This review may contain spoilers
"Lord, please don't let sorrow overwhelm the lives of those that left behind."
Youth of May depicts the Gwangju Uprising in 1980 through multiple perspectives. From lovers, friends, families, parents, and children to politicians, activists, polices, businessmen, healthcare workers, even people who just wanted to escape and save themselves, and ordinary lives who knew nothing but got killed.Also soldiers, one that usually hasn’t been really looked into. Here, it's shown how miserable they actually feel, some were unknowingly deployed to their hometown, suddenly being forced to shoot even their friends. While others may have moved on albeitly, for soldiers, based on real reports too, they really had it harder than anyone else, experienced trauma, guilt and stayed in the same dark place throughout the years. People often forget they're victims as well.
"The worse pain in life, the life of those who were left behind."
Heetae's character indeed represents the survivors, those who are still searching, grieving for their lost loved ones, which some haven't been found even til now. I love how it emphasizes this. The survivors didn't 'survive' even though they live. Their souls had died during the uprising.
Youth of May really retells the history beautifully. "This wasn't only his story. This was history."
And last, the prayer in the ending narration is really its main message.
"Don't let the sorrow overwhelm the lives of those that left behind."
Youth of May is more than just a drama. It is a prayer.
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The Quintessential Japanese Drama of 2018
What makes Japanese drama different from its neighbors is how diverse its genre. From mystery thrillers, romance live actions, tearjerkers, weird WTF comedy to Job oriented ones. But my favorite is without a doubt the thought provoking genre. This genre is their forte in my opinion, those meaningful dialogues is always fascinating and this drama not an exemption, it has many dialogues that will make you think and it will teach you different philosophy in life.Japan is the land of symbols, if you've been watching anime for a long time you probably see this already, they are so good using symbolism as part of the narrative, to me it not just makes the show looks good but it elevates the story. Their method of using symbolism is more prevalent in Jdramas and Japanese Movies, that's why I always tell my anime friends if you want to learn more about Japanese culture don't watch anime but watch Japanese Movies instead.
Aesop's tortoise and hare is one of those fables that are known around the world. In the story the tortoise keeps going on no matter what happen, it teaches us hard work, perseverance and going the extra mile, the hare on other hand has this cocky attitude believing he will win against the tortoise even he sleeps during the race, but his carelessness made him lose in the end. Bokura wa Kiseki de Dekite Iru gives this fable different yet very fascinating interpretation. According to the drama the tortoise doesn't work hard and it doesn't even care about winning or losing, he just enjoys whatever in front of him. The way the tortoise see the world is very different from the hare, the hare doesn't even exist in his perspective. Meanwhile the hare always check on the tortoise and he always looks down on him, the tortoise is huge part of his world. This philosophy of "Not Caring What Others Think" is basically the central theme of this story, which is also very much applicable in today's world of social media where everyone always cares what other people will think and everyone always look at other people's life and compare it to them. BE A TORTOISE AND STOP BEING A HARE.
This is such a cozy and laidback drama, I would compare it to Wood Job, Little Forrest and Bread and The Soup and Cat Weather, as for anime I would say Yuru camp and Aria are good comparisons. The story is also very well written, the touching moments and funny moments are very balanced. Pacing is also nice until the last two episodes where the plot seems all over the place, but it's ok as long as the message is there I wouldn't mind. This drama is very Ikigai. The message is given in a very subtle way and I like how the scenes are not over dramatic. The way they connect the behavior in animal kingdom to philosophy in life is brilliant. This drama also has a set of interesting characters that plays a very good role in the story, not a single one of them is useless. The acting by Takahashi Issei is no joke. I bet only few actors can play the character he portrays. It's the type of acting where an actor carries the whole show. It is perhaps the most eccentric character I've encountered in Japanese drama, the development of his character is also one of the most interesting ever.
Lastly if you are looking for romance you would be disappointed but it's really obvious what he feels for her during the end. I am happy that they didn't force it as it is not what this drama is about.
Check my Blog for other reviews & other JDramas stuffs. (｡◕‿‿◕｡)
https://thatjapanesedramaguy.blogspot.com/
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This review may contain spoilers
I think I'm probably in the minority for liking this: But, I basically reviewed this as I watched the episodes, so come read my journey if you would like to see what went through my mind as I watched this while waiting for episodes to air, and translate.Currently watching this because I love the two actors, just currently waiting to see how the story goes! It is interesting though, how they both are slowly overcoming mentally together, I would love to see what else there is!
From Ep20 Update: I've seen many bad reviews! But in hindsight, I actually enjoy it! Since it's a lot about mental health, and just seeing how they both are helping each other bit by bit. It does seem slow the process, but sure nothing is a quick process when its relationships and also dealing with mental issues, so I am enjoying it even if the reviews say it's bad.
Update! Ep30.. - I am probably one of many who are in the minority of enjoying this drama, I think what I like is, how when dealing with their mental issues, they always each go to someone who they trust to talk about things. Whether it's the guidance counsellor, or one of the friends! And how the four main leads, help each other out.
How mental issues, take time and you need patience, and sometimes like Tang Xin how she wants to really help Shen Qingyuan to recover, yet also being afraid if he remembers things could become worse.
I think another reason, why I am enjoying this drama is because there isn't any like misunderstandings, like many dramas, where there's like a side girl making everything worse or making up situations, and everyone's crying ..etc! and even if I see many reviews and comments saying the story is slow and how both the Male & Female Leads are annoying.. I somewhat still enjoy the drama myself! -
Ep34 - O.M.D ... What a roller coaster! This is the real drama now.. - still processing what happened! But, I do feel like what I got out of this is the jealousy from the men in these eps: People are crazy to go to lengths in messing with someone's mentality just for their own fame, money etc. Shen Qingyuan: literally became a changed person, over broken memories, and the words of someone who just wanted to win a game! What's also scary is that this actually does happen in reality too - jealousy, people being mean with their words..
Ep38: - It was a interesting few eps, I do feel it was a little rushed around what's happening! And everything kind of ended really quickly.. And meeting the parents was soo quick as well, and we never got to see Shen Qingyuan's parents either which is why I felt everything was a little rushed. Or they could have gone through therapy together a lot more and slowly in that sense gotten better and closer!
Final: It was a cute ending, I'd have to say! I just enjoyed both the actors. I do feel like the story could have been recollected a little better. Since the start, they focused a lot more on Tang Xin's mental health, and the rushed the rest of the story. But I enjoyed how they were always supporting each other and believing in each other till the end!
Although a few things, I would have loved to see the wedding, and would have been more a surprise if Xiao CiCi, got into the Olympics cause she was pretty much just as good! Also, do wish, Xiao CiCi had more double dates in the story, I think she was such a pretty character in the show, but always hate the same outfits on. Definitely would love to see her in another show as the main character, with loads of really pretty clothes!
- But I enjoyed this! Kinda sad that it's over! I'm glad I finished this.. It was like a nice light-hearted drama, and even though the story was a little quick near the end! I still nonetheless enjoyed it. It also gave such a eye-opening for mental health, and seeing therapists, and also how demanding sports can be with jealousy and many other things.
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1This review may contain spoilers
Important Representation
I'm not gonna lie this is mainly going to be me giving opinions about the asexual rep found in this movie, since I'm an asexual myself. I'm going to try not to spoil things, but if you want to go in blind stop reading here, just go watch it becuse tl;dr this movie is good and the ace + poly rep is A+.What makes me super happy about this movie is that beyond just being excited to see myself on screen, my identity was talked about in a caring, knowledgeable manner. I was worried going into this that they'd present the "solution" to the problem in their throuple as Minho just having sex with them regardless. Thankfully that wasn't the case, and we got good discussions about his boundaries, and what he was curious about/the things he wanted to try with them and what things were most likely off the table. The power was always in Minho's hands.
Side note, the first scene where we see he likes to take pictures of his partners was actually a really nice detail! The indication that he had aesthetic attraction towards them and expressed this through photography was something I appreciated. Some people who are trying to give asexual representation sometimes don't acknowledge the split attraction model, so seeing this director understand that he can still have aesthetic attraction was really nice.
Honestly, Minho is probably one of the best aces i've seen portrayed, because while he shone a light on the asexual experience, it never felt like an "Asexual 101" that some characters devolve into. He wasn't a vague ace, but he also wasn't a "teaching prop" ace. You could see him as a proper, fleshed out person. We saw him talk about his boundaries, we saw him express his love in other ways, he talked about his curiosity, and even the moments where he hated himself rang painfully true.
To talk about his partners, there's one whose name I didn't catch but don't have much to say on. He was the calm, caring one who was attuned to the feelings of both of his partners, and was definitely the glue. As for Seongjin, his behaviour at the beginning initially bothered me, because his frustration came out in the form of slight aphobia. Not in a strong sense, he knew what asexuality was and acknowledged that was part of who Minho was and he loved him, but he was was often frustrated that there were so many things Minho didn't like him doing and verbalized it and that made Minho sad which made the other partner upset as well. The more I watched though, I could see that it was because Seongjin's love language was physical contact, and so was at a loss of how to express his love towards Minho when kissing and sex were taken off the table. That wasn't put forward like an excuse, but I did understand the reasons behind his behaviour better. This died down later anyways as they all began to strike a balance, discovering the other ways they can all express their love for one another.
Is it odd to say the ending made me tear up a bit? I just really liked the fact that Minho wanted to try something, and felt safe to ask his partners to help him explore this. It was a great moment full of so much love..
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This review may contain spoilers
I admit that the first major half of the series I was actually invested, and I wanted to continue, but there were so many little things that kept bugging me. I'm listing them as follows:1) The Characters and the Insufficient Backstory: I couldn't sympathize with most of the characters because there was just not enough depth in flashbacks to make me feel for them. For example the relationship between Seo Hui and Sang Hun seemed really empty to me, considering he had spent so much time abroad, and when he returned he didn't live with her. He kept some heavy, HEAVY secrets from her and she was basically clueless about everything. If their relationship was that bad, I can't see why she was so desperate to find him, especially if she even suspected that he was cheating on her. It just didn't add up. The relationship between Sang Hun and his step-father wasn't really explored in depth either. I don't know what made Sang Hun think that his stepdad would care much if he got kidnapped or mutilated. I mean the old man basically stopped caring after the eye was discovered at the news agency, and he was ready to shut down the investigation for the son. The relationship of Yeong Min and Seo Hyun (the reporter) was so out of the blue, unnecessary and superficial that I didn't know what to think. The relationship between Yeong Min and Sang Hun wasn't satisfactorily pursued either, since Yeong Min's feelings were actually very complex but not explored at all.
2) The Disbelief in the Storyline: I'm sorry but I just can't imagine that any human being, any sane person, even a dying man would willingly suggest that his limbs be cut off, and that other 'sane' human beings, especially a brother-like relation would agree to do it. I can't believe Sang Hun would do it thinking it would help stop his stepdad who clearly stopped caring at one point. I also can't believe he would make his own wife undergo this torture, keeping her in the dark about all of this, knowing how she would feel upon discovery of his severed foot, hand, eye and then the heart. That last organ was a bit too much. What friend/brother can take out his brother's heart? without the proper tools or the know-how? I mean, is it that easy to extract a human heart that any lay person can do it without going stark raving mad? I can't forgive that Sang Hun made Seo Hui undergo all of this just so that the bill would be stopped and there was no guarantee that it would be stopped. And that last minute 'oh Sang Hun is dying anyway so it's all good' was very offensive I mean it was just meant to make it all convenient.
3) The Cliche: Corrupt old men covering up their corruption, cruelties, and greed while using henchmen who would go to any length to serve them is getting really old. Also the corrupt insiders in the police, the erased CCTV footages, the insufficient evidence to convict the obvious killer. Please stop it.
Little things kept bothering me, like the fact that I just couldn't get how Seo Hui could be such a dumb clueless person, who never tried to investigate just what it was that was bothering Sang Hun, why he didn't want to work in the company, what he did in his secret time away from her, and what was on his mind. You're his wife! How can you be so disinterested? She did good acting, but the character wasn't very likeable. I mean, girl, your laptop got hacked once, why are you using it again to check out a secret USB which you know will have top-secret content?
It was an overall meh drama. Lee Min Ki is amazing in his acting though.
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A Romantic Tale That Gave Birth To A Masterpiece.
I have a lot of things that I want to say about this phenomenal show, but I’ll try my best to make it as concise and spoiler-free as possible.The majestic cinematography is one of the strongest points in the series, be it in the modern day or the 1927 era. The filter or the soft bokeh effect that they put in the 1927 era gave the show an ethereal feel as if we were watching a movie set in a dreamworld, which in my opinion is a smart decision since it is told mostly from Jom’s perspective, cause literally, everyone in that time is already a ghost in the present day except Jom. It’s like putting the character’s lenses through our screen. This alone is already a brilliant way of visual storytelling!
The characters are all interesting and well-written. The acting? Outstanding! Nonkul and Bright did an astonishing job as Jom and Yai. In the first episode, we can already see Nonkul’s spectacular acting chops! His eyes alone speak of those devastating emotions that he is experiencing. In the succeeding episodes, you can feel those tantalizing romantic shivers that he feels every time Yai speaks poetry of his love to him. I would not be surprised if he wins an award for his performance as Jom. Bright’s big moments were in the later part of the story. But what amazes me is his versatility in portraying different versions of Yai. The non-verbal and verbal that he did is distinct from the other versions of the character. He did his homework excellently.
I also have to commend the supporting actors for a splendid performance! It’s great that the supporting cast had their own moments and was not left behind by the amazing leads. And did I mention that aside from the main gay couple, we also have a lesbian and straight couple? Yes, this series shows all kinds of love.
The series holds no bars in showing the ruthless treatment of the servants and women in that period. Its fearless portrayal of what happened in the past makes me realize that the series that I’m watching is a bold, unfiltered, and fiercely beautiful work of art. Despite that, it also shows that the abused and the oppressed CAN claim their power and stand up for themselves! Which makes it one of the most powerful scenes in the show.
The music and original soundtrack are magical. For some, it might not be radio-friendly, but the way the music was arranged fits the drama perfectly! Even the lyrics of the four songs featured in the show voiced the perspective and emotions of our main leads. Each note and instrument was meticulously placed to fit the scenes of the drama.
The show as a whole is heartfelt and hopeful. Especially the last few episodes which are excruciatingly beautiful, it made me dehydrated from wailing. Each second that goes by is a slow agony of the inevitable separation. The last scene makes some people confused, unless you read the novel, you will understand it. But I think it was left that way in the series to open the possibility of a 2nd Season, after all, there is so much more to tell.
The love story of Yai and Jom can be considered a one-of-a-kind timeless, classic, romantic tale that gave birth to a masterpiece.
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This review may contain spoilers
Exciting, yet gloomy thriller. The murder case being tried by a jury is just a kick off for more…
"Blind" is a fabulous, exciting, somewhat dark thriller."Blind" weaves its fictional story around 'survivors' of brutal child abuse and severely traumatizing exploitation as kids. These 'survivors' meet each other and their perpetrators 20 years later as adults. Each of those involved tried in his/her own way to come to terms with the past and lead a more or less normal life. Not only the abusive childhood, but also its psychological effects on their later life are a severe issue - and become a topic here. In addition, in this context complex interdependencies between the perpetrators of the time are dissolved and - against the background of a brutal variant of public vigilante justice - the original roles as perpetrators and victims are turned upside down.
"Blind" is haunting. The focus is on a murder case that is being tried by a jury. More murders follow. The dramaturgical setting is to some extent perhaps a bit reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel - insofar as suddenly almost everyone in the case-related group of the selected jury could be the perpetrators... the distribution of roles between judges, investigators, victims and presumed suspects is also becoming increasingly opaque and fatefully intertwined. To pretend that one can turn a 'blind' eye to what used to be is no longer possible. Everyone must now look at the past and (even if it is perhaps a little late) bear the consequences. Magnificent.
----- SIDE NOTE: ---Child abuse - a sad and highly topical issue in South Korea ---
The thriller obviously saddles its story on the unspeakably sad topic of child abuse, which due to its unbroken topicality has increasingly made it into South Korea's series and film productions of recent years (among others "Children of Nobody" and "Mother" as drama or "Miss Baek" and "Bring me Home" as movie.) Many a well-established member of society prefer to look the other way when unbelievable deals are being made concerning minors, as long as they might even benefit themselves. And any 'survivors' can be glad if they manage to split off the traumatic experience to some extent - nevertheless most often PTS comes right along. Usually, those ´survivors´ until old age are psychologically still stuck in that desperate helplessness and inner agony of the past.
A South Korean government study from 2021 reveals, that abusive trafficking in minors has been rampant and even increasing in recent years. There is an acute need for action regarding more effective education in all public areas - from prevention to investigation and criminal prosecution up to employee training. A big problem with this: usually police officers or other officials are directly involved and work together with the traffickers, who specialize in the ruthless exploitation of minors. If the children and young people survive this, the psychological consequences of these deeply traumatizing experiences will be very hard - if at all - to be overcome. They are left helpless at the mercy of adults (who actually should take good care of them) and utterly hopeless in the face of a society that turns a blind eye to their torment. The only thing that is left: feeling betrayed and/or obviously of no worth whatsoever...
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PS:
It may be that in reality a larger task force would have been set up to investigate the serial murders of the jury members. In my opinion, however, the KDrama didn't take anything away from keeping the circle compact in order to tell the story in its essential entanglements in a powerful way.
P.P.S.:
At last, I don't want to leave a pleasant detail (I think) unmentioned. We have seen it so often in KDramas: within the social ranking in South Korea, the older colleagues are obviously allowed to rebuke the younger ones with a shove, a kick or a snap on the forehead. (In view of my German socialization background, that is unheard of, but ...) In "Blind" one can now observe (among other things) that a transformation in this natural ranking behavior may be starting to happen within the younger generation: a colleague police officer in "Blind" actually gives back to his colleague and stands up for himself. So far, I have seen this rather rarely, if at all. Until now, as a rule in comparable situations, the fist usually remained in the pocket. In the mass consciousness, KDrama is relating to, starting 2022 such physical rebuke might obviously no longer be tolerated as a matter of course. Stand-up-for-your-rights seems to/wants to become possible - like a wind breeze of change coming up within a hierarchical tradition since centuries chiseled in stone...
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Old-fashioned Sweet
Sweet Teeth is a drama adapted from a novel (世界微尘里-A Speck Amid the Dust of The World). The drama tells the story of Zeng Li, a down-to-earth girl and someone who didn’t have the courage to love due to her past. However, it all changes until she met Ai Jingchu.The drama narrative revolves around Zeng Li and her two best friend’s love story. There are 3 couples in this drama:
1. Zeng Li (librarian) and Ai Jingchu (dentist): both of them start off on the wrong foot but eventually fall for each other
2. Wu Ying (doctor) and Liu Yucheng (traditional Chinese medicine student): Liu Yucheng basically fall in love at first sight with Wu Ying, and starts to pursue her
3. Ma Yiyi (Influencer) and Deng Haoran (entrepreneur): both of them have known each other for a long time because Deng Haoran is Zeng Li’s stepbrother. And round and round, their feelings towards each other sparked again.
The storyline is not new, it has all idol drama cliche tropes: the cold yet brilliant male lead, the scatter-brained yet warm female lead, slow motion, drunken love confession and more. Though the storyline is not new, the script is written in a very heart-warming way that it lulls you into the drama. Two complete strangers, getting to know each other, learn and understand each other and eventually fall in love.
The pacing of this drama is so fast, but looking at its only 22 episodes it makes sense how they are trying to squeeze everything. The love story between all the three couples progresses really fast, to a point that you don’t really feel the chemistry between the leads, they are only together for the sake of the script (unless you read the novel before). However, in the second half of the drama, you can start to feel the chemistry between the couples. This drama does not have any really heavy conflict, most of them are sweet moments!!
Wu Xuanyi acted as Zeng Li in this drama and I can say that she pulled it off. She did a good job in pulling off the typical 傻白甜, sweet and silly girl. However, she did exaggerate her acting too much in some scenes, that I cringed at some of her scenes. On the other hand, Bi Wenjun is kinda stiff and robotic in the first few episodes, however, it gets better in the later episodes. The supporting actors in this drama did a really commendable job. All of them acted so well in their own role, to a point that they outshone the main lead. Nevertheless, while watching it, you’ll slowly fall in love with every character.
As a part of the Iqiyi Sweet On drama lineup, I feel that this drama has weaker cinematography compared to other Sweet On series (for now). The shots and sequences are taken simply and beautifully, it evokes a warm and home-y feeling. However, there are also lots of shaky shots, weird close-up shots, and choppy editing.
The drama soundtrack definitely plays a huge part in this drama, as it elevates the whole drama atmosphere. The soundtrack has an ecstatic beat and flow that goes really well with the drama. It is also very memorable.
Though Sweet Teeth has some cliches, its supporting actors, well-written and heart-warming script makes it unique and special. While watching it, you can feel a warm glow, as if you are basking on the beach watching the sunset.
If you looking for a hearty laugh, fluffy love story and interesting supporting and side characters, this drama is definitely for you!!
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a sweet slice of life
Overall: this was a really enjoyable high school setting BL, but the writers needed to narrow the plot/remove some characters. Watched on Gagaoolala.Content Warnings: grief, hit, parental abuse/slap
What I Liked
- beginning grabbed my attention, and the umbrella with About Youth written on it was an excellent prop
- nice intro/OST and music
- sweet/caring moments
- cameo in episode 2 from MODC actor, Wilson Liu
- balance of lighter moments with heavier moments, felt like a realistic high school romance
- production value
Room For Improvement
- there was just too much plot and characters for the short run time which led to dropped plot threads (like the election), characters who vanished (uncle, that bully) and led to choppiness where a scene would suddenly jump to another scene at an unknown time later
- too many repetitive scenes, 5 accidental fall and catches, 3 teach him scenes, time could have been better spent elsewhere
- there were quite a few characters introduced and I was confused who the two friends were wondering who they should tell when they saw the boyfriend in episode 1
- end of ep 1, I was confused about where that water came from, apparently some people do throw water onto the street (per the comment on this review)
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Arthdal Chronicles Part 1: The Children of Prophecy
70 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
I recommend this drama to anyone who loves historical fantasies.I don't recommend it to people who like mostly lovely bubbly romcoms.
What I didn't like:
- seasons.... lol so meaningless, why separate it into seasons... ><
-too many names at the begging might be overwhelming plus the first episode is hectic as it doesn't show "passed...years" every time they time-skip.
What i liked:
- the story. It's different from what we usually see so i like it.
- twists and turns.
-costumes
-scenery
Overall I liked this first half of the drama :) but the whole season is more like an intro. and the real stuff will start i guess in the second. the story is nice and it gets more and more interesting later. as I said it is more like an intro and it gets power mostly during the 6th episode. However many historical dramas (and not only) have long introductions that are necessary for us to learn about characters, so it was okay for me. I liked this first season. The only thing is left is for the second and especially the last to be great. because an ending can ruin a drama lol. the first season is nice though.
MYTHOLOGY:
This series are based on Korean mythology about Dangun, who is considered the founder of Koreans. you can read about him on the internet. It is set in Ancient Jeoson and about Korea's first nation and Bronze Age. The myth depicts a story how a Heaven's Son comes to Korean Peninsula and makes The First Kingdom. Because he was the second or third son and couldn't become the ruler of Heaven. He lands on Great White Mountain. Later a Tiger and Bear come to him and ask him to turn them into human. So he tells them to go and eat mugwort and garlic only during 100 days or something. The Tiger gives up in the middle. But the bear eat's it and becomes a woman. The bear woman and Heaven's son have a child, Dangun. Dangun becomes the first real ruler of korea. Actually people say that he symbolizes a human as he was born from meeting of a spirit and an animal. Also he symbolizes the start of Bronze age in Korea. later he goes into a mountain and his spirit rests there. Well there are several versions and in one of them the capital they make is called Asadal. To compare it to the drama Dangun must be the Aramun Haesseula in the drama. Nheantals are the tiger tribe and Sarams (which means literally "human/person" in Korean) are the bear tribe. As you can see in the first episode, Naeanthals come to the meeting with tiger fur, tiger skulls, and Sanung Niruha (at the time ruler of Sarams) wears a bear mask. So this drama took this myth about creation of Koreans and made a fantasy :)
I think the production team just made several mistakes and that's why got so much criticism and low ratings. maybe im wrong, this is just my opinion but:1. they made this show come out not long after GoT ended.... many fans fresh from GoT came to this and saw many similarities. However historical fantasies all have similar clothes and similar power struggle. This series are based on Korean mythology. 2. they overestimated viewers lol I think many were not ready to get a different-like kinda a bit European setting fantasy from Korea. And were just too used to that the Korea usually does historicals mostly in Jeoson or Georyo (and sometimes Silla).
So if you are interested in this genre, don't let these things stop you from trying :) watch till the 4th or 5th episode and then decide if you like it or not :)
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This was the best Japanese romance production I have seen to date.
The acting was stunning. The fine skills exhibited by all the cast (also the support roles) was just brilliant.
Japanese productions tend to be either overly melodramatic or greatly exaggerated acting-wise. But this was neither.
It was just beautful from start till the end (and by that I mean the very end. The part after the credits...)
Story: Aki is the genius songwriter of CrudePlay, a band of highschool friends in which he formerly used to play. When he meets Riko, he wants her to like him as himself, not as the famous composer he is. So he lies. This is revealed when Riko is scouted by the same label. Will they overcome the obstacles of the industry and the rival from his own band?
Characters: I loved every single character in this drama. Aki, the tormented genious whos heart is slowly opening to the young and sweet Riko. Riko, the gentle singer who admires Aki as a composer and has a passion for singing. The chemistry between the leads was very real. I liked the way they interacted when the were on screen together.
Shou, the cool best friend. He's singer of CrudePlay and I think just as cool as Aki. His acting was very sophisticated, very detailed and perfectly portrayed the friendship between him and Aki. I think he is also my favourite character. And I am not (just) saying that out of 2nd lead bias. I just think he acting was so mesmerising.
And all the other loveable side characters.
Music: Well this is a music-themed film, so this only could be good, right? It's very light pop based. Not really catching, but definitely easy to listen to. I appreaciate that it is not one or 2 main songs that get repeated over and over like in many other dramas.
Rewatch Value: I don't rewatch much. But I may just rewatch this some time. You can probably pick up more details and emotions in this movie during a rewatch. You can look at the beautiful characters more closely and find new expressions that will make you like them even more.
Overall: I can highly recommend this drama to everyone who likes music-themed stories, a sublime romance, fantastic acting, loveable characters, and a magnificent story.
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Awesome show with badass fl & sweetheart ml!
I just wanna say that till now ( i. e 12th April 2020) 9.5/10 is the highest rating I have given for a show and this is the only show I have given that rating to! This show is that awesome! :)If you don't mind grey characters (Everyone's grey here, including ML & FL) and love to watch a really good romance between a badass FL and a smart ML set in a shady legal world, then this drama is for you! :)
This drama had everything I ever hope for in a show:
1) Fast pacing of the scenes, no dragging or filler scenes whatsoever! I am just sad it wasn’t extended for few more episodes...
2) Strong FL (not just physically strong but most importantly, emotionally strong!). Jgj has entered into my list of all time fav heroines!
3) Smart ML who is willing to adapt to new ideas and is super witty on top of it! Did I mention he's super loyal too? <3 :) He makes you go "awwww" so many times that you will lose count! ;)
4) Smart opponents! Because the game will be boring if your opponents are complete pushovers...
5) Awesome BGM/ost that actually suit the narrative instead of hindering the flow of the scenes.
6) Beautiful set designs and cinematography for that added visual appeal.
7) Awesome set of actors, right from both the fantastic lead actors (I have become a fan of them both after this) to the equally entertaining supporting actors. It was a fab cast! Spl mention for the quirky secretary of our FL in the supporting cast, the show wouldn't have been the same without her! :)
8) Entertaining story. I wouldn't say that the story was something out of this world or anything, but it surely had a bit of everything for everyone... It had a good dose of romance and comedy with a decent amount of legal /investigation drama. It also had a generous peppering of feel good scenes between all the team members. And on top of it all, it has a really really satisfying ending too! :)
Plus it gave me the same feels I used to get while watching 'Castle', an US drama series. Especially the leads romance gave me CasKett feels! <3 So basically, highly recommended! :D
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Lee Sun-kyun plays Park Dong-hoon, a numb middle-aged engineer in a tired marriage who finds himself entangled with Lee Ji-an, a very young, almost unsocialised woman played with an extraordinary subtlety and quiet intensity by IU. Ji-an has been tasked to help get rid of Dong-hoon by the CEO of his company, Do Joon-young (Park Young-min) who is having an affair with Dong-hoon's wife. Ji-an wiretaps Dong-hoon's phone and finds herself identifying with his unhappiness, even as she is drawn to his inherent kindness.
Surrounded by a cast of unhappy and dissatisfied people, this is a show about middle age and about failure but in the end about how our lives are enriched by kindness and community. Ji-an is a damaged young woman who has endured almost unimaginable tragedy but through her relationship with Dong-hoon they are both able to heal and to finally pursue happiness.
The performances of the entire cast are extraordinary but it's the sparse script, off-kilter cinematography and haunting pensive OST that give the show a sensibility that's hypnotic, almost mesmerising. It’s melancholic and a little weird – but in the kind of way that people are a little weird. It’s grim and there’s very little joy in it but the tone and lack of joy is presented in a way that makes it analogous to the disappointments and mindless drudgery of middle-age.
But beyond the themes of failure and the cold darkness of winter as a metaphor for dissatisfaction, this is a show about the triumph of kindness. Portrayed so often as a weakness, it is instead Dong-hoon's kindness that is his greatest strength. It is kindness, community and love that is celebrated and through that celebration this show finds a beauty that transcends mere television.
It is, for now, the best show of 2018.
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Acting/Cast: Mostly new faces but boy did they acted well! Kudos to the female lead and male leads of this drama, including the supporting characters of female servants, eunuchs and princes. They can act serious at one point and turn to quirky and funny at another then to a touching and tear-inducing, heart-jerking scenes the next! Amazing! I hope they will all go on to bigger and better roles! And the costumes were scandalous to say the least! Scandalous and unthinkable for the period in question but they added to the fun of the drama! Big pat on the back to everyone- from cast to production and directing teams! A job well done!
Music: Love the haunting OSTs and how it's played throughout in 3 different variations depending on the mood of the drama. I am looking around to download it now.
Rewatch vaue: High rewatch value. I do not mind rewatching this drama again very soon. Each episode's only 30 minutes since it's made for web viewing. I enjoyed all of the weird antics and the more serious parts of this drama. Very entertaining!
Overall: Highly recommended! You'll laugh, fall in love and cry. This is chinese quirky humor mixed with romance in the ancient times at its best!
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1Checkmate, I Win
Stand By Me began airing exactly 12 months after Love and Redemption was released last year, much to the happiness and joy of Cheng Yi fans all around the world (myself included). L&R was the drama that propelled him to stardom, and this production reaffirmed his status as one of the most anticipated drama actors in the C-historical genre. Starring numerous colleagues from his agency, H&R Century Pictures, we get a L&R reunion of sorts. This includes his “sister-in-law” Zhang Yu Xi who plays his significant other this time around.Production details that may interest you
Originally titled Dream Awakening Chang’an, the title was changed to Stand by Me along with the setting of the story as a result of the censorship requirements imposed by China’s NRTA. Initially planned as a romanticised retelling of the Tang Dynasty Emperor Li Yan aka Wuzong’s reign, the script was changed to a fictional tale of an alternate version of Tang, the Xing Dynasty’s Emperor Qi Yan. That said, the historical account of actual happenings and real life figures such as the Grand Eunuch Qiu Shiliang and Sweet Dew or Morning Dew (Ganlu) incident in the 9th century remain present in the story. The social as well as court conventions are very much Tang in appearance, most obviously the attire being worn by the various characters.
Stand by Me is both a TV drama and a web series, being simultaneously released on Hunan Satellite TV’s Golden Eagle Private Theatre and Mango TV. Filmed entirely at Hengdian, the drama is directed by Liu Guo Nan who helmed the Glory of Tang anthology, and assisted by Zhao Li Jun, who helmed Deep Lurk, another Cheng Yi drama slated for release some time later. The award-winning Shao Chang Yong serves as art director, which adds a touch of class and credibility to the production design.
The screenplay is written by Shi Si Que (十四阙), who is the current editor-in-chief of China’s Dongxi Animation Club. He has written numerous novels and short stories, while this drama represents his first foray into screenwriting.
The Production Values
The overall quality of the production is reasonably high, as can be seen from the art direction and set designs. For the most part, the technical execution is decent in terms of the direction and cinematography. During the first few episodes, there are a few noticeable editing and dubbing issues which I attribute to the change in settings from Tang to Xing Dynasty. The subtitles are generally correct but for those who understand Mandarin, the name “Great Tang” is mentioned in lieu of Great Xing on a few occasions. The buildup of the backstory in the first episode does feel somewhat rushed with the frenetic scene transitions but things begin to settle down not long afterwards.
The action sequences, particularly the synchronised swordplay formations and sword fights in general appear to be reasonably well choreographed. I like that there is no excessive use of fast cuts, slow-motion and close-ups, which makes the flow of the action less contrived. The villainous character of Qiu Shiliang employing the use of the traditional Taoist “horse-tail whisk” (拂尘), typically used in Wudang martial arts, adds a nice touch to the depiction.
The Narrative
Stand By Me is adapted from the novel Sword Weapon (Jian Qi Hang 剑器行) by the writer Feihua (飞花), a talented novelist who had won the Top Ten Novel Award of the Second Online Literature Competition in 1999.
The drama follows the journey of two sisters, descendants of a noble family that have fallen from grace as a result of political machinations and treachery. Due to the tragic events that followed, both sisters went their separate ways only to reunite at the very place that caused the downfall of their family - the royal palace. At either end of the continuing political tug-of-war is the noble Emperor and the wily chief eunuch who seeks to undermine the authority of the throne. Amidst this tumultuous backdrop, somehow the sisters end up on opposing sides in this court intrigue.
Palace politics with all its clever schemes and nefarious plots are heavily featured, in addition to themes of romance and love, as well as betrayal and revenge. This is one of the most riveting, thrilling, and suspenseful palace dramas of the year. Unpredictable twists and turns, shocking revelations, and countless exchanges between “multiple sides” merge beautifully into an exciting historical extravaganza. The storytelling is fast paced and action-packed, involving various perspectives and hidden agendas by multiple POV characters. The momentum never lets up and is sustained until the very end. All of this culminates in a profound conclusion that promises to leave a lasting impression on viewers.
It’s worth mentioning that there is more than a subtle hint of Chinese Chess (Xiangqi 象棋) being referenced throughout. Usually Go (Weiqi 围棋) is showcased in historicals as the boardgame of choice for aristocrats but it’s a nice change to see another ancient game being featured. Aside from the Purple Robed Bureau (subtitled as Violet Bureau), a fictional organisation that bears close relation to Xiangqi is the Chess of Generals Bureau, whose members represent the chess pieces such as Left and Right Advisors, Chariots, Ministers and the Chess Overseer. Fascinating stuff indeed.
The Cast Performance
Cheng Yi headlines this drama by portraying the role of Emperor Qi Yan. There isn’t much left to be said about this magnificent actor who brings his A-game every time he puts on a show for us viewers. As in L&R and also The Promise of Chang’an, it’s hard to see other actors surpassing Cheng Yi’s supreme mastery of poignant and emotional scenes of great torment and suffering, including his now trademark “poetically beautiful blood-spitting” moments. Truly the best of the best. In Stand by Me, Cheng Yi provides us with further glimpses of his versatility and range with a vastly different and never-seen-before side to his very multifaceted portrayal - the cold, ruthless and sensual Emperor. Seeing is believing and I truly do believe there is much more to this man than meets the eye that, hopefully, will be showcased in his future projects.
Zhang Yu Xi, who had previously played Chu Ling Long in L&R, appears as the female lead and primary love interest this time, Cheng Ruo Yu. A promising actress who possesses much depth in her moving portrayal of emotional pain and suffering. As it was in L&R when her character had suffered PTSD, the conviction of her expressions certainly reflects her growing maturity in tackling complex characterizations, which is the case in this drama. She manages to infuse her character here with a fusion of kindness and righteousness that are borne of purity, as well as a developing sense of awareness and pragmatism. These are qualities that reflect the tremendous growth her character experiences through the course of the story.
Deserving of equal billing as part of the three leads, the ever charming and elegant Xuan Lu graces this drama with her appearance as one of the estranged sisters. She had previously caught the eye with her memorable depiction of the delicate and kind Jiang Yan Li in The Untamed. This time, she brings an air of sophistication to the cool and calculated character that is perpetually shrouded in mystery, Qiu Yan Zhi. I honestly feel that there are moments where she manages to steal the limelight from Cheng Yi and Zhang Yu Xi, for she has such a presence that lights up the screen whenever she appears.
Notable mentions for other major characters go to Han Dong who plays Prince Guang, and He Cheng Ming as the chief eunuch Qiu Shiliang. Han Dong is an exceptional actor who has appeared in many historicals so there are no surprises to the dimensions he imbues the characters he portrays. His nuanced microexpressions are always expertly delivered and a joy to behold. He Cheng Ming, who previously played Si Feng’s father and Master of Li Ze Palace in L&R, is another experienced hand with a wide repertoire of works in many varied roles. This time around, he is perhaps more subdued and less OTT, but still retains that aura of an expert performer who immerses into the character with such consummate ease. In short, he always looks like he’s having fun and he carries the role with glee. I have to admit, the mannerisms in his depiction remind me at times of Sun Wukong the Monkey King.
Among the familiar faces in supporting roles, look out for Xi Xue (Under the Power, Lin Ling), who has a significant arc as Cheng Xi, Yang Xi Zi (L&R, Xiao Yin Hua) as Princess Misha, He Zhong Hua (L&R, Xuan Ji’s father) as Li Deyun, Li Jun Yi (L&R, Zhong Min Yan) as Yan Xiu, Ethan Yao (L&R, Ting Nu) as Han Yue, Fu Fang Jun (L&R, Wu Zhi Qi) as Han Ding, and of course, the unforgettable Bai Shu (L&R, Tengshe) as Prince An.
The Music
No C-historical would be complete without epic songs from the likes of Zhou Shen and Liu Yuning. Cheng Yi also contributes to the soundtrack with his beautiful rendition of Shou Shou, which is my favourite track of this drama. Along with the BGM, there are a total of 7 tracks:
Yu Yan Shuo 鱼雁说 by Audio Monster/Silver Lin (音频怪物 / 银临)
Chang'an 长安 by Liu Yuning 刘宇宁
In Through Dream若梦 by Zhou Shen 周深
Small Dust 小尘 by Shuang Sheng 双生
High Above in the Sky 当空 by Nana 许艺娜
Shou Shou 相守 by Cheng Yi 成毅
Worrying about the Sky 杞人忧天 by Allen Su Xing 苏醒
Overall
Stand by Me is a drama I had been anticipating from Cheng Yi since last year, and I’m pleased to say I haven’t been disappointed with the plot and overall technical execution of the production as well as the performance of the cast. It is not flawless by any means but I appreciate the nature of the storytelling that eventually culminates in a rather conceptual ending, which somehow seems to be the standard for C-historicals these days. In any case, the entertainment value is high and I have thoroughly enjoyed the intrigue as well as unexpected plot points throughout the 49 episodes of its run.
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