This review may contain spoilers
Life Imitating Art In Amazingly Realistic Detail
Tissues, tissues, and more tissues. This show absolutely blew my mind. I knew the premise but still the acting and accuracy were unforgettable. I wasn't familiar with the leads, just a few of the support but they took this show to a whole other level. For me it was life imitating art in amazingly realistic detail.Pros: I know ALS well as one of my great aunt's had it and ironically I diagnosed her a day before her doctor did at the nursing home. But she was in her early 80s and it was her leg for 4 out of the 5 years. We lived in different countries so by the time she was diagnosed, she only lived several more months. But here was different; you had a young guy and taking on something so devastating just absolutely broke my heart. I love how they handled it with professionalism and grace. Both lead actors did a superb job as did most of their loved ones and coworkers. Plus bringing in an actual ALS specialist as opposed to just an actor to play the part was very smart.
Where I said life imitated art was because I've got a chronic illness though without an expiration date; when LT's disease was getting bad I felt like he was living my life. I was bedridden for 2 years, it nearly killed me, I know wheelchairs, ambulance trips to the ER 6 times a month, crawling on your hands and knees to the bathroom, falling, tremors, all of that. Even now when I've had a setback and when he had given up all hope and rolled into the river and AZQ stopped him, it was like my mom and me. Her yelling at me not to give up and me saying I want to meet my grandfather in heaven because like LT, I lost my grandfather over 3 years ago but to a tragic accident that every first responder in my city still remembers; it was the catalyst for this setback. Like LT, my grandfather raised me so he was a father and grandfather though I have a great mom unlike LT who's mom needed tweaking. So many similarities, you can imagine how hard watching this was but at the same time, it was too beautiful not to. When the setback occurred I had just finished all of my classes in my PhD program, was/am an honor student and was set to start my dissertation; now I've spent 4 years nearly trying to get back to school to finish my degree without success...yet. Just like LT having to see his dreams go down the drain; it's too much. In case people are interested, the illness I have is called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or ME for short; I've got a slew of others but this one is the life/death sentence without treatment or a cure and affects 20 million people worldwide (for further information please visit www.MEadvocacy.org). Enough about me.
It was refreshing to see how LT's company and boss stood behind him and with him every step of the way. The OSTs were wonderful and LY's perfect portrayal of LT especially towards the end as I saw a lot of Stephen Hawking's mannerisms in his performance. I would absolutely give him some best actor award. LLY (AZQ) was super woman; her quiet grace was so poignant even when she was constantly quietly crying; she would be the voice of reason even towards adults. Wise beyond her years. I'm so glad how parents evolved and understood their negligence or their children's strength. Also CGP, I mean my lord, this man had to shoulder his best friend's secret for so long, I was afraid he was going to have a mental breakdown. He shouldn't have ever been given this burden, which I'll talk about in the cons.
Cons: This story would have gotten a rare 10 from me though I wouldn't be able to rewatch it, but a few things I feel just could have been changed. For starters, I understand not wanting to be a burden to your loved ones probably better than many but when you're living on borrowed time and you can see things getting worse, those loved ones like your girlfriend deserve the choice of staying with you or not. That breakup was so unnecessary and than the best friend has to shoulder it all, isn't fair to people. LT wasn't given a choice with ALS but then he turns around and shuts out the one he loves the most? Is there a difference? Everyone in his life was devastated when they found out and angry and they deserved to be. He should have said something. Because they could have mitigated things 6 months earlier. He wouldn't have worsened so fast as the doctor said, mental stability is everything in these kinds of situations. I don't agree with his choices then. If it was an illness like mine, ok sure, time is all we have even when our bodies spiral out of control but ALS is a ticking clock, no luxury of time.
Secondly, I'm sorry but I couldn't take XHD. She never spoke normally, not once. She was either whining, yelling, or acting like a self righteous know it all; that time she blamed LT for cheating and CGP threw her out of the restaurant and told her to get lost was the best thing he did. She was out of line and just a mess. Than throwing them together romantically was unnecessary and zilch chemistry between the two to boot. They made her character way too over the top and it was jarring. Couldn't our FL have a sane friend?
Lastly, this was small but it would have been less confusing if they posted the time jumps on the screen. No need to make a big deal out of it but just subtly noted because it was confusing where we were especially once LT was diagnosed.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely; just with a whole stock of tissues. It's like one of those artistic films that just takes a place in your heart forever. I know it did in mine.
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On the downside, I do wish the antagonists in the show were as multi-dimensional as the protagonists. The shadowy gang of leering oligarchs plotting EEEEVIL in back rooms felt preordered from central casting, with master plans that were too over-the-top to be really believable. I kept expecting them to start stroking Persian cats or feeding their piranhas. If you’re watching for the action thriller/romance elements, you probably won’t mind, but their cartoonish-ness undermines the credibility of the crusading journalists out to take down corruption strand of the story. It doesn’t diminish the fun, but it does make the show less socially relevant than it would like to be. There is also an odd casualness in the way that all of the characters, both good and bad, roam in and out of each others' lives and lairs with impunity. I guess courage is virtue, but I’m not sure I’d curl up and take a nap in the heart of enemy territory.
This is a show though where the emotional through-lines not the plot mechanics are the real draw, and those deliver with a vengeance. You’ll laugh and cry and smile and fall in love. In an entertainment world full of lots of explosions but few real sparks, that's reason to rejoice.
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This review may contain spoilers
Genius & Missteps
'A Bloody Lucky Day' initially captivated me with its promising premise and a cast brimming with potential. The portrayals by Oh Taek and Yoo Yeon Seok were particularly commendable, showcasing a range of emotions – fear, love, despair, and hope – with admirable finesse. Lee Jung Eun, embodying the anguish and vengeance-driven mother Hwang Soon Kyu, added depth to a story woven around loss and revenge.Despite the strong performances, the series, unfortunately, falls short of its potential, primarily due to a script that seems stretched beyond its natural conclusion for monetary gains. This dilution of narrative intensity becomes glaringly apparent in the conclusion of episode six, which, in my view, would have been a more fitting end to the story.
The series' pivotal moment – the confrontation between Hwang Soon Kyu and the antagonist Geum Hyuk Soo – was disappointingly executed. The build-up to this moment, laden with Soon Kyu's grief and hunger for vengeance, loses its impact in a sequence that felt more like a convenient plot device than a logical progression of the story. This anticlimactic resolution contradicts the strength and determination previously shown by Soon Kyu, reducing the character's journey to a mere footnote.
Additionally, the series introduces peripheral characters that serve little more than cannon fodder, whose sole purpose seems to be their inevitable demise at the hands of the killer. A particularly frustrating instance of this occurs during a sequence involving the taxi sending out an emergency signal. Two characters, instead of sensibly calling the police upon noticing the distress signal, choose to recklessly follow the taxi. This decision, devoid of any logical reasoning, inevitably leads to their swift and somewhat predictable deaths. Their inclusion and quick exit from the plot, while infuriating, at least doesn't prolong their senseless storyline. It was a moment where one might fleetingly think they almost deserved their fate for such blatant disregard for their own safety.
Despite these criticisms, the series does manage to redeem itself in parts, especially with the clever subplots involving the killer, which added a layer of intrigue and suspense. Yet, the final moments, involving an underdeveloped and ineffective detective character and a somewhat clichéd intervention by Taxi driver Lee Sung Min's son, were underwhelming, to say the least.
The soundtrack, another aspect where the series could have shined, was lackluster and failed to complement the tone of the series effectively.
In conclusion, 'A Bloody Lucky Day' is a series with a strong start and commendable performances that, unfortunately, gets ensnared in its own narrative complexities and commercial constraints. It's a series that could have been a masterful exploration of grief and retribution but ends up as a mere reflection of what might have been
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An After-School Passion For Crime...
The message of the Extracurricular becomes clearly evident for viewers over the course of the show ; South-Korean society can become a “ dog-eat-dog” world if individuals are impoverished, or if they do not match-up to the expectations of being “ successful ”( succeeding in school, being rich , going to university and getting a good job), and none so are these pressures more apparent than for our main protagonist, Ji Soo.Kim Dong Hee ( Itaewon Class , SKY Castle) ventures once again into another South-Korean social critique as the high schooler Ji Soo; a model-student who soon falls from grace when he becomes involved in illicit after - school activities in order to attend and pay for his fees to go to University .
Directed by Kim Min Jin ( Time Between Dog and Wolf, Lawless Lawyer) and written by screenwriter Jin Han Sae ( Irish Uppercut) , Extracurricular undeniably addresses many realistic issues typically glossed over by mainstream South-Korean high school dramas; delinquency, prostitution, violence, the poverty gap, crime and academic stereotypes, are refreshingly neither “played down” nor ignored over the course of the series.
Nevertheless, despite its realistic topicalities and issues, Extracurricular was severely flawed by its characters, plot inconsistencies and overarching storyline as well.
Whilst it is hard to really fault any of our main cast within their performances, the character progression around many of our main protagonists was fairly lacklustre to say the least. By default, Ji Soo should have been an intriguing protagonist; hardworking, impoverished, a tragic past and who becomes a victim of the forced social pressures in order to “ succeed” by partaking in numerous shady crimes. However, in reality, there were few prominent or truly captivating traits or elements present within Ji Soo as a character. Although he arguably had some form of strength within wanting to survive in a cruel world, his impassivity at key moments often made him hard to feel any strong sentiments towards as an individual.
Arguably our female main lead Gyu Ri ( Park Joo Hyun) had some elements such as coming from a well-to-do family , holding a nasty grudge against them and her mysterious reasons for getting close to Ji Soo which made her a more intriguing character than our male lead. On the other hand similar to Ji Soo, Gyu Ri lacked a lot of character depth during key moments, making it hard to hard understand both her initial enmity towards her parents as well as exactly how she became so interested in Ji Soo in the first place. Similarly, the second leads of the series, school bullies Min Hee ( Jung Da Bin) and Ki Tae ( Nam Yoon Su) were undeniably intriguing characters, however, their lack of emotional depth and backstory often made them feel more like “ stock” leads simply used as plot devices, rather than actually intriguing individuals.
To summarise, it’s fair to say that the series Extracurricular, isn’t your run-of-the-mill high school drama; it isn’t afraid from offering a deeper insight into tricky issues, themes and topics, as well as having an intriguing plot, however, a fairly inconsistent ending , several badly-written characters with poor depth and backstories and lacking realism at times, often made this series feel a little lacklustre in comparison to other psychological high school dramas out there. Worth a watch if you’re looking for something to pass the time, but certainly not worth actually investing time towards.
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Unique story, great acting, poor execution.
Starting off with the good points, I enjoyed learning more on the educational system in Korea. That aspect felt very unique. The acting was also superb. However, there's only so much that the actors can do. While the story was interesting, it was dragged unnecessarily and just when things started to get interesting in the last two episodes, the story quickly ended.Additionally, based on the promotion of this drama, I expected it to be more heavily centred around their romantic relationship, however I didn't find it to be the central part of the show.
Overall, the show dragged and the pacing was strange. While I appreciate the idea behind it, I think it was not executed to its full potential.
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Soft vibes, steamy kisses, and zero drama—Shimane serves BL comfort with heat!
P and the adorable chaos twins Pan & Plai are back from Kiseki in Tokyo Chapter 2, and it honestly feels like we’re third-wheeling their Japan trip. No toxic drama, no love rivals—just wholesome vibes, good food, and a random “hey let’s all move in together” plan that somehow works. 👫👬✈️Plot? Sure… if you count “friends hanging out, sightseeing, and convincing their Thai pals to shack up in Shimane” as a plot. But honestly? I’m not mad. Sometimes you don’t need rollercoaster drama—just soft, slice-of-life moments that feel like a warm blanket (with occasional spicy scenes to keep you awake 😉).
Speaking of spice… THIS is how you do intimacy in BL. Every kiss? Hot. Every NC scene? Steamy but not cringe. Realistic, tender, and just the right amount of “oops, did I just replay that?” energy. 🔥
Look, I get why some people say “it’s boring” or “there’s no plot.” But let’s be honest—we’re not here for Shakespeare. We’re here for pretty boys, beautiful Japan scenery, and NC scenes that actually deliver. And on that front, Season of Love in Shimane absolutely nails it. A cozy, low-stakes binge that hit the spot on my Sunday night.
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The acting was incredible. I have never seen anything of Lee Jin Wook's, so I was kind of weary on how well he'd deliver, but I gotta say I was both surprised and pleased with his performance. Same goes for Jo Yoon Hee.. I didn't think she'd be as good as she was, since the only drama I've seen her in was "Lie To Me" and she wasn't one that stuck out, in my opinion. Even the 1992 counterparts played their roles well, so as far as acting goes this was a really well chosen cast that I must commend whoever's in charge of casting, because it's good to see that some people don't rely on just the most well-known actors to get good ratings, and actually focus on the particular actor's skills performance. As for the music... Nothing that really stuck out to me. A few good OST's here and there, but nothing too special.
Overall, I had to give this drama a 10. Just looking at the story plot and acting was enough on it's own, nothing else mattered. Although I probably wouldn't rewatch this as soon as I could, since every episode was like added stress that I had to agonize over for a week, but definitely a drama I highly recommend you check out! Especially if you too like those deeper meaning endings... I mean I don't know what it is, but they make me so happy I can't explain it. This drama sucks you in from the get-go, so I hope you all give this one a chance!
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We’re all familiar with the Japanese sense of creativity that knows no limits and this film falls under that category. Takeshi Miike is surely a genius director but he comes up with pretty crazy films sometimes, that’s why I understand people who think of this as unwatchable and I also relate to those who consider it another creative work. What’s for sure is that this film isn’t directed for everyone.
This is basically a school film; one of those J-films where there are lots of delinquents and a badass male lead and of course, there’s a little romantic interest as a spice. But then things get ultimately awkward and irritating when they add singing and dancing to those elements. I don’t know what this film’s makers were thinking about when they did that. I thought that they were trying to imitate a Disney musical or something but if that was the case, then this was a drastic failure. I believe that the film would’ve been more enjoyable if they excluded the meaningless singing and dancing, I had to skip those parts to be able to follow the story and that was somehow successful. But then again, you can’t consider this as a pure delinquent film since it was interrupted with pointless romance without any chemistry that grabs your intention.
The acting was pretty alright. I mean there’s Satoshi as the male lead and let’s not forget other good actors such as Sakura and Ihara who were quite good as actors but I can’t say the same about any character in this film, most of them were all over the place especially the female lead who was utterly annoying and badly written. So you can guess that this is a film where you have to set a thin barrier between acting and characters; even though the former was quite good, the latter was a hot mess.
The music department was extremely bad, I do believe that it ruined the whole film no matter how much you try to ignore it; it will pop out in front of you out of nowhere to destroy any sort of entertainment you expect from this film. I think this is the worst musical film (if that what the makers were trying to accomplish) ever made.
Taken as a whole, I wouldn’t dare to recommend this to anyone because I am sure that most people would hate the frustrating singing and dancing but if you can disregard those elements and watch this as another weird school/delinquent J-film mixed up with some romance then this could be to your liking. However, remember not to have any expectations for this one or else, you will end up awfully disappointed.
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Kaseifu no mita is a really cool family drama. I really don’t like family dramas a whole lot but this one was pretty good. A creepy, robotic, Nanny McFee character is the housekeeper who of course teaches the family valuable lessons, and unifies the family all while learning one herself. The main reason I don’t like most family dramas is because they are really unrealistic. However this one really touches on a dark side of life. Not all smiles and happy times, this drama delves into teenage sex, infidelity, suicide, longing, angst, anger and tragedy. Looking at how a family fell apart and was unconsciously mended back together through individual choices made me want to see each episode. I wanted to know whose turn was it to get “fixed”, and how/where was it gonna happen.
Nanako Matsushima was awesome!! She was not only totally believable but she was the character, and it was played to perfection. Other outstanding actors were Shiori Kutsuna who really did bring out the troubled teenager she was playing.
What I didn’t like was the ridiculous concept that the housekeeper never getting into trouble doing what she did. If they were going to be realistic and dark they should have gone all the way. I found the youngest kid annoying (I think that’s what they were aiming for) and a lot of her parts I fast forwarded through. I really wanted one of the kids to become a yankee but ***** no spoilers here****. The grumpy grandfather never became loveable to me and for some reason I found the longing of the aunt (urara played by Aibu saki) annoying and unnecessary. Each time the kids asked Mita (housekeeper) what to do, she answered the exact same thing, that drove me crazy because they kept looking like she would say something different.
The story was great but I felt like the revelations at the end were rushed and unnatural, almost as if the writers didn’t realize it was time for the drama to end. I would have liked the drama to focus a bit more on the housekeeper throughout and not just at the last 15 minutes. Dot get me wrong the ending was still nice and sweet , but it could have been better. The story itself seemed as if midway they needed new material. Like they ran out of problems within the family to tackle so they moved to the unnecessary neighbors. Still it looked like they have this one primed for a second season and I would watch that one too. However in the next family maybe they could make the family less annoying, because in some episodes 4 whiny, selfish, nosy brats and a spinelessa, cry-baby father were too much to take. Although it doesn't suck you in, and make you a part of the family, this one is an interesting watch.
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JoongDunk chemistry never disappoints
Yes this was not perfect and the hidden agenda was not a big deal at all, I expected more. But I enjoyed this. It was a simple BL and I absolutely love JoongDunk, so I had to finish this. As always they look so good together with overflowing chemistry.They improved a lot and the kissing scene were so much better than in star in my mind.
It was interesting the issues that were addressed with like the relationship with their families, the pressure…
I also like the second couple, wish we had seen more of them.
Don’t know why add this stupid problems in the last episode, Zo annoyed me here. Joke is such a good boyfriend, I didn’t like how Zo treated him sometimes. Also, it would have been interesting to explore more Joke story about his relationship with his family.
For me, it’s not as bad as people are saying it is, you don’t always need a big or complicated plot.
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I began watching this movie because of Okada Masaki, an actor whom caught my attention by being brilliant in most of his roles (He has a minor role in this movie but still managed to get an acting nominee for best supporting role). What made me keep watching was the thrilling story, something I did not expect (I didn't even read the synopsis before I began watching), the dark feeling and the overall fantastic actors. One would not think that 37 middle school students can create such an atmosphere. The woman who played the main character, Takako Matsu, was amazing in her role. But, let me quote "let's not forget the amazing ensemble cast of young Japanese actors who ultimately steal the show from Matsu's cold as ice teacher with their riveting performances as existential youth gone wrong".
This masterpiece was completed by their use of Radiohead's Last Flowers.
All I can say is: "Watch and be amazed" because this will mess with you.
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A rare instance when the word “legend” in the name of a drama is not just a word
First and foremost, I must praise the cinematography and lighting in this drama. It is the most aesthetically stunning series I’ve seen in recent years, and unquestionably the most visually beautiful Chinese drama I’ve ever encountered. The breathtaking sets, the richly detailed costumes — it all feels so tangible, as though you could reach through the screen and touch it. The use of candles and Rembrandt-style lighting not only creates a painterly visual experience but also deepens the atmosphere and emotional resonance of the story.As for the plot, what fascinated me most about The Legend of Zang Hai is its masterful blending of genres: mystery, revenge thriller, political intrigue, family saga, and even romance. It’s rare for a revenge drama to so deeply explore the psychological toll of vengeance. As a viewer, you’re taken on a visceral emotional journey with the protagonist — moments of burning hatred give way to weariness, as you begin to question whether revenge is worth the weight it demands. The emotional core of the first two-thirds of the drama is Zang Hai’s all-consuming desire for revenge; in the final act, the narrative shifts and poses a profound question: What comes after? What remains of a person once vengeance is fulfilled? What lines have been crossed? What goodness has been lost?
The writing is exceptional. The audience is never condescended to . The story trusts the viewer to piece things together, gradually revealing its secrets until, by the end, you almost see the full picture. Many elements remain open to interpretation, and the drama doesn’t shy away from societal critique. But what resonated most with me personally was a single, piercing truth: the most important thing is to survive. To survive those who harmed you — that, in itself, is a form of victory.
I won’t spoil the ending, but I will say this: given how thoroughly the villain saturated Zang Hai’s life with illusion, it seemed nearly impossible for him to prevail. The truth had been so deeply buried under layers of deception that it felt like the odds were stacked against him. And yet, the way he ultimately triumphs is not only fitting — it’s poetic justice.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the extraordinary cast. Zang Hai, portrayed by Xiao Zhan, is the emotional heart of the story, and we experience most of the narrative through his perspective. It’s been a long time since I was so utterly spellbound by a performance. Every conflicting emotion — the love, the hatred, the grief, the restraint — is rendered so vividly that certain scenes continue to replay in my mind. Every cast member gave their all, including the villains. You may not like them, but you understand them.
A special mention must go to the actor who portrayed Gao Ming, Zang Hai’s master. Their bond becomes a central source of dramatic tension in the final episodes, embodying the contrast between darkness and light in Zang Hai’s life. And while romance isn’t a dominant theme in the story, I found the unconventional relationship between Zang Hai and Antu deeply compelling. Their characters feel like two halves of a whole. She and Gao Ming symbolize all that is still worth living for in Zang Hai’s world. One of my favorite moments is when she drops her sword and embraces him — a gesture of rare emotional clarity and tenderness.
If there’s one thing I would have loved to see more of, it’s the dynamic between Zang Hai and Prince Yong Rong. Their relationship had so much intriguing potential, and I sincerely hope we get to see more of it — perhaps in Season 2? 👀
I also must mention the musical score — especially the haunting ending song and the atmospheric background tracks. I’ll be adding them to my playlist as soon as they become available on streaming platforms. And the scene with the Kunqu Opera? Honestly, one of the most epic moments I’ve ever seen on screen.
The Legend of Zang Hai is my favorite drama in a long time, and without a doubt the Chinese drama for me. I feel as though I’ve witnessed the birth of a modern classic.
To every actor, every crew member who brought this masterpiece to life — thank you.
Hoping for a second season. 🙏
I was wondering what to rate it and ultimately decided that some aspects of the drama are worth more than a 10. So 10 it is.
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Fascinating Study of an Antihero Demon and the Heroic Immortal
Wow, this blew me away with how good it is so far even though I'm not a Xianxia die hard. This is no fluffy youth drama and even the romance is not really emphasized in the initial episodes. It's high budget with big name stars that live up to its expectations of an engaging storyline that is a complex character study of the ML. The relationship between the ML and FL is also complicated as she needs to save him to prevent future calamity even though he had harmed her immortal family and sect. The storyline, plotting, and pacing are done fairly well and my hope is the quality will be maintained for future episodes.The initial episodes are dedicated to examining how the Antihero ML was bullied, was considered an outcast and a harbinger of bad omens. He is shunned and tossed off by his father who is the king of the Jing Kingdom and becomes a hostage prince in the Sheng Kingdom. I've seen the ML in Love like Ashes and he knocks his role out of the park with this one. He fits the Bryonic antihero character like a glove. His mannerisms and facial expressions reflecting the darkness, moodiness and the numbness from the betrayals and lack of love in his life. The morally grey leanings and his pale physical appearance of being emaciated paves the path for his eventual rise to become the Demon Lord. I've also been impressed with Bai Lu the FL, she seems to have picked some good projects in the last few years (one or two bad ones) with storylines that have depth and are not conventional (Arsenal Military Academy, Beautiful Bones).
A must watch in 2023 for Xianxia Cdrama fans who like dark storylines.
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