An intimate view into the life of a North Korean loyalist and massacre survivor
With a shaky cam, home video style of filming, Yang Yonghi takes you into her family home in Osaka and documents her interactions with her aging Zainichi* mother.The documentary opens with a startling intro: Yang's mother is a survivor of the Jeju 4.3 massacre. And although the documentary starts and ends with a focus on this event, the documentary isn't really about the massacre itself.
Much of the doco sees Yang spending day-to-day family time with her mother while also trying to figure out why her mum has made the decisions that she has made. A key focus is Yang's simultaneous understanding and perplexion around her mum's decision to send her three sons to North Korea.
Initially, I was a little worried about the run time. Two hours is a long time for these types of home video style productions. But there's clearly been a lot of thought put into the narrative structure that balances well the family quotidian and the political themes.
The big weakness of this doco, I feel, is the animated sequence past the mid-way point. The purpose of this sequence is to provide background into the Japanese colonisation of Korea and the eventual split between the ROK and the DPRK. But this comes far too late in the program and, given the ground already covered at that point, feels repetitive. It would have been far more effective near the beginning for those unfamiliar with the history. The animation itself seems muddled with different styles that gives it a uni-student feel.
What this doco does deliver well is intimate insight into how family relations are bound up in broader historical and political dynamics. It's touching and sentimental without straying into romanticisation.
*Zainichi are Japanese citizens with Korean heritage.
Was this review helpful to you?
Mainleads that hurt each other alot...
this story gave me such headache at times. FL is sick by being ML´s mistress only and breaks up with him as she wants marriage and real commitment. ML for his own reasons cannot give her that commitment since he is not able to have children and that gave him a huge complex. But her refuses to let any other man have her, and he does try to let go her after she pushes him away several times but to no avail since fate keep pushing them on their path. This was such a toxic trainwreck.ML is gorgeous though, and soooo shameless.Was this review helpful to you?
A Nostalgic and Surprisingly Deep Coming-of-Age Romance
I went into this film not really knowing what to expect, other than the fact that it was set in high school and featured Dahyun in her acting debut, which I was curious to see. I haven’t seen the original version, so I won’t compare it as a remake. Instead, I’ll judge it on what it tries to be: a youthful, emotional, and time-spanning coming-of-age story.What surprised me the most was the scale of the film. It starts off feeling like a light and wholesome high school romance, but it gradually unfolds into something much bigger: an epic love story that travels through time, filled with bittersweet moments and life-defining decisions. It captures the feeling of growing up, of childhood friendships and first loves, and how small actions can shape our futures in ways we never expected.
Yes, many of these themes have been explored before, but this film executes them with genuine heart. The characters may not be deeply complex, but they are memorable and distinct. You grow attached to them. You want to know what happens to them, because they reflect parts of ourselves... Our immaturity, our regrets, and our nostalgia.
I found the movie incredibly relatable. It stirred up emotions and memories from my own youth. It reminded me how decisions made in a moment, often immature or emotionally driven, can have lasting consequences. Especially when we’re too young to fully grasp their weight.
The soundtrack deserves special mention. It beautifully enhances each stage of the story, fitting the different time periods and emotional tones perfectly. The music helps carry the emotional arc with subtlety and charm.
In the end, it’s a film about love, growing up, and the unspoken things that shape who we become. A quiet, nostalgic surprise and a strong debut for Dahyun as an actress.
Was this review helpful to you?
Too long, crappy acting, waste of time
FL acting is the worst part. Her character is insufferable, this is the second drama that I see her on and it’s pretty much the same acting like the dumbest.I should have paid more attention when I read the comments on this drama to avoid wasting my time.
I just ended it because I don’t like to leave dramas in the middle.
This could have had like 10 episodes max. The story was not bad, but at the end the development was not appropriate.
On the other hand, thw only positive thing was the ML, he is great with two different characters, despite the storyline and the little support from his co star.
Was this review helpful to you?
Definitely one of the most well-made Netflix shows by Korea.
After hearing about all the hype and seeing it was one of the most watched series in the entire world I finally found time to watch Squid Game. I have to admit that I had fun watching it and was very entertained throughout the entire season. It's about hundreds of contestants (who are all down on their luck and need money) that are asked to play children's games for an shot at winning a lot of money, 45.6 billion won (about 33 million dollars). The only thing is these children games are now all deadly and the last contestant standing wins all the money.Was this review helpful to you?
meh
I liked it at first honestly. I liked the female lead in sassy go go and was excited to see her in this drama. But to be honest I feel like the story is all over the place. There is no story line to begin with. It started out with her wanting to lose weight. But right now I'm not sure what exactly is going on besides them wanting to.. work out? is that it? Is there more to it? I was thinking it might turn out like oh my Venus but nope. Then I thought okay maybe it's like welcome to waikiki it had similarities. But I just think they pushed the gym as a overall idea and went with it. It's kinda boringWas this review helpful to you?
I am seriously impressed with this drama.
'Memories of the Alhambra' is one of those underrated shows where you begin watching it wondering if you would be wasting your time but end it with 'Why isnt this hyped yet?'. I loved this fresh take on sci-fi meets reality. It had the perfect amount of action, romance and emotions. The story is not your usual 'Hero saves the Day' kind and keeps you on your toes till the end. I would definitely recommend this show to all!! Hyun Bin is as always charming and Park Shin-Hye brings another level of sweetness to the show. This series deserves way more love than what it is getting!!!Was this review helpful to you?
GO WATCH IT
OMGG This series is freaking amazing !!! You'd think that as usual, the main lead would give up her revenge plan bc she found the love of her life but this is not the case !! She never lost track of her goal and that's what I loved the most about it. I also loved the fact that the ML didn't try to make the FL give up her revenge or anything. He trusted her until the end and it's so refreshing to see in this kind of drama!!The balance between action/romance/revenge is well done !!
DO NOT hesitate to watch it !!!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
PERFECT! A MASTERPIECE
Flawless, a masterpiece. It delivered absolutely everything. I have no idea how I’m supposed to go on with my life now that it’s over and I no longer have this perfection to watch and fill my days. Touching and beautiful. I’ll definitely rewatch it in the near future.The main characters filled my heart with their romance, and the supporting characters were well-developed and just as captivating as the leads. I wish there had been more episodes — eight felt way too few, and I would’ve gladly watched many more.
Was this review helpful to you?
One of the BEST
I loved the medical dramas especially with being in the medical profession I love the REALITY that there are people that don’t do it for the money only but for the real care of the patients they provide care for and they give a little bit of themselves to each patient they come across and take a little bit of the patient with them! This is how it should be for sure ! I hope that there is another season or 2-10 of this showWas this review helpful to you?
Mark and Yaya have great chemistry
I am not a fan of Thai lakorns, I mostly watch dramas (Korea, sometimes China), but "Waves of Life" is right in the heart, Mark and Yaya have such a powerful chemistry that it is impossible to tear yourself away, even after watching I re-watched scenes with them. They are great together, I have not seen such mutual chemistry for a long time. It's a shame that there is only one kiss, but their looks are something. Right after this lakorns I watched "Love at First Night", the plot is nonsense, but the closeness between Mark and Yaya is enough))) I hope we will see them together again in a new project with a powerful script and a lot of romance...Was this review helpful to you?
Exceeded my expectations!
I rarely watch shows while they’re airing, so my plan was to wait until this one finished before starting it — but I failed. I saw a clip online that drew me in, and I pretty much devoured the first nine episodes. Thankfully, I only had to wait three more weeks for the final ones.
I really liked it, and I truly hope there’s a season 2.
The only issue I had was with the makeup. The cast’s makeup was overly done — borderline cakey at times.
At first, I assumed it was intentional because the main leads are celebrities, but I noticed it with the side characters too. I really hope they fix that in the next season (if we get one — fingers tightly crossed!).
Was this review helpful to you?
Reality of women
This movie is abt women who had made mistakes for smth they had to exchange with. I love the storyline. I love how they capture women's prison life and how their child is important no matter what the circumstances or outcome they will always choose their child. As we all know Zhao li ying, queen herself did a rly good job at her acting i love how she portrayed a mother being herself and the hardships she endured in order to survive. I love every single one of the portray of the character. But it would've been better if they give more details on supporting women backstory. I didn't rly get to see Guo aimi backstory, neither how other ended up in jail. But overall i love this movie and I felt empathy and sympathy to all the single moms out there.Was this review helpful to you?
The Future” Looked Bright… Until She Showed Up
First of all, the title is highly misleading. Anyone reading it would assume we’re diving into a time-travel plot—maybe some epic sci-fi twists or at least a dramatic wormhole. But no, “future” here just means the ML is into robotics and owns a few gadgets that scream “futuristic vibes.”
Now don’t get me wrong—the plot had promise! We’ve got a smart male lead, cohabitation, a classic contract relationship... basically, a setup that could’ve been fun, even without anything too wild. I was ready to be mildly entertained at worst.
She is not even worth discussing... ' TOTALLY TALENTLESS' horrible dialogue delivery, horrible expression, horrible spontaneity, horrible , body language ... LASTLY horrible face. Seems like the casting directors in china have fetishes for young girls ( or those who can act like one) otherwise there is no way you can't get decent talent in a country with a 1.4 billion population.
After spending a truckload on the cast, sets, equipment, production and marketing... You give the wheel to such incompetent FL ...even the ML was annoyed as there was literally zero chemistry.
Was this review helpful to you?
Super!
I've watched this BL a long time ago, and I never get tired of rewatching it. Watching the series first and then reading the manhwa made me fall in love with the story and the characters. I still miss them like crazy.Still hoping for a 2nd season. I'd be so happy if they come back.
Despite it being slightly different from the original manhwa, they really did a good job. The actors were amazing! Also the kissing scenes were beautifully done and so heartfelt. Truly a masterpiece.
A note: it doesn't matter if you watch the movie or the series, the content is the same.
Was this review helpful to you?
Recent Discussions
-
Which Was the Last Drama Episode You Watched? Part 347 minutes ago -
BL Drama Lovers Club1 hour ago -
Role Reversal (RR) Drama Lovers Club2 hours ago -
** Moon BAR + Starlight KTV + Moon SPA **2 hours ago
-
Read the completed Novel first2 hours ago
