Reviews

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

Read More

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.

Read More

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!

Read More

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.

Read More

It's a good example of a fluffy "forced cohabitation"/suddenly married drama.

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

I like these kind of dramas/movies and though I haven't watched any of its anime version or read its manga and I think it's a good thing cause I was able to enjoy the movie. I love the characters and how it was portrayed by the actors. I find the storyline unique and that kept me watching this movie till the end. The music was cool enough for me. I plan on watching the anime but I'm glad I watched the movie first before my impression will be spoilt if I did the other way. I will surely watch this again. It's one of the classic Japanese movies worth re-watching because of it's unique plot and especially if you are a fan of it. I recommend it especially if you want to watch something with your friends. This is certainly worth a try and one of the best Japanese movies.

Read More

As a result of watching the first Mischievous Kiss movie, without a doubt, I jumped onto this one as soon as it became available online. I'm going to repeat myself by saying that I've always been a massive fan of the manga, anime and live action adaptations of this story. Despite some of the disappointment in the main leads' acting skills, especially the mother's part in this movie (you have to agree that she made the whole romance between the two actually a thing and played a huge and active roll in the love story), I think they're doing a wonderful job so far. I especially like how cold Irie is portrayed since I've always imagined him being that way in the original manga. However, I enjoyed the first movie a lot better. Hopefully, we won't have to wait that long for the last movie because I'm all ready for that romantic stuff to happen!

Overall, it's a must-watch for all of you Itazura na Kiss franchise fans!

Read More

Enjoy the Heartwarming Journey

Not sure why ratings are so low. Personally I really enjoyed this drama and found it refreshing. The whole story exudes a sense of calm, despite the conflicts and evil. It talks about a woman who acts intelligently but also with equal amount of kindness and consideration. She has independent thought and wants to help other women. She doesn't want to be lead by a destined path and does not want other women to be trapped by their situation. Especially the example of her wanting to eventually overthrow the tradition burying (living) concubines with their dead emperors. She cared deeply for other women and their situations. Everyone has flaws but everyone also has their reasons and their own logic; she acknowledges that and does not begrudge anyone. It teaches us that not everything in life will go as planned, and you just have to approach it with optimism and care. She melted many hearts. I enjoyed the uplifting message. I liked the dialogue the most. It added to the authenticity of the interactions between characters. I would definitely watch this again, since it doesn't matter the ending, it's all about her journey and her choices. There isn't a point in the story where I need a conclusion or a grand reveal. It feels like watching someone grow up in their own time.

The music is nothing crazy stunning but it fits the show well. Very spring, bright with a hint of bittersweet. The costume colors are wonderful. The sets are aesthetically pleasing and not ostentatious. THE FOOD LOOKS DELICIOUS. The camera work for the cooking and the meal prep was documentary level. It made me very hungry. The best part is that the dishes were realistic! Based on actual recipes and didn't seem too implausible for that dynasty.

They include some fun historical facts like the different viewpoints of the emperors of each reign. They incorporate ML's love of painting, when that emperor is know to created many famous paintings. They include key historical reasons for each of the emperor's deaths and the courts.

Possible Spoilers: I really didn't like Su Yue Hua's character. She was probably the one who sank the furthest into evil. You can tell from the first few episodes and she just sinks further and further and it gets kind of frustrating to hear her delusions. You Yi Fan's character had a reasonable storyline as an antagonist and I think his ending justified his journey.

Read More

I LOVE THIS DRAMA. (Please do keep in mind this is my opinion and I'm just being honest.)

I've heard and read very mixed reviews of it, but for me personally it was probably the best thing I could ever imagine (at the time I watched it at least).

This was also one of the first dramas I ever watched, so I didn't have many other dramas to compare it too, and this was the drama that really got me hooked on Korean dramas.

It is absolutely my cup of tea. However, I am well aware that it is not everyones.
I am an action, revenge and romance obsessed person, and having all those things combine into one drama with a on-the-tip-of-your-toes plot filled with twists, angst ridden protagonists, and searing romance that actually went somewhere made me deliriously happy.

Story: While the story may be seen as your typical espionage-revenge plot: main character is the best operative, something bad happens, his love life is ruined, he seeks revenge while a shady organization is out to nuke the whole world... the stereotypical story line ruined nothing for me. Besides, I love that story kind of story line. I mean, what's not to like? There was still enough sub-plot and intrigue that I was hooked and watched every episode completely. Yes I may have been able to see some of what happened coming, but definitely not everything. So what was the story like besides action, romance, and revenge? Well it was chalk full of touching moments, both tragic and bitter-sweet. There were also those moments that I was so mad at the writer that I felt like I wanted to punch someone in the face (ending included), but somehow in a good way, if that makes any sense. But mostly, I loved following Hyun Jun's amazing, heart-wrenching journey. I felt like I could feel every single emotion he did, and that will get me write into my evaluation of the cast.

Acting/Cast: I'm only going to talk about Lee Byung Hun, because OH MY GOD, despite whatever people say about him as a person, Lee Byung Hun's acting BLOWS ME AWAY. I felt like I was standing next to him, watching everything he went through, screaming at his character, Hyun Jun, to pull through his hardships. It was just amazing.

Music: It was perfect. That is all.

Overall: An amazing action packed piece of perfection.

Read More

this drama is perfect for fans....

Her Private Life is a romantic comedy about an idol fangirl (Park Min Young) who has been passionate about her idol for many years.  She works as a curator at an art museum and tries to hide her fangirl side, but her secret becomes in jeopardy of being exposed after a new director (Kim Jae Wook) arrives.
Park Min Young plays our idol fangirl Sung Deok Mi. Deok Mi is classy, composed, and very good at her job as an art curator. But in secret, she is a true fangirl of Si An of the pop group White Ocean. Her home is decked out in all kinds of merchandise, she’s always ready to snap amazing pics of him, and she even runs a popular fan site dedicated to him. She is all in! I just knew Park Min Young would be perfect for this role. She wonderfully showcases the duality of being a mature working woman with being a dedicated fangirl. I loved watching her try to navigate both worlds and the lengths she had to go to in order to keep her secret. And things get so complicated as Ryan ends up involved with each of her identities while not knowing she is actually both of them.
Kim Jae Wook is Ryan Gold, the new director of Deok Mi’s art museum. He’s a bit prickly and closed off, but of course he’s pretty great underneath that. And he’s got some trauma stemming from being abandoned at an orphanage as a child.
We also have some important supporting characters. Park Jin Joo plays Lee Seon Joo. She is Deok Mi’s best friend, and the two have a very close relationship. Then there’s Ahn Bo Hyun as Nam Eun Gi. He’s our second lead who has been like a brother figure to Deok Mi, but he actually harbors feelings for her. Ryan was quite unappealing those first couple episodes because he was just so callous. But once we start getting a window into his past as well as seeing that he is a genuinely good guy, things start to improve. Then things get really fun when he starts getting tangled up in Deok Mi’s fan life all while not knowing she’s actually a fangirl.
Then rounding things out is the oh-so-sweet object of Deok Mi’s fangirling, Cha Si An (One) of the popular band White Ocean, as well as the trouble making sasaeng Cindy (Kim Bo Ra) who is well known in the fan community and bit of a rival of Deok Mi.

With the premise of Her Private Life focusing on a fangirl and the life that comes with it, this is something that I’m sure many people will be able to relate to. Watching every video your favorite group or idol puts out, fantasizing about them, waiting for a new album to drop, collecting merchandise, meeting other wonderful fans online while also contending with toxic fans. It’s all too familiar to those involved in the fan community. The show highlights many aspects of the fan culture in South Korea quite well. There are varying levels of it with some being very innocent with the simple joys of admiring an artist while other parts are very disturbing and can lead to obsessive and dangerous behavior. The drama worked all of this into the story so nicely.

Ryan and Deok Mi get off on the wrong foot with several initial encounters that end badly. Then he has some pretty humorous misunderstandings about her early on too. But as he gets to know her, he becomes intrigued by her. And when she ends up in the middle of a scandal with her idol, we get a good old fake relationship between her and Ryan to allow the pair to grow close while trying to make things better.

Her Private Life was always completely engaging with wonderful pacing that never felt draggy. That’s frequently a challenge in romantic comedies, and I sure do appreciate how well this drama put everything together to deliver a very entertaining drama.

Read More

Obsessed with this drama now

Hii....! Thank you director for beautiful story, im so obsessed with this drama, especially ji chu & Qing...
Love every episode especially episode 20 , ML the he look at qing after telling her that lets make this marriage real.. Omg, killer eyes killer look,, 🤗❤☺
Ji chu ❤ love story between two is so natural n realistic... Aah..! Love all the characters... Ji chu body guard have another vibe ❤
Blush... Blush...blush whenever qing n ji chu scene use to come... There talks, serious, funny, ❤☺🤗
Lots of love ❤ to JI CHU & QING

Read More