Reviews

Among a crop of historical C dramas, this one nearly slip under the radar. Its underated and seemingly not as grand unlike another c drama headlined by heavy weight actors. It was a rather poignant love story, light and simple in parts, heavy in others but still manage to retain my attention til the end. The highlight is watching the maiden thaw the heart and of the ice man.

THE GOOD AND THE AVERAGE:
Plot falls on usual trope of arranged marriage between two individuals that have never met (except they did). A young girl who has a motive to enter the Long family on the decreed of the royal family. A Qin 4th prince who poses a threat to the reigning emperor. Yet one couldnt choose who you fall in love with. It was fate who brought them together and its the heart that decides where it goes from there. On the political aspects theres secrets, multi parties and alot of chess playing.
The characters- Rather intelligent otps who have their own charms but also made some questionable decisions that you may or may not like but it does make them flawed yet human.
Male otp: Long Fei Ye as a man in position of power that comes with great responsibility. He is both revered and feared by many. Outwardly cold and reserved and man of few words. Described as a deep pool of water. A strategist, intelligent, shrewd and observant. He had a plethora of good traits that obviously drew Yun Xi to him.
Female otp: Han Yun Xi the first daughter of Han family who grew up without her father's attention and in search of her mother. Shes an optimist at her and tends to take life full frontal. She doesnt let things bring her down and while her words may have bite, shes a softie at heart. Her knowledge and skill of poison and their cures sets her apart. As does her vibrant personality and intelligence. She however does not hold a high self defence when it comes to people she accepted and trust. This is both a virtue and a flaw.
The other character i liked was the dependable Xi Feng, the prince's right hand man who was also an early supporter of the couple.
Acting- Ju Jing Yi as our heroine was fitting. Petite, pretty and energetic she brings out the sweet charms of Yun Xi. The actress was previously memorable in her supporting role in Novoland. Zhang Zhe Han looked the part of Long Fei Ye but i do have complains with some of his eye expressions. But together they do have great rapport and i was greatly entertained to watch them drift together.

THE WEAKNESS:
The plot itself has good parts as stated earlier but also typical in C dramas that middle part that lost some traction. The device plot to wedge between our otp came in the form of Bai Li Ming Xiang, the prince Childhood friend. While shes isnt as villainy as many other characters in the drama, i just didnt want to watch her scenes.
The other major person affecting otp was 2nd male lead Qu Qi Shao who although interesting at start but my interest waned over time and safe to say no Second lead syndrome for me
Many parties with their own ambition, plot and war over in palace politics. Some that i dont care that much about. Lots of self centred, power hungry people that when it comes to their decline i felt neither triumph or pity, just ambivalent.

For all these reasons its a solid 8.5 for me. It was entertaining to watch especially watching Yun xi able to thaw the ice and earned the prince attention and love. When the prince is attentive, acceptive of her and trust in her capabilities, he was really swoony. Those are the parts i would rewatch.

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We Are Family

I love the type of shows where I go in with very low expectations because of what the trailers show and because I may not like one of the cast, but by the end, I am satisfied and feeling slightly nostalgic because the show and the watching experience were completely different from what I was expecting. Romance on the Farm is one of those shows. And to think I almost did not watch this because of the main lead actress.

However, I decided to still give it a go because of Joseph Zeng. I became a fan after his role in Mysterious Lotus Casebook. I said to myself, “At worst, I would end up dropping it. At best, I would enjoy it and add it to my ever growing completed list.” I almost did end up dropping it like 8 minutes into episode 1 because I could not stand the family. But then Shen Nu came into the picture and I forgot all about dropping it. In fact, I enjoyed it.

This is probably the first drama I have watched with Tian Xi Wei where her character didn’t bother me to the point of yelling at the TV. I attribute this to the Lians. I was too busy hating all of them to even focus on her. They let them get away with too much because "they were family" and they just had made a "little mistake". The worst of them all were the grandma and Shouren's family, his wife, Madame Gu, and daughter, Hua'Er. If the transgressions these made were little mistakes (according to the grandfather) I would hate to see what they would have considered big ones. They were definitely an intense gaming experience.

Additionally, although the character the main female actress portrayed did lack some sense in some things, and the male lead kept coming to her rescue, it wasn’t as terribly lacking as the characters I have watched in previous dramas. I still feel she is typecasting herself, and wish she would take more challenging roles, but I managed to be moved by her in some parts of this show. Around the midway point of the show, the male lead leaves to take care of some things and I was somewhat bored without him around. I was battling myself to stay awake without the Lians being as prominent as they were in previous episodes. I thought I wouldn’t even say this, but I kind of missed their toxic existences.

Despite its title, there is not much romance but we have the pleasure of witnessing cute and heartwarming moments between different couples and on the occasions when the main leads kissed, they were REAL kisses. *wiggles eyebrows* I also loved the OST. Usually using contemporary sounds in a mostly period piece feel awkward and out of place, but not in this one. Plus, Joseph Zeng sang an OST and it fit the story and scenes perfectly.

Although the show doesn’t delve deeper into some issues post-game, as it ended almost immediately after she came out of the virtual experience, and I am still curious about how long she was in there, I am satisfied with all the endings, both the in-game one and real life one (even before the special) as I felt they were fitting. I can see myself rewatching this show, even the initial episodes when the Lians were stabby hand gesture worthy.

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Guilty is definitely one of my favorites Japanese dramas from 2010. The acting was superb especially Kanno Miho's performance. The soundtrack was amazing with tracks by The New Classics and JUJU! The show is layered with suspense and mystery that continue to pile upon each other until the last episode. The plot is intriguing; leaving the viewers wondering what will happen next. Unfortunately, the screenwriter failed to have enough foreshadowing for viewers to see who caused the false charge to fall upon Meiko and there were spots of plot holes here and there. For romance fanatics like myself, there is a side dish of it. Overall, this is a must watch for mystery and suspense lovers and fans of Kanno Miho.

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I'll keep it short since I hate reading long reviews. First off, I'm a ROMCOM addict. Know a romcom? Chances are I've already watched it. I happen to reference romcoms in my daily life and no one, except my best friend, can relate to me. That said, you would understand why TOL is the perfect series for me. This series is so well-written that the story was delivered so perfectly and that all other series already pales in comparison. The casting is perfect, the side characters and side couples are relatable and believable. The acting, especially Off and GUN (OMG BEST ACTOR OF THIS GENERATION) are on point and sooo good that I literally had emotions (whether happiness, sadness, anger) in every scene. Finally the OST was perfect and that is the perfect topping to an already perfect series.

What I didn't like are too minor and does affect my view of the series in any way. Example, you know those crazy girls stereotyped in most bls? Well it had that.

Overall, go watch and be sure to have your tissues ready in every episode.

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This drama is one of the best so far! I've never seen on-screen couple in other Korean dramas, whose chemistry is so convincing that you wish for them to be together off-screen too. I'm so selective when it comes to dramas. If in the first three episodes a certain drama doesn't get into me, i would drop it even if I hear or read good reviews about it. But this drama had gotten me hooked from the first to the very last episode. It got me laughed every episode and cringed from embarrassment every time the main leads do something that would made one wish for a hole he can hide into. And to top it all, the main couples' scenes when they were finally together are the most swoon worthy of all. I also love how they portray the mother of Ki Tae/Gi Tae. She actually made me cry!!!

Of course I also have some hangups with this drama. In the middle episodes they tend to drag the story and highlight on some unnecessary scenes but all in all it's okay.

I would like to recommend it to those who want to laugh their heart out and fall in love with the main lead couple.

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What a Gem!

The quality of Korean BL is steadily improving! This is a short and sweet series that went above my expectations. The story was interesting and flowed well enough even though it was working with limited time. Also, the acting and chemistry were better than I have seen in similar BLs in the past.

The female actors were also pretty good, which I have noticed to be lacking in other BLs. The friendships between the characters were lovely. The two main leads were also seriously so cute (Although their chemistry was a tiny bit lacking - in the case of the tall lead) . Fluffy and sweet wonderfulness of a series, definitely recommend. Especially if you're looking for something to make you feel all those warm fuzzies.

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PARK WINDMILL!!!

If you're EXO-L or just really like EXO, watch it!!! It's literally just EXO being EXO while playing minigames verses each other and spawning more memes for the fandom.
Lee Soo Geun was a great, hilarious host. The minigames were great, sound effects were on point, and music was always fitting.

If you don't like EXO, well...I don't know why you're here.

The only cons to this variety show is that it's too damn short and there needs to be an EXO Arcade 2. Please another season, thanks. Now everyone go watch EXO Climb the ladder season 2 when it's out.

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This is one of the old, classic "slow burn" love stories that is so memorable for its intense love, mesmerizing music, and unforgettable pain. At times the story is corny, impossible, repetitive; however the love between Kwan Sang Woo and Choi Ji Woo make it all believable. It is a copy of the hugely successful Winter Sonata that started my K drama obsession.
STH is my favorite drama, after my "happy fix" Autumn's Concerto. The characters were superb. At first I thought Shin Hyun Joon was too old to be cast as the stepbrother, but his acting won me over.
Every minute of this drama is romance, not a lot of silly fillers. So if you like Romance, you won't be disappointed. Warning: you won't be able to get the music or love story out of your head afterwards!

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"People are awful, drink some beer." -Min Jin Lee

Min Jin Lee’s bestselling novel gets a tantalising adaptation that sweeps back and forth from Korea in 1915 to Japan’s Wall Street era. It’s a rollercoaster ride through time and space.
Just like in the novel, the drama's multi-generational narrative allows this rich history to unfold at a pace that is beguilingly peaceful, opening in a deceptively idyllic coastline setting in Korea, shortly after the Japanese annexing of Korea.
Spanning nearly 100 years and moving from Korea at the start of the 20th century to pre- and postwar Osaka and, finally, Tokyo and Yokohama, the novel reads like a long, intimate hymn to the struggles of people in a foreign land.
It is breathtaking in almost every department. Pachinko the show is just as beautiful as the book on which it's based.
Sunja, the family matriarch, is the only surviving child of Hoonie and Yangjin. She is born in Yeongdo, Korea, around 1916.
The drama genuinely focused on the entire Japanese annexing of Korea along with the other characters.
It showed so many personalities in this drama and so many emotional scenes were shown in the drama.
Sunja became one of my favorite strong female characters that deserve more recognition just like other iconic characters from different dramas.
The drama isn't for everyone and there is a thin border between people liking it and not liking it.
Dive in if you feel like it, you're going to be in for a ride.
'There is nothing fu***** worse than knowing that you are just like everybody else. What a messed up lousy existence." -a quote from the novel.

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Cute lesbian romance in a fantasy setting

“There's something I still don’t understand. Can you enlighten me Ms. A-Ze? I don’t know why, but whenever I look at you, my heart starts beating strangely.”

Legend of Yunze is a short series focussing on the developing romance between the cultivator Jiang Zhao Tun and the fairy-like A-Ze. It is also a Xianxia series since it combines the elements of magic and demonic cultivation.

As our protagonists investigate the mysterious evil that has taken over the Changshui Village, they start to fall in love slowly and Jiang Zhao Tun’s experiences teach her that there is an evil inside humans which supercedes that of demons.

In 12 episodes of merely 3 minutes or less, Legend of Yunze manages to cover a lot of ground. For one, the romance is really cute with all the hesitancy and sweetness of first love. The CGI is also commendable, its not over the top but looks better than some Cdramas I have checked out. The actresses bring the characters to life and feel different here as compared to their roles in a previous drama, Legend of Yun Qian. There are some comical moments too which attribute a more light hearted vibe to this series.

Despite being a low cost project, this drama has managed to deliver. 8.5/10.

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They let us have this ....

In the original story Ho Tae and Dong Hee had feelings for each other but out of respect for Ho Tae mother, as she loved him and cared for him as her own, Dong Hee didn't want to have a relationship with him. Ho Tae persistently begged for Dong Hee to date him but was constantly rebuffed. They were always friends and for me at least the prequel's ending fit nicely with the sequel beginning. The writers stuck to the backstory details to create the prequel and nothing was changed.

Reason why it fit: After years of not seeing each other they finally meet. Old friends would smile as they remember their connection and the warm feeling they had for each other. As in the prequel Dong Hee still hides his feelings for Ho Tae. Ho Tae keeps forcing him to give him a chance which causes the friction between them. They are no longer boys but men with strong opposing convictions. Frustrated Dong Hee lashes out. This is where Unintentional Love Story begins.

The story was really the growth of both and nothing new was told, just the reason of why Dong Hee left and his return. Ho Tae is as thick mentally as he is insightful. As he understood his feelings for Dong Hee, he knew why he dated the girls. They would never replace the one he wanted at his side. He knew that he was wrong so he gladly took the injuries. Dong Hee ran away to come full circle back to him. Hence the reason Ho Tae told him he was not intouch with his feelings.

The story wasn't new but it felt fresh in its delivery. The moments were realistically light and not bogged down with melodrama. The actors were superb in their roles with great chemistry. What I would have loved to see, was one more episode with another 7 years passing and picking up where Dong Hee says, "Let me have this.", with Ho Tae's arms wrapped around him. Whatever errors (the story lag in 4 and 5, Won Young in the same town and school when he only newly arrived in ULS ) are easily forgiven as it was definitely worth the wait. I'm left wanting more of all four. As a movie this would have worked better than the series. Still very grateful. Rewatch - definitely!

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This drama. THIS drama. Honestly speaking, I only started watching it for Han Ji Min, but ever since the second episode, I have been so emotionally invested in this drama that it's ridiculous. I was really thinking that I was going to get let down, but I didn't. This drama is a lot more about fighting your way through life and never giving up. It's broken my heart and put it right back together again. It almost makes me wish I had lived a life like our main character had, so I could appreciate all the small things in life as he does. It's made me change the way I look at things, and it's so well developed and perfectly paced that it's, for lack of a better way to say it, perfection. The chemistry is unbelievable. I'd watch this drama a million times over if I could.

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This drama has a very interesting plot, I accidently stumbled upon this drama when I was on YouTube looking for Chinese dramas to watch. Even though the ending of this drama is..... the storyline is amazing *in MY opinion* and the episodes leading up to the last one. I think everyone should give this drama a try!! The actors and actresses may be newbies but their acting is on point especially Zhang Yu Jian's, he made me crack up in a lot of this scenes because of his facial expressions. I definitely recommend this to anyone that has spare time and that they like some supernatural things and a short amazing drama!!

This is the first ever drama that I ever reviewed and actually wrote (and I watched A LOT of dramas) I just think that this drama can be a BIG hit!! And that they NEED to make a season 2 ASAP!!

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