Reviews

Honestly speechless

I can't start this review without mentioning that this was the very first asian drama that I've ever watched. The only way is up!

I honestly cannot express how bad this drama is. It’s supposed to be romantic but the guy should actually be locked up for life. In order to get close to her, he literally makes her believe she has cancer(!!!) and he’s the only one who could save her with his organs. If that is not insane enough, he blackmails her into marrying him because only then will he donate said organs??? What?!? Jail!! Electric chair! All of it!

In retrospect, it might have been a good thing this was so horrible because any drama I would watch after this would seem the most amazing thing in the world.

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Good-bye Old Friends!

Watching the final installments of this trilogy, though, was like going back to your high school reunion. Filled with fond memories worn with age, and maudlin, all at the same time. It was also like finding out that your best friend from back when, had passed away. As with all things that end, there is sadness in the journey to revisiting this story. While it floods you with vivid memories and allows you to fondly remember the highlights, it was also traveling towards a conclusion to an inevitable finality. Hence, it permits you to properly languish and prepare for what is going to happen. The appeal of this series is that it is a saga about individuals who are misfits, struggling to find not only their place in society but more importantly also trying to find themselves and who they are. All are astonishingly lonely for a variety of reasons, mostly centering around being gay. Or being different. Painfully hard especially in a society that craves conformity. No doubt, anyone who watches this series will find at least one character that they can identify with and follow their path as the one closest to their own. This series, actually the whole trilogy, has a way of making all these characters quirky but so, so human and thus vulnerable. We understand them all from the beginning. We get to see, perceive, discern, and sense each even if only a number of them are with us briefly. No one here is different from us. No one. They are us.

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Consistently excellent writing and acting

There aren't separate criteria for story and writing and this drama is where there isn't a very dramatic plot but the script quality is so much better and more consistent than most that it really deserves highlighting. So much do that it drive me to write a review. The ending works as well. While much credit must go the the original story it was based on, keeping it up through 16 episodes of drama shows very strong writing talent. This mostly covers realistic relationships rather than drama fantasy relationship dynamics.

The acting quality in the large cast ensemble is very very good and some support roles allowed talent to shine. Kang Gi Doong is an actor I'd seen in other dramas but hadn't realised how very versatile a range he has or how talented in comic scenes until this. All the main roles were excellently portrayed. The romantic leads all have tons of charisma and it was impossible not to fall for them.

It seems unfair not to mention Jo Han Chul, Kim Tae Woo, Kim Yoo Mi, and Kim Sun Young all of whom are excellent. One reason I love Korean dramas is the number of good real parts for actors over 40 even when the main roles and audience is a younger demographic. Society is multigenerational in a way UK and US tv rarely depicts.

It is wrenching to see the unintended impacts of some aspects of Korean workplace culture on those, most often women, who have taken career breaks. What a waste of talent and skills for society as well as so harmful for the individuals affected.

The publishing industry was displayed well - that was rather more romanticised but some harsh realities were depicted too.

There was a near miss non-consensual moment that I felt uncomfortable with. I'm not usually very keen on, "I know your feelings better than you do yourself" because it is usually a toxic and dangerous misreading but in this cosy watch and given the relationship concerned it was justifiable.

I will happily rewatch and be enchanted by this (including the sweet end credits text that changes each episode) again.

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Park Jae Eon was more of a Demon

This drama solidifies the notion I had that Korean people have a very skewed idea about Catholicism. Either their Catholicism is VERY different from actual Catholicism or they have a very wrong idea about what it actually is.

Every time I watch a drama that somehow references Catholicism, I feel like I'm watching a version of a fairy tale, instead of referencing a religion. That probably isn't that inaccurate, since the Bible is a fictional book, but it is certainly not used as a feelgood story like a fairy tale.

I'm an atheist but I was raised Catholic and I couldn't get into the story because it made absolutely no sense to me. I still don't know if Jung Koo Won was a demon or the devil. If he was a demon there should be more of them and they should work for the devil and not for god. Here we see a demon who is slave to the clock, working to reach objectives in signing contracts, just like every salary person under capitalism. Even he is no match to capitalism in terms of evil.

I do like that they subverted the image of god from the western one. The powers and abilities of this god don't match the original ones, they make absolutely no sense. One of the things I like the most about mainly Korean and Japanese stories is that there is no definite line between good and evil, people can be and are both. Catholicism, as it's was adopted as a way to control the people, does draw that line. It's basically the story of good vs evil and evil being used as a deterrent to make people good. The devil being friends with and working with god doesn't make absolutely no sense. In this drama, the devil is pitiful and god shows no mercy, except for a random miracle. In terms of Catholicism, this drama makes no sense. Still, people converting and using Catholicism as a way to demand and get their will and salvation is on brand with western Catholicism.

The story is underwhelming, nonsensical, predictable, full of patriarchal tropes and annoying. I don't really have any remarks about it. Just another money grabber disguised as a drama. You know greed is one of the seven deadly sins, right?

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This drama is well executed and projected.

At first, the drama seemed a little light-hearted. As we watched it continuously, it got deeper and deeper not only picking the interest but touching the hearts of many. Very great drama with exceptional execution of the fight scenes and heartfelt acting. The drama set the bar high to me and I can't find any drama with such astounding fight scenes. (I am very particular when it comes to fight scenes because I love watching martial arts).

I love how the story unfolded and I realized how difficult it is to be a hero, seeking righteous justice. The denouement broke my heart but it made me realize that no matter how painful the consequences are, if we're doing something for righteousness, we should accept the duty, responsibility and result. Too much for my soft heart but too good to be disregarded.

I love the osts here and hearing them from time to time pleases my ears.

This is the BEST drama I've ever watched despite its flaws. Congratulations to all who contributed to the success of this drama! Salute to you all!!!💙💙💙💙

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It's a ride guys

Okay, let me tell you. I loved this drama. I enjoyed the main pairing as much as every side plot, which is rare, and I had overall a lot of fun watching.
That being said.
More than once I wanted to grab through the screen and shake these people. Miscommunication, misunderstandings and just straight stupidy is all over these boys. If you do not enjoy being miserable before it gets better, you should not watch this.
I laughed, I got frustrated and I cried over this drama. It certainly is not a fluffy, easy ride. But jokes on them, because I greatly enjoy sprinkles of misery in my BLs. Of you don't...dead dove and all that.

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A True Love Story

This is definitely a bizarre series in the way the premise is set up, giving up her five senses one by one to save the person she loves. Naturally, you expect that the two most important senses for her to lose last would be sight & sound ... but this drama shows how important the remaining three are as well. Mei Nagano does a great job at showing us just that.
For me, this series gets to be extremely frustrating to watch by episode 4. The direction the story takes becomes quite annoying. It was to a point that I almost stopped watching it. Ame rejects Taiyo because of her love for him, not wanting him to see her in such pain. That's very admirable of her, but it's taken a bit too far when she pretends to be in love with Tsukasa, a mutual friend. It really devastates Tayio, making him endure her with someone else.
HOWEVER, if you can get through those few middle episodes, stick it out, you'll be glad you did. The story indeed turns into a true love story, and the sacrifices one makes for another in the name of love.
At times this drama is very depressing and extremely emotional. The two protagonists give such an outstanding performance, especially Yuki Yamada. He is amazing to watch in the last few episodes, showing an outstanding acting ability. It's what kept me tuned in to the very end. The way the story ends up, it truly makes you think about the power of fate, and how some things are out of our control.
Keep tissues nearby when watching!!!

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It wasn't the typical Korean bullshit

it is my one of the favorite Korean series,it doesnt have that typical Korean bullshit thats why.i don't know why it doesn't get the recognition this deserved.I think all the compliant review about this series are written by Kids who still haven’t stopped breastfeeding...and the ending was questionable and perfect at same time.when you finish some good shows you feel some emptiness inside you...it gives me that situation.last time i felt that was when i finshed the LOST,FROM series.(i don't know anything about music).(This is my first review and i don't know how to write one)

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We Could Have Had it All

I clicked on this drama with a positive mindset, as I was already familiar both with Noeul and Boss and I quite like the idea of time travel and/or alternate dimensions.

This seemed like a perfect match for me and I will admit that until maybe around episode five I was really eating up the story and couldn't wait to find out what will happen next.

Unfortunately what I considered to be the best part of the plot (Boss/Cir jumping through universes) turned out to be a lie he came up with to woo his crush of five years. Yes, it is also strange that none of his friends managed (tried to?) to convince him to just talk to Phu/Noeul for all those years while he was stalking him.

I think it's a huge miss that they chose not to explore dimension hopping further in the story. Boss acting in the scenes with his alternate self were one of the best parts to me and you could really see that professional actor in him. There was so much to discover and develop there and they just let it fizzle out.

I feel like I can't really judge this series objectively because I liked these actors before and the theme was just so right up my lane, but there's so much that wasn't resolved in this story by the end of it. Why was Jin a mind reader? Where did that come from?

Let's also not forget the absolutely medieval arc regarding Cirrus's parents and brother. You're trying to tell me it's the big year 2024-ish and your younger brother is being EXCHANGED to live with your abusive mother? While your father watches? And no one says absolutely anything? I know it's a Thai BL drama but PLEASE.

It's not a bad watch and I will most likely be back at some point to watch the stalker next world but I remain very bitter about the lost potential of this plot.

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A little disappointed in ML’s acting.

Story is still good as rumors.
(I’ve watched it all. Here’s my edited review.)
Directing and CGI is good.
But for CGI, Dashing Youth is better in my pov.
Edited : Because in some episodes CGI is amazing but in some, CGI feels cheap.
The main point is Gong Jun’s acting. Even tho I highly anticipated for this drama because of him, his acting is off. Even cameo actor in DY could be seen as SMY but I can’t see him as Su Mu Yu. I’m his fan but I have to accept that. I hope his acting will get better in later episodes. Edited : I still couldn’t see him as SMY except in fight scenes. He is cool in action scenes. And I found out why I can’t see him as SMY till the final ep is because his way of speech is too stiff in my pov. Gong Jun can act as cold guy but not quiet guy. SMY isn’t cold. He is quiet and gentle that he was mistaken as a scholar at first sight not as a killer according to novel. Gong Jun can’t completely catch the essence of quiet gentlemanly manner in my pov. But overall, he can get a pass as he is so cool in fight scenes.
Second ML Chang Hua Sen is awesome. His acting is really good that he overshadow Gong Jun, the ML. Edited : He is so amazing! He can act! Really his aura is overwhelm 1st ML that I wish that he is 1st ML in some scenes. I’ve become his fan. It’s a pity that we can’t see his fight scenes much. His action scenes are too few.
Still it’s enjoyable to watch so far as so many action/fight scenes since the beginning of the story. I hope it will get better. Edited : It became better!
Even tho it’s still 5 eps, if you are a fan of fight scenes, watch it.
I’ll edit this later when the drama is finished.
Edited : Watch it if you love action scenes. But don’t expect any romances as it mainly focus on bromance and romance is just a little sprinkle.

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disjointed with little payoff

Overall: there were too many that flitted in and out and the writing didn't make me care about any of them. 8 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on SC Flourish Entertainment YouTube channel worldwide cut version https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRPu3eZdevD0uneOl67QZkO__MzzMLdeU&si=Uee0jqd9j2s36QMr and VIU Thailand uncut.

Content Warnings: murder, attempted murder, scary images, blood, past: deaths/murders, suicide, drugging, theft, manipulation

What I Liked
- visuals
- supernatural element

Room For Improvement
- the character/world building exposition dump
- was confused by a character introduced in part 2 and then another new character in part 3 of episode 1, characters flitted in and out
- love triangle
- did not feel chemistry
- comedy sound effects didn't make things funny
- character actions/reactions didn't make sense
- even at the end, a character didn't believe what another character experienced

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