Kim Jae Won is one of my favorite actors and he doesn't disappoint. He is very charming as Eun Joong. He has a subtle way of eliciting emotions from the viewer for his character. Ki Tae Young was also really good as the other Eun Joong. His characters emotions are written all over his face which to me is a sign of a good actor. Jo Jae Hyeon as Ha Myung Geun and Park Sang Min as Jang Tae Ha were just excellent. Kim Hye Ri as Go Joo Ran/Jang Jo Ha's mom is too funny at times. Her interactions with the other actors are usually comedic even when she is trying to be manipulative and serious. The other actors are good also.
There is some decent music in this drama. The Position's "Last Love of My Life" really fit well with the drama theme.
I probably won't rewatch this.
If you like melodrama, then this is a good one...just a little slow.
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The actors are great, there were only few characters involved but acting wise, it was very well executed. I especially liked Iitoyo Marie's acting here.
For those who liked manga based school-romance drama this one will be perfect for you! Will definitely re-watch this again!
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Liar Game Reborn Special - Fukunaga VS Yokoya
14 people found this review helpful
The game itself is sufficient to mildly entertain you for an hour but it’s not up to Liar Game standards.
The main problem revolves around the question who’s going to take the lead now that Akiyama’s gone. In the first third of the special close attention is paid to Fukunaga, but later both protagonists are depicted the same, distant way, which let’s the question arise:
Why would I care?
With nobody to sympathise with left the tension drops quickly.
Actors/Characters: Yokoya doesn’t appear as mystical and especially reserved a character as in previous episodes as the entire special spotlights only upon him and Fukunaga.
Suzuki Kazuma acts well but keeps up a surreal feeling thanks to his unnatural white hair, x-ray eyes and choice of clothes.
Mushroom/Fukunaga is as crazy and cunning as ever and Kitamura Soichiro’s performance is satisfying.
Music: ¡Estupendo! The original Liar Game tracks are outstanding and magnetising as ever.
Rewatch value: None. Unless you are either having troubles following the story’s progress or enjoy watching the special from a different perspective.
To make it short: It’s an agreeable but unnecessary supplement that’s mildly entertaining but lacks the originality and cleverness of the original series starring Matsuda Shota.
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Story: The plot is pretty simple,or so it seems at first.A bunch of bored teenage delinquents playing a life-risking game in order to prove their courage.But,of course it's not just that.Behind the "clapping game" hides the desire of the students to prevail over their classmates,to gain a place in that depressing,cruel reality,showing us how fearful power can be and the dreadful consequences of it.In contrast to this,we are also shown the strange and fragile friendship amongst the boys,their doubts and decisions for their lives.It may be slow-paced at some parts but it's ideal for creating the atmosphere and our image of the characters.
Acting/Cast: In my opinion,they couldn't have picked better actors for this movie! Matsuda Ryuhei and especially Arai Hirofumi are just perfect for the roles of Kujo and Aoki-they brought to life such complex characters! The rest of the cast were very good too.
Music: The soundtrack truly completed the movie for me."Drop" at the end and also "Akage no Kelly" brings me back many memories of this beautiful movie!
Rewatch Value: This is also a 10/10.Rewatching "Blue Spring" is a must!Especially since many important parts/messages of the movie could be easily missed and you'll be left confused.Going back to study the characters and to understand their way of thinking will help you understand why things turned out the way they did.
Overall: "Blue Spring" is not flawless and there are some things that could be added (such as more background stories about the students)or explained better in order for the viewer to get a complete understanding of the situation.However,this could be the intention of the director-to get us thinking and if that was the case,I have to admit he succeeded for sure!The atmosphere was very fitting and artistic too-I really enjoyed everything.
An excellent movie but definitely NOT for everyone.
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This review may contain spoilers
I’m sorry I tried to love this show. I think Riley is an amazing actor and uhhh hello he is handsome as well. I didn’t feel the chemistry. It felt like the female lead didn’t have that UFF when it came down to the chemistry between them. This show felt stiff and nothing really dramatic happened well the type of dramatic I’m use to when watching dramas, it also felt like they were dragging out the storyline this show could have finished within 16 episodes. The ending was ridiculous. Gave me nothing in my opinion I literally felt like I wasted hours of my time that I could have been doing homework just to watch it only to realize the ending sucked! I really hope they don’t bother with a second season. It would be pointless. Was this review helpful to you?
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1Face swaps, secret identities, and an arranged marriage with a twist.
In the desperate search to find her missing sister, Shi Qi is thrust into a political conspiracy that is far more dangerous and complex than a humble artist like herself can fathom. After a commissioned painting session goes horribly wrong, she wakes up with the face of Shen Qin, the powerful prime minister's daughter. She is then coerced into the wedding meant for Shen Qin, and blackmailed into an uneasy alliance with the cruel and cunning Prince Ning. With the promise that her sister and true identity will be returned to her, Shi Qi must retrieve a missing item from the general she is about to marry, General Xiao Hansheng. But fate throws her into a loop of turmoil and delight when she realizes that her betrothed is none other than the man who has been occupying her mind for the past few years. Face swaps, secret identities, and an arranged marriage with a twist — can a romance rooted in deception ever truly flourish?For a short series, the production value is quite impressive. The cinematography is thoughtfully executed, demonstrating that a beautiful drama doesn't always require a high budget. The art direction and lighting work in perfect harmony to set a tangible mood for every scene. For instance, the flowy curtains softly dancing in the breeze give one of the smaller sets an expansive feel, the serene image of rain cascading down rooftops is wonderfully captured and enhanced by the color grading, while the gentle glow of lanterns at night evokes warmth and intimacy. These intentional creative choices are what make the drama feel so aesthetically pleasing, showing how strategic visual storytelling can compensate for a smaller scale.
The true magic of A Familiar Stranger is the captivating chemistry between Shi Qi and Xiao Hansheng. In a refreshing take on the arranged marriage trope, their relationship grows without the typical hostility found between opposing forces. Rather than treating the supposed daughter of his enemy, Shen Qin, with coldness or suspicion, Xiao Hansheng approaches her with open understanding. Their marriage might have began with deception, but their romance is built upon genuine affection. With limited screen time, the actors are able to effortlessly convey a deep and gentle connection between these two characters through every quiet interaction, from a lingering gaze to a knowing smile. Shi Qi and Xiao Hansheng are so incredibly patient and tender with each other, I can't help but fall in love with the way they care for one another.
Ultimately, A Familiar Stranger was a pleasant surprise. My only complaint is that while its premise of face swaps and secret identities was compelling, the political intrigue and antagonists were underdeveloped due to the limitations of the short series format. Thankfully, the drama's strength resided in its beautiful portrayal of the central romance, which effortlessly overshadowed its narrative flaws. The captivating and tender chemistry between Shi Qi and Xiao Hansheng was consistently enjoyable and was undeniably the heart and soul of the story. I was left thoroughly giddy and content by their journey from a deceptive arrangement to a flourishing relationship of genuine love and mutual respect. This drama is a rare gem that delivers big emotions for a small investment of time, and I’m truly glad I gave it a chance.
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The best Wuxia Drama since
The story line is amazing. It start of strong and how they meet was also very cute . Of course it is understandable that ML behave different, cause he need to grow and all of them are growing. All the cast did a great Job!!I have seen many dramas and I watch all of their previous acting Drama. I would like to say that all of them has improved a lot their Acting, especially Ju Jingyi. She really work hard and she deserve all the praises. Mao Xiao Hui did an amazing Job potraying a introvert SFL. I cant say anything bad about the cast, cause tehy are very hardworking in a cancelling industry that has very high standart.
I have heard the ost!!
I dont like How IQIYI treats KIKU!! She deserves an apologie and promotion for her hard work. No to mention all the cast, cause without promotion for this Drama, they did all the cast who work very hard dirty!!
Amazing work!!! The only Drama I finished in 2024!!!
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This review may contain spoilers
A not bad but very good drama
Admist the title, I know that it has its purpose.The first episode I've seen sets up the story very well. So far it provokes so many feelings and it's hard to truly find anything wrong with it so far. Lee Do Hyun is an amazing actor and is the main reason I am watching this, I find the man has no faults and is a pure soul, I support him in everything he does.. so this drama is the same for me. Although I won't be shy to point out its faults.
What I like about this drama is the setup, as that is all there is for the first episode. The characters are fully effected by the setup that has been done, and that leaves Lee Do Hyun's character, Kang Ho, resentful towards his mother for treating him harshly. There is no gaps as to why she treated him as such, she kept her husbands life work and wants more for her son. It is pretty straightforward but the acting is done so well that you don't need solid explanations that are in your face. So Kang Ho is incredibly resentful, and he fulfills her wishes, but there seems to be a twist. I like the cliffhangers at the end and its just interesting to me.
The characters are likable, but gladly they are human and have faults. Lee Mi Joo might be a sore spot for this drama, but she has her own backstory with her family that I hope she isn't fully put into a girlfriend spot, or someone that just liked Kang Ho. As of now they have had their time together, and I think she is a good friend to Kang Ho, who hasn't really got to make any friends of his own. She is interested in him because she was young and they shared the same birthday, sort of a hopeless romantic like they share some fate together. It is child-like, but I can see a more adult relationship between the two of them as the story really unfolds.
Unfortanely I am iffy about their relationship and the closure that comes to it. I don't like Mi Joo for lying about her kids not being his, I think he deserved to know. I think she is immature and their relationship is immature. I don't know Kang Ho that well other than himself being in his injured state. I think the drama spent too much time with him like that. I understood that it was to show him and his growth with his mother, but not a lot of that happened while his mind was all there and that frustrates me. The plot with the legal stuff moved too fast because of this. I liked the comedy, but at times I was feeling it was out of touch at times.
The revenge plot fell flat entirely, but I don't believe that is what this drama was going for.
With Kang Ho being left in the state he is after his accident, it is both touching and heartbreaking. The main selling point of this show is the mother and son relationship- I won’t pick it apart as I could for a while.. it’s just really good and wouldn’t be able to be that way with bad writing- and acting. So the acting is amazing (as expected). What I again see as a sore spot is Mi Joo and Kang Ho developing a romantic relationship. With things as they are I don’t see it being ok because Kang Ho is really underdeveloped mentally atm. I hope and pray to god it stays on the route it is going, that being mother and son relationship growth over any romance.
Again. What was there I wasn't too fond of.
Finishing up this drama I can confidently say that the highlight is the mother/son relationship. I also give the drama credit for going through with the storyline of Young Soon having cancer. Still I think it was dumb for that to come up, to me it was to give Kang Ho a reason to 'grow up'. I wanted to see them truly reconcile and see their relationship as mother and son more while he was an adult.
This drama did drag at times and there were unnecessary parts. It's no masterpiece or anything, but there are glimpses here and there.
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I really love ZLS and YY, they look good together and had great chemistry.
But i feel like the story doesn't do them justice. The genre is romance, but romance part took so long to surface. However when they got together they're unseparated. No useless dramatic break up or silly misunderstanding.
I also like how the female lead stayed strong from beginning to the end. That's really rare to see
Usually i don't enjoy political schemes/throne intrigues, but this one were done really well and i ended up liking it.
But the development of the story was kinda weird towards the ending. There's just too much time skip and death, which makes me had to rewatch the scenes several times to understand what's going on.
I feel like they're too focused on Prince Lanxi. I wish they also show the story of Princess Xiyun, rather than just squeeze her part of story in the last episodes.
The costumes and setting looks really eye pleasing.
The cinematography, and fighting scenes were choreographed nicely.
OST were good and it fits the drama.
All the casts portray their roles perfectly.
Overall
Who Rules The World is more of a political/wuxia drama with light romance. Which is actually not my cup of tea. But I'd definitely rewatching it for the leads.
If you like historical drama with more political schemes, I'll recommend you try this.
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This review may contain spoilers
Antihero and lying "rabbit" are wonderfully matched!
A vertically filmed micro drama (I rate these on their own sliding scale). General spoilers only. The actors are great, the plot is interesting, the script is good (even despite the mediocre translation where I watched it), and it's a tense yet fun watch. The dynamic between the lead characters is fascinating and well executed. It has a cat and mouse feel, except the FL actually holds a lot of power in the dynamic because of how the ML feels about her, and she purposefully lightly seduces him a few times. So, while the ML definitely has the air of a predator and the FL an air of prey, the role of the "cat" is sometimes a toss-up and can change multiple times in a scene. The two characters are very well matched in intellect, neither are all pure or evil, and they are obviously attracted to each other.The lead actress (and editing) does a wonderful job showing the audience her true feelings while at the same time adjusting her outward appearance to best navigate or influence/manipulate the people around her depending on necessity and the situation. She seems meek and demure but is quietly smart and brave while pursuing her goals of saving her brother and getting revenge on the people who ordered their family to be murdered 3 years ago. She lies out of necessity (from her view, to protect herself and her brother), not because she's morally deficient.
The lead actor is perfect as the ruthless second son of a family that has always treated him abysmally. The way he can turn on a dime from a devil-may-care attitude to intense intimidation when interacting with everyone is fun to watch too. He can't help falling for the FL who is kind and brave with him, even though she keeps lying to him. It's easy to see in his micro facial expressions fairly early on that he wants to mean more to her. Later, he wants to be more than just a tool for revenge, but he's willing to be that tool if it keeps her by his side.
There are a few moments with high sexual tension and some kisses. Though the lips aren't shown during kisses, it was one of the rare productions where I didn't mind because those scenes and the chemistry still felt satisfying.
There are some of the typical tropes with vertical dramas but most are done well. The SFL was the only one I found annoying. She had no subtlety or nuance, either with the way the character was written, or the way it was acted. Her face kept making me think of an angry, crazily posessed goldfish, lol.
There's quite a bit of violence in this story, so you are forewarned. It includes whippings and beatings, a finger torture device, punches, stabbings, chokings, etc. Fake blood is used.
The ML does get physically aggressive with the FL (manhandling and choking), but to me it didn't have a sadistic drive to it as most of it usually happened after the ML uncovered one of her lies. It felt more born out of hurt, frustration, and a desire to possess. There are also some more tender moments between them, and the ML helps the FL quite a bit, which helped balance things out. The ML does have softer moments, but never becomes a total "puppy" in his expression of love, which I appreciated as that would have felt out of character.
General spoiler on the ending:
... ... ...
It is a tender happy ending. Though it's relatively short, it was still a satisfying scene to end on.
... ... ...
I will definitely rewatch at some point.
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Aoi Ryosuke may have a devil’s curse, but he is terrified of his own abilities, while his counterpart Ryuzaki Shinji is a devil himself, with the gift of god. When they are brought together however, the game really begins.
From beginning to end, the mystery behind their powers drives the plot of the drama: just how much they know about each other and what are the implications of their gift. Is it a curse or blessing, or both, and how are they to be used? What is their purpose on this world? While a larger mythological background is hinted at, I actually appreciated how the drama focused more on the immediate repercussions. This isn’t a tale of gods and demons. It’s the story of two men who behind their powers are just as human as you or me. Their entanglement with Detective Hasebe gives this even more of a humanly-backing as she struggles to learn more about them - to trust or fear, protect or arrest.
“If I were able to change this world, would God be the only one who could allow that? If humans were able to hold God’s powers, would they be able to change the world?”
Thus begins the story as Ryuzaki stands overlooking a city drenched in rain. The camera pans down to reveal Aoi,as he walks into the nearest police station and turns himself in for murder:
“Coming here on my own makes the distinction, of what sort of person I, who has taken away that life, will become.”
The Dog of Orthros: The name comes from Greek mythology. Orthros was a two-headed dog beast (brother of the more famous 3-headed dog Cerberus), and minion to a giant. I'm sure other comparisons could be made between drama and myth, but there's not much known about the dog. Rather, it's more interesting to me that nowhere in the show does it say which man, the angel or the demon, is the actual beast. Both are just two parts of the same whole.
Not to ignore the drama’s political plotline (because, in this kind of scenario unfortunately one just has to exist), but that part was a little more on the predictable side of things – the only questionable outcome is which man, if either, would align with the greedy and power-hungry parties and politicians.
What was more subtly done I thought were many of the side characters, including Detective Hasebe’s young daughter (who often seemed to understand important things better even than her mother), and delinquent youth Kumakiri Masaru (Yaotome Hikaru).
Should you watch it?
I could barely turn away from this drama, and not even the political plotline bored me for more than a few minutes at a time. Like most Jdramas, the romance may be a tiny bit lacking, but the relationship between the three main players was anything but lacking in overall chemistry. The thriller/mystery aspects were also extremely well done (if not completely perfect) but enough that even knowing the outcome, I’d be likely to watch it again.
Read more (with pictures) on my blog:
http://shinealightrose.blogspot.com/2013/03/jdrama-review-orthros-no-inu-2009.html
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My biggest issue with this drama (apart from the fact that I’m not a fan of leads who act like jerks and who we’re supposed to find romantic rather than toxic) is that the story is all over the place. There’s a story-line involving the three brothers, with a mystery in the middle, which gets resolved halfway through and ends up going nowhere. There’s a story-line about the restaurant they have and trying to make it succeed while not selling out, and it also ends up going nowhere. There’s a story-line about the female lead’s quest for professional growth which ends up only serving the “romantic” story-line. There’s a backstory of a character to make them less two dimensional which also ends up going nowhere. All in all, it’s like every ingredient which could have turned this into less of a cliche and more innovative was pushed aside in the benefit of the overused story-line of the love triangle.
Out of all the characters, the only one I found memorable and whose performance I enjoyed enough was Nomura Shuhei’s Touma (the youngest sibling). He’s the only one I feel has a story arc which involves making personal changes, realizing mistakes and repairing damages he has caused. The rest, I can’t say much. It seemed Miura Shohei’s character was going towards a reasonable development and in the last few episodes his entire character turned 180° for the sake of the cliche romance. It seemed that Kiritani Mirei’s character had more substance to her than being the sweet main lead who tends to be too kind for her own good, but all about her drive and career seemed to just serve the cliche romance.
And Yamazaki Kento’s character deserves a paragraph on his own. He is the jerk male lead, the one we’ve seen at least 4 times this year: we saw him in Dean Fujioka’s Mamiya Hokuto in Happy Marriage, in his Kurosawa Ayumu in Please Love the Useless Me and in Shiraishi Shunya’s Uehara Hisashi in Good Morning Call. I really dislike this trope, I think it’s toxic as heck, but the rest of the dramas at least tried for me to feel for the guy. They intended to introduce a backstory (mostly tied in with family grief) in which I could say “oh, so this is why he’s a jerk”. It never worked, but they tried. Here, everything that happens to this character, all the troubles and external arcs to change him, happen in the timeline of the drama. There is no reason why he acts this way and he doesn’t change his attitude with anything that happens to him. He has that kind of extremely subtle character change which stans of him will call development but I call bad writing.
The reason why this drama isn’t my complete least favorite of the bunch is because it’s very nicely filmed and, mostly, decently performed. The shots were brilliant and they paid attention to detail, the cinematography was very enjoyable. There are some things in the story I found interesting, like the family mystery I mentioned, the somewhat complex way in which they tried to introduce the “ex girlfriend” cliche and the youngest brother’s character growth. But it doesn’t have enough to be different from the rest of the dramas with the same trope.
All in all, if this is a trope you enjoy and male leads being jerks is your thing, for some reason, this is a very well done one of those. If you’re looking for something innovative, different and devoid of love triangles, dates in aquariums, firework festivals being a “big romantic deal” and lots and lots of misunderstandings and “I hurt you because I want to protect you” scenes, there’s not much here for you. Except for an omelette with a burger inside, which is pretty good.
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one of the most talked-about drama on Tencent Video
At its core, "Guardians of the Dafeng" tells the story of a group of unlikely heroes who band together to protect their realm from dark forces threatening to plunge it into chaos. The narrative is woven with intricate world-building, drawing viewers into a universe filled with mythical creatures, ancient prophecies, and moral dilemmas. The plot unfolds at a brisk pace, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and turns. However, while the overarching storyline is engaging, some subplots feel rushed or underdeveloped, leaving viewers wanting more depth in certain character arcs.
The characters in "Guardians of the Dafeng" are a mixed bag. The protagonist, who embodies the classic hero's journey, is relatable and well-acted, showcasing a range of emotions as they navigate the challenges ahead. Supporting characters, however, sometimes fall into predictable tropes, lacking the complexity that would elevate them beyond mere archetypes.
One character who stands out is the enigmatic mentor figure, whose wisdom and backstory add layers to the narrative. The dynamics between the characters are often compelling, with moments of camaraderie and conflict that resonate with viewers. Yet, there are instances where character motivations feel unclear, leading to moments of frustration as audiences try to understand their choices.
Visually, "Guardians of the Dafeng" is nothing short of breathtaking. The cinematography captures the beauty of its fantastical landscapes, from lush forests to sprawling castles, immersing viewers in its world. The special effects used to bring mythical creatures to life are impressive, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The production team has clearly invested time and resources into creating a visually stunning series, which is a significant draw for fans of the genre.
The series explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the struggle between good and evil. It delves into the complexities of morality, challenging characters to make difficult choices that test their values. While these themes are commendable, there are moments where the execution feels heavy-handed, with moral lessons presented in a way that can come across as preachy. Balancing these messages with subtlety would have added depth to the narrative.
"Guardians of the Dafeng" is a visually stunning drama that offers an engaging story filled with adventure and fantasy. While it has its flaws, particularly in character development and pacing, the series succeeds in capturing the imagination of its audience. With its impressive interaction metrics and dedicated fanbase, it’s clear that "Guardians of the Dafeng" has made a significant impact in the realm of contemporary drama. For those who enjoy epic tales filled with magic and heroism, this series is certainly worth a watch.
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