STORY. Superb storyline. Having badminton as supposed to be the central plot, the writers explored beyond the sport. For me, it's not about badminton. It's not about autism. It's about sibling rivalry. That's the very core of the story and it was presented magnificently. There is no antagonist, only the products of mistakes from people who caused the problems and conflicts of the main characters.
ACTING. Stellar performance. I expected a lot from Tor and Sky but they have still delivered more than what I have expected. I adore their chemistry as brothers here. Tor deserves awards for portraying his role. I can't think of other actors of his generation who can do what he did.
MUSIC. I'm a Thai series fan but I can't read and write in Thai. Despite that, the soundtrack used in the series is truly remarkable. The matches became more intense because of the musical score. The nursery rhyme used in the emotional and sensitive scenes moved me. The way Dong calms Gym down is marvelous. It gives me chills up until now. That's my favorite scene ever! Whoever thought of that is genius.
REWATCH VALUE. This is the weakest spot of the story. The editing of the series is a bit scattered. The story has become predictable because of the sequencing of events. The building up of some scenes takes a bit long. There are elements that are repetitive and unnecessary. It's not as tight as I hoped it would be.
Nonetheless, it's an incredible ride. You'll get to appreciate and love your family more after watching Side By Side. For me, its pilot episode is the best Project S episode so far. It will be just difficult to top that.
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Well, that was weird!!
I'm being hella optimistic here, but what in them product placements was this?! You know how sometimes, there's a movie scene which just has to be a dream sequence? Too ill-fitting? Too plot-breaking? Damn right. It's what Work From Heart is made of, and they never say sike.Let's get to the positives:
1. I like the songs! Not enough to look them up, but they were nice distractions from the boring semi-plot.
2. The preachy parts didn't feel as preachy as they usually do. Maybe because everything was just so ridiculous, I could see it fit quite well. Might even catch feels once or twice.
3. Song-Ve. They were cute together. And even had some development.
Point 4 could be something like "good visuals" or "attractive actors", but really. This is a BL. Thai BL. If anything, they always manage to bring in pretty faces.
As for the notable negatives...phew. Do we even want to go there? Let's just say it's boring. Cringe. Occasionally uncomfortable. Not much makes sense. We see blatant discrimination, homophobia, sexual harassment... They even had a 'pretend gay' subplot! I could be actually pissed, if only it wasn't all so ridiculous. Taking this seriously would be an insulting waste of your time, so don't. If you're here for the weird, ride with the weird.
In the end, there's no sane reason to pick WfH over any other boring, no-plot thai BL of late. But I would still gladly watch a GuyFries spin-off of this, so it couldn't have been that bad!! Right?
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Probably 1 of the best Asian dramas in 2020
Japanese filmmakers are really good at using small, simple moments to tell a story. No exaggeration (unless it is a comedy) and no over-abundance of subplots. This is minimalist filmmaking. Matsumoto Hana's recent works are really good, an actress-director to keep an eye on :)Honestly, I have picked Neko to watch on a whim. I love cats and well, there is cat in the title ^^ But oh, do not be mistaken, this drama is not about cats. Rather, it is about how 2 lonely people met over a cat, how they became companions and fell in love with each other.....
The script is very honest. Right in ep 1, FL tells ML that she has brain tumor and is expected to die from it soon. He is homeless so she offered him to stay at her home, on condition that he does what a family member would-- FL is living alone and craves for companionship. Of course, they fell in love. You would watch them struggle with the love, she wasn't sure if to accept him as he would eventually be heartbroken, but he convinced her. Better to have loved and lost, than not love at all. But life is unpredictable.....
Neko is an excellent mini drama that is a role model for how with good script and cinematography, you can present loneliness, love, companionship, loss, sadness and recovery in a few short scenes. This drama is 6 episodes of 20 mins each, the length of a movie. But the production is right to make this into a drama, to present the different arcs and emotions, and give viewers time to absorb in what was shown. By the end of this drama, it would make you rethink about life and death.
I know the story seems too heavy (I suspect that is why the title is "Neko", to trick us into watching it, lol) but trust me, you would be very glad to spend 2 hours on this drama. We all love those lighthearted, idol romcoms or gritty mysteries dramas, but when such a good slice-of-life drama comes along, it deserves your time.
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MUST WATCH THIS DRAMA GUYS
The ending of this drama really satisfied me. All the questions of the story from 17 years ago finally got discovered and answered. The storyline and plot twist arranged perfectly and does not confuse me at all. At first, I felt weird when ML fell in love with FL who looks exactly like his sister but eventually I got to understand. There must be some differents from his sister because even the twins also have some differents. So I just accepted the flow of the story.I fall in love with the chemistry between ML and FL and everytime they appeared I screamed loudly because their scenes really excited, intense, anxious and blushing HAHAHAHAHA! I love how ML protect and encourage the FL in the earlier episodes. I kinda felt touched when FL always preserve, consistent, and stronghold their relationship. She always stay by his side no matter what and support him ups and downs. She made him feel being loved again and not leave him alone. I love her character for being such a strong and supportive girlfriend.
I wonder why there are so many people commented bad about the actress? I think she really good in acting. She also expressed a lot and I dont feel cringe at all between the actor and actress even she is older than him. I love how she characterized both of the characters. I believe it is so hard to visualize two different characters at the same time but she did it very well. For the ML, I adore him so much since Our Secrets and he is genuinely good in acting. He has so many facial expression and when his face turned into resentful expression, I screamed so hard because he was so hot and handsome!!!
This drama will let you feel like a roller coaster because each episodes are really exciting and thrilling. If you guys wondering should watch it or not, I recommend you guys MUST watch it. This drama kinda like a hate to love relationship. It's worth in every episode. I'm not regret watching this drama and definitely will repeat to watch it again ><
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Phenomenal casting
I admittedly am not a historical Cdrama fan usually. but I am a fan of Liu Yuning, so I started watching this drama for him. Needless to say, he did not disappoint. What truly drew me in however, was the caliber of acting from this whole crew. Of particular note for me was Song Zuer, Xuan Lu, and Li Xue Qin. I'm used to seeing the first two in modern dramas, and while their performances have always been solid -- this drama allowed them to showcase the depth of their skills and range. Song Zuer embodied her role as the ethereal yet strong maiden perfectly; and Xuan Lu was her equally compelling counterpart -- a woman who appeared strong on the outside, but was so fragile and desperate on the inside. I rooted for one, and hated the other -- which meant that they all portrayed their roles 1000% convincingly.Li Xue Qin blew me away! She's well-known as a crosstalk (Chinese stand-up) and Chinese variety show star -- but she absolutely held her own in this drama, and was adorable as Xiao Tao. She was expectedly funny as always, and I was absolutely heartbroken for how her story ended, but the depth of emotion she brought to the role was astounding. So incredibly talented!
This drama was the first time of only a few where I was immersed into the olden world of these characters, and didn't want it to end. I applaud the casting director of this drama. Putting the right person into the right role makes for a phenomenal story!
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Great Pacing, Excellent Acting, Smart + Badass FL
Completed - 11/29/2021"The Story of Yanxi" is one of those dramas that are universally praised and one should definitely check out if you enjoy historical dramas, esp. a fan of harem. I hesitated because it's 70-episode long, and the fear that it's going to drag prevented me from watching this for a long time. I am also not a big fan of harem. However, I am pleased to inform you that it has great pacing and it's not draggy at all. At times, I feel like some events actually resolve rather too quickly.
I recommend this drama for those who enjoy:
1) Historical dramas, esp. with real historical figures
2) Harem - concubines fighting for the emperor's affection and power
3) Strong and Smart characters
4) Qing Dynasty, esp. if you don't mind the bald hairstyle - took me a little bit to get used to it.
5) Revenge and Scheming
Plot - The big overall plot is about FL's investigation and seeking revenge for her sister's death. Through her journey of revenge, she entered the Forbidden City and caused all kinds of trouble. Since the drama is based on real historical figures, if you want spoilers, you can go to Wikipedia and find out what happened to most of the characters. I did look it up and though I was somewhat spoiled on some things, I also find comfort in knowing. There are many events and schemes throughout the drama by many characters. Because of this, the drama does not feel draggy at all. It's one thing after another.
Wei Ying Luo (FL)/Wu Jin Yan - This is my first drama of Wu Jin Yan's. For some reason (and it's very personal), I have a hard time liking her portrayal of Ying Luo. Ying Luo is everyone's favorite heroine. She is smart, funny, brave, loyal, cunning and ruthless. She's a strong badass character that doesn't back off and won't forget how you treat her, good or bad. But in the beginning, I found Wu Jin Yan overacted a little bit when she's intentionally trying to act cute or innocent. But once the character matured, I believed in her much more.
Ying Luo + Fu Heng Romance - This first love is sweet and loyal. Who doesn't want a man like Fu Heng. He is the ideal, dream man who is handsome, gentle, caring and understanding. Ying Luo and Fu Heng are soulmates. They understand each other and know how to support each other silently. However, I don't think there are enough scenes between the two in the beginning to make me believe that Fu Heng has fallen so madly in love with Ying Luo.
Ying Luo + Emperor Romance - This romance is much more interesting, from enemies-to-lovers, and I feel a lot more chemistry between these two, than Ying Luo with Fu Heng. I enjoy their arguments and threats. They are very similar people and match very well intellectually. They understand each other's actions and unspoken words.
Ying Luo + Empress Rong Yin Sismance - What a lovely sismance these two women have. They are so different, yet they are able to form such a strong bond. With a drama full of scheming between women, it's so nice to see a healthy and wonderful female friendship/mentorship between these two. Empress Rong Yin is one of my favorite characters and one of the saddest.
Acting - Definitely amazing acting all around. The "villains" are great and grey. You hate them (looking at you Yuan Chun Wang) but you also feel for them because they all have a background stories that are heartbreaking. I am not a big fan of the harem, so all the cat fights aren't my cup of tea, but I still enjoy this drama, and it's due to the acting of everyone. Each concubine has her own distinct personality and that makes it easier to distinguish who's who.
Production - big time production with beautiful Qing costumes for male and female characters. It did take me a little bit to get used to the bald hairdos of the guys, and not everyone looks good with it. Luckily, I do find our two male leads (Nie Yuan and Xu Kai) look quite handsome with the Qing style. The women have beautiful costumes, jewelry and accessories. The sets look grand and real. I am no historian, so I don't know whether everything is historically accurate, but I enjoy the visuals.
Other Observations:
1) Xu Kai - one of his earlier dramas. He did well enough, but not as good as compared to the veterans.
2) I've seen Charmaine Sheh in HK dramas when I was young. Wow..her acting has come a long way. She's amazing in this drama.
3) I've seen Qin Lan in "Rational Life" and found her absolutely stunning. She's beautiful here as well and such great acting. Very different compared to Charmaine Sheh but just as good.
4) I found Yuan Chun Wang (played by Wang Mao Lei) really creepy, like stalker-ish creepy especially his evil voice.
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Certainly this drama has become quite dear to me!
Saiai is the first drama I have seen this year. It was an amazing series. Very entertaining and emotional. The drama revolves around many themes. The English title of the drama is 'dearest', one of the main themes of the drama is how much a person can sacrifice something for a person who is very dear to them. The story is well written, though it had a few inconsistencies, it still managed to keep me at the edge of my seat till the last moment. Every episode is narrated by different characters in the show.The three main characters were very intriguing. Yuriko, Kouhei and Iura-san have given a very good and promising performance. Special mention to Takahashi Fumiya as Yuu and Tanaka Minami as Tachibana Shiori. I loved them here.
The music is wonderful as well, the ending theme gives me chills at the end of every episode.
Its not surprising that saiai was produced by the same director behind jdramas like MIU404 and Unnatural. All of them were interesting, emotional and amazing character driven dramas. Definitely a must watch for all jdrama fans!
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The film made me rewatch the anime
"Cells at Work!" is a refreshing and imaginative anime film that takes viewers on an extraordinary journey inside the human body. Adapted from the popular manga series by Akane Shimizu, this film brings to life the bustling activities and epic battles of anthropomorphised cells dedicated to keeping the body healthy and functioning. At the heart of the story are the main characters: a diligent yet somewhat scatterbrained Red Blood Cell, responsible for transporting oxygen, and a brave White Blood Cell, charged with defending the body against pathogens.The film skillfully blends educational content with entertainment, providing viewers with a unique insight into complex biological processes. Each cell is portrayed with quirky personalities, making the scientific concepts more relatable and engaging. The narrative is peppered with action-packed sequences as White Blood Cell battles various invaders, delivering a thrilling experience akin to an epic hero's journey.
Visually, the animation is stunning, with a vibrant colour palette that vividly represents the bustling world inside the human body. The character designs are both whimsical and scientifically accurate, maintaining a balance that appeals to both anime fans and science enthusiasts. The attention to detail in depicting bodily functions and cellular interactions demonstrates the creators' commitment to delivering an experience that is both educational and aesthetically pleasing.
The film also weaves in elements of humour and camaraderie, with its characters forming unlikely alliances and friendships. This adds an emotional depth to the storyline, making it more than just an educational film. The movie’s ability to explain complex scientific concepts through engaging storytelling is commendable, making it suitable for audiences of all ages.
"Cells at Work!" is not only a visual treat but also an educational tool that encourages viewers to appreciate the intricate workings of the human body. By turning the inner workings of our anatomy into an epic adventure, the film leaves its audience both entertained and informed, fostering a deeper appreciation for the marvel that is the human body. It successfully transforms a textbook subject into a thrilling narrative, making it a standout in the world of educational entertainment.
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1Ghosted.
Breaking the Shadows (乌云之上) follows rookie cop Lin Jiajia (Ding Guansen) as he teams up with the hardened Han Qing (Sun Li) to solve a grisly dismemberment case. Their partnership starts icy——Han Qing remains haunted by the disappearance of her former partner Zhong Wei during a narcotics investigation, and she bristles at Jiajia’s presence as an unwelcome replacement. When clues emerge that Zhong Wei is still alive but has deliberately ghosted them, Han Qing starts to connect his disappearance with their current case. They discover potential links between the dismemberment case and Zhong Wei's drug case. She slowly warms to Jiajia after noticing his similarities with Zhong Wei in both methodology and temperament and she comes to respect his insights.Where the series succeeds is in its performances, particularly Sun Li’s nuanced portrayal of Han Qing. She deftly captures the detective’s steely professionalism and the quiet desperation beneath it, making her eventual emotional unraveling one of the narrative’s few genuine highlights. The strong supporting cast, including Ding Guansen, Li Xiaoran and Luo Jin in a frustratingly limited role, also elevates the material with multi-faceted portrayals.
Unfortunately, the storytelling never matches the cast’s efforts. The plot unfolds in a linear fashion, leaning heavily on foreshadowing that robs the reveal of any real tension. While the mystery behind Zhong Wei’s disappearance provides some early intrigue, the resolution lands with predictable thud rather than a satisfying payoff.
Overall this drama is a passable time-filler for genre enthusiasts. Sun Li’s performance and a handful of gripping sequences keep it watchable, but its hardly essential viewing. A very average 7/10—engaging enough in the moment, but unlikely to linger in memory.
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Just a filler drama
The plot revolves around the romance between a hotel trainee and the boss. I was expecting stories about customers and everyday encounters of trainees but that was minimal. It was mainly around the couple. The first half was good - cute and fluffy. The second half was tiring - annoying unreasonable characters and the FL being over dramatic. The drama lacks plot but compensates by fluff (but I've seen better fluff).The acting is very average. I like Eden Zhao and he's the reason I got through. But apart from that the other characters were not well developed. The FL was very unreasonable at times, which was hard to watch.
It's an okay watch. I would recommend this only if you're in between dramas, and need a light hearted -no plot- kind of watch. The direction had some issues. The scenes felt like clips put together at times. Made you doubt if you've missed a scene in between.
Plus Point : Fluffy. Cute and non-toxic ML. Never gets very angsty.
Negative points: Only focused on main characters and other characters (though plenty) were under-developed. Too many cliches.
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Slapstick Bromance not BL
Overall, it was quite good. However, there were a few things that I didn’t like about this.The first thing I didn’t like is how short the episodes are, the actual content is quite good but there is just not enough of it.
The second thing I didn’t like is that there are some errors in what I presume is the editing wherein the screen just cuts black for a second.
And, finally, the only other issue I have, which is only really a minor problem, is that the description gives off the impression that it is a romantic relationship between the two characters but it is actually more of a brotherhood.
The acting is over exaggerated but that is just part of its comedic value. The characters show a refreshingly fun relationship and there are many moments where you can just burst out laughing.
This is a good fairly lighthearted comedy and is definitely worth the watch. However, if you are looking for a serious bl romance like it seems this may be from the description and category tags, this may not be the one for you.
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This review may contain spoilers
meh. I hate that they made a big deal over HER (stopped before it was too late and when she was super vulnerable) indiscretion when he was a cheatin' asshole. MEH. That ruined it for me and honestly I hate it when the original couple stays together after the hell his "mistake" put them through. I would have rather her ending up with ANY of the other guys in the show. ICK. I gotta say that chick was a crazy one though. YIKES. Until the very end she was creepily stalking and ruining lives. I'm also of the super firm belief that basically 0 relationships will ever be the same after a cheat. There is NO way you wouldn't have some sort of worry in the back of your mind that it wouldn't happen again. Does he smell like perfume? Was he really late just because of traffic? Business trips? noooooope. Once that trust is broken it may be glued back together, but the crack will always remain. And the relationship with be fragile as a result of that crack.
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Being bad never looked so good.
Rose Finch unfolds like a dark, chilling, and morbidly sensational penny dreadful set in Republican-era Shanghai. The story opens with a bizarre and graphic double murder involving an elite showgirl at Rose Finch (Zhuque Pavillion/朱雀堂), the hottest nightclub in town. Detective Tang Zhenyun is hot on the case, enlisting the aid of talented forensic scientist Xia Mo. Their paths cross with Gao Ying, the enigmatic and deadly boss of Rose Finch, who alternately aids or obstructs their investigation as suits her agenda. She seems intent on uncovering who is murdering her "songbirds" while protecting her family's interests. Is Gao Ying friend or foe?This is a fast-paced, gripping crime thriller that, with its 20-minute episodes, has no time to waste on romance or typical drama digressions. The plot remains tightly focused on one major case, delivering relentless momentum. It’s more violent than expected, unflinchingly portraying the lawlessness and rot festering beneath the era’s decadence.
Wan Qian anchors the narrative with her awe-inspiring portrayal of an inscrutable, powerful, and ruthless mobster’s daughter who lives by her own code. Being bad never looked so good! Zhang Cheng also impresses as the pugnacious, hot-blooded Detective Tang, always ready for a brawl. I was surprised to see Qin Junjie in such a haunted, nerdy, and low-key role, but as a team, this unlikely crime-solving trio clicks perfectly. My only gripe is the dead spouse trope, which feels a bit maudlin and out of place.
The ending has some mildly unsatisfying aspects—it’s dark, cynical, yet oddly fitting for the era. A fantastic short watch. 7.5/10.
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Can be found on YouTube under the caption: “After letting go of her crush on brother, the powerful CEO fell for her and pampered her” or “She was asked by her brother's friend to be his secret lover”.
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