Reviews

Novoland Movie (2024)

I found this movie kind of interesting. The detective was an interesting character and so was the princess. They worked hard to find out the truth and they solved murders and palace schemes very well. There was not love between the princess and her fiancée. He was using her. She really did not want to marry him, because she did not want to give up her freedom and she just wanted to protect her country. The princess and the detective did not get off to a great start together, but they worked it out as time went on. Her and the detective found out that the fiancée, the emperor and the uncle were all evil. The princess was the daughter of the emperor and also related to the uncle. After the princess' fiancée was caught, he jumped off a cliff. The princess' father, the emperor, killed everyone in the room except the princess and the detective. The emperor did threaten his daughter. Another woman that the detective knew as a friend was killed in the movie. Her spirit protected the princess and the detective from the emperor's royal guard; they escaped. In the woods, the princess told the detective that she could not go back to her father, city, life, etc. The detective asked her where she wanted to go. She did not know where to go, so he told her to come with her. The movie ended with anticipation of them getting closer and falling in love.

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the best part was ahn hyo seop's face ?

I think it's a good movie to watch if you've never read the novel or webtoon, but I feel like the further the movie went along, the more it deviated from what I liked about the novel,,,

I think the cast they chose was good, but at some points the cgi was just horrible 😭 I can't blame them for that though, since there's only so much that can be edited, and only so much you can do with something so unrealistic.

In the earlier scenes, they really stuck to the script, but I started not liking were it was going as soon as dokja killed the monster in the subway instead of myeong oh. It also wasn't a demon monster unless I missed something. I'm not sure how they're gunna make Myeong oh into a demon now, if they do, but I don't think I'd like the change more than the original. I'm also pretty sure Dokja didn't have any flashbacks that early on?? But I could be wrong.

THEY ALSO SKIPPED A WHOLE STORYLINE??? There was no mention of going into movies through posters AT ALL... I understand for maybe copyright reasons, but they switched how junghyeok 'dies,' to the dragon dokja kills AFTER THE WAR ARC STARTS??? I don't mind that they went straight to the dragon killing, but skipping a whole arc that took up MULTIPLE CHAPTERS is sooo 😭 maybe it'll be in the next movie, but then that means they jumbled up the storyline, and that doesn't sit with me good,,, And if they don't go through it in the next movie, then they're just stupid idk.

The other thing I didn't like about the movie is that they specified, and sorta kinda showed that if junghyeok dies, then the whole world perishes while he regresses to a new world. THEY STATE MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE WEBTOON/NOVEL THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'LL HAPPEN IF HE DIES??? And maybe I'm at fault for misinterpreting since I haven't read the whole novel or webtoon, but I feel like Dokja just knowing what happens to the world when Junghyeok dies off the rip, and them showing the world ending, goes too much against the begining of the webtoon 😭 I'M ALSO ALMOST 100% SURE JUNGHYEOK WAS NEVER FIGHTING THE DRAGON WITH DOKJA TOO LIKE???

Anyways, for anyone who's read past chapter 55 in the webtoon, you probably won't like the movie. I thought it was good besides the changes, but I'm still glad I watched it. It was fun to watch if you didn't think about how much they changed from the novel. I ALSO LOVE AHN HYO SEOP'S ACTING 😱

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I thought it was a parallel world

I started this movie and halfway through jumped to the ending.... and because of that I got confused. I thought there was a parallel world. So, I rewatched it in full without skipping.
The movie depicts the difficulty of having a relationship that neither of them had been open about with others. The slimmer Hyeok never told anyone he has a girlfriend back home which led him to entertain the temptation and the suspicion.
We may say that the Jang Hyeok and Dae-un both had lost their way because of their failure to communicate honestly. The moment the man started to lie, he is sure to hide something and later on yield to temptation.
Perhaps we may wonder now, what will happen to the chubby Hyeok and Dae-un, about the baby Dae-un carries and the slimmer Hyeok.
The last part of the movie which is a sort of a recap of all the events from the beginning of Dae-un's encounter with the first Hyeok up to going to the airport with the second Hyeok clarified everything.
Figuring what is the sweet part? Perhaps the start of the relationships that brings butterflies to each other.
It seems that more of the movie tends to the sour part - a relationship gone wrong, cheating, too late to realize she is the one and losing her to another who now benefited the Christmas time in Jeju.
I wonder why the writer thought of this title anyway.
No need to rewatch, as it didn't give me a positive life lessons. sorry.

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Brilliant concept, weak execution, this should’ve been a series.

This was a good movie with a fascinating concept, which is what initially drew me in. However, while watching, I often felt lost and had trouble following the storyline. The actors did a great job portraying their roles, but the plot itself felt underdeveloped and vague. I was left wondering about the purpose of each story since there wasn’t much real progression, just a lot of “blah.”

I honestly think this would have worked much better as a series, where the stories and characters could be fully explored. The idea behind Wonderland is really interesting, so I hope they consider expanding it into a drama in the future.

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"I'm not a step behind, you're always a step ahead!"

Inspired by a true story of a mom working in a laundromat who fell victim to phishing, Citizen of a Kind showed that bad guys really should avoid ticking off the wrong ahjumma. Especially if she has equally tenacious friends.

Single mom Kim Deok Hui is in dire straits financially after her house burned. Initially denied a loan, a bank manager calls her suggesting a special loan for low-income applicants. In order to qualify she has to borrow money from loan sharks to meet all the requirements. Then the bottom falls out when Kim discovers it was all a scam. The police are no help and without the money she and her kids are left homeless. Misfortune continues to fall. When a Korean worker at the call center phones her asking for help to escape, Kim sees this as her chance to bring down the criminals and get her money back.

Ra Mi Ran was perfect for the role of Kim Deok Hui, the loving mom who was determined to find the people responsible for stealing her money. Kim fearlessly tracked down every lead, despite the police and Detective Park being fairly feckless. Yeom Hye Ran as the bilingual Bong Rim as usual gave a strong performance. Gong Myung as Kwon Jae Min acquitted himself well as the imprisoned caller desperately wanting to escape. Jang Yoon Ju was the weak link for me. Perhaps she was supposed to be the comic relief but her vocal intonation was set on shriek for most of the film.

Knowing it was based on a real woman who lost so much made the stakes high for the film. The film itself may have not broken new ground but the ahjumma posse tracking the criminal organization across two countries was entertaining to watch, largely due to the actresses’ performances. The film had comedy and thrilling moments with some violence and everything held together by Ra as the justice seeking ahjumma. Worth a try.

21 September 2025
7.75 bumped up to an 8.0

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Well

Okay, this movie is really good, I recommend, but there's just so much going on. I find it silly how she fell in love with the girl she only befriended because she envied her relationship with her crush. I mean the girl was so cute and sweet and kind of sad to see her getting used like that. Some scenes were good but also questionable, idek how to explain it, but the way homegirl undressed herself for the guy was a lil crazy. Ending was good though, she finally came to her senses of who she truly loves, so I thank that guy for bringing them together, but it was a little eh, good movie tbh.

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unravel the plot

This takes some thinking and also you have to watch the screen after the credits to make it make sense. Bottomline: Nurse meets a chubby guy and they start to date, but it is a long distance relationship. Hence the reference for the sneakers as a gift and running - which in turn the boyfriend looses weight. So now the boyfriend is in shape and attracts a co-worker around the same time that the main couple start to have relationship issues. This seems to be around the time that the nurse also finds out she is pregnant and coincidentally meets another chubby guy with a name similar to her boyfriends. So the nurse is using the new guy to cope with her issues ( maybe help to move on)while her slim boyfriend is seeing his co-worker. To tell the truth, these events over lap and I can't pinpoint the exact time line for all of this. It just ends with them both going their separate ways. To late the slim boyfriend realizes that he lost a good relationship as the nurse is seeing a new chubby guy who happens to look just he did when they first met. I enjoyed the movie. the confusion only came when the scenes when back it time 7 months and again to 1 year 7 months. Had to pause the movie to see the names to realize how close they were and to better understand, but I don't think it was a s bad as some are saying. I enjoyed watching this.

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"Let's never ever waste new tears on the past"

This film was so engaging, funny and action-packed that I didn't notice the time passing until it was over. Being based on a webtoon, I was impressed with the high number of events featured, without making the viewer feel overwhelmed.

The concept of the protagonist needing to go through multiple trials based on the Buddhist religion was refreshing and though there were many comedic elements, it also included a deeper conversation regarding judgment and redemption. It was easy to be emotionally invested in the protagonist's journey, as we discover more about him and his motivations with each trial. I wish the film provided more information and background on the other main characters. However, this was remedied in the second instalment of this film series.

It visually featured impressive CGI and has a high re-watch value. I would definitely recommend to any action/fantasy fans.

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"Saw" Movie in a Korean School

This film was reminiscent of the American "Saw" franchise, if it had taken place in a Korean school setting. Since horror movies are a popular medium used to not only reflect our fears but also criticize societal issues, it was refreshing to have a horror movie centered around the pressure put on students for high grades, especially during exam season. It had both satisfying thriller and horror elements, displaying torture contraptions which were both twisted and creative.

On the other hand, the ambiguity of whether this was a slasher or supernatural horror (or a mix of both) made it harder to be fully invested. Though a clearer narrative would have been beneficial, the ending clarified the previously ambiguous aspects, making this an overall satisfying watch.

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Lovesick is a Taiwanese romance drama film released in 2025 that stands out for its blend of cliché romantic comedy with a bittersweet and emotionally complex twist. Directed by Hsu Fu-Hsiang, the film tells a story of lies, self-acceptance, and the discovery of love amid tragedy.

Synopsis

The plot follows Ye Zijie (played by Zhan Huai-Yun), a troubled and lazy teenager who, to escape classes and schoolwork, decides to fake a terminal illness. His deception, initially a way to gain sympathy and escape reality, becomes more complicated when he is placed under the watchful eye of Ye Zijie (played by Chiang Chi), the dedicated and serious class monitor, who coincidentally shares his name.

What begins as a game of cat and mouse, with the monitor trying to expose the boy's deception, evolves into an unexpected relationship. However, both their lives are turned upside down when he discovers a shocking truth: the girl he falls in love with actually suffers from a terminal illness. From then on, his lie becomes a burden, and the story, which had a light and comedic tone, delves into a bittersweet journey to complete the "bucket list" of a person who is truly running out of time.

Positive Points

Main Cast Chemistry: Zhan Huai-Yun and Chiang Chi's performances are the heart of the film. The chemistry between them is genuine, and the evolution of their relationship, from initial aversion to deep affection, is convincingly constructed. They subtly convey emotions, making the characters' journeys believable and moving.

Balance between Comedy and Drama: The film masterfully transitions between moments of light humor, caused by Zijie's ruse to maintain her charade, and the heavy drama that unfolds with the revelation of her illness. This balance prevents the plot from becoming overly melancholic, keeping the audience engaged.

Strong Emotional Message: Lovesick is more than a clichéd love story. It explores themes of vulnerability, honesty, and the value of every moment in life. The pretense of one character and the reality of the other serve as a powerful contrast, highlighting the importance of living fully and not wasting the opportunities life offers.

Verdict

Lovesick is a welcome addition to the Taiwanese romance genre. While it uses some familiar tropes, like "rebellious boy falls for good girl," it uses them to tell a moving and surprising story. Hsu Fu-Hsiang's sensitive direction, combined with the cast's captivating performances, makes this film an emotionally rewarding experience. It's a great choice for those looking for a romance that offers more than just a happy ending, but a sincere reflection on life, love, and what it truly means to be "lovesick."

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