Reviews

the darker of the two parts

Overall: I tried to take into account that this was made in China in 2016. Note, this second part and my review has things that might be triggering.

Content Warnings: death, attempted murder, attempted suicide, rape (multiple times), kidnapping/held against will, choking, torture, non con recording, punches, injury, homophobia (internal and external)

What I Liked
- a character did obsessed well
- a character was public about things (though he should have consulted the other guy first before doing that)

Room For Improvement
- was likely meant to be the fictional bodice ripper type premise where "the mouth says no but the body says yes" however, the torture and repeated rape were not fun to watch. I did not want them together romantically.
- this thing went full soap opera including the nonsense of what happened in a swimming pool he could stand up in
- the wife and kid are barely mentioned and brushed aside
- cliffhanger ending without a resolution

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Not the best portrayal of bullying, but perhaps the most sincere one

It was a very touching movie. I have to say that it was simple in narrative. There were not any wildly unexpected moments. The message of the movie somewhat confused itself, but it was clear that this was not your typical portrayal of bullying in cinema.

In this movie, the role of emotional anchor was at the forefront. The honest, innocent, pure connection between two people. There was no exploitation of the love, sexuality or the dramatics. The portrayal of connection was dispersed everywhere, in every second of this movie, and so real and so flawed -- that it worked perfectly.

As for the acting, the side characters were average because no one’s story was particularly developed. But both leads did a phenomenal job. Absolutely convincing and punching performances that save the script. Every and any success of this movie goes to the two leads. I could see this movie being less interesting or captivating, genuinely lost, under different cast.

All that did induce the waterfall from my eyes on multiple occasions (I cannot deal well with injustice). It was a pure, emotional movie, with easily digestible story.

Satisfying ending. A good watch.

A recommend.

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must watch if you want to cry your heart out

absolute peak cinema. the acting, the colour grading, the cinematography, the script, they did not miss ANYTHING.

i love angst and this is literally what i reach for whenever im sad and need an outlet. i can't cry easily just from my feelings but this just opens the floodgates every time.

jeff and engfa literally KILLED IT in this movie. while this movie can't be called comforting AT ALL, it's become my comfort.

really shows the struggle that queer people went through JUST TO GET BASIC RIGHTS and still a majority of them in most of the countries don't have the same rights as the others. this world is such a unfair place, there's so much to hate in this world and people decided to choose to despise love, just because it doesn't look like THEIR definition of love.

i hope other countries become open to queer people and let them live and love however they want. while thailand has made queer marriage legal, most countries (including mine) are literally destroying what little rights queer people have, and it's so messed up.

this movie is a GREAT GREAT take on this inequality and it's definitely worth giving a watch even if it's not someone's usual style. kudos to the director, the actor and everyone else involved in the making of this film, i hope it gets more recognition in the further days.

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Breathless tension...

This was intense!!! I literally stopped breathing at certain points when the intense tension was so thick and then that one kiss in particular...you know which of them I'm referring too had me hold my breath and put a hand over my heart...the tension and passion was off the charts! The ending kept me guessing or double guessing...was it still the play or reality? Actors were amazing in their roles, they got me hook line and sinker! P.S. I am not a fan of any bit of dark stuff in my dramas, I prefer butterflies, rainbows and a necessary few conflicts that get neatly tied up at the end. I like to escape reality watching dramas not suffer more in the fantasy world too, so most of this pushed the envelope for me because of my preference, I would even have prefered a different ending...but here I am signing up for mydramalist just so I can leave this review because this little drama had me in its grip all the way through to the end...phew, I can breathe now! 🤪

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Great acting with an extremely bad ending.

Overall, the movie started a little bit slow and boring. I think the directors could have focused on building the characters slightly differently.

Park Ji-yeon's acting is amazing as always. Having seen her in different movies, there is no doubt about her performance as the main character. I loved it. But I think he could have been given a little bit more screen time; otherwise, in general, it is okay.

The acting of each of the characters is really good (there is no doubt in that); however, the overall story is a little bit empty. Like at the end of the movie—after watching it completely—you will feel empty. You don't feel joyful or moved by different emotions; it is just bad.

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Endearing watch that could've been better

Firstly I will give you a little insight to the political situation in the movie's premise, as it might be difficult to understand for someone who has not heard this story before.
The King's warden is set in a tumultuous period of Joseon's history, where our titular king,Yi Hong-wi had already been forced to abdicate the throne by his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang. And after the attempted coup by the 6 ministers whom we see being punished in the beginning, the deposed Hong wi is sent away from the palace into exile at a remote village. And as I came to learn, the rest of the story, except some facts about Um Heung Do (village chief) is fictional or based on folklore.

The strongest point of this movie was the acting. Almost all the characters here are somewhat stereotypical, serving as a means but are likeable nonetheless. As someone who was already an admirer of Park Ji Hoon after Weak hero class 1, his acting was phenomenal as usual. The way his eyes transform from utter despair and emptiness in the beginning into quite strength and ambition like a tiger's afterwards. And also the village chief, though a somewhat stereotypical character still managed to make him endearing through the acting. Lee Jae Hoon was stunning and a delight to watch as Prince Geum Seong.
The only characters with some character development were the king and the warden/ village chief, whereas it seemed like a missed opportunity for the characters of the devoted court lady and village chief's son.

The music was alright I guess, but there was nothing memorable about it. It feels like this movie could have benefitted from a better soundtrack and cinematography. But it won't bother you very much while watching it as it is carried successfully by the actors. In the end, I have no regrets about watching this and it made my heart ache for king Danjeong.
The King's warden has it's heart in the right place and succeeds in being a heartfelt watch.

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Two Hot Guys Dancing

This movie is definitely not for everyone, if you're looking for your average BL this is not it!

Plot:

I would say the plot is the dance and the emotions. The emotions between the leads is the main drive of this movie, and we'll have to thank the actors for not disappointing us with their immaculate chemistry!!

Really though, at least 80% of this movie are dance scenes, so if you try to skip them, you'll be sure to end up with nothing! The dances are what move the plot through, you have to watch them dance and understand the story they're telling you, only this way will you be able to enjoy this movie fully.

Although I'll have to admit, my little heart wanted to see them together at least once, but it's a personal problem of mine. Since it's an open ending, I'll have to imagine the rest myself!

Acting:

Just fabulous! Amazing! I feel like the human vocabulary is not enough for me to describe their acting, even though I'm sure it must've been hard, the actors did a fantastic job conveying the characters' feelings while dancing!

The kisses were so passionate as well, I got worked up just by watching them!

Cinematography:

Very pleasing to the eyes, the lightning and the shots were to my liking, they complimented the atmosphere very well!

Music:

Could've been better for such a high-quality movie. It didn't make me feel what I should've felt, you know?

Favourite moment:

I loved when they danced together at that event instead of going with their partners; "Dance in neither about technique or stamina, Love makes it whole." As far as I've realised, Suguki Shinya must've understood that to unlock his full potential, to dance with "love", he must do it with Suzuki Shinya instead of his formal dance partner. The scene where he asks "May I have the honor?" made me go crazy, I absolutely adored it!

Overall:

If you want something clear-cut and simple, or you just want to watch a spicy BL, this isn't for you. It wasn't perfect, I think I should've made my rating lower, but personally that's the rating I want to give. Pick the time where you have a right state of mind and watch it!

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Cesium Fallout (original title: Fan Sing or Burning City), released in late 2024, marks a milestone for Hong Kong cinema as the region's first major production focused on a nuclear disaster. Directed by Anthony Pun and produced by/starring the legendary Andy Lau, the film blends the political tension of boardrooms with the visceral heroism of firefighters.

The Plot: A Radioactive Domino Effect
The story begins at a recycling yard where a massive fire reveals a dangerous secret: the site served as a front for illegal e-waste smuggling containing Cesium-137, a highly radioactive isotope. The film splits into two battlefronts: The Political Front: Simon Fan (Andy Lau), a radiation expert and former minister, faces off against bureaucracy and the indecision of the Acting Chief Executive, Cecilia Wong (Karen Mok). The conflict here centers on transparency: evacuate the city and cause panic, or try to contain the leak in secret? The Frontline: A team of firefighters, led by Kit (Bai Yu), enters "ground zero" initially unaware of the invisible radiation threat. The personal drama is heightened by the fact that Kit blames Simon for a past family tragedy.

Strengths: Visuals and Effects: For a budget outside the Hollywood standard, the visual effects are impressive. The scenes of a post-apocalyptic Hong Kong (visions of what would happen if containment failed) are visually striking. The Return of Karen Mok: After years away from the big screen, Mok delivers a sharp performance as a pragmatic politician who serves as the perfect foil to Lau’s idealism. Social Commentary: The film isn't afraid to touch on real-world wounds, such as the issue of e-waste shipped from developed countries to Asia and corporate negligence in favor of profit.

Weaknesses: Excessive Melodrama: As is common in Hong Kong blockbusters, the tone sometimes leans too heavily into sentimentality, featuring epic soundtracks and sacrifices that verge on cliché. Uneven Pacing: The transition between tense political debates and frantic firefighting action may feel disjointed to some viewers.

Cesium Fallout is a "blockbuster with a brain." It delivers the visual spectacle expected from a disaster film but leaves a necessary, bitter aftertaste regarding how corruption and technological waste can be just as lethal as a nuclear bomb.

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"Fail and it's treason. Succeed and it's revolution."

12.12: The Day has been lingering in my PTW for some time now. Knowing what the film covered was going to be distressing, I needed to wait until I had the proper frame of mind to tackle it. I’m not sure there’s ever a great time to grapple with the gut-wrenching betrayals, knowing the blood and tears shed following the coup, but I did my best to comprehend the dark events that occurred on 12-12-1979.

After President/Dictator Park’s assassination, unease flows through the government and military as people within jockey for prestigious positions. Three key figures rise to the top, at least momentarily. Jeong Sang Ho is the new Martial Law Commandant. Chun (Jeon)Doo Gwang leads the Defense Security Command and also the shadowy Hanahoe. No one moves or says anything that he doesn’t know about due to his intricate network of spies and phone taps. Last, but not least, is the reluctant new commander of the Capital Garrison Command. Lee Tae Shin is loyal to his oath and his country with no political aspirations. When Jeong assigns influential Hanahoe generals and colonels to far flung places to reduce their influence, Chun decides to act. He gathers the leaders from Hanahoe to consolidate his military might and seize control by arresting Jeong and using the troops to take over. In order to repel the rebels, the virtuous Lee must outwit the Hanahoe who has infiltrated nearly every level of the military and firmly planted corrupt politicians in their pockets.

Watching a film like this was painful as I already knew how the day was going to end. Greed and the desire for power and unquestioned authority are always attractive to wannabe tyrants and the cronies hoping to cash in on an authoritarian regime. Successful dictators tend to be good at branding and Chun was no exception. “Only if we fail is it called treason. If we succeed it’s called a revolution.” Or a “grand revolution.” Nowhere in the film did any of the traitorous team members express a dream for peace and prosperity for all the people of the RoK. Not when it would be so much fun to be in charge and torture whoever got in their way.

Korea’s Hydra organization was the Hanahoe. General Lee simply could not compete with soldiers more loyal to Hanahoe’s leadership and organization than the country. Chun was also aided by the rigid hierarchies in the society including age, regional favoritism, and seniority. Different commanders gave conflicting orders leaving much of the rank and file confused and with no choice but to follow the truck or soldier in front of them. And then there were the cowardly and/or greedy politicians who gave up before the battle had even begun.

Hwang Jung Min’s Chun bordered on maniacal. He splendidly portrayed Chun’s bone chilling menace that both terrified and enthralled the military officers in his circle. His intensity bordered on scenery chewing a time or two, but he accomplished his dramatic mission—to make us loathe Chun. In contrast, was Jung Woo Sung’s calm and ethical Lee. This general wasn’t afraid of making the hard decisions even in the face of overwhelming odds. He also wasn’t afraid to parse words. My favorite quote that I wish had come true, “All of you stay right there. I’ll bring the tanks myself and crush your f*cking skulls.”

The RoK would go through one of its hardest self-inflicted painful periods in history. The disappearances, torture mill, and Gwangju Uprising were about to kick in because of ineffectual leadership, a sinister network, and a nefarious general willing to risk everything to rule the country like a despotic king. 12.12: The Day was tightly written and superbly acted for a day no one wants to remember but must in order to protect it from happening again.

1 May 2026

Notes: Due to libel laws or some such reason, the names of historical figures were changed.

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First of all, Park ji hoon never disappoints. He has this incredible ability to say everything without saying a word, it’s all in his eyes. There’s a specific kind of "quiet" acting that's actually harder to pull off than big, loud emotional scenes, and he nailed it.

Honestly, this movie is such a sucker punch because it spends the first half making you laugh just so it can hurt you more later. There’s something so deeply human about watching a guy who’s just trying to survive, a total opportunist, suddenly find himself caring about a kid he was supposed to just "watch." It’s that shift from seeing the young King as a burden to seeing him as a son that really gets you. When things start going south, you aren't just watching a historical event; you’re watching a father figure realize he’s powerless against a world that doesn't care about love or loyalty. It’s that feeling of being completely helpless to save someone you’ve grown to care about that leaves you such a mess by the end. It’s raw, it’s unfair, and it’s exactly why we’re all sitting there in the dark crying our eyes out.

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Even if scars don't disappear, they don't last forever.

I don't think I have physically sobbed harder watching anything in my life more than this movie. And I put emphasis on anything. I don't think I've ever cried this hard. My chest hurts, my skin feels achy with how much I've cried. That's how devastating this movie was.

From the very beginning of the movie, it had a very homely and authentic vibe to it. It wasn't a very big, massive production, but it was just a simple story that had a little bit of depth to it, and that depth was so absolutely incredible, I don't even know how to go about it. I genuinely loved how simple the storyline was, yet it hit so hard. I have no idea how to explain, but honestly, one of the best movies I have ever seen in my life. And even though I put the rewatch value as high, I don't know if I'll ever be able to watch this movie ever again.

One of the most beautiful part about this movie was the relationship dynamics between the three main characters. And you can argue with me if you say it's only a romantic story or a love story, because I will not joke around about Jimin. She is the most incredible character I have ever watched, because it's just her power of friendship and love is so beautiful to me. She would and will do anything for her best friend. From the very beginning, she was so protective of her friend. She loved her friend, and all she did was care for her. And at the end of the day, all she wanted was Se-yoon to be happy, and I don't even know how to describe how beautiful their bond is to me. Towards the end, we can also see Jimin wasn't just Seo-yoon's friend. Obviously, Seo-yoon mattered to Jimin more than anybody, but as the whole group integrates and they become like a whole nice wonderful friend group, you can see how much pain she is going through, because she lost one of her good friends as well. It's not just about Seo-yoon. She lost a really good friend, and she doesn't even have the option to grieve in front of her best friend. Because at the end of the day, if you look at the semantics, Seo-yoon's boyfriend, love of her life, died, and she doesn't know about it, and her best friend can't tell her about it. It is just utter pain, the way that this story has been written.

And on the same side, Jae-won, who's an amazing, amazing character, well-written, everything, he's such a green flag. I have so much to say about him, I just don't know how to put it into words. But his thought of, I want to make this girl happy every day, even though I might not be there, I want her to be happy still. And the concept is such a beautiful, beautiful storyline.

I loved how at the end, Jimin managed to tell Seo-Yoon about Jae-won and everything because she couldn't hide it anymore, not just because Se-Yoon was constantly wondering and thinking about Jae-won, but because she as a person was grieving and it hurt her. And I'm so happy that she told Seo-Yoon about everything because it was better for both of them that way.

This was perfect, really. I don't have any opinion on how to change this movie for the better because it was utterly perfect. The ending was one of the most devastating endings I've ever seen in my life. Like, I don't know what to say. The last 30 minutes of this movie, all I have done is sob. I haven't smiled not once. And every time I managed to calm down, the characters started crying. And then when I saw them crying, I continued crying. There was a scene where Jimin was erasing all the stuff that Seoyoon had made about Jaewon so that she wouldn't remember him. And it showed a sequence of all the moments the couple had together. But now the guy was not there, so it was just Seo-yoon. And that broke my heart because it looked like she was alone. And it was just a cinematic masterpiece. Those scenes where her happiest moments where she was with the love of her life were just her alone. And she wasn't sad because she remembered she was happy, but she just doesn't remember who she was with. Absolute 10 on 10 movie. I will probably never watch it again.

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My April Recommendation movie

Watched this because the recommendation challenge by 𝑫𝒂 𝑩𝒂𝒐…

The story follows Suzuko Sato, a young woman who ends up with a criminal record after an incident involving a roommate. Because of this, she feels disconnected from her family and struggles to fit into society. Especially because her family also suffers because of her criminal record. Especially her younger brother.

Determined to escape her past, Suzuko makes a simple rule for herself: whenever she saves one million yen, she moves to a new town and starts again from scratch.

She becomes a "professional drifter," intentionally avoiding deep roots or long-term attachments.

However, despite her efforts to remain detached, she eventually meets someone who begins to challenge her habit of running away.

That's pretty much the story without giving anymore spoilers.

What I like:
+ Despite her effort to stay detached, I really like she still stay in contact with her little brother
+ Kinda love the ending, where she's in the end choosing herself.

What I don't like:
- This movie really bored me…
- I didn't really understand the ending until I asked AI. Haha…

The one thing people write about this, in my opinion the one that make me said touché is PHope: "However, the ending was so so, as it left many questions answered. And that felt like the movie was presenting just a glimpse of the girl's life."

Yeah unfortunately this movie just really is not my cup of tea. But I am glad I can watch this…

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