Reviews

This Is Why Cinema Exists

I just finished Better Days, and honestly, I had to pause it a couple of times just to catch my breath. It really felt like true cinema, the kind of movie that reminds you why movies exist in the first place. I’m not exaggerating when I say I had tears rolling down my eyes multiple times. Everything about this film was so well done. The acting from the leads felt incredibly raw, the gritty cinematography made everything feel almost claustrophobic, and the background sound was used so well without being overdone. It’s packed with so many different emotions and by the end it just completely drained me. Acting, production, cinematography, sound, everything was top notch. Solid 9.5/10 Masterpiece

What really got to me was how brutal and real the story felt. The bullying, the neglect, and the desperation of these kids just trying to survive reminded me a lot of The Glory, Next Sohee, and Weak Hero Class 1. But at its core, it’s really about two broken, marginalized people finding some kind of light in each other’s darkness. Their relationship didn’t feel like a typical romance at all. It felt more like a raw, desperate kind of survival pact, with that same quiet and devastating devotion I felt in My Mister and First Frost. That’s a big part of why I’m giving it a 9.5 and not a 10. In my personal rating system, a 10 has to give me some kind of life lesson or change the way I see something forever. Better Days feels technically almost flawless and shows you a really harsh but beautiful truth. It makes you feel everything and lets you cry🥶❤️☄️

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I genuinely don't know what I was expecting from this drama, but it definitely wasn't whatever I ended up watching. The plot was honestly my biggest problem. I kept waiting for something to happen that would make me understand why people love this drama so much, but I just never got there. Every time I thought, “Okay, maybe THIS is where it gets interesting,” I would end up feeling the exact same way five minutes later.

And don't even get me started on all the drama between the characters. I understand that misunderstandings, family problems, jealousy, and complicated relationships are supposed to create tension, but at some point I was just TIRED. Instead of sitting there thinking, “OMG WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT?!”, I was more like, “Okay... so when is this going to be over?” There were so many situations where I just couldn't connect with what the characters were doing, and that made it really hard for me to care about the outcome.

The romance also didn't really save it for me. I wanted to like the main couple, especially because the actors had the potential to make the relationship work, but the story itself kept getting in the way. There were moments where I could see what they were trying to do, but it just wasn't giving me the emotional reaction I wanted. I wasn't sitting there kicking my feet or screaming at the screen. I was sitting there staring at the screen like .

And honestly, the cast was the ONLY thing keeping this from being lower than a 5/10. Because the cast??? HELLO??? There are SO many good actors in this drama. They were doing their absolute best with what they were given, and I genuinely think they deserved a better plot. There were characters I liked simply because of the actor playing them, even when the storyline itself wasn't doing them any favors.

That's probably the most frustrating part for me. The drama had a REALLY good cast and so much potential, but the plot just wasn't it. I kept thinking about how much better this could have been if the story had been stronger and some of the unnecessary drama had been cut down. Maybe this drama was just not made for me. I can understand why people enjoyed it, especially if you like this type of old-school rich-family romance and all the chaos that comes with it. But for me? Nope.

Would I watch it again?
ABSOLUTELY NOT.

The cast gets the credit, but the plot lost me somewhere along the way.

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No Forced Drama, Just Two Kind Hearts

This drama distinguishes itself through excellence across three fronts: storytelling, costume design, and performance.
Storytelling. Refreshingly, the plot avoids the tired tropes of idol romance dramas, where writers artificially manufacture obstacles to create emotional turmoil between the leads. Instead, what we feel throughout is a love that is steadfast and unwavering from beginning to end. Their connection begins with two kind hearts—both protagonists share the same moral foundation, and therefore the same values. Through their time together and their shared mission for the Crown Prince, each comes to see the other as someone worthy of trust and devotion, and they eventually find their way to each other.
The storytelling leans toward realism, reminiscent of the film We Made a Lovely Bouquet. It shows how, even within the constraints of powerful institutions and rigid social systems, love alone is not enough: couples must practice and master the right ways of communicating in order to move forward together. Without it, like the many frictions and misunderstandings the leads experience in the capital, two people in love can still drift apart.
Costume design. The production adopts Ming Dynasty attire, with both official court robes and everyday garments referenced against museum artifacts. The hairpieces, jewelry, and garments are all exquisitely crafted, offering audiences a fuller, more authentic appreciation of Ming-era aesthetics. This level of rigor and respect for historical detail is truly commendable.
Performance. Ding Yuxi and Deng Enxi reunite three years after The Melody of Golden Age, and their collaboration here is deeper and more seamless than in their previous work. At 21, Deng Enxi layers far more emotional nuance into her performance than the straightforward innocence of her 19-year-old self—within a single scene, she conveys shifting emotions with pinpoint precision through her facial expressions, posture, and movement. Ding Yuxi, as always, delivers precisely calibrated acting. Together, their chemistry elevates the drama from excellent to exceptional—the perfect finishing touch that makes the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

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Decent Watch

Recommended if: you like drama and queer characters
Not recommended if: you are looking for a clear depiction of romance

***

I went into this show expecting it to be romance-focused. Despite this not being the case, I enjoyed the intimate story of the leads. There's something heartwarming about their quiet understanding of each other, and how they choose to be with one another. It reminded me of another Japanese show, 'What Did You Eat Yesterday?', although that was clearly BL. I'd much prefer 'Soulmate' if it had a less drastic fate for Johan. Taecyeon's acting as Johan was great. I just wished that his character had a better ending with Ryu. Overall, it's still a decent watch. I liked it because it showed the beauty in human relationships.

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A masterful ensemble drama

Noble Aspirations was one of the earliest C-dramas I watched, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I genuinely loved this drama, and honestly, its OST alone is enough to make me want to rewatch the entire series. There’s just something about those songs that brings back the feeling of watching it all over again.

Zhang Xiaofan is probably my favorite part of the drama. I really loved watching his slow and painful transformation from a simple, timid village boy into the demon-wielding Gui Li. What makes it so memorable to me is how natural his transformation feels. It never needed exaggerated melodrama to make his pain and inner struggle believable—you could feel everything through his character’s journey.

I also loved how the entire ensemble felt meaningful. Even the supporting characters had their own presence and purpose, and it never felt like anyone was simply there to fill a role.

It’s been years since I last watched it, yet I still remember the feeling it gave me. Some dramas you enjoy while watching, and some just quietly stay with you. For me, Noble Aspirations is definitely the latter.

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Betrayal, revenge and dangerous games

Story: The story revolves around betrayal, revenge and abuse. The pace is a little slow, but it doesn't feel boring because the story takes its time explaining what's happening and why the characters are making certain choices.

There is also plenty of action, especially as the characters find themselves in dangerous situations where they have to think quickly. One thing I liked was the emphasis on teamwork. Working together not only gives them a better chance of getting out of trouble, but also allows them to come up with ideas that wouldn't have been possible on their own.

Characters: The cast did a good job with their roles and each character had their part to play. For me, good acting is when the actors can actually make you feel something. Whether it's anger, frustration, sympathy or tension, if I find myself reacting to what's happening, then I think the role has been embraced properly.

That's what I liked about the cast here. Their performances made the situations feel more believable and kept me invested in what was happening.

Overall: I enjoyed watching Danger of Her. It has betrayal, revenge, dangerous games and plenty of action, while also showing that working together can make a difference when things get complicated.

The slower pace might not work for everyone, but I didn't find it an issue. I'd recommend it if you're looking for something with dangerous situations, revenge and characters trying to turn the tables on each other.

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A drama with thousands of words

The most embracing part of the drama is that reaction says it all, The emotional tension and bromance is at peak level. Kang have depicted top level depiction of the character. Especially the bonding the bonding and friendship is not rushed and built by the slowly. Female character love towards Pi-o show her care even after the moment they broke up, that's the true love. Pi-o mother is really like every other mother who wants to see her child at the top of the world but her crime is unforgivable, taking someone life or taking art from an artist is inhumane. If you have watch the drama from the beginning you would feel the real emotions and tensions especially it is at peak when Jo Yeong pressurizes Pi-o to play perfect nemesis.

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Swooned, suffered, still recommend?

I watched for the romance, not really the sport, but I admit I got a bit emotional during some of the sporting aspects. I didn't like the multiple changes to his specialty, though.

Now onto the romance. Although I swooned at times (100% carried by the FL), DYC is everything I hate about a Noona romance. He was too clingy and immature. With the amount of reassurance and leeway LN gave him, I expected him to grow a bone, but that never happened. He shouted at her and talked down to her whenever he pleased. Even before they started dating, from the moment they met, I never felt like he gave her enough respect.

He has no personality outside of her, and no friends. At least she cared about other people and had friends (Coach Wu), but DYC? Nada. As a matter of fact, he only interacted with other people when it concerned her. A grown man can't function without another grown adult? It was piercing my eyes. 😭 I almost threw my phone during the study-abroad arc with her dad.

The pouting, “Who is this boy?”, “Say you love me”, “Wash my clothes”, “Cook for me”, “Do this”, “Do that”, “Don't do this”... 😭 I almost rolled my eyes to the back of my head🙄

Was that even a proposal or a wedding ceremony? 😭

Kudos to the FL. She nailed her role

I would still recommend it, though, if you're a romance junkie like I am. 7.8/10.

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And Then It Got Worse

Just like its title suggests, The Affair Was Just the Beginning proves that an illicit romance is merely the tip of a much larger, highly chaotic iceberg. Stepping far away from the traditional, tear-jerking formulas of standard infidelity tropes, this drama delivers a gloriously messy, subversion-filled take on marital scandal that morphs rapidly into a biting black comedy and crime thriller. Across a tightly paced eight episode run, the series keeps viewers constantly off-balance, using sharp satire to explore how quickly polished public personas crumble under the weight of panic, pride, and desperate self-preservation.

The story begins when a seemingly happy family moves into a new neighborhood across the street from a divorced doctor and her daughter. Park Gyeong Hui and her husband Im Jae Hong earn their living through Captain Park, a popular YouTube channel centered around their image as a picture-perfect rags-to-riches family. What starts as a simple neighborhood favor between Gyeong Hui and her new neighbor Ahn Soo Jung unexpectedly sparks an affair. Yet, true to the narrative spirit, the affair itself ends up being the least of anyone's worries, serving as the catalyst for an avalanche of disasters.

What makes the storytelling so brilliantly engaging is its refusal to rely on cleanly defined heroes or villains. Every single character operates in shades of grey, driven by vanity, manipulation, and social obsession while dodging accountability at every turn.

Kim Hye Soo anchors the series with a powerhouse performance as Gyeong Hui, effortlessly shifting from high-status poise to unhinged, frantic survivalism when her pristine public image begins to implode. Cho Yeo Jung plays Soo Jung with a cold, calculating precision, making their shifting psychological chess matches and fragile alliances genuinely dangerous to watch.

The supporting ensemble matches this intensity effortlessly, particularly Kim Ji Hoon and Kim Jae Cheol as the husbands who excel at playing pathetic, self-serving cowards. Even the children caught in the crossfire drive the plot forward through their own impulsive, dangerous choices.

The brilliance of the series relies heavily on its multiple perspectives, treating the same events through different lenses until everything collides in a climax of peak dark comedy. The plot turns desperately serious and dark, yet the delivery remains remarkably unserious and cynical.

Visually and stylistically, the drama feels right at home alongside the aesthetic sensibilities of directors like Lee Chang Hee and Hwang Dong Hyuk. Suspense is built through intimate camera movements following subjects closely, unusual activity or absurd chaos happening in the background, trucking shots that reveal characters and spaces from different angles, and superficial exterior shots that capture the fairytale dream state of the influencer family. These choices fit the drama's strange combination of tension and absurdity really well. The drama is also complemented by a quirky, fitting musical score featuring memorable piano arrangements, every scene is meticulously crafted to enhance the dark humor.

The final episodes deliver jaw-dropping plot twists that completely redefine the narrative landscape. It is revealed that after a teenage hit-and-run accident, a much darker chain of events unfolds involving a kidnapping, a blackmail scheme at an isolated vacation home, and a murder. Rather than turning themselves in, the adults converge on the property and collectively cover up the killing by burying the body beneath concrete. In a stroke of brilliant cynical strategy, Gyeong Hui purposefully weaponizes a marital scandal by leaking it to the media, creating a public circus that successfully distracts police attention away from the far more sinister crimes hidden beneath the surface.

The series concludes on a bleakly humorous note where nobody faces prison time for murder and life bizarrely returns to a superficial normal. Gyeong Hui and Soo Jung remain uneasy neighbors locked in a mutual hostage situation, bound together by digital evidence of each other's crimes in a way that proves wealth and influence can keep justice permanently out of reach. Right before the credits roll, an absolute “oh shit” reaction from the characters perfectly caps off the chaotic situation.

Ultimately, The Affair Was Just the Beginning ended up as one of my favorite 2026 Korean releases, offering chaotic bliss for lovers of dark comedy. While it may not win over viewers seeking traditional melodrama, its pitch-perfect acting, stylish visual direction, brilliantly infused PPLs, and razor-sharp satire create an unpredictable thriller that refuses to play by the usual television rules.

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Interesting Drama

I really love this series, and honestly, I don’t really mind what other reviews say. 😄 It’s a revenge drama, so I went into it expecting the revenge storyline to continue until the very end. That’s what the story is about, and I think it makes sense for the drama to stay true to its theme.

Sometimes, a sad, bittersweet, or even frustrating ending/last few episodes can fit the story better and make it more memorable.

Of course, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to dramas. What works for one person might not work for another, and that’s completely okay. For me, though, I enjoyed the series and the way the story unfolded. ❤️

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Different & compelling

I have rewatched this 9 years after first watching.

My first watch initially I thought FL was not as attentive that's because I'd already made my narrative and saw what I wanted to see. Two flawed people with personalities that don't conform to the general - which I loved. Was a good story. But at times I didn't like the FL angle of approach.
However 2026 rewatch and I now see it completely different and this is one of my favourites, maybe due to my own maturity in the world around us. You need to take on board how they both see the world and where they fit into it, how love defines people, the weirdness, the anxious and the craziness in the couples involved. Also knowing Korean traditions especially patriarchy & filial piety. Culture difference within the generations is very evident here.

FL at times is timid but also bold - her friends elaborate on this so we get a sense of who she is.
ML is strong & direct but there also a reason to being shaped like this alongside his own quirkyness he is a loveable character and who is older than FL by 8 years - his College friend & CEO of the company also knows him inside out and acts like his therapist & inner voice at times.

They both have a brief encounter but you do pick up on that FL is drawn to the ML, she tells us why they both have a love for Arsenal Football team from English Premier league (Soccer). He also engages in conversation easily. So she makes a bold move, which floors him.
They part ways.

FL is an assistant writer for day time TV, she is a Korean literature major from a well established Korean College, from a working class background who been brought up with manners but also allowed to spread her wings, FL mother expresses this. FL has a niche way of learning from her surroundings and predicaments, she is tough. Her favourite movie is The Graduate which she references a lot. She is philosophical, so it shows within her literature choices and dreams of Love, true love.

ML is risk analyst for a new Dating app, he comes across as Robotic from a traditional Korean background Academic parents. ML has penchant for sarcasm and comedic. He lives by his Rota, what works for him & his cat, who is a key component to him & the story.

ML has a room to rent and FL needs a room this is where their paths cross again and the story unfolds. Their journey of self exploration, a marriage contract, friendship and their friends own love dramas. There is a few questionable scenarios ( Bok Ram) story & there is an ex involved.

Journey of forgiveness and opening up to each other and what Love means to the individual, journey of self discovery through the 880 generation. Being a professional woman. Focusing on realistic hurdles such as societal pressure, work-life balance, and the fear of failure.

Each Episode is My First.. So think angle pretty much tells us what to expect...

Plus the ML dream scene when he thinks he is dreaming of FL is game changer.

💗

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My Dearest (1&2) joins the ranks of the classics

This drama is everything the 9/10 star reviews say!

Gil Chae was a brat at first and Jung Hyun ‘held his cards close’ for good reason. Gil Chae needed to grow up and she finally did. Their individual stories are equally interesting. They both put others ahead of themselves in their own ways. Both were extraordinary people in their own right ultimately becoming each other’s match.

Gil Chae, especially, proved to be very resourceful in nearly every situation she faced. Yes, she was afraid many times, but didn’t have time to give into her fear, keeping one foot in front of the other. I loved how JH was her silent, secret hero several times throughout. Jung Hyun, having seen corruption his whole life, was a master negotiator. A pascifist at heart, he made his actions count for the good of the innocents.

Part 2 explores their journeys even more as the events around them force their trajectories in opposite directions until they come full circle back to each other. I love how honorable they are, not bending to the pressures around them with the lives of others their highest priorities.

Gil Chae’s husband - a liar we will discover - was similar to Yeon Jun - loyal to tradition and an emotionally bankrupt king (YJ was better than him though). How he could leave her in China and not look back was horrible as it showed how some men only valued their women to the extent that they fell within specific expectations - even those outside their control. (This general mindset is not unique to historical or modern day Korea.)

Again, Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun Jin were equally exceptional and perfectly cast in this drama. Neither outshined the other as they played their own roles as well as into each other’s roles perfectly. AEJ gave such believable, intense emotions - I could feel what she was feeling. Sometimes I was even breathing like her, my heart wanting to leap out of my chest (last 15 minutes last episode the most recent example). Jung Hyun had a full basket of sides to his character and NMK delivered each side perfectly. You could you feel his heart for the captives, his coyness much of Part 1, and that unmistakable, unabashed desire for Gil Chae.

Lee Hak Joo as Yeon Jun and Lee Da In as Eun-Ae were also excellent as the second main leads. YJ was honorable to a fault - so blinded by his loyalty to an emotionally corrupt King. I wanted to write him off more than once. Eun-Ae was loving and loyal to both YJ and GC to the end. I appreciated Yeon Jun’s character arc where he finally saw through the traditions that wrecked havoc on innocent lives, including his own wife’s life.

Ryang Eum was kind and wholly devoted to JH. But in Part 1 he was a mixed bag of hlove, loyality, and deceit. Once the deceit issue resolved, he remaied loyal to and protective of JH. Even though I was angered by his deceit, my heart went out to him - he was literally lost without Jung Hyun.

I was so emotionally invested in this story, I had to stop watching Episode 10 (20) when the Princess of Qing let Jung Hyun go. I recalled the very first episode and knew the story was going to turn south and I couldn’t handle Jung Hyun’s demise. It took nearly 2 months for me to return to it and finish the last episode and a half.

To my delight it had an unexpected, lovely and perfect ending.

This is a beautiful story complete with all the feels! Watch if that appeals to you. You will not be disappointed as this is a new classic among KDramas.

Did I mention the very handsome Namkoong Min has the most beautiful eyes???

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Shadow Punisher brilliant story line !

Shadow Punisher is a great drama has a brilliant story , funny moments , great acting , beautiful soundtrack , is thrilling , has great special effects and everything is high quality from costumes thill scenes , location , scenery . I'm in love ! I highly recommend ! The actors are all good looking and they have a good chemistry , I'm very impressed with their interaction . As expected from mister Luo Yunxi good tastes in scripts this drama doesn't disappoint the public and in my opinion will be the next 1st most liked drama in all tops . We waited a long time for this drama to be aired and now , that it's here , we are finally impressed in the best way , the crew and actors hard work has now the accomplishment of most public appreciation . Great job on everything ! We love you and we thank you for everything . You always keep us entertained in our best or worst moments and we are deeply grateful for your kindness and attention to every detail . Good luck ! We support you and we wish you great achievements in all your next work .

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Toxic codependency and domestic abuse

“Mother” was based on a true story, and I believe it was worse in real life. I think this is an important movie to raise awareness about domestic abuse. Toxic parenting can destroy a person's life. I have no sympathy for the mother in this movie. Please don't give birth or raise a kid if you are not ready to be a responsible parent. A child doesn’t ask to be born into this world.

This review is to comfort myself after watching this disturbing and depressing movie. Besides sexual and violent content, it is full of psychological abusive, controlling and manipulative behaviors towards children.

The real-life Kawaguchi, Saitama case happened in 2014 when a seventeen-year-old boy stabbed his maternal grandparents to death and stole their money after being isolated, neglected, abused and manipulated by his biographical mother. So this story was set from the 1990s to 2010s. As we have seen from the movie, the mother had been isolating her son from other people who were trying to help him, ordering her son around to buy stuff for her, to steal stuff, and to lie to others to ask for their money, and in the end she solicited him to murder her own parents for their money. She didn’t allow him to go to school or make any friends. As for the mother, she never worked to support her children and was even addicted to sex and gambling, and casually had sex with different men in front of her children. No child who grew up in such an environment would have a healthy mental state.

I don’t think this movie is about a son’s unconditional love towards his mother. He protected his mother till the end because he had no one else to rely on in his life, because his mother had been isolating him from the whole world, so that she could easily control her son’s life and order him around since he was very young. The mother did everything to keep her son co-dependent on her, just like how she was co-dependent on other people around her. It’s so heartbreaking to hear what the son said at the last moment that his mother could never make it on her own. Toxic codependency is harmful.

From what I have researched, the law in Japan was much different back in the days. Parents had a lot of rights as legal guardians of their children. Social workers did not have the right to call the police or separate a child from their mother even if they wanted to rescue them, because it was considered a 'domestic matter'. They have changed the law a lot up to now. I'm not sure if the 2014 incident had any influence in this matter. I think the female social worker, who was played by Kaho, really cared about the boy. I could see her efforts in trying to help the children in every way she could at that time, but she had no actual power to totally rescue them in that situation. As for other people, I believe it’s realistic and fair to say that they didn’t truly care about the child as he wasn’t their own son. Even his real-life father didn’t give a damn about his son either, after he became too fed up with his ex-wife.

Even nowadays, I think these kinds of toxic parents still exist, in a lot of Asian countries. I’m not sure if it has also been happening anywhere else outside Asia. A lot of parents give birth to their children expecting them to grow up on their own and later to provide and take care of them when they get older. Their children are considered their assets and their life insurance. They can neglect, beat and abuse their children on a regular basis, and their children are not allowed to feel bad about it, but have to be grateful to them for bringing them into this life instead. To be more specific, Asian culture has the concept of filial piety as one of the key moral values for the people. This concept is a significant cultural and ethical principle primarily rooted in traditional Confucianism and other religions in Asia, emphasizing the duties and respect that children owe to their parents and ancestors. In a lot of Asian societies including mine, many old-fashioned people still believe that our bodies and our lives don't belong to ourselves but to our parents, so our parents have the rights to do everything on our bodies and control our lives. That’s why they tell us what haircut or clothes we must wear and even try to control our lives when we are adults. One would be socially considered an unfilial child if they disobey their parents, even as an adult. If one doesn’t get married and give birth, they would also be considered an unfilial child to their parents. Even if one commit suicide, whatever the reason might be, not only they would lose their own life, they would also be criticized as an unfilial child. Suicide is considered one of the biggest sins that a child commit towards their parents, as people believe children’s bodies belong to their parents. Parents give birth to their children, so children owe them their whole life. It is believed that children owe everything to their parents and even if a child spends their whole life paying them back, that would not be considered enough. If you watch enough Asian historical dramas, you will understand this concept more deeply. I think it can be a toxic excuse for parents to control and manipulate their children in different ways.

In my opinion, due to this concept of filial piety which has been socially accepted in a lot of Asian societies, other people would not interfere too much, even the police, because it’s considered a domestic matter and it’s ‘my children, my way of discipline’. As someone who grew up with Asian parents, I feel deeply painful to witness these situations and sometimes I also feel so useless when I cannot help them. In these societies, parents are given a lot of rights. They can beat and insult their children regularly as a way of ‘disciplining’ them, and other people tend to ignore it, or have to ignore it. I think that’s also what happened in this movie. Hopefully things will be changed for the better for our future generations.

Anyway, the real-life son is still in prison now. As far I know, after he went to jail, he was finally able to learn and acknowledge a lot of things that he had never experienced before when living with his mom. He also started to care a lot about children's rights and he often writes letters to encourage other children. Some of his letters were turned into songs. The real-life female social worker, who was played by Kaho in this movie, also cares a lot about the boy’s life. As for the little sister, she was later adopted by a good family and has changed her identity. I’m praying for the boy and his sister’s happiness. I think he’s already become a grown up man in prison now.

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