Favourites

A gem of a drama with characters, themes and a love story dear to my heart. The “romance” ticked off nearly all of my favourite tropes, and for that I will always be grateful to the writer(s).

A nearly perfect romantic comedy executed without any missing beats. A romance which lets you be who you are.  That would be enough to always get me where it counts, and this show had it in spades. That did not even include the amazing characters, performances, cast and chemistry which this show excelled at. Truly a timeless classic.

This was an unexpected treasure, and would never have made it to the list for its genre, if not for the fact that subsequent mini rewatches made me fall in love with the characters and their relationships more each time. The themes, how empathetic the show was towards its characters and the consistent messages were also major plus points.

For a show choked full of horrors, tragedies, tears and heartbreak, the fact that one could still feel a dash of hope and optimism by the end was a testament to the solidness of the script/story.

That rare (only) favourite where I was totally enamoured with my OTP’s visuals (CY/KGY). Also a show where I am totally devoted to the OT3, even while I have my heart set on an OTP within the trio. (There is no romance in the show but without a doubt, one where shipping impulses were fanned to the max).

This version is my personal favourite amongst the numerous adaptations I have had the pleasure to watch. The cinematography, directing, cast and acting, not to mention the theme songs, captured the gritty and epic feel of this beloved Jin Yong saga. In many aspects, it was also the most faithful to the books. Personally, as a firm fan of the novel and saga, I think this production was a truly praiseworthy effort .

So crack-tastically fun it was impossible not to love!

The show which introduced me to the eminent ShinLee team (PD-writer), and a masterpiece in writing, direction, characters and slice-of-life (friendship, life struggles, family etc) themes. I am also very thankful to the canon romance, and how it unfolded. The way it was written and performed healed a major, scabbed over disappointment from a different book franchise. The cleverly written friends-to-lovers I wished I had been given, all those years ago.

The fabulousness of Lui Sei Leong was the highlight of this quirky, fun and interesting show.

The male lead had all the characteristics I could ever wish for in a man, and the development of the main pairing’s relationship read like a manual on “How to develop a sincere, loving, mature, respectful, considerate, beautiful, honest etc marriage”. The best contract husband ever (as of 2020).

An unexpected love. 

One of Wong Kar-Wai’s masterpiece, and had a cast of a few of my favourite actor and actresses. What’s not to love? A true work of postmodernist-art, including but not limited to performances, cinematic visuals, music, themes and story.

The awesomeness of Wing Chun was all that was required!

An iconic trendy romance.

A simple but sincere student-teacher-plus-Noona romance. Heartfelt. I loved that they were not afraid to give the main pairing the happily-ever-after they so deserved. I particularly appreciated that emotionally satisfying ending after the sadistic mess that was 魔女の条件 (Majo-no-Jyouken).

That bittersweet longing for an ideal, a hope, a dream, of something, permeated this wonderful movie so mistily that one can’t helped but be entranced. A beautiful story to live on in the heart. 

Poignant and bittersweet - which as a movie was not groundbreaking nor particularly great - it still managed to ensnare my heart, and provided a new understanding and interpretation to a perennially tragic love story.

One of the most equal and healthy - canon - romantic relationships I have ever watched. The plotlines/stories are quite fascinating, but it was the main romance - strangers-to-friends-to-lovers - which live on in my heart through long years.

A nostalgic sweet spot which hit all the right buttons for me. You simply love what you love.

Where art thou, Justice?

To love or not, was there a choice?

A humourous, heartwarmingly simple romance that left a strong enough imprint to make it onto the Favourites (if only a sub-Fav) list. While I love Yoo Rin’s character, I can’t say I was impressed by Lee Da Hae’s portrayal of it. The track, “Never Say Goodbye” remains a companion till this day.  The drama which introduced Lee Joon-Gi to me.