You Are My Glory: Living up to the name
'You are already the rabbit who has seen most stars'The love story between a celebrity and a normal person isn't anything new for dramaland. But YAMG is any different? Let's found out.
This is going to be a super long review... if you aren't interested in reading my very long essay, I'll sum up some important points.
↠Great acting from both leads with sizzling chemistry
↠No external problems, stupid misunderstandings, conflicts, the portrayal of a very healthy relationship.
↠The story and characterization are realistic with witty dialogues.
↠Inspirational story giving some important life lessons! but we aren't missing humor too ;D
↠Focused on leads, so screentime doesn't get distributed on supporting roles or any side couple.
↠No overdubbing, actors using their own voices.
↠So many sweet and heart-fluttering moments.
↠No annoying, and unrealistic, over-the-top characters. Very likable leads. But not perfectionists.
↠Many gaming-related scenes in the start and aerospace-related scenes in the middle part of the drama. (in case if you aren't interested in both of them)
↠The flow of the story is very slow in the initial episodes, and it can be boring for someone.
↠And Yang Yang just looks so fine with glasses on, this wasn't really necessary but I wanted to say it lol xD
If I've to use my food analogy again... I would compare it to wine, which needs some ripening to get the perfect taste and treat for all taste buds, a little bitterness in the start is natural but then you experience sweetness that lefts in your mouth at the end, and with time it gets better and better.
Though it seems like that cast is the best part of the show, it's not. The importance lies in the story, dialogue, and execution. I'm a Books-Over-Screen adaptations person (only Hobbit and LOTR would be exceptions), but this would the one of the best adaptations I've seen so far in dramaland. Having the book writer as a screenwriter ensures that writing quality would be par as the novel. In the initial episodes, the pace is slow... not much romantic development between leads: a slow burn. It's natural and realistic, they don't fall for each other out of anywhere for no good reason, through the slow process of getting to know each other with time. The story itself isn't exciting or even grand but it's presented but how it's presented that matters, it doesn't follow any tropes or cliches. Even being 32 episodes nothing feels unnecessary. I loved the fact it doesn't show any external conflict or cause that creates problems but in the start problems are, real, internal struggle, and valid.
Who says it's not exciting so it doesn't have surprises... in the second half its pace changed by 180°... so many heart-fluttering, butterflies moments ahead. The serious ride when becoming full fluff you never get you to know. Prepare yourself for soo much sweetness. Be careful about pain in the muscle of cheeks, I found myself grinning all time ;D
The dialogues are meaningful, and witty too! cherished the small detailing in the bits. For example, when Yu Tu and Jingjing go to watch the movie, they watch 'Coco' and Yu Tu's situation is quite similar to the lead of that movie 'struggle for chasing their dream and what they really want from life.'
When Yu Tu was eating in the canteen, he had conversation with Jingjing that time she said.. she wants to eat at their canteen and when you see Jingjing visiting his research center for first time.. he says we can't go to canteen coz as we don't have much time, I mean see the details.
Yu Tu's name has a special meaning behind it Yutu (玉兔) literal meaning: Jade Rabbit, it was a robotic lunar rover that formed part of the Chinese Chang'e 3 mission to the Moon it had an expected lifespan of 3 months but managed to operate for 31 months on the moon. . So when Jingjing states that he had already seen most stars, it is a reference to this... as Yu Tu having an expected lifespan of 3 months managed to operate for 31 months on the moon.
What to say about the cast, top-tier actors of the industry with their heavenly looks. We've got Yang Yang, Dilraba... Liu Yu Ning oh sorry he isn't there. No actually, he's there coz the drama starts with his voice. The opening song Fireworks and Stars 煙火星辰 is sung by him (ah this guy is everywhere lol).
Oops, I got distracted we're talking about the cast, right? Dilraba looks stunning, beautiful as always.. she always adds that spunk, and charisma in every character she plays that's what makes it special. The only problem would be that her makeup is a bit off :') She did a great job portraying Jingjing as always. Maybe even better as Jingjing is more like she in her real life.
But this time for me Yang Yang outshined or it was Yu Tu... maybe both, due to the complexity of his character, the wide range of emotions and experiences he had to go through. Out of the all works of Yang Yang it's best to date, I wasn't really satisfied by his acting skills yet aside from the great looks he got, but this time he impressed me, his eyes talk a lot... there's no need for words for some emotional scenes, just take look at his eyes and you know what's going on in his mind. Playing as Yu Tu is challenging as he goes through a drastic change throughout the whole process and with every stage, he has to make it visible with his expressions and his acting.. and Yang Yang did it beautifully.
Having extra love for astrophysics and space-related stuff I didn't skip anything related to Yu Tu's profession but you might find yourself skipping those parts as they can be considered boring. The same goes with the gaming scenes, the first few episodes heavily contain them, it was the medium that bought them together after all. I didn't like how Jingjing tricked Yu Tu by calling him to her house, Tbh these are the only problems I found in the drama.. and actually, they aren't really problems as it depends on your preference.
The characters... I love them!
Honestly, when I saw Jingjing first, I got worried oh no not again a cute, innocent female lead. But she proved me wrong. Yes, she is very cute and adorable but quick-witted, smart, a high-spirited person not to forget she has a high EQ (as anyone should have in the entertainment industry). She knows how to talk, how to behave. And she's aware of what exactly she wants. Loved how understanding and considerate she was to Yu Tu.
Again writer surprised me, what was I expecting Yu Tu to be? a successful aerospace engineer living a picture-perfect life. Who would have thought we'll get a struggling male lead.. with low confidence, self-esteem, confuse between a better job opportunity or a dream. It also shows a bitter truth... getting good grades, having a high IQ, great education doesn't mean you can live whatever life you want. Everyone has to struggle for their dreams, desires and on the way to do that reality hits hard, very hard. I would prefer Yu Tu over any perfect CEO lead as he seems so real (Not talking about his looks lol coz that's surreal) I found his struggle, his internal conflicts very relatable. His personal development is the key point of his character, how he starts to believe in his dreams again, belief in himself again. Wait this isn't it... just have some patience and see a new Yu Tu, in a new light. You might argue with yourself is he the one I know before. He's a completely new person, I don't know him anymore xD
Normally for me, when a couple gets together I lose interest, then drama starts to get boring for me but it's just contradicted my belief as it gets more interesting with time. Yu Tu and Jingjing make a perfect couple together with the sizzling chemistry, not just that they look so good but their personalities compliment each other very well (High IQ+High EQ) and both know how to flirt very well, what we need more ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯... they live in two different worlds but it has 0 effects on their relationship, that's what I love, nor external problems, neither silly misunderstandings. Even their small fights are so cute. Most important they behave like they are adults who are in a relationship, not people in their 30s but still behaving like teens lol.
I wasn't sure if the drama will manage to show the professionalism of leads, as their jobs are very busy, time-consuming. What a smart way to use time skips.. without even making it feel as they don't have anything to do other than dating with giving a lot of their moments together.. while doing their job properly. It covers a wide range of emotions. With some very emotional, heartbreaking scenes. I shed tears in Yu Tu's conversation with Zhai Liang 'I made mistake, that's why she's gone. She's a good person.' But then it has some peak comedy moments that'll make your stomach hurt. Bitter-sour-sweet-spicey we get a whole set of flavors. Good deal, right?
This is S+ production, so great aesthetics, pretty clothes (maybe this isn't fully), beautiful cinematography, the color palette is as expected. But I'm not fond of the opening sequence I found it a bit cartoonish and in need of good editing, but it doesn't cut any points as it's nothing to do with drama. Not really fond of music. Other than the opening song that's also used as bgm any other ost doesn't really stand out for me as it's the only song used till the 16th episode (so if you are a little sensitive about music, point to be noted)
The opening song: Fireworks and Stars (煙火星辰) - By Liu Yu Ning, I've mentioned it before but it feels like ages now :')
Time Monologue (光阴独白) - By Lala Hsu
Fall in Love (陷入爱情) - By Curley Gao & Mika
Speak To You (说给你听) - By Aska Yang
Born To Be An Eagle (生来是鹰) - By Chen Xue Ran
This definitely a re-watchable drama, you won't get satisfied watching some episodes only one time. And it's binge-worthy!
In the conclusion, I'll say... You Are My Glory is soothing, refreshing, thought-provoking drama. But not everyone's cup of tea/coffee is hit or miss. But if you are liking it from the start.. you'll end up falling in love with it ;) The heck, I did again 9.5 to a rom-com? But not regretting it.
Whoa, anyone reached here!?
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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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Amazing Romance with Adorable Alien and Hot Man
This is absolutely an adorable drama. Light-hearted, cute, simply makes one laugh out loud for the silliness.Wan Peng, playing the role of the alien girl, Chai Xiao Qi, looks like your next door neighbor's daughter with uneven teeth. It is precisely this look that makes her so adorable, pure and authentic. As an alien from another planet, she has never experienced love as we humans do on earth. All she's aware of works in high tech systems and codes. So while on earth, she is super sensitive to opposite hormonal beacons and strongly attracted to them. Despite being an alien, she is kind, upstanding and fair. New to me, but I must say Wan Peng is such an excellent actress and she nails the role perfectly. She is simply natural and convincing.
The male lead, Hsu Thassapak, plays the character Fang Leng. Appropriately named, Fang Leng is very good looking, cold and emotionless, with a loving heart for his little half brother. When their paths cross, the events that followed Chai Xiao Qi the alien and Fang Leng are hilarious, sweet and sexy. Also as a new actor to me, Hsu Thassapak is extremely good looking and hot with a perfect physique. Every move he makes is simply elegant and classy. He is such a wonderful actor and I'll be watching out for his new dramas.
Fang Leng has an unflattery name of being a casanova or a playboy, as he has a condition of not remembering or recognizing any women he dates after a rainstorm. Gradually, unaware of his own emotions, Fang Leng falls in love with Xiao Qi. Despite his condition, he does not forget Xiao Qi.
And for Xiao Qi, her goal is to retrieve her transponder so that she can return home to her planet. But no one can control love, not even for an alien; she falls for Fang Leng. She is tormented - to leave her love or stay and be away from home forever.
I love the relationship between Fang Leng and Xiao Qi, both caring for each other but at the same time, trying to hide their concerns for each other. I also love the relationships between Fang Leng and his little brother, and Fang Lie with Xiao Qi.
And of course, there are the antagonists, Fang Leng's employee, his ex-girlfriend, his step-mom and step-mom's brother. However, whatever schemes they come up with trying to hurt either Fang Leng or Xiao Qi, somehow, one way or another, the schemes are never successful.
Oh, have I mentioned the CGI tortoise? It's so adorable and well done.
This is a lovely drama to watch to help with my withdrawal syndrome from "The Untamed". Great chemistry. Must watch.
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even appeared and I stopped watching. The first 15 minutes were slow, If I had known that I was a little bit more patient or gave this drama an actual chance then I would find myself falling in love just a few minutes after dropping. Why? Chen Berlin who is known as Li Da Ren in this gem of a drama appeared and he just lit the whole drama up.
I finished the first episode and I was already falling for this drama truly, madly and deeply. I found Ariel lovable! and Chen Berlin dashing!I would slap myself silly for not continuing after those 15 minutes. If only I gave the drama a real go then it would have been in my life longer. We all make silly mistakes and I should really watch 3-5 episodes before thinking about dropping.
So this drama is about two best friends who have known each other for about 10-15 years and one thing is certain from the very start.
Li Da Ren loves and has always loved Cheng You Qing. It is also obvisous that You Qing feels the same but she's a woman and she's naive and I guess you could say she's scared about losing Da Ren. Li Da Ren starts to date a girl called Maggie who is very annoying and If I ever come across a girl like Maggie I will run for the hills. The thing about Maggie is she plans and she plots. Maggie wants the perfect boyfriend/husband and this girl has a list of qualities her perfect man has to have and it just so happens Li Da Ren ticks all of her boxes (He would tick mine too) so this begins the love triangle. Even though I said "I would run for the hills" I would say she did help You Qing wake up a bit but You Qing is very complicated especially in her love life. This is when her ex-boyfriend comes back and they had/have a very intense relationship. You know the type one minute they are arguing and the next they are sucking each others faces off.
Throughout the whole drama we are rooting for Li Da Ren to win his girl! We want Cheng You Qing to wake up and realise that Li Da Ren has always and will always be there for her. He is her soulmate. This is the type of drama where you watch one episode and you don't go "I might watch episode 2 tomorrow" no...you say "Next episode NOW!" and you keep on saying that until you realise 13 hours of your life have passed and the drama is over. The couple is no more and you
won't see anymore Li Da Ren and Cheng You Qing scenes. You will find yourself depressed and it will probably take you about 1-3 weeks to find another drama. However those 1-3 weeks of depression are worth those beautiful 13 hours.
P.S:. If you think Ariel and Joe Cheng are IT then think again. It's all about Chen Berlin and Ariel!
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I came into this drama for the cast alone, but I got much more than I was expecting. If you are expecting a great romance, you may be disappointed. There are some romantic feelings, but it is not the main point. The quartet of flawed but likable individuals find friendship and support at a time when they all have a deep need for it. As a hardcore romantic, I thoroughly enjoyed the friendship and didn't feel any lack due to the barely there romance.
The best things about this drama:
1) the acting- the casting could not have been more perfect. Each actor seemed fitted to the role, bringing out the best in their character.
2) the characters- perfectly imperfect, and quirky. Their interactions with each other made each episode special.
3) the witty banter- I applaud the writer. So very clever. This truly made the drama a joy to watch.
4) the music- brilliant!
Quartet may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for me, this is the best drama of the year.
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because its so unpopular..or lets say one of the mdl underrated of 2012. (seen only by 40 mdl users)
Expect not to see any eye candy on here and it was evident on the poster.
I think somebody who come across w/ this drama with an impression like this..
"ooh The chaser? hmm ahjussis?"
*reads synopsis
*looks on the cast
"oops theres no hottie nevermind lol"
Oh well..anyway
for anyone who likes another revenge drama should give this a chance.
It was very relatable with emphasis on importance of living w/ family.
If i would think of a drama that shares some similarity...hmm
Think of city hunter w/o a superhero thing and the rom com stuff and add
the movie "the Crucible" not exactly but just to show some idea.
i will give you some hints on how entertaining this is
- after the 1st episode there is no break on tension or a big pause on plot,
it keeps moving in a above average pace on first 60% of the drama,
- it was so complex and every character interwind in the plot/ very well deveveloped and no weak performance.
- the politics scheme is easy to follow as it really happening on real event.
The Story: It was compelling and there is so many situations/happening in an episode w/ no dull momnets but its up to you.
Since its only 16 episodes...its not so dragging if you spot one.
The Cast/Acting: lets us not so bias if there no fave actor in it but what important is the character developement
and the performance they made. The Main villain has to be one of the great one you will see in a dramaland that isnt annoying.
The Main lead is very relatable and his character will make you symphatize w/ him greatly.
Music: entertaining as what you could expect in a tense drama
Replay: there is a part of me that even i watched this again...it isnt as entertaing as before since i got everything
from my first viewing, anyway it was a satisfying drama....w/ a fulfiliing conclusion as a whole but again its up to you =)
note: I heard this got Daesang award yay!
my other recommendation:
The Devil
Resurrection
Equator MAn
City Hunter
Giant*
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The actors put their heart&soul into it. Soundtrack + camera provide a unique ambience. A Classic.
"All In" is a timeless classic from the early days of KWave. Via main plot and various sidelines involved, you dive into the subculture and parallel world of back room and casino gamblers. In the course of the story, the glitter and glamor of the casino world increasingly take their place, all the way to Las Vegas.Besides the gaming milieu, the series provides insights into the life of simple, poor young people in the late 1990s, which were shaken by the Asian crisis, and offers interesting local color. The well-established KDrama leitmotif 'Orphanage' also has its place here again. Soundtrack and camera capture the action in an atmospheric and impressive manner.
The actors put their heart and soul into it. In the case of "All In" the milieu-specific ambience was supposed to appear as authentic as possible. Therefore, in advance of shooting Lee Byung-hun and Son Hye-gyo (as adults of the main protagonists) went through an intensive training program, including in a casino in Las Vegas: Lee Byung-hun concentrated on virtuosity Card shuffling techniques and the eye dramaturgy of professional players at the gaming table (he won the Grand Prize at the Baeksan Arts Awards that year, as did the drama itself). Song Hye-gyo, on the other hand, was trained as a croupier and not only convinces when she sorts the chips at a breakneck speed.
The opening scene with a helicopter over the Grand Canyon alone is reminiscent of the beginning of a blockbuster à la Tom Cruise or something similar. "All In" isn't just romance, it's also packed with plenty of action, including brawls and gunfights. It's also about friendship among men. As a milieu study of the gamer's world, it's ultimately about gangsters and mafia, too. (Perhaps it is no coincidence that "the godfather" has a guest appearance in the story: it is shown as a movie in the cinema that shaped the youth of the protagonists.) But of course it's also about great love - in the progress of the 24 episodes facing one obstacle after another - it´s makjang after all...
At the time (2003), this KDrama triggered a veritable All-In-Syndrome in South Korea. The filming locations on Jeju Island became a hotspot for fan tourism. The ratings on public television back then are legendary (at around 47 percent).
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Loved the amazing capable cops in Reset? Well then, you'd want to check this out.
In ep 1 my reaction was: Wow ok, that's some tightly written and paced plot and character design. And it never loses the intrigue and keep you on your toes ALL the time. That's rare gem right here, for now I'll give it 8/10.In ep 2: It's really really good but it doesn’t pull me in/doesn’t hold me tethered to anything so I'd keep watching like Reset did, so I might drop it? Since it seems to be a case-by-case drama, I'll drop it after this first case is done.
In ep 4: I'm in love with this cop. He's so nice and amazing and look at all those fond small smiles like a proud dad awww. Forget all I said above, this is a 9.5/10 now and GIMME MORE!
By ep 10: Yes, the same quality is maintained. Show is witty, and manages to fit in tiny moments of mundane humor and heart into any given opportunity as well.
Plus, a good crime thriller would have reasonably matched Criminal/Police sides, and here sometimes the thieves are SO good I almost wanted them to win.🥲 That was quite the polarising but entertaining viewing experience for me.
So everyone, give this a try. Especially if you appreciated the police aspect of Reset. (If you don't know what Reset is, well now you know to check it out. Two birds one stone.)
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Why only 6 episodes?? TT^TT
When I open netflix this morning after sessions of insomnia, I was shocked to find Yanxi Palace on my screen. I was so happy, I thought the original Yanxi Palace has been available on netflix as I rewatch that series quite often. Looking it closer, eh it has additional title; Princess Adventures.So it's about Imperial Princess Zhaohua! We all know from the original drama, we didn't get to see Wei Yingluo and Emperor's two adorable daughters, so maybe this series was making up for it. I was elated and happy.
The story introduces Zhaohua as a strong-headed character. She's the most favored princess in the kingdom, loved by her aniang, ahma, and taihou. She has coming of age and ready to marry. She already has this fiance, a Mongolian qinwang who has betrothed to her for five years and stayed within the Palace to familiarize with her.
Since the original Yanxi Palace, I was full with the expectations of intrigue, politics, and heavy plot, therefore to start with some engagement story at the beginning was quite upsetting for me. Moreover, Zhaohua's character was very different than the cool-headed and calculating Yingluo. But since I'm curious and just wished to see more of Emperor and Yingluo's interactions, I continue.
The story was simple, with enough twists and strong plot for a short, side story of 6-episodes drama. It's actually quite brilliant and well-managed. The cinematography, costume, make-up, color tone (some people hate the color tone of this drama but I love the aesthetics of it and how it's affected the expression and mood tone of the plot) all are very good production, the same quality as the first.
The acting, especially Zhao Hua's was exceptionally good. Her expressions were amazing, convincing the person she had inside her.
I didn't notice there were only 6 episodes, I thought the rest just hasn't been uploaded, but then I realized they only introduce a handful characters throughout the story except the ones we've had from the original cast.
In the end, all characters didn't disappoint and deliver all the expectations I carried from the original Yanxi Palace. For those of you who haven't watch it, go watch the parent series! They provide you with a lot of satisfying b*tchslapping.
I didn't give them a high score on the music because they use the same one from the original series, so just re-production.
I desperately want more TT^TT I especially like the qinwang.
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Filming standard à la Hollywood meets melodramatic narrative, emotionally firmly rooted in SK soil
“The Moon” could have easily been titled “The Dark Side of the Moon”. At least we as audience learn quite something about it... But it's actually about much more. The KMovie is delivering action within the high-tech world of space travel. On top of that it is touching, thought-provoking and thus gnawing at fundamental, existential and political questions, too. We get a remarkably balanced production between ´international´ filming standards à la Hollywood and a melodramatic narrative with its emotional roots firmly planted in South Korean soil. So eventually, this lunar expedition is neither/nor, as this KMovie offers something in between. For hard-core fans of Hollywood blockbusters it might be offering too much melodrama. For the hard-core KMovie fan it might not be enough. Well, I simply enjoyed it as the lunar expedition as it is.The focus is on the ambitious national program that South Korea has recently set up in terms of space research (you may check side note below). With its technological innovations, South Korea is starting to present itself as an increasingly self-confident G7 space power. That is where this story is coming from. And it is against this background that the particularly high level of filmmaking effort must be seen, by which the experience of space is brought almost hyper-real within the audience's grasp.
The special ambience is staged first-class thanks to the applied highly developed audiovisual filming technology and expertise. Seemingly, the production team has spared no effort or expense - with 3D rig camera recordings, premium HDR video technology, Dolby Cinema technology (for the first time in a KMovie), innovative spatial audio technology and sophisticated rendering processes for the finest color nuances. The demand was for high-end cinema quality. And it is surely impressive. Everything in this distant, highly technological, alien world, far way within the orbit of the moon, comes as close to the audience as it can get.
Despite the enormous spatial distance, dense emotional intensity is provided, even though the protagonists are located so far away from each other. This delicate emotional bridging, requiring high-end performance skills, has been the big challenge on the actors´ side. In addition to the proven, first-class veterans Sol Kyung-gu and Kim Hee-ae on the ground at the rather clinically clean setting with high-tech computers and screens of both Aerospace Centres Naro and NASA, especially Doh Kyung-soo (D.O.) offered magnificent top performance as an astronaut lost in space. Mainly those three create and maintain an impressively emotional density (in addition to the overall action).
The plot of "The Moon" revolves around South Korea´s international profile as capable space power, while the eyes of the world are set on their (fictive) second trial of a manned lunar mission. Whereas unfortunately it didn't work out the first time... It's also about politics and tons of money. And in the end, it's all about survival... or rather, whether a human's life in the face of groundbreaking missions for humankind is worth ignoring chains of command, nationalities and costs.
Breathless action on unusual terrain. Intense scenes in an isolated space capsule 380,000 km away from earth, surrounded by darkness and severe cold. Desperate helplessness. The struggle for the 'right' decision – what´s actually the measure of what is right? Maybe ultimately just what I can live with in the end?
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SIDE NOTE: --- KSpace ---
Korean movie oder drama productions set in space have so far been few, and for good reason. The KMovie “The Moon” from 2023 as well as i.e. the KDramas “The Silent Sea” (from 2021) and “Ask the Stars” (planned for 2023) are, so to speak, a start. They reflect current (or better: hoped for further) developments regarding KSpace.
After rather unsuccessful endeavors at the beginning of the new millennium, South Korea as the 13th country to have its own space center by now, is increasingly well positioned in the KSpace segment. 2021 was marking the first attempt to launch their own test satellites into the orbit by their launch vehicle Nuri, which had been developed over the past ten years. Yet it failed. Nevertheless, in 2022 and 2023 it succeeded at last. Three more Nuri launch vehicles are already scheduled to be launched into orbit by 2027. According to the plans of the country and the Korea Aerospace Research Institut (KARI) at Naro space center, South Korean spacecraft will be collecting data on the moon in 2032 already. Additionally, the country has Mars scheduled for 2045.
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Inconsistent quality: likable in some ways but sometimes frustrating
This BL has loads of potential and is surprisingly good for quite a number of episodes for such a low-key BL (compared with say, Love by Chance 2, which is airing around the same time). In fact, I stumbled upon it by chance because it doesn't seem to have been listed in lists of Thai BLs.The main couple starts off being the sort I personally love to see, with them caring for each other in little ways even when they do not make their love for each other obvious. The story of Tan and Oil is interesting at the start with Tan being an archetypal "bully who turns out to be a softie" sort of character who becomes a much more nuanced character especially after the demise of his mother. (It may come as a pleasant surprise that Tan's affection for Oil is more obvious to us from quite early on when he almost kisses a drunk Oil but stops himself.)
Unfortunately, the development of their relationship seems to be headed nowhere during the middle of the series despite their attraction to each other. Despite being obviously in love with Tan, Oil inexplicably seems willing to date/consider dating Kun. Yes, he has the right to date others since Tan and him aren't dating and Tan hasn't made his feelings clear. To make matters worse, Oil's affection for both Tan and Kun seems genuine--at one point he appears genuinely happy when Kun confesses his love, and yet he also seems to be considering Kun because he thinks Tan only treats him as a brother.
Towards the end of the series, the plot becomes haphazard, compromising what could have been a reasonably good series. The scriptwriter(s) decides to throw in an incident in which Oil feigns illness, causing Tan to misunderstand him when Tan finds out. Although it is clearly suggested that Oil is under some pressure to feign illness (this isn't clarified even by the end of the series), the already baffled audience doesn't need to be baffled further at this point. The characterization of Tan is also problematic. At one point, he seems willing to let Oil be with Kun, indicating that he will do anything for Oil to be happy. However, he also gets jealous and upset after he realizes that Oil has got into Kun's car while pretending to be ill. (Tan thinks that they have gone out on a date or something.) Such behaviors can perhaps be convincingly portrayed if the actors had the ability to convey the nuanced emotions, but this was a bit too challenging for such young actors.
Apart from the unnecessary events that are added in for no particular reason, characters are added in and cast aside simply to complicate matters. Tan's stepbrother, for example, does not seem to have any particular motivation for his unpleasant behavior and seems to have been added in because the scriptwriters want some tension. Then there's Kun, the poor guy who seems to really like Oil. Oil agrees to go out with him and even agrees to be his boyfriend in the last episode. But just seconds later, Tan appears, takes Oil away, confesses his love to him and they live happily ever after. Nothing is shown about Kun after this, which also possibly and unintentionally also turns Oil into arguably the most selfish bastard in the whole story.
Tin and Sea, as of Episode 8, seems to be the other main couple (potential couple) though this is where things get somewhat confusing. Firstly, apart from the fact that Sea is Tan's friend (we only see them talking to each other over the phone though), Tan and Oil seem to exist in an entirely different social circle from Tin and Sea, and there is practically no connection in the Tan/Oil and Tin/Sea stories. Secondly, it is not entirely clear whether if Tin is in love with Sea even after two-thirds of the series is over. Sea is supposedly straight and in love with his female childhood friend, but we know that this doesn't matter in the world of BL. What is bewildering is Tin seems to have fallen in love with Sea at first sight though later it is revealed that Tin supposedly has a girlfriend. The girlfriend is overseas and only mentioned by the characters, and Tin only ever seems to think of her when he needs an excuse to spend time with Sea.
The confusion regarding Tin/Sea could be something that we can bear with easily if not for the extra confusion arising from the messy friendship/relationship amongst the other characters in Tin/Sea's circle. There is It (a confusing name because I often find myself wondering "What is it?" until I realize that "It" is a name) who seems to have been punished because some other guy (presumably Voice) wrote a note to him saying that he loves him (It)--is that even his fault even if we don't quibble about whether a guy being in love with another guy is wrong? It's love-hate relationship with the music club is also bewildering--he was kicked out of the club (or suspended?) because of the aforementioned declaration of love, but it's not as though everyone in the club has done something against him. I suspect that part of the confusion arises from flaws with the subtitles.
The pacing is fine but uneven. The switches from the Tan/Oil story to the Tin/Sea story makes it feel like I'm watching two different series without being able to finish one before watching the other. As of Episode 8, the series still gives the impression that it can be salvaged. Unfortunately, by Episode 11, one gets the sense that the ending (Episode 12) is going to be very rushed if the series is even going to have something that resembles a proper ending. Episode 11 focuses solely on Tan and Oil, so we are left in the middle of nowhere when it comes to Tin and Sea, after seeing the cute scene of Tin trying to do something to cheer Sea up.)
With a title like "Friend Forever" (or "Friends Forever depending on the translation), one may wonder if there is going to be an awful ending in which everyone just remains friends. Thankfully it doesn't have such an ending. However, the happy ending for multiple couples just happen out of nowhere, which makes the ending really abrupt and bizarre. It's like a student submitting an exam essay that suddenly skips to the conclusion because he has made too many irrelevant digressions to elaborate on his main points within the time limit.
The series goes downhill about halfway through, particularly in the last 4 episodes. It is a waste of actors and characters who show promise at the start. Though the unnecessary ambiguity and complexity of emotions prove to be too challenging for him, Leo (who acts as Tan) has been able to carry off his role well for most of the episodes, successfully showing the propensity for the character to appear more cold than he really is, his innocence and hidden insecurities well. Tai, who plays Oil also pretty much conveys the character's slight girlishness and playful streak quite well. Heart and Bank may have less interesting roles as Tin and Sea, but they are really good looking actors whom audiences won't mind seeing. I have never seen someone looking as adorable as Tin while trying to suppress a smile (Episode 6), lol.
This is actually a fairly promising series that would probably have benefitted from a bigger budget and a more experienced team. I remember reading somewhere that it is directed by the same director who directed Love Sick, its sequel and its spinoff, Thank God It's Friday. Perhaps the team really needs a series with as many episodes as Love Sick 2 to do more justice to the material. Friend(s) Forever is better than the rather insipid Thank God It's Friday (though the latter is somewhat more focused and coherent).
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I've been hesitating to watch this movie since I rarely enjoy romantic plots, because they're either shallow or overwhelmingly cliche /and/ unnecessarily dramatic; but I threw all my expectations aside (motorcycles!) and gave it a shot. I just had a good feeling about it and my instincts never betray me (totally not the motorcycles). Alright, I'm just joking.
You know when the movie has a good start you'll either be all optimistic and anticipate every minute of it or you'll be a pessimist and think how it'll go downhill midway through. Funny thing! nothing of such happened. Despite the beautiful filming (and let me point out how neat it was), the plot didn't gave much at first. I couldn't grasp its direction and I couldn't guess if I was happy about what I saw and if I was going to enjoy what was going to happen, but before I found my answers, it grew on me real quick and hit me like a splash of emotions. I do enjoy the movies you can easily relate to.
But this movie stands out not only for the romance, don't be fooled; it manages to mix (beautifully) loneliness, suffering, fear and eventually love, all together in a heavy pack of a simple, yet well-structured plot. The drama effect is strong and it balaces well through the characters, nothing silly in here. The main characters aren't something new, but relatable and true. Their encounter and their relationship is well acted and very realistic. The actors managed to show a mature performance, which is really important for this kind of plot and for the overall atmosphere. But give me a second here, alright — who's this Tosaka Hiroomi and why isn't he in the industry already? He shows real potential and I wish to see him more in the future.
To sum it up, gangs? Check. Motorcycles? Check. (now that's shoujo-ish). But realistic romance? Check. (not so shoujo-ish anymore). Sounds good, right? If it sounds good for you, you should totally watch it.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Good Watch, but could have been so much better
BL needle score: 6.5 - Moderate but adorable BL-nessI used to look forward to this series with a lot of anticipation...the amazing chemistry and connect between the main leads, good acting, good production values, and the realistic storyline, it had everything going for it...and it successfully created these hooks that made me wait with a lot of anticipation and concern for the the two young boys, Qi Lu and Qin Xiao, who were trying to keep their love alive despite powerful adversaries like that disgusting piece of shit, Qi Lu's Father, and one hurdle after another that came their way....the way they watched out for each other, often quietly, and at the cost of their own selves, the way they were ready to give up everything in their lives just so that the other could go ahead, was heart melting...in other words, I was very invested in the story and the characters.
But with all those positives, one major problem with this show was how it just seemed to focus on the build-up, the challenges and one blow after the other for the leads, till the very last 10-15 minutes of the show...and then it seemed like an underwhelming and abrupt end....like we didn't really get a full closure...as a friend said, it was '12 episodes of pain and build-up, followed by some quick text explaining the next 7 years of their lives, and just 5 minutes of happiness'...leaves you feeling kinda betrayed.
It ended with Qu Li and Qin Xiao being reunited and leading a happy life, but it felt like a lot was left unsaid, particularly in terms of resolving a lot of angst and resentment that the show built for some of the characters like Qu Li's father...there were hardly any payback for that, or even a plausible explanation of how Qi Lu managed to really get past the clutches of his powerful and oppressive father so easily...if he could go on to study Film-making in the US right after he went to Russia, why couldn't he do so even earlier? Also, the storyline of the second couple kinda got diluted towards the end and their scenes started to feel gratuitous to an extent. Maybe they had to censor some scenes out when the series got held up for some months in between (the routine thing that happens to BLs from China I guess)? I would have wanted to rate this as a 'Great Watch', but due to these flaws I'm giving this a 'Good Watch' rating.
Anyway, at least it has a happy ending, and it was comforting to see them be a loving couple, doing everyday nice things that loving couples do ....the lines at the very end were beautiful, when they revealed that Qi Lu and Qin Xiao had wished the exact same thing for each other - 'In the future, you must do what you love'...
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Acting/ Cast: The best asset of this drama for me was the characters. I love them all. They are so adorable together. Seriously, Soon Bum rocks! He is the light of the show for me. No complaints for the acting, Min is always a standout and I'm glad despite the new looks of Yoo Jung In (which I also prefer) she remained Bad-ass! I have to give credit for the little girl who played Ji-Hye, she's so cute, and she never left my heart at ease, great acting kid! Did I also mention that I also love Soon-Bum-Dong Man bromance?:)
Music: Danger was so fitting in the enhancing action scenes, and yes, I loved it!
Rewatch Value: I had already rewatched some scenes, My faves aside from the ending where episode 4 and 6. Fun scenes between the dark tone of this drama were the best!
Overall: Loved this drama. I think I had an obsession over it. Season 3, chebal! :)
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