presses/blocked kisses
- started with a confusing flash back/forward (later realized it was a flash forward)
- exposition dump/voice over in episode 1
- cliche female character pursued a disinterested guy (she did eventually stop/apologize indirectly)
- nonsense stuff including a bar only having milk or water as non alcoholic options, they'd have juices/sodas to mix with the alcohol to make drinks, (let me know if it's common to have only beer/wine at a bar in South Korea and I'll remove this)

Thoughts on Bully Characters/Their Romantic Relationships
Sometimes these characters and their dynamic work for me and other times they don't. Here are the factors that I'm thinking about. The first response is the lead couple and the second are the second couple.
1. does the reason why the character bullies the other character make me empathize with them, note that there is never a good reason to bully another person but whether or not I can empathize with them is important (kind of and no)
2. how severe was the bullying (verbal/mild physical/sexual and severe physical)
3. how long did the bullying last (we don't really know times but first 5 episodes and then some more for 1 and seems to have been an ongoing long term thing for the other)
4. is there some kind of apology/amend making (just 1 verbal apology and just 1 verbal apology)
5. is there character growth (maybe a bit for both but not really shown)
6. do I believe that the characters will stay together in a happy romantic relationship (maybe and no)

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Wasn't sure how it would be, as I couldn't find much information. But I waited patiently for the release, and watched it all in one day.

The story is one that fits my ideal show. I love when it's not your average normal romance, there has to be something different. The difference was having one actor playing two characters. One a hologram, one a human. The story was cute. It has only 12 episodes unlike the usual 16 or 32 but it did not feel short or rushed, it was well paced and you don't really feel bored waiting for the next moment.

The two leads were cute together. The chemistry between them I felt was believable. I enjoyed seeing how someone who has facial blindness interacted with A.I. It was interesting how A.I could really help someone who has these sorts of disabilities. Technology is a main part of this, and we saw how it can be used for good or evil.

The story itself was unique, others may say it would be unbelievable and cliche, especially with the facial blindness trope we always see, but it felt different. The story had good mystery to it and it was hard to predict how it would end.

One bonus is, there really isn't any usual second lead syndrome in this one. Usually k-dramas always have to have another guy, but since the main actor is the two male characters, you can actually feel content with the ending and not feel like a guy has just been thrown off to the side.

All in all, I think it could be worth a try if you enjoy plot lines that aren't the usual lives we live day to day. It isn't a show that everyone will love, but it definitely one I recommend and definitely will watch again when I need a good sci-fi romance fix.

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Don't Forget Your Dream, Don't Forget Your True Self...

Master of My Own is one of those polarizing dramas where many viewers lauded the show as one of the best C-Dramas of 2022, while others criticized it for being too slow or boring. For me, I enjoyed this intelligent and inspiring show, and I think it is misunderstood and under-rated on MDL.

Instead of being a typical rom-com or other more established genres like melodrama or horror, MOMO is a "slice of life" show, which concept is much hazier but provides a different kind of enjoyment especially when the viewer can relate to the story.

MOMO's appeal for me is how well the show depicted the everyday experience, the recurring themes of family and friendship, the struggles of daily life, and the stark portrayal of the good and bad sides of human nature. I also appreciated how the screenwriter and director teased out the characters' personalities, thoughts, emotions, and motivations by effective use of good dialogue, music, meaningful gestures, and props.

The story centered around Ning Meng, an ordinary young woman working towards her dream. There is a certain maturity about this drama, as it beautifully and realistically portrayed the growth, the angst, the resolution, and ultimately the success of our FL in her personal and professional lives. Ning Meng was hardworking, optimistic, plucky, and intelligent. Through talent, effort, good luck, and lots of faith in herself, Ning Meng navigated with grace and determination through the world of capital markets and investment.

Finding love with the ML, Lu Ji Ming, along the way was the icing on the cake, but that was not the show's focus. The main couple's romance was a slow-burn one. It started with them being on unequal footing, to one of friendship, and finally culminating in a way that I found satisfying.

Our main couple's journey was engaging for me, as they went through different experiences and ended up on the same path, working towards common life goals. As Ning Meng's confidence grew, Lu Ji Ming's ego took a beating. As Ning Meng's career took flight, Lu Ji Ming's crashed. Throughout it all, both showed worthy character growth and development. In this show, the main characters' little and large struggles and triumphs were well-written, executed, and acted.

Lu Ji Ming started off as a chauvinistic jerk boss who disparaged the FL's aspirations to be an investor. Shown initially as a successful investor who obviously thought that he was superior to everyone else, it became apparent that Lu Ji Ming was a quietly generous person who cared about loyalty and principles. Still, even though he had some redeeming moments as he showed concern, advised, and protected Ning Meng in his own arrogant way, I find it most gratifying that Lu Ji Ming did not end up with Ning Meng early and easily. Our poor ML had to struggle through some humbling moments first, but Ning Meng was there to support and encourage him.

The show hit the jackpot by casting Seven Tan as Ning Meng and Lin Geng Xin as Lu Ji Ming. They had great chemistry, and the dynamics between them were entertaining. Acting-wise, I am impressed. Seven Tan is a gem! Her acting as Ning Meng left a firm impression, and I was blown away by her superb performance. Lin Ge Xing clearly has the acting chops to pull off a cold to warm character like Lu Ji Ming. His expressions were on point, and in this show, in that persona, Lin Ge Xing exuded a certain charm and charisma.

I am a sucker for tall men and significant height differences between couples, and this show used it very effectively. It is not enough that Lin Geng Xin has an impressive height; the show also gave us Liu Cang as the SML.

Liu Chang's character, Su Wei Ran, got a lot of hate for being the creepy SML who could not move on past his first love's betrayal. His actions were selfish, and his desire for wealth and recognition was condemnable, but at the same time, it was relatable to real life. I had high hopes for his character development, and he did not fail me in the end. Liu Chang did well in portraying this lost soul. With his eyes alone, he showed the hopelessness and defeat that Su Wei Ran must have felt between doing the right thing and fighting his own desires, insecurities, and jealousy.

Without a doubt, the entire ensemble was great. The way the characters interacted with each other and dealt with life in general reminded me of how the people I know and I would behave in real life. The characters were nicely developed and, being adults, actually behaved like adults. None of that childish drama that the writers usually throw in to create conflicts.

I wish I knew more people like Lu Ji Ming's best friend, Ceng Yu Hang, who with his high EQ, was the "voice of wisdom" and the catalyst for many good moments between our main couple. Also, watching Ning Meng's parents, Xiao Yang and Xiao Song, and their funny interactions with our couple was time well spent. Not only that, there was a message of female empowerment with wonderful supportive relationships between Ning Meng and her best friend, her colleagues, and her boss, Shi Ying. Shi Ying was a true role model, and I would have loved to have a mentor like her.

The clothes and makeup also stood out for me because the show did not go for an idol drama feel with overdone makeup or avant-garde outfits. The actors looked normal, good-looking nonetheless, but refreshingly ordinary. I like how they styled Ning Meng from beginning to end. She looked cute in her glasses, albeit a little dowdy. It was nice to see how she naturally and realistically improved her outer beauty as she started to pay more attention, like using contacts, changing her hairstyle, and wearing more stylish outfits.

Finally, to top it off, the soundtrack was memorable for me. The way the show wove the songs and background music into the story was fitting and set the scenes and moods perfectly. Enclosed below is the link to the OST list, and I also included the link to the heartwarming song played in the background as Su Wei Ran reflected and pondered about his future.

Overall, I recommend that you try this drama out and see for yourself. Thematically for me, MOMO is a show that encapsulates life in many aspects and topics. It touches upon self-identity and personal growth, love (romantic and familial), friendship, respect and loyalty (to self, family, and principles), societal obligations and problems, the balance of power, wealth and inequality, and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0ynz1wLE-k
终于可以说出那句我爱你 I can finally say that I Love You - 谭松韵 Seven Tan
寓言 Fable - 希林娜依·高 Curley G
甜蜜来袭 Tian Mi Lai Xi - 王赫野 Wang HeYe
那么多 So Much - 金玟岐 Vanessa Jin
寓言 Fable - 田园 TianYuan
那么多 So Much - 姚婷婷 Yao TingTing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGDeerbW5z8
夜空中最亮的星 The Brightest Star in the Night - 逃跑计划 Sky Escape Plan

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Healthy relationship between the leads, good chems, no breakup n unnecessary angst...

What I like:
- The leads chems was good... they look comfortable with each other n they look natural... the skinship r lots n there r even some steamy ones...
- The leads have a healthy relationship, they trust each other, it’s an adult n mature relationship... so eventhough there r some other parties trying to mess it up, it never works, their luv is strong...
- There is no breakup or unnecessary angst... yes it took some time for the leads to be officially together, till halfway I think, coz FL’s ex keeps wanting to reconcile... but ML fell for FL early, n the pursuing part was already an interesting thing to watch...

What I’m not satisfied with:
- The sidecouples... one is FL’s bro n her BFF... their story just took too much screentime for something so uninteresting... it’s an older woman kinda story, which I don’t like, plus the bro is just so childish... the other one is ML’s assistant n ML’s pursuer... it’s boring n she is just too annoying... so honestly their stories I skipped most of the times...
- I wish the leads didn’t have the relationship a secret till the end... there could’ve been more potential cute office romance scenes...
- The business part is not that interesting... I’d prefer to have the leads n even with their colleagus, work together side by side facing problems/a crisis... they mostly have separated work scenes, esp after they r in a relationship... when actually ML is the investor of FL’s company n they r even working at the same building... I wish it was mixed up a bit more, in a light fun way...
- The ending... it’s a HE so don’t worry... it’s just that they were building it up to have FL’s ex last final effort to mess with ML, so I had expected something more... but in the end it fell a bit flat to me... there r some major consequences, but for me the way they tell it is just mehhh...

Anyway, I enjoy watching it while ongoing... IMO just watch mostly for the leads, n u’ll enjoy it more... it’s almost angst free, just both exes popped up here n there, but they r irrelevant since the leads’ luv is strong... so it’s a suitable drama for u who just got out of a max angst kinda drama...

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Who has finally a favorite drama this 2016????? YES! Shopping king louie is so far the best drama to me until the date. Yeah, maybe I'm exaggerating? Probably. I needed a drama like this? Absolutely.
Pure ! They are so pure… I just wanna hug all these pure souls and no leave them go never!!

Lets go to start:
- Plot : Something new without introducing new things to the romcom (Yeah it sounds so twisted)
- Cast: ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. The leads are so extra and pure that I can't say nothing more.
- Drama itself: It had the perfect amount of love, comedy and good acting.
- Music and effects: SO CUTE AND FUNNY!

If you wanna spend a good moment watching a drama, buy this! Yeah, spend all your time and hours watching them. Embrace the cuteness of Seo in Guk (what a gem, is this puppy even real?)

Con: mmmmmm maybe the drama topic tips? But Bah you almost don't realize it and I gave up trying to find dramas who delete these topics.

If you wanna find yourself smiling when some of these characters are smiling, this will be your drama.
Have a good time queens and kings of shopping.
See ya!

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Sweet, Cheesy, and Totally Hilarious!

Rom-coms have always been my guilty pleasures—something I just cannot help but indulge in, like sneaking a spoonful of Nutella straight from the jar. The drama can be full of the usual tropes, and I’m typically fine with that because I like them. Such is the case with *My Sweet Mobster*. Some will say it is predictable and cheesy, and they would be right, but the show did the cheesiness and comedy so well that it won me over. I found most episodes enjoyable and funny. Additionally, the show had a compelling premise: the ML was an ex-mobster leading a group of ex-convicts and trying to stay on the straight path.

The biggest draw for me was Uhm Tae Goo as Seo Ji Hwan, the ML. He completely surprised me. I had only seen him in *Save Me 2*, and I did not expect him to be so versatile in this drama. I was impressed by how he was able to transition from being scarily intimidating to being goofily love-struck. Uhm Tae Goo showed that he can do comedy, so I hope he will continue to explore that. Seo Ji Hwan was easy to root for. He was principled, led by example, and was admired by his men. I especially loved his interactions with his group of sidekicks who live with him. That dynamic seriously elevated the show for me, and in fact, I would say that was the best part of the drama.

As for the romance, the chemistry between the lead couple was not as great as I would have liked. Han Sun Hwa was fine as Go Eun Ha, the FL, but I was not won over by her character. Go Eun Ha was a content creator for children, and Han Sun Hwa fit the role—cute, bubbly, and pretty. However, there was something missing between the couple that did not make my heart flutter during the romantic scenes. There was no feeling of giddiness or warmth watching the FL's reactions, but it was incredibly funny watching Seo Ji Hwan swooning (in some cases, quite literally!), as he had never experienced love before. His antics, accompanied by the humorous reactions of his sidekicks, kept me laughing a lot.

Kwon Yul, playing Jang Hyeon U, the SML, was another surprise for me since I have seen the actor play more menacing villains in other shows. In this show, Jang Hyeon U was not as annoying as the stereotypical SML. He was persistent when appropriate but remained a gentleman when rejected, and his protectiveness made sense given the ML's background. Best of all, he underwent some character development, becoming a good friend to the couple, supporting them, and truly caring for their happiness. I appreciate that the show did not pair him with someone else just for the sake of it, although there was some implication of a potential romance for him.

The development of the second couple, Ju Il Yeong and Kim Mi Ho, was okay to watch, but Mi Ho's parents and, again, the sidekicks were the ones adding the most flavor to the good scenes. Honestly, the supporting characters deserved much kudos for making this drama a lot more enjoyable.

Recently, there seems to be a general struggle to get the pacing of dramas right, and *My Sweet Mobster* suffered from this as well. Some episodes started to feel like filler. It was as though the show could not bear to leave out all the comedy gold, so they squeezed it all in, even though the scenes did not move the story along. As much as I laughed, I also found certain parts rather draggy. Another downside was the main villain—I could not take him seriously. Even if this was supposed to be comedic, there was something off about him.

The wrap-up was nicely done. The resolution for the ML and his mobster ties left a good feeling, and the way the show ended, featuring the main group, was satisfying.

In terms of the soundtrack, it was good—mostly romantic tracks fitting for the more emotional scenes. The opening credit song was lively and reflected the positive and happy tone throughout the show, but my favorite was "Beautiful Woman" by Yu Jeongseok. It was just so funky and unexpected, but totally appropriate when played. For posterity, I included the links to the playlist.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6QLkDGAblKUfnW7tB6ywqX?si=d688c0d23fc2451a
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-8m3l2VVxQ

Overall, I would recommend this show. For a rom-com, it was different, straying a little from the stereotypical rich chaebol heir falling in love with a lovely girl of a common background. The comedy was well done, and if you can deal with the cringey moments that are in almost all Korean rom-coms, then you may enjoy it as much as I did.

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No Need to be Hypnotized, This Drama is Simply Enchanting

This drama captivated me from beginning till the end. Everything I wanted to see in a romantic comedy is here, and then some! This review is strictly for the drama, not to compare/contrast with the manhwa "Prince, Don't Do This!" (王爷不要啊) written by Dong Man Tang, in which it was loosely adapted from. I am rewriting the synopsis below for clarification without spoiling the plot.

STORY
Princess Aimala (new country name is Ming Yue) from the southern country Xi Yue is forced to marry to Prince Zi (common name is Li Qian), the 9th prince of the northern country Bei Xuan. Both parties disagree but it is for the political alliance. Li Qian already has a marriage arrangement with his childhood friend Lady Qiao (Hui Xin), and Ming Yue has a lover General Yun Ci. Both dislike each other since the beginning they met. Ming Yue who is skilled in horse riding, shooting, and hunting is not a typical feminine lady according to her new country's custom, neither she is beautiful. Even the Emperor (Li Qian's dad) despises her. Li Qian is cold and reserved, and has no clue on women and how to please them. Ming Yue is his first love. Even then he is still unsure if his feeling towards Ming Yue is genuine or fabricated, because his wife has another unique skill: she can hypnotize him and she does it, a lot! The couple needs TONS of guidance on love and sex (yes that's right!) from their friends: the wise Kong Zhen, the playboy Jin Yu, the mischievous Kang Le, and the straightforward Tan Li. The story is not all rosy though, we also get to see inside power struggles and outside rebellions, tragic past unfolds, hatreds and betrayals, revenges and sacrifices, broken hearts and even deaths.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS DRAMA:
(+) It is a well-done medium or big budget show.
(+) No need character or story guidance or anything like that you usually need it for watching Chinese history/palace dramas.
(+) The story has a lot of features for everyone's liking: action-packed, mysterious background, steamy romance, hysterical comedy. It's not boring, it's fast or evenly spaced. I do not skip scenes or conversations though I do a lot with Chinese dramas.
(+) The story is not straight-line, has a lot of facts from the past, dreams, plot twist and surprises.
(+) Satisfactory ending
(+) Good looking cast from the main to the supporting ones (gosh even the musician Lan is stunning and the Empress is elegant)
(+) Adorable acting of Ling Mei-Shi as Ming Yue. Although there are more beautiful Chinese actresses, but the choice to cast this cute young actress as the outspoken, mischievous, and smart foreign royal princess is just right, either in funny, romantic, or sad scenes.
(+) Charming acting of Allen Fang as Lin Qiao. From cold and serious, to confused and suspicious, to romantic and playful, his facial expressions are just right. Also the fighting/martial arts acting. He is also a member of Chinese pop boy band M4M. He sang some songs in this drama (see OST comment below). And he looks better in historical drama than in modern day drama (his other drama is Childhood Sweethearts Pianist but he looks bland there)
(+) Stunning acting of Ni Han Jin as Yun Ci. Though lots of comments do not like him, I feel bad for the Yun Ci role. Though he is abrasive and aggressive but his broken heart and pain look real as a man whose lover is snatched away behind him. He is not only handsome, but has a great body, too! And FYI I do not have Second Lead Syndrome.
(+) Exceptional acting of Zhou Zi Xin as Hui Xin. I saw her in Put Your Head in My Shoulder drama as supporting role who also likes the male lead, but Hui Xin's love here for the prince is dangerous and devastating. The actress is capable to go thru yandere transformation from a gentle, submissive, elegant lady to a conniving, hateful, and dejected villain.
(+) Other supporting actors and actresses are just right playing their respective roles.
(+) Great cinematography. Camera shots and angles were just right.
(+) Breath-taking sceneries. Lots of falling flowers and snow rains. They could be real snowing scenes too because the drama was filmed during the winter months of January to March 2019. The filming location is at Hengdian World Studios, the largest film studio in China or even the world (http://www.hengdianworld.com/en/default.html)
(+) Beautiful OST from the drama opening and in special scenes. The opening song is "Magnificence" by singer Jian Hong Yi (who is also handsome). The main leads Allen Fang and Ling Mei Shi sang "The First Seen Snow". Allen Fang also sang "Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon". A song specifically dedicated to the love of Yun Ci and Ming Yue is "Departure" by Jin Runji with mystical Middle-eastern tone.
(+) Elegant royal costumes, especially for the Princess and Princess. I love especially their outdoor gears and the Turkish/Middle Eastern robes Ming Yue and Yun Ci wear (in the manhwa Aimala is from Uyghur, the ancient Turkey area in Asia)

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