However, having said that, I loved this movie. It fits perfectly to the "slice of life" genre, a glimpse of real life, and in this case real life is just a little bit funny to boot. I love the main character, and how she is portrayed by the main actress. I love the easy-going mood throughout the movie, the breezy and fresh theme of renting cats to lonely people.
The music and the cinematography elements of this movie are both important reasons to why I enjoyed it so much. It's beautifully done, shot, and persecuted. It also gives the feel of japanese traditions, the japanese life style that we all know and love (at least I do).
Lastly, because this is such a lay-back sort of movie with no particular goal or end line, I feel it's the kind of movie I could watch and re-watch many times.
Basically, I would recommend this to anyone that adores the slice of life genre and of course, if you adore cats, or mori style (because in my opinion this movie has a very mori-ish feel to it).
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A story of love, deceit and survival!
The drama throws you headfirst into a gritty, neon-soaked world where revenge is messy and love can cost you almost everything. From the start, it makes a bold impression with adrenaline-pumping action, some good and real visuals. Though the storytelling is very layered, it does wobble a bit in the middle but eventually it drew me back.Sun, freshly out of prison and burning with rage and revenge, set up his own gang. His journey starts off looking like a typical revenge story but his story wasn't that straightforward.
It quickly becomes clear that it’s much more than that. Beneath the surface lied a complex power struggle, where nothing is as it appears and every choice he made came with an emotional fallout.
On this journey, he meets Peace, the son of very man Sun is at war with. (Also I found his name very iconic xD) .Their love story felt heart breaking from the start. The relationship was delicate and beautiful but it was built on manipulation and lies even though the intention might not be wrong. The push and pull made sense and to be honest, I enjoyed it.
They really had good chemistry and the Korean-Thai blend worked for me. It didn't feel forced and the backstories were solid enough to support it.
The antagonists were cold and calculated, as they should have been in stories like this. They didn't just solely relief on the physical violence but a lot of emotional manipulation too. Especially Jihun, I found his character very smartly written compared to other villains here.
But somewhere in the middle, the drama seems to lose its focus. Too many new plotlines were introduced which weren't logical or realistic and some of the twists seemed unnecessary, only to overcomplicate an already complex story. It also started to feel a bit repetitive.
Acting-wise, everyone seemed to be doing a decent job though some emotional scenes could have been better. Visually, I think the drama did a good job with those dark alleys to those intentionally chaotic cityscapes. The fight scenes were sharp and well-choreographed.
The ending does seem to hint at season 2 but I feel they tied up the ends neatly and if there wasn't a next season, I wouldn't mind.
Overall, this was brutal, smart and intense that it occasionally stumbled under the weight of its own complexity. The love here wasn't the saving grace but it held the power to heal and harm. I would recommend it if you are looking for something gritty, where everything revolves around love and choices and their consequences but not "romance", though I feel there is plenty.
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Yoo Tak is such a jerk at the beginning - disillusioned with life and empty inside, and taking it out on everyone around him. And this show takes him, and the viewers, on a rollercoaster of a ride. The depth to this show is astounding. It starts out pretty light, with Yoo Tak doing what most people say they'd do in this kind of situation and living it up, but the longer the show goes on the more it pulls at your heart and makes you care So Much for the characters. This show is an emotional tidal wave. The lessons Yoo Tak learns are so hard but so vital and I loved every moment of watching him learn them.
The acting is phenomenal as well. Like wow. L displays the spectrum of emotions, from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows; love, depression, grief, regret, happiness, optimism, hope, hopelessness, anger, acceptance, and all the chaotic shades that blend them together. And Yoon So Hee portrays Da In in such a realistic way. I never doubted the way these two felt, about life or about each other.
As a show about an Indie band, you can expect that the OST for the show is pretty great, and it really is. Music is used wonderfully in this. It never threw me out of the plot or cringe because it didn't fit. It doesn't drown out what's happening in the show or fade to the background.
I went into this show confused and not expecting much, and came out the other side listing it as one of my favorite kdramas and recommending it to anyone I know who watches kdramas (or might, with enough persuasion, watch them).
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Wow! One of the Best BL Dramas for 2022!
What can I say? I loved this dram soooooo much. The two leads had a chemistry that surpasses anything that I have ever seen besides MewGulf , MaxTul and EarthMix. I love the characters. It's so cute and fluffy and makes you smile. I definitely recommend this drama for anyone just looking for something light, cute and adorable. I have now become a fan of Park Seoham. OMG he is so incredibly handsome and talented. I will be looking forward to his future projects upon his return from Military duty. I pray he stays safe and in good health. WATCH THIS DRAMA. You will not be disappointed!Was this review helpful to you?
The drama has a good sense of humor that increases on each episode. The episode doesn't end and you may find yourself searching for the next one. Most of the music is old but they are really good and suitable with each situation they go through. It's a dorama worth having in your list.
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Park Sae Royi was fine, but it all honesty nothing special. He is your basic sturdy lead who is supposed to be the all around perfect person everyone else looks up to. Nothing to dislike about him, but at the same time not super interesting. I'm probably more negative toward him just simply due to him being paired up with Yi-so.
It's nice and all that the show tried to add some progressive elements with Toni and Hyun Yi, but I feel like they could have done more, especially with Toni. For once I would like to see a foreign looking character be born and raised Korean, to stick it in all the racist faces that will only accept them as being foreigners. But yet once again they fail to do that here by making Toni just another one of these characters who has never even lived in Korea until a year previously. Nor was he even a registered Korean, which only proved the annoying Yi-so's point that he wasn't Korean. I appreciate the try, but I hope the writer can push things a bit more progressive next time, and not just what felt to me as just surface level.
The one thing that kept me going through this show was the revenge plot. It was entertaining and I enjoyed Yoo Jae-Myung's dastardly villain. And for better or worse, I did really like Nara in this, even though the show had to go and do her wrong, but she is a secondary lead so what else is new.
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Sweet romance, great chemistry and a feel-good fun story
Looking for a light-hearted lakorn that still provides a little emotional roller-coaster ride? You Are My Heartbeat may be just the drama for you.This is a true rom-com Thai style with slapstick antics, witty and lowbrow humor that mesh well with the story. It also used well-paced timing, cheesy romance, and effective music effects to keep things engaging and entertaining for me from start to finish. I cannot claim the same for the Chinese original "Fox's Summer" since I dropped that series in the middle. I found the female lead character too annoying, and the actor who played the male lead could not act.
One can expect the usual tropes like co-habitation, intelligent but emotionally stunted "CEO" ML, an annoying supporting female character interested in the ML, and a domineering narrow-minded elder relative, the grandmother of both the ML and SML. The grandmother was definitely irritating, the necessary antagonist that kept the show from being too much of a fluff piece.
The cherry on top for me was the good looks galore. I think the entire show was a showcase for Push and Mai, who had great chemistry and looked so so gorgeous together. Both of them can do comedy, and they did an excellent job portraying their characters, including nailing the more emotional scenes.
Mai Davika as Kheetika was BEAUTIFUL, and I coveted her outfits. Her character was smart, stubborn, and creative but vulnerable and soft at times. Kheetika had no qualms manipulating the situation, including lying to get out of trouble, but at the same time, she was principled and straightforward. Her motto was "do unto others what they do unto you". In contrast, Push's character, Sira, was so averse to lying to the point that he could get sick if someone lied too much. Due to his past, he was also germaphobic and had a pretty low EQ when it came to romance. Push stole my heart yet again, and even if the drama only showed the lead couple doing nothing the whole time, I would still watch just to appreciate all that fineness. If there is anything to criticize, it would be the amount of makeup applied for the entire cast.
With these two as the lead couple, I was interested from the get-go, so much so that I watched it without subtitles and then with subtitles the second time.
Romance-wise, it was a slow burn one, which I did not mind at all. For someone so unsociable and inexperienced in love, Sira was one smooth operator, saying the cheesiest but adorable lines to Kheetika. One can see the character development of Sira as Kheetika gradually helped him get rid of his germaphobia and his reaction to lying. I wish there was more kissing because they looked comfortable and natural together when they did.
The secondary couple's story, however, turned me off. I did not like how they started their relationship and the cause for the SML having done a 180 degrees turn and moved his attention from the FL to the other woman. The whole situation felt somewhat contrived. Also, I am not sure what the stylist was doing with these two characters regarding their outfits. Both actors were attractive but dressed in the most unflattering clothes.
In general, though, the acting (especially the comedic parts) was good across the board, and there was just so much chemistry between the cast.
AS for the music, there were only 3 main songs, and Jackrin Kungwankiatichai, who played Sasa, the SML sang one of the tracks. I like them, but they were not super memorable. The opening song was fun to listen to and lent the same tone of positivity that was infused throughout the show. For posterity, I listed them at the end of my review.
Overall, I enjoyed this lakorn and would have rated it higher if the last two episodes were not as focused on the grandmother's redemption. Even though the lead couple got together earlier, I did not get enough of their sweet moments since the side-plot of Sira and his grandmother became the main storyline towards the end. That being said, the last few scenes were lovably cute, so ultimately, it was a nice ending.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAFpeeNAOM8
ยิ่งหนียิ่งเจอ Inescapable Love · Two Popetorn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-aVWbCDyB0
Just Wanna Be With You · Zom Marie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUKBQcX0pBo
รักที่ต้องหยุดไว้ Let's End This · Jackie Jackrin
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Love Triangle and Signs from the Other
I just finished watching all 122 episodes and have been re-watching the series for more than half a dozen times from beginning to end. I really enjoyed the series because it tells us about how to live our lives to the fullest, and the meaning of families in our lives.The wisdom and advice from Mr. Geum Jung-do to his adopted son (Dr. Han Seok-Hoon) and his three daughters (Geum Doo-na, Geum Seol-hwa, and Geum Se-na) are so meaningful and heartwarming. The phrases that Grandma Yoon uses also remind me of our elders when they describe the most basic rule of good manners. Also, "Golden Pouch" tells a story about Signs from the Other Side. Dr. Han Seok-Hoon's deceased Mom is sending signs to his son through Seol-hwa in the form of mandu/dumplings and embroidery pouch, including initial meeting between Dr. Han and Seol-hwa in the river in Namwon (the city where Dr. Han was born and almost drown in the river when he was six year old). The Signs from the Other Side are so vividly narrated throughout the series.
There is Love Triangle or rather three sided love triangle in "Golden Pouch". This K-drama series is so engaging and so memorable. Firstly, there is Dr. Han Seok-hoon's past relationship with Bae Min-hee, and secondly, both Dr. Han Seok-hoon and Yoon Joon-sang fall in love with Geum Seol-hwa. All lead characters have their own motivation, hopes, values and fears.
There is Bae Min-hee's ambitious motivation after Dr. Han rejects Min-hee when she wants to come back after she left Dr. Han when he loses his memory and cannot perform any surgeries due to his injury. Min-hee's "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" is so dreadful and horrifying to the end of the series.
For the audience, it seems that both Dr. Han Seok-hoon and Yoon Joon-sang are "perfect person" for Geum Seol-hwa. Seol-hwa has feeling for Dr. Han, but Seol-hwa's adopted mom, Kim Choo-ja, wants Seol-hwa to marry a perfect and flawless man, the son of the wealthy Yoon family. I find this unique love triangle story does not drag on too long, but is engaging. Will Seol-hwa choose the man that needs her (Dr. Han Seok-hoon) or the man that wants her (Yoon Joon-sang)?
Dr. Han Seok-hoon and Miss Geum Seol-hwa have excellent on-screen chemistry, one of the best I have ever seen, it is unrivalled by any other K-drama series. We really think they have been in love for centuries in “Golden Pouch”. I truly believe I am watching a true story rather than fictional K-drama series. Seol-hwa is so lovely. Dr. Han is so kind and never gives up on his patients, including his love of his life "patient", Seol-Hwa. He is really serious on his work in the surgical theater. Dr. Han and Geum Seol-hwa's love is so pure and genuine.
However, I find the ending of the “Golden Pouch” series is inconclusive and unsatisfactory. There is no wedding for Dr. Han and Ms. Geum Seol-hwa nor do the Yoon and Geum families eat dumplings at the Dumplings Shop to conclude the drama series. I would be profoundly delighted if you could produce a two-hour feature TV movie that starts with the wedding between Dr. Han Seok-hoon and Ms. Geum Seol-hwa and ends with Yoon and Geum families eating dumplings together at the Dumplings shop.
I truly hope for a happy ending for both Yoon and Geum families, and for Dr. Han and Ms. Geum, a match made in heaven.
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This review may contain spoilers
Loved every single episode!
So finally the last episode came out! I won't lie I was kind of on the fence about watching it while the other episodes weren't out. I won't be doing that again because waiting for the next episode was excruciatingly painful.Akira and Yuki...my next best couple. The first episode got me hooked, I liked how weird and open they were when they first met. Although it's fast paced the acting wasn't. We got to feel the emotions they felt, nothing was rushed or squished together.
My favorite character was Yuki for sure, such a pure heart. I can't begin to tell you the amount of times I wanted to jump into my laptop and give him a hug. I just wanted to protect him; so naturally I was angry when Akira broke up with him. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was how quickly they got back together(ironically I felt it was rushed). I wanted more, I wanted anger, more tears, I wanted Akira to work harder in gaining Yuki's trust again. It's not like they broke up for a month and feelings were still fresh, rather it was years.
What I also loved was: even though it was fast paced the topic on self acceptance kept popping up and was resolved in a 'beautiful' manner. Akira finally realizing that living according to the book or peoples expectations wasn't going to make him truly happy. Once he put those feelings aside and accepted himself was one of my highlights. Same as Yuki coming out to his mom (whom by the way deserves trophy for best mom ever).
The drama was great, loved it and would rewatch it a million times more. I just wish the last episode was a bit longer so we could bask in their happy ending a bit more, 30 seconds was not enough for me. They don't have to show us their entire timeline like in the book but a bit more happy ending would have fluffed up my world.
I would recommend this show for sure.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Fantasy Romance Reignited: A Review of "The Legend of Shen Li"
It's been far too long since I've been swept away by a fantasy romance drama. But "The Legend of Shen Li," a Chinese drama starring the captivating Zhao Li Ying and the ever-charismatic Lin Geng Xin, has reignited my love for the genre.This epic tale unfolds across the three realms: the divine, the immortal, and the mortal. We meet Shen Li, a powerful yet compassionate ruler burdened by pain and duty. Xing Zhi, on the other hand, carries the weight of immense responsibility, leaving little room for personal desires. Their paths collide, and as they navigate the treacherous waters of the three realms, they find solace and strength in each other.
This drama is for those who enjoy fantasy-romance genre or Chinese mythology.
Synopsis:
Shen Li (Zhao Li Ying), a ruler of the Immortal world also known as Lord Bi Cang, is forced into a loveless marriage with a lord of the Divine realm. But it turns out the man she is to marry is a playboy and idles away his life. To escape this ill-fated marriage she tried to run away but is in-turn chased by the soldiers of the immortal world.
During her escape she experiences life-threatening injuries leading her to turn into her original form, a phoenix and falls into the Mortal world.
There, mistaken that she is a chicken, a butcher captures her and plucks all her feathers making it hard for her to escape.
A kind but sickly man, Xing Yun (Lin Geng Xin), finds her and recuperates her back from her ailing health and some how is the only one who understands her. To repay this man for the kindness he's shown her, Shen Li protects him from all threats and dangers. But her past soon catches up, forcing her to confront her responsibilities. Can love blossom amidst duty and destiny?
How will fate work between them? Are the gears already set and turning?
Personal remarks:
After the c-drama Princess Agents, I finally see the two leads reuniting in this wonderful drama. The storyline was so engaging I couldn't help but personally feel that 39 episodes is not enough. The actors performed beautifully and their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, creating a romance that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.
The plot unfolds with satisfying consistency, leaving no unanswered questions.
The supporting cast shines brightly, with each character bringing depth to the narrative. (Prepare to fall for the second male lead, Mo Fang!)
The direction and cinematography are top-notch, making the wait for this drama well worth it and the engaging plot, complex characters and thrilling fights made this drama a beautiful one!
I hope you all too enjoy this drama!
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Capture Captain Han's Lost Love would have been a better title.
This miniseries was cute. It gave a 'Mysterious Love' vibe. However. there were parts that felt repetitive, choppy and fell short. The overall scope of the storyline was pretty solid. Yet, the reason for the main villain's angst again Captain Han was still a bit unclear even at the end. The romance and chemistry between the leads was nice and sexy at times. The push and pull physical element with the leads sometimes conflicted with the dialog within the script. OST was a bit distracting. Yet, it's a solid mini to watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Superhero Lawyer Origins Story
One thing’s for certain. I don’t think I would have watched this if it hadn’t been for Namgoong Min and I don’t think I would have stuck it out to the end if it weren’t for him as well. It’s not complete waste but for many reasons it never reaches its potential. Nor does it transcend its comic booky roots. When the show is good it’s fun. Even somewhat poignant. At various points in the narrative when the show transitions from arc to arc, there’s far more filler than I am personally comfortable with. I can only conclude that this project was a Namgoong Min vehicle that showcases his versatility as an actor at home with both comedy and melodrama. The relative success of the One Dollar Lawyer largely relies on the lead actor’s ability to pull off a variety of idiosyncratic or slapstick moments and Namgoong Min does his best to acquit himself in every instance.Despite the title and the marketing campaign around this, the drama is undoubtedly a superhero origins story with detective elements. There’s very little of the legal side of things in this despite the dominant role that lawyers and prosecutors play here. The show highlights a variety of crimes but the show’s main character spends very little time in the courtroom even if he sees himself as a advocate for the voiceless. In fact Cheon Ji-hun has all the hallmarks of a superhero in the tradition of Batman and Spiderman. Indeed he is a composite of various ones that we’ve seen in the last two decades. Even the Big Bad in this instance, feels like a localized cartoon version of the Joker and the Green Goblin. Ji-hun’s above-average intelligence, perseverance and fearlessness (his superpowers) is generally what saves the day. When he leaves behind his job as prosecutor because of the death of a loved one, he immediately puts on a pair of sunglasses as if to indicate that he’s taken on the mantle left to him by said loved one. It then follows that his hairstyle, fashion sense and manner become more flamboyant as he dons the One Dollar Lawyer persona. They are his cape and cowl as it were. It’s a significant psychological moment for Ji-hun when (like Bats) the new persona becomes a mask that conceals the seething rage, inconsolable grief and the desire for revenge. But more like Spiderman, the devil-may-care personality allows him to be more ostentatious, talkative and witty. He is a man with a wound in search of a balm. There is temporary relief to be found in helping people who can’t afford to fork up for a half decent lawyer but the festering wound runs deep. In the long run the sort of clientele that he attracts as the One Dollar Lawyer serves as a reminder to him that the world doesn’t have to be that relentless battleground where the powerful run roughshod over the weak.
Much of this show is about Cheon Ji-hun’s quest to find closure and healing from the tragedies that have afflicted him in recent years. Once he gets his resolution from personally apprehending the Big Bad, this forever cements his identity as the One Dollar Lawyer. It defines him as much as he defines it. He builds the character from an empty slate and the character becomes a skin to inhabit when he transforms into the man of the people — helping those who are backed into a corner and do his eleventh hour save. It is a journey he begins because it helps him connect with his beloved Ju-yeon and her ideals. Later it becomes his own mission and ultimately a life changing decision.
His closest associates are Sa Mu-jang (the office manager) and Baek Ma-ri (probationary lawyer) who seem like an unlikely addition to the show’s primary trio. As is customary with these sorts of set-ups, Ma-ri and Ji-hun don’t get along at first because they come from different places with different life experiences. Initially it seems that the study of the law is the only thing they have in common. The practice of it, however, becomes another matter entirely. It seems to me too that the show wants to have a bet each way or leave room for a second series with regards to Ma-ri’s dynamic with Ji-hun. There’s no overt/resolved romance between them but the show teases out the idea all throughout that there could be “more” once Ji-hun moves on (or if he ever does) from his past. I’m of the view that theirs is a teacher-apprentice relationship and it’s really for the best. Clearly that’s how Ji-hun sees her. Also Ma-ri’s role in this seems to be a thankless one of following Ji-hun around, acting as a sounding board, plying him with questions and letting him show off with impunity.
Even though I enjoy much of the humour in this, the show seems to be at its best when it takes on a more serious tone. On hindsight much of the humour seems unnecessary or misplaced. There are these deliberate inserts of levity that feel random and disconnected with the larger story. Often this applies to moments where the main characters sit around and shoot the breeze. Sure, there are slow days when the trio have to wait for clients to show up so that the show can go on the road but yeah, it feels odd to have bits of random dialogue thrown in just for comedic effect. What this says to me in effect is that the world building is not as confident as it should be.
The series hits its peak at around Episode 8 and while I wouldn’t say that it goes downhill after that, it doesn’t have the same zing. It also doesn’t help that Episode 11 feels like a prolonged exercise in time wasting until the not-too-bad finale — when Ji-hun is done with his sabbatical and decides it’s time to go after the true villain of the piece.
It’s not a great show by any metric but not a terrible one either. For some it will be a hard slog in parts and some perhaps like me some will persevere to the end for the love of Namgoong Min.
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I enjoyed the slice of life feel of the episodes and the music conveying its fluffy character.
Because the female lead is the main point of view character and her thoughts are revealed in the narration the story seems a bit imbalaced towards her while the male lead's motivations remain a bit more obscure.
Overall it gives off a feel good vibe that is cemented by the attractiveness of the leads. By giving a glimpse into their married life the drama makes one wish them happiness but it does not make one so overinvested that one leaves unsatisfied.
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Is is worth watching??
I don't want to spoil you guys and I just want to say that the drama will convey and relate to the societal problem regarding to the genre and relation which will make you attached to the drama. The track of the drama is a perfect match to the atmosphere which adds spice and spark to the story. When it comes to the actors, they play their role as if its them, its suit to them especially Michi ;) he is so cute and funny at the same time.In addition, the drama will make you kilig all throughout because the chemistry between the two protagonist is perfect and skyrocket. Also, the second couple is a good addition to the story. All in alll the drama is worth of watching. I recommend it so watch and grab your food and pillow.
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Nirvana in Fire Season 2: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin
9 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
Unexpected
I had low expectations coming into this series after watching Nirvana in Fire, but was happily impressed. The story and the characters are quite different, so there's no point in comparing. They were both good in their own right.Story: I fell in love with the Chang Lin family. I could see why so many people would go after them because of jealousy and fear. Their love for each other wasn't over the top, it is how a loving family really are and the actors portrayed it really well. The villains could have been developed more, though. I couldn't really empathize with them nor root for them or their plight. I liked how Ping Jing realizes he needs to live life for himself and that his family was supportive of that. I also felt relief and happiness, as he did, when he was finally able to let go of all the guilt weighing in his heart and live freely.
Actors: I'm thoroughly impressed by Liu Hao Ran and how his character developed throughout the series. Towards the end I wish they had kept more focus on him instead of Yuan Qi. I had heard grumblings about Huang Xiao Ming before I started watching, but I was also impressed by his portrayal of Ping Zhang as Ping Jing's older brother. I liked the supporting cast, including Tong Li Ya (Qian Xue) and Sun Chen (Ting Sheng), but somehow couldn't really connect with Lin Xi's character. I'm not sure if it's the actress or the character.
I really enjoyed this series because I was invested in the Chang Lin family, especially Ping Jing. Ping Jing's experiences and motivations resonated with me. I strongly recommend if you like character development and strong family relationships.
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