This review may contain spoilers
More than a remake. Delicate timbre. Powerful. Reckoning with the void of a luxury-branded world
"Pale Moon" develops a particularly delicate timbre. Fine personality portraits, none of them smooth and pore-deep clean, but rather inwardly crumpled people with dreams and weaknesses, people who sometimes make questionable decisions, who don't stick to the rules, who succumb to the temptation to take the chance to realize their dreams.A little 'noir' here and there. In any case, emotionally dense. Unexcitedly emotional. Quiet and yet powerful.
The KDrama is based on a Japanese Original (Mitsuyo Kakuta), which was successful as a series and movie, too. This is now a South Korean remake. Apparently, Kim Seo-hyung was immediately (after she saw the original in 2015) determined to play the female lead in any potential South Korean remake. You can tell, she is breathing her role.
The original novel is about the embezzlement of bank funds as actually happened in Japan. In South Korea, the list of embezzlement in billions is also long and the remake is accordingly well placed.
However, the South Korean remake is about more than misappropriation of wealth on a large scale. This is generally about lies, deceit and deception - even on a smaller, manageable, interpersonal level. However, it is also about human vulnerability, the cracks in the facade.
The story unfolds against the background of unstoppable consumption - a veritable frenzy of consumption that has long since left any connection or grounding behind. A life-style in a parallel world, that only a few can really afford. This world of luxury, which initially seems appealing, develops an intoxicating, addictive character and ultimately catapults itself into the void. What remains when the lover equips the lover with the designer goods from head to toe, from the car to the house including the interior and the laptop, too? Alert, alert: the luxurious world of matter - initially well camouflaged as the lifestyle of your dreams - becomes an ugly parasite that feeds on substantial emotions, liveliness and passion, but in the end leaves nothing behind...
In the field of tension between the dreary normality of a boring everyday life that is perhaps pimped out on the outside, but emotionally rather empty, almost everyone here is willing to deviate from the path of virtue in order to get a piece of the promisingly dazzling consumer cake.
Nevertheless, the story also tells of the sincere moments of perception and recognition of unsightly vulnerability. These are the moments when sincere encounter happens to become possible. On the outside, these are not the nice, shiny TaDa moments, but on the inside they provide light and warmth, they nourish the soul, like water making flowers bloom. Moments that cannot be bought with money. Moments that are among the most worthless in the dazzling world of consumption, shunned, despised, marginalized, excluded.
In this way, "Paper Moon" is an intelligent approach of reckoning with the consumer-driven social reality in which 'appearance' takes the place of 'being'. Quietly and constantly the KDrama is reminiscent of the basic in human, which has nothing to do with staged perfection, but rather with irrational impulses and irreconcilable paradox. At most, beauty in ´being human´ unfolds when weaknesses become strengths, when ruptures make the whole, when betrayal opens the door to freedom, when loss becomes the gate to abundance, when I find myself by losing myself, etc.
Since we are all human, we can remember (that we are like that too) and empathize and accept ourselves (and others!) even in our (their) 'ugliness', 'despair' and 'failure'. That makes life truly valuable and remains as a valuable experience, even if any material value has long since disappeared.
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SIDE NOTE: -------- 'Paper Moon' vs. 'Pale Moon' ----------
The original title "Paper Moon" was for the international title particularly changed from "Paper Moon" to "Pale Moon" in order to create a certain degree of selectivity from the Japanese original. The story may be remade, but it's retold in characteristic korean-style. Successfully so. And if you like, the changed nuance in the title already testifies to a finely nuanced, additional facet within the KDrama production.
The term "PAPER MOON" refers to a fake, oversized crescent made of cardboard, which became fashionable at the time, with the advent of photography, as a specific variant of (cheap but effective) portrait background. At fairs, etc., photographers as a special gag offered the cheerful visitors unforgettable portrait photography in front of an artificial crescent moon made of cardboard. The happy couples (but also everyone else who had their picture taken) floated optically above the clouds, removed from everyday life, yet oh so close to the (artificially fake) sky... A reMINDer, documenting a very special moment.
Since then, the meaning of the ´paper moon´ generally refers to an object with the help of which a void is filled with fictitious, purely optically reality – a make believe. However, the emptiness is still there. The symbol, enriched with meaning, inspired many a great work. One of them is the piece of music "It's only a Paper Moon" (originally "If you believed in me"), which summarizes the basic idea or the basic feeling in a striking way - as a tightrope walk between hope and hopelessness...
"Say, it's only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Without your love
It's a honky tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
It's a Barnum and Bailey world (=circus attraction)
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believe in me"
...The unreal reality, the deception, the lie, all of this could be true if only one can convince the others that it is so.
"PALE MOON" on the other hand refers more to the real, pale (full) moon in the night sky, which is repeatedly staged in this KDrama. It's not dazzling like the radiant, all-illuminating, blinding sun, and not loud and spectacular like fireworks, (and not as big and dominant next to me as a paper crescent moon). The pale (full) moon only shimmers in the dark hours of the day. It may light the way and also cast shadows, yet from my perspective it is just tiny and far away.
Nevertheless, despite appearing almost fragile and delicate, is solidly stands there like a vague, quiet, soothing reminder of something truly beautiful and valuable. Something that is there repeatedly, with beautiful regularity - remaining, just being, no matter what. Something to relate to. Far away it may be, yet emotionally quite substantial - and thus close to the HEART.
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1. Inteeeeeense, If you want a lovey dovey story or a simple robbery movie it's not the case ! Violent, Brutality and Cruelty are word to describe this movie. SO if you are too young, or live in a cute world, or still are innocent, this movie isn't for you.
2. It's not the common movies with beautiful scene and happy end. I love the work of the director: from the very first second of the movie you can feel the dystopia of the world. I really don't want to spoil just to know, you can feel the reality of the hard life they have (or had) and the parallel world of dramaland without any censorship with Tattoo, Smoking, and Insult in every single scene.
3. The cast: I don't need to speak about Choi Woo Shik I think he totally suit to movie more than drama, he's a skilled actor. I was glad surprise with Lee Je Hoon (I didn't even recognize with his evolution since Fashion King) and with Ahh Jae Hong, we can plainly see a new face of him totally different from Be Melodramatic or Fight for my Way. Last but not least Park Hae Soo is so so so impressive, this expressionless face and psychopath idea are just stunning
4. The family meaning in this movie make us reflect a lot about it. Is family only blood member ? Is it more important than our own life ? Is friend able to remplace a mother place ?
So I hardly recommend this movie if you want to live intense moment and stressful scene. If you have a fragile and delicate heart it's not for you ehehe
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Great drama!
Story - very interesting and dynamic. World class military action series.Plot - without holes in the storyline, realistic, intensive and fascinating.
Acting - Yang Yang and Jiang Lu Xia are amazing and giving their all to the roles. This is Yang Yang best drama so far. The supporting actors are indeed great and have huge contribution to the drama. Until 45 ep no bad performance all actors complement each other.
Cinematography - very professional and impressive.
Costumes and make-up - unbelievable good and realistic.
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The show is quite stagey: the major moments of this drama occur when two to four of the main characters are in a room together talking through their issues. I recommend watching through Ep. 8 (the fourth hour) if you wish to test this show out. If Bae Doo Nah's performance in the final scene of that episode does not move you, then this show is not for you.
The characters, performances and writing are uniformly superb throughout this drama. Even though all the characters are pretty difficult people, there are plenty of comedic moments to keep this drama from being a dire examination of failing marriages. There are plenty of surprises along the way, and many happy and light moments in addition to the more hurtful consequences of the failing relationships.
In the end, I preferred this version to the original. Sakamoto's script is more comedic, but Moon Jungmin's additions and changes to the story all tended to clarify and enhance the themes of the original. Furthermore, the supporting cast is definitely better in the Korean version. Moon Sook is radiantly beautiful and luminously wise in the role as the grandmother. And there are a couple of lovely romances going on with the side characters that help provide relief to the two main stories.
Matrimonial Chaos is a sharply observed investigation into the ways that people in relationship can get in the way of each other's happiness. It's a beautiful story of people learning to see each other for the first time all over again. It does not rest on the usual tropes of marriage as a happily-ever-after, but, instead, finds deep wisdom in the ways people still find to like each and learn to be for each other even when it's not easy to do so.
It is great. You should watch it.
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The story is not a typical kdrama story with a lot of twists, birth-secrets, evil characters etc. It's more like I was following the life events of a normal family, whit ups and downs, remaining always with the feeling that something like that could happen in real life. That's the reason why I really enjoyed the show. It is different.
The characters are very well written, all of them had theirs own story, with funny events, sad events, love stories, friendship, breakups and reconciliations, marriage, birth and death. The chemistry between all of the characters was very good, giving the feeling they're a real family.
Of course the strongest plus point is the love story of Tae Sub and Kyung Soo. I loved the way it was presented, it was not too much for a kdrama, sometimes I even had the feeling the kiss is missing (but , in the end, I think it was better without it). The other love stories were also good, but not like that one.
The acting was brilliant, everyone portrayed his character very good. After this drama i'm loving Lee Sang Woo more and I noticed Song Chang Ui. It's the first time I see him playing a main role.
If you wanna watch a family drama that's not very complicated, with a plot that flows smoothly, with strong characters, full of family-love, with good love-stories I recommend this one!
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The weight of your words; Is it heavy enough to save/kill people?
Are "mere words" enough to save someone who wants to end his own life? I think many people who are emotionally struggling need someone to talk it out… a simple talk may not end their years of problems and make them a smiling person again but it could be of little help.
Words can save people but they can destroy them too. "Tomorrow" is about the other side of the coin. The reasons, the thinking and the words that could've hurt a person so deeply that he wants to avoid this "tomorrow." This drama teaches us the real value of the words we speak. they are NOT trying to convince us that suicide is the right option rather they want us to be caring towards people and choose our words wisely.
Tomorrow is a fantasy drama that brings to you the right balance of emotional cases and stories of people suffering (who are at the verge of ending their lives) but the Risk Management team of Jumadeung is right there… just like Koo Ryeon says – "Our job is to offer them comfort, sympathy and support rather than a solution. They're the only one who can free themselves." …So they're grim reapers with angelic twist…
The best take by the writers are those stories, nothing very superficial or highly imaginative. They're social and human problems that may be relatable at some point. Since related to death and people's conflicting mental state, they tend to be dark sometimes… and the words in every scene are so quote-like. Every sentence with deeper meaning. I liked that.
Based on the webtoon "Tomorrow" (내일) by Llama, tomorrow is impactful with cruel reality of society. One thing which stays with all stories is 'Self love'… "Stay strong, have that trust in yourself and face them"… Like one line that hits me highly from Episode 7 is "My standard for happiness is myself."
Many people were curious… is there any romance? Yes there is. It is for a little part only but they looked so good together. Of course, I wish it was longer but that's all we get.
The subtle and spiritual acting by the leads makes everything better.
✧ Kim Hee-Seon (as Koo Ryeon) – my eyes were stuck on Hee-Seon's beautiful-sassy red hairs, badass, i like her her kicks and how she stopped time on her finger tip.
✧ Rowoon (as Choi Jun-Woong) – Rowoon and this role, both keeps impressing me all the time, he takes decisions emotionally, cries with them and gives his all sympathy and support.
✧ Yun Ji-On (as Lim Ryung-Gu) – Ji-on is also great as the Mr. Lim who has a soft heart inside his casual look.
✧ Lee Soo-Hyuk (as Park Joong-Gil)– Soo Hyuk literally comes to the screen for 5 minutes every episode yet he leaves a good after effect with his charm.
What I didn't enjoy here —
—•• The ending was really rushed but we don't get any cliffhanger, it was all clear, yet that one story of leads had so much potential. I hope it was given enough time.
—•• less screen time for Soo Hyuk… I thought he is the main lead but we see him barely in the early episodes and only towards the ending he looks like an important part of the drama.
All four have their own mysterious story that could make you cry buckets. Jumadeung is an afterworld organization that includes many Grim Reapers so this drama isn't going to be all about suicide cases… there will be some natural/accident death cases…
From the OSTs I liked —
♪Red Light♪ – sung by Lee Seung Hyub 이승협 (J.DON) …and… the cover in episode 5 ♪Summer flower♪ – sung by Kang Seung Yoon.
So, DO I RECOMMEND THIS?
— YES… but NOT TO EVERYONE.
Tomorrow does have a special concept "related to suicide/death" and they can be triggering for some people… anyone who is doubtful about whether to watch or not or whoever is scared to get affected by them can ~
✼ try out some episodes and then decide
✼ look out for what are the topics covered and if any topic looks upsetting just avoiding those particular episodes is enough.
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And just like that, you stole my heart away.
This is the first ongoing Kdrama in 7 years that I watched in real time. I think words will fall short if I try writing a review for this drama, regardless of it's seasons. I didn't watch the season1 ongoing bcs I never do that for any drama as I'm very impatient aand anxious to wait and think about what's the next. But sure, I was intrigued by the response it was getting during the s1 and even so I took 3 months to start it.Anyways, I decided to watch the season 2 ongoing without a 2nd thought before a month and the reasons are obvious. Morever, slice of life Kdramas without solid plots can be watched ongoing easily. I am very glad for my decison and grateful for each and every moment.
Again, this ain't a review because this dramaa is excellent in all the aspects and don't need evaluations to be judged. The writer Lee Woo Jung jakka-nim and director Shin Won Ho PDnim are my most favourites, both individually and as a PD-Jakka pair, I can blindly trust on whatever they do.
Script, story progression, twists, character development, revelations, realizations, and all other realistic elements of life are very well placed and utilized in the drama and directon work is like adding feather to a cap.
I will be pointing out the highlights of this season and I think I might spill spoilers for those who have not watched it but let me mention them anyways because you know it's a slice of life story plus apparently the concluding season. So here I go:
# The season 2 started exactly where it had ended in the season 1.
# The story continues to be aas simple as the 1st season with no solid plot development rather showing the day to day life of YULJE.
# The most important thing of Hospital Playlist is the ordinary days of the extraordinary group of 5 friends who continued to inspire, motivate and teach us various different things even in this season.
# The definite character development of Suk Hyung, becoming open and clear from being shy and introverted person.
# Ik Jun is still that lame person who loves throwing PJs despite the seriousness of the situation and I think I can relate haha.
# After few months, SongHwa returns to Yulje but also gets busier with the management of VIP ward meant for "Daddy Long Legs Funds", surgeries, lectures and helping her fellows with their thesis.
#Jun Wan is still that serious yet silly guy who gets annoyed at anything. He had to go through misery but he managed to pull off his life better.
# Jung Won, still a kid by heart, continues to learn every other day from experience and despite his indecisiveness, can stay calm.
# Jun Wan and Song Hwa are still those maad foodie pairs who eat more than half of the food and even fight w/ each other for it.
# Ik Jun and Jun Wan still get into fight out of nowhere at their 40s over silly things, pulling hairs and punching each other.
#Jung Won continues to intrigue the kids for his love for them and somehow makes them to fall for him.
# The surgery scenes are not detailed for a fact but the OT scenes with variety of shades given the situations and severity were wonderful.
# Uri best boy Uju has visibly grown up by looks and by brain. He is in fact more quick-witted now and interacts like an adult with others.
# The kumo-chukha bonding between Uju Iksun and Uju is another adorable thing to witness.
# Just like previous season, Hospital and Playlist also focuses on the life of interns, residents, staff nurses and other staffs of the institutions.
# Uri twin interns Hong Do and Yun Bok continue to win our hearts by their cuteness. Yun Bok is loved by everone.
# Hong Do is still troubled by Jun Wan who asks him critical questions every other day and bothers him even after he changes dept.
# The Winter Garden Couple tries their very best to keep their relationship a secret from the hospital except for their dearest ones.
# Just like last time, we get to see different shades of gynecology dept, few of birth givings, life of their nurses, interns and residents.
# The Band continues to come up with very good songs and acing those with their skills. Song Hwa had a contract to sing once in 2 years. I always looked forward to discover a new track evey week.
# The bonding between 2 mothers whose babies were both on VAD waiting for a heart donation was very well shown. They were the marathoners who at some point were able to reach the goal.
# Min Ah was finally able to change Suk Hyung's heart through her determination and that was the best thing about this season.
# The life of caregiver nurses of the pediatrics was beautifully portrayed and that indeed was heart-touching.
# Undoubtedly, this season also showed us the bittersweet relationship between doctors and their patients. The way the doctors and handle the patients plus their curiosity and anxiety is very realistic along with the patient's way of respecting the doctors.
# Winter Garden Couple: The foregoing romance between Jungwon and Gyeo-ul that matures with time and they learn how to open up to each other. It felt good seeeing how their bonding was becoming closer.
# Kom-Kom Couple: The development and progress in the relationship status between Min Ah and Suk Hyung that journeys from Professor-Resident to couples and this is the best thing about the this season and in fact it took the entire season to happen.
# Ik-Song: Our most favourite, IkSong who are best known for their slow-burn romance finally ended up together which was sudden bit definitely happened at the most appropriate pace. Both of them needed their time and that's completely understandable.
# Bidulgi (Dove): Jun Wan and Ik Sun had the most difficult time. The couple went through a very rough patch and had to put an end to the LDR but after years crossed paths and realized their undying feelings for for each other.
# Silver Dragon: Suk Min and Sun Bin, uri lovey-dovey residents were away for a while and had some problems in the relationship but thankfully sorted them out and continued to make us feel cute
# The friendship between Rosa and Jong Su continued to bloom even in this season and in fact they became closer buddies who hung out and had meals almost everyday.
#The bromance between Jun Wan and Do Jae Hak, Cardio- thoracic chief resident, is another best thing. The way Jae Hak adored and respected Jun Wan even when Jun Wan was his professor and also the reason behind it was so very mesmerizing.
( Idk what else but I know for a reason that I got many more things left to talk about so I shall edit this review whenever I recall something important to add)
THE OSTs.
A majority of 90% tracks, like the last season, are the covers of old songs from 1970-2000 or after that and in fact 80% were also sung by Mido and Falasol, our fav band in their band practice.
My most favourite track of this season was is "SUPERSTAR" sung by Mido & Falasol. This is very inspiring and such a mood booster I swear. I both cry and then jump outta joy listening to it.
"Rain & You" sung by Lee Mu Jin, "In front of the post office in Autumn" sung by uri Suk Hyung (Kim Dae Myung), "Is it Still Beautiful" by Seventeen, "To You" by uri Ahn Jung Won (Yoo Yeon Suk) were some slow heart touching tracks.
Similarly, "Reminisce" by uri Kim Jun Wan (Jung Kyung Ho) and "Let's Forget it" by the band sad and heartbreaking tracks. "I Like You" by Jo Yong Pil and "I Like You" by Jo Jung Suk are both jolly ones. "Already One Year" is also a favourite.
I am glad they released 5 drama version band songs for this season
I really didn't knew whether to be happy about the 2h40m finale or be sad about the end of this season but to my unfortunate, they announced the end of the entire series that made me upset. I have always trusted ShinLee pair, their work and their decisions but this came as a shocking news and I don't think I am gonna accept it any soon.
All I can do is cry my heart out. I am grateful to the entire team, the cast, the crew aand each and every single person involved with Hospital Playlist for this amazing seasons and the fabulous season that brought out all kinda emotions out of me; made me smile, laugh crazy , cry mad, be heartbroken, etc etc.
I think it's unfair that we don't get to have another season when it's them who said it themselves but I am thankful for the almost 2hours episodes that we were gifted with in this season. Hospital Playlist is definitely my most favourite after REPLY 1988 and Imma flex about it for the rest of my life.
THANK YOU UNIVERSE FOR HOSPITAL PLAYLIST
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All Hail Theerakit Kian Lee: The Man, The Myth, The Lakorn Legend
From the very first dramatic encounter, this series makes it clear that subtlety is not on the menu and that's exactly its strength. Peachayarat, the grounded, talented photographer, collides with the one and only Theerakit Kian Lee, a man so gloriously out of touch with reality that watching him is both chaotic and mesmerizing. Two people from completely opposite worlds cross paths, and what comes next is an explosion of laughter, blushes, and emotional devastation in the most delightful way possible.Khun Thee lives in a bubble of wealth, lakorns, and full blown soap opera logic, and the series leans into every ounce of his larkorn soap opera bubbles. He speaks as if he's permanently trapped inside a lakorn finale, even when the situation absolutely does not call for it. Dialogue? Over the top. Cheesy lines? Oh yes, but somehow they are delivered with such sincerity that you can't help but laugh, smile, and blush. He may be cheesy with his dramatic flair and exaggerated declarations, but when he drops those lines, I am done. I am a swooning mess. His sincerity is so intense that it circles right past ridiculous and becomes weirdly endearing. You don't just watch Khun Thee; you survive him, recover from him, and then immediately want more. Also, I am now fully infected with Peach's "Get a grip, Khun Thee" virus, and there is no cure. Honestly, I don't even want one.
Peach is genuinely the perfect counterbalance for Thee. If Khun Thee is chaos wrapped in silk and soap-opera declarations, Peach is reality in soft focus- grounded, observant, and emotionally intelligent in a way that sneaks up on you. He doesn't demand attention; he earns it, scene by scene, glance by glance. What makes Peach so compelling is how effortlessly he becomes the emotional anchor- not just for Thee, but for the entire story. He meets Thee's absurdity not with ridicule, but with calm disbelief, gentle teasing, and the occasional sigh that says everything.
The chemistry between Peach and Thee is absolutely swoon worthy. Their interactions are chaotic, hilarious, and oddly comforting, watching Peach guide Thee into reality without ever dimming the dramatic essence that defines him is pure joy. Beneath the humor, there's genuine warmth and unexpected depth. Both characters are quietly wrestling with their own fears and limitations. Thee is hiding behind wealth and larkorn, while Peach is anchoring himself in responsibility while suppressing his own vulnerabilities.
Also, there's Mok, Thee's long suffering secretary, and an absolute scene stealer. He is a masterclass of expressions. Mok communicates entire paragraphs without saying a word. His expressions whenever Thee delivers his extravagant lines are priceless and his reactions elevate every single scene he's in. I absolutely adore his bond with Thee. And, Rome, Thee’s brother, deserves a category of his own. When he made his entrance, and I am not exaggerating when I say I screamed along with everyone else. Just few episodes with him, and he's left a permanent mark on the series. The tension between Rome and Mok is undeniable, simmering just beneath the surface in every shared glance and clipped exchange. I am once again requesting- no, demanding- a special episode dedicated entirely to them. More Rome. More Mok. More them.
Aran deserves a special mention too. He is an absolute cutie who leaves an impression even with limited screen time. Also, Aran and Tawan, while their screen time is limited, the moments they do share are enough to hint at a dynamic full of tension. I wanted more of them too. I wanted more of Plub too. She is so adorable. Actually, I wanted more of everything.
The OSTs deserve praise as well- they complement the tone perfectly and heighten every emotional beat. Truly, I loved everything about this series.
This series is heartfelt, and gloriously over the top. It will make you laugh until your cheeks hurt, blush at moments of sincere absurdity, and fall in love with the characters. Gmm Thee V really did a great job and... and just when I thought the series was over, the ending credits of the final episode came in for one last attack. I was wheezing XD. Highly Recommended!!
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Are you bored of watching boring storylines, actors that can’t act, bad cgi, not that great of a costume/design, and most importantly no chemistry, well no need to look anywhere else this show is it, it has none of the factors above, Yay! (:Plot: You know how most shows are pretty boring in the beginning and only gets interesting around ep15 or more, well HSALF it’s amazing it’ll hook you in right from the 1st ep. it’s very comical but then you have to get your tissues ready since ALL of your emotions will be brought out you’ll get happy, sad/heartbroken, frustrated, anxious and last of all it’ll make you crave for more on what’s happening next. I love how they developed all charcters from how they were in the beginning to their personality towards the end, everyone changed significantly for the better or worse. Also the cgi and costumes were so well done that I’m just so amazed by it especially on ep61 the war scene just blew me away. Okay adding one last thing after finishing the show was I thought we were free from the demon princess but no she still got to appear for the last 2eps. Other than the demons princess thing it ended really well and was so emotional as JM vanished into air.
Acting: Hmmm what’s the word... ahhh it’s phenomenally amazing! If you watch it like seriously the acting will blow you away. I was skeptical if the casts in here can bring the charcters to life since it ain’t a easy task to do all the facial expressions and feelings in here. The leads had such an out of the world chemistry they’re literally the Perfect couple YZxDL. The acting here is so natural nothing felt forced or off.
YZ just stole my heart in this show she perfected her role so well and I’m glad that she was the one who played JM I don’t think anyone else can perfect the naiveness and pain the way she did. She’s the most pitiful charcter out of all like seriously she is, watch it and you’ll know. The cast was just perfect I’m sure some people will say that others can do better but like seriously who can other than this amazing cast from this amazing show?
Music: it’s gooood, especially Sa Ding Ding’s version it was just so emotional to just listen to it. Oh boy when it was played in the show I literally got goosebumps. All the other ost were so good that I had to search them all up and added it to my playlist. Also it’s so cool that one of the version the song were sung by the leads Yang Zi and Deng Lun.
Heck yea I’m definitely rewatching this amazingly true masterpiece many times. I don’t even know what am I suppose to do after it ends like it’s so so so hard to find a show that’s this perfect and I’m just going to say that this show is the best show ever to me it tops anything and it’s my #1 show. Totally, totally recommend everyone and anyone to watch this if they can but don’t feel pressured to watch it bc of my crazy little review.
Also if you’re in a withdrawal like me then I encourage you to watch the bts(behind the scenes) of this it’s so funny and I love how all the casts were so natural towards each other there were no awkwardness. You guys are so going to love the leads YZ, DL, and LYX after watching the bts they have such great chemistry together. To me this show can’t be rated it’s like infinite/10, that’s how good it is. I have never seen any show that tops this and let me tell you guys I’ve watched so many top rated/popular show where its not just as satisfying if compared to this. I’m sad cause after this show like everything other show will seem so bland, not up to par, and Ik for sure I will not be able to stop myself from comparing how well done this was. I don’t even know what I was doing before this show like what have I been watching? All the other shows really cannot be compared to HSALF. Also just to put this out I’m a big fan of the novel and I got to say that the show is better a lot better it went so much more in-depth and we got to know how or why a certain event or certain way someone did somethings.
So yes, overall I do recommend it, definitely do yourself a favor and try out this true masterpiece called Heavy Sweetness Ash Like Frost. 100+/10
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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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A Journey Through Life
Many people have been saying that for them this is the drama of the year, but for me, it has solidified its place as my favorite cdrama of all time.A Journey to Love is a story about brotherhood, friendship, romance, loyalty, and growth. The two leads, assassin Ren Xin and spy Ning Yuanzhou despite having started as two players on opposite ends of the playing field, met under the unlikeliest of circumstances and joined hands in helping each other seek justice for themselves and their loved ones from being wrongly accused by their own states. Together along with naive Princess Yang Ying and Yuanzhou's former brothers in arms, they embark on a journey that as cheesy as it sounds teaches them all about life, love, and death.
The acting here is phenomenal and was executed perfectly by everyone from main leads to supporting and side characters. As a long time fan of Liu Shi Shi I have no doubt in her acting abilities and she had been one of the main reasons I had started this drama. But despite knowing how great she is, she really surprised me with her portrayal of Ren Ruyi and blew me out of the water with her performance and solidifying this character as one of my top two FLs of all time alongside Go Aeshin from Mr. Sunshine. The nuances she brought to Ruyi's character and the switch from her being cold-hearted and deadly assassin Ren Xin to someone who has learned to love and follow her own heart is just so wonderfully portrayed. She was such a bold and powerful character but she also had grace, beauty, and intelligence. Her scenes and moments of vulnerability were executed perfectly and well accordingly to her character and not overdone or overdramatic. I have watched Liu Yuning in The Long Ballad and The Legend of Anle, and I never doubted his acting ability. He had made such a impressive portrayal of such a formidable and cunning character that pairs alongside wonderfully with Liu Shi Shi. His manliness and charisma exudes in every scene, and he was a great choice for the role. This is one of those rare dramas where both of the leads are equal in terms of strength and intelligence. They were both supportive and respectful of each other, and neither character's skills or intelligence were diminished at the expense of the other. The romance had also grown gradually and it wasn't superficial or happened abruptly in the slightest. It grew from initial attraction, to admiration and mutual respect, to becoming friends and allies, to accepting that they had grown to care for each other, and to finally realizing that they had completely fallen for each other without knowing it. Again both leads have portrayed each moment and interaction seamlessly and effortlessly in their gazes and in their affections and physicality with each other. Alen Feng and He Lan Dou had both been pleasant surprises for me in this drama. I have watched Alen in The Long Ballad but while his character was forgettable there, in this drama he became one of the most unforgettable ones. I am surprised by his range and ability to bring to life such a lovable and charming character. This is my first time watching He Lan Dou and wow she is a great actress. She had the best character growth within this drama and she was able to execute these moments of growth perfectly and authentically.
From the beginning, I had continuously raved about how great this drama is at fleshing out all of their characters and actually shows the viewers the different dynamics between the differing relationships they all had with each other. It's shown in a way where we can really feel that they are a family and that they truly care and love each other. It is actually believable that they would die for each other. For a drama that's centered around a group of characters, there's always some that kind of fall flat or are forgotten compared to others because the writers tend to gloss over small details. However, in this drama, every character has their own distinctive personality and it really shows in how they act and interact with one another. Unlike other dramas, where viewers are expected to fill in the blanks themselves or were just told how close the characters are, this drama takes it time to introduce us to each character and allow us to connect with them. The characters are written properly and their choices and actions are true to their character from beginning until the very end. The writers here just don't mention details in passing and never touch upon it again. The characters are consistent and are true to how they are initially portrayed. Qian Zhao who was known for his loyalty to his country and brothers had planned to kill the person responsible for their deaths. Yet, in the end he had died protecting that very emperor. Sun Lang known for his empathy and love for animals had died by sacrificing himself to shield his brothers. Yuan Lu who although was born with a ticking time bomb in his chest, was the most optimistic and persevering character who died after pushing through and delivering one final important message requesting military back up for his brother. And Shisan who is known to be a playboy and love beautiful things in life, died by making sure the woman he loves is safe, and making a final stand to fend off the enemies. I love tragedies, but this had been a drama where I desperately wanted a happy ending, even if it's just for the main leads. But despite everyone dying, I am not dissatisfied. Everyone died for a cause and their deaths had been foreshadowed throughout the drama. Nothing happened out of nowhere nor was i glazed over. Their deaths were true to their characters and had given each of them justice along with an honorable and memorable farewell. The story revolves around the familial love and loyalty between the Liudao Hall gang. For the majority of the drama they had rarely been separated from each other, and had went through many trials of life and death alongside each other. It completely made sense that Yuanzhou would follow his brothers in death and Ruyi following the man she had grown to love and the family she had gained to death as well.
The soundtrack in a drama could make or break it for me because it plays such an important role in creating the tone and emotions within the story. The soundtrack here was absolutely phenomenal and every song and bgm score had brought so many scenes to life and invoked so many emotions in me while I watched.
A Journey to Love has everything and it amazes me how such a drama could exist. A great plot, compelling characters and villains, amazing fight choreography which is some of the best I've seen in a while, a beautiful, mature, and healthy relationship between the leads, beautiful cinematography, and even comedy. Even during its air I have continuously rewatched several episodes and scenes and I will no doubt be doing the same thing in the future.
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It's a really good movie, but the movie was a bit depressing in the middle, but that's actually quite realistic in the world. Where there is not trust in both, the relationship won't maintain, relationship exist because of trust, "I believe in you", this is actually a powerful sentence that could made people a good day and feel not alone.Just some of my thoughts, people in old times might have more courage than most of the people now. Back then, like this movie, they actually quite hard to connect to each other so they will express the true feeling to the person to make sure they see them again. Unlike now, I know I will see the person through social media or reality every day so I hide my feeling and waiting for her to find it out...
It is really a beautiful movie with a perfect song list.
And I was waiting for the ending that Mi-Soo and Hyun-Woo open back the bakery...
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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 narrativeIt 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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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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