Story: It was like I was watching three different dramas because the plot changed so much and there were many time jumps. The first part is about Ji Sang growing up meeting both his loves and discovering he is a Seer. The second part is romance, political war, and the journey of Lee Sung Gye to be come King. The last part is tragedy central and the eventual crowning of Lee Sung Gye. The ending is bittersweet so expect both sad and happy endings for our main characters.
Acting: I'm going to start with our 3 male leads since they got the most screen time compared to the gals. Ji Jin Hee mostly has played stiff characters from the dramas I’ve seen but I got to say you haven’t seen him play a character like Lee Sung Gye. His character development was so awesome as he starts off as what seems like a crazy lunatic eventually becoming what you’d expect from the King of Joseon. I’ve only seen Ji Sung in Protect the Boss but he plays a different character in this. He did a great job portraying his character that experiences different personality changes from playful to serious/dramatic due to circumstances. Song Chang Ui played the villain well and his chemistry with Lee Yoon Ji was so great that I was rooting for their characters to get together and find their own happiness. As for the 2 female leads, they were perfect, as I would expect from them. There were MANY supporting characters and they all were able to make their characters stand out because a lot of them came and went as the plot kept changing, I found myself wondering what happened to them or I felt bad when their character was killed off.
Music: What you would expect from a historical drama but nothing particularly memorable.
Rewatch: I wouldn’t mind watching this again cause the plot was fresh but not for a while cause the drama is long and it was kind of sad.
Overall whether you like historicals or not the Great Seer will not waste your time and it’s a very intriguing ride.
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When you start you can't stop
Unlike idol dramas, where the protagonist naturally takes center stage, ensemble dramas focus more on the passage of time and the enduring strength of a collective spirit. Xia Fenghua embodies the "Hua Street spirit"—the resilience and legacy of the Grand Canal. Her journey is shaped by time, making her the perfect representation of Northward's central theme. This role comes with a dual narrative responsibility:
•Preserving the "Hua Street spirit" – Ensuring that the values and legacy of the Grand Canal continue to thrive in a new era.
• Demonstrating resilience – Showcasing personal growth and perseverance, emphasizing the profound impact of time on an individual’s journey.
For any young actor, these demands are incredibly challenging. The role requires deep emotional engagement, a thorough understanding of the story’s essence, and a flawless execution of character development.
After watching Northward, it’s impossible not to be impressed by Bai Lu’s performance. Her portrayal of Xia Fenghua is deeply moving, marking a significant breakthrough in her career. Not only does she bring a new depth to the character, but she also changes how audiences perceive her as an actress
Ouhao did a great job too, his character was annoying at some moments but it's understandable.
Very good slice of life drama.
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This movie should have been a typical take on revenge executed in a typical 'cat and mouse chase' fashion and cushioned with a tons of gore and sexual violence.
HOWEVER!
It managed to be SOOO much more than that. Surprisingly deep and every act of violence has a purpose and a consequence. A story ultimately about how pain and grief can push one to the edge of humanity. Lee Byung-hyun makes us weep for him and not because of what he lost...but what he is willing to forsake just to get even.
Stellar cast, incredibly well plotted and an ending that stirs your soul.
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This is a good series
Hello everyone !! Today I will reviewing about Chinese drama “Hidden Love.”Hidden Love is Chinese drama. Hidden Love is a 2023 Chinese television series starring Chen Zheyuan and Zhao Lusi.
Hidden love tells about the life of Sang Zhi (Zhao Lusi), a young girl who develops a crush on Duan Jiaxu (Chen Zheyuan), who happens to be her older brother Sang Yan's (Victor Ma) bestfriend. Sang Zhi had a crush on Duan Jia Xu when she was young, but they lost contact with each other for some reason. After she graduates, she joins the university in the city he is in, and during their day-to-day intimate and close interaction, they slowly fall in love.
In my opinion, I like this drama. Because hidden love is the best drama I have ever watched, the male protagonist (Duan Jiaxu) is a great man, and have a green flag. The female protagonist (Sang Zhi) she is a great actor. This drama have 25 episode and the drama is so good because have a simple flow. The actors can acting that play the drama clearly and have real-life chemistry as well. And the last, the focus is on the family and friends surrounding the main characters.
So in conclusion, I give rate 10/10 for this Chinese drama. I recommend for the people who is in love and to every lover of Asian dramas as a MUST watch. The effort put into making this happen is see clearly, and it's clear that female directors and writers are behind it all.
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This review may contain spoilers
Season 1 was far better
Why I liked the drama?- THE FEMALE CHARACTERS! Usagi, Kuina, and Ann. Honestly, they carried the whole show. Their relationships were interesting and each was independent and badass. They didn't need men to survive the games, in fact the men needed them. It's not everyday that you can find a survival story where the female characters took major controls.
- Chishiya! He's so interesting, more than the MC himself. His laid back personality was the opposite of his brain capabilities. Honestly, I'm glad he had his own screen times to finish two games. And he did it perfectly alone. Chishiya be like: Me, myself, and I.
Why I disliked the drama?
- Arisu's characterization. Suddenly, his characters got weaker than previous season. All of the time, he needed Usagi to take care of his ass because his mentality dropped down drastically. It's like he lost his confidence and never got it back lmao -.-
- Aguni and Heiya's relationship. It's disturbing that Heiya, a girl in high school (definitely underage, no?!), was head over heels to Aguni. Their age difference made me fume with madness. On the other hand, Aguni didn't seem to take it seriously, but who knows what the writers had in minds.
- Plot armor too visible. During the King of Spades', the main characters should've died multiple times, but no. They're invincible to the bullets, except the extras. Others got killed by ONE shot, our main characters could survive from ten thousands shoots to their bodies. Hooray to the armor!
- The ending. Such a shitty ending -,- people can make theories about the 'borderland' but I personally think the ending was not satisfying. On the Queen of Hearts' game, Arisu and Usagi made a whole speech to each other, but in the end, I was left with disappointment. This season's storyline was definitely too rushed.
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After having her son kidnapped, top actress Jung Hye In (Kim Ah Joong) starts filming a reality show on the kidnapper's demands to save him. Every episode starts with a mission which she has to complete. As the story unfolds you, like Jung Hye In, will learn how everything is connected to each other. It's fair to say that every episode keeps you on the edge of the seat. As the search for Hyun Woo continues, you want to know what the kidnapper's motives are.
The cast is made up of a lot of familiar faces. You might know some of the actors/actresses from their previous work as they have acted in well received drama's. Kim Ah Joong plays Jung Hye In, a retiring top actress whose son get kidnapped. As someone with a public image, she has to go through ordeals to secure the safety of her child. It's not easy to put up a front as she's a top actress & worrying mother as well. The amount of emotions are portrayed very well by her. She acted out her character pretty good. Uhm Tae Woong does a good job playing Shin Dong Wook, a PD who is fired before he gets the chance to make an influential show. He gives off a stern & cold vibe that goes well with the character Shin Dong Wook. Ji Hyun Woo takes on the role of detective Cha Seung In. He surprised me with his acting. In 'Angry Mom' he played a righteous but somewhat pushover teacher. Didn't expect him to play a determined, righteous & kick ass detective but he pulls it of very well. Every character (even the support roles) has his/her background story that fits in with the development of the plot.
It's not very uncommon for thrillers to use anything beside ambiance background music. That being said, Wanted has a total of 4 OST's and the songs aren't that bad. It's a shame they couldn't be implemented someway (e.g, ending credits) so be sure to give them a listen. You don't want to miss out on a song like Yezi & Jung Chaeyeon's - Shadow.
Wanted is a thriller with a great cast, a steady pace and intriguing story. There are things that could have been done better to live up to it's "promising" plot. It's a pity but not too disturbing. The drama is somewhat thought provoking and the suspense only leaves you wanting more.
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Amar é cuidar e cultivar
Eu consigo entender por que o primeiro diretor quis desistir dessa história. Uma história de amor em que o homem (nem tão) mais velho se apaixona pela irmã do melhor amigo, a qual ele conheceu quando ela ainda era muito nova, realmente é um enredo difícil de não cair no desagrado do público. Porém, estou feliz que não desistiram desse projeto, pois o resultado foi simplesmente lindo!Sobre a protagonista feminina: apesar de gostar de alguém mais velho, em nenhum momento o seu tempo é desrespeitado. Ela não buscar fingir ser mais madura do que o que de fato é, ela não pula etapas pelo relacionamento que quer ter. E, embora a família a trate com o cuidado dado a crianças, ao reservar ela se mostra muito madura emocionalmente - sem deixar de ser meiga, delicada, atenciosa e muito fofa.
Sobre o protagonista masculino: que show de atuação! Senti muita sinceridade nas cenas dele, em especial quando o assunto era a sua família. Gostei que ele foi construído como alguém que aprendeu a ser uma boa pessoa, apesar de tudo. Gostei, também, de como ele se mostrou decidido uma vez que entendeu que seus sentimentos pela prota mudaram de cuidado para amor, que é um detalhe que faz toda a diferença nessa história.
Os protagonistas mostraram que o amor é cuidar do outro, mas é também cultivar no outro felicidade, conforto, confiança.
É um dorama simples, no fim das contas, mas que mostrou personagens como pessoas reais. Nem perfeitos, nem caricatos. Os pais tem suas questões quanto aos filhos, os irmãos brigam, quem se ama tenta dar o seu melhor pelo outro, e é isso.
Muito grata a atriz principal que deu o melhor de si para fazer esse projeto acontecer, valeu a pena cada segundo gasto.
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I read in several different places that people only enjoyed this film because MinHo was in it and that in fact the film was mediocre. Well, it is not a work of art, that's for sure. Especially since the editing of the film is a bit odd - this was made in 2010 but I felt like I was watching something from 2003 or something. And that, for me, is pretty much the worst thing in this drama.
The story isn't, again, an art work. We have two characters who are somewhat lost in their own routines. When they meet eachother is actually like a breath of fresh air. Overall, it's a pretty story, romantic and somewhat inspiring. It's about overcoming your own fears but also working hard for your dreams and even having those dreams - because everyone should be allowed to do so.
The cast consists mainly of five or six people, being the main ones MinHo and Ji Hye. Ji Hye's acting is good enough and convicing, without being exagerated or the opposite. The same goes for MinHo. As someone who watched "To The Beautiful You" and is currently watching "Medical Top Team", it's obvious this was MinHo's first work in acting, but I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I actually felt this character fitted him better than Tae Joon. So, overall you won't find any award winning performances but none of the main actors have bad acting either.
As for the music, that was my favourite part. Since this is all about pianos, the music was mainly classical ou neoclassical, which, curiosly enough (since I basically spend most of my time listening to pop nowadays), is right up my alley - and what could fit better in a film called "Pianist" than some piano pieces?
To complete, "Pianist" is a medium film that you'll enjoy accordingly to what you expect. If you decide to hate in this simply because MinHo is in there (because, yes, there are people in this world that hate famous people just... because!), you'll probably think the film is crap. If you decide to watch the film as the best thing ever, you'll also be overreacting. However, if you go as neutral as possible trying to see what will come out of this, you'll be able to enjoy it - and you'll see it's a pretty okay film.
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Aki wa Haru to Gohan wo Tabetai 2 Haime!
12 people found this review helpful
gentle and sweet slice of life (need a third movie)
Overall: the sequel is very similar to its predecessor with the theme of friendship and infusion of cooking/food into the story. I was happy we saw progression but a third movie would really be the cherry on the top. First aired in Japan June 2024. Aired December 4th 2024 on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4988/lets-eat-together-aki-and-haru-more-please-2024 (not available in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong or Macau)What I Liked
- sweet and caring moments
- the cooking/food
- realistic to practice interviewing
- non cliched female characters
- avoided a common plot element at the end (i.e. technology exists)
Room For Improvement
- the voice over recap of the first movie
- thought there had already been some realizations in the last movie, wish we had seen more progress earlier rather than the very end
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THE EMOTIONS ??
I don't know how to explain this but I cried a lot during this series and I loved it! The actors are fantastic and we have drama until the end!!! 💗💗💗 I know one day I'll watch it again! 💗💗💗For me, the "icing on the cake" was the main protagonist. She knows exactly how to convey the emotions she's feeling and we feel the same with her. You laugh when she laughs and cry when she cries. I won't give any spoilers, but there is such a distressing moment and the actress conveys that emotion perfectly. I was constantly wiping my glasses with the cloth because of the tears. The title is a bit misleading and gives the impression that it won't be a very good series (at least that's what I felt) but it surprised me in a positive way!!!
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Getting worse as time goes by.
(1) Story & Its Logic [-]Hah, I want to scoff. This is the drama that only knows the way to create the title, but doesn't know at all how to develop the story. Their story has only one idea which is "accidentally find love" as the title "一不小心捡到爱" says. Apart from the idea that the ML and FL accidentally meet and love each other, other things are totally a mess. There's no logic in any part of the story. The business part is especially wrongly portrayed. The decisions of each character that is supposed to be the elite class from the good educational background are illogical, irrational and I can't find the root of their characters.
Let's talk a bit about the business part as it won't be a spoiler:
- Everyone on the company board regards the contract that is forced to sign as legal despite knowing that it's obtained by force without the consent of the signee... Excuse me, guyssss. You don't have to discuss how to solve a situation like this at all. The contract is void when it's proved that the contract is done by coercion. How come the senior executives in this drama, including the ML and ML's family, are very less-educated in the basics of business law. This is so unrealistic to the point of stupidity.
- In front of the media, the executives openly quarrel about the share portions and fight over the chairman's position. And this is a company that is on the stock market. And the people fighting over the position are related by blood. This kind of immature action wouldn't only be unacceptable among the board members, but it would cause a big stir among the public and affect the reliability of the company that will eventually affect the stock price. If you can't foresee the consequence of this kind of action in public, you don't even have rights to battle for the chairman position. And when they ask the board to vote right there in front of the media eyes for the next chairman, damnnn... the board plays along?!! Ridiculous! The board wouldn't vote for the next chairman in an impromptu event like this and, top of all, they wouldn't vote for any of you following your immature fight before the media if they want to save the company.
Just a stupid story, I would conclude.
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(2) Character Design [-]
There's no characteristic in each character. There's only the writer who forcefully orders each character to think, speak, do what and what. All actions of the characters are just rootless. They stick to one thing like a robot without conscious consideration. They're like machines that stick to what they're programmed without wavering, but then suddenly change their mind again, and without cause, like they're re-programmed. There's no development in their characteristics. Their changes are incomprehensive as well as their prejudices, grudges, obsessions and stupidity.
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(3) Acting [-]
Overall is bad. FL makes quite a few trivial but awkward gestures. For the general gestures, she is ok, but when it's the details there're awkward parts. The ML is inexperienced in acting it's very obvious, but that also makes it refreshing to see him in love scenes. His ears are always super red... always like I don't know anymore if that maybe his ears' normal color. Good point about this drama is the chemistry between the leads, but this thing alone can't help with the overall bad points of it. The weakness of this drama is too strong.
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To have been anticipated for this drama is disappointing for me. To finish this drama is also a waste of time.
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This review may contain spoilers
A dark erotic Mess
Well, this isn’t the typical drama series and has to be seen more as an avantgardistic Art Project. And with art, people either love it or hate it, and both opinions have merit.But what this series is not is definitely the typical BL. It's very EXPLICIT, dark and disturbing. So for all you fans of super cute guys who adore each other, this is not your series! Please stay away from it.
But if you're into blood, vomit, drugs, suicide and lots of NSFW-scenes, this might be your series.
That being said, the acting and cinematography are on a good level and I appreciate the physicality of the actors.
But if you're expecting a logical and engaging story, you'll probably be disappointed.
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Drama Special Series Season 2: Ordinary Love
12 people found this review helpful
I really loved the story and couldn't help but getting excited for just one single moment that the main characters acted as a couple. Their acting was extraordinary just like their ordinary love ;). The only thing that I really hated was the ending. Like really, Okay even though the ending was pretty bad I still recommend this drama. IT'S A MUST SEE.
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狗血!! Revenge! scheming drama
I can't believe i finished watching is. The chinese website i watched it on said 38 episodes but other places said 40 episodes is the end?Ya'll after watching this drama you need to breathe!!! OMG SO FREAKIN FRUSTRATING!!!WANT TO SCREAM and hit THE Beeps.... in the drama!It felt like i watched like 60 episodes. so much hatred. revenge, evil, scheming, bullying . take advantage of. This is one negative drama, its like torture on the female lead.
Like where do i begin?
Female lead is a super sweet, but takes everything in kinda girl, she is appreciative for the Li's corporation CEO for helping her get through school and into the fashion industry. She is also know as the shadow designer. Li's CEO has a daughter who basically grew up with the female lead. She is also known as a deisgner, but its just all her name. She cant design and has never designed, only using the female lead's design. Other people in the company dont know and think she is just a cleaning lady ( super sad right?)
Male lead is the son of the Chao fashion corp. Chao and Li are competitors.
The back story of why they are competitors... While Li was young, she knew Chao's wife. Chao's wife was in charge of a warehouse that caused fire and killed people and losing the clothes they made. Long story short, turns out it was Li who was behind it, causing Chao's wife to commit suicide because she couldnt pay back the workers. At that time the Chao's had a baby boy. Chao ended up losing contact with the family that took care of his son. Chao swore to take revenge for his dead wife and his lost son.
Fast Forward... So the male lead is the adoptive son of the Chao's and Chao made the male lead to thinking it was the Li's who was responsible for the death of this parents and also his missing sister too . Turns out it was Chao who locked his sister up and was trying to use the male lead to help him knock down the Li's.
I feel so bad for the female lead, she literally had to go through so much shit!!! Like first, thinking the Li's is a benefactor but it was just that so they could use the female lead's designer and let the Li daughter call it her own. I didnt understand why the daughter is not named after her. lol her daughter is named Tang Guo er.
2) the person she loved had to marriage her best friend.... and she just let it go like that.
3) Losing her child and her mother's also suicide. so much hurt is done to her..if i were her i would go crazy already... ( which later towards the end she was hospitalized for..
4) having her designed copied by another person ( who was someone she trusted that betrayed her)
Her daughter is such a despicable character, so rude, selfish, arrogant, spoiled full of her self !!! Literally wanna say all the swear words at her . She is a true bitch !!! Like she and the female lead were suppose to be best of friends.
In dramas I always love the male lead but this drama I hated him ! He went for his own interest in the sense that he just followed the orders of his adoptive dad. He loved the female lead but it was so limited. Like which side are you on? He even sided with the evil best friend, when he found out that the Li's was not the culprit behind his parents suicide. He was never really there for her and didnt support her enough...
Sorry this is more of a rant than a review haha!
watch at your own risk if you like revenge, scheme, bullying, torment ....
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