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Now I’ve always loved the HIStory series, and there’s no different with this one. I must say, this one is my favourite of them all simply because of the realism of it all, it’s a simple storyline of enemies to lovers set in a high school surrounding, but, it’s also so much more than that.
I didn’t really care for the side couple as much as I did whilst watching Trapped but I’m honestly very tired of the age gaps in BLs. However, despite this, their story was beautiful and you get to see a realistic couple and their struggles. However, in this review, I will mostly talk about the main couple, Haoting and Xigu. (or xianggu lmao)
Without spoiling anything, the story has a very nice pace, it never felt too rushed nor too slow, and you could really tell how the characters were evolving throughout the series. Haoting being really aggressive in the beginning as he thought Xigu was flirting with his girlfriend to later realise he has feelings for him might be cheesy but I also think that it’s charming, not every LGBTQ series has to go deep about social norms, the gays also deserve a cheesy romance like this one. Just a big guy being head over heels a boy who is the polar opposite of himself and doing everything to get him to like him back. This premise is often a very grey area as consent often is forgotten in BLs and with an aggressive main lead I was very worried he might overstep his boundaries but the way Haoting tries to get Xigu to like him is so different from what I first thought and I was surprised by him many times. We get to see how love can change a person and I think that’s beautiful and although Haoting is aggressive he is always respectful and always wanting the best for the people around him. He makes mistakes but you can really tell that he knows when he’s in the wrong and does everything to make up for it even though he even might hurt himself in the process. (Also wanna talk about how much I love their entire friend group!! Precious!)
I keep seeing people complain about this series focusing too much on sex but remember that they’re in high school so it’s completely normal to think about that sort of stuff when you’re that age + I wouldn’t say it’s focused on sex all that much. The scenes that DO focus on it are so well thought out, meaning the cinematography is amazing, passion, intensity, build-up and climax, it all just made me sit in awe and I really want to applaud everyone who created it. They never fetishize gay people like BLs tend to do as they want to appeal to fujoshis and I appreciate that, they make it all feel so realistic and that might not be super interesting to some but it’s perfect for me.
Now the acting, one word. Amazing. You could feel every single emotion of the characters, despite most of the actors being inexperienced in acting. You could feel the love, the confusion, the sadness, happiness, everything. When the character was in pain my heart hurt too because the way it all was displayed really just made me feel as if I was right there with them, experiencing the struggles myself and that is very powerful.
Although not a lot of songs, the ones that you hear fit perfectly, it never felt out of place or awkward to watch any scenes as the music fit very nicely. The intro is also probably my favourite HIStory intro of all time and the outro is also very very nice to listen to after you sit and stare into the void after finishing every episode lmao.
I have so much to say about this incredible drama but I will never be able to put those feelings into words I just hope you watch it and get to experience it by yourself.
Onto the only negative with this drama, the ending… Don’t worry there aren’t any spoilers here!!
Well going from the best drama ever to a horrible ending, uh I truly do not know what to say about this ending. It felt so out of place and with all the characters so different it just didn’t sit right with me, I truly feel like this ending could be from an entirely different show. It was so sudden and just felt like they didn’t know how to end it which is very disappointing. Watching the preview for the last episode I never would’ve imagined it would end like this and despite the characters not feeling like they used to I cried like a baby, I probably cried throughout the entire 55-minute episode… I can myself think of at least 10 different endings that would fit better with the characters and tie the plot up nicely, it just feels like they threw away all of the work they put into the series right in the last moment which is just so sad.
I will definitely rewatch this but I’ll probably skip the last episode…
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1I don't understand why people like these kinds of shows. Typically bubbly, happy girl with so-so or terrible grades + good at everything, rarely talks, absurdly popular guy who treats her like shit but she's 150% devoted to him anyway?
In this show, Nao will ask Uehara a question, a simple one similar to 'What would you like for dinner tonight?' and Uehara will blow up at her for being annoying or butting into his life and then someone will tell Nao about how today is some hard day in Uehara's life or something bad happened at work/school with Uehara that day and then Nao rushes to find some way to apologize to Uehara for being so stupid and not realizing that he's having a hard time, when she did nothing wrong and definitely nothing to deserve him lashing out at her.
Every time she finds joy in something, he criticizes her for it. Literally every time she's happy imagining something, typically involving her and Uehara, Uehara walks into the room and in ONE SENTENCE has her frowning and fidgeting, unsure of how to respond without making him more upset.
Nao is surrounded by people who care about her, who SHOW HER they care about her, who make her smile and laugh and feel good. The only time Uehara makes her feel good is when he's in her mind. And we're meant to believe he loves her too because every once in awhile he frowns when some other guy is being nice to her, or because, when other characters practically force him into it, he does something nice for her, because that one time they had a meal together and he didn't immediately tell her she was stupid for thinking he was enjoying himself, because they had one scene where they slept in the same room because the heating was broken.
Except 90% of the time Uehara accompanies such scenes with dialogue calling Nao an idiot or stupid for thinking it's romantic, for thinking he would ever do anything just for her, for thinking that the moment is nice, happy, or that he's kind. And not in the endearing way some characters do, where you can tell 'stupid' is a term of endearment, but as an actual insult.
That's not a loving relationship. That's abusive. That's toxic. And I put up with it for all but the last 2 episodes, waiting and hoping that Uehara was going to wake the f*ck up and stop being like that, learn from past mistakes and events, grow up and stop acting like a 4 year old who doesn't understand that other people have feelings too. But it didn't happen. And I couldn't finish the show. I couldn't stand to watch a finale where, I assume, everything is tied up with a neat little bow and we're promised that Nao and Uehara are going to have a wonderful, happy, love filled life together. Because I can't believe it. I can't watch what I know is going to be a loveless, abusive relationship. I hated every second of it.
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Great potential and fairly decent execution, yet suffering from unnecessary complexity.
Let me elaborate.Acting Performances:
The majority of the cast consisted of newcomers. All of them, old and new faces, did great! Ta, Mio and Us particularly stood out but it was Barcode who truly stole the show. He was a cutie in KinnPorsche. However, here he was as complex as a character could be and he performed it perfectly.
Storytelling:
The beginning:
The few episodes after the first one were hella boring and confusing. There was a missing part that wasn't hinted adequately to the viewer. While somewhat passable, this highlights the need for better-written hints and suspense in future mystery projects to enhance the stories.
The middle:
You’ll find the most interesting events of the series here. The moment Non came to the screen, the narrative underwent a significant evolution. I couldn’t help myself but to root for Non’s character, even when he was doing things that I’m usually very against. There was a decision of his I wouldn’t understand if I missed WHY he would do it. I feel clarifying the reason behind this decision could have enhanced the understanding of character motivations and justified Phee's future actions more effectively.
The ending:
While the last few episodes were interesting, the shock value could have been dialed back. Certain elements felt unnecessary and overly complicated, leaving loose ends and unanswered questions. The final episode felt rushed, and boy, I would have loved an alternative to it.
Chemistry between Characters:
Plenty. At one point I didn’t know who I was supposed to ship with whom, because every pairing had quite the tension between them. There were some really good spicy scenes too. Unfortunately, almost none of them were plot driven, but were there for... Well... You know.
Overall Impressions:
Despite its flaws, this series clearly aimed for a level of effort and quality often lacking in Thai BLs. The dedication of the actors, screenwriters, directors, and crew is evident throughout. This seems to be the beginning of a new era for Thai BL series, with higher standards and more refined storytelling. BoC's willingness to push boundaries is something I appreciate greatly, and I would love to see what else they can give us, especially with Sammon on board (*cough* 4 minutes *cough*).
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This short drama is a masterpiece
This is the type of drama that makes you feel respected by the entire cast and crew. The acting was well executed, costumes, cinematography etc… all delivered what they needed to deliver.I found this drama by accident and I’m glad that I pushed through the title and the picture (didn’t appeal to me) and gave it a chance. There was no single awkwardness in the drama, there was no cringe moment.
If you want an intelligently written drama with actors who are invested in their roles, this might satisfy you. The ending of the drama was expected so it was good how it ended.
What I personally didn’t like but it didn’t take away from the acting and screenwriting was the excessive filter imo. The actors had no pores.
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This review may contain spoilers
Truly touching. It makes you angry and concerned, too. You will ride in a rollercoaster of emotions.
"Sorry, I Love You" is an early masterpiece of proven KDrama art, which once again juggles the injustices of ordinary people with sensitive finesse in an emotionally draining manner - against the background of a South Korean sensitively reinterpreted Romeo & Juliet love story.Humiliation, exploitation, devaluation are the everyday life of the socially weak, while the celebrated, influential contemporaries seem to know no shame in their arrogance and haughtiness.
So Ji-sub hauntingly embodies subtly controlled, concentrated, suppressed anger. In the character of the protagonist, hate and compassion, love and indifference are combined in a fatal mixture. He becomes an incalculable time bomb that could be activated at any time.
Of all the early Makjang-infused KDramas, "Sorry, I Love You" is one of my favourites. Even if 'love' is bold in the title, the story doesnt´t romanticize it in a striking and cliché-like manner, yet the KDrama tells the story understated elegantly, but no less touchingly and also sincerely (...and of course dramatically tangled in a complex way.)
There is brother rivalry, revenge, swapped babies, secrets, complicated feelings, accidents, illnesses - the whole program prepared in a new mixture. The KDrama expresses in a concentrated, mostly subtly restrained (and thus even more vehemently impactful) emotional force how arbitrary, mendacious and unfounded it is that some people believe, they are 'justifiably' above others and thus have the given right to make decisions about them.
The KDrama uses a rarely found dramaturgical move to give the emotional force of the collision of two worlds even more power: the protagonist was put up for adoption abroad as a child. So he not only grew up with the feeling of not being wanted, but also with other western socialized (Australian) values. Subservience and humility are not among his strengths. He tends not to respect people in authority, or at least the authority has to prove itself as such first. He often acts disconcertingly strange. In South Korea, however, manners and respect for the elderly and higher ups are everything. Since he's Korean, people hardly pardon his naughtiness (as they would an obvious foreigner).
A touching story that makes you angry and also concerned. You will ride in the rollercoaster of emotions - while one emotional looping has not yet been completed, you are already on the way to the next.
-------------SIDE NOTE: ---overseas adoption of South Korean children---
...is a sad story that began after the end of the Korean War. Since then, around 200.000 children have been adopted, primarily from families in the USA, but also from Canada, Australia and Europe. First they were war orphans, then children from poor families, but then also children from illegitimate or divorced backgrounds. In the 1970s and 80s it became a profitable business. On the one hand, the government imposed veritable quotas on the adoption agencies. On the other hand, demand from western countries was high. Corruption flourished in places - the children were given away to the highest bidder. A halt to adoption in the face of international criticism was followed by renewed liberalization of legislation - as a result of the (lack of) adoption policy of the past decades social system was not prepared for the number of 'orphans' (actually: abandoned children).
Most of those ´orphan´ children have now grown up. There are quite a few, who organize themeselves and advocate for change. They want others to spare the trouble of growing up in a country, in a culture in which they are seen as strangers and bullied for being different and confronted with racial prejudice. In many cases they remain strangers and outcasts, as their country of origin cannot be/become a home for them either. The 'hatred of the homeland' is probably rather high among foreign adopters. In 2004, when the KDrama was released, the mood in South Korea was sensitized to the concerns of foreign adoptions and so a critically discussed topic was filled with 'life' by this KDrama. In 2006, an adoption day was introduced in South Korea and finally, since 2007, the numbers have shifted: there are now more domestic than foreign adoptions in South Korea...
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This review may contain spoilers
Suspense-packed. Elusive. Tough - KDrama shows us a poker face in several ways
"Insider" grabbed me from the first minute. It was exciting and unpredictable, fascinating regarding the world of card gambling and convincing with a consistently top-class cast. The story is knitted around the ever topical issue of corrupt South Korean society. You will not find good and bad in the classic sense. Dark shades of gray on the gloomy side dominate the picture. The focus is on the sobering practice of substituting compromises for morale. And those who are not willing to compromise may experience violence. In this context, the KDrama is also brutal on a high level.Can one person change the predicament of a corrupt society? In recent years, the KDrama has conspicuously often asked this question. Here the son tries to do the same as the father and at least tries... because: if you don't at least try, then nothing can change. So he wants to go to court and do his part there to ensure justice. Also undercover, if it may help. The question remains: Can one person change something about corrupt social structures? Does it help when illegal activities are uncovered? Or will everything in the end remain as it was, since new characters simply fill the vacant roles?
"Insider" focuses on the networking of politics, criminal prosecution and specifically institutionalized criminal organizations. Democracy has practically no chance in the face of these almost overwhelming networks that decide in the background and create facts. It's bitter to see. In particular, the handling of the law, which appears to be swung almost like a sword in the interests of the powerful, thus relentlessly destroying any hope of justice for honest people.
In this respect, "Insider" is more of a pessimistic story. I admit that I'm ambivalent about this overall quite brutal KDrama. It's repulsive but fascinating at the same time. The story ruthlessly unfolds its impenetrably entangled threads. It tells of outrageous machinations of the powerful and infernal manners in prison. Also about being mercilessly dependent on oneself. It tells of the desperate attempt to avenge injustice.
The dramaturgical leitmotif running through all of the 16 episodes is quite concrete and also symbolic: the impenetrable poker face. Illegal gambling with cards dominates "Insider" from the first minute to the end. Especially at the beginning, the card game itself is in the foreground. As the series progresses, the viewer's perspective shifts to the meta level of casino management and what may be attached to it. But who is up to something here and who is on the side of the protagonist remains unclear until the end. Who or what should you bet on? KDrama also shows us its poker face and simply plays its cards unperturbed - one episode after the other, until the end.
In my opinion, the permanent increase in tension during the first 8-10 episodes, which are mainly focused around prison-life, is like a permanently increasing climax - and the most impressive (yet challenging) part. After that, the actual revenge campaign can only lose. Not because it is not also based on a high level of quality, but simply because this permanent increase in tension cannot be continued forever. In the meantime, the audience has so many open plot threads in their hands that they now want to be resolved before they completely lose track (and interest).
Kang Ha-neul as main lead is incredible. He embodies the difficult process of change in the personality of a highly motivated young trainee at court who involuntarily has to get to know the dark end of society up close. If he doesn't conform and play by their rule, he won't survive. However, if he survives in this dark parallel world, he can never be who he was.
But everyone else around him also keeps up the intensive field and contributes to the convincing overall performance. I was particularly drawn to Kang Young-seok, who practically excelled alongside Kang Ha-neul in the first half. It's unbelievable how he manages to embody the worst merciless willingness to use violence on the one hand and yet still somehow is able to win sympathy on the other. A strong, unforgettable performance!
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I just chose it without any thoughts. At the time, I was in "japanese dramas mood" so I watched many japanese dramas without being picky or impatient.
2) Storyline/Plot:
To start with, I am not familiar with the story since I haven't read the manga or even heard about it so this was my first time getting to know the storyline.
Positive points:
*This drama's story made me interested ever since the first 10 minutes and that's really rare to happen since I never care about first episodes because they don't make much difference yet this drama's story made me really invested in its events so waiting for the next episode was a real torture.
*Main Genres:
--->Humor: Yes, this drama was funny because it was hilarious all over, sometimes it felt like anime scenes that was funny and entertaining most of the time.
The comedy concept was present too, we get to see funny characters with funny scenes. I have to point that Nika's inside conversations were really awesome which can bring good laughter.
--->Romance: it wasn't that deep nor that light. The romance in this drama was equilibred in a way that would make you invested in the romantic development and the whole concept. The teenage love story was cool to watch since it was light enough.
--->School: The usual concept that you find in school dramas; friends, enemies, teachers, popularity, nerds and so on. I've seen many school dramas before so this wasn't something special yet Switch Girl was more enjoyable.
Negative points:
*I can't think of any, except that this drama was too damn short! They should've made it longer, it felt rushed sometimes but that didn't ruin the whole concept.
Story: 8.5/10
3) Acting/Cast:
*Nishiuchi Mariya:
I am not familiar with her as an actress, she was introduced to me through this drama and what a great introduction! I liked her acting skills and enjoyed her role in a good way. From now on, I will anticipate her new dramas.
The character was great: Nika made us sad sometimes, excited some other times and entertained most of the time.
The ON and OFF modes were really awesome, I couldn't choose since both of them were enjoyable and funny; everyone of us have that hidden side within himself yet here it was exagerated to make it look captivating and hilarious.
*Kiriyama Renn:
I only saw him in "Hana Kimi Remake" but here he was different so I didn't know what to expect yet I surprised myself by accepting his general acting and role.
The character wasn't enjoyable like Nika's but I liked it anyway. Arata's appearance was nice and great sometimes; he may sound stiff at some points but all of that was decided by the storyline so I haven't focused much on that fact.
Another point that I should mention: Arata with or without glasses didn't sound contradictory to me; it was the same character with a different look.
*Other Cast: The supporting roles were cool and well chosen even the school nerds; no complains.
*Relationships:
--->Romance : The chemistry wasn't that great because romance wasn't deep enough.
--->Nika's family: Her mother and sister were always good to look at plus their adventures as a family was always hilarious.
--->Nika's school: Friends were good and the Monkey Boss made events entertaining sometimes.
*In each episode there were new cast and that's exactly what I love about J-dramas because with different cast comes different events, there's no spinning around the same point.
Cast: 8/10
Acting: 9/10
4) The ending:
I appreciated the ending, I was glad because they haven't took it to the usual concept of hiding something yet it wasn't that special, only acceptable and cool to watch: Nice ending overall.
The ending: 8/10
5) My impression (How did it affect me):
*I realy enjoyed this drama, even the waiting for upcoming episodes was fun.
*I haven't skipped any parts and that's really rare since I am an impatient person, believe me if I don't skip parts that means there weren't any chance of getting bored (well, that could be explaned by the fact that the episode's length was only 27 minutes).
*Is this drama memorable: Yes definitely, I enjoyed it so much. Even though, I finished it weeks ago, I still remember each and every event.
My impression: 9/10
6) Overall:
*If you like funny romantic school dramas then you would like this.
*If you like girls dramas you will enjoy this.
*If you're looking for a great female lead you may actually like this.
Overall: 8.5/10.
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Maybe Not for Everyone, But I Really Liked It
STORY:The show has a cool, hip vibe that I really like and that I think will appeal to those who like more mature themed dramas. Like others, I was initially interested in this show because of the BL part, but I became hooked on all of the characters’ storylines from the very first episode.
What starts out as a relatively lighthearted theme quickly turns more serious and conflict-driven. Some of the conflicts are ones we don’t see a lot of, whereas others are more common, but for the most part all felt very organic and natural to the plot and characters. A good chunk of this drama focuses on the breakdown of relationships and ensuing aftermath, working through the pain to try to get back what was once had, so if you’re looking for a fairy tale romance, this might not be for you. Infidelity is another prominent theme in this show, which is an apparently a pretty divisive topic. But, in my opinion, infidelity isn’t always a black and white issue, and those who commit it aren’t necessarily nor automatically bad people; they can feel remorse and sometimes deserve second chances. It’s a complex issue, and I think the writers and actors did a really nice job portraying this, as they did for other grey areas in the show. The drama itself touches on a lot of difficult and unpleasant things that can happen in life and relationships in a way that feels authentic. The conclusion/resolution was short, taking up only one episode, and a bit glossed over, but I felt like all of the important points were hit and we were left with some level of closure. Compared to how in depth the conflicts were, though, the resolutions could have been explored a little bit further.
Heavy stuff aside, the plot was dynamic and interesting, and I was invested from beginning to end, which made for what felt like a quick journey: one minute I was watching episode 1, then I blinked and was suddenly at episode 12. A good sign in my book, as I clearly wasn’t bored; I can’t say that for every drama I’ve watched.
ACTORS/CHARACTERS:
I was really impressed with all of the actors. Major and minor roles were played very well, the acting felt very natural, and the characters were multidimensional (i.e., for the most part they didn't feel like stock characters). And despite some moments where I wanted to shake some sense into a few of the main ones, I liked all of them and thought that they kept the story interesting and thought provoking. Especially loved (1) the strong female leads (Am and Boom in particular, but I liked Boyo too, despite her flaws, and thought she had some noteworthy moments) and (2) gay characters who were comfortable in their sexuality and not stereotyped or exaggerated.
MUSIC:
I thought the music fit the show very well: again, young, hip, and fresh. Also, this is one of the few (perhaps only) shows where I actually don’t want to skip the theme song (and opening in general) because I like it so much.
REWATCH VALUE:
There aren’t too many dramas that I can truly say I’m interested in re-watching, but this is definitely one of them!
OVERALL
I don’t think this is for everyone, but I thought it was a really great release from GMM. I’d recommend, especially if you prefer dramas that are more serious and mature.
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This review may contain spoilers
Possibility in the impossible
This drama is such a rare gem. A very interesting story about second chances, hope, courage and compromises. It's been a while since I reviewed something, and this piece deserved my recognition as one of the best modern cdrama rom-com with a slight dose of realism. It's been a while since a show made me anxiously glue to the screen while waiting for its release; this show is one of them. I wish I could erase my memory and experience it all over again.
Story
It started pretty warm; as it stirred your emphatic feelings and drew your curiosity; How a poor 19 year old orphan desperate attempt to change his life; and how a pampered 'princess' copes with sudden changes in her almost perfect life; dealing with miscarriage, divorce and betrayal. The whole premise is filled with typical cliches; Age gap, abandonment, second chances, reconciliation; to name a few; however its craft and direction felt fresh and I can't help myself rooting for the main characters to beat all odds and eventually find their happiness. I'm seated; smiling, screaming and sometimes throwing fit witnessing their journey as it unfolds. Although the story was told in a few separate timelines, surprisingly it doesn't confuse me. The jump between the past and the present helps to amplify my curiosity and boost my understanding.
Cast
Daniel Zhou as Li Wu is just brilliant. He really captured that innocence as this pure soul who wants to change his life and achieve something for a better future. He made me root for him to succeed in everything that he does. LW's emotions are raw, natural and convincing. His childlike behaviour is addictive and the contrast as he grows into adulthood is done immaculately. His journey is fleshed out beautifully and I could not help but to adore and take his side even when he acts irrational (*yes, I would defend him every time). His growth is even better as we could see his struggle to balance his future goal while managing his inevitable feelings for Chen Jin and face it bravely. He is not perfect; foolishly naive yet his pureness and sincerity will move mountains and melt your stone-cold heart. He is fictional, yet somehow I could feel that there is 'possibility in the impossible' that he exists out there. He made me believe that true love does exist.
A tiny setback for me is the female lead character. Although Michele Chen looks phenomenal and portrays Chen Jin beautifully, the growth in CJ felt a little short. It just scrapes the surface without delving deep further. We get a little glimpse of why she is built that way; A princess who suddenly has her glass castle shattered. How she copes with the struggles of her divorce and betrayal. After her first failure in love, her actions speak as this skeptical and overthinking person, to the point that she thinks she probably destined to be alone. It boggles me how CJ would suddenly turn around in both timelines and casually decides to be with LW; it felt a little jarring, but still it delivers a good outcome of reconciliation. I wish for a dramatic approach I guess. The big plus is that she has her cute besties who keep reminding her to just follow her heart.
The chemistry between the main couple is off the chart; fuel with the contradictory dynamic between them, makes the pull and push effects work. Yes, I am often frustrated at how CJ is clueless or when she pushes/ ignores LW and continue to lie to herself; and I will cheer every time LW would scheme his way in and shamelessly just cave in to her relentlessly. It's so good and addictive; and when they do get together, my teeth are drying from sweetness overload.
Secondary Couple / Third Couple
I love both of them. Although I wish that they have more screen times.
Other Supporting Casts
All are convincing and play their part really well; even the ex-husband, I just love to hate a character without depth. The parents is commendable. I love the father and daughter relationship.
Favourite Scenes
1) Reconciliation in episode 24. LW is amazing in this scene. It felt natural, his awkward reaction and profound realization that no matter what, he will run to her whenever she calls; like a beacon. It's a calm and mature approach, as the two finally break their barrier. I love how LW would pause, try to sink in his mind how surreal it is and how much he yearns for her.
2) First kiss in episode 20. The awkwardness scene after their first kiss felt natural and convincing. I love how CJ managed to tame the silly boy who is hype and overly excited.
3) The breakup scene in episode 23. It's gut-wrenching to watch two people who love each other but can't agree about their future. I could understand from both points of view; LW's fear of being abandoned and CJ fear of future resentment. Their separation at that time is inevitable.
4) The first moment they met in episode 1. It cemented the theme 'age gap' early on and I was hooked.
5) The ending scene; where it all begin. It came full circle and I like how they emphasize that love didn't require much grand gesture; just a simple and sincere act from the heart.
Music
I love all the soundtracks. I could hum it all day long. It really amplify the storytelling.
Do I like to watch it again?
To infinity and beyond. I lost count already.
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The story was just ok, im just glad they didnt drag the Pha&Yo getting to know stage and just summarised it in the first few episodes. Its good that they gave the other 2 team enough time to shine too. I especially ship Forth & Beam cause that guy Forth is the goddess gift to mankind :). I could watch a whole series with Forth and Beam just being cute together.
All other stuff are just your yada yada usual trope. Yes, after watching my fair share of BL, this one doesnt offer anything new.
What i probably hate most is the cliffhanger. They were slowly building up to an ending and then suddenly new conflicts are introduced at the very last episode only to not reach a climax/closure. Thats a bit lame and a bit of an insult to fans especially if the sequel is just being planned.
Rewatch just to ogle at the cute guys. Is it enough to watch the whole series? No, not really.
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There were times the acting was very off, especially with Victoria, she seemed to only express sadness and Johnny could barely show any emotion on his face. The writing was sometimes sloppy, with too many unnecessary moments, so much time was wasted on the ex-friends when I wish they could've fleshed out Qianhua/Zhaosong a bit more and they glossed over the r*pe scene after it happened.. Felt like Wangxuan was an addition that wasn't necessary – they didn't even treat her character right! I liked the use of flashbacks, it was interesting to see how everything has changed from then to now. Except episode 24 - a flashback to the 80s/90s of Pipi's parents were extra weird, but I guess it was done to provide Johnny with much needed extra screentime.
Despite these flaws, I still liked the drama – throughout the series, I liked the interactions of the characters, especially the two boys and Xiaoju - which gave us the right amount of humour. The pacing was good, issues weren't dragged out and sorted in appropriate timing.
Now the ending. Felt like they completely ignored everything that happened and did a 180 on what viewer's wanted and expected. Bad writing and bad execution. Barely tied any loose ends. Awkward time jump. Like, there were mention of the south/north war - but now that he's a fox/human without powers or memories, what are the fox clan left to do? Meeting of Helan Xi and Pipi after six months was awkward and could have been executed much better.
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3we met
I really wanted Lee Jung-jae to kill it in something outside of Squid Game, and while this wasn't a disaster, it definitely felt like a bit of a slog. The setup isn't even bad on paper. You have an aging actor tired of being typecast as a detective who just wants to do a rom-com, paired with a reporter who gets stuck covering him. It should have been a sharp look at the industry, but it just felt a little exhausted from the start.I actually liked that it felt adult for once. It didn't rely on forced skinship or some rushed, fake romance to keep things moving, which was refreshing. But that just makes the male lead's behavior even weirder. He spends half the time throwing literal toddler tantrums, and it’s so jarring. It is hard to fully buy into a "mature" dynamic when one half of the couple is acting like a child.
The writing is a bit of a waste for a cast this good. I adore Lim Ji-yeon because she usually brings so much intensity to her roles, but she is just kind of stranded here. It’s like she is acting in a prestige drama while everyone else is in a sitcom. The only person who actually got the assignment was Jeon Sung-woo. As Director Byeong Gi, he was a total standout and honestly the only person who felt like a human being in this mess.
And I'm not here for the "oppa is too old" or "not hot" complaints. That is just shallow noise that ignores the real failure of the show. The problem isn't his face or his age; it's the fact that the script is a total mess. One minute it's trying to be a serious political thriller and then it jump-cuts to some slapstick about a fake detective show. It tries to talk about fame versus reality but stays so surface-level that it ends up feeling a bit mid.
The final episode was actually one of the better ones, which I appreciated. It finally felt like things were coming together, even if it took too long to get there. Ultimately, there is nothing here that I really hate. It isn't offensive or unwatchable. The real issue is that there is just nothing here to really love. It’s a fine watch, but it feels like a waste of some of the best actors in the business because it never gives you a reason to be obsessed with it.
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Shine or Be Mad
45 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
About prince Wang So of Goryeo. A love story with wit, charm & affection. Makjang alert. Toxic, too
First of all: "Shine or Go Crazy" is a love story from head to toe with all the trimmings. Nevertheless, it is also about the dazzling historical figure of Wang So - King Gwangjong from the early hours of the Goryeo era. Thus it is a beautiful character study about the young prince, who at last became king, but who had by far not been the preferred prince of choice as far as the future throne was concerned. How did HE happen to become not only king but such an outstanding one as well - one who is NOT automatically (as so often) a jumping jack for his ministers, eunuchs and palace ladies? Who or what motivated and inspired his rather grounded, almost visionary, innovative, citizen-oriented policies?This KDrama offers a (possible) answer to history, as well as an epic love story, playfully sprinkling disguise of origin and confusion of gender.
----------------- SIDE NOTE: --- Wang So, 4th son of Goryeo King Wang Geon, and later King Gwangjong
During his 26-year reign at the end of the first millennium, King Gwangjong laid solid foundations for the next four centuries. To this end, he introduced some popular reforms for the common people (yet unpopular among the nobility). Above all, these concerned slavery. Additionally he instituted the national civil service exam, which allowed people to serve the country according to their ability. Introduced during his reign, too, were so-called "Daebi-won" - medical centers for the free care of the poor. Finally, he secured the borders of the empire with military measures. Throughout, he consistently had to deal with opponing noblemen ... and eliminated them uncompromisingly. "Shine or Go Crazy" is a dignified multimedia monument to his rulership, that in general rather focused on the needs of his ordinary citizens than aristocracy.
The KDrama "Shine or Go Crazy" (as well as "Moon Lovers" who deals with King Gwangjong, too), offers a conclusive explanation for this King´s particular career. Whether this is historically justified by sources, I could not find out yet. In any case, Prince Wang So becomes tangible and understandable with the help of this fictional setting: The KDramas tell his story as at a young age being banished from the palace and sent to the mountains - thus hopefully avoiding a bloody prophesy from coming true. There he lived a life beyond the palace intrigues, yet close to nature and its existential everyday struggles for survival. Like that, his everyday life inevitably came quite a bit closer to that of the ordinary people of his time. This socialization in 'freedom' and largely grounded normality shaped him in a completely different way than his (numerous) direct and indirect siblings within the palace walls and thus makes him a resolute and popular monarchical free spirit. At the same time, this lays the right foundation for placing a completely unorthodox, unexpected and inspiring commoner´s love at his emotional side. Like that the fictional K-Drama helps to on the one hand understand the sharp edges of his disappointment because of parental rejection as well as his self-doubt due to his curse. On the other hand, however, this is balanced by down-to-earth experience of authentic affection and love. Historically true or not, the extrordinary historic personality of prince Wang So is painted in an impressively tangible, comprehensible way.
------------------- SIDE NOTE --- Trading at the time ---
An aspect of historical detail that's (in general rarely) brought into focus in "Shine or Go Crazy", too, is the importance of thriving international trade at the end of the first millennium. Throughout Korean history, life on the peninsula (not only, but also in KDrama) is rather isolated and self-centered. In this story, at least, business relationships with the immediate neighbors and with the rest of the world are given some space, at least to some extent.
-------------------- SIDE NOTE --- Balhae / Late Balhae
Also rarely a topic in the focus of KDrama is the Korean history BEFORE Goryeo - the time of the three kingdoms Silla, Goguryeo and Baekje. In "Shine or Go Crazy," the female protagonist is a princess from the Late Balhae Kingdom in what is now Manchuria. This dates back to one of five kingdoms that in 37 BC united to form the kingdom of Goguryeo. The first Goryeo King Wang Geon (posthumously Taejo) at his time attempted to reconquer the former territories of the original Goguryeo Empire and thus set his kingdom on proven, solid ground. Balhae being one of them, had previously fallen victim to the Para-Mongolian Kitan. Some (many) Koreans from ancient Goguryeo, who formed the ruling Balhaen elite, escaped to Goryeo - with the crown prince, the nobles and parts of the population. The female lead is set in this context (and also personally associated with an alarming (fictitious) prophecy regarding the future of her people.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back to the (love) story between the 4th son of Goryeo King Wang Geon and the Balhaean princess, who is an independent prosperous business woman.
In proven KDrama style, there are subplots with their own stories and characters with their own motives, who courageously get involved in the (love) life of Prince Wang So. The political stage is intransigently characterized by malevolent power intrigues. There aren´t any scruples anywhere. Upright people hardly exist, loyalty and dependence being mixed up and confused. There's a lot of bad stuff going on everywhere. It gets pretty ´toxic´, too.
Set in this context is the affectionately and also humourously told relationship of young prince Wang So with a smart, proficient, quite self-confident lady in a double role in disguise as young man. These encounters inspire and enhance Wang So´s pragmatic world view. The dynamic between them is fun to watch - with wit and charm, since his queen of hearts is sometimes hidden behind a veil and sometimes in men's clothes. At times, Wang So has to seriously doubt his gender orientation (... not that this would have deterred him...).
Ah. Yes. The ending... Reviews I had read often blamed the ending. I was ready for the worst. Probably that was a good thing. Like that I was pleasantly surprised as I had expected even worse. In fact, whether I liked it or not, the ending made quite a lot of sense to me. (After all, this is about a historical character - the prince becomes king and has an archetypal task that is greater than himself - during his reign, Gwangjong sets the course for future generations.) Nevertheless, KDrama land even got us a little candy at the very end, too.
My criticism, however, refers to the soundtrack! Unfortunately, this is the first time I definitely have to complain! Shallow songs can have their time, I don´t mind. But in this case (at least in my acustic sound system) as soon as romantic vibes gently started to develop, an inappropriately dull, meaningless song (in my perception) acustically dominated the scene and thus insensitively destroyed each and every moment (again and again). A real shame! (I would like to hope, that this was just due to my technical device...)
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Homecoming
Hometown is a psychological thriller that revolves around three main characters; police detective Choi Hyung In, convicted mass murderer Jo Kyung Ho, and his estranged sister Jo Jyung Hun. The premise is based on the preliminary investigation of a murder case which escalates into the search for a missing schoolgirl and subsequently the mystery surrounding the abduction of her classmate. Both events spark an explosive chain of events with wide-reaching implications for their family, friends and the community they belong to.Originally an OCN production, it was eventually broadcast by sister channel, TVN. Directed by Park Hyun Suk (Stranger 2) based on the screenplay by Cho Hyun Hoon. Initially credited via his pseudonym of Joojin, the screenwriter was removed from the production credits altogether once his real identity had surfaced which resulted in controversy and public backlash due to his past sexual harrasment case. Choi Seong Gwon is engaged as the composer for the drama.
What to watch out for
The story is set in 2000 with a re-telling of events taking place in 1999 and frequent flashbacks to multiple timelines in the 1980s, particularly to a terror attack on a bus terminal in 1987. The storytelling is non-linear for the most part, which utilises parallel and converging plots based on the shared narrative of the three POV characters.
The eponymous hometown refers to the fictional town of Saju which is located in Gyeongsangnam or South Gyeongsang province. Nearly all characters in this drama speak the distinctive Gyeongsang dialect, as opposed to the central dialects (Seoul or Gyeonggi) that most viewers are perhaps used to.
Elements of mystery and horror are present throughout but, rather than outright terror and fright, the drama projects an overall eerie, ominous and psychologically disturbing aura. By the time the halfway point is reached, if not earlier, viewers should be quite aware of the direction of the story.
Expect trigger warnings in the form of drug references, abuse and bullying, as well as some violence resulting in depictions of blood and gore in certain scenes.
What I Liked
I enjoyed the storytelling approach which feels distinctively neo noir in terms of the visual language, compelling dialogue and the variety of complex characters written in the screenplay. We have the hard-boiled detective who does the nitty gritty legwork, the charismatic yet sinister psychopathic mass murderer and the frantic family member of the victim. Add to that an extremely detailed worldbuilding and a whole host of intriguing side characters ranging from the questionably dubious to the downright bizarre that make their truly disquieting presence felt.
The first 8 episodes of the drama felt the most captivating for me. This is largely because of the mystery surrounding the events at play and the infusion of a rather horrific scene that reeled me in right from the start. It is also during this stage that I found myself still able to sufficiently keep track of the happenings which connect the dots to the grand scheme of things.
The cast is, without question, absolutely outstanding. Yoo Jae Myung’s portrayal of Regional Investigation Unit’s Detective Choi Hyung In is utterly convincing. He made me believe that he truly is a seasoned yet somewhat traumatised cop, in a gripping performance that is reflective of his experience in the industry.
Likewise Uhm Tae Goo delivers a compelling depiction of convicted killer Jo Kyung Ho. This is my first time watching him and what a talent he is. The most nuanced of the main leads, his subtle interpretation of the intricately written role and the delicate articulation of his lines through a deceptively calm demeanour and soothing voice literally enthralled me into a false sense of security.
The drama also features the award-winning Han Ye Ri, fresh from making her Hollywood debut with the critically acclaimed Minari for which she garnered 4 nominations. She provides another fine performance through her captivating portrayal of Jo Jung Hyun, a woman struggling to break free from the burden of truth and her tormented past that threatens to overcome her seemingly bleak and hopeless existence.
I truly enjoyed the brilliant original score composed by Choi Seong Gwon. This is not easy listening music for relaxing with a glass of wine but the kind that elevates the sense of foreboding and completely immerses the mind into the dark and ominous atmospherics throughout. The soundtrack also features two OSTs performed in English that actually sounds more contemporary than the retro settings of the drama.
유라 Youra - Remember
문수진 Moon Sujin - Hide and Seek
What I Didn’t Appreciate As Much
As riveting and morbidly entertaining as this drama was, I would have preferred for the “supernatural” aspects to be the main focus and potential for driving the story development. This would have provided a different spin and a breath of fresh air to the genre. However, although the story takes a more familiar course, the sense of unpredictability still remains and even culminates in a rather surprising and unexpected outcome.
Speaking of unpredictability, either the rationale behind certain plot points or much-needed connecting scenes were sacrificed as part of efforts to induce viewers’ intrigue and suspense as well as, in my case, confusion. Perhaps this was also attributed to the shorter duration of the drama, at 12 episodes. A number of key events shown, particularly from episode 9 onwards, were never fully or properly explained. Without giving spoilers, let’s just say that viewers will have to formulate their own hypotheses as the story unfolds because ultimately the ending does not provide clarity for all the questions asked.
Adding to the air of uncertainty is the countless switching of timelines, sometimes captioned for viewers’ benefit but at times they occur unannounced. It certainly doesn’t help when the disparate scenes are acted by different sets of actors that I end up having to pause and rewind simply to ascertain who exactly these characters are.
Conclusion
On the whole, Hometown is a very good drama with high production quality and a top tier cast whose performances are deserving of praise. The slightly over complicated narrative, uneven storytelling, somewhat surrealistic setting and arguably lack of logical clarification particularly during the final quarter may give rise to bewilderment for some viewers, as it did for me. This perhaps hints at the drama's selective appeal, particularly for those who are fans of the genre rather than the casual watcher. Notwithstanding the issues, I still had an enjoyable (and moderately spine-chilling) time watching this absolutely binge-worthy drama.
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