Reviews

Beaches : Bette Midler+Barbara Hershey.

06/02/2024 (Feb).

This is a decent watch, but not what I would consider "soulmates" - just a very strong friendship and sister like bond.

How can I put this - the connection between JiWoo and Miso, to me, was more of a soul connection - seriously, each time they met, their interactions and from the first time they crossed paths. The necklace she wore was a massive give away and Ha-run knew it when she spotted it, also, Ji Woo. Miso was actually a threat even though it wasn't the intention. It was her friendship and loyalty to Ha-eun that she put first above anything or anyone else.

SPOILER ALERT!

I also don't think Ji Woo really made any mistakes - even the cave scene wasn't a "betrayal* really because of Miso. No lines were crossed as she saved the situation although she took the necklace for protection.

I know this is meant to be all about Miso and Ha-eun and them being soul mates, but I found it wasn't done to perfection like it was in Beaches with Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey - that truly was one friendship that outshone any other relationship including boyfriends and husbands.

Lastly, it is one thing to keep a pregnancy and death from an ex boyfriend or ex fiance, but it is something else when you keep those kind of things from family and especially when that family is good even if not perfect. Actually, I think Ji Woo had every right to know about the pregnancy as he was the father and didn't do anything wrong except tell Ha-eun that her drawings should be treated as a hobby. He did everything to set it right between him and Ha-eun.

With Soulmates, it is similar to Beaches with the back and forth between the past and present and the triangle relationship ONLY I think Beaches is far superior and the flashbacks were more interesting and also quite humorous at times.

This is good to watch to pass the time - it is a bit slow and boring in parts.

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I have high hopes for this drama, since this is the most recent remake of the manga. I've watched the other versions, and for some reason as I have watched the other versions I said to myself, "Why does this feels different?" I feel like that because I didn't see the essence of the manga version until I watched the recent remake in Japanese version. There is something in this version that gives a similar essence in the manga story line, which has so far lived up to my expectations and will really live up to if they produce a second season fast! I was satisfied as to how they tried to make a remake version that is closest to the manga, although not identically similar, but gives the closest feel. For example, Naoki's character. Furukawa Yuki's naoki was the most closest character portrayal of Irie Naoki in the manga. His version of Irie Naoki is the one I love the most, and the main reason why I was really hooked up into this drama even when the story/plot/characters are not new to me.
The story, well, its not something new, especially if you read the manga, saw the previous versions, and watched the anime. Even for me, I memorized the plot and characters in my head, and even unconsciously, I can point out some dialogues in the different versions. (I am a fan of the manga). If you are watching this for the first time, and that this is a new story for you, you might get to enjoy it especially if you are a fan of typical rom-com doramas. Its fun and entertaining in a way. Its sweet and lovely at many points. Its cliched and dramatic at certain levels. The stupidity and drama mixes well and goes along at each character's development in the story especially in Irie Naoki's character. The aspect that I admire the most in this drama is the character portrayal. There is something in the characters that will make you fall in love in them. They give me the feels of the manga. for example, when I watched Kin Hyun Joong playing as Irie in playful kiss, I was like "This is not Irie Naoki at all, This was more of a overacting naoki." but when I saw Furukawa as Irie, I was like "This is the Irie character I have been looking for, the Naoki that is the smart-aloof guy with serious EI problems." His character is the reason why kotoko does not seem very annoying compared to the "kotoko" on k version that is seriously annoying which literally stress me out.

For me, it was that good and satisfying that I downloaded the entire drama so that I can rewatch it again. :) Patiently waiting for season 2!

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This was really beautiful. My heart feels really warm and giddy right now. I am so happy I finally completed this drama. There's people that keeps comparing this drama to Reply 1997, yes they have a similar theme, but they are not similar at all. I loved loved Reply 1997 and I also really love Reply 1994.

One thing I especially love about Reply 1994 compared to Reply 1997 is there is way more romance in reply 1994 than reply 1997

I really loved the diversity in each character and the difference in their dialects. Also I loved how they brought the parents from Reply 1997. Also if anybody is thinking of watching Reply 1997, watch it first because they appeared as guest role in Reply 1994.

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Boring as hell ...

How can such a short series be so boring? Strongberry is not back with a solid BL. The finale was split in two parts, just a cash grab because it added only 7 Minutes more to episode 12/1... What a waste of money. They even did not complete the story of the side couple. So this series has only 12 episodes where the second one is extended to around 23 minutes.

So overall, while the actors are cute to handsome, they were as good as the script let them. The story started with a nice premise but it got boring fast, because there was not much character development for a long time. The also added the kinda "bad" woman for too long imho. I don't like people medling in other peoples affair. Especially bad for the side couple, they are "floating" in the air and we don't know if they did get together or not. At a positive note, they did really kiss :)

So this is a medicore show which did not kept me interested past the 6th episode. For a KBL it's quite disappointing, but after "The Idol" it's an slight improvment.

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After waiting for 9 months, I finally watched it! And I have to say, that was well worth the wait! Okey, so I was already bias when I started watching, (hello, Nino is staring! of course I'd be bias :p)
But the story was absolutely brilliant. It had some great plot twists that were genuine twists, as in, it was actually unpredictable. Obviously it had a scientific aspect to it, but wasn't full of jargon, so you don't need to be a science nerd to enjoy this. It wasn't full of action, though there were some great scenes, but it was never blandly telling the story either. Most of the technical stuff, ie the stuff on computer screens, were in English, and for us non-Japanese viewers, it really helps to understand the plot better. All the characters were fantastic. The writers did a great job balancing out each individual character's depth and background, and so none of the characters felt false, or like just fillers for the plot.
Acting of the cast, again was incredible! there were a couple of iffy moments, but still it was good. Nino I think, did brilliant as Ryuhei, a really fascinating and complicated character. And not just Nino, all others were just as brilliant with their characters.
The music was perfect. They used several tracks, and they matched all the scenes perfectly. It was quite a long film, but it is definitely worth rewatching.
Overall, this movie is totally worth 10/10. No matter if you are a science buff, or action/thriller buff or a Nino stalker, you would absolutely love this film. Happy watching everyone!

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Overrated work of art?

I guess it was my high expectations because of the praise that this show has got so far but when I watched it I couldn't really connect with it the way I wished to...
First of all the editing was weird in some cases, I was just left confused on the overall pacing of the story and the decisions made on continuation of it. Even if it was intentional it just didn't help what felt like a very lackluster story.
By the end I expected to learn more specially about Jae Won to really know his back story and the way he acted, and while I did understand his actions it felt overall lacking and like they could've explored more but decided to leave it vague, which just by the end made me not connect with him as I would've liked to.
A great portion of the characters (specially the ones in the club) were unlikeable, and were mostly forgiven or left without consequence in the end, which just made it harder to keep watching.
The music was alright and story could've been better, just the execution felt weird and even if experimental or different to what's out there in terms of BL it felt too cliche and weirdly paced in a lot of the cases, like if it wanted to focus more on the psyche of the characters why not show more of the therapy sessions of Jae Won for example instead of only snippets in some episodes for example.
I've been enjoying the last K-BL releases but this one just isn't up there for me, which makes me disappointed and makes it feel overrated in the end.

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This show had a a lot of hype behind it and I was excited. However, maybe it was over-hyped and I was a little underwhelmed. The concept is great and right up my alley. At hotel who's clientele is ghosts sounds like it would make for super interesting story lines. The cast does a great job IU is the highlight. She embodies this women who has been trapped so well and her story line is the best part of the show. Though the other ghost staff is also great. The set design of the hotel may be my favorite part of this show it is just gorgeous I could just watch the scenes in the hotel on mute. What really lets this show down is the episodic ghost story lines. The show choices to divide each episode between the main story and the ghost of week story and in those is were the show falls flat for me. I just didn't are about these ghosts the characters were trying to help. Also the episodes were a bit to long I feel like they could have cut some unnecessary parts and made an solid 60 minute show rather then 80-90 minutes that drag.

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This is a drama that negatively surprised me as it progressed. The first few episodes were fun to watch and the plot was interesting and innovative but then in the middle it went downhill because of the absurd situations and the naivety of the male lead character, and the fact that basically everyone around him was lying to his face and that lie got dragged for too long.

The romance is the fluffiest thing in the world and the couple has good chemistry, they look really cute together.

I hadn't watched a drama with Yoo Seung Ho before but I've developed a crush on him watching this it seems, he's such a good actor who portrays emotions really well. Chae Soo Bin is also a great actress, I applaud her for the dual portrayal of both characters.


The main negative thing I could point out is how some scenes are too childish and naive.

Overall, I only recommend giving this drama a chance if you're prepared to lose some braincells and to be frustrated by the draggy episodes.

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Don't Give Hate a Chance

I decided to watch Dark Hole first because of Lee Joon Hyuk and, boy, does he look fantastic. Secondly, I am a sucker for survival dramas, especially zombie and resident alien-like themes. The first thing I noticed was the camera work, which I really enjoy, but as I continued to watch, I realized that whatever the black hole was, it appeared to feed off and grab an even stronger hold off those whose souls were darkened by whatever was buried deep within them. So, the vibe quickly changed from resident evil to more like an Age of the Ultron kind of feel where resentment developed over time over humanity's brazen maliciousness and corruption in the face of the many injustices leads one person to participate in the eradication of all those they believed deserved to be punished, acting as a judge, jury, and executioner all in one.

So, in that sense, Dark Hole is not a typical zombie drama, making it an even more exciting watch. It was funny, disgusting, and at times scary -- based solely on people's emotions and perceptions. The different perspective it takes in combining zombies, mystery, shamanism, science fiction, and horror altogether that is amplified by emotions, ranging from injustice, rage, fear, anger, disgust, and even anxiety, all of which are regulated by an opposing range of emotions that clearly signify that disasters tend to either make leaders or cowards out of humans. I liked Dark Hole for what it was; it doesn't necessarily clearly articulate the how, which for me was one of the biggest questions I wanted to be answered, but it does deliver on its overarching theme, which quite befits our present-day global situation.

Dark Hole is not a drama that will win awards, but it is a drama that tries to impart quite a few meaningful messages. One of the most significant is not to give hate a chance because it may allow for the deepest desires to become the deadliest when one does it. And that humans, more often than not, are their own worst enemies, for, at times, the monsters that rise from the dead are nothing compared to the ones humans carry in their hearts. And the most powerful message of all is that whoever fights monsters should see that they do not become monsters in the process. As they say, if one gazes long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into them. I enjoyed Lee Hwa Sun and her great fighting skills but loved Lee Joon Hyuk in the role of Yoo Tae Han the most. A man of action rather than words. So different than his role in the Stranger series yet just as appealing.

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LOVE OF MY LIFE

I watched this drama while it was airing and loved every moment of it. I even remember the date it ended istg I simply LOVE this Kdrama. It has everything you want in a drama. It has thriller, suspense, crime, action, comedy and romance. The perfect formed cast kills it not only with their visuals but also with their perfect acting. The production is top quality and I to this day still listen to its soundtracks. They were just spectacular. After this drama I only gained favorite actors whom I continued to cheer on their new projects.
Song Joong Ki and Jeon Yeo Been were like yin and yang in this drama. They completed each other so well and harmoniously. I loved watching them together. I cried, laughed and screamed with them while watching. The drama is longer than the usual Kdrama, but as you watch you want more and more, so those long episodes goes by fast. Do yourself a favor and go watch Vincenzo. I binge watch it every other 2 months and never get tired of it. Please, don't let negative comments effect you, and let this piece of happiness take over your Kdrama loving soul<3

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Amazing! Deserves All Awards!

DO NOT READ THE SYNOPSIS FOR THIS MOVIE!
The long synopsis at the top of this page spoils too much.

All you need to know is: One mute guy and one girl, Japanese romance, maybe sad times ahead.

Honestly, this is one of the best films I've seen in years.
I'd say this is Yamada's best movie since Grasshopper. His performance is always solid but he excels in this; how he conveys and comunicates in this is just amazing. Hamabe, I wasn't familiar with going in but I think she was absolutely perfect too! Her acting was amazing and you could feel her emotions and her journey clearly.
The story itself is just way more than you expect and it's so beautiful and emotional and pure.

If this doesn't win any awards at the end of the year, I'll be shocked and disgusted.




***

Slight Spoilers: I cannot describe how misadvertised this movie is, and I am kinda glad it is. You go in thinking it's just gunna be your typical Japanese romance but it's so much more. I cried the entire time, so definitely prepare tissues!

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Doubt - blinds

"When you truly want to understand someone, but you can't, you end up having doubts. You can't trust your own judgement but you can't help it. "

Kicking off 2025 with this absolute gem -easily the best decision I made in 2024. It’s gripping, magical, and downright thrilling -I was hooked the whole way. The acting? Flawless. And the cinematography? Absolute fire! With a show that defines itself with every episode here you really trade deals with doubt.

When your dad’s a criminal profiler, what do you master? Lying like a pro. Doubt dives into the tangled web of a father-daughter duo who share nothing but a million lies. As they tackle a case that only deepens their divide, the daughter becomes the prime suspect for her own profiler dad. Intrigue, tension, and a family in freefall - sold!

Patience isn’t really my thing, and waiting for things to unfold? Definitely not me. But this show shattered all my theories at every step. Some twists you might see coming, others you simply buy into because the narrative sells it so well. It’s not your typical adrenaline-fueled thriller - it thrives in unthinkable layers, driven by the intricate web of human relationships. And let me tell you, it’s executed with absolute perfection, down to every last detail!

The acting, the gloomy cinematography, the emotional chaos in every character, and a storyline that ties it all together seamlessly—it’s a masterpiece. Just when you think you’ve figured out how things will unfold, you might be right, but the journey to get there? Oh, it’s something else. Sign me up to endorse all such shows !

But I must say Doubt isn’t for everyone - its slow-burn style might test thrill-seekers. But for those who crave psychological depth and intricate storytelling, it’s unmatched. With deliberate pacing that builds suspense while keeping you hooked, Doubt cements itself as a must-watch in its genre.

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I personally feel that the drama's trailer was misleading. The drama turned out way different to what I expected and not only was I surprised, I actually really didn't like it.

There were too many times when a misunderstanding occurred between the main couple. There was overuse of phrases like "my destiny is to..." "but I want to live like this, but I've got no choice" " I must avenge my father" "I love you" then "I hate you" (Lol. They probably ran out of lines to say)
I was like, I get the idea, the characters are confused due to what they've been though but it was over elaborated and it felt over complicated.

Add in a few extra plot twist and unnecessary new inputs to the already tangled plot line, you get WTF IS GOING ON?

However, character development is shown as the drama proceeds. Basically, all the chaos and pain is caused by the idea of revenge and betrayal, which got really really annoying since one moment everything is fine the BAM!-- it gets worse, then slowly everything is peaceful BUT NO some other trouble stirs it all up again and again and again.... and that kind of replays that through the episodes.

There were sweet and funny moments with Ye Kai and Ding Ling Ling which were really cute. There were nice fighting scenes and special effects. Costumes were really nice too and the music was alright, that middle eastern tune was overplayed whenever they danced. I also liked the casting and felt they did as best they could with the role given.

The ending was so FRUSTRATING!!! It was really sad, disappointing and a little confusing.
I watched 50 episodes and this is what I end up with? I guess the unhappy ending is refreshing....?
#givememytimeback

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Wow, the finale!!

A struggling lawyer with a secret dark side gets pulled into the dark world of a notorious criminal. But what leads him to the line of evil and will he survive the ordeal of events?

Evilive is a noir-themed kdrama with a dark vibe, focuses on the advent of online gambling. Those who love watching ambiguous characters dive deep into crime, with suspenseful and thrilling events will love watching it. I was rushing in head first without watching any trailer/teaser because I already know these men have proven themselves from their previous roles. Anyone who've watched them know how ‘good’ Shin Ha Kyun, Shin Jae Ha and Kim Young Kwang are when they are bad.

Evilive does not disappoint. The first scene bait is intriguing and you discover what really happen sooner than you think. They set up its character well: their inner struggle and what are at stakes, such as their family, marriage and most importantly... their moral values.

I was having a big fun with the friendships and bromance among our leads. Ha Kyun and Jae Ha's characters are supporting each other like siblings, while Ha Kyun's and Young Kwang's characters are like enemies to bromance relationships, they both don’t trust each other but they stick together throughout. My only nitpick is that cinematography and action are of mediocre quality, but it doesn't matter much as the premise is very strong, the plot has rarely any dull moment, the characters are peculiar, the storytelling takes you deep into the world of law, crime suspects and unexpected twists and turns, none of it disappoints... To enjoy the drama to the fullest, I recommend you to binge this.

-Nov 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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