If you don't know yet? .. It is the first Asian drama in Philippines that gained so much popularity because of this TV drama started the so-called "Asianovela craze" and also aheeemm ... haha this is the first drama i watch :) well that's why i love asianovela and that time i also collect posters,text,stickers even glow in the dark of each of character of this drama i can imagined wahaha (i'm not that old) :D well i proudly to say that in that time this is the highest rate among all the other asianovela in Philippines and i watch this many times because it's refitted several times in my country :) also this series is the first live-action television adaptation of the manga, followed by its sequel Meteor Garden II and Japanese Hana Yori Dango, its sequel Hana Yori Dango Returns and South Korean Boys Over Flowers.
So if you haven't watch this yet??? and if you will watch this without comparing to other version or manga i think you will like METEOR GARDEN. Can't Help Falling in You is one of the song in this series and i really like it, i think cast is also contribute a good acting coz if they don't why people like it? Also please guys before you watch this remind your self that this drama made in 2001. That's why if you will compare the quality!? darling, obviously it will not as good as the two other dramas but about the story i believed that as much as many people like it hopefully you will like it also :)
That's why i rated this 10 i expect it's reasonable!
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Stunning pictures, not thought out story...
"The Secret of Us" is a japanese youtube channel, but only doing chinese BL content. That is one their several short series but a very weak one. While the landscapes are really stunning, the story left so much to be desired. It begins fine - a hurt stranger is found by an to be aspiring veterian - but how they fell in love is not really explained. There is a red flag scene in a tent and then it's like they are together.In the following episodes it's revealed the stranger had his goal to reach the veterian because his dog saved him from a wolf pack. But when you listen to the story, it does not make much sense, because he mentioned there were other people saving him, so they would have rendered first aid, right? And just because he did not tell him first, they break up and the stranger returns home.
The finale is the most confusing. First it's a time jump and second he wants to search for the stranger but gets a call that mr. stranger should have an operation otherwise his life is in danger and then he appears on a horse. WTF?
This is one of the weakest series from them and I have no clue why they thought the story made any sense. They had six episodes to tell a story, but most of it was filler and not needed and it ends. While it's nice he's back, will he die now? Or what was the reason for him coming back? I can't figure it out and I don't care. The actors tried their best, they delivered a decent performance but I did not feel their attraction to each other. The only good thing about this series are the stunning landscapes which is special because most dramas play out in a big city most of the time. Also the rest of the production quality was top notch wasted on such a script. Handsome actors don't make a story. So my quite high rating is only because of the production quality, because the script is really bad.
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But this wasn't a perfect drama, that's for sure. If we look closer to some aspects we'll realize that this drama lacked in so many things.
I think the directing and the writing was mediocre (specially in the last episode which was terrible in my opinion XD) There were many illogical scenes and also some holes in the plot. Writers didn't approach the crime-mystery genre as they should have. They created a great villian but also the dumbest heroes -Except from Yeom Mi, Moo Gak and Cho Rim- (sometimes)
Well, I must give them some credit tho, because the romantic comedy part was good and well done, in my opinion. So props for that!
The acting was good too. I have no complains, Shin Se Kyung did a good job, I liked her a lot in this. I think comedy is perfect for her. As for me, she isn't blacklisted anymore -not that I have a black list or something like that actually hahaha- But let's say she wasn't my favorite actress.
And of course I have to talk about Nam Gong min's great acting. I think this drama is worth watching because of his character. He played it so well. I think he should stick to these kind of characters from now on. And overall the acting of everyone was good, nothing outstanding, nothing unwatchable, just good.
About the music, well... it was ok. I liked almost all the songs and also the instrumentals.
Then, should you watch it?
Well guys, it depends on what you want and expect from this. Don't expect great quality in directing or writing or a crime thriller or something like that because you will be disappointed.
You can expect cute and romantic moments, also funny scenes and an average show. Nothing much.
What I mean is that this show is technically bad, but it's entertaining so it works. At least for me.
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Not Just Good, But One of the Best
If you are looking for:- a simple but heartfelt romance with emotional depth
- charming leads with excellent chemistry
- polished execution and pleasing aesthetics
- intimate scenes that feel both sensual and emotionally grounded
then this series may be for you!
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Things I like
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(1) The Creative Direction
This series has many strengths: pleasing visuals, an endearing cast, a consistent musical identity, and, of course, a main couple with undeniable chemistry. TeeTee Wanpichit is especially charming as Duang, bringing so much warmth and energy to the role that it becomes easy to stay invested from start to finish. Por Suppakarn also gives Qin a strong presence, making him compelling even in his quieter and more guarded moments.
But if I had to give one special shoutout, it would go to director Nathawat Piyanonpong. A series like this may look simple on paper, but making a straightforward love story feel this engaging requires both vision and execution. The emotional beats land, the romantic progression feels natural, and the series never loses its charm. Without strong direction, a plot like this could have easily felt ordinary. Instead, it feels assured, intentional, and consistently enjoyable.
(2) Qin’s Growth
For a while, I found myself wondering why the series was titled Duang With You. By the final episode, the answer becomes very clear. The title is not just about Duang being physically by Qin’s side, but about how deeply Duang changes Qin’s emotional world.
This works especially well because of the contrast with similar moments in the earlier episodes. By the finale, Qin’s happiness feels open, genuine, and closely tied to Duang’s presence. He is no longer the cold, guarded person who chose distance and emotional restraint. Instead, he becomes someone capable of vulnerability, honesty, and mutual love. Por Suppakarn does an excellent job portraying this growth, especially in the crying scenes, because Qin is not simply written as a cold male lead. He is a character shaped by pain and a difficult past, and that gives the role much more depth when he finally allows himself to feel and receive love.
(3) The Intimacy
For a series that feels this heartwarming and straightforward, I honestly expected the intimate scenes to be fairly basic or brief. That was clearly not the case. The scenes here are thoughtfully choreographed and shot, and what makes them even stronger is that they are not there just for visual appeal. They carry emotional weight too.
What I especially appreciated is how the intimacy feels tied to the characters and their relationship. These scenes are sensual, but they also feel tender, vulnerable, and believable for two young people who are fully opening themselves to one another. Because of that, they come across as meaningful rather than merely decorative, which makes them all the more effective.
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Things I wish were different
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(1) More Depth for Qin’s Parents
It is honestly hard for me to pick major complaints about this series, but if I had to nitpick, this would probably be my biggest one. Qin’s parents felt like the weakest part of the storytelling for me. With their limited screen time, both characters came across as too similar, and because they almost always appeared together and mirrored each other’s reactions, they ended up feeling less like two distinct people and more like a single narrative force.
Because Qin’s trauma is such an important part of his character, I wish the series had spent a little more time exploring the parents’ perspectives in a more layered way. In the end, much of the emotional weight of that storyline was carried by the two main actors rather than by the writing around the parents themselves. Even the maid, bless her, left a stronger impression in the early childhood scenes.
(2) The OST
The music in this series suits the tone well, so this is not really a complaint about quality as much as variety. I just wish the OST had been a little more experimental at times. Since Qin is a jazz student, and since the series gave us that lovely music showcase scene where Por Suppakarn sang jazz so well, I found myself hoping the soundtrack would lean further into that side of his character.
Because of that setup, I was expecting a bit more jazz influence, or at least more genre variation across the series. Instead, the overall musical style stayed fairly consistent throughout, aside from a few scenes. It still worked, but I think the soundtrack could have added even more personality if it had taken a few more risks.
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Best scenes
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1. Post-basketball match (Episode 6)
For me, this is one of the standout scenes of the entire series, and also the moment where TeeTee Wanpichit truly shines as an actor. Within a relatively short span of time, he is asked to carry multiple emotional shifts, and he does so very well. We see the affectionate and devoted Duang that the audience has already grown attached to, but this scene adds so much more on top of that: concern, frustration, hurt, helplessness, and finally relief.
What makes this scene so strong is how naturally those emotions build into one another. It never feels exaggerated, and that is why it hits so hard. By the time Qin apologizes and begins to reciprocate Duang’s feelings more clearly, the emotional payoff feels fully earned. This is also the point where the relationship starts to move beyond one-sided affection and into something more mutual and balanced. For that reason, this scene is not only emotionally effective, but also one of the most important turning points in the series.
2. Bye bye teddy bear (Episode 8)
These young actors can really act. The tears of relief that Duang sheds after Qin chooses him are the kind of moment that stays with you. It is tender, heartbreaking, and impactful all at once. For me, this is one of those scenes that will still be remembered long after the series ends.
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Takeaways
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The base formula that this series follows is not exactly unique. In fact, there have already been many series built on similar settings and storylines. What makes Duang With You special is the execution and the passion that can be felt throughout all 12 episodes. The two leads are incredibly charming and do a wonderful job embodying the characters from the source material.
The ironic part is that the original novel is called Not The Best, But Still Good, and yet this adaptation may well be one of the best series in the genre so far.
I wish nothing but continued success for the actors, the director, and the entire team behind this series. Everyone involved clearly brought a great deal of effort and heart into this work, and I hope that passion opens the door to even more success and opportunities in the future. I truly look forward to seeing more great things from them.
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How to Ruin Something in 3 episodes
I wrote this as a way to empty myself rather than anything else. Everyone’s taste and perspective is different so I have never made an effort to convince someone to like or not like anything. And I also debated a lot on whether to post it or not. But since I already wrote it, what the heck… This is a description of how a perfect 9.5 rating peddled itself into a 7.Now I’m going to be honest, I feel some unexplainable attachment to N’Bright. Sort of maternal. I don’t know why, maybe because he’s the same age as my baby sister and my protectiveness for her is transferred, maybe because I can sense some vulnerability behind his aloofness? I don’t know, let’s leave that to the therapists to untangle that web. But the point I wanted to make before I went down the path of self-analysis and discovery is, my biased feelings also flowed down to the character which meant I tend to gloss over some issues either with the show or the actor. Don’t say I wasn't upfront about it.
Where to start; the actors?
N'Bright - Besides his good looks they say he brings all he's got to the set. I do like his acting. Although admittedly when I first saw the cast interview before the series aired, my first impression was, this is not going to be challenging for this guy. Character and his own personality seem to be too similar.
I found his strength to be when he is playing the seemingly cold, detached, flirty, cute, shameless parts of his character. His biggest weakness would be sad scenes. He squints. Basically, that’s it. I found that in scenes where I should have been more inclined to empathize with his character instead I felt disconnected. These are the scenes specially where Win has outshined him.
N'Win – I don’t even know where to start about our breakout star. It is hard to imagine that this is his first role. I guess some things just come natural to some people. When he is playing the mash up of legally blonde and clueless, I kept thinking, “this guy would make a damn good villain”. That is a testament to his ability in convincing me that he is a talent that should not be underestimated. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t have areas to work on but for a first run, he hit it out of the park.
The Plot
If you’re looking for a series to tackle serious issues, with intricate plots and multi-faceted characters you won’t find it here. This was a very straightforward simple unoriginal plot. What I like about the series was that particular fact. It never tried to be more than what it was; which is the equivalent of a chick-flick. It is a simple story of two people falling in love. It wasn’t a question of will-they-won’t-they but rather WHEN will-they. The trill was watching the chase and the fluff unfold until the expected happy ending arrives.
Whatever minor faults could be forgiven as long as it delivered what I needed; which was an uncomplicated entertaining love story.
Tine’s oblivion to his fake boyfriends real flirting, and Sarawat’s one step advance one step retreat was what excited me, asking will Tine realize in this episode or the next episode that his fake boyfriend is actually in love with him.
The choppy editing and some of the directing mishaps can quickly be dismissed. Why spend over analyzing something simple that wasn’t trying to be more than what it is, I told myself.
When people pointed out the scene with Sarawat getting beat up was unnecessary, I said no they are trying to show Tine who only saw Sarawat’s popularity, that there was another side to his life. A not so pretty side that Tine was oblivious to. For some who don’t believe boys would punch someone because their girlfriend liked their IG, I’d like to counter with my own experience with stupid, where in college I had a close friend who’s boyfriend regularly gets into a fist fight with any man who made eye contact with his girlfriend (no I’m not exaggerating, going to clubs or bars was definitely a stressful situation when my friend and her boyfriend joined us) But I digressed again, I was trying to say that I can come up with any explanation or excuse for a scene that may come off less than perfect.
The Problem
Then episode 10 happened. The first couple of minutes showed us what we have been waiting for. Finally! Tine realized his feelings and accepted Sarawat and they are now a couple. So, what comes next? Of course, the honeymoon phase! Where we are going to witness firsthand these two people we have been cheering on for 9 episodes, go on a date. We are going to see Sarawat who shamelessly flirted his way into Tine heart, is as a boyfriend. We are going to see how awkward, shy Tine is with his first boyfriend and watch him fall deeply in love ugh so romantic hu… NO! That’s not what happened. What we got was a fast transition from “we’re boyfriends” to “we are cohabitating” in a matter of 15 minutes. If it was just the cohabitation, I wouldn’t be so bitter. What they went into is from flirting and making eyes at each other to bromance territory. I mean they were one chest bump away from turning into two white frat boys “dude”! In a matter of 15 minutes the spark that had carried us for 9 episodes started fizzling out in front of my eyes. Man and Boss should ask for refund on that bouquet of condoms. But I moved on, I declared it the weakest episode, which was bound to come along in any series.
Episode 11 busted in with the Halloween special. I mean to this day I still can’t tell you what the thought process was that went into writing and approving that episode. The only saving grace was the last 6 minutes where we finally got to see from Sarawat’s perspective on what it was like for him when he met Tine again in ep 1. That part was cute and in perfect theme to the beginning of the series. I feel like N’Bright did his best work there. Now another milestone for this episode was Tine said “I like you too” out loud for us to hear. Now I’m no director or writer but shouldn’t this be an opportune moment to get in a kiss? Mind you, I’m not asking for tongue or exchange of saliva (I feel like I have to keep pointing out this part for some to understand) but a simple peck. Would it have killed them if Sarawat and Tine had leaned on each other or gave a back hug while they were stargazing?
But hey, let’s not get hung up on the missed opportunity here when episode 12 brought on a new bucket of mess. Ep 12 was a cast call for all clichés. You name it, it had it. Here, because of this series, I had to eat my words once again. Around ep 5/6, here on MDL I praised this series for not having negative female portrayals. One commenter pointed out that it still had “Sarawat’s fans”. I said I don’t consider them as normal females, at least we don’t have an ex or something trying to raise havoc. I guess this is why they say you shouldn’t put something out into the universe?
Why what was supposed to be a simple Hallmark drama has devolved into c-drama world with its melodrama is beyond me. Well as you’d expect, the last ep could not save the descend into the bottom with the regurgitated plots, cliched love triangle, last minute drama.
In our very last episode we got a strong montage and a character I barely recognized. I have theories, hear me out… when Sarawat broke his leg and they took him for his x-ray follow up, by any chance do you think the hospital messed up and gave him a lobotomy? Or, in the Halloween ep, did he maybe get body swapped? Guys I have over a decade worth of knowledge in this area from watching Supernatural. It could happen. And this is the only explanation that I can come up with to explain the unexplainable character personality shift. People expect you to accept that Mr. Sarawat expo, Mr. cop-a-feel even when beaten to a pulp, now gives strong shoulder hugs and high fives. Mr. I'll kiss you till you drop now gives head pats. The Sarawat, who crawled to Tine with a broken leg and wouldn’t leave his side just because Tine fainted now sees his boyfriend puking and being taken to a hospital but instead goes home for a good night sleep and a change of fresh cloth before going to see him? I mean WT actual F! To top it off, Sarwat 2.0 didn’t even say “I’m sorry” or make any effort to win Tine back or anything remotely sane but instead sang a song that he barely even finished. Man and Type showed more warmth with that hug than our main couple, who technically had just made up. To be fair, Man and Type showed more warmth than our duo in the last 3 episodes.
I have a lot more to say but I fear the only thing to be gained would be carpal tunnel. I will forever treasure you, Gunsmile and Toptap. Episodes 1-9 will be remembered fondly, especially since as far as I'm concerned this series ended after the first 15 minutes of episode 10. I loved, loved everything about the music. Thank you for that.
And at last, I will dedicate a verse from one of my favorite song to it:
“it could have been love, but it’s over now;
It could have been good, but we lost it somehow”
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I fall in love at first sight with Rosy Zhao since early episodes, I can't imagine another actress playing Sheng Nan besides Rosy Zhao.
The male lead Lin Shen as the CEO Lu Jin with prestigious character, I started to fall in love with his acting in the middle of drama when the story becomes more captivating. I never watch his drama before and I found out he is an extraordinary actor, very experienced and has many achievements in the world of drama and film. I love all his suits in this drama, all suits he wears always looks good on him.
In the last few episodes the story is no longer about the allure of cooking/food flavored with romance, but more about hatred between brothers and take a revenge. I wish the writer didn’t put too much drama at the last episodes as this drama is very charming on most of all episodes.
Overall I love the romance between Sheng Nan and Lu Jin, this couple is so sweet, you will keep on smiling to see their silliness in love. Short drama, beautiful cooking/foods, sweet & happy romance, enjoyable to watch.
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Ultimate slow-burn in the bustling nerve wrecking imperial palace
This one genuinely won hearts; it won’t leave you craving for more because they gave us everything.The initial lack of romance pointed out, is a crucial stepping stone for the development of the relationship between the main characters. This might change from person to person but the trust, bond, and belief they had in each other that came together the way it did due to all those episodes that literally serve this purpose.
In many dramatic works, the characters are often portrayed as one-dimensional and lack the depth that is required to fully engage the audience. However, this particular drama stands out in that each character possesses a unique set of traits and motivations. The character, Xue Shu, is a prime example of this well-developed and multi-faceted approach to characterisation. Her actions not only facilitated the meeting between the female lead and the second male lead, but also had a profound impact on the entire court, leaving the powerful Duke Xue speechless in the process. Moreover, her actions served to reverse the plans of the female lead which was a strong move from Fl’s side. This is a rare and impressive feat in the realm of dramatic works and serves as a testament to the author's ability to craft complex and nuanced characters.
Initially, I thought that there would be a couple of episodes specifically devoted to flashbacks. However, it turned out to be surprising as we were able to get an idea of the events and storyline from the past through brief glimpses, without actually having to witness them visually.
Kudos to the actors who made those characters alive.
Jiang Xuening is definitely a rebel to the social norms back then when it came down to the people she cared about, she went all the way to not let the past repeat.
Xie Wie, if confident, visionary, scheming, cold, possessive, and talented was a person he is the one. He’s a 10 (only for the FL *cough possessive cough*) but definitely can’t fight.
Yan Lin grabbed us with his charming, extroverted personality, let’s not mention the fight scene which definitely hooked and gave us relief with his entry when Duke Xue surrounded Xie Wie and Zhang Ze.
Zhang Ze (the righteous man who can’t be real) has the kind of judgement everyone would crave, his vision into other's perceptions and diverse view of the situations will leave you all wondering his IQ level. He’s a 10 and there’s no but…
Xue Dingfei, Dao Qin, Lyu Xian, You Fangyin, Xiao Bao, Princess and Jiang family each have unique personalities, which will keep us invested in their character build up. Each of them true to their character had one or another scene where the attention to the drama reaches maximum.
Duke Xue, Xue Shu, The Emperess and Zhou Yinzhi will keep the edge and rage alive, that itself says how well the characters were portrayed.
Even though politics and drama rule this drama, the scenes cut to a different level will bring you back to laughter immediately from the tense situation. The realization of getting finally attached might be too late. For me, it was You Fangyin’s fate that made me realize this.
The scheming plots were executed with great precision, and many aspects of the plan felt natural and logical. The decisions made were not forced or repetitive, and everything flowed smoothly even in the most challenging situations. This was definitely a 10/10 for me.
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Story: It's the most developed one that I've seen until today.It's the full package of romance, action, drama and mistery.It made me fall off my chair from laughing sometimes, but on the other hand it made me use so many many tissues most of the time.Is a very serious story which touches ideas and problems that were never touched once before.
Acting/Cast: What can I say about this....I really loved the chemestry between Barbie Hsu and Vic Zhou since Meteor Garden, but here was really outstanding.I love Brbie Hsu..she is my favorite TW actress, not only she is beautiful but also has great talent.It always seemed to me that she and Vic were soulmates because of their interection and underestanding with each other.The characters were so well portraid that it made the story come alive.
Music: It was really beautiful.Trust me..I don't like TW music..I really find it annoying most of the time but this one was so beautiful that I don't know what to say.The song Ling/Zero described so well the drama that only listenig to it brought my tears.
Rewatch Value: I really don't rewatch dramas often because it's boring for me to know what happens next and so on...but I would definetely rewatch this one..I don't know why but only rewatching some scenes or listenig to the songs makes me shed tears of sadness.For me this drama is one in 5 years or so.
Overall: For me a drama can get 10 points only if it can remain in my head for a long period of time and it can make me compare it with others.This one succeded in this and it also made me to open my eyes and to be happy for what I have because their are many more people more unhappy and with more problems out there than me.
So I think that when you are in a state of mind of watching a REAL love story not a "fantazy" one you should give this try and let it get into your heart
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Don't read some Negative comments and Drop this Gem!
Personally, I felt that the Drama started pretty well for me but some reviews had said some contradictory things about this Drama so I was hesitant to watch this drama but I don't why they think so (maybe it is not their Cup of Tea) but if you're a Lover of Xianxia and Strong Female Lead you should definitely check out this one And Both the Actors, Voice Actors are doing a great job even though I love hearing the Actor's Real voice instead of Dubbing but really hats off to the Voice Actors for a Good job in DubbingDon't miss out on this one!!
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Watch this only for Kang Ha-neul
This series could have easily been shortened to the usual K-drama length of 16 episodes, but I guess the producers stretched it out to 20 episodes to milk as much money as they can from the TV network. That's why the show dragged starting around Episode 11. The writers should look for another profession.Gong Hyo-jin, who played the FL, is a terrible actress. She had a blank expression on her face throughout the series or cried that looked so phony. She cried in almost every episode (sometimes several times in the same episode) and whined that she was abandoned as a child. I didn't mind her whining about her sad life for 3-4 episodes, but EVERY episode? It gets old really fast. I blame the writers for this. By Episode 18, I was really hating her - so pathetic and irrational. During Episode 19, the tale of FL's mother's early years, it was supposed to be sentimental and tugged at your heart, but it bored me and I fell asleep. At Episode 20, with every character's storyline wrapped up nicely with a bow, I felt like puking. At the end, the kid had grown to an adult but the ML and FL had not aged - not one single gray hair after being together for 15 years (they met when he was 34 and she was about 1-2 years older)!
All the Korean mothers were overbearing: ML's mother who initially can't accept her son falling in love with a single mother, the model wife's mother who schemed to have her daughter take as much alimony from the baseball player, female lawyer's mother-in-law who is a nag and a bitch. Is this a cultural thing or do the writers hate mothers?
The only acting that stood out as exceptional were from the ML, the baseball player, the dead friend/coworker and the little son. They all showed a great range and depth of emotions. It was good to see Kang Ha-neul, the ML, in a comedic role after seeing him in a serious role in Moon Lovers:Scarlet Heart. I watched this show specifically to see him after seeing his outstanding performance in Moon Lovers but felt his talent was wasted in this show.
I would not rewatch this show or recommend it to anyone unless they absolutely needed to see Kang Ha-neul.
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This show and particularly the movie, are so much more than just your average drama. I have already reviewed the Jdrama Nodame Cantabile and I would only add one really important thing you should know. Nodame and Chiaki live in Paris and their journey is set in a much more adult world past college into apprenticeship and learning to become Pro. They have a new group of friends, harder challenges and also a deeper, more mature place in their relationship.
But trust me, it hasn’t lost all of its comic book slapstick and silliness. I think the way the writers made both Chiaki and Nodame grow up is very smart of them and cool for us viewers. This movie is a fun. Because Nodame is still sloppy and she still has all of her core craziness intact. Chiaki is still a stuffy, cranky commitment phobic but he is also still tender and kind of a sucker for Nodame. They have become in my mind eccentric because they are genius and geeky, not because they are comic manga characters with no depth. Again, the writers of this show/manga are smart.
Of course the cinematography is great. They are in Paris! Everything looks great, all the time. (Accept Nodame’s apartment.)
The music is a 10. It’s Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Revel and on and on.
If you haven’t watched the Nodame Series, you should give it a try but
I suggest definitely watching before you watch this movie. And when you do, you’ll think this movie is the best part of the series.
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I really apreciate that the story emphasizes them not being gay. I have seen people criticizing this aspect, but I actually think this is the advantage of the movie. There are so many colors of queer, and it's good that there are a few movies that do not depict just the standard hetero/homo/BL (I am not gay, I just fell for this one guy) relationships. There are hints that Yashiro is transgender, but we do not actually know whether they are not a crossdresser or a genderfluid, or something else on the genderqueer spectrum - and I don't think they as a character know. They probably didn't put a label on themself. And we don't know whether Momose is gay, bisexual, pansexual, or simply fell in love with Yashiro's femininity and takes them as a woman. And again, perhaps they do not know either, yet. It's their time to discover themselves and each other and it's perfectly fine that nothing is strictly defined yet. Also, yes, Momose's behavior was problematic, but it is not a bad thing to show problematic behavior in a movie. He forced himself on Yashiro, then acknowledged that what he did was wrong, apologized, and tried to better understand his love interest so he could be with them without causing them harm. I liked this aspect of the story, too. Sure, the whole thing could have been handled better, but it's an hour-long movie touching several problematic topics, and I think they did a good job in that amount of time.
The actors did a great job as well in roles of their insecure and impulsive characters confused by their own feelings.
Overally, I found this to be a really sweet love story that's definitely worth watching.
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I fully intended to start this series when it finished airing because I invest an unhealthy amount of my time binging shows, and it's a better experience for me, personally, when I can watch the whole series in one go and rewatch to my heart's content if I like it (like I've done with several other BLs). There are certain shows that I start with the idea of just wasting time and coming back when they're done if I'm interested in them enough, but, honestly, based on the premise, this wasn't one of those shows. I was just gonna watch it later.And then we got quarantined here in the US, and it popped up in a 2gether episode where someone mentioned it might get dropped. Now, I may not have been wholeheartedly sold on the idea, but I didn't want the series to be dropped, so I hopped on and watched the 4 episodes that were out.
And that's all she wrote, honestly, because this show is SO MUCH BETTER than I expected.
Let's just start with my favorite couple, okay? There are three main-ish couples (four if you count Mr. Smiley and his doctor friend, which I'm not just yet because their screen time together isn't as much so far) with a good balance of screen time, and my favorite has to be RamKing, the quiet first year who loves dogs and the plant-lover second-year who happens to be great in school. Their relationship is what keeps me coming back every Saturday if I'm being honest. I just love the way King reads Ram, the way they both look at each other, and did I mention how cute King is when he's talking to his plants? He's such a dork, but he still manages to be cool at the same time. He's so understanding, and he really does read those around him like a book. And the venus flytrap metaphor? Even if it's not intended as a metaphor, I'm gonna say it is anyway because venus flytraps are hard to take care of and they take, like, 6-12 weeks to germinate, but King went out of his way to find the seeds and raise it just to give it to Ram because Ram liked it. If that doesn't explain the way King is willing to be patient and take care of Ram to get him to talk, then I don't know what does.
MekBoss is second despite how much I didn't necessarily care about them in the beginning. They stole my heart pretty quickly because, even though Mek likes Boss, he never gets in the way of what he thinks Boss wants, and I think that's so important, you know? They dub over Mek's voice, as I'm sure everyone has realized by now, which can be a bit of an annoyance since the voice honestly doesn't match Mek's great acting--sometimes, when Mek is doing great expressing his exasperation or heartache or even happiness, the voice-over is very monotone and takes away from how wonderful Mek does as an actor--but I've managed to ignore it pretty well. It does suck that they just didn't do a "Beause of You" scenario where the actor speaks his native language and everyone just understands him, but I digress. I still love this couple way more than I expected thanks to how Mek treats Boss. It's honestly the sweetest, most selfless form of liking someone. Add it to the fact that the only reason Mek confessed to Boss was because Boss was being hard on himself and Mek wanted him to know that not everyone thought he was worthless? It's precious. I love them~
Last but definitely not least, we have BohnDuen (DuenBohn? XD). Don't get me wrong--I really do love this couple--but their story has yet to really make me SQUEAL. Like, RamKing had me giggling as soon as they met (with King looking at his plant saying, "You don't answer me just like a certain someone."), but BohnDuen is more of an "aww" kind of thing. I also wish that Duen would stop being so darn Tsundere now that they're together (it's been 12 episodes, Duen; start admitting to yourself that you're a cheeseball just like your boyfriend). They're a hoot, though. Especially when they start fighting over who's the 'wife.' I don't mind that whole "I don't like guys, I like *insert person's name*" trope because I'm a firm believer in gender not mattering and love breaking people's barriers, but I also understand the want for a strong, proud LGBT character.
The acting. The ACTING. All of their acting is superb, especially when you compare it to the events they've held. All of these actors really capture who the characters are, and they make it feel authentic. I was almost surprised when I found out Tay (King) isn't actually afraid of dogs (he even has a cute little puppy of his own) because of how well he portrays King. And Perth (Ram) is anything but shy, but you would never know that from his character Ram. I'm really impressed with these actors, and I'm definitely stanning Tay and Perth, not to mention Cooper, Poy, Inntouch, and even Ryan (if he can redeem himself from his poor attitude).
The OST. I mean, I'm in love with... I think it's "Are You Okay" in English (จะเป็นไรไหม) by Merry Dancers and Goh M (don't quote me on that one--I'm still working on my Thai), but, so far, that's the only song I care for as far as the soundtrack goes.
Overall, I'm invested in this series now, and I didn't think I would be, but here we are. The characters are cute and quirky and a little weird (looking at you Dr. Thara), the acting is wonderful, and the story is definitely pulling me along despite how simple it seems at times~ Definitely recommend~
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Like it yet dislike it ?!
So I've seen tons of Asian shows from many years, but this is my first Thai Lakorn. If I'm not wrong, Thai Lakorn are basically Thai soap operas (please correct me if I'm wrong). I've not seen many soap operas, so maybe my opinions would be directed to the genre itself rather than this specific show. But I've tried to be as reasonable as possible in my review.I never thought I'll watch a show which will be liked and disliked by me at the same time. But Hua Jai Sila proved me wrong....turns out I can have this conflicting feeling for a show. There are so many things to like about this and so many things to dislike....so without further adieu lets jump into it.
Likes !
1. It’s a very fast paced story. In every episode there is so much happening, you can’t skip episodes. The narration is pretty consistent (thanks to good screenplay). Even though the core elements of the story aren’t new, its tight execution makes it interesting to watch. You won’t know what to expect next, there is a surprise element.
2. Superb acting! Every single person in the cast did a great job. I cannot fault anyone. This is the first Thai show I watched which gave a memorable performance (according to me). Definitely impressed. Special shout out to Wattanajinda Sirapan, this woman is breathtaking. If she’s onscreen, you can’t dare to look anywhere else. I’m her new fan.
3. The main lead, Thanapob Leeluttanakajorn is mind blowing. His character not only demanded intense emotions and acting skills, but also charisma and an overall majestic aura. I have seen few clips from Project S (one of his earlier work), and man it took me some time to figure out that it’s the same person! He has transformed himself in every possible way to get inside the skin of his character in HJS, and kudos to him for that. I’ve got my eyes on him, will definitely be keeping track of his future projects. Hands down the next big thing in the Thai entertainment industry.
4. The Romance. Where do I begin? If you want to watch a couple which gives you the vibe of Romeo-Juliet; the couple that’s only made for each other and no one else; the couple that can die for each other and will die without each other…..then you have to watch this show. There is something extremely special about Thanapob Leeluttanakajorn and Fern Nopjira Lerkkajornamkul. Their chemistry is something which very few artists are able to create. The onscreen ease, sexual tension, passion, and melt worthy emotional moments between them is quite a spectacle to witness. I won’t be surprised if I get to know that these actors dated or are dating in real life….they are that good.
Dislikes!
1. SERIOUS TRIGGER POINTS ! If you are someone who is sensitive to violence of any kind, especially against woman or feels personally about injustices/discrimination of all types….then please either avoid this show or watch cautiously. There were many moments that made me pause this show so that I can watch a cartoon to divert my mind from this insanity. It’s not that I’ve not seen more mature content in the past, but there is something very icky about some aspects of the story. I won’t say much otherwise it’ll be considered a spoiler.
2. Please divorce logic when you start watching this show. There will be gazillion moments in the show that will make you go what the hell….I’m not kidding. If I start dissecting this show purely on logical terms then it won’t get more than 4 from me. Some moments are bizarre, random and completely unnecessary…..and some downright stupid. So if you decide to watch this one then forget logic and try enjoying it for what it is.
3. The characters are either one dimensional or at the most two dimensional. If you expect to see complex characters that have layered reasoning behind their actions….or a story that relishes character development then this one isn’t for you. The characters are either good or bad….they change from good to bad and vice versa overnight without much development so please don’t feel frustrated if you see that.
P.S- The OST by Yes’Sir Days is a complete earworm….I’ve been listening it on Youtube constantly.
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This review may contain spoilers
iQIYI produces a lot of crap and this is no exception...
OMG was that bad. While the script makes at least some sense, the acting is bad and especially the editing is the worst. Even all 53 episodes cut together made this not a movie with any flow. It's just a hack fest, the next scene had nothing to do with the scene before.Of course with an unpolished script and no clear vision from the director there comes bad acting... The small "boy" is too young to be a police officer from the get go, so it's completely unbelievable to begin with. His acting is also very rough. The side characters slide off into soap opera characters, all over-dramatized and over-acted.
So this series is a bad joke and even the chemistry between the leads leaves something to be desired. The only positive note is, that this is one of the few vers couples ever in BL, but that does not help the series at all. Also the production quality was not on par with similar productions. There are some sound problems which also don't help the series and makes me derank it even more. Just don't waste your time with this crap and do something more productive. 🤣
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