Reviews

Firstly, we need to address first is that this is a melodrama, and in that sense the drama was done perfectly. The color scheme was muted, the OST fit the mood, and the pacing was quite slow which melodramas seem to be known for. There were some scenes towards the end where that raw desperation was conveyed so well that it elicited a lot of emotions from me (aka I couldn't handle the feels). That said, the middle did drag a little bit, but not to the point where I lost interest. Everything was purposeful, and you can tell as the story progresses.

The story was quite new in the KDrama world, which I appreciated. And where else can you see the leads get married by the third episode? The first half of the drama was quite light, mostly centered on their romance while the second half had lots of angst and suspense. What this drama did well was weave the past, the present, and the future in which he traveled to into a clear and coherent storyline. Most of the show is actually foreshadowing, and finally in the last few episodes are the viewers exposed to what actually happened. It did build up suspense and intrigue, as you had no idea what would happen. It was unpredictable, but by doing that they lost a few people (and provoked lots of fan theories), but I promise if you stick with it, everything will build up to a satisfying end.

The acting was done really well on Lee Je Hoon's part. This was my first time watching any work of his and I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't particularly like Shin Min Ah's character, as sometimes I felt like she was unreasonable. Their chemistry was off the charts though, and perhaps because they were married early on in the series, we're given a ton of fanservice (aka steamy scenes). At first I was skeptical because the circumstances of which he married her wasn't the best, but soon you could really believe that they're in love. There isn't a moment where the music fades and the camera pans over their face in slow motion that tells you they've fallen for each other, but trust me you'll know.

I really loved the music. I think there were only about three main OSTs , significantly less than that of other dramas, but all of them fit the drama so well. They also played some beautiful piano instrumental tracks pretty often, which created a sort of gloomy mood befitting the storyline.

While I may not watch the entire drama over again, I would definitely rewatch some of the scenes.
Overall, I loved the way the story was told, despite the pace. I have to mention the color scheme again, because it was really genius and beautiful. Right off the bat, it helps you get into the solemn mood constantly reminding you of the overarching plot despite the cheesy happy scenes. I would recommend this drama for those who don't mind a slower storyline, because it's definitely worth the watch.

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I've never watched a drama where I didn't like any of the characters but Love Alarm managed to accomplish that.
The entire cast is full of characters that just isn't realist and there will be many times where you will ask, "Why?"
The main female protagonist, Kim Jojo, is one of the most idiotic characters I've ever met. She follows a guy down the alley just because he "has something to say." If this was the real world, she'd have been raped right then and there. She makes poor choices (when you watch it you'll understand which ones) and she never gives a clear explanation as to why she did it. The drama never explains why Jojo decides to go down this route and why she isn't fixing it. The drama plays it off and later on shows that she actually regrets it. Now, I understand why she regrets it and that she wants to undo it, but I don't understand why she isn't even trying to FIX it. She can easily explain her situation and I'm pretty sure everyone will believe her, but she doesn't even attempt it. There are so many plotholes and so many questions that the drama doesn't bother to explain or answer. Maybe because they left it all for season 2 but at the moment it's not released yet so the director cannot expect us to just accept it as it is.
One of the characters I hate more than Jojo is Sun Oh. The drama plays him off as romantic and cool, but he's actually really creepy. His character is childish and selfish and thinks the world revolves around him. Not once did he stop and think about how his best friend or anyone else around him except for the girl.
*SPOILER BELOW*
Hye Young makes it pretty clear that he like Kim Jojo. Although he never outright told Sun oh that he likes Jojo, Sun Oh already knows at this point. And you know what Sun Oh does when he finds out his best friend like this girl?
HE CHASES AFTER HER.
THIS BOI. What is going on in his head? "Hmmm. my best friend, who has always been there for me and supports me, likes this girl and she is his first crush. I should encourage him and let him have the chance to confess first because, after all, he liked her first. But, you know what, because I'm just the shelfish jerk I am, I'll go out there are whisk Jojo away and kiss her right after my best friend tells me he likes her. Brilliant!"
And you know what Hye Young does? NOTHING. FOOKING NOTHING. OMFG. And both of them made a pact and told each other to confess to Jojo at the same time. This way, it's fair to both of them.
BUT NO. N O.
FUCKING SUN OH, LIKE THE BITCH HE IS, DECIDES, "HEY, NOT ONLY DID I KISSMY BEST FRIEND'S CRUSH, I'LL ALSO CONFESS TO HER FIRST EVEN THOUGH I JUST PROMISED HIM WE'LL DO IT TOGETHER."
BITCH WHERE.
BITCH WHO.
I'M PISSED FOR HYE YOUNG.
And after Sun Oh and Jojo breaks up, Sun Oh doesn't let Hye Young go after Jojo. Like bro, it's his life. Just because you broke up with her doesn't mean he has to obey your every command.
And why does Hye Young still like Jojo? Dude, she rejected you like 10 times. Give up.
AND OMIGOD, DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON FUCKING GUL MI.
SHE'S EVEN MORE SELFISH THAN SUN OH.
How is it Jojo's fault that her parents tried to kill her? Why in the world did Gul Mi come to the conclusion that it's Jojo's fault that her parents are broke? And why doesn't Jojo just fight back? Maybe it's because she doesn't want to get kicked out, but still. She should've spoken up about it.
And she thinks that everyone else is beneath her when she herself hasn't gone anywhere in life. She didn't just screw up her life and her cousin's, she also bullies a guy into committing suicide.
You would think at this point she would feel bad, but no. She continues and takes out three million won from Jojo.
And another thing, why is everyone saying Jojo is such a pretty name? No, please stop. Jojo is an anime and forever will be an anime to me.

So, in conclusion, this drama is just plain stupid and frustrating. I could barely finish an episode without getting mad at a character. I wouldn't recommend this drama unless you really like getting frustrated.

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An inverse function... Consider the journey the reward. Truly captivating.

Two core components of KDrama characterize the recipe of "Secret": Firstly, the rich and powerful can obviously get away with anything. Secondly, a secret not only changes those who know about it, but eventually comes to light. Yet the brilliant mixture of this pastry makes the difference: the fatal initial constellation of the relationship dynamics is so cleverly shifted, twisted and tricky in several emotional loopings that the emotional world is completely turned upside down - an inverse function...

For quite some time I avoided this KDrama, because (from the description) I thought I already knew how the story was going to go. ...Quite familiar, already seen many times... However, at some point I just wanted to have a glimpse (probably because of Ji Sung). What a surprise: it was truly captivating...

Moments of foreboding and predictability, yes, there are. But believe me, that doesn't stop you from wanting to see HOW things in their complicated entanglement can still turn out for the best. On the contrary, you CAN´T WAIT to experience that! The destination may be known, however, consider the journey the reward.

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Wow...this is just such an amazing show. I stumbled across it after watching Satoh Takeru in Bloody Monday since I wanted to see him in something else. At first I was disappointed that he was only going to play a small part in the film. However, I was hooked on the show itself from the first 15-20 minutes in. It takes about that long to figure out what the heck is going on (the beginning doesn't seem at all connected to the plotline as given in the notes), but then it takes off from there and never stops. I had seen several of the cast in other shows (besides Takeru), and they have always played some of my favorite roles. The show just has such amazing acting. Bad guys, good guys, side-not-really-all-that-important guys--all of them do an excellent job. The crimes are all deliciously difficult to solve (or at least to prove), and I love the scientific facts that they keep throwing in. Mr. Brain's impact on everyone around him is so wonderfully done. The writer(s) so excellently show him drawing the people around him into his positive look at life and the possibilities of science. And in drawing in the characters around him, Mr. Brain attracts the interest of the show's viewers at the same time. This show is a little more dark/bloody in some areas than most crime dramas that I watch (definitely not for little kids), but they are so well designed. No crime is the same (which often happens in crime shows where there is more than one crime to solve) and neither are they the run of the mill crime (man kills mistress or some other cliche mystery). These are interesting and unique stories that drew my interest anew with each episode. I have already re-watched this show, and I really with a second season had been made. If I have one complaint, it is that the end seems unfinished. It was obviously designed with a sequel in mind and the end is a little bit of a let-down because of it. If they ever finish it, the show would be almost perfect.

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Laughter is the best medicine

We might think it odd that comedy and mystery share anything in common. Mystery excludes comedy and comedy excludes mystery. To put it more succinctly, mystery excludes raucous laughter and comedy excludes seriousness. But the playfulness of Joo Won (Hwang Dae Myung), the Korean spideypool, is never frivolous or decorative. The mystery is reconciled with comedy. The compulsion of the comedy to transform problems of cultural heritage crime into solutions adumbrates its larger purpose, which is to explore and then contain fraught social issues within a lithesome and orderly performance narrative

It makes a spectacle out of the folly of the species. Through laughter, we behold ourselves as the subject of great folly in order that the folly might be recognized and corrected

My ratings would have been higher if not for the so-called "romance"

"Stop getting into fights. Why did you help her? Tell me, do you have a crush on her?"

Kissing, hand-holding, and acts of rescue between two men or two women are seen as "platonic" gestures devoid of sexual undertones. The desexualization of same-sex interactions stands in contrast to the hypersexualization of opposite-sex interactions, where the slightest physical contact is sensationalized and fetishized. This is a poignant illustration of the biases and prejudices that permeate our social fabric. It's a tragedy to those who think

Luckily, the possession of a sense of humor ranks high on my list of essential personal attributes. Joo Won (Hwang Dae Myung) possessed that sense of humor. I was patient with him, for although Joo Won (Hwang Dae Myung) lost his wisdom to a woman, he retained fragments and remnants of his humor

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The premise of Fight My Way is so unique! Finally, there is a show about the Quarter Life Crisis. This drama follows the lives of four childhood friends that are now in there late twenties. This Fantastic Four find themselves down of their luck in both love and work. Fight My Way is an adorable Best Friends to Lovers drama.

Park Seo Joon and Kim Ji Won make such adorable leads. Both of them do a very good job playing out their roles where love lies right below the surface.

I feel that this drama focused way too much on the secondary leads story. I really felt little love for both Ahn Jae Hong and Song Ha Yoon's characters. I found their story detracting time from the lead couple.

This drama has such a fresh start when it focuses on the leads and their struggles in finding their way in the world. As the show continues, it starts to settle into a more traditional love story. As well toward the end of the drama, it throws in a lot more angst. While I found the disagreement about Seo Joon's character's career path, the birth mystery was really evocative and touching ...

Fight My Way was a good watch. The fresh start is a must watch. I did notice that as the drama started to settle into the typical tropes, I found that it got a little bogged down.

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Great performance & complex narrative re. challenges in politics during dreary SK post-war decades

"Uncle Samsik" offers a quite interesting narrative of the complex connections between party politics and the even more crucial backroom politics during South Korea's first republic (1948-1960). The KDrama is primarily set in the run-up to the turbulent events and nationwide demonstrations that led to the resignation of the first President Rhee and the founding of the second republic. However, the nation that had hoped for real democracy and prosperity stumbled into a third one just three years later through a military coup. Although this brought the hoped for prosperity via totalitarian capitalism, it was still far from real democracy...

The story of the KDrama is based on historical events, themes and people of that time, but is ultimately fictional - even if historical film sequences are occasionally interspersed as part of the April Revolution. The focus is on Uncle Samsik. For all those, who don't know much about South Korean history, Uncle Samsik is the emotional reference figure and dramaturgical bridge that holds all the politically complex threads together. Even without prior knowledge, "Uncle Samsik" offers an exciting, haunting political drama that takes place in the post-war years. It is in particular thanks to the passion of the great actors who manage to captivate the audience with comparatively 'dry' fare. It is advisable to watch the episodes consecutively so as not to lose the thread.

With a fictional plot the well-known historic events and what actually drove the political actors of that time are portrayed from different perspectives. Thus they are shown as multifaceted people with complex motives and stories. Political calculation becomes tangible through relationship dynamics and formative personal experiences. What created the conditions for that dictatorial regime and its totalitarian capitalism to torpedo South Korea into dazzling prosperity - the needs, hopes, ideals and concerns underlying the political actors - are being filled with life. And at the same time also what the young democracy still has to gnaw at today - authoritarian directive, opaquely networked and strictly hierarchically structured backroom politics.

The time in which the KDrama is set is marking the initial struggle to set the course for 'right' politics and a democratic political culture to start with. You have to keep in mind that Korea has not yet been able to gain much experience with modern, international politics and economic policy on the world market. Until the end of the 19th century, the Joseon Kingdom had isolated itself from the rest of the world and concentrated on itself. Western modernity and international influences increased during the early 20th century, especially while the Korean peninsula was a colony of Japan. The guidelines for political autonomy and independent parliamentary politics were only set in the course of the founding of the Republic of Korea as South Korea in 1948. And even then, the USA kept a close eye on the young republic. The people in South Korea had not yet been able to seriously experience themselves as political mature people of a democratic country... The south, by now isolated from its rich in raw material and industrially well developed north, was at that time one of the poorest agricultural countries in the world.

Uncle Samsik vividly depicts the conflicting feelings in the country. He represents the prevailing longing for wealth... or simply for three meals a day. Uncle Samsik's nickname already reflects what he stands for: sam (eum)sik = three meals. He (as a good uncle) grants this to his people. So actually this very basic human need was the top priority in those politically turbulent years. Hunger and poverty shaped everyday life for the many. Democracy as a political ideal may sound good, but it doesn't fill your stomach. Samsik cares about people. His political goal is to use all possible means to support those politicians who have a solid concept and can bring the country to a point where the people will soon have enough to eat. The way to get there: to consistently boost the economic power of the economically weak country (compared to the north) and thus create appropriately paid work whose salary is enough to provide for the families... even if that might imply that the people´s hope for true democracy still has to wait a bit longer...

So would I recommend "Uncle Samsik"?
Yes, but...

It's one of those things with historical dramas that deal with Korea´s recent post-war history (and with the KMovies about the first post-war decades, too... you have to want to see it. Colours, light, selection of protagonists - this is often enough inevitably not a treat. Colorful robes that were still common in Joseon times are rarely seen anymore. After the Japanese colonial period and at least since the influence of the USA in the wake of the Korean War, fashion has been completely westernized. This makes the production design comparatively rather dreary - dark suits, ties and plenty of scenes inside or in the dark. It is about scenes inside offices, hotel bars, conference rooms and bunkers instead of lushly planted palace gardens, picturesque bridges, colorful pavilions and pagodas, or the shaded, meditative palace walkways - it's all history. Politics by now happens behind closed doors. If suitable, it might sooner or later end up on the streets, too. Female characters with impact are also rare - gone are the lively days of palace ladies, servants and princesses, scheming dowagers and queens or spying gisaeng... Instead, there are lots of serious men in their (as I mentioned before) dark suits, preferably smoking and debating or giving orders in back rooms. Politics is a man's business - a power struggle that is eventually resolved with the help of thugs and cloak-and-dagger operations... (After all, women's power is at least trying to carve out some space in "Uncle Samsik"...)

In short, the setting is rather dark, complex, even complicated - and ties-heavy. Be aware.

Apart from that, "Uncle Samsik" is really well done. Vividly played and thematically differentiated, the KDrama brings those dreary, sobering post-war decades in South Korea to the international DisneyPlus audience, presenting it as a time that, despite all the prevailing corruption, arbitrariness and obedience to authority, was also characterized by a lot of idealistic passion and political hope. Once again, high-end historical drama à la KDrama...

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Plot
After 6 years spent in England, Xie Yan (XY) returns back home. He immediately comes to find Shu Nian (SN), who resumes his role of a servant. In a sense, the two revive their childhood days after a long separation. However, SN does not seem happy about XY’s return.
What turn will their relationship take next?

Overall, the story was not exaggerated, but somehow emotions are conveyed very well – sense of injustice, annoyance, care, worry… One can feel them all very strongly during the movie.


Characters
- Xiao Nian - unlucky orphan with a great heart. Very good at hiding his feelings, after years of service he became very proficient at obeying orders, quietly accepting his fate.
- Xie Yan – selfish, dominant, possessive, but deep down also caring.
- Jiang Yao – not shown in great detail in the movie, but seems to fail to understand love.

Great actors, very natural acting.


Music – fitting, but not very noticeable or particularly good.


Other comments
- XY was too dominant, which makes the relationship become abusive, especially at the beginning. However, one might argue that by showing this characteristic so clearly, the movie emphasises that this is a problem.
- The development of their relationship could be shown in more detail and in greater depth.
- Also, the movie contains a really interesting theme of an orphan, who basically becomes a servant to the heir of his adoptive family. The aspect of SN’s loyalty and servitude is clearly shown, but maybe this could be expanded upon further.
- Some moments were a little difficult to understand, but that might be due to the quality of subtitles.

Generally, a really interesting and good movie.
Would especially recommend it to those who:
- like BL movies
- are not typical BL audience, but are looking for a romance movie with an interesting plot
- are interested in stories of orphans

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How a Guy Speedran His Mid-life Crisis: The Movie

Now, I know what it sounds like when I literally rate this a 10/10 across the board but I swear I cannot overstate this when I say this is forever going to be one of my favorite movies for the rest of time. Director and writer Liu Jiangjiang was very humble when he said that some people might think it's an immature movie, with immature/inexperienced staff and actors, and with messages that might be too on the nose -- he went on to say that he just hopes everyone will appreciate the movie, even if just a little bit, because he and the rest of the cast and crew put so much of their heart into it. And you know what? Lighting Up the Stars exceeded all expectations, at least for me. Heartwarming, funny, profound, playful, a tearjerker... This film is the equivalent of finally coming home after being away for a while, of being wrapped in a blanket on a cold winter's day, of sleepovers with your friends in childhood, giggling after lights-out. Words cannot do justice to how this film makes you unlock emotions you probably weren't even aware of -- in a good way.

Before I go on with this review, I do want to stress that there's a scene near the start that's extremely uncomfortable to watch, showing Sange basically attempting to sexually assault his ex-girlfriend. It's obviously not shown in a good light, and nothing happens because they get interrupted by her new boyfriend who she cheated on him with while he was in jail. Still, I want to add this warning beforehand, because despite how much I adore this film this was the sole thing I absolutely despised.

It's a very straightforward story, but that doesn't detract from everything else at all, it's one of its strengths. The topics of funerals and death is one that has a lot of taboos associated with them, and choosing to tell the narrative from a child's (Xiaowen's) point of view gives the already novel subject matter a spin you don't often see. While ostensibly a movie about a little girl losing her grandmother and gaining a new family, it's about much more than that. Yes, Xiaowen is at the heart of the story; it is, in many ways, a story about her more so than the adults around her. But it's also about what family really means, it's about what you want in life, it's about love in all its forms, it's about what you do -- and what you don't do. It's about the very outlook on life and death, and how one small change can make the difference. It's about a little girl just wanting her grandma back, and a man who is disillusioned with the world desperately wanting to live up to his dead brother's image finding each other and being what the other needs.

Connected through a series of funerals (of course, what else could it be, when it's Sange's literal line of work), each one is distinct in not only execution but also atmosphere, set dressing, and so on; each one a beat in the movie showing the changes in the characters and driving the story forward. While the ostentatious one with the old man who pretends to be dead is by far the loudest and most colorful (and definitely the funniest), the funeral that stuck with me the most was actually one of the first, with the little girl. From Xiaowen pretending to be Sange's daughter to get her family's approval to manage her funeral to her drawing on the girl's cinerary casket which couldn't be washed off, to the girl's family bursting out into tears of gratitude because their little girl loved to draw and Xiaowen's scribbles are so much better than more impersonal casket it originally was... While to some degree you can see it coming, it definitely sets the stage and does so well to convey the unpredictability of life and death, and human's hearts. Liu Jiangjiang's family is in this business and it shows in the care and details he puts into every one of the funerals depicted, the people who are buried but also their friends and family who are grieving for them.

For a movie of roughly two hours, the pacing doesn't feel rushed or drawn out, and the character development, while at times a little flat for anyone who aren't the main leads, is still very well done. Sange going from "she's my arch nemesis" and "look how you're going to ruin me" on day one to appreciating her place in his life and wanting to keep and protect her not even a day and a half later is, yes, hilarious, but on a fundamental level it's so heartwarming to see his entire outlook on life change for the better because of her, and in such a short amount of time. It shows how much he really wanted something (someone) to care about this much, a sentiment echoed later by his ailing father. Vice versa, when Xiaowen gets adopted by Sange's friends (which happened through a hilarious turn of events, and for a movie about death, there's way more comedy than expected, or, perhaps, just the right amount to offset everything else) and nominally by Sange himself, she starts letting go of her grandmother and starts opening up, all of it culminating in her telling Sange that she knows he lied, but that's okay, she's not scared anymore because she's got a dad now.

It makes their separation all the more painful when he basically lets her mother (who! surprise! is not dead but just had horrible luck in life and hit rock bottom and went to jail like Sange and just wants to be a good mom now and loves her daughter deeply and means well despite everything and-- well. You get the idea.) kidnap her in the middle of the night. One might be frustrated at the lack of communication from Sange, but when you remember how he never really had a childhood growing up in a funeral house, and how he has inferiority issues and a slew of other problems, his actions become understandable even though still not justified. All's well that ends well though, and they reunite with a scene that had me bawling when I first saw the clip months ago, released as promotional material, and that made me bawl again watching the full scene, entirely attached to both characters.

The cast of the movie is phenomenal. Zhu Yilong has delivered probably his best performance yet, portraying a character entirely different from his body of work and doing it in such a way it feels entirely natural and immersive. In interviews, Liu Jiangjiang mentioned how he wasn't sure about Zhu Yilong playing someone like Sange -- isn't he too handsome? Isn't he too pretty? Isn't he well-known for playing gentlemanly, scholarly, soft-spoken types of characters? And to a certain degree, he's right; Zhu Yilong's entire image is that of a prettyboy actor who, despite being fairly well-known as a good actor beyond his looks, and simply does not get cast as an uncouth rogue like Sange. So, a departure from his previous works for sure but in the best way possible. Zhu Yilong as Sange shows once again how versatile his acting skill is, and what range he has as an actor. When shooting, everyone called him Sange; Han Yan (the producer) even said that once he'd cut his hair and they started shooting in Wuhan, Zhu Yilong wasn't there anymore: he was Sange.

The fact that the entire movie was mainly spoken in Wuhan dialect (Xiaowen mainly spoke in a Sichuan dialect, or Sichuan-accented putonghua) or Wuhan-accented putonghua (they couldn't have the entire movie be in the Wuhan dialect, for viewer's accessibility, so han-pu was the compromise) added a lot of depth to the film as well, really showing the locality and anchoring it in a way most films don't consider. From a personal point of view, it's also just such a breath of fresh air not to hear standardized accents from everyone when it's filmed and takes place in a very specific part of China where of course everyone would more likely speak in the local dialect. Zhu Yilong, a Wuhan native, was said to have added a lot of his own knowledge of Wuhan to Sange's character, from when to speak the pure dialect and when to speak han-pu, to which scenes he'd smoke cigarettes and when to mention something specific to the culture there. All of this shows in how real Sange feels as a character. While he's been known to be meticulous when crafting characters, this one, more than any other role he's played before, is the one that cements his status as character actor.

Yang Enyou, the other lead in this movie, was also amazing. While I generally don't approve of child actors (on moral grounds more so than lack of acting skills or otherwise), the fact of the matter is that as Wu Xiaowen she really was the glue that kept the movie together. It was a joy seeing her on the screen and her acting was convincing and emotionally poignant. For a debut movie, this role really made her shine. Zhu Yilong also treated her the way he thinks Sange would've treated her to help her with acting, and interacted with her in a way that was really sweet, as were the other cast and crew members. I will say that from cast interviews and behind the scenes clips there are things I definitely don't agree with in how they handled having a 7 year old on set, mainly how they intentionally ignored her or made her angry by teasing/bullying her to get her in character. While it's no Shelly Duvall in The Shining type of situation, it still feels needlessly cruel to be mean to a literal child purely for a better shot or a more "real" emotional reaction.

The actors for the side characters also did a great job, all with their own motivations and lives and relationships with each other and outside of the scope of the movie, brought to life (or not, haha) by the cast. I especially loved how every character, no matter how minor, was played with the utmost conviction and with every last bit of heart that the main cast had too. Lighting Up the Stars is a work of love, and the way every single actor brought that to their character shined through.

I also adored that everyone looked like quote-unquote normal people. As with the usage of Wuhan dialect over putonghua, the deliberate choice to cast actors who aren't conventionally attractive like idol dramas and movies (it's why Zhu Yilong's casting made such waves), and instead style everyone to look like someone you could meet on the street is probably an understated but no less important aspect of this film. It brings together everything else about the film as well; Liu Jiangjiang said he wanted to focus on the day-today lives of ordinary citizens, the nitty gritty of everyday life, and the styling of the characters reflects that vision. From Sange's floral shirts to the background characters' colorful (but not distracting, more like the bassline that adds to the symphony of the rest of the film) clothes, everything fits and has that feeling of "oh this really is a movie about normal people" to it. The only person who stands out, then, is Xiaowen's mother, who looks sleek and dresses fashionably, and is immediately branded as an outsider because of it. Even without everything else in the narrative telling the viewer she is different, this visual element tells a whole story in itself. And yet, it's also because she cares so much about Xiaowen that she looks like that, perhaps to leave her past behind where she failed her daughter, but more importantly to show that she can take care of her daughter now: look at her, all dressed up, visible make-up, brand name clothing and all.

Xiaowen and Sange being styled after Nezha and Sun Wukong was also a detail I especially loved. Xiaowen's feral little act, especially near the start of the movie, with her red-tasseled spear and her hair in two buns, drives home her resemblance to Nezha. Sange on the other hand doesn't look like a lot like the Monkey King (although the funeral where he's in opera get-up and starts twirling the staff to protect Xiaowen is incredibly reminiscent of Sun Wukong and his golden-banded staff), the resemblance being more narrative- and dialogue-driven. Their stories mimic those of Nezha and Sun Wukong to a certain degree as well, and there are a lot of jokes and references made to Journey to the West, especially with regard to Sange (memorably, "Are you Sun Wukong, always changing your shape so easily?!" because he changed his mind and wanted to keep Xiaowen by his side after wanting to get rid of her initially).

I'm sure there are things I've missed, things I couldn't think of or that I felt didn't fit in this already too-long review of a film about family -- I haven't even touched on the many dynamics in this movie that aren't the main leads' which I nonetheless truly loved. I'm also sure that there are people who think it was much sillier than I make it out to be, or not as good as I've praised everything from the narrative to the acting to the styling. In the end, though, the message of the film is very clear: if you think you hit rock bottom, adopt a child.


And if none of this managed to convince you: Zhu Yilong strips down to his underwear in this film.

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Let me just start off by saying that... this movie was just too cute :3 Honestly, I didn't expect to like it so much for me to give it a 10! I know the whole forced marriage situation is overused, but for some reason, I felt that it played out differently in this movie.
What I most enjoyed? Kim Rae Won's character, Sang Min, is probably first place. Afterwards, Moon Geun Young. It's funny, because at first I hated Bo Eun for the way she treated Sang Min. But at the end, you can really see she regrets what she did, and manned up to it. Also, her acting is really genuine. I haven't seen many dramas or movies, but I can still say that her portrayal has been my favorite. No exaggerated facial expressions, thank God!
And finally, the story itself. I didn't see any over-the-top "comedy" scenes, or those crazy dramatic scenes you see in most dramas or movies. This was the light-hearted story I've been looking for ever since I started watching dramas. Seriously, if you're doubting about watching this, then don't. I recommend this to anyone!

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I was planning to see this since when it came out.
For series made out of mangas, I think japanese versions are better.
Not because korean or taiwanese versions are not good, but because there are some things just japanese culture can express when it comes to manga/dorama adaptations.

I never read the manga but I know the mangaka's style; I can say I liked this very much but there are also things I'd like to point out.
I made some considerations thinking also of the korean version.

The plot; The plot is nice and the things that happen not so unreal. It is a cute and sometimes moving story about love and about growing up.
Even though some episodes are boring, it is not difficult to watch since you fell for the characters.

The characters and the casting;
Naoki was good; good looking and well played by Furukawa Yuki. I liked him better than the korean one, because I felt like he was more professional and more like the real Naoki. I mean, you have the feeling the actor is doing a great job because you can feel the cold-and-warm-at-the-same-time heart of Naoki.
The only thing that I have to point out is that at the end his character changes too fast, and it seems a little weird. I think it is something that is in the manga too, but well, he is just perfect this way.
Kotoko is a character I love and hate at the same time. I love her because she never gives up, but I hate her because she is a little bit too much in stalkering Naoki. Anyway, it is a good and fresh character that makes you smile.
Despite of what everybody says, I liked Miki Honoka. She's 16, ok, but she is good to be a 16 yo girl! Her exaggerated expressions were part of the script, in almost every comedy japanese doramas there are this kind of expressions. Most of all, I could really feel the change between the firstepisodesKotoko and the lastepisodesKotoko. Everything was good.
Speaking of the age incompatibility between Honoka and Yuki, Yuki said himself he thinks Honoka is very mature to be 16, he didn't feel the age differences at all, and I think so.
I liked the other characters too, both families, and the friends.
Kinchan was portraied better than the korean version: funny, immature but also mature when it comes to be like that.

Music: I liked the op, it was just perfect for this drama, very japanese style.
Also the other songs of the ost are good and suitable for the drama.

In the end, I liked it very much. I recommend this to everyone who wants romance, and also who wants to see something about school, friendship and growing up.
A very good drama!

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So, this beautiful story will take you into the world of hearing impaired people. And its amazing!

The best thing about the movie is, that its not over dramatic, or too sad, depressing and so. The story is actually very simple, cute and optimistic - just a little untraditional love story about two young people who just met each other :)

There is not much speaking in the movie, they mostly use the sign language. Thats why someone could say that it will be boring, but thats absolutely not true. The way they use sign language is so interesting, that it catches your eyes and make it more interesting.

If you are looking for a movie, that is positive, nice and optimistic, this is for you. It a good way to spend your time whenever you are depressed :)

(sorry for my english)

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I Need Romance is a wonderfully, more realistic look at relationships than most dramas out there. The three women are all independent, lovely and funny. Their friendship is central to the story and their closeness brings a foundation to see them through their romantic highs and lows. I loved that the girls were always supportive of each other even if they didn't agree. I loved that they fought and got annoyed with each other but forgave each other easily. Just like real girlfriends.

It's breezy and fun to watch. I enjoyed it very much and I think what I liked most is, everyone seemed so real. There were elements to each character that I certainly recognized in friends or loved ones in my life. They were fallable, made mistakes and wrong choices but then worked them out in a believable way.

I love Korean Dramas for their differences from American TV but it is nice once in a while to see a more realistic portrayal of modern romance and its difficulties. The questions that arise from a real romance. Will we get bored when the newness wares off? Can I forgive him if he cheats? Can I be okay with a more casual sexual love affair? How do I tell a man what I want or that I want more? These are only a few of the question that come up for the women. I am glad that every question isn't wrapped up in a neat little fantasyland bow. The plot lines are handled with a serious air but also a wry, truthful humor. This show made me smile and laugh.

I also loved that while the characters grew during the course of the plot, they didn't completely change their personalities. The love stories were fun and sexy too but still not blatent. The writing, acting and directing were all very solid. I very much enjoyed the narration of the lead character, giving us insight into her inner thoughts. I like the freeze frame stills interjected into the scenes to emphasize an emotion or mood. Fun!

Each episode is about 45 minutes or less and they do speed by pretty quickly. I attribute that to the smart writing and zippy story lines of each episode. I doesn't drag. I really liked the music as well.

This is a fun watch. Easy to invest your time in watching. It had me smiling, happy and waiting for the next episode. Pretty PG but with real kisses and frank sexual discussion. Always a plus in my book!

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Sweet B*thcy Life

A testament that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach!

Its a story of two guys, both living alone and finding comfort in ach other through good food. One is an awkward cutie college student and one is a suave police officer.

What i liked about it is it's sweet and slow-paced approach to the story. Both characters hinted of having a sad backstory, but that wasnt the focus of the story and was only slightly brushed upon, instead they decided to keep it light and palatable that unfortunately if you look closer may make you feel that the show lacked depth. The intention of the show is just to show life is better experienced with someone you love!

Of course it didnt hurt that they cast two very good looking leads and the Japanese robotic (that should have been patented by now) acting worked out great in its favor. To be perfectly honest, nothing much has been happening every episode and the whole series would have been perfectly ok in maybe 6 episodes but seeing both of the actors just being cute together is enough to keep me watching the show. I also liked Isumi's friends especially Yohei, who acted more like a fairy god BL mother in the story.

HOWEVER, in what feels like a big clickbait BL thirsttrap, I initially thought that they were spoiling the story in the credits sequence which showed a lot of scenes of Isumi and Kyosuke being sweet together and holding hands in public. The truth is those sequences wasnt even shown in the actual series (the same exact sequence and a just a tad more was just shown in the last few minutes as a closing montage of their time together). There was even a time around the middle episodes when i was even questioning whetherthis was in fact just a bromance show and a one-sided unrequited love and that Amasawa only really saw Isumi as a younger brother and Isumi was only misinterpreting Amasawa's actions. Every next episode preview would tease us that something sweet will be happening in the next episode only for it to turn out into nothing the next week. It only really paid off during the last few minutes of the finale and by that time you feel like you just havent seen enough of the two as a couple together.

With that consideration aside, i still feel like it is a good enough show that would even be better binged in a day or two seating. Will i recommend the show? Yes definitely. Will I rewatch? Maybe not entirely.

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