Reviews

I shake my head and roll my eyes throughout the drama - Messy and Too much going on

If this were a full-length drama, I would have given this a less than 5 rating. I am going to be a little more forgiving as this is a low budget drama. But this drama still cannot be compared to another web drama, “Provoke”. “Provoke” is so much better.

The plot here is ridiculous and full of plot holes and unrealistic ‘twists’. They try to jam too many things into this short drama. I think a fake/contract marriage + enemies-to-lovers + revenge should be more than enough. But no, they added politics. The acting is decent, and the leads are a good-looking pair. The chemistry is pretty good in the beginning but the leads got together way too early and then the chemistry is gone. We do have a couple (not enough) shirtless hot abs scenes, but not passionate or good kisses (FL needs to work harder). The cinematography and production value aren’t that great, more on par with “Maid’s Revenge”. I am blinded by the super bright/white backlighting and camera flashes.

I can’t help but shake my head and roll my eyes when watching this. The good-looking male lead and the pretty female lead are not enough for me to recommend this drama. I have to force myself to finish watching. I enjoy watching this LESS than “Maid’s Revenge”, even though it’s about the same quality. So, I feel I need to rate “My Everlasting Bride” a 6.5 and not a 7.0.


Completed: 9/19/2023 - Review #356

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When If first started watching Kurokouchi, I thought I knew what to expect. Your basic crime-based mystery show that had another eccentric protagonist played by Tomoya Nagase and crazy, novel-like murders. It would have the easy black-and-white situations where the good guys would shine their brilliant light of justice on those who commits crimes with long monologues on why what they did was wrong and advising them to repent for their crimes. But this show took on a whole different tone about 3 minutes into the first episode.

The show demonstrates that there is a much larger gray area than black or white. Take the main and titular character, Keita Kurokouchi. He acts more as an antihero than a true good guy. He straddles the line between what's deemed right and wrong, and still finds a way to look like a hero while doing it. His ultimate goal is to solve the unsolved case of a robbery of 300 million yen that happened almost 45 before the start of the story. His motivations aren't completely explained, but you can that it's something that he's completely dedicated to once you have a look at his apartment.

The thing I found most entertaining was how well the story progressed. It's full of surprises. Murder, betrayal, and conspiracies are the lifeblood of this show, and it delivers plenty that will keep on your toes and constantly thinking, trying to figure out who truly has the advantage in the game of chess between Kurokouchi and his adversaries. The ending is one that completely fits the scope of the show, and was something that almost makes you laugh at the end after seeing the final climax.

The cast was great as well. They pulled an all star cast that each played their roles to perfection. Nagase does such a great job as Kurokouchi, from his yakuza-like speech to his over-the-top mannerisms and catch phrases. He'll even throw in a rap verse or two. Gouriki was a great 'straight-man' as Seike. She was very much by the book and the typical straight-laced cop, until the things Kurokouchi began saying turned out to be true. That's when you see her character start to blossom as she gets down to solving her own personal mystery and how it relates to the 300 million yen heist. They both work great in tandem to deliver a funny experience while still maintaining a great level of suspense and action.

This is a show that you can't regularly rewatch because of how high-impact the suspense and surprises are. They're best saved for once you've forgotten much of the story, otherwise they lose their pop. But the funny moments of the show are watchable over and over again. I fount myself going back and rewatching parts because of how funny they were. And this isn't even a comedy based show!

Overall, I found this show probably the most enjoyable crime show since I watched the first season of Galileo a couple years ago. This didn't have as many creative crimes as much of the Japanese crime shows do, but it had the suspense and edge of your seat thrills to really push this show ahead of many others. A definite must watch if you want a good ride.

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It’s okay

I watched the whole show and all I can say is that if you hate fat people and don’t understand privacy, this is the show for you.

Some parts were cute I suppose, but seeing how such a huge chunk of their relationship was just him directly shaming and mocking her for her weight made me really uncomfortable. The way they put the female actresses in fat suits and even made them speak more childishly while they’re overweight was so weird too. Not to mention, the female lead wasn’t even that overweight? They just put a double chin on her and stuffed her pants and called it a day. I understand the message is to be healthy, and I absolutely agree with that, but in no way does that excuse the mockery of overweight people the way this drama did. No amount of playfulness or jokes or whatever can make it be an acceptable message in something of this level.

Plus, the portrayal of [a certain health syndrome] near the end was soo dramatic for no reason.... it’s one of the most common conditions in women and it’s very manageable. As someone who has it, watching that whole ordeal was laughable and I could not take it as seriously as you were supposed to.

There’s a lot that I’ll tolerate in kdramas for the sake of escapism or whatever but there should definitely be limits, especially considering how insulting so much of this was to a huge part of the audience.

HOWEVER, I really loved the cast. The leads had really good chemistry, and I’ve become a fan of their acting due to this show. If the way the main dilemma of the plot wasn’t handled in the way it was, this would have been one of my favourites.

I’m generally not a fan of Sung Hoon, but I really enjoyed his character in this show, and I hope he plays more roles like this in the future. This is also my first time seeing Henry act, and although I don’t know much about him, his bubbly character was delightful and one of the reasons I may go back to rewatch despite everything.

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This show was everything I wanted and more!
Seriously, by far the best season of "Candle in the Tomb", which is kinda sad considering it's a barely related prequel.
At long last the cinematography was competent, the script somewhat tight and solid, things were set up and later paid off.
Only 21 episodes 30 minutes each made me sad at first, but actually I think it might've been a great thing for the show. Nothing dragged, the pace was good from start to finish.
The characters have clear motivations and feel like people for once. (vastly superior, as everything about the show btw, to the movie adaptation of the same story, which has awful cartoony caricatures)

Really really good

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This is my first show with WinnySatang as a pairing and its so good!

Positives:
- The story is fun , exploring identity, friendships, trust and belonging.
- The show does not use excessive filters on the actors skin, leaving it looking natural.
- The couple dynamics are heartwarming and have some moments that are relatable and realistic.
- It has a nice balance between serious scenes and playful moments.
- Winnys character is portrayed realistically, being awkward at first and avoiding his feelings to then becoming protective and allowing his true feelings to be seen. He starts thinking about his lifestyle and choices differently after getting into a long term relationship.
-The Kiss scenes are sweet and believable without being stiff or forced.

Negatives:
- The political story elements were not overly interesting to me, becoming repetitive.
- The story does not go too deep and is best viewed as a light/casual drama.

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potrayed the most realistic and healthy relationship ever

in one word what makes this cdrama great and soo much better than other cdramas is that THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THE MAIN LEADS and the fact that how REALISTIC it is. the story itself isn’t much, simple plot. and some people find it boring because of the lack of drama . But to me thats a plus point, no unnecessary drama, conflict and misunderstanding between the characters. often times the relationships potrayed in shows are unrealistic, but the relationship between the main leads is realistic, they face general problems that all couples face but they both are supportive of each other and communicate their problems. and another thing is that GREEN FLAGS💚, and the romance was slowly built up, not in a rush, which will gove you butterflies. i rearly watch cdramas and I don’t really like cdramas because how long they are and how they drag the story too much, byt even tho hidden love has more episodes than a typical 16 episodes kdrama, i still enjoyed every pit of it. I also fell in love with the ost

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A quick summary:
Mo Ning Xi's grandfather passed away and then she was kicked out of the house by her mother in law and went abroad. Six years later, she came back as a well-known fashion designer with her two kids to make things right.
She met her ex-husband again and the story goes on.

The cast is good looking, The ML is handsome and FL is also pretty but had an odd eye make-up that I couldn't get used to until the end.
The acting overall is okay and the leads have chemistry.
The ost is nice.

There is one thing bothered me while watching this drama! That it had so many slow scenes.
If you could turn a blind eye on that, and some incoherent dubbing, you might enjoy watching this drama more than I did.

Anyways ML carried the show for me. I don't dislike the FL but she didn't do much of anything by herself.

The story is quite predictable and has lots of cliche, So I think it's just an okay watch to pass time.
I might re-watch it in future.

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this series has something for everyone!

"Guardians of the Dafeng" is an absolute masterpiece that beautifully blends action, drama, and fantasy, making it a must-watch for any drama lover! The story revolves around the struggles and triumphs of its characters in a richly woven narrative that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

The dialogue in the series is sharp and impactful, with moments that resonate deeply with the audience. For instance, when Xu Qian, played by Dylan Wang, says, "In a world where darkness looms, we must be the light that guides others," you can feel the weight of his determination and the hope he embodies.

Another standout moment is when the fierce and loyal character, played by the talented actress, declares, "We fight not just for ourselves, but for those who cannot fight!" This line perfectly captures the essence of camaraderie and the spirit of sacrifice that runs throughout the series.

The chemistry between the characters is palpable, with witty banter and heartfelt exchanges that bring a smile to your face. One such moment is when Xu Qian teases his companion, saying, "If you keep brooding like that, you’ll scare away all the good fortune!" It’s these light-hearted interactions that balance the intense moments beautifully.

Visually, the series is stunning, with breathtaking landscapes and choreographed fight scenes that leave you in awe. The production quality is top-notch, making every scene a feast for the eyes.

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A review I had to write. I just rewatched this. Please don't miss this gem.

It's a story of six friends...

And it is one of the best coming-of-age/slice-of-life dramas. Strong cast, a beautifully acted, down-to-earth script, with beautiful cinematography, and compelling stories. It is full of nostalgia demonstrating almost every kind of love(and betrayal) in one drama. Unrequited love, affectionate love, puppy love, playful love, love of self over others, love of others over self almost to a fault, enduring love, familial love, unconditional love.

Every character, even supporting characters, is rich in detail. It shows how there are natural cowards and natural-born heroes. Some naturally step back and those who naturally step forward. Many sides of each of the characters are revealed throughout the episodes, some staying at their core while others drastically change. The drama covers a long span of time. Faults that weren't there when they were young, come out or develop through the years. Like real life, all had some faults and all had good characteristics, both relatable. I couldn't hate any of the characters. Some had support and love in their youth while others were challenged early in life due to bad circumstances. Some were tempted by greed, while others fought and succumbed to their inferiority complexes. One of my favorite characters had serious faults but it was due to being so unlucky in his early life, but watching him try to survive and change his life around, grew into a strong character that I loved, rooted for, and hoped for. It's difficult to review a complex drama as this one so I will leave it at that.

One great thing about this drama is when something upsetting happens, it is resolved quickly and not dragged out throughout the episodes. It moves quickly through time and has lots of action that will keep you engaged from episode to episode. I also love that it is narrated.

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This is a rom-com for more matured audience. It's still funny and romantic to catch audience attention, but at the same time realistic enough to believe. I like the journey the leads fall in love, like the fact that all characters have both good and bad sides, and like the fact that they develop to be better but don't change completely after falling in love (which sadly happens to too many good dramas!). Of course, it's still a drama, so some elements need to be exaggerated. But overall, this is a very well-balanced show. I particularly like the female lead charisma and confidence, especially the way she resolved tricky situations at work and personal life. She did some embarrassing things and faced the consequence confidently (though her inner side is screaming:)). Sometimes her life is a mess and instead of crying in the corner or waiting for her prince, she rises to power. This requires immerse mental strength. If you have been through similar situations you will appreciate how strong this woman is. The male lead is also charismatic and extremely supportive. He is definitely not a knight in a shining armor like in other dramas, but he proves himself to be the best suitor for her.

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I very like this drama I have watched this drama 5 time because all the actors played their characters very well and made this drama more interesting I had lough and scream more because of hero and heroine. They very sweet couple. And the end of this story not dissapointed me although it very sad but I like it .it is not the same as happy ending that we thought different than the other. I like the hero character the most because his charming and cool make me admired him until now. I also know he is a singer since I had watching this drama and start to talk about him and other actors such melody tang the heroine. Hero and heroine good looking make me felt easy to watch.

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Worth watching

I liked the story line but it has season 2 which is not announced the release date so i am so curious about there story but enjoyed
watching this one of my best short drama. This is not well defined drama but worthy drama male and female leads are good and looks great together and need season 2 quickly 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗i advice to start it if you wanna watch it but you should wait for season 2 eagerly so i am waiting for season 2 for there sweet romance and fights and by the way she fell for him but he fell harder 🤭🤭🤭drama this is. Loved it . I will recommend it .

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You Should Have Watched This Yesterday

There's been a lot of garbage dramas this year, but once in a while you stumble across a little gem, and it brightens your whole day. This drama was beautiful, I loved every single moment of it and wished it was longer. Yes, even moments with that in-betweener brother, who meant well, but acted like he sniffed glue on his spare time. On second thought, if I catch him!

Listen, I wasn't even looking for this drama. I was scrolling my somewhere on tiktok when a video popped up and this sister was like, 'watch this, it's good.' Obviously, since most of what's currently airing is meh, I checked out the first episode and ended up benching the whole thing in one go. Sure, a story, a plot like this of love and pining and acceptance in our society isn't anything new, but the direction and execution of it made it worthwhile. Here's my quick review:

The main characters had great chemistry and made the show. I felt their longing behind the screen, all the words they couldn't say, and the stable touches and wants were so obvious it was painful. Kudos to them for making this short drama feel so complete. The side characters were also okay, though that brother needed to take a hike. I get that he was concerned and loved his brother, and in his own misguided way was looking out for him, but bro invented a whole arse girlfriend cuz he saw his friend with a girlfriend one time in freshmen year, really Susan, really?

I loved the few songs we got in this as well, the background music and the nature all added to how much I enjoyed this drama. Personally, I'm not a bug person and would probably complain to high heavens if I should spend a whole summer here, but everything was so beautiful, it made me fall in love with their love and wanted to go summer camping with a lover, bugs be damned.

No really, they were out there: fruit picking, sunset watching, running around the woods and by the rivers, swimming, drawing, bonfires, playing in the rain, awwwwww, my heart was full and it wasn't even my relationship. Yes, I'm sure we all felt that kiss when they finally got together, the yearning and the pining really paid off, so congratulations to them I guess. Us single people would be in the corner.

I HIGHLY recommend this to everyone who loves bl, it's worth your time, and it's short and amazing, give it a chance. No really, watch it. Wish to see more of the two leads in the future. This is obviously going straight to one of my favourite dramas this year. Now off to watch the special episodes to see them be more lovey dovey in front of my salad.

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okay so to be fair, there is a good chunk of reviews killing this, which are btw absolutely correct. but hear me out: this entire title is just pure comedy.

when i say this, i mean, i never laughed so hard in my life by the turns of events from this drama. like when they hypnotised the mc to forget about the girl. or when he needs to MARRY HER to donate his bone marrow to save her from leukemia EXCEPT it was made up!!

i will recommend this to anyway who wants a good'ol'laugh. sometimes i close my eyes and this drama comes to mind. the impact. always makes me laugh. maybe it should be considered a LAUGHING STOCK.

do not take is seriously tho, because if we deeply analyse this, it's bad. really bad.

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