Reviews

Chaotic yet brings a feeling of steadiness

In this era of skimming through series at 2x speed, this drama demanded to be watched at its own rhythm.

The narrative is beautifully crafted offering nothing gut-wrenching but plenty OH.. moments without forcing shock and dragging out reveals. When it feels like the world is burning and everything is falling apart, it pulls the viewer back to a proper, grounded story. I doubted it at one point thinking they added a piece just for the sake of it, but each piece was strung together with clarity. Before long I was already caught up in the chain of "who did what" and where do I stand on this.

It’s one of the best-cast dramas regardless of how I feel about the characters or actors; everyone makes sense. The intelligence and vision of everyone involved in this production are highlighted in the way Judge Son Hyun Joo delivers his lines and chairman Kim Myung Min shapes the direction of the story.

The show engages with questions of moral complexity. - why you root for some sides, it's not just two sides, why you hesitate to root for others, why you can’t root for anyone at all, or why you change your mind about it - but it doesn't flex that theme to preach and pose itself as a profound drama.

What's profound is Son Hyun Joo's delivery. I’ve mentioned it before and it deserves to be mentioned again.

Read More

A Missed Opportunity

To be fair, there will likely never be another “Train to Busan,” which is still the best “zombie” movie ever made. Survival movies are always fascinating, as long as they’re done right. “All Of Us Are Dead” provides an interesting premise: what if a high school were the “ground zero” for a zombie outbreak? Koreans seem almost obsessed with zombie stories. God knows, there have been more than enough of them.

Nothing new in the origin is different than any other zombie project I’ve seen. Some idiot scientist messes around and somehow creates a zombie virus. Just how many times can a writer come up with the exact, same plot device? You have to wonder. It’s like Hallmark constantly coming up with the exact same love stories over and over again.

A high school science professor tries to come with an idea to help his son, who is a victim of bullying. Of course, teachers and even police officers look the other way when it comes to bullying. Even one teacher asks what the boy did to cause it. In this day and age, it’s almost unbelievable that such people exist, but then again, bullying has only gotten worse, so it’s more than feasible. The son, of course, has the zombie virus, which another fellow student contracts, and before you know it, students all over the school are in a bitter battle to survive.

Like so many disaster movies, we struggle to figure out who is going to live and who is going to die. At the focal point, we have Nam Oh Jo, who only has eyes for Lee Su Hyeok, who only has eyes for quiet class president, Choi Nam Ra. We also have Lee Cheong San, who is Nam Oh Jo’s childhood friend. She doesn’t realize that he likes her. Well, as with any teenage-centered characters, you’re going to get the whole “Dawson’s Creek” experience. You just have to go with it, no matter how cringeworthy the writers tend to make it. It tends to be worse with Asian shows because the 16-17-year-old kids act like 13-year-olds. The show almost would have been better without it, but then again, that’s life in high school.

The “survival” component is the driving force of the story, as the writers fall short in the relationship dynamics. There were plenty of opportunities for the writers to make this series even more provocative than even “Train to Busan,” but alas, the writers lacked the courage to go there. Where there were scenes and opportunities for touching moments, we end up with pretty much nothing.

For example, I understand that these kids are literally rushing and facing a battle at nearly every turn, but you can’t just “turn off” the human component. Even the best disaster films, such as “The Poseidon Adventure” and “The Towering Inferno” as well as “Titanic” gave us moments; human moments where characters would be overwhelmed with grief and emotion after the loss of a loved one. After all, most people aren’t robots.

The most disappointing is Nam Oh Jo’s last interaction with Cheong San, as he’s been bitten, and decides to save the group in a daring and brave act of love and sacrifice. He professes his feelings to her, and she scarcely has anything to say or do back. She doesn’t even really grieve for him either. Part of this is the writer’s fault, but part of it also has to do with Park Ji Hu’s lackluster and almost robotic performance. She’s easily the weakest of all of the female actresses. I would have switched her out with someone else who could have handled the emotional depth and complexity, which this actress clearly lacks. She also had no chemistry at all with Yoon Chan Young (Cheong San). The more interesting relationship dynamic was between Lee Su Hyeok and Choi Nam Ra, which I was the most interested in, especially given that she was bitten but not turned into a full zombie. She struggles and fights against the desire to bite the others while doing all she can to help save them. I had truly wished that Choi Nam Ra had been the focal point of the story rather than Nam Oh Jo.

Another component that quickly grew tiresome was bully Yun Gwi Nam’s obsession with getting revenge on Cheong San. Never mind that this guy, even before he’s finally bitten, seems to constantly evade waves of zombies, but his pursuit just became silly. It was easily the most uninteresting part of the story, and Yoon In Soo’s performance is relegated to playing a thug, which is rarely ever compelling.

Of course, as with any disaster film, we get the morons in the upper echelons of the government and the military as they try to figure out how to resolve the situation. For a reason that’s never fully explained, the high school is left relatively ignored, and when they finally decide to go after a laptop computer in the science teacher’s classroom that might have clues to a cure, they abandon the kids on the rooftop because they no longer can be sure that they aren’t infected. So, there’s not even an attempt? They couldn’t have covered their mouths and bound them for safety reasons? They couldn’t have made supply drops to ensure that they had food and water? Instead, we get the idiot general who makes decisions on his own to bomb the city without any contact from the Blue House? How is this even possible? I couldn’t believe there wasn’t a single scene involving the Blue House regarding the situation. Instead, we get a gutless coward for a general who kills himself out of guilt, proving just how much of a coward he truly was! This was another component of the story that just didn’t quite work.

The series should have been extended to the usual 16 episodes to allow for more political aspects to take place, as well as for the opportunity to explore more of the human elements that were ignored.

Of course, we get some incredible scenes of students sacrificing themselves for others, and again, it’s the survival aspect of the story that keeps it going as well as keeps the viewer invested in finding out how they’re going to escape.

I’ve heard that they’re doing a second season, but with Park Ji Hu spearheading it, I’ll definitely pass. This isn’t a bad series at all, but by the time it’s ended, you feel like it was another missed opportunity.

Read More

Review

From the moment Fated Hearts: When Fate Is the Storm unfolds, it seizes your attention with a rare intensity, weaving a historical romance that feels both timeless and urgent.
The story centers on Fu Yixiao, portrayed with captivating depth by Li Qin, a general whose archery prowess is matched only by her unyielding spirit. Opposite her is Chen Zheyuan’s Feng Suige, a prince whose guarded demeanor conceals a storm of ambition and vulnerability. Their paths collide in Yujing City when a single, tide-turning arrow sparks an alliance forged in necessity and fraught with mistrust. What sets this drama apart from other memory-loss romances is its refusal to let tension overshadow the fragile, human connection at its core. The narrative thrums with themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the fragile hope of love amidst chaos, evoking shades of The Princess’s Gambit but with a fiercer edge, honed by its focus on survival and
hard-won trust.
The performances are nothing short of electric. Li Qin imbues Fu Yixiao with a quiet strength that radiates in battle scenes and softens in moments of doubt, making her both a warrior and a woman grappling with destiny. Chen Zheyuan, as Feng Suige, is a revelation - his stoic exterior cracks just enough to reveal a man torn between duty and desire, his every glance weighted with unspoken conflict. The supporting cast adds texture to the sprawling world of Yujing, though some secondary arcs unfold too swiftly, leaving me yearning for deeper exploration. Still, the ensemble’s chemistry keeps the story grounded, even when the pacing falters slightly in the middle episodes.
Visually, the drama is a triumph. The cinematography sweeps across battlefields and shadowed city streets, establishing a grand yet intimate stage before a single word is spoken. The director’s choices are meticulous: wide shots isolate the leads against the vastness of their world, while close-ups and over-the-shoulder frames pull you into their raw, unguarded moments. The color palette : deep crimsons, cool silvers, and weathered grays - mirrors the story’s tempestuous heart, creating a moody, immersive atmosphere.

What elevates Fated Hearts is its ability to make every reveal feel earned, every glance between Yixiao and Suige a spark that could ignite or destroy. The romance is intense yet tender, built on stolen moments and hard-fought trust. While some subplots race too quickly and the pacing dips midstream, these are minor ripples in an otherwise captivating tide.

Read More

It’s Actually Not Even That Bad…

I mean I have watched worse BLs and personally I did not hate this one.

It’s just one of those lighthearted JBLs to watch “on a rainy day” (see what I did there? 😉)

Anywayssss, about the story? It’s nothing too intense but slightly intense? I feel like the show would have been better with a simple and ordinary storyline. But it seems the writer wanted the story to be “deep and touching” but that didn’t really happen so the plot kinda fell in between?

None of what I’ve said makes sense to you??? Okay! Okay! Watch it and you’ll see what I mean…

Read More

Review for fated hearts

This is an excellent ongoing drama that has me completely hooked with its gripping story, remarkable acting, and impeccable direction. The narrative, weaving together themes of romance and fate, unfolds with a perfect balance of emotional depth and heartfelt moments, keeping viewers eagerly anticipating each new episode. The plot follows characters whose intertwined destinies unfold in surprising and poignant ways, making every twist a delight.
The cast delivers outstanding performances, infusing their roles with authenticity and emotional nuance that make each scene resonate. The direction is top-notch, with seamless pacing and visually stunning cinematography that amplifies the story’s heart. From tender close-ups to breathtaking wider shots, every frame feels purposeful and immersive.

Read More

Excellent drama

Fated Hearts is a gripping drama that weaves an intricate tapestry of love, loss, and destiny, leaving audiences enthralled with its artistic finesse. At the heart of this cinematic gem is the male lead, Czy, whose performance is nothing short of extraordinary. Czy commands the screen with an effortless charisma that draws viewers into every scene. His screen presence is magnetic, effortlessly balancing vulnerability and intensity, making every moment he’s on screen utterly compelling. His acting is a masterclass in nuance whether it’s the quiet, heart-wrenching moments of despair or the fiery outbursts of passion, Czy delivers with authenticity and precision, cementing himself as the emotional anchor of the film.
The ensemble cast also shines brightly, with each actor bringing depth and relatability to their roles. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, creating moments of raw emotion that resonate long after the credits roll. The supporting performances are equally noteworthy, adding layers of complexity to the narrative and ensuring that every character feels fully realized.
Complementing the stellar acting is the film’s exceptional music direction, which serves as the heartbeat of Fated Hearts. The score, a blend of haunting melodies and uplifting crescendos, perfectly underscores the emotional beats of the story. Each track feels meticulously crafted to enhance the mood, whether it’s the tender strains of a piano during intimate scenes or the soaring orchestral pieces that amplify the drama’s climactic moments. The soundtrack not only elevates the viewing experience but also lingers with the audience, evoking the story’s themes of love and fate long after the film ends. 💐

Read More

Second Couple Carried The Show…

I don’t know about anyone else but the side couple are the only reason I’ll say this drama is ACTUALLY worth watching.

Wait, do I even call them the “side couple” when episode 1 - 6 was basically about them???

They are the ROMANCE in this show, and their CHEMISTRY??? INSANELY GOOD. Their acting was amazing too!

Now as for Shine’s storyline, umm, can I be honest? It’s supposed to be a capitalism critique but it’s not a successful one.

The plot and the revolutionary movements felt too childish and hard to comprehend, but I understand Thai BLs are never “perfect.”

You can tell this is supposed to be an “unconventional deep political romance story that will criticize capitalism” but it didn’t resonate like that with me. The storyline is just …meh?? And the attempt to make it very philosophical just didn’t really get to me.

HOWEVER, it’s not in any way a bad watch. I enjoyed watching it but the rewatch value is not high.

Read More

The Confusion Starts with the Title—Why is There a Comma?

I watched this mini-drama (about 8 hours long) solely because of Fan Zhi Xin. He can play a charming scoundrel or a psychopath with disarming ease. There's a scene where he was heartbroken with tears in his eyes, but when he turned, his expression changed immediately to one of scorn. Great acting.

I was relieved the FL was a mature, intelligent, self-assured woman (I'm tired of 30-year-olds who act like teens). She had great chemistry with the ML.

As for the bad, there were loopholes the size of hippos. The viewers were told the rules of the time phone, but the rules were bent or ignored repeatedly. And, dang, if I have two minutes to call someone to warn them of impending death, I'm not going to natter away about inconsequentials. It's like the perpetual fatally stabbed character in dramas who knows the killer's identity but grandstands to the final moment, saying, "I know who the murderer is! You'll all be surprised. You need to be wary. Watch out! The killer is..." And then the stabbed guy gasps and dies, and no one knows anything. Yes, the phone calls were exactly like that.

As with many time-altering situations, this drama was confusing. More so, because it didn't adhere to the rules. I doubt there are many viewers who can explain clearly what happened when and to whom. Add the dislike of time travel sequences by the Chinese censors, and the drama had its work cut out for it to make everyone happy (which is, of course, an impossibility); so, the entire drama could be construed to have been a bad dream.

I came for Fan Zhi Xin and time travel. I got Fan Zhi Xin and a bewildering romance instead.

I'm awarding an extra half star for Fan Zhi Xin's acting and the surprisingly nice OST that accompanied this short drama.

Read More

A cute series but with much more

I heard really positive review about the series so decided to give it a shot and I definitely enjoyed my time watching it. It had it's moment where it fell flat but most of the show it was highly entertaining to watch. We need more shows about idol life. The idea of idol dating ban truly hit me with this one because of how they showed the contract

The plot was something never done before, the life a teen boy and his chase towards dream to become an idol. The harsh reality of the idol industry shaped through a cute series. For me the later part of the show was more enjoyable then the first part. I wish they had explored the idol life part even more so we could feel the depth of the emotions. It felt a little rushed in my opinion. The plot was very simple and straight to the point. It was filled with many cute moments. The characters were well thought, just needed a little more background to show the depth.

The cinematography was fresh and it truly captured the theme of the show. The direction kept the light heartedness. I loved the color grading. It was more of slow paced and focused on the small movements and gestures and dialogues. If you want to watch a slice of life with lots of narak scenes this si the one for you.

Sea and Keen as new actors did very well. Keen especially pulled off being Moo very well. He is naturally an extrovert but being in character of a very loud character like Moo is difficult. He really delivered well. I was so much invested in AunAshi's pairing. Their story was so cute to watch and I craved for more. I am usually not the type to focus more on secondary couple but in terms of romance TaeYos stole the show for me.

It was definitely a good watch. If you are into idol groups it's a must.

Read More