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High expectations
(Before you read my review, please keep in mind, I never mean to discourage anyone who wants to watch the show. I'm simply stating my personal opinions and feelings. Everyone has different tastes and interests, so you might end up liking this show!)Before I jumped into this show, I checked the reviews, and they were all high ratings. It's hard to find a bad review on this show. With that in mind, I expected this show to blow me away. Sadly, as soon as it started, there were so many cringey scenes, and the main police officer guy was kind of obnoxious. I had read a review that said the growth of the characters in the show is amazing, so I stuck with the show with hopes the characters would grow and the storyline would get interesting. However, I felt the characters didn't change, and the entire show was lacking. If I'm completely honest, I'm an easy person to please when it comes to shows, but I just wasn't feeling this one. I wanted to see the characters develop and the relationship between the main couple blossom. I felt they went from hating each other, then to tolerating each other, then to dating without really having a full connection yet. Many characters on the show made irrational decisions and did things in spite to affect other characters. I also hate to admit it, but I had to physically force myself to finish this show, which is rare! Overall, I couldn't connect with the characters or the storyline. I would like to perhaps a few years from now re-watch this show and maybe try to connect with it.
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This review may contain spoilers
It doesn't matter if some people hate me. And let me be alone here - but I enjoyed it. A series to have a good evening. I was really looking forward to the end of this series so I could watch it later. And I was not disappointed. I really liked it. JoongDunk acting has improved. And this is noticeable in many episodes. For example, in the episode where Zo and Joke have their first time/first night. I really liked this scene. Zo's embarrassment, hesitation, awkwardness - how well Dunk portrayed it. You watch it and you rejoice that the writers added conversations and such a scene. In most of the series I've watched, the main characters are so experienced and active in their first time/first night. So this Zo and Joke scene appealed to me.
I also liked the scenes with aggressive Zo. It's probably funny, but it is. I think Dunk manages to portray aggression excellently.
The plot itself is filled with tenderness. It really seemed that way to me. Yes, the plot is not genius, but it's not as bad as many people write here. But I liked the idea of the writers about the plot. And I won't even mention the chemistry between the main characters. It's just unbelievable. The looks, the tenderness, the kisses. Haha
Again, I don't understand some people who obsess over these debates. What's the big deal with it? I don't understand comments like "I forgot that Zo is part of the debate club", "the plot is not consistent, I forgot about the debates". I am not in any way condemning these people. I know that everyone has different tastes. But some of them remain incomprehensible to me. The series' plot doesn't revolve around debates. Imagine if they talked about debates every 5 minutes for 12 episodes. People wouldn't have liked it, they would have said that apart from debates, there is no plot. It's the same thing.
I liked how they tried to show the problems between parents and children here, about unhappy first love. Especially in the 9th episode, they managed to show that relationships are not always perfect, any misunderstandings or attempts to hide the truth can have consequences. Zo and Joke showed us that. And yes, I understand that the reason for their fight may seem trivial/stupid to some. But as I already said, it's about relationships, where any small misunderstanding can have consequences. Furthermore, I can understand why Zo reacted that way. He had an unsuccessful experience with his first love. Moreover, I like such scenes in series, they are a kind of resemblance to real life, and about situations that can happen in real life.
Overall, I liked it. Yes, the plot may be banal, but I liked it. And honestly, I can't understand why everyone doesn't like Dunk's acting? Maybe it's because I liked the series, and I liked the main actors, and I just don't notice it. But after watching the series "Sky and Stars," I still don't understand what's wrong with Dunk's acting. I personally really like it. Especially his smile.
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great start, terrible ending
Overall: I was really impressed with the first episode and the first half of the second episode. Unfortunately, cliched writing really let it down. Aired cut on SUKFILM YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYfaogVGCvwTczUW4K1YELu_cWQfUQ21a&si=Wv8xKJkU1Fq2v-5t and uncut with channel Membership https://youtu.be/ync6RU2p-Mg?si=veM-TZOGJ6Q67cI5 (I have watched both the cut and uncut versions)Update - since they are airing more episodes I have increased my rating to a 7
Content Warning: coercion
What I Liked
- tension/chemistry
- indirect way at first to say he didn't have money, used context clues instead of exposition dumps
- clear communication at the start of episode 2
- intimacy
Room For Improvement
- didn't love that they were doing something before what happened at the end of ep 1
- characters started doing "because the writer said so" stuff in episode 2, why would he write that right next to the other guy? why did all of a sudden feelings change and he ran out to meet him? he just left his phone screen visible on the table when he left, etc
- cliched female characters as potential/actual antagonists
- this is obviously an indie production, but I think they could have collaborated with a coffee shop to get a free location in exchange for naming them as a sponsor/publicity, also subtitle errors in episode 4 made the plot confusing (also had some missing subtitles)
- that ending was such a letdown, cliched and unsatisfying (update: they decided to release more episodes)
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Why do I say waste? Because the story line was pretty annoying. I don't know what the writers were thinking when they started brewing up the plot. It had a weak start and a weak ending. The main character was a superb actor, we all know that but the story didn't give justice to his acting skills at all.
Though I would have to admit that there were times where I laughed my ass out to some scenes but that wasn't enough for me to go on rambling and recommending the drama. It will only be a waste of time. So I'm posting it to say that this is one of those drama's which people should avoid watching. Even the music did not give color to the loose story line.
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This review may contain spoilers
Stalkery Makjang MESS
This Drama is billed as being about a strong capable woman. It STARTS that way, but, like so many TW Dramas, melts into a makjang mess. Here's a quick synopsis of why I gave it 3/10 (I could have gone lower)1. STALKING IS NOT ROMANTIC - For the first 11 episodes, the ML is not only an utterly self-absorbed whiny spoiled manchild, he's also actively stalking the FL with a tracking app she is unaware of. This is creepy, disgusting and criminal, not romantic, but apart from her slamming the door on him in one scene he basically gets a free pass from her in part because
2. MAKJANG MELTDOWN - ML's father dies, and older half-brother peels off the Scooby Doo mask to reveal a full-blown psycho nutjob underneath. At the same time as he goes on a murderous rampage, the FLs protege goes on her own descent into diabolical double-dealing, for why? BECAUSE SHE CAN"T GET A MAN. For a Drama that supposedly celebrates a powerful, independent woman, to see her deputy turn "evil" for no reason other than jealousy that the man she's crushing on has a crush for the FL is major head-desking material.
I was impressed with the actor playing the female lead, and will be looking out for her again. But my advice to anyone who doesn't find masochistic delight in watching promising potential destroyed by makjang mysognist melodrama is simple: AVOID THIS DRAMA
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Whaaaaat?
Let's get straight into it.BNW is a big pile of doodoo. Whatever they're trying to achieve is lost in a stale and inconsistent storyline. Now the only interesting things were the mind reading and existence of the alternate world. There were factors that spoiled what could've been a unique story. Factors being bad acting, unrealized plot and irritating main and side characters.
Noeul has not grown as an actor. Like the LITA cast, they are stuck at that level with no maturity besides the added years. Noeul is basically acting the same role - innocent and clueless. Boss being the exception was the only reason to reach this far. They do nc scenes well which is a poor selling point as actors who are not in the porn industry. Admittedly, there is a level of comfort between them that some others don't have. Side characters aside, Noeul's delivery of his lines are part of his character but really irritating to hear. Phu slept with Cir twice before running away confused about his feelings which only resolves after Cir got in an accident. One word, boring. What was this incessant need to keep repeating their names? The tally of this might account for half the script.
Cir, in the alternate world (dream world unconsciousness) meets the previous version of himself and learns the reason of the past lives. Their endings have not been happy. He's trapped there until Phu cries out his deep love for him and only then is he returned to his physical body. Here's where it gets tricky. The Cir that Noeul loves has a scar on forehead. The other Cir does not. So does the scar disappear and materialize depending on which version of Cir's consciousness inhabits the body? Make it make sense. Even at the end there is no explanation for this inconsistency.
It is revealed that Cir has been his protector and stalker for a few years which leaves to beg, why the pretense? Phu seems to be a kind hearted gentle neurotic soul and would have accepted him, so why the pretense. If this is to protect from his mother, why did he eventually contact him? The deal with his mother was one final year of freedom before joining the company. Why contact Phu when the relationship had a deadline? To confuse him more?
Phu meets Cir's unwanted fiancé, gets slapped, is saved by Cir who rebuffs all the parties that caused their meeting and is taken away to safety. Directly after, whilst sitting in the apartment, Phu asks Cir if he has met with the fiancé and how did it go? 😳 My confusion level had me thinking that I probably napped here. Was Cir not next to him when the fiancé show down happened, so what is he asking here? Was there a telepathic meeting the viewer didn't see? Inconsistent and poor editing. Throughout the series there have been other repetitive nonsensical conversations, but this being the most glaring.
Genuine question here, do all female side characters have to sound like harpies? Why can't they be seen as even tempered beautiful women? They are either physically aggressive, delusional or erratic. Can't this be banished and more multilayered characters be written? This would be a welcomed change. Though it was great to see his Phu's friends so protective of him except that one idiot.
Now to the mind reading. Unless I've missed it, it's not clear how Jin acquired the ability to do so. It is interesting and since meeting Wim, he has liked him and still was able to use it. When he confesses to him, it's suddenly lost. So verbalizing his thoughts took them away and he is like everyone else, guessing his way through the relationship. Wim, the most polarizing character with his incessant need to speak, doesn't believe him. Upon confirmation from Cir, he is willing to be let Jin in. Honestly, their story would have been more entertaining that what this was. Nine episodes of lies, and one full of repetitive declarations.
Cir's mother is displayed as deranged and despicable. Now, we see why Cir needs an alternate universe to survive. The solution to her wanting to trade one property for another is not met with a white padded room and restraints but entertained. The fiancé, what was her motive to marry someone who clearly despised her? Money? On meeting her intended mother in law, any sane person would refuse. Conclusion: they all need the white padded room and restraints.
This series left me wanting more than just great nc scenes. The plot needed to be tightened, the acting upgraded and the characters likeable. This was 10 episodes of boring, unimaginative lies and unlikeable characters save Jin and Ramil. Will not be re-watching. Once is more than enough.
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Just NO!
1st the cast choice, the. They changed the story, and bad cgi 🫠Bihyung as labewbew is the laat thing i want to see 😭
Korean need to stop making 'adaptation' with only famous casts. Geezz
I hope another production hoise remade this as kdrama with a good quality. Not like this crap
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The end was rushed…
I enjoyed watching this drama a lot !!! But the last episode bothered me on many points.First of all, Tong deserved to be punished. I feel like even after how shitty he treated Joe and caused him many problems, he just had to « apologize » to be forgiven ??? Like buddy almost killed Joe with his depths, tried to get Ming away from him and more… Also his wife acting like Tong didn’t admit marrying her for her and her father’s money ?????
« Lets put the reason on why they forgave him and help him is because his wife is pregnant » like no please that was so fcked up 😭
And also the way Ming father was against his relationship with Joe, literally told Joe « I could make you disappear » and then proceeds to say « please promise me you won’t disappear » …. Make it make sense I guess
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I really enjoyed seeing some of the younger up and coming stars and the acting, while green, was cute and it was surrounded by a cute story and love triangle (which are commonly uncute).
Overall, I'll probably rewatch Ma Boy many times, because it just lifted my spirits with its sweetness.
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ALMOST GOT ME
Firs of all I loved them so so so so so much and I could've watched their activities,fights and giggles all day, along with silly football friends, but the plot was so exhausting and I feel they've been robbed for a chance for SUCH A BETTER kdrama!!!!???FL and ML are amazing actors, both fit each other so well and their personality was unmatched mixed together :3
Regardless...there was a period between episode 4 and maybe 8 where I truly started to love this kdrama, beginning was weird but fun, and ending was absolute nightmare😭. It started as a funny rich girl rich guy type of show that really got me giggling and hoping for something that didn't come. In the middle we got to know the characters better and their chemistry expanded and reached the full potential, and then director got bored of his own show i guess LOOOL????
I didn't care for the ending and if I wasn't a person who has to finish drama till the end, I probably wouldn't finish this one.
Villains were the worst part of this drama, they were just... there? The point of villain is to be scary and all that, these were embarrassingly bad. Other characters too had zero to none personality.
Overall, all my stars went to their chemistry, and nothing else 🫤
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This review may contain spoilers
Loved it, Loved it Loved it! I could end my review there, but there is so much more about this series that I want to say. Spoiler restrictions prevent me from saying about 80% of what I, otherwise, would write, so I will comply. It's a story about hard times that, through a stroke of good luck, ill will, nefarious dealings, buckle-down hard work and even wilder twists on a well-worn theme, eventually turns out to be a morality tale that we all can be edified by.Our Hero strives to survive under the harsh circumstance of misfortune due to his unknown parentage through hard work in the street-stall marketplace among the merchants who have adopted him as one among their 'family'. This allows him to escape the certainty of a life of crime which would have inevitably lead to his early demise. At a time he thought he had shaken the grip of the street's vicious hand, a calamity, which had nothing to do with him becomes at once the opening of a whole new world of wealth and power, as well as, a slippery path leading to his own destruction. Any lesser man would have succumbed early to the lure set before him to facilitate his fall, but not our Hero.
Love interests in conflict with his self-realized moral code, traps laid by apparent benefactors, breaches of trust at every turn and plot twists (just to keep the storyline moving) incite, invigorate and initiate --cue the fanfare-- his own unrelenting will to overcome, succeed and thrive. The odds stacked against him were indeed overwhelming, but for him, 1% is enough of a formidable alternative to the 99% of certain doom and becomes the underdog's best case scenario. Our Hero comes through with flying colors; bloody but unbowed, battered but unbroken, bruised but unbeaten.
'Big Man' reminds me of dramas I've seen before, but the portrayal the lead Actor puts in, blows ALL the others away. This was running as a currently scheduled program airing at the time I first came across it. But, as is my habit, I refused to watch until most of the episodes were posted at my favorite streaming drama venue so that I could marathon it. This is the best way to consume a series of this length so that the ep-to-ep continuity goes uninterrupted.
Action, drama, comedy, Love story, big business intrigue, seedy underworld criminal perfidy, this one has it all and never skimps on any constituent ingredient. Watch 'Big Man' and you'll agree with me, walking away after the final credits roll, saying,"Loved it, Loved it, Loved it!"; At which time, you may quote me on that...
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A murderer who escapes a brutal crime of 10 murders is free and famous. he writes a book admitting his crimes but there's someone else too who knows how the murders happened. So you keep clinging to your pillow till the end.
Park Shi Hoo.. there's something about his smile..it seemed so cocky and wicked.. loved him!!
Do watch!
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This review may contain spoilers
Healthy relationship, pure bliss, no hair pulling drama of the year.
Road Home is a second chance at love drama, it is mainly felt with intense chemistry between the two leads, There isn't much action initially, but it does get intense later on.Personally, this drama was exciting to watch, however, there are moments where the scriptwriting felt off. It would seem like there should be more to say but it was just an awkward silence. However, give it a chance because Lu Chen played by Jing Boran is a man of very few words.
As aforementioned, Lu Chen is your typical cool, handsome, popular, man of few words character. Like legitimate few words where Gui Xiao (Seven Tan) said he should speak more. LOL I guess you can say he's more reserved than outgoing. However, he's very emotional towards Gui Xiao and cherishes her even though they had broken up before the series began. His family background is not the best, as his mother divorced his abusive, alcoholic father once before. LC works as a police officer who is constantly away on missions, hence this has tarnished his relationship with Gui Xiao. As the drama begins, they begin to build their relationship with a more mature mindset. Acting-wise, this is my first drama of Jing Bo Ran, and I have heard of him a couple of times - I think he acts pretty okay. Comparing his real personality to the character, I think he did pretty well in portraying a reserved but strong commanding officer. Did I mention how hot he is? LOL
Gui Xiao played by Seven Tan, is a very strong, independent woman. She is no damsel in distress as she has said once before that she can live her life without Lu Chen. However, she will fight for her love no matter how difficult their situation is. Lu Chen is constantly on missions, so their relationship is somewhat like a long-distance type, he does come home though and it gets very cute. I think what makes their relationship so special compared to other dramas is how healthy it is. It teaches us that communication is very important in a relationship and understanding, and being mindful keeps the relationship going. Her family background is somewhat unfortunate as well because her parents divorced (not officially until the series began.)
Seven Tan is one of my favorite actresses, I will be honest this drama did not showcase her full capabilities - it seems a little off at times due to the script. Her acting will always be impeccable, however, I wish the script was a bit more smooth I suppose. It's a little inexplicable.
I feel like this drama would deter others because it doesn't have much "drama" or excitement like your typical Asian drama does. It feels more like a slice-of-life genre, focused on rebuilding a relationship and a proper family. However, I would suggest giving it a try. It depicts healthy relationships, and confidence and I think it's what people need if they don't know what a healthy relationship is supposed to be like.
Is there a third wheel? There was one who tried but to no avail. haha
The side characters were wonderful, GX and LC have amazing friends, basically like sisters and brothers, who support their relationship all the way. Giving wonderful advice when they need it.
I had watched a drama similar to this where the kid is extremely annoying, and the male lead became very difficult to watch so I had to drop it. Whereas in Road Home, the kid is tolerable and the male lead respects the female's boundaries.
The ending was satisfying as they finally held a wedding, and the final episode is just flashbacks.
The cinematography, and scenery of this drama were very beautiful, it makes me want to travel to the location someday.
I would recommend this drama if you just want to chill, not pull your hair out and enjoy a cute, slice-of-life, fluffy, romantic drama. Also if you don't mind a reserved, quiet male lead then definitely give it a go. It has several flashbacks to their high school days as well, and it is fun to see how it all began. The final episode shows us how they started to have feelings for one another, of course, they did explain what their past relationship was like throughout the drama, not just at the end.
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Story: Based on the true story of King Yeongju & Prince Sado - a powerful display of rulers who think differently - The king cherishes power and authority over humanity and the Prince desires equality for everyone - from children of traitors, slaves, concubines and commoners. We see him come head to head with his father countless times - and I'd cheer him on every time. If you read the history of these two (which I recommend you don't) then you'll know it will be a bittersweet end. But even so, even if I did cry a bucket of tears, the end still left me hopeful of a better future to come ;)
Cast: Prince Sado (Lee Je Hoon) the son of King Yeongju (Han Seok Kyu) a honest and righteous prince with enduring principals - if he believed something was wrong he wouldn't ignore it - He has my respect for that, when some people would cave - he never did, he stood his ground even if he had to suffer immensely for it - he earned trust of his "followers" and the viewers <3 Plus he is handsome to boot^^ His eyes would captivate me when he'd speak - and the emotions displayed there were magical <3 King Yeongju a political terror if I may say so - he didn't blink if he killed someone or did wrong things - he fought tooth and nail with his son throughout the entire drama - he'd make me really mad most all the time and sometimes his discussions early on drove me up the wall - but the actor really did well in displaying his love/hate for his son. Seo Ji Dam (Kim Yoo Jung) I liked her while she lasted for 13 episodes (the older version I could care less about so I won't even mention her) she was great when she was Sado's sidekick and helped him out. When she's "older" she's just kind of there... Lady Hye Gyeong (Park Eun Bin) I didn't like her when the drama started but as time passed she grew on me and I could see the love she had for Sado (even though her love for power would sometimes speak louder). Shin Heung Bok (Seo Jun Yeong) he had a guest role when the drama started but he became the reason Sado & his father came head to head with each other - even though his time was short - he left a deep impact. The rest of the cast did a splendid job in their roles too ;)
Music: "Erase and Erase" by The One (my favorite) & ??? by Block B
Re-watch Value: 8/10 It's very political but really draws you in - so I will re-watch this again someday - even if only to see Lee Je Hoon (Prince Sado)'s eyes <3 I LOVED his deep dark eyes - they pulled me in every time ;D
I highly recommend anyone who likes historical or political dramas to check this one out - you won't regret it ;)
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