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The Glory Knock off version
The plot is actually very interesting and reminded me of K-Drama The Glory especially the hairdryer scene. But it was getting dragged and boring in the middle on this drama. Teng Zewen performance is average but her hatred was not quite shown well just like Song Hye Kyo's character. Sun Junhe's role is somewhat bland, even a little less impressive than the SML. This knock-off The Glory duanju character lack the resolve to seek revenge and can't bring themselves to do it. The dubbing are actually make this drama more bland than it should. It's better to see The Glory instead of this.Was this review helpful to you?
just boring..
dare i say this show didnt reach the expectations set.. its really disappointing i expected more of a storyline then just each episode they con someone. i know theres a backstory to the lead but its kinda predictable… i was really excited for this show. i love park min young and her execution for the character was super good but the plot is just super weak. the only reason i went as far as eps 5 is because of her but god it got to the point i wasnt even listening to the show anymore 😭😭😭😭😔😔Was this review helpful to you?
One of "The Best"
Yeah! I didnt expect this from pond as Khun Thee as compared to other series he casted this will be my topmost favo role of his. I didnt see the trailer yet i doesnt had any expectation on this series as this is one of gmm's series.....😅. But this is way different in compared to all those series of channel (expect last twilight❤️). Coming to the story i didnt feel like Thee's way of his story it could have more clarity and pond way of acting funnier its really wow to watch . first of 2-3epds i didnt expect this much and followed by it became yes can continue watching this. And to phuwin he can have some expression yeah its stubborn character he can have some affectionate kind of things. Even though this pair dont do fan service they can use in here i didnt tell it doesnt can be some more been placed. This phuwin guy acting as mature one in past few series i hope he can be some enjoyable as like as phuwin.I have watched till the last epds yeah they had some sweet movements but the story is too rushed as of their parents decision and kind of stuff and fianlly they got married with 2 kiddos and owning gmmtheev from p'tha🤣🤣, and romemohks' story these guys still deserve some screentime. As of other actors lookplub,jj,perthsanta, dew had thier roles done beautifully. And waiting for the finall spl epds looking forward. And Pls morkrome could have spl epds or series of continuations....Was this review helpful to you?
A dance of optics, but with little emotional pull
The set-up of The Eight Hundred is immediately an intriguing one. A last Chinese battalion is left at an abandoned warehouse in Shanghai to make a final stand against the Japanese. Their struggle is not just one of bloodshed. It's also a performance.Because just a stone's throw across the river is the international concession where the Shanghai elite and entertainers – as well as foreign journalists – gaze on as the Chinese battalion endures assault after assault from the Japanese.
This dynamic is what makes this film stand out, in my opinion. You have this interesting dance of the concession-side watching the warehouse soldiers as if the entire thing is a show. But then you also have the soldiers watching the concession-side, pulled in by the dazzling performers and lights.
It's not only about watcher/watched either. Individuals from both sides attempt to make crossings from one side to the other. The film seems to refrain from judging the actions of anyone too harshly – including deserters and snobby journos – which keeps the watcher/watched dichotomy all the more fluid. Except the Japanese, of course. Their sole purpose in this film is to be condemned.
I think a lot of this analysis may be my projection, however. As ultimately, The Eight Hundred doesn't dwell with much depth on this interesting dichotomy. A massive chunk of run time is consumed by massive action scenes which, while essential for war films, are my least favourite part of the genre. (No shade to The Eight Hundred, I just don't like war films that much generally).
Normally, I can forgive super long battle scenes if there's strong emotional pull. Unfortunately, this was the big let down for me. The Eight Hundred tried to follow the storyline of too many characters. The result was breadth, but no depth.
Like c'mon, pleeeease, I'm such a sucker for having my heartstrings pulled. I can jump from six to eight stars so damn fast when you tap into my soft side, but The Eight Hundred missed the opportunity. Which is a shame. Because there were some potentially gorgeous characters, they simply weren't fleshed out.
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This review may contain spoilers
Do Not Recommend
While this short drama features a genuinely talented cast, their performances are completely overshadowed by a terrible, convoluted storyline. Despite the title, there is absolutely no "deep affection" to be found. The plot is just jumbled and messy; I truly wish I had skipped this one and saved my time.Was this review helpful to you?
The main couple didn't have any chemistry
Things I liked1 The second couple. Funnier, more interesting, more everything in a good way
Things I disliked
1 The ML. I couldn't stand his hairstyle. I tried again and again and after a while I gave up. It's not that it's an awful style, it's that it doesn't work on him. I also didn't like that he accepted to be the punching ball of the idiotic FL.
Things I hated
1 The FL. Her character was righteous and mean without any reason. She felt superior to the rest of the world and she wasn't. I truly disliked her character. I wish the story was about the second couple.
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This series is a harsh reality to most teenagers out there; parents divorce, physical abuse and drugs intake are some of the major issues raised here. Basically, how all this can ruin or affect your promising youth. Hirukawa Haruki and Minase Jin falling in love was only hope for survival, also being with each other made them view their future as possible and bright.
10/10 for me because it was well written from start to finish. Well acted and directed.
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Her acting ruined it
Things I liked1 The ML. He's not my favorite actor and will never be for the simple reason I think he's one dimensional. No matter the role he comes out the same way. I believe he's a great person, at least that is what he projects, but his acting skills could be better. Still I can't put him on the dislike list.
Things I hated
1 The FL. Her acting was weird and off-putting. Her grimaces, her delivery were awful. I wasn't a fan of her character either, so in the end I have nothing positive to say. This wasn't my cup of tea. Maybe others will like it.
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Mafia Boss x Y/N that completely understands how to use this trope - its so funny omg
I went into this show with very mild expectations, I was a fan of 'We Are' (with some small critiques) but overall really loved PondPhuwin's performances in that show - however i am so sick of and really lowkey a massive hater of Mafia tropes, I feel like they are so overdone, cringey, cliche and boring and I hate the power dynamics that the Mafia Boss x Y/N trope plays on. Hence my hesitations to watch this show in particular. Luckily PondPhuwin and WilliamEst pulled through though because I genuienly think this is one of the top 3 best BL's that GMMTV has ever produced.The director and writers completely understood how seriously to take the mafia boss trope, creating a show that consistently pokes fun at the typical unlikeable male mafia boss character, keeping many of the same character traits - such as extremely rich and powerful, banned from dating, orders all his staff to do everything for the Y/N character, etc, etc, - and flips these on their heads. This creates a very loveable character who grows and changes, and is honestly extremely refreshing, it feels so original and creative, even though the ideas stemmed from extremely overused and unlikable tropes. It's hilarious and holds so much nuance that gives this show a lot of heart and deeper meaning than its silly, fun and loving surface.
I feel like the show wasn't made with the intention of hitting a 100% on rotten tomatoes and a 10/10 on letterboxd, that is to say that this show wasn't made to cater to technical and harsh film and tv criticisers, it was made with passion and a genuine love and excitment for the show that was made. It's so different and wonderful to finally find a show like this that is just comforting and fun to watch, whilst also being high quality, and that has 'life lessons' and deeper meanings that just happen to be there (obviously they are intentional, the subtlety is a huge credit to the writers) in comparision to the sea of tv shows lately that force serious takes down your throat and try everything they can to come off as edgy and this warped idea of mature. Its like i can finally listen to a lullaby sung by someone I love rather than a song with impossible notes sung by the most technically perfect singer of all time. Both are great but I barely get to listen to the lullaby - and thats what this show is.
I honestly feel like its a shame that this is a thai BL - produced by a company that doesn't have a high held respect in online spaces and doesn't always do everything right in my eyes, because I feel like so many people would love this show and appreciate the humour who will never give it a chance.
Kinda majorly glazed the show there, but i guess i'm just passing on some of the passion from the showmakers, and a fun show makes writing a review fun!! I don't think this show is perfect, and I could of pointed things out that weren't at a super high standard, but none of that really matters to me if i enjoy the show - and i definitely did. HIGHLY reccomend if you're a fan of silly shows.
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The ML doesn't know how to act
Things I disliked1 The FL. She was too much a passive character to like her and the acting wasn't stellar.
Things I hated
1 The ML. Boring, unattractive and... boring. The worst a character can be is boring. Here you have it. Nothing cute, sweet or romantic in this series.
2 The antagonistic lawyer. So unbelievably caricature.
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Something cozy?
I started watching this drama thinking it might be similar to other dramas I’ve seen before—but I was completely wrong. This show turned out to be something truly special.I have never personally experienced first love, but through this drama, I felt what first love might actually be like. It made me understand the emotions, the warmth, and the comfort of being in love—especially when you have the right person who genuinely loves you. The drama is deeply emotional yet very healthy in the way it portrays relationships.
Watching it gave me a beautiful feeling in my heart—something very soothing and comforting that’s hard to put into words. Everything about this drama feels just right. There isn’t a single moment where I felt something should have been different. The storyline, the music, the actors, and their performances—everything feels perfect.
What I loved the most is how aesthetic this drama is. Every scene is visually pleasing, and the locations where it was filmed are absolutely beautiful. It’s the kind of drama that feels perfect to watch during winter—it wraps you in a cozy, warm feeling and makes you feel at peace.
Overall, this drama is gentle, emotional, and heartwarming. I truly loved it.
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Masterpiece
Yes It is a masterpiece! Thee Aka Pond seems too real to the character as well as Peach Aka Phuwin! Romance and comdey at its peak! So wholesome! I'd recommend it to everyone to give it's a try! I watched all the ep Live! Couldn't help but to smile at every scene! The chemistry is top notch between TheePeach & RomeMok! I wish it was more longer!Was this review helpful to you?
Chemistry On Top, Romance That Actually Romances
I binge-watched this drama for a week without having any high expectations. And honestly, I can say this is one of the best C-dramas I’ve ever watched.I really don’t understand why people keep criticizing Esther Yu just because of her voice. For me, her voice is perfectly fine. It adapts to the mood and emotions of each scene. For example, during the Thailand arc, Mumu was still immature, so it made sense for her voice to sound more high-pitched. As the character grows, the voice gradually becomes more fitting.
But if you watch this drama with intense hatred toward Esther Yu, then everything she does will naturally annoy you. In that case, you simply shouldn’t watch this drama at all. There’s just too much time wasted hating someone over something as trivial as their voice.
And honestly, if you can watch Zhao Lusi’s dramas, even though her voice can be quite grating at times, then you should be able to watch any drama starring Esther Yu. Sorry I mentioned Zhao Lusi because you know....
Moving on to the story itself, the only thing I disliked was the moment Jiang Zhao decided to send Mumu back to Canada because her mother was sick. He made a decision for Mumu as if he were her. I understand that he was hurt and didn’t want to burden her, but he had no right to make that choice on her behalf.
Imagine finding out everything about the person you love through other people, while everyone else knows before you do. That hurts. Please stop lying under the excuse of “protecting someone.” It never works. The moment you choose to break up to protect someone, you don’t realize that you’re actually destroying their life—especially when most of their world already revolves around loving you.
That’s the only part I didn’t like, and thankfully, the conflict wasn’t dragged out for too long. Overall, I loved almost everything about this drama. The chemistry was top-tier, and the romance truly felt romantic.
The only recurring issue with Esther Yu’s dramas is the excessive episode cuts. Ski Into Love had the same problem, so did My Journey to You and A Romance of the Little Forest. Why do all her dramas have to suffer from heavy editing? It’s such a waste, especially when all her dramas are genuinely good.
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Real Life, Unfiltered
A very interesting and truly special drama. This is not the typical light or silly K-drama at all. it’s deep, philosophical, and at times quite gloomy. Yet, this never takes away from its ability to draw you in. All the characters are compelling, but to be honest, I mainly watched it for Kim Ji-won and Son Suk-ku. After the halfway point, I found myself skipping scenes that didn’t involve them.It’s strange because I never thought I would enjoy this kind of drama, being such a big rom-com lover. However, its portrayal of human fragility and imperfection makes it incredibly realistic. Nothing feels fake or overly romanticized. There is very little physical contact, only one kiss that isn’t even clearly shown, yet the leads feel like two magnets constantly pulling toward and away from each other.
It’s important to say that this is not a “satisfying” drama in the traditional sense. if that’s what you’re looking for, this might not be for you. The ending isn’t really an ending at all: nothing sad, nothing happy, just life going on. And somehow, someone like me who usually looks for happy endings, ended up watching this, crying, smiling, doubting, and appreciating it.
A drama about real life, with all its growth and struggles. I was genuinely confused and bored during the first episodes, but I’m glad I kept going, because I eventually understood the depth of the story and every character. I’m sure this drama didn’t work for everyone, if you watch it superficially, it’s impossible to truly understand it.
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Honest comment from a Go Younjung fan.
First of all, Kim Seon Ho and Go Younjung really excited me, and this drama felt very different to me; you know, considering the popularity of the screenwriters and the cast, it's impossible not to be excited.So I watched it as soon as it came out, and honestly, I didn't like the character of DO RA MI at all; it was better without her, and the romantic scenes felt very inadequate to me. I didn't like the lead actress's character either acted very childish and silly, which annoyed me sometimes, but it wasn't bad, watchable. I'd give this series an 8 because I love the cast ☺️☺️ Have a good day, take care of yourselves 🙂↕️🙂↕️Was this review helpful to you?
