2021 Goal
My Goal is 14 Dramas for 2021.
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1. A Little Thing Called First Love
Chinese Drama - 2019, 36 episodes
It was cute, fluffy and definitely a good Chinese drama that isn't too hard to watch. Sweet. It was very innocent like and felt like I was watching innocent first love all over again. It was a perfect tone and I really liked it!
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2. BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky
Korean Movie - 2020
It was very interesting to see their journey from pre-debut to Coachella. It's always nice seeing a different side to artists that you normally don't get to see.
It was very well shot. They didn't really dive into a lot of deep things that they could have, it mostly just talking about their journey as artists and nothing really personal, which is something I expected.
Still can't like Teddy, just something about him irks me. Gives me "film indie Boy" vibes.
Side Note: about the evaluation system they have at YG, I could not spot a single female in the row. The lack of female presence in the room that are not trainees also does not sit right with me.
Would recommend to any kpop fan.
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3. The Hymn of Death
Korean Drama - 2018, 6 episodes
this was one of the most beautiful shot Korean Dramas I have seen in a long time. It felt like I was watching art.
The story is incredibly sad and knowing it's based on a real life event makes it even sadder. I thought it was well portrayed.
If anyone knows who the voice behind the songs is, let me know!
Highly recommend. It's very sad, so definitely not for those looking for light dramas.
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4. The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity
Chinese Movie - 2020
Not my favorite movie in terms of story plot line. It was easy to follow once you got into it.
The visual effects alone are worth watching and the acting is great.
Wish there was more women representation in this film, other than the two female characters who never talk to each other, and only one had real character depth but that's not that different from most action Chinese films.
The visual effects and action sequences are great and worth a watch.
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5. Girls' Generation Goes to School
Korean TV Show - 2009, 9 episodes
This is a must for any Girls' Generation fan.
It's interesting watching them go from pre-debut to just after their debut and the interactions you can see the foundation to what makes Girls' Generation great.
Their interactions between the members never seem forced and the Iconic motto is first delivered here. Their emotions are raw and you can tell they are just a girl group hoping for a bright future and work hard both in front of the screen and off. It's refreshing.
Also interesting to see how reality TV worked in 2007 and it's different in how they conduct these types of "documentary" (Lack of a better world)
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6. Private Life
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
I'm done...that ending....
honestly wait till you get 2 episodes in. When they start doing the backstory is when this drama turns from a 5 to a 10. Honestly would give it 10 stars if the first two episodes weren't so confusing.
You could physically cut the tension with a knife between the leads and the two couples. It's worth a watch.
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7. Jin Xin Si Yu
Chinese Drama - 2021, 45 episodes
I really enjoyed watching this drama.
Though I skipped a lot through the men talking, my favorite parts were the interactions within the harem. The family dynamic was interesting to see and it's a different spin that what I've seen in the past in terms of how the family wasn't so much pitted against each other in trying to grab power but instead of just trying to make the family prosper.
I found it refreshing to see a man portrayed as not really liking the idea of having concubines but forced into it, which is a different perspective about this time period I had yet to see in these types of historical dramas.
The main reason I gave it a 7.5 out of 10 instead of an 8, is because I didn't really find the outside of the family aspect between the Oui family and the Xu family all that fun to watch nor care for, other than what the main characters would do.
The romances that are built up between the FL and ML is refreshing and built on trust and understanding. It's not love at first sight, but it's love that forms through growth. It reminds me of the Friends to Lovers, but here it's Arranged Marriage to co-parenting to lovers. It's subtle and beautiful all at once.
I would pay to watch a second series of the General Fu and Dong Qing. They were cute and adorable
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8. Shanai Marijjihani
Japanese Drama - 2020, 7 episodes
"You wanna see some real speed-"
Is what goes through my head whenever I think watch Japanese Dramas. This is the same for any Japanese drama I have watched, especially if it is an Idol drama. There is no build up slowly like you see. In about 20 minute episodes you go from point A to point Z real fast.
I liked how this played out, in terms of story line. They had great chemistry and it was quick and easy to watch in an afternoon.
It's one of those dramas you can watch and enjoy the romance.
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9. Kakafukaka
Japanese Drama - 2019, 10 episodes
Stuck in J-drama land.
I honestly didn't mind the premise of this drama so much. It's definitely aimed at mature adult audience and the situation is quite an awkward one. The chemistry between the two leads is honestly what kept me watching for 10 episodes given the subject matter.
But in the end you are left with a message of the main characters growth of rediscover and recognizing her self worth which is something I enjoyed. Unlike Coffee and Vanilla, there is actually a meaning here and one you can recognize if you have ever had a self-doubt moments in your life.
There's a lot that they could have gone into if only they weren't stuck with 10 episodes in 25 minutes each.
I would recommend to anyone who doesn't mind mature content, awkward situations, and the fast pace of J Dramas.
**Also BoA sings the end credits and I was so excited**
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10. Well Intended Love
Chinese Drama - 2019, 20 episodes
This isn't a bad drama
You can tell it is definitely not as well funded as others and they did great work with what they limited too. I started season 2 and it's nice to see the budget increased.
I do think the plot lines were a little too much to put into a twenty episode drama and it felt like you were watching a Chinese web novel work its way out with a weird translation.
That being said it's a good starter drama and introduction to Chinese dramas and what they can do with a lower budget. Didn't hate, not my favorite, and the chemistry between the two leads is honestly the only reason this all works well together.
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11. Kakafukaka Special
Japanese Special - 2020, 1 episode
girl talk....
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12. Go Ahead
Chinese Drama - 2020, 46 episodes
This actually has to be in my top five favorite Chinese dramas. I thought the pacing was slow, but the emotions that each episode had. The dads! Perfect! I highly recommend if this isn't on your watchlist it should be.
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13. Falling Into Your Smile
Chinese Drama - 2021, 31 episodes
Honestly one of the cutest dramas this year I have seen. I came into this with no expectations because I haven't heard anything about this drama and was surprised at not only the budget scale (This thing has the budget) but the Soundtrack.
They also leave the ending open for a season 2, but it doesn't feel like you left on any huge cliff hangers. It's just a open note that the story can continue and I hope it does.
I only know Cheng Xiao from Cosmic Girls which is why I wanted to give it a shot. At first I thought her acting was a little bland, then I realized it was more so what the character itself was calling for a worked well in the drama. When her emotions did peak through, she acted them beautifully.
The problems I had with this production was more so the pacing at the end and a couple of the story lines felt like filler that didn't need to be there. Yet I still enjoyed the drama and the gaming. At points all the game talk was a bit too much for my personal taste, but if you like watching e-sports live, you would like this drama a lot.
Overall, I highly recommend giving this drama a shot. The slow burn is worth it and it's just beautifully done.
Also Side note: I feel extremely short because they kept calling Cheng Xiao short and she is 5'6"....I'm 5'2" I felt personally attacked. Thank you for coming to my tedtalk.
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14. You Are My City and Fortress
Chinese Drama - 2021, 40 episodes
It was good, I enjoyed the story line, wish there was a lot more romance and focus on the main couple. Felt very safe. But the story line and plot still were amazing. Highly recommend.
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15. Black Cinderella
Japanese Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
I kind of started to lose interest towards the end, but the first five episodes had me crying and emotional. Nice short drama to binge in a day.
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16. My Love, Enlighten Me
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
made me cry, I liked how the female leads character grew throughout the series.
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17. Yu Long
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
So....I speed through this drama and only really watched the second couple, which they had a ton of scenes. The second couple should have been the main couple, they were the best. I gave it such a low score because of this reason, but if the second lead couple weren't in it, it would have gotten a lower score.
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18. Eternal Love of Dream
Chinese Drama - 2020, 56 episodes
I finally got around to finishing this. I loved it so much. I honestly wish they didn't shorten it to the 56 episodes when their were supposed to be 64. It did feel slightly rushed to pack it all in the last 30 minutes to clean everything up. Still my favorite couple out of this universe.
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19. The Romance of Tiger and Rose
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
I went into this with kind of low expectations in terms of story plot line. Came out with this being one of my top 5 best C-dramas. The plot was different and I normally don't enjoy the female lead from the future gets stuck back in the past, but this time I fully enjoyed it. I liked that they even included him in the aspect as well. The only thing from his character I would have wanted to see is glimpses that he was too from the future and just playing the role so they ending was a bit more believable. There were moments that happened but they were few and far in between.
Highly recommend especially to anyone who like enemies-to-lovers.
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20. Exit
Korean Movie - 2019
Everything about this is fantastic.
It's a fun enjoyable ride and you find yourself laughing through every occasion. The Female lead isn't the usual damsel in distress and a couple of times pulls him out of danger as well. There's not much in terms of backstory that we fully get, but overall it fits well this film for what we do get.
I highly recommend for a good action comedy movie night.
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21. Kanojo wa Kirei datta
Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
I loved this. I still haven't seen the original She was Pretty Korean version, but I did watch the Chinese version with Dilraba, and between the two, this one just beats out that version.
It's a great 10 episode drama that you can either get through a day or a weekend. I caught it just right when it was about to end, only having to wait a day till the last episode. A perfect show to binge watch.
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22. You Are My Glory
Chinese Drama - 2021, 32 episodes
Both Yang Yang and Dilraba Dilmurat's acting abilities shine bright in this drama. Acting alone deserves a watch. Gu Man's story telling never falls to impress me. While Love O2O, is a sweet early college love story this is a mature drama. It's nice seeing the female lead already know herself and very clear where she stands both in her job and her own feelings, while the Male lead is the one confused and lost on an uncertain path he doesn't fully understand. Both characters shine in their own right but also like the chemistry it's the real personal moments of encouragement and questions being asked in the dialogue that make this drama relatable especially to people who are in their late 20's and beyond. The uncertainty in life, and striving to work towards your dreams even after time has sunk in, hit close to home for me.
I highly recommend this drama. Gu Man didn't disappoint and Yang Yang and Dilraba's acting in this is some of their best I have seen.
This drama is honestly the first one that made me feel sad and alone...it was a weird feeling to have. Still don't know how I feel about that...
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23. Destruction
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Strangely, this drama is more than what it seems. It deals with our own immortality, how it affects our loved ones. A note on grief, trauma from grief and goes deeper with asking questions about what it truly means to be human. The romance is very good and the chemistry between Seo In Guk and Park Bo young is amazing. Park Bo Young knocks it once again out of the park with her acting.
A note on Park Bo Young, her character doesn't cry when shes sad, yet you can still see tears well up when she wants to. The emotion and dedication she put into her character is truly astounding and just on her acting alone I would recommend watching. (Though Seo In Guk is also amazing)
Once you understand the god and doom complexity that exists within this story is easy to understand. Only having two 'deities' made it easier to process and I like they kept it to a minimum.
The second romance plot not revolving around anything supernatural was also a good touch. It felt like it kept the story grounded in reality allowing emotions in the supernatural one to feel the utmost real.
Like I said before, this drama is dealing with the underlying understanding of grief. It was one of the most profound emotions a human can feel and causes you do act in different ways than what some people might believe possible or appropriate. Her inability to cry is something I understand completely. It doesn't connect until much later when she allowing herself to succumb.
The drama is worth a watch, though I would have a box of tissues handy once you start getting into the later episodes.
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24. Oba: The Last Samurai
Japanese Movie - 2011
Had to watch this for school.
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25. The Star Next Door
Korean Movie - 2017
Honestly made me cry multiple times. Especially as an only child and had a mom who worked a lot, I was alone for a lot of my life. These feelings she feeling I could relate to.
The plot line could have been much better and honestly I think if they added in who her father was, would have been better story line of him making an appearance, but I honestly don't think they had the budget nor the time to film a really complex production.
It's a comedy with some family drama, not really a romance. Loved the dynamic between the mom and daughter.