it’s perfect
it is very beautiful and the events and how the hero want back to his father’s past to save him and how he met the heroine is the best thing ever and how the comedy came together with the drama and romantic and there is no stretching of the events it’s perfect and l advise everyone to watch it but is ending is realistic but it bothers me alot because of the crying i cried she is happy but it does not satisfy me but the acting of the actors and the inclusion of sign language is very great i loveWas this review helpful to you?
A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You
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A very very sweet drama.
I very much enjoyed this drama...the couple were utterly adorable.For Japanese dramas this ranks top 5 in my list of all time favorites,it being 10 episodes and over 40 minutes long was amazing.The actors did a superb job and had good chemistry with each other,not only the main leads but with the supporting casts.The production was entertaining with the theatre aspects and narrator interjecting his comments from a viewers perspective.Midway the drama i was wondering why are they still awkward with each other despite being married for a while and i got my answer with the last episode.Yes they were married for sometime but the husband spent better part of his time away and everytime he came back home they somewhat had to start over getting comfortable with each other.Was this review helpful to you?
The Great Film
I’ve been eyeing The Great Flood since the trailer dropped, and thankfully, it did not disappoint. The cast delivered solid performances and the plot felt fresh and intriguing. It can be a bit confusing at first, like you’re missing a piece of the puzzle, but once it clicks, everything suddenly makes sense and that realization is so satisfying.What I really appreciated is how every detail actually matters. This is the kind of movie that rewards paying attention because you can clearly see how everything fits together in the end. Add to that the outstanding CGI and strong sci-fi execution, and you get a K-film that truly delivers. Highly recommended, especially if you enjoy stories that make your brain work a little before giving you that “ahhh, okay” moment.
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A warm story that stayed with me
I have to say, before starting this drama, I wasn’t really sure what to expect other than the reverse age-gap trope (which, I’ll admit, I totally love). But once I started? I literally couldn’t stop. I got so hooked on the story, the plot, and the cast! (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡ From the very first episode of Sniper Butterfly, I was completely drawn in, and by the end, I was moved in a way few Cdramas manage to achieve. I just loved it so much!Speaking of the cast, I already knew Ke Yu (Daniel Zhou) from 'Always Home', but this drama made me love him even more—or honestly, I just completely fell for him. His acting was amazing. I loved how cute and shy his character, Li Wu, was at first and how much he grew throughout the show. I’ve seriously just unlocked a new green flag character; he was a total angel! ʚ₍ᐢ. .ᐢ₎ɞ And also, yeah... the boy can kiss, and I’m still not over it. (〃ﾉωﾉ)
On the other hand, I still can’t believe Michelle Chen is 42. She looks so young! This is my first drama of hers, and she’s so talented; she handled her character in such a mature and realistic way. And can we talk about the fact that there’s a 19-year age difference between the actors in real life? You can tell she’s older, but not by that much! In the drama, the gap is about 9 or 10 years, and I loved that it didn’t feel forced. Their chemistry is so good that you actually forget about the age gap sometimes.
Also... the kisses!! They were so intense. (〃ﾉωﾉ) I mean, I had no idea Ke Yu could kiss like that! There’s one scene in particular that stands out from all the rest (and trust me, there are A LOT of scenes), but I will never forget that one in episode 5 when Li Wu is drunk (in the present day). That scene is officially living rent-free in my head forever. <3
The OST is also so beautiful! It fits the vibe of the story perfectly and really makes all the emotional scenes hit even harder.
I also really liked that there weren't any toxic characters or annoying villains (except for the FL’s ex, who was a total jerk). Her parents were great, and the best friend and other side characters were super likable too. The subplot with the FL’s friend and the ML’s friend’s uncle wasn’t my favorite, but it wasn't bad either.
I appreciate how they handled the age gap without making it feel "grooming-y" or weird. Everything happens slowly, which gives you time to process it without it feeling forced, which I think is great. Even though some people found the real-life age gap uncomfortable—which is a fair conversation to have—it didn't bother me at all or ruin the experience for me. I’m super satisfied with this C-drama and will definitely be rewatching it in the future! (ﾉ^^)ﾉ
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This review may contain spoilers
Know, dear viewer, that the first thing you watch will captivate you, and you will cry when it ends.
I'm going to talk about Kim Sabo and how, like the character Kim Sabo, oh my God, I can't imagine leaving this amazing and wonderful work, from the story and events to how it all began. It's a great work, and every phrase in the drama has a profound meaning. This drama teaches you how to deal with life and changes your way of thinking. It's not just an ordinary medical drama at all; it's much bigger than that. Watch it, and you won't regret it because it's magnificent.And finally, I'll say it's the best medical drama I've ever seen, and if you watch it, you'll agree. I don't want to spoil anything because it's all connected, so yes, watch it, guys!
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nothing because it’s perfect
It's incredibly beautiful, with all its events and everything else. The beginning is perfect, and there's not a single dull moment. The way the characters meet and fall in love is something I can't get over. I've watched it multiple times. At first, I finished it in one day because of its beauty, the beauty of the story, and the acting. I'm not exaggerating at all. What I loved most was the love between the secondary characters; I can't get over it. The chemistry between the secondary and main characters is incredible. I can't believe the director made such a great choice.Was this review helpful to you?
Such a great hidden identity plot, very underrated
Writing my first review even though I've watched many historical C-dramas just because this one is so underrated to me.First I'll say that I especially like hidden identity dramas so if you like dramatic irony this show is for you.
The first couple of episodes where the identity change happens is a little jarring especially since you'll have to remind yourself that they actually only swapped faces and not bodies. (But of course in real life the whole body had to come with the actress)
What I loved best was the pacing and storytelling of the drama. The pacing was steady with each case after another without anything being too rushed or getting too boring for being slow. Each individual case also leads into the overarching case without them going off and needing to do any random cases. Everything is also done in a way that ties it back to points that are mentioned before. Like at the beginning they talk about the 4 great houses in Heyang and then we have interactions with all four of them.
Another very nice thing about this drama is that it doesn't have a lot of tropes that I'm tired of watching for a lot of historical C-dramas. There was a bit of love triangles but the people not in the end couple are not bad people and doesn't become evil like a lot of other dramas. There's also no "face is behind a mask- can't recognize person". It also does not have endless suffering of one character or any stupid miscommunications aside from the hidden identity. And even that is revealed in steps that make sense.
The characters' actions are relatively logical and makes sense based on their background and goals. (There are some small cases where the main female lead has more ability than she should in certain aspects but I can overlook those) Some reviews say that the ML and FL chemistry wasn't the best and I agree but I'm not watching this to watch a romantic comedy or a short steamy C-drama. For a crime-mystery drama, I liked how there was less focus there.
I picked this up originally due to the plot and also Liu Xue Yi who does a great job. (Saw him initially as Wuxin in Blood of Youth where he was also amazing despite acting as a 17 yr-old) Ju Jing Yi is not as good but okay enough and also very pretty. (I feel like other people rank her lower because there wasn't any super emotional scenes and she did not display a wide range of expressions)
Of the mystery crime solving historical C-dramas, I've only watched the Mysterious Lotus Casebook (MLC) and I think this is as good as that. Both has very mysterious small magical/paranormal events. Acting may be better in MLC but this definitely has less angst and better conclusion in my opinion.
Highly recommend if you like hidden identity, mystery and less tropes!
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Hot Hot hot....but missing proper storytelling
10Dance is a movie that looks absolutely stunning on screen, but unfortunately, it doesn't quite reach the emotional heights of the source material. It feels like a beautiful shell that’s missing a bit of the soul that makes a great BL story.
If you’re here for the visuals, you won’t be disappointed. The dance sequences are incredible—stylish, high-energy, and shot with a lot of flair. You can tell the actors put in massive work to make those ballroom and Latin moves look authentic.
Also, can we talk about the Male Lead? (Whether you’re team Suzuki/Ryoma Takeuchi or Sugiki/Keita Machida). The "hot" factor is definitely there. The physical tension during the practice scenes is the strongest part of the film; that "silent" chemistry while they are dancing is way more powerful than the actual dialogue.
The biggest issue is the storyline. Because it’s a movie and not a series, the plot feels rushed and, at times, totally flat. We see them dance, and we see them "being hot," but we don't get enough of those quiet, intimate moments that make you actually care about them as a couple.
In other BLs, you're rooting for the leads to be together because you feel their struggle. Here, it feels like the movie relies too much on the fact that they are attractive and good at dancing, rather than building a proper emotional bridge. By the end, I wasn't as invested in their relationship as I wanted to be.
Watch it if you want a stylish, "sexy" movie with great choreography and handsome leads. But if you’re looking for a deep, emotional story that will stay with you, 10Dance might feel a little bit empty.
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This review may contain spoilers
Watch for the production, watch out for the plot
THE GOOD: Production and ActingI started watching because I dropped Princess Agents and wanted to see more of Shawn Dou. I was delighted to see that he kept that same happy-go-lucky energy at the start of the show and continued to showcase his talents as it went on. The rest of the cast all played their roles really well - I have no complaints.
The production is absolutely spectacular. From the intricate costumes, to the refined jewelry, to the battle scenes and number of extras, the show is visually stunning from start to finish. Did a great job portraying both the Khitan and Southern cultures.
THE OKAY: Music
The music did its job - playing grandiose orchestral music when an Emperor ascended the throne, and sad ballads when Yanyan and Derang were torn apart. However, none of the tracks are remarkable aside from "A Soul Yearning for You" by Yu Jiwei (相思魂-《燕云台》电视剧插曲 on Spotify), which is why it falls into the Okay category.
THE BAD: Plot
I had no context of the history behind the real Xiao Chuo going in, so everything was new. Right from the start I was struggling to keep track of all the Kings, clans and branches/lines. And what the heck is an ordo?? How come military groups are referred to as Palaces?? I have seen other historical cdramas but this societal concept was unique and confusing to me.
Plotwise, the entire show can be summed up as a Series of Unreasonable People. Every major character aside from the FL/ML gets caught up in their own hypocrisy and delusion. Mingyi becoming obsessed with Yanyan after a single interaction because he's touch deprived, leading to him stealing his best friend's fiance away "for the good of the country". Wuguli refusing to accept Xiyin's evil scheming and blaming Yanyan when she...followed the law. Even Hunian becoming resentful for both Yansage and Talan Abo's deaths when they both committed serious crimes and faced the consequences of their actions. It was all very frustrating to watch and the happy ending of Yanyan and Derang finally getting married wasn't satisfying enough. I was crying nonstop during Eps 17-19, had to sit through Derang marrying Li Si, and endured Mingyi treating Yanyan like garbage after meeting Yuxiao, only to never even see a KISS between Yanyan and Derang!?!?
Overall, I give Legend of Xiao Chuo an 8.0/10 because it certainly had its moments and I enjoyed watching it. Would I rewatch it? Probably not - it was really hard to watch Yanyan and Derang being separated for so long, so at most I would only consider anything up until Ep17. I also rarely consider rewatching anything since there's just so much to watch out there. But it was refreshing seeing this time period and the combination of Khitan and Southern cultures!
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xenophobia
Rating: 3/10 (Some solid acting and case-of-the-week drama, but drowned in unchecked xenophobia and superiority complex)Pro Bono tries to sell itself as a heartwarming legal drama about justice for the underdog, with Jung Kyung-ho playing Kang Da-wit—a smug, materialistic ex-judge who's forced into the pro bono team after his perfect career crashes. He starts off as this arrogant "legal influencer" who looks down on everyone below his status, and that absolutely includes foreigners and people from outside Korea living in the country. The way he treats (or ignores) non-Koreans makes it clear: In his eyes—and often in the show's subtle framing—they're not fully part of society, barely even human worthy of real respect or empathy.
Early on, Kang Da-wit embodies that classic Korean elite attitude: Foreigners, especially migrant workers or marriage immigrants from poorer countries (like the foreign wife in one of the cases, enduring domestic violence in rural Korea), are just problems to deal with—or props for his redemption arc. He approaches their cases with cold detachment, like they're inconvenient nuisances invading "pure" Korean space rather than actual people deserving dignity. There's this underlying vibe that outsiders don't belong, aren't "one of us," and their struggles are somehow self-inflicted because they dared to come here. He bullies or dismisses the vulnerable with that superior smirk, puffing himself up by stepping on those he sees as beneath him—migrants, the poor, anyone not born-and-bred Korean. It's all played for "character growth," but it reeks of real societal issues that the drama never fully calls out.
And the hypocrisy? Infuriating. While Kang Da-wit (and the show) has no problem portraying Southeast Asian or other non-white foreigners as pitiful victims at best (or invisible at worst), you just know if an American character showed up—some white expat or "master" type—he'd switch to fawning mode instantly. The narrative bends over backward to avoid critiquing the real power dynamics: Korea's lingering deference to America, the U.S. military bases treated as untouchable, Koreans acting like loyal servants to their "owners" while deriving fake superiority from bullying weaker nations' people. Da-wit feels "superior" by kicking down at migrant wives or workers, but he'd never dare challenge the actual overlords.
If Koreans (or this drama's writers) really have such a problem with foreigners integrating into society and being treated as humans, then have the guts to address the elephant in the room: Tell your American "masters" to leave. Kick out the bases, end the alliances, and see how the ROK army stands alone without that protection. But no—it's easier to dehumanize powerless immigrants than confront the colonial inferiority complex that's still propping up the whole system.
Pro Bono had potential to explore true multiculturalism and human rights in modern Korea, especially with its pro bono focus on the marginalized. Instead, the male lead's arc reinforces the status quo: He "grows" just enough to win cases, but the deep-seated disdain for outsiders lingers. Skip this if you want something that actually challenges xenophobia—it's just glossy entertainment papering over ugly realities.
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A must watch for those who choose to face the truth (and not to remain ignorant)
There is a rather popular quote by a manga artist and writer Ōima Yoshitoki: “It’s better to be hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie.”I'm writing this review after watching Episode 5 of “Scandal Eve”, in anticipation of the following episode, which is the finale. I think my review will not be affected by the ending of this drama at all. To me, the ending does not really matter much when the main point is the essence of the story itself, what this drama brings within its story, as opposed to the plot or storyline. My point being; it is the content that makes a difference in how I would rate any movie or serial drama, besides the production quality (directing, cinematography, editing, post-production, etc.), which is essential. When it comes to the content, I'd like to see if there's any message delivered in the narrative, or is it just merely a hollow story without any substance? By looking at that, it has become clear to me that “Scandal Eve” carries a critical message which points to everything that is wrong in our system, and it extraordinarily displays it in a way we (as the viewers) can become the judge, the witness, the victims, and even the perpetrators at the same time. In the end, this may compel us to introspect and evaluate our own values in this life. That alone makes “Scandal Eve” a must-watch drama which is perfect to close the year 2025.
Even though it only has 6 episodes in total, the first two episodes only barely scratch the surface. They are just an introduction, a teaser to much deeper complications. The real story starts at the end of Episode 2. I will not spoil the storyline in my review, so I will just write the general message of what this drama wants to convey, and that's the most important thing. From Episode 3 onward, the story quickly develops with more and more clarity to the entire "situation" and the roles of most of the key characters. It becomes more obvious where the drama is heading, if only we could endure watching it without being triggered by the gripping, intense scenes that keep us holding our breath, gut-wrenching plot, tight editing, dark atmosphere (using dim lighting and blue-ish hue effects in post-production), and the emotional breakdowns played by some of the characters. Be aware that those things can get us caught offguard and trigger our defense mechanism.
“Scandal Eve” is certainly not made just for entertainment purposes. It dives deeply into the darkness of the so-called entertainment industry or "show-biz". I started to watch “Scandal Eve” right after finishing “Miss King”, another Abema original drama aired earlier. Interestingly, both of these dramas can work as "a pair" because they both touch the shadowy darkness within the lucrative mainstream entertainment industry. Check out my review of “Miss King” where I explained how young talents are considered merely as assets, and in many cases they are also being treated and (ab)used as such.
“Miss King” uses Shogi as an allegory, but “Scandal Eve” digs explicitly into the actual shadows in the industry where people can become cruel "monsters" (a specific term spoken often in “Miss King”). Even though they are both considered as dark, and both plots are mostly linear with tight and gripping scenes, “Scandal Eve” is unquestionably heavier. Let me use food as a parable or allegory — “Miss King” is like an appetizer; a somewhat lighter drama with some slight humor thrown, to make us prepare for and anticipate the main course. Then comes the main course, with its "super spicy ingredients" enough to put us in a state of fear, worried whether our stomach would be able to handle it or not. “Scandal Eve” is like that, not in the sense of the food itself that it is disgusting or hard to digest, but because we're not so used to eating the food with such heavy ingredients. We are stepping into uncomfortable territory here.
Among us movie enthusiasts, I can see that some people have already been dropping this drama even from the first one or two episodes because the story really gut-wrenches them, and they could not handle this "tight wrench", so their defenses start to get triggered and then throw some tantrums: "This is too much! I don't want to see this! It ruins my day! I'd rate this 1 out of 10! 🙄" and so on and so forth.... They would not do that if this story was pure fantasy and not "based upon" the actual events that happen every day to real people in the entertainment industry around the world. Many viewers prefer fantasy as an escapism, to deflect from the real problems that exist among us, hidden in plain sight. Most dramas don't hurt our hearts or trigger our emotional and mental defenses. They are meant for entertainment and remain entertainment only. But, however, things that do hurt us are the truth and, so, anything that points to the truth, including what's being presented here in “Scandal Eve.” And this truth also hits us even harder because we like to watch and enjoy these products: all the dramas, movies, songs from idol groups, etc., and take them for granted. Our ethical sensitivity is being provoked.
But, however, for humanity to grow, we have to face the reality we live in right now, no matter how evil, dark, and disgusting it actually is. We need to be able to see the world as it is, in order for us to contribute to healing the world and eventually try to make it a better place to live. Denial is not an option, because denial is one aspect of ignorance and it can hinder our growth. But, of course, a number of people choose to stay ignorant because ignorance is bliss.
So please, keep reading.
I saw some photos posted on social media, showing giant printed wall mural ads of both “Miss King” and “Scandal Eve” placed side-by-side, somewhere in the underground passageways connected to the Tokyo Metro or train stations. Those are certainly not cheap, but why did they do that? Why is in the heart of Tokyo (most likely around Shibuya - Harajuku area, the center of the Japanese entertainment industry) of all places? Also, in particular, judging from the various different locations for the shooting (some are open locations that need the presence of a number of hired extras), many supporting casts, etc., this drama seems to also have a large budget allocated for the production. I don't remember seeing any studio set-up. All shooting locations seemed to be using the actual locations that exist on the map. The production costs are certainly larger than many other "normal" serial dramas. For only 6 episodes, this may also be one of the most costly dramas ever made by Abema. It is safe to assume that Abema has to have a "mission" to spread awareness and an important message to many potential audiences through this drama, almost to the point that it can be viewed as "not-for-profit" or "pro bono". It's crazy to think otherwise. They also screened the first 2 episodes at the 2025 Tokyo International Film Festival, where both Shibasaki Kou and Kawaguchi Haruna, the women who play the two leading roles, gracefully walked the festival's red carpet prior to screening, all dressed in black.
“Scandal Eve” is not your average drama. I believe it is meant for an exposé based on a number of actual stories that are suppressed, re-narrated into a "fictionalized documentary" under the drama setting. I must admit my heart was beating faster while watching the episodes of “Scandal Eve” than while watching horror movies. Some scenes could drive me into tears, because both the cinematography and directing are able to pull the audience directly into feeling the emotions of those young talents who are being exploited by the industry every single day. It may be too dark and "brutal" for some, not brutal in the graphic-violence sense but brutal in how they're presenting all the details in an unhinged, in-your-face approach without any exaggeration.
Talent exploitation in the entertainment industry is considered as a "taboo subject". It is rarely discussed in mainstream media everywhere in the world, not only in Japan. Many of the stories are even being placed under the "conspiracy theory" umbrella term. High-profile scandals within the entertainment industry have never been discussed deeply enough by any news channels. They turn a blind eye even though public interest is actually very high. If you ask me why, well... the answer is also presented in the story of “Scandal Eve”. I highly recommend anyone to watch this drama. The only effective way for this exposé to be addressed to the public is through using what I call a "fictionalized approach" of storytelling as opposed to a featured documentary, because many of them, both the victims and the exploiters or perpetrators, are still active in the industry. In case it's getting too much to bear, just pause and watch relaxing and uplifting dramas (such as “Hirayasumi” — also recommended!), and then when you're feeling okay again, get back to watching this.
To be honest with you, this type of exposé is gravely needed in our society, so that many aspiring young and naive talents who normally start from the "idol bootcamp" or as teen models, may not get lured so easily into the exploitation mill for years (and being "eaten" by those "monsters") with no way out, just because they did not fully-understand the contents and fine-prints of their contracts and did not realize how manipulative and exploitative these talent agencies can become. Thanks to Abema (right now, the only large Japanese entertainment network that is brave enough to ever put this kind of story out and publicize it to a broader audience), this drama may help open the eyes and minds of parents with children aspiring to become entertainers either as models, actors, dancers, or idol singers. Parents or guardians may consider hiring a public lawyer to seek advice for these young talents and assist in negotiations prior to signing the contract.
Regarding the ending scenario of the drama, I understand some of us prefer to watch something that would offer some sort of justice and even hope for any possible revenge. But like I said earlier, this is the kind of film that gives us a glimpse of what actually happens in our society behind closed doors. To be blunt, realistically speaking, there's no satisfying ending at all unless the entire system is being scrutinized and dissolved, and that cannot be done overnight. Giving a movie a non-realistic "happy ending" would never help us grow, because then it would fall into another fantasy as a means of escapism. That would be akin to lying to ourselves, self-sabotage. Every change should start with ourselves, by being well-informed and knowledgeable about what's going on and how much we have been "participating" in it, whether we are aware of it or not. To confront ourselves with the truth. This drama may help, but only to some degree. In the end, it is up to us if we want to be the change and make a difference, even little by little, or else continue living in denial and ignorance and further numbing ourselves down to becoming either hive-minded NPCs or cruel and evil monsters.
9.5/10
Footnote:
When writing this review, I was also watching the 2023 Japanese movie “Scroll”. Although both “Scroll” and “Scandal Eve” seem nothing alike (different genres, different vibes, etc.), there is actually a meaningful connection between the two that is meant for personal reflection, and I am deeply moved by both of them. Here's a quote taken from the movie, which was originally based on the novel by Hashizume Shunki: “This thing called society, is actually me... I finally realized that I can do something for others. It may be small, but it gives life a meaning.”
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Every Frame Feels Like a Quiet Blessing
The chemistry between the hero and heroine is truly on point. The cinematography is calm and soothing, making every frame feel like a sweet treat for the eyes. Lightning- without saying a single word, quietly stole a part of the show with his presence. One thing that really deserves appreciation is the overall casting and wardrobe design; the costumes were beautifully curated, especially Jin Zhao’s outfits, which were absolutely marvellous.Now, coming to the most important part—acting. Brandy completely nailed his role. His talent, accent, body language—everything felt natural and effortless, never forced. As for Jiang Mu, my opinion slightly differs. She is undoubtedly talented and beautiful, but in some scenes, it felt like she was trying too hard. Acting should feel invisible. When the audience becomes aware of the performance itself, the emotional connection starts to break. In certain moments, her portrayal leaned a bit too childish, where a more mature approach would have suited the scene better. That said, she has great potential, and I genuinely hope she overcomes this because she is worth it.
Last but not least, this drama was an intense roller-coaster of a dopamine shower. Overall, I enjoyed it a lot.
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Sweet and innocent (ish)
This is a lovely drama about family, love, animals and society.WhatI loved abaout this s the found family teen friends all went to different schools and had a hard time at home but could find a connection and friendship in each other. Viewd by many as delinquents but actually just a bunch of decent kids. Tehy reminded me a lot of the found family friend I had in my teens so I could relate.
It also showed how finding just one grown up who cares can make an impact in a lonely teens life, done pretty okay.
While there are a lot of wonderful friendships and characters in this, I still find it kind of lacking a spark,Some parts of this drama felt kind of refreshing and it does really own up to the name found family but it was also kind of draggy at times, some of the acting felt a bit off. So I guess Im trying to say that though it has so much good in it there is still something missing. Keeping me from rating this higher
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This review may contain spoilers
A door to a conversation we need to have
I think it’s hard, and it will only keep getting harder, to make a movie about Artificial Intelligence. So much has been said and done, the future has come and gone, it’s all moving at such a pace that it’s truly difficult to construct a story that has value and doesn’t feel already old or told. I think that was the value of this film.The way the story approaches the human condition, trying to highlight what is desperately needed - humanity - for our kind to survive through trying times, was very touching. Having the story be told from the perspective of a mother (in progress), I thought was a great idea. The “end of the world” could simply be interpreted as any major crisis to humans. What keeps us alive is a wild combination of survival instinct and love. Anna, as the movie progresses, becomes increasingly protective, violent, but also deeply caring. All very core human emotions/reflexes. We are animals after all, not machines.
I don’t think this movie was really about what AI is made of, but what humans are made of. We are at a point where the difference starts to blur. Not just because of how human-like AI is, but mainly because of how machine-like we the humans are becoming. I can’t point out exactly what this movie is trying to tell us, because I think it’s not trying to tell us anything. It’s the kind of movie that poses a question, perhaps a different question for each viewer that is willing to engage. And so, a conversation starts.
It’s a shame it was received coldly, though I do think it’s not a Netflix-type film. It’s too complex for the average Netflix watcher who was waiting for a disaster action film. Wish I could’ve seen it at the cinema.
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2"Dance is neither about technique nor stamina. Love is what makes it whole."
Sugiki fell first, but Suzuki fell harder!Sugiki is all about Standard Ballroom dancing, while Suzuki slays in Latin Dance. But when Sugiki proposed to Suzuki to train each other in their respective styles and then compete in 10DANCE, it dissolved all the barriers. As a strict, meticulous waltz dancer, Sugiki followed the lead of Suzuki but the competitive spirit in him held him back. Later, when they blended their passion into dancing, the harmonious movements brought them closer.
🔥Impressed with:
The actors did a great job portraying the characters beautifully on screen. They amazed me with their brilliant dancing skills. Their floating smooth body movements are the result of relentless practice, and it shows. Hats off to them.
From the perspective of a non-dancer, this was alluring from the beginning. The dance's flawless steps, determination and passion was oozing out of the characters the way they portrayed the dancer's stamina. The muscle strength, control in body movements, that on-screen tension swayed me with its grandeur appeal. Their sensuality in their glances and body language, had me weak.
Let's not forget about the elegant and supportive dance partners Tajima and Yagami. Without their constant support and understanding, our leads wouldn't be here together. Shout out to the gorgeous ladies!
🚧Room for improvement:
I do understand that it's mostly about dancing rather than romance, as it felt sudden, rushed, with incomprehensible unexplored motives and incomplete.
I expected it to delve deeper into the emotions of the characters, their journey and meeting with each other, but they strictly (for obvious reasons) focused on the dance part. While watching Suzuki & Sugiki, I realized how immersed Takeuchi Ryoma and Machida Keita were into their respective characters that the outburst and breakdown of their characters needed more time, realization and understanding. But it ended and faded into a strict timeline like it didn't happen. Rivals to Lovers, it happened so fast that as an audience I felt detached from their dynamic. There's so much yet to be told.
The ending leaves room for another sequel, but tell me honestly, do you really think that's going to happen? I don't think so. It's pretty much evident they achieved what they wanted, but as an audience it frustrates me to think about how restless I felt when they ended the movie just like that.
It should have been a series, not a movie.
Overall, the gorgeous setting, enticing, insane chemistry is swoon-worthy. It wasn't without flaws, but it's only there if you realize it. Otherwise, this is a perfect Christmas treat that you can give yourself. Go for it!
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