Reviews

Sweetness with genuine feelings.

Saying it was adorable would be understatement. It’s a perfect BL for everyone who is tired of overdramatized plotlines, stiff chemistry, bad acting and problematic leads. Our Dating Sim is the purest form of romantic comedy put in a refreshing frame of a dating game.

One of the strongest good points about this show was the well paced and smart storytelling. Just enough opening ambiguity about the main leads relationship in the past and the present was enough to set up a solid opening stage for the rest of this story to unfold. And from that point, it was a full fluff fest with just a tiny bit of angst so we don’t get diabetes. The angst you can enjoy, because you know it's just a tiny momentary feeling that will end well.

I am pretty sure we all fell in love with Gi Tae. It’s amazing to see a character who is confident, but not overbearing. He truly radiates positive energy and presents a perfect level of playful teasing.

Honestly speaking, while I enjoyed Lee Wan’s character, I found it hard to describe him. A little bit passive, truly hardworking with spontaneous outburst of courage with flight reaction that follows. Compared to Gi Tae, who was more stationary in terms of development, Lee Wan presents a subtle journey to self-discovery and bravery to stick with the things he find important, instead of running away from them.

Lee Seung Gyu and Lee Jong Hyuk had an amazing and natural chemistry that put a smile on my face during every episode. Acting wise, they both delivered believable performances. While many people praised Lee Seung Gyu (for solid reasons, I rewatched quite a few scenes simply because I enjoyed his performance so much), I also want to compliment Lee Jong Hyuk for his take on Lee Wan’s character, especially with scenes presenting concern, worry or confusion.

For such a short drama, the production value was perfect. I loved the dating game framing and the game stages scenes at the end of each episode presenting additional small doses of sweetness between the main characters.

Overall, while it feels like 8.5 for me, my brain actually wants to give it 9. Often such simple and short stories feel empty, dull, cringe, but Our Dating Sim could not be described by any of these adjectives. While it might be a classic story with well known tropes, the execution makes it an entertaining watch that many will enjoy.

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On aliens and alienation

I am sorry about the punny title but it was either this or "Out of this world" and I feel like this one causes less physical pain.

A lot can be said about Glitch but conventional sure isn’t the word that comes to mind. Watching this drama as soon as it came out while following the reactions online has been a wild ride indeed. This isn’t supposed to be about other people’s opinions, this is my review, my thoughts, but I was perplexed by how badly this K-drama bombed. Reading the initial impressions, it sometimes felt, like I was watching a different show entirely. Upon further consideration I am adding a very mild spoiler warning to my review here, I won't go into any detail about how this story progresses, but will talk about a few elements of this show that were not mentioned in the synopsis or tags. So here you go: VERY MILD SPOILERS AHEAD!

I think the one thing the majority of watchers can at least somewhat agree is on, is that the performances are the aspect where Glitch shines the most, though this was to be expected considering the stellar cast this show provides. Our two lead actresses are of course especially to be praised here. Their dynamic and chemistry might be what this drama thrives on and Nana and Jeon Yeo-been add charm and believability to their roles. But even less prominent roles, like Boras squad of conspiracy theorists or overwhelmed policeman Kim Byung-jo, had their moments. Even Hong Ji-hyo’s abducted boyfriend who had little to no presence, felt like a somewhat fleshed-out character all thanks to his actor’s performance.

But my personal favorite aspect of this drama might be Glitch’s distinctive look and style. It’s quite challenging to present yourself as a sleek-looking drama, while also featuring a ginormous blue alien in your first episode. I will not be too soft here, when it came to extraterrestrial beings, the CGI left something to be desired, but the drama was kind enough to not rely on their presence all too often. When we’re not subjected to computer-generated monstrosities, Glitch remains a surprisingly artistic show, especially at the times where it does get more experimental. Lighting and colors played one of the biggest parts here, switching between soft warm tones when we’re shown flashbacks of Bora’s and Jihyo’s past and the cold blue-and-green tones we’re used to from our sci-fi-flicks. I especially have to commend the usage of green-tinted lighting, whenever a situation was supposed to be uncomfortable or unnatural, it really generated the feeling the script needed. But shot composition, cut, and camera also stood out here. The hand-held camera shined in fast-paced action scenes and in general Glitch very rarely felt or looked static. If there is one thing I have to critique when it comes to the overall look and feel of this show it’s the (rare) moments of slow-motion that always felt entirely out of place to me and like a misguided attempt to stretch shots that might have been too short. But this might just be my personal preference.

This might be where agreements about Glitch end. The plot and script are where opinions tend to differ drastically.
Pacing is something this drama has been harshly critiqued for. While it is true, that Glitch’s start felt somewhat slow, it does pick up speed after four episodes. But I would actually go so far as claim that the show‘s arguably monotone beginning was needed, to create the atmosphere the drama relied on. That’s because we follow the story through Ji-hyo whose life also feels like it has come to halt. At thirty she works a monotone job she doesn’t seem to care about, still lives with her parents, and isn’t willing to take the next step in her long-term relationship. All she’s trying to be is normal, boring even, while she desperately attempts to ignore all the things that make her different, attempts to even ignore the side of her that wants to be different. Things accelerate drastically for her after she reconnects with Bora, so it’s natural that the same goes for the overall essence of the show. This might not be everyone’s cup of tea and it does take some commitment to give the show a chance and see where the plot takes you, but personally, I enjoyed that Glitch took its time.
That the viewer experiences this story through Ji-hyo’s eyes also means that we’re bound to be confused as the plot escalates. Glitch keeps its audience on its toes and toys with plausible deniability. What is hallucination, what are aliens, what is the cult? The viewer doesn't know anything more than the protagonist does. We feel lost because Ji-hyo does too.
This does not excuse the few plotholes Glitch sadly contains. I fully understand frustrations with the ending, a few too many knots were left untied for my taste. So I am not arguing that the plot’s structure is flawless, God no, but I do feel like the pacing of this show isn’t nearly as off as many claim. Some stories just take time and I’d rather be along for the ride than for a script to feel rushed.

“But this isn’t what I signed up for! I wanted sci-fi and aliens! This is too weird!”
Not trying to come across as condescending or pretentious but I am once again begging people to read between the lines when they consume media. Glitch isn’t the conventional alien tale it seems to be at first glance because it isn’t trying to be. And it also doesn’t have to be that in order to be good. Because what is hidden under layers of UFOs and religious symbolism is the story of Ji-hyo’s emancipation. It is a tale of a young woman trying to escape the norm and her passive role in society. It’s about feeling like you literally don’t belong on this planet, like you yourself might be alien because you do not fit the mold people are trying to force you in. And it’s about the role that religion plays especially for people that feel alienated, a tale that showcases how simple it is to persuade them to believe once you have earned their trust. How you can influence individuals to believe in a religion based on self-interest, force them to see UFOs, and make them question everything they thought they knew.
I thoroughly enjoyed this show, it’s rare to come across stories that are entirely female-centric without even the hint of romance (unless you count our two female leads who honestly had enough chemistry to go steady). I got a lot of joy from the portrayal of female friendship. Bora and Ji-hyo’s dynamic worked excellent. But I also just genuinely had fun with this plot and was fully invested in it. Yes it was strange, that’s what made it good. I can certainly say that this wasn’t anything I had seen before.

I shouldn't care what others think but I really really wish people would give Glitch a fair chance. “Too weird” should not be a valid critique, especially when a story is obviously more interested in being interpreted than literal. It’s frustrating because Asian cinema already very often relies on the suspension of our disbelief. How out there or downright Ludacris a plotline is, doesn’t seem to be relevant in romance dramas but as soon as a story requires some form of critical thinking, people shut the door on it. Others obviously are allowed to take away from this show whatever they want, I am not trying to imply that everyone who rated this low is a simpleton who just didn’t get it but I do think that there is a lot more to this story than what meets the eye. I am not trying to argue that Glitch was anything close to perfection, just a lot better than people gave it credit for.

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Hopeful Bond Against the Dark Odds

“It bothers me when one out of every seven of us is missing. I don’t know why, but I just don’t like it. I hope we can be all together. When we are all together, I don’t even think about wanting to die.”

This drama is an adaptation of BU and I'm glad it's really good. Despite some changes, they did an excellent job on the build up between the characters and their relationships, along with the actors' portrayal and chemistry. From the awkward first meetings to building trust with each other and getting closer together. I love watching their friendship and brotherhood despite their different backgrounds and problems. They unite to become each others' ray of light amidst the struggles they faced during the darkness of their separate lives. This drama is so heartwarming with the precious found family trope. But at the same time, the dark themes about their childhood traumas and family secrets are so emotional and intriguing.

This drama is so meaningful and deep while tackling various social issues about dysfunctional family, mental illness, discrimination, poverty, politics, education and more. The mystery regarding the past of their parents and connection to the principal shows how generational trauma starts and their children bearing the pain of their mistakes. Innocent teenagers are forced to suffer due to the evil adults that comes from each of their different environments. This drama is a reflection of reality that conveys important messages while providing consolation and angst to the youth who are beginning to face the world.

From the original BU storyline, this drama acts like a prequel that introduces the 7 protagonists while adding more details about their backgrounds and families. Eventually, this drama left with an open ending where the fantasy aspect of time travel only begins at the end. Hwan, the oldest of the group, carries the weight of responsibilities and guilt, so he goes back in time to save all his friends and prevent them from their tragic fates. He sacrifices himself while being stuck in time loops. This leads to suspicions and demands for Season 2. There's no official confirmation yet, but I hope they really make it happen so the boys' stories can continue.

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"Have you ever misinterpreted someone's kindness?"

The core of the drama were the characters and dynamics between them, no one can deny that. It was all about how their relationship developed, why, and where it led them. What’s beautiful about this drama is the fact it made me care not only about them as a couple, but also them as individuals. Putting aside the romance, it was a story about people, their traumas and how they try to heal from them.

Starting with Han Gi Woo - a character that was struggling with his identity, be it as a teacher, or as a human being. Attentive, caring for the students, trying to help them, not ignoring their struggles - just enough to show he cares, but never fully committing, balancing right on the line. He struggled deeply with what he expected from himself, and what other people expected from him - since these were often mutually exclusive.

No matter what the situation was, he tried to react in the most normal way. But what is normal? He did not know. Hence he did not really react. So he became "dull" - he couldn’t react as himself, but he also did not know what other reactions to give.

“Turning a blind eye, pretending not to know, acting like everything was fine… I realized I was way too cruel”. Cruel to other people, for always keeping them at arm's length, but most importantly, cruel to himself for ignoring what he thought, felt and wanted. Until he reached a breaking point and saw him take a step forward after staying still his whole life.

Then we had Lee Hyeon Jae - a child so deprived of affection, that he was willing to cause himself harm, just to receive the care. In a situation when everyone pretended he did not exist, his wounds did not exist and his pain did not exist - Gi Woo noticed him. That was enough. He was emotionally captivated by Gi Woo’s attention.

"I can handle myself, so just stay out of it"
"Then don't give people a reason to worry"
For Hyeon Jae it's something he did not experience - someone being worried about him, someone being concerned about his well being. The feeling of "I matter to someone" when your whole life you felt invisible, when people told you to act like you don't exist. When everyone pretends you don't exist.

What I found the most interesting is the fact that Gi Woo not only saw Hyeon Jae and paid attention to him, he also led Hyeon Jae to pay attention to himself. He forces him to think about his future, reasons for his actions. Because it's not only other people who ignored Hyeon Jae. What's worse, he ignored himself. Sadly, he was never fully able to set himself free of that thinking.

"Have you ever misinterpreted someone's kindness?"
"Yes. I think I'm going through that... right now"
I loved that he was aware of the fact he was reading too much into it, but he also desperately wanted to convince himself that what he saw, felt and interpreted was the reality. No matter what Gi Woo felt, he decided to read it in a way that he felt was right, that satisfied his wants, but when the feelings finally became mutual, that’s when he took a step back - unwilling to push forward anymore. The fact that despite mutual feelings Gi Woo still rejected him was what made him give up.

Their journey, as heartbreaking as it was, was also painfully well executed.
Gi Woo was forcing himself to stay in line all his life because of his mother, so he literally lost the sense of who he is, and that description of being "dull" became both the way he navigated through life without issues, but also the thing that created problems for him - and he hated it. But Hyeon Jae came and told him that he does not think he is dull, that he sees past that.

"This is the first time anyone's ever treated me as special. You're special to me too, sir" - on one hand this is something Gi Woo wanted to hear. On the other hand it was something he feared hearing. "I'm nobody special anyway. What I'm saying is, don't read too much into it.”, "What I think is my business"
Hyeon Jae was not putting a foot in the door, he was kicking the door open with full force and not backing down. And that's what got to Gi Woo. Someone not letting him stay in that dull state, someone who told him he is special no matter how many times he denied it.

With Hyeon Jae, being abused was one thing, but he was being ignored - that's the motivation behind his feelings for Gi Woo, because Gi Woo did not pretend like he does not exist, he noticed him and thought about him. He did not let him just leave when there were issues, but rather forced him to think about them and about himself. Gi Woo literally made him feel like he exists.

What started as just a misguided sense of being seen for who they are, that was being confused as love, developed into a real romantic feeling. I do think at first it was mostly a response to psychological and emotional deprivation they went through, but I also have to applaud the writer for clearly showing the contrast between what was happening between them, and how other relationships with Gi Woo’s students were structured. They were not the same. What they had was undeniably real.

As for the ending - extremely fitting and to some extent on brand with Hyeon Jae: will we stay in our delusion and assume they did meet in the future? Will we move to a more bittersweet ending of them living their separate lives slowly improving? Or will we dive deep into a hell fire of misery and assume Jeong Ha’s prediction happened and Gi Woo can only now live a life full of regret? Personally I live by the motto “staying delulu is the solulu” and in my brain they met on that bus stop in the epilogue. I do not accept any other ending.

On the brighter side, Kim Jeong Ha and Park Seong Won with all the miscommunication, confusion and teen angst, were able to pull through and set on the path of mutual feelings. I love how their “ending” was literally the beginning of exploration. The fact it ends on Jeong Ha giving Seong Won time to figure out his feelings - for me it was less about starting to like him, and more about accepting the fact he already does. They both cared for each other, they both loved each other and now they will slowly learn how to accept that and change the way they view the relationship.

The more I write this review the more I appreciate how well written the drama was, when even characters that did not have much screentime still felt distinctive and memorable.

Sure thing I hated Hyeon Jae’s father, Gi Woo’s mother, and the majority of the teachers. I felt some conflicting feelings about some students, the wife and Kim Ji Tae, but what’s most important - I feel like I fairly well understand these characters, I remember their personalities, motivations, scenes they were in. Each had at least one or two memorable moments I can point to. Even if they existed as a backdrop for the lead’s story, they did not really feel like props to me.

Aside from the characters, there were some themes and clever devices used for express them:

The use of the Amuna app as a storytelling mechanic deepens the understanding of the characters and their relationship. First of all, I need to say that there were some mistranslations happening: "Need to vent? Try Amuna Random Chat" - it should say: "Want to be honest" or "Want to be truthful" not "vent". And it perfectly matched Gi Woo's issue - he wanted to be honest and truthful with himself, but he felt like he did not know how. It's not about venting, it's about internal honesty. And this app was his tiny salvation where he could explore himself without the burden of any consequences. Where he did not need to keep the persona of normality. When he could express his thoughts freely.

And for Hyeon Jae, it was a kind bridge to connect with Gi Woo, to keep him in his life, to understand him better, to reach him. In some strange way they both achieved what they aimed for - Gi Woo wanted to open up to a stranger, and Hyeon Jae wanted to open up to Gi Woo.

The theme of abuse, neglect and the peace of ignoring the issues - all that presented through Gi Woo’s interactions with his co-workers. They disliked him, because he ruined their illusion of normalcy and easy ways out. Hyeon Jae became their answer to any troubles. They deluded themselves into thinking that as long as they push through the last semester there will be no victims - they will be able to move on and Hyeon Jae will graduate, as if the abuse would stop with him leaving the school.

But Gi Woo couldn’t make himself pretend like he did not see anything. And it bugged them. And the more he cared for the students, the more involved he was, the more their perfect picture was ruined. And that was one of the reasons Gi Woo left - he knew the truth and could not pretend like it does not exist. The fact he changed his path from being a teacher to wanting to be a career counselor was beautiful - someone who cares that deeply should not work in a place that punishes you for caring and pushing students towards improvement.

To the acting - I kind of want to cry. Everyone, and I mean everyone did an amazing job. Not only were the leads perfectly cast, but all the supporting characters and even the background actors delivered what was needed to make this story feel real.

Ryu Se Il with his restrained emotions hidden behind the micro expressions, that only exploded by the end of the show - that breaking down crying scene had so much impact, because we witnessed how much he was holding it all in throughout the show. Comparing it with how raw and exposed Ha Jung Hoon’s feelings were, how you could feel every tear, every shift of the eyes, every sad smile. Then we have Lee Jung Chan as Kim Jeong Ha - believable as the bully he was forced to be by the circumstances, but also a vulnerable teen who cannot lean on the friend he like, and Jung Si Wan with that fear in his eyes every time Seong Won had to let Jeong Ha go.

As for production, I can imagine they had a limited budget, but it truly does not feel like it. Great use of light and shadows to create more depth in the shots. Extremely well done make up for the injuries and bruises - that also was consistent with the time passing. Set design that did not look empty - spaces that fitted the characters and their personalities. And that intro. Second best right after Gray Shelter.

All that good things said, there were some details of the story I wish were explained/elaborated more. What did Park Seong Won do that Kim Jeong Ha’s hand got injured? Was Hyeon Jae locked in a mental hospital for 2 years after the drug issue at school, when they pretended he studied abroad? What happened to his mother? What was the Secretary’s deal - sometimes he was annoyingly cruel, sometimes it seemed like he was borderline on Hyeon Jae’s side, or at least feeling bad for him. I feel like some of these could literally get more closure with one or two lines of dialogue, so the vagueness felt unsatisfying. Honestly such minor issues taking into consideration the overall quality of the drama.

Overall, ending up on the mental list of my favorite BLs and short dramas. I just adore any project that makes me reflect on what I saw, want to discuss it with others, rewatch to check for details and better understanding.

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The listener and the speaker

Republican era, around 1930.
Rain is pouring down that fateful night in Jingcheng City. As we watch the good-natured Dr. Chen Yuzhi cycle his way home, seeking shelter under the eaves, we're diving headfirst into a plot full of viscious crimes and interhuman relations.
-It's the moment Chu Ran and Chen Yuzhi step into Jiang Yuelou's life and decide to stay, that we realize that Jiang Yuelou is the unspoken center of the story. -

It didn't take me long to light ten stars, as I got so attached that I might be devoting my first written preview to this drama.

Background music
One of the reasons to call this a classy drama is beautifully drawn tapestry of sound. The show decided upon subtle background music, the original soundtrack composed of very decent melodic ballads and only a couple instrumentals that are very well timed, accompanying sequences quietly, giving more importance to emotions and spoken dialogue. This gives it a pleasant, mature vibe.

Production
Omnium-gatherum summary of everything that caught my eye from episode one.
•Killer and Healer is free from overdrawn sequences and cheesy-slowmotions.
•The cinematography brings in gorgeous shots, developing into beautifully framed sequences here and there.
•As we're situated in the republican era, we get to see tailored suits and beautiful attire. Women are wearing gorgeous dresses and every single citizen that we see roaming the streets of Jingcheng has their own, beautiful outfit of the day. Even upon close proximity, the costumes look thoroughly authentic and high in quality.
•The drama leads us through a collection of sets that are very well thought through (however wow, it is cold!).

Plot & Characters
The plot itself is relatively solid. Various other points make up for the ones lost to a common storyline. The plot isn't particularly new, yet unravels a beautiful story of faith. It's told by steadfast characters, and also introduces a brave and clever female lead, Chu Ran, that wonderfully concludes the trio alongside Police-Chief Jiang Yuelou and Doctor Chen Yuzhi.
Every other character that gets introduced throughout the story isn't any less holistic and just as vital.
While the storyline itself contains alot of criminal action, it pays special attention to interhuman relations.
With a strong focus on the steadying relationship between Jiang Yuelou and Chen Yuzhi, it opens up on more then just bringing peace to Jingcheng City. We follow Jiang Yuelou, as he learns to regain his trust in the people around him and finds his safe-place within Chen Yuzhi, who meets him with unconditional faith. With every episode, the picture grows bigger, as we slowly get to know Jiang Yuelou and Chen Yuzhi as a person and start to sympathize with the characters introduced to us.

The ending: The ending comes around very unexpected. Yes, initially, it is bad and very tragic. This might be a spoiler. However, the ending lies in your power. For a happy ending, hop out from ep 37 at timestamp 29:15 and click here for a seperately uploaded end
https://youtu.be/FC696_RYeEw

Acting
Completing this with the strongest asset.
It's the actor itself that eventually shapes the character, forms it and introduces it to the audience. The characters I see are consistent and compelling, each drawn with their own unique features. The acting is impressive, the whole cast stunning. Every single actor within Killer&Healer convinces with performance. The chemistry between the leads grows extremely palpable as they enter each others lives and naturally learn to trust. Eventhough, due to censorship, scenes got shortened (not harming the plot), emotions are portrayed beautifully through micro-expression, faces full of emotions and long lasting glances. So much so that more isn't needed and it lies in the perception of the audience to view their relationship.

This drama is and was a very, very pleasant watch. I would rewatch it all over again. The biggest joy lies within the unfolding, unspoken emotions between the leads and the quirky supporting characters.

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I can't quite remember what made me want to watch this particular drama, despite it being quite lengthy, but what I so vividly recall was the feeling that lingered for awhile after having watched the drama. I still remember the pain of being misunderstood. What this drama made me realize was that sometimes we realize things once they're gone, and that truth is powerful. The importance of saying what's on one's mind and just being true, and how scary a person becomes when one chooses not to let go because of utter fear. The lack of courage, now that I'm typing about it, is what this drama emphasizes.

What I liked about the drama is that it was refreshing and very scandalous, dark, unlike the usual mainstream dramas. It got me hooked because it was dark, realistically dark, the chemistry of the main leads was awesome, and no matter what the guy did I could never seem to hate him too much to stop watching it. The Love was twisted, at certain angles pure, but truly deep. Heartbreaking but amazing!

I know a lot might resist watching it because certainly one would have to cry and get attached but that's the beauty of this drama. That is what makes it so good, the journey that both the characters had to go through, and the complicated misunderstanding, one after another, that when we're left to uncover each one, we get to see the real characters, why they acted the way they did.

So I dare you to take leap of Faith and try this drama.

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Psychopath Diary was a drama I thought wasn't for me. The plot didn't sound like something I would really enjoy; crime-thrillers aren’t often very high on my lists. However, I tried it out for Yoon Shi Yoon and it captivated me and amused me from the very first episode.

This drama surprised me so much. The story is just as crazy as it sounds, memory loss isn't anything new in kdramas and often I shudder when I hear the words amnesia being used to advance the plot, but the story is told in such a amusing, cleaver and sincere sort of way that you can't help but be hooked by it. The show always seemed to be very aware of itself and what it was trying to do and just very comfortable with its absurdity.

The tone of the story is rather slice of life some places, but achieves those more dramatic moments when it needs to, humor is on the black side and takes advantage of how ridiculous everything is around what I appreciated and it always managed to blend it, thrill and more the mundane story of the characters we meet along the way.

I didn’t feel like the drama thread a lot of new ways with some of the tropes it used, or dives too deeply into them. It more so just has a lot of fun with them. There is a very nice balance between the comedy, the absurd and then the more thriller aspect of the show, which makes it stand out. It makes Psychopath Diary become unlike other kdramas I have seen before.

I expected the more serious side of the show to take over at some point, for the comedy to sort of step aside as the story got bleaker. But the story always seems to flow well between those different genres the show has all mixed up in there. It had a rhythm going on. There is always some twist to every aspect of the story, and the comedy interrupts the tension a lot of the time and vice versa. There was such a nice mix going on there, one that I didn’t think would work as well as they did. It never gets too tired.

They never make you guess too much, not even with who the real psychopath is; that makes us just in on the joke. You have a hunch about where this is going, but still the drama is so cleverly absurd that you do have a hard time guessing what will happen next. And the drama makes great use of it.

In Woo also always managed to be one step ahead of the other characters, and while it did feel a bit repetitive (and very annoying towards the end, but in a good way), that I still found myself very enthralled and excited about each new episode. In Woo is a killer I could really enjoy. He's just evil, no trauma or explanation needed, and it’s just great to watch. It worked out well for the story and you somehow never knew what he would do next.

Sometimes he seems a little too cartoonish as the bad guy, smirking and laughing in the background. But it felt so intentional and in the spirit of the humor within the show, that it sorts of works.

Sometimes the comedy goes a bit overboard, and sometimes you can sense when the switch between the tension, the more dramatic points, and the more comedic aspects of the shows (like when the twists are revealed) but it is always so very entertaining and just a very fun ride throughout. I was expecting it loose steam at some point, for the plot to become way to ridiculous, but it just went full steam ahead and just made this crazy plot its own.

There is very little romance here. I was expecting more, but I was very happy with how little we got. There was plenty else to do within the story already and adding romance on top of that would have been too much. We just got more solid character interactions and different relationship development instead. There was definite fondness, possible attraction between Dong Sik and Shim Bo Kyung. But there weren’t much more than a few longing eye-contacts and so on between them

I liked Bo Kyung, our female heroine, as a character. She was always very consistent with herself, rather sensible and smart and always went after what she thought was right. Her character was never set aside as the story went along, people listened to her, she was valued, and she had real impact on the story. So often female cops on these shows are just there running along with the men and just there to get into dangers. Not here.

Dong Sik who goes from being a pushover to someone who learns to stand up for himself, , and over the story does a good job with presenting the characters to us so we can understand them, and get behind their actions and why they did things the way they did them; despite the absurdity that is prevalent all around them. Yoon Shi Yoon plays Dong Sik so well. He is so good in this role and he gets to show all his aspects as an actor here. All the actors here are very good in their roles.

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In the land of the scorpion the rooster is king.

This drama adapts Wei Yu's well loved romantic and suspenseful adventure novel Xī Chū Yù Mén /西出玉门 or West out of the Yumen (Jade Gate). The spirited and mysterious Ye Liuxi's first waking memory is of the desert with scant personal belongings to point to who she was and where she is from. A picture links her to Chang Dong, who lost all he held dear in that same patch of sand. Liuxi persuades Chang Dong to return to that most treacherous part of the desert with her. Together with a team of three others, they set out to crack the mystery of the Yumen Pass. On their quest to face their past, they stumble into a different, frightening and dangerous world where they find love, adventure, friendship and betrayal.

The most fabulous thing about this drama is that Ye Liuxi is a force of nature that simply sweeps you away with her beauty, strength and charisma. It is a role that must have been written for Ni Ni, whose portrayal of Liuxi is nothing short of iconic. Bai Yu's rendition of Chang Dong's quiet might and reserved brilliance is the perfect foil for Liuxi's more vivid personality. Their chemistry is so natural and shockingly scrumptious that I replay most of their couple scenes with a silly, lovesick grin on my face. I now have a whole new appreciation for Bai Yu's hotness. The other two romances are quite cute and endearing but neither is compelling or even necessary. Skipping or toning down one or both of these secondary romances could have helped the pacing of this drama.

The acting, rapport and comedic timing of the main cast is terrific and a heavier focus on their friendship over romance would have been no less enjoyable. It was a lot of fun to watch them humorously pull off their clone geminus selves. It is nice to see Jin Han in his element again as a misguided and flawed character. Lu Yuxiao makes an impression again as a young actor to watch. I also found both Gao Shen and Ding Liu's kick ass youthful exuberance a joy to watch. Sadly Meng Ziyi is the biggest let down in the cast. Long Zhi is an interesting role, a character with a world vision and the ruthlessness to achieve it. Sadly Meng Ziyi delivers a shallow and uninspired interpretation with two expressions - stone-faced and pissed off. She manages to turn a layered character into a cardboard and archetypal one. I used to wonder why such a lovely and charming actor didn't get more lead roles. Now I know.

Where this drama falters is in the pacing and narrative style. The transitions between sub-plots are not well handled with abrupt cuts to a side romance or worse, the narrator and the painter in the middle of action scenes or as momentum is building nicely into an interrupted reveal. The world within the Yumen Pass itself is well designed, rich in history and lore and occupied by dangerous and fascinating characters. The world building mostly takes place via exposition and usually right before the viewer needs that information. This kind of heavy foreshadowing diminishes the surprise factor in what comes next. This also comes with few pay-offs; in the end all I really needed to know is that in the land of the scorpion the rooster is king.

Even though this drama wraps up nicely with no major loose ends, the ending is anti-climatic. With one notable exception, most characters have fitting endings. However, the climax on the action adventure side takes place very early in the drama and the main romance peaks shortly after the mid-point. After that, the pieces of the puzzle fall into place and the plot seems to build towards a final, badass showdown that doesn't quite materialise. The writers decided it is better to jaw jaw than to war war which would be fine if this weren't a fantasy action adventure. I am also miffed that my thirst for justice and symmetry that demands some serious loss of limbs is not satisfied, nary a hair was even harmed! I console myself with the fact that the roosters once again show the scorpions who is the boss!

This is a must watch drama for just Ni Ni and Bai Yi's acting and chemistry alone. If anyone else were in the lead roles, I would only rate this an 8.0/10.0 but I am bumping my rating up to an 8.5 to recognize their riveting performances.

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The Quintessential Japanese Drama of 2019

First, I want to let you know that in Japanese Drama, THEMES is always more significant than the plot. It's doesn't matter who Nagi would end up with or how the drama would end. What important is how the show will convey its message. This drama is not your typical two-boys-one-girl type of story or other overrated romance crap. You could choose your ship if that entertains you, but just to let you know, this drama was not meant to make your heart flutter, it was meant to speak to your soul.

This drama is about the so-called "Hard Reset", not the one you do with your phone but the one you apply with your own life. The important decision you do to make a significant change and start anew. Completely changing your environment is essential, which is what the main protagonist did in this drama, a long vacation. It made her discover more about herself and broaden her perspective of the world, or to make it more precise; it made her have her dream.

Another theme is reading the atmosphere/mood or reading between the lines and I'm sure most of us are familiar with that feeling. When you enter a room full of strangers, most people will remain silent for a while. Judge people's faces, their expressions, their manner of talking etc. "reading the atmosphere" is everywhere, from school, workplace, family and even your relationship. Whether consciously or unconsciously, people do this all the time, this ability is ingrained firmly into us as a species. We as human, always look for a place we can call our own, and we need strong social bonds for that. We always try to "fit in" or wear all the right mask whenever it feels right.

"Stop Trying to Fit In, Aim to Belong Instead"

This drama will teach you fitting in will never get you home because fitting in is trying to adapt to a world that is not your own. Just like Nagi, you have to have your dream and not just live for other people. You have to forget the cool people; you have to find your people. Nagi found these people who help her reboot her life, the film buff grandma, scammer turned best friend Sakamoto, The most level headed mother and daughter (total opposite of Nagi and her mom), the bar owner mama and the most insensitive playboy neighbour. These characters don't only serve up as an exposition for the main character, but their story also conveys the theme of this drama, and the writer did a brilliant job on weaving them in a beautiful pattern.

The Pacing, Setting and Music add so much to the slice of life feels of this drama. Nagi's long vacation is a very well-paced drama; no time is wasted but doesn't felt rushed as well. It is entertaining enough to keep you engaged as you watch it. It also has mundane elements that if you notice would give a smile to your face like shirts worn by Nagi, it seems trivial, but those are valuable shirts you would find in thrift stores. Little details like this make me appreciate the drama more. The location would look very familiar to you after you watched the drama like it seems you also live there along with the characters. The cinematography is terrific in showing the green landscape, clear blue sky and by capturing the calmness and serenity of the laidback way of living. The OST is chill and relax, which complements the slice of life nature of this plot, but it can also get emotional when requires. I also never get tired of hearing the theme song "Reboot" sung by Miwa. It captured the whole theme of this drama.

The acting is ten out of ten, Haru Kuroki never disappoints. She is one of the best actresses in Japan right now and is indeed a national treasure in dramaland. Nagi's portrayal of inner growth is well portrayed, you might get pissed by her actions and decisions, but you always find yourself rooting for her. Haru Kuroki is very skilled as an actress, but it's her sincerity that makes Nagi such a lovable character. The title, Nagi's Long Vacation suggest this is only about Nagi, but this drama can easily be about Shinji as well, the only difference is Nagi only suppress her feelings where Shinji also hurts people around him. Shinji is a character you will despise at the beginning, but you would understand a bit about the character in the end. The writers gave him one of the best character development I've seen in recent years, and the way Takahashi Issei handled it is brilliant, probably his best performance ever. The way he controlled his emotions is masterful like at one moment his character angered you then you will laugh at his comic relief antics then you will feel him as he cries like a baby, what a man child lol.

Nagi's Long Vacation is the quintessential Japanese drama. They are the best when it comes to thought-provoking slice of life genre. You may find the characters caricatures until they slap you with realization quotes that will speak to you on a personal level.

Check my Blog for other reviews & other JDramas stuffs. (｡◕‿‿◕｡)
https://thatjapanesedramaguy.blogspot.com/

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PLOT: Masterful
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This series is among the best of the best. It is one of those rare shows where every episode matters. The plot was never left hanging in order to extend the series. Instead, every single scene was developed in service of the narrative.

The transitions from tension-filled scenes to sweeter ones was flawless. It made watching the series easy and enjoyable. The narrative was also organic, with nothing feeling forced or out of place.

Overall, prepare yourself. This drama will demand your complete attention, push you to the edge of your seat, steal your breath away and have you rooting for more than just the main leads.

MAIN CHARACTERS: Memorable
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The main leads were remarkably three dimensional. They were given as many strengths as weaknesses and every single one made sense. The development of the characters was consistent and coherent. Every action had a lasting consequence, and every instinctive reaction demanded a hefty price.

Yoon Na Moo (male lead, aka Chae Do Jin): His complex character was handled masterfully. He was presented as a sympathetic and strong figure, but realistically so. The best way I could describe him is with the saying, "courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it." Throughout the short series, this character struggled with his inner fears but accepted his vulnerabilities rather than hide them. He was strong precisely because he was afraid... but he didn't let that fear rule him.

Gil Nak Won (female lead, aka Han Jae Yi): Despite her tragic backstory, she was well written and very well portrayed. She's strong, not because she got over her past, but because she's able to face her present while accepting what happened. Her strength is quiet and subtle; allowing her actions to show her defiance rather than voice them loudly. She's also very nurturing towards Na Moo and I love that she never once runs from her problems, but faces them head-on. Because of the nature of the story, Na Moo's side of the story was more intense, but she is without a doubt one of the strongest female leads I've seen in Kdramas so far.

ANTAGONIST: Imposingly petrifying
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Yoon Hui Jae (ML's father): Heon Joon Ho deserves an award for his performance. Every time he stepped into a scene, he dominated and filled it with almost palpable tension. He cast a terrifying shadow over every character, continually reminding you that he was a prowling beast ready to strike. Forget Hollywood "horror" movies and "frightful" tv shows. From now on, Yoon Hui Jae is my new standard for blood-curdling terror.

SUPPORT CHARACTERS: Relatable & complex
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Though this series has an amazing cast of characters that bring something of importance to the table, I'll focus on the top three characters that merit a special recognition...

Chae Ok Hee (ML's adoptive mother): Talk about a character caught between a sword and a hard place. Her performance was absolutely brilliant and her character was probably the most relatable. Ok Hee is going to go down as the definition of a strong mother. She's a testament that water can be thicker than blood and, when push comes to shove, any mother will pull her claws out to protect her children.

Yoon Hyun Moo (ML's brother): Kim Kyung Nam deserves an award for his superb performance. Alongside Hui Jae, he stole the show for me. He had some of the most powerful scenes and the strength he displayed was of a different kind than usual. He was a sacrificial character (a spot almost always reserved for the female lead) but with a strong purpose. He loves, selflessly and fully, without expecting anything from anyone in return. I found myself hurting alongside him and rooting for him throughout most of the show.

Gil Moo Won (FL's brother): Another character that stood out with his complexity and excellent portrayal. We were given his backstory in small doses until the picture was completed. This was a character that lingered in his pain but who was strong enough to accept and ask for help when things got tough. He understood and empathized with Hyun Moo because they were both shades of grey, which gave them an undeniable bond. The fact that he plays off of Hyun Moo so well, made me wish they could've shared more screentime together.

PORTRAYAL OF ROMANCE: Sweet & nurturing
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The relationship between Na Moo and Nak Won was exceptionally balanced. It was an exchange of giving and taking; of want and need. They were loving, sweet and nurturing towards one another. They were also both hurting and, rather than taking the easy way out by keeping away from each other, they actively decided to pave a path out together. The quote: "You lean on me, I'll lean on you and we'll be okay" is enough to describe this beautiful relationship.

Here are some of the highlights:
1) They each have moments where one of them is vulnerable and the other strong; so it never feels one-sided.
2) There are no misunderstandings because they communicate with each other in a very honest and straightforward way.
3) The chemistry between them makes their relationship feel natural together. You can tell how much they care for each other with every stolen glance, soft smile and lingering touch.

HORROR FACTOR: Off the chart.
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You better be prepared to hold your breath and curl your toes whenever Yoon Hui Jae steps into the scene, is all I'm saying.

OVERALL: This is a masterpiece.
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The art direction is Hollywood quality (I'd say it even surpasses it). The framing, colors and lighting enhance the message communicated. So if you know what you're looking for, you'll be amazed at the attention to detail.

The music has also been carefully selected, used to amplify a feeling rather than distract. The ambient sounds help enhance the atmosphere, drawing you into the scene and forcing you to live it alongside the character.

Add to that the interesting story, superb characters and amazing acting you'll get a series that you'll not soon forget. Re-watch value for this is also quite high.

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XIAO DUO & BU YINLOU IS THE BEST PART OF THIS DRAMA

Okay first thing first I’m the type to give review on mdl just for dramas I found really entertaining to watch from ep1- to ending. Now that the show had ended, I will give my review for this surprising very engaging drama to me. I watched this drama because of the dark trailer vibe and angst I thought gonna happened 90% of the time due to the eunuch-concubine love story but nope, this drama surprised me with romcom moments and I love it so much. Watch for super non-toxic and hot-cute couple. It’s serious yet not so serious drama I must say. And I love it!

This is my first time watching both main leads on a full drama, before this I did know them from drama clips on YT etc so it’s not that I’m entirely new to both of them but this is their first drama I watched in full until the end. And I love Yukee Chen (Bu Yinlou) and Dylan Wang ( Xiao Duo) so much on this drama. Sure, I can’t say their acting are perfect from beginning to the end but the definitely improved so much throughout the show. Yukee Chen is good with emotional scenes and she can cry naturally & easily imo. Her best scenes that are so memorable to me from this drama were confrontation scenes with the Emperor and emotional scenes with ML Xiao Duo and her father. BYL is very strong, smart, cunning and calculative. She’s not good at martial art like XD but she’s definitely strong willed and not the type to be bullied as well. In fact, the bullies are the ones who need to be scared with her comeback. If people hit her, she will definitely hit them back on the spot. I love this kind of FL in cdramas. I will drop dramas I’m watching if I feel like FL is too stupid, I only like smart people. And BYL is exactly the character I like to watch in dramas. I’m so satisfied to get this kind of FL who’s actually useful to the plot and helping the whole scenes along with ML.
Dylan Wang as Xiao Duo is a good match! He indeed looks suave while doing martial art scenes. He just nailed it with his posture and movements. Dylan is still young but I can see great potential in him. His memorable scenes in this drama are of course his fighting scenes whoa I repeated few times before I moved on to next scene, and his lovey dovey scenes with FL. He also has mature looks, so he can look older than his age with correct expressions. I think he did so well as XD. ML is a very smart, cunning and calculative person as well. XD and BYL actually have so much similarities in character imo, so their synergy are really good and they can simply understand each other’s plan when they’re scheming something. These two are too smart that they can’t even fool each other. Yet despite how cunning and calculative they’re, I like that they’re not toxic to each other. At first they did used each other for support but that’s before they fall in love. I love how these two didn’t have stupid misunderstanding because they just know each other very well. I’m satisfied with the romance despite the cuts (yes there’s many cuts due to censorship) but even without those cuts, the romance is still there. Despite all this ‘forbidden love’ thingy, don’t worry, these two especially XD didn’t even try to hide their relationship😂 He only tried to deny BYL’s feeling once but after that, he’s on full flirting mode with her till the end. He’s so hotly ‘dark’ looking on the first few episodes but once he started to have feeling for her, oh my this cold-hot-ML trouple turning into hot soft-husband to his wife will always make me melt. He didn’t even care if anyone in the Imperial City knows about them. Their romance is the best thing in this drama imo, I stick to them till the end because they totally worth my time. I think their chemistry is really convincing, no one can convince me otherwise. They’re cute and hot together. XIAO DUO AND BU YINLOU IS THE BEST PART OF THIS DRAMA!

okay plot wise, I’m majorly attracted to this forbidden love between eunuch-concubine because I had watched Serenade of Peaceful Joy and damn the angst between the Princess and her eunuch there was heart wrenching but I love that this drama made some plot twist. They made it lighter romcom, yes there are very serious moments here and there, you will get scared and creeped out by the Emperor because damn he’s SO CREEPY! Too obsessed with FL. Peter Ho did amazing job here because I cursed him so much throughout the show. Like seriously, he’s good!
But everytime there’s serious scenes, this show will manage to lighten the mood with comedy after it, so you don’t get traumatized. It’s light not light, serious not serious to me. I like it that way.

About the cuts, at first I was mad but after knowing how they only passed the censorship after 3rd time, I’m just thankful that they managed to release this. You can check out the discussion section here, the cuts to fill in your imagination will be there. That’s some high quality cuts YOU MUST WATCH (lot of kissing😏) or else you will miss out the good stuffs, this is important!

I will assure you that you will be fine with the ending. Some plot holes here & there which is expected to me but as long as my CP is okay I don’t really care about anything else, as simple as that. To me this show is a MUST WATCH for news stans of Dylan Wang and Yukee Chen. Good performances from both of them and shout out to Peter Ho for being effective psycho.

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12? Doesnt even deserve a 5. One of the worst of the year

Sad and crappy doesnt even sum up how i feel about this drama. ANd they have the gulls to tease us of a second season?

Putting Ma Dong Seok Park Hyung Sik and Seo in Guk in one drama got me so excited although right at the beginning i had reservations why Seo in Guk wasnt used enough in the trailers to sell the drama. Netizens say give the series a chance, and why not? The show promises an epic battle between angels and demons - and who isnt intrigued to see Park Hyung Sik in a differnet role. Sadly the show didnt deliver at all and was such a disappointment and my fears were realized as SIG is actually just a second fiddle and PHS wasnt actually the villain.

I dont even know how much the actors got paid for them to accept working in this trash. Didnt they (or dont they pay people to) read the script before signing up? They should be firing their agents and managers.

BAD WIGS. BAD COSTUMES. BAD MAKEUP. BAD ACTING. BAD PRODUCTION DESIGN. BAD SPECIAL EFFECTS. BAD SCRIPT. BAD STORYTELLING. BAD FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY. if someone confesses that this show is made entirely by bad AI, i would totally believe it.

There was literally NO ONE among the characters to love and get attached to.

And to the cinematographers and editors and special effects people out there please take note that this kind of weird ugly colorgrading and filters and smoke cloudy effects are not fooling anyone and its not hiding how poor the visual effects are. they just make it worse.

Is there anything good? Nothing.

This is the lowest grade Ive ever given a Korean drama. It is that bad. Stay away like your life depends on it.

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Have you always been waiting for a drama that actually teaches you something valuable? and makes you think of your own life? and boosts your energy? and has a positive effect on you? Well, this is it.

Story
A perfect combination of reality and life presented in the best manner it could be presented in. The writer managed to keep the story true and realistic with real life issues (based on experience it's all real) and yet kept it fresh and fun to watch. This drama carried out a strong message "it's better late than never" "the present is really a present (gift)". Try to live your life without regrets, live your life first for YOU before anyone else, appreciate the time you have now and live it to the max. This is the 1st drama that made me think of my own life and gave me hope and refreshed my memory with my past life and made me think of my present and future. This drama has boosted my energy and gave me positive insight even with all the issues that were discussed in the drama there is always bright side to everything. For once no villains no insane characters.

Acting
The whole cast were so true and natural to their characters but Choi Ji Woo and Lee Sang Yoon are the show's strongest point!! They had an amazing on screen chemistry they seemed so true so real and so adorable. They managed to present such normal average characters and bring them out into life in a very delightful manner (and people say it's the character that makes the actor) that's not true at all even with such plain characters those two have managed to show us how wonderful of actors they are.

Rewatch?
Definitely YES I would rewatch it over and over again because I need something as positive as this to boost my energy and remind me that it really is never too late.

Overall
Are you a drama lover? This drama fits everyone's taste because it's a slice of life and yet it has everything that we as drama fans love and would wanna watch. If I could I would personally go and thank everyone who helped making it.

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This PART 2 Should Never Have Happened

If you loved the first part, DONT WATCH THIS. You have been warned. This series suddenly made All of Us Our Dead a masterpiece.

The first part was an ok mess, there were some things that can be improved if you are nitpicking but still it was a fun gory watch.

Then this happened. The awaited conclusion, that sadly wasnt what it was expected to be. There was a sudden shift in tone and genre - what was initially an apocalyptic scifi horror show became a teenage psychotic drama.

Unlike some people who enjoyed it till episode 9, i was already dreading the ending from episode 7, the shift in pacing was noticeable after the action sequence at the beginning of the episode, and was constantly waiting for the action and the momsters to attack. By the end of episode 8, i already had the feeling the cute alien monsters are never coming back.

I can only conclude that the studio decided it is not worth to give this series the budget for special effects but they're already shooting so they changed plan mid-way that forced them to give it a totally different ending.

Dont get me wrong, these whole second part is not a bad drama - if it wasnt the conclusion of Duty After School Part 1. The problem is, this is not what i signed up for. I was waiting for a gory end, a satisfactory conclusion. I want answers to the questions that arised from the first part, but none of that were resolved. In the finale, suddenly we are led to believe that after 2 years, a magic wand was brandished and everything is back as it used to be. Where are all these people during the war? What we get is a drama that reminds me so much of the series Happiness.

There was a line in the last episode that perfectly summarizes the whole PART 2, when Chi Yeol said that a weapon was developed and ridiculously all the spheres were eliminated. This part 2 is exactly that - a total pointless waste of time and money.

Whats even worse is how they treated the actors - because everyone was quite good in it. Their characters doesnt deseeve their endings and its such a waste as this could have been a career-launching show.

It is such a shame because there could be a wealth of ideas to mine from the original story that could have been used to extend the span of this series into multiple season.

Avoid at all cost. Not worth your time.

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