Chloe Kaydee
New Zealand
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Almost Perfect (In My Opinion)
This is the best kdrama I've watched. Usually I wouldn't give a show a 10 unless it's completely flawless and really hits the feels too. But even though I have a few minor critiques when it comes to this drama, they're so minor that I decided to give this a 10 anyway.Story: I gave this a 10. Almost gave it a 9.5 but ultimately, if you read between the lines, I think the story itself deserves a 10. All the plotlines tied up perfectly by the end, they took their time with the ending too and everything was plausible. I wasn't frustrated with the way anything turned out and honestly, even Investigator Choi's death made sense and added the right amount of angst and drama for the climax. It didn't feel like they decided to randomly kill him off to drive the ending climax either, it genuinely felt natural to the story. The characters were all really well developed and lovable, each having their distinctive personalities that really added to the depth of the story. This kdrama, by far, has the best second male lead storyline ever. Woo Tak was so kind-hearted, never once made a move on Hong Joo out of respect for both her and his close friend, he was happy if she was happy. He was honest and I'm happy that he was such a main character. As someone who HATES love triangles, I'm really really amazed with how they went about the second male lead. It wasn't really a love triangle, despite Woo Tak clearly being in love with Hong Joo. She wasn't in love with him, he didn't try to interfere or confess, and our bb Jae Chan knew about his feelings but still cared for him. The trio's friendship was beautiful and I'm glad no one was treated unfairly. All of the juxtaposition, cinematography, writing and subplots were superb. This kdrama has the perfect mix of love, friendship, family, crime, and drama. The only question that wasn't outright answered was about Hong Joo and how her premonitions started. But I'm okay with that being more or less a mystery since sometimes, you don't always get the answers you want in life. Like, how is she supposed to just magically find out how they started? If we follow Woo Tak's theory then maybe she had a near death experience when she was younger and that's how the premonitions started. And maybe she wasn't saved specifically by one person, hence why her premonitions aren't just about one person. Then she saved Jae Chan so he started having them again once they were re-acquainted. Then he saved Woo Tak, so he started having them. Either that or it's all related back to Hong Joo and that's why they started getting premonitions; because of her. They were supposed to die but ultimately didn't either, because of Hong Joo or in relation to her - since Jae Chan actually saved Woo Tak because he wanted to save Hong Joo and her mum. Therefore, since she originally had the ability to dream of future events, when the future she saw was changed (because of or in relation to her) to the point where lives were saved that were supposed to die, that's why they also gained that ability. That's just my theory though. And it's also the reason I don't mind that we never got a clear answer. Everything else was wrapped so nicely that I don't think it was due to laziness.
Acting/Cast: I really enjoyed everyone in the cast and their acting. However, I gave this a 9/10 because of two reasons. I want to first say that when I started this kdrama, I was unfamiliar with almost all of the actors in it. Now I bet everyone is appalled that I haven't seen anything Lee Jong Suk has been in, I know, but I'll get around to watching them. Anyway, the only actors I know are Kim So Hyun (guest role), the fried chicken serial killer guy, and Jung Hae In (Woo Tak). I know I'm going to get hated on for saying this but Bae Suzy's acting wasn't as phenomenal as I was expecting. Majority of the tears she spilled were fake and not genuine and her acting was a little one note. It wasn't bad by any means, but I struggled to really connect to her. Also, I really loved Hong Joo and Jae Chan as a couple. They were cute, non-toxic, and their kisses were great. However, I'm sad to admit they were lacking a little in the chemistry department. I don't know why exactly, but yeah.
Music: I LOVED the soundtrack for WYWS. Every song was perfect, memorable, and were used perfectly throughout the show.
Rewatch Value: A solid show that doesn't make me endlessly frustrated with enough angst, cuteness, and comedy to keep me entertained.
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Just Watch It
Since I binge watched Gen Y after it finished airing, I probably had a different viewing experience to those who watched it as it aired. It allows me to see the story as a whole, from start to finish and therefore, allows me to judge it as a whole without being tainted by the weekly wait. This definitely wasn't as messy as how others are describing it.Story: I only gave this a 7.5/10 because it's nothing original, really, but the writing is pretty good for what it is and I love a lot of the characters. The plot wasn't chaotic or confusing, making it easy to watch, and I absolutely loved watching MarkKit's story. My second favourite ship was/is PokTong and I wish they had more screen time but I'm keeping in mind that there are still another two seasons. If this season of Gen Y was all there was, I would rate it lower but instead, I've decided to rate it as if it's a chapter in a story. That's what it felt like too and I actually like how slowly everything developed. I don't like PhaWayu because even if Pha was trying to do what's best or had legitimate reasons for leaving Wayu, he should have gone about it in a more caring way. He also shouldn't have played with his hopes and feelings after just because he didn't like seeing other guys interested in him. Pha was extremely selfish, it doesn't matter what his reasons were. I'm rooting for ThanuWayu but honestly, I couldn't be less interested in Wayu and his storyline. I liked Gen Y solely for MarkKit, PokTong, and even KohJack/JackKoh. The only thing I really wanted was for PokTong to kiss in the last episode but I also understand that it's better for the story if their relationship develops slowly and more logically than that. I also think people are saying that what happened between Pok and Tong in the finale was non-consensual. But that wasn't the case at all. Pok told him to leave because he wanted to kiss him that badly and Tong (even though he was considering leaving before knowing Pok's reason) shuts the door and tells him to do what he wants - except the kissing since despite all the sexual tension, they are too stubborn to admit their feelings. If a viewer couldn't tell that Tong also wants to be physically involved with Pong, then they might need to rewatch their scenes. All the longing from both sides is right there and plus, it was Tong who almost gave in to kiss Pok by the lockers.
Acting/Cast: Kimmon did amazing. He was the best in my opinion. Others that also did extremely well were Bank (Pok), Bonus (Tong) and Jet (Jack). I didn't find myself being distracted by their acting at all throughout the show. Copter was also really good and Bas was good too. What's funny is that I started this show being a CopBas shipper (since they're so close and kiss irl) but I found myself falling completely in love with KimCop. They had amazing chemistry. Best chemistry and tension goes to Bank and Bonus though, hands down. I need them to have their own series together STAT.
Music: Average. Nothing really stood out for me and I won't be adding any of the songs to my spotify playlist.
Rewatch Value: high enough because I'll rewatch season 1 before the 2nd season comes out and also, I might rewatch for KimCop and BankBonus. I'll probably be skipping other parts of the story as I go though.
Overall: If you're on the fence at all, I recommend just giving it a go! If you don't like it after two or three episodes, then you could always drop it :)
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I Definitely Recommend!
Story: Pretty good but I only gave an 8/10 because some things frustrated me along the way. But maybe that's just personal preference. I really don't like love triangles or miscommunication as themes in a story. However, as frustrating as it was, it was done really well and never got to a point where I got too frustrated (enough to drop it). It was the right amount of frustration, if that makes any sense. It kept the show suspenseful and exciting, I suppose. There were some parts that dragged a bit for me but I didn't find myself fast forwarding too much. Although, I did fast forward the start of every episode when it shows the flash forward because I don't like that sort of thing. I prefer to just watch everything develop and lead into each scene, rather than seeing the outcome first. Again, that's just personal preference. Overall, I loved the characters and felt for every one of them. They were all really human and realistic. I especially loved the ML and FL; they weren't annoying which I appreciate. The ML had the right amount of coldness to him. The only character I didn't like at all was Hyun Hee or whatever her name was. I didn't care much for Kang See Ah or Yeo Reum either but they had redeemable and interesting qualities to their characters - plus good character development. Oh and the story was pretty funny and light-hearted too which made it that much better.Acting/Cast: Honestly, no complaints here. Everyone did a great job and the two leads had amazing chemistry.
Music: Pretty good. Only gave an 8/10 because I low key hated hearing the traditional wedding song all the time lol.
Rewatch Value: Also high because of how fun and cute this show is. But I didn't give a 10/10 because I personally won't rewatch it for a while and it's a 16 hour long show.
Overall: I highly recommend giving this a go to anyone who hasn't! This is a gem and despite it being from 2014, it doesn't feel very old when you watch it. It's aged well and honestly, I love it.
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This Was Cute
I wasn't expecting a lot when I started this. But I was pleasantly surprised. Now, I'm gonna say it right now that I waited for the last episode to air before I started because I didn't want to wait two weeks for each short episode, therefore my viewing experience is probably a little different to those who watched it as it aired.Story: I'm not rating this show the same way I would a full length series because that would be a little unfair (considering this is only a mini web series). For what it is, it's well produced and executed. Obviously, the story could have been developed deeper if the episodes had a longer run time, but they did a pretty good job despite that. The first half of the web series lacked some depth but as it continued, it did improve and by the end, I was fully obsessed. I love the storyline and the entire mini series is cute as hell. I loved the whole food aspect of the show and how they managed to include a different dish/recipe every episode. Ingredients was surprisingly informative too, teaching it's viewers little facts about food. I was definitely interested in that part. The content of every episode has this fluffy, wholesome vibe to it; especially the episodes with the cat and the baby, I was legitimately squealing and laughing the entire time I watched those episodes. Watching Jeff and Gameplay with the baby specifically filled my heart with every joyful emotion that exists. A lot of people are unsatisfied with the ending (maybe those people are the ones who watched it as it aired) but I think it was realistic. And technically, it was happy because they didn't break up or anything and decided to see each other as often as they could.
Acting/Cast: The only reason I didn't give a 10/10 is because there were some moments that felt awkward (in regards to the acting) but that was mostly in the first half of the mini series. However, they couldn't have casted this mini series more perfectly. Gameplay and Jeff are great actors with amazing chemistry. They felt natural with how they interacted. I also love how Gameplay is actually an amazing cook and Jeff is an amazing musician. Their talents really took this series to another level since everything felt more real and it made me so happy when I was watching this. Jeff really is such an amazing singer, like wow, I could listen to his voice forever. And Gameplay said he research about the SDG's for Tops' thesis and he explained in the comments (and on Instagram) his research and why he chose those specific ones. I really appreciate all the effort Gameplay and Jeff exerted for their roles. Amazing.
Music: All the songs Jeff/Win played and sung were amazing and why I gave the music part such a high score. However, I deducted points for how the music in regular scenes was edited. Sometimes it would just randomly come in and cut off without there having a smooth transition. And sometimes, one song (or maybe a different part of the song) would start and then it would suddenly cut straight away to a different song or part, without a logical reason for it to do so.
Rewatch Value: This mini series was so cute and relatively short that it would be super easy to rewatch any time that I want to feel all happy and mushy and shit. This just gives off a really good feeling of domestic wholesomeness that it's impossible to not smile silly.
Overall: I definitely recommend! And I recommend watching like five episodes before you decide whether or not you want to continue. Just don't judge off of one episode since they're so short anyway.
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Wow
Story - I gave the story an 8.5/10 because I think it needed maybe another 10-15 minutes to really tie it up at the end. The ending felt a little abrupt and disjointed compared to the rest of the story from when the boys were younger. But, nonetheless, I think the story and relationships within it were well-developed, well written, and honestly tugged on my heart strings a little too hard. The message that the side storyline portrays is presented in a polished way that I can applaud. It's hard to review much of the story without spoilers but if you're reading this while contemplating if this is worth a watch, I can confirm that I HIGHLY recommend you do! It's a bit of a tear-jerker though so make sure to have tissues on hand! (If you want to know if it has a happy ending or not, just browse through the comments at the bottom of the page and someone will have said so there)Acting/Cast - I think all of the actors were exceptional in this... ESPECIALLY the younger ones, wow. However, I only gave this section a 9/10 because I did feel like the adult actors looks too different (specifically Zi Chen). It had me feeling a bit disengaged at the end when I'm trying to get used to thinking that they're still the same characters.
Music - 10/10. I think I saw someone say the music in this was lacklustre and boring. And I have no idea what planet they're on or what they're watching, but it can't be Red Balloon if they think the soundtrack is boring. The sound aspect of this drama (whether from the sound of a camera clicking into a flashback transition to the soundtrack music) is phenomenally done. Especially during certain M O M E N T S where the music cuts off, giving a raw feeling to the scene (if you know, you know).
Rewatch Value - let's just say that I can be a sensitive person and I think I could only watch this if I wanted to cry (a lot of people probably don't agree with me on this and probably just think I'm overly emotional lol). In saying that, it's hella cute and it's a really good drama so that's why I rated this part a 7/10
Overall - RECOMMEND RECOMMEND RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (also if you want the best experience, I would watch the HD, official version on GagaOOLala)
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The Director Who Buys me Dinner
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I'm left frustrated because this just needed more time ?
Does this series deserve an 8/10? Probably not. But will I give it an 8? Absolutely.Hear me out. There is seriously only one real annoying flaw with this production that's hindering it significantly: the runtime. The two minute recaps at the start of every 15-minute episode was too much. We only really got around 11 minutes of content (give or take) because of those recaps, the intro, credits, and the next episode's teasers.
The issue is that this storyline has too much depth for 110 minutes. It needed longer to really develop the characters and the depth of their emotions. Not going to lie, the only reason I ended up connecting to their relationship is because of how great the acting was. Denis' character also didn't get the development or explanations the audience needed. I'm 99% sure the reason he started acting out the way he did was because he was the one to kill Dongbaek in his past life (based on his eyes and his present actions). However, their are certainly people who simply won't come to that conclusion themselves since it wasn't fleshed out enough.
I didn't mind the ending. I would have loved if Yoodam recovered his lost memories but I also like how they concluded the show, so I'm not too upset.
This k-bl is honestly a lot better than some others which have been airing recently... (*cough* oh my assistant *cough*) because at least we got better kisses--well one great kiss and others that were mediocre--and great chemistry and great acting and a unique plot. But it definitely could have been SO much better with a longer runtime ?
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A BEAUTIFUL MASTERPIECE (MUST WATCH)
First, let me just say that you don't even need to read my review to know that you must watch The Untamed! Just trust me, watch three or four episodes and decide if you want to continue (I guarantee that you will). But if you're still unsure, then read my review (or others) and I will try my best to keep this spoiler free for you (: (there's like one paragraph with spoiler so just skip that)I wanna start my review by saying I'm very picky and critical when it comes to films or shows. I don't give out 10/10's easily. I don't even give out 9/10's easily so it's even harder to get a 10 from me. Only three BLs (yes I'm including this even though it's censored) have ever gotten a 10 from me. Which are: The Untamed, History3 Trapped, and I Told Sunset About You. I've watched all 50 episodes of The Untamed THREE TIMES through. That's how much I love it.
Story: AMAZING. I can only come up with maybe two faults in this entire show and that's 1, the wigs aren't the best but you learn to ignore that, and 2, the graphics/sfx isn't always the best (like that dog/wolf thing lol - if you know, you know). But honestly, those minor things never take away from the magic that is The Untamed. At least not for me, and that's why I didn't deduct from the grade because of these minor flaws. Because other than that, the show as a whole is perfect. The storyline has so much depth and complexity. You find yourself completely invested in the characters and what happens to them that you'll find yourself crying into your pillow multiple times. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Honestly, I went into The Untamed original just wanting to follow LWJ and WWX storyline since I knew it was based off BL source material. It took me a while to get around to watching it since I knew it would be censored and not outright obvious BL, but I eventually decided to just give it a go after hearing constantly how good it is. I'm glad I did because wow, the only way you'll be able to ignore the romance between WWX and LWJ is if you're not very observant to the subtleties.
[SKIP THIS PARAGRAPH and go to the next paragraph if you don't want to read SPOILERS] For example, the show is literally named after them because WU (from Wei Wuxian) JI (from Lan Wangji) roughly translates to The Untamed . Next is their song WUJI which Lan Zhan composed for Wei Ying and named it after their combined/ship name. Another example is them calling each other zhiji (which by the way, this scene replaced the scene in the original source material where they kiss) which has a lot of deep meaning to it. It would take ages for me to explain so I'll link this blog for you to read if you're really interested https://hunxi-guilai.tumblr.com/post/612161034673946624/all-right-guys-lets-have-a-conversation-about but basically, it's kind of like soulmates. To call someone your zhiji is to say they know you in a way no one does (not even yourself) and the meaning of 'knowing' here is apparently a big deal. Like, back in that time, it was better and more meaningful than to simply love someone because 'love' back then wasn't what it means today. A zhiji type relationship is one worth dying for. It can be platonic or romantic, but if you pair it up with all the other 'subtle' things in the series then it's obviously romantic. And WWX even says that it's more than enough to have one zhiji in his lifetime. Don't even get me started on how the only person Lan Zhan lets touch his sacred headband is Wei Ying when only his "spouse, parents, or children" are allowed to touch it. Or him basically proposing using two healthy chickens when he's drunk. Or how the morning after getting drunk, he was scared he may have let it slip that he LIKED him. Or Lan Zhan getting jealous over Wei Ying saving Mian Mian. Or the gay porn book Wei Ying pranked him with. Or all the freaking bunny references (the rabbit God in China is the God of homosexuality) like when there's a shot of two bunnies 'kissing'. Or after Wei Ying's resurrection, how Lan Zhan literally breaks all of his clan rules for him out of fear of not making the most of their time together - or that he was still wearing mourning robes after 16 years lol or that he brought up Ah Yuan for him when Wei Ying was like a father figure to him before ugh we love a happy family. OH and Xiao Zhan (Wei Ying) was calling Lan Zhan a "trash bf" for not standing by him etc, and the directors and cast talked about their love and yeah. ANYWAY.
Acting/Cast: PERFECT. Seriously. All the acting was great, by the physical actors and the voice actors. You could barely tell it was dubbed which *claps* well done to the voice actors, really. All the actors really fit their roles well and executed them perfectly. Wang Yibo and Xiao Zhan will forever have my heart.
Music: BEAUTIFUL. I could write so much about the music in this series, and how freaking well they use it to impact the scenes significantly and beautifully, but I don't want to write an entire novel in this review. However, I have all the songs on my playlist, I love them that much. Especially WUJI. It can make me cry just listening to it, no kidding. Plus, every time you hear it in a scene (and the different versions), you instantly know it's a LWJ & WWX scene.
Rewatch Value: INCREDIBLE. I could rewatch this for the rest of my life and I'm not really someone who rewatches shows or movies unless it's been ages. But I love this so much that I could never get sick of it.
Overall: PHENOMENAL. All I have left to say is that you should give it a go because I highly recommend you do!
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I wasn't expecting to rate this highly (spoilers at the end of the review)
I haven't written a review for anything in a while but since I was so surprised and touched by this drama, I felt as though I should express why.Before I start a kdrama, I always read the spoiler-free reviews and comments to see if it's going to be something I like. I almost didn't watch Devilish Joy because of this.
Story: yes, this drama is jam-packed with cliches but they were executed well (or perfectly imo) most of the time. I also typically stay away from the 'amnesia' and 'misunderstanding' tags, which might be why I'm so shocked that they didn't put me off the story this time round. I think it's because of how these themes and plot points were handled. I read another review that mentioned how everything that happened was very "convenient" and this is completely true. However, I think it depends on your perspective while watching. 운명(unmyeong) or fate/destiny is a major theme throughout the story; their first meeting, his accident, the flowers, meeting again, and everything that follows. Despite the obstacles, they always find each other. The story is romantic, cute, frustrating at times, melancholic, funny, and wholesome. The villains had roles that were good at moving the plot forward, the side characters were all charming in their own ways, the pacing was pretty great imo, the chemistry between both couples were great, kisses were fantastic (ahh), and I loved the ending. I didn't even fast-forward any scenes which I have gotten into the habit of doing if I get bored.
Cast/Acting: I think most of the actors performed great. Obviously it wasn't perfect but there was nothing too specific to complain about. The FL was a huge standout for me, she executed all the scenes and emotions perfectly. I found the ML's crying scenes a little awkward but he did great otherwise. And they had fantastic chemistry, they had some of the best kisses I've seen.
Music: nothing incredible but the soundtrack was pretty great and memorable. I think the music was very scene-appropriate too which is important.
Final Spoiler-free Thoughts: Give this a try! I really enjoyed the roller coaster that this drama was and I don't think it deserves all the intense negativity! Honestly, as the drama went on, I loved it more and got more invested. I really think it's worth the watch. I don't give high ratings out easily! I also want to say that I felt wholy satisfied by the end and that rarely happens for me.
**SPOILERS ahead**
What I loved specifically:
- The pacing really was perfect for my tastes. We got a passionate kiss in the first episode (which was fine because of the whole losing his memory thing after) and then the follow episodes were paced so we'll which how their relationship progressed. They officially start dating in like episode 9 I think, which is over half way.
- The kisses between the leads were so intimate and natural, I loved them so much.
- The second couple were also very cute and I think they had perfect pacing as a second couple. Because their relationship progressed later than the main leads, it keeps the romance viewers still engaged even after the main couple gets together.
- How Ki Joon resolved his feelings for his first love/crush before confessing (and committing) to Ha Im. I really appreciated that they did this so it didn't feel like Ha Im was just a consolation prize.
- Gi Bbeum's family! ? They were so supportive, eccentric and wholesome.
- Secretary Yang! Ahhh I was basically in love with him by the end of the drama.
- How they interwove the flower throughout the story, and the same with their time spent in China where they met. It's incorperated well and I love how they were there in both the pilot and finale. The juxtaposition was beautiful.
- The finale as a whole! I'm very pickup when it comes to endings. I need to feel satisfied. Devilish Joy did that for me. The entire 70 minutes were spent perfectly on closing the story. Usually, I hate time skips when they're 1 year+ but they executed it so well here and it made sense too. They didn't just jump from the ML's disappearance to a year later. They showed all the goodbyes and him leaving; one week later when Gi Bbeum comes back from her trip to find out he's gone; the next few weeks of heartbreak and worry; Ma Seong in China at all the places they met, savoring his memories with Gi Bbeum before they hide; Gi Bbeum receiving the letter he sent her from China; her going to China as a last attempt to find him; another letter and her acceptance; then it finally skips a year. Not too much has changed, which is realistic, but some things have and subplots have been tied up nicely. Then it shows Ma Seong and how he's been living the last year and the progress he's made. His reunion with Ki Joon had me crying. Then finally, after all of this closure, we get his reunion with Gi Bbeum.
- I love that his brain wasn't magically healed. I was really expecting them to just have him back to normal at the end, but that's not the case at all. He still forgets everything every day and is working (positively) toward remembering more and more slowly.
- I love that they emphasised that he hasn't 'lost' his memories, he just struggles with recalling them but they're still in there
- FOURTH WEDDING because he couldn't remember the others. This was so cute and funny ?? it was refreshing too
- The curtain call at the end with all the cast was adorable!!!!
- One more thing. It's a quote that made me laugh so hard "don't mouth off at my woman ever again. I have a yellow belt in taekwondo." ?????????? please, Ki Joon was hilarious.
What I didn't like:
- How the ML spoke to the FL half the time from episode 2 until like episode 6. He came across a little unsympathetic and critical in regards to her situation. I just feel like he could have been a bit more outwardly understanding but then again, I guess it was more realistic that he didn't understand how she felt.
- The fake 'rain'. You could really tell it wasn't real and it bothered me immensely to the point where it would take me out of the scene (and the rain scenes were pretty emotional so...)
- How obvious they were about covering the ML character's tattoo after the first couple episodes just because it would have been a lot of effort to apply the fake tattoo before every single scene (which I understand but it did take me out of the story sometimes)
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Loved this so much (ugh Seo In Guk is an adorable puppy)
I LOVED THIS AND BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH IT IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY.^ that's my opinion of this kdrama in a nutshell.
Story: Honestly I had a lot of fun (and emotions) watching this drama. Watching the friendship and relationship grow between the leads was beautiful and so wholesome. I know a lot of people get fed up with how childish the ML is (esp when it comes to money) but I never once got annoyed. And a childish lead would easily annoy me. This one didn't. Louie was adorable and very puppy-like, he was extremely kind and loyal. Sure, he was childish and had no clue how to value money, but that's to be expected considering how sheltered and babied he was growing up. He was never made to do anything himself and he wasn't allowed to really go anywhere because his grandmother was worried he would somehow hurt himself or die - so she isolated him in a mansion in France with a lot of maids and his butler. And that's how he lived most of his life. So he goes from the life of having limitless money and help to losing his memory and belongings and waking up on the streets by himself. Anyway, I loved the whole story really, there was barely a moment I didn't enjoy and I rarely skipped. Obviously it's not the most unique, mind blowing drama but it's still unique in how it was executed and the quality. I loved the characters and was very attached to their stories.
Acting/Cast: Love the cast for this! Especially Seo In Guk (Louie), this role was really perfect for him because he even looks like an adorable puppy. I think all the actors did great and I adored the chemistry between the leads. They were so fluffy and cute and I loved their kisses too. Plus they appeared really natural with each other, which I think is important. Nothing worse than sensing awkwardness/stiffness between the lead actors during romance scenes.
Music: I don't have an actual rating for this because I believe the version of this drama I watched on Viki didn't have the original soundtrack (maybe due to copyright reasons idk) because the lyrics that would display at the bottom of the screen were completely different to what I was hearing. Even so, the replaced music was fitting enough which is good.
Rewatch Value: I make sure to say this in ever review - I rarely rewatch dramas. I only rewatch ones I've absolutely loved/would be worth a rewatch and therefore, I rarely give this section a 10/10. But, I would 100% rewatch SKL in the future. Seo In Guk was just too cute in this.
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If I Had To Choose Between A Korean Odyssey & Gu Family Book...
I would choose A Korean Odyssey.Obviously the two shows are different and where one is a historical drama, the other isn't. However, they both have Lee Seung Gi playing the ML who is non-human.
Story: Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed GFB and I didn't find myself bored or wishing for more throughout it. It didn't feel draggy and I don't feel as though it was lacklustre when it came to the romance - as other reviews have suggested. In some ways, this was a lot better than AKO and I also loved the communication and chemistry between the leads in this a lot better. But the ending did kind of ruin it for me (and not for the reason a lot of people probably think). I want to keep this spoiler free so I won't say anything except that it wasn't as beautiful and magnificent as the rest of the drama. Sure, there were plot wholes if you look closely, but that never took away from my enjoyment. Plus, I appreciated the amount of loyalty and trust present within the friendships/relationships. It was a nice break from other dramas that are built on miscommunication, misunderstanding, and lack of trust.
Acting/Cast: This drama was perfectly casted in my opinion. Most of the actors did amazing and even though I'm not really a fan of Bae Suzy's acting usually, this was probably my favourite performance from her. But that might have something to do with Lee Seung Gi being her partner; they had really great, believable chemistry.
Music: It was good but not amazing? It did it's job at the right moments and all that, but I've heard better soundtracks.
Rewatch Value: I gave this a 5 because of the ending and slow burn romance. It's not really something I think I would find myself rewatching. In saying that, I'm not someone who rewatches shows often anyway.
Overall: I would say this is definitely worth a watch. I genuinely love the drama and loved the experience of watching.
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This Surprised Me
I'm someone who only really watches BL dramas, or ones that at least have a BL story on the side. So, when I kept hearing about My Ambulance (and I have always loves the OST), I would be a little tempted into watching it, but ultimately never giving it a go. It wasn't until after 'I Told Sunset About You' that I got more interested. And I bet you can guess why; PP and Billkin. However, I still didn't watch it because I knew it was only bromance and knew how it ended. Apparently I'm a masochist and also love the actors so much that I finally gave in.I'm happy I did.
Actually, I watched the entire show in one go without a break (so 16 hours straight lol) because I was absolutely glued to it. It got me in the first five minutes, I'm not gonna lie. I was legitimately crying at the start of the first episode and I was crying by the end of the first episode too. With all the crying I was doing during those 16 episodes, I lost count of how many times it happened. I'm actually tempted to rate this show a 9/10 because even though I cried a lot, I laughed and smiled a lot too. Plus, like I said, I couldn't draw my attention away from it the entire time I was watching. Usually, I'm pretty restless and can't focus on one thing for a long period of time. Not this time though.
Story: This had a solid that I admire. It lost me a little during the whole 'Chalan losing his power as Peng starts to get his back after Tantawan remembers the accident' thing. But they redeemed it with 'Chalan never lost his power, he was just trying to do the right, non-homewrecking, respectful thing by not overstepping with Peng and he was hurting the entire time and loved her deeply'. I know my opinion is an unpopular one but I strongly believe that Tantawan made the right choice when she chose Chalan. They were way better suited. He understood her, let her cry, never invalidated her feelings, cared about her, put her first above everything else (even his own feelings and safety), comforted her, encouraged her, reassured her, and was always respectful - obviously other than when he was pretending to not like her but even then, he was trying to respect her 'relationship' with his senior. He also made her laugh and was always there to help her. Peng, on the other hand, simply didn't treat her like she deserved. She had spent the last 15 years of her live completely revolving it around Peng and his career, so much so that she let her own 'wants' and ambitions go. That's not love. That's obligation. She felt indebted to Peng for saving her and being with her all those years ago when she was vulnerable. Sure, she loves him, but I don't think what they have is a romantic love. There's that saying that if you truly loved someone and wanted to be with them, you would never fall in love with that second person. And the only reason Peng got part of the power back when she remembered is because she was no longer harbouring those feelings of hate and resentment for him after finding out how much he cared for her. She still loved him and now believed he loved her too, so the power worked again. But, Chalan still had it as strong as ever the ENTIRE time. Meaning, the love she felt between them was stronger, non-platonic, and truer. Okay, so other than their love triangle, the actual story was funny and somehow light-hearted while also making me cry out of sadness. All the characters had pretty good development and weren't one dimensional, thank God. Well, Tikka was kind of a little one dimensional. But that's just my opinion. The only character that truly got on my nerves was Peng. I'm sorry but him 'secretly caring and loving her a lot' isn't a good enough excuse to treat her like she's always being "unreasonable". Jesus, the amount of times where he invalidated her feelings or gaslighted her was crazy. And he couldn't even do something as simple as reassure her of his love when she needed it the most. He neglected her, forgot about her, and acted ungrateful for everything she did for him.
As I said earlier, I started this series for PP and Billkin, but ended up loving the main storyline too. In saying that, any time they were on screen, I was squealing. Dao's character was truly great. There was depth there, great development and he was often good comedic relief. And when you contrast that with Tew's closed off, hot-tempered attitude, they were perfect. I loved, loved, loved their development. The way Dao cared and worried for Tew was the most adorable thing ever. Plus, I think that if Dao weren't to die, they would have developed further into something more than friends. I think the reason this is technically just a bromance storyline is because they didn't get the chance for it to become more. However, it definitely seemed like that's the way it was heading. For example, when Dao was actively expressing his concern for Tew and his safety, Tew said to him that he doesn't know what it's like to love someone. That hurt Dao and he cried because he does know what it's like to see someone he loves be put at risk; Tew. And he really cemented that when he went against the rule of 'medical team waits outside' to chase after Tew when he ran into the burning building. Then, he told him how much he worried about him and that he needed to take care of himself (not just his sister) since he won't be around to keep him safe. Plus, when Tew is encouraging his sister to choose 'the one' because they might not be there the next day, he told her that he doesn't want her to have the same regrets that he does after Dao died. I think that's pretty self-explanatory of what he felt for Dao, despite how he showed it. Ugh, soon I'm gonna cry if I keep writing about this lol. I was a mess during the death scene when they're trying to save him. I don't think I've ever cried that much before over a show or film or death scene damn it. My heart broke again during the funeral when Tew was talking to Dao and how he bought him the shoes he promised him.
Other than the story and visuals, the cinematography and camera work was also top notch. I thought I should add that.
Acting/Cast: They casted everyone perfectly and everyone played their roles amazingly. Sometimes, the acting from the supporting cast was a little off but for the most part, it was incredible.
Music: Do I even need to say anything here? The music and OST are amazingggg.
Rewatch Value: Honestly, this might shock you since I just talked about how much I cried, but I would rewatch this. It was super cute, entertaining, and I have soft spots for three specific characters; Chalan, Dao, and Tew.
Overall: I highly recommend this show for literally EVERYONE! It's the first drama I've watched with boy/girl couples where I don't hate them all or find them annoying. But, I'm gonna go rewatch ITSAY now for the PP/BK love ahh. It can be my medicine for what this show put me through.
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Decent (but could have been better)
Story: I actually like the storyline. I thought it was cute, deep, and realistic with how it ended. There were some good messages in this story and I liked that neither character forced themselves in either direction for the other person. Honestly, I was in full angst mode during those last few episodes. Yes, I cried a little and my heart definitely hurt for them. I genuinely liked the two main characters and Anna too.Acting/Cast: I hate to say it but the acting in this series was average overall. I would say the actors who were on the better end of the spectrum were Paolo (Karl), Ian (Vlad), and Yesh (Anna). Especially Paolo, he honestly did a fantastic job. Sadly, some of the other acting in this series really brings down the rating for me because it would disengage me from the scene. On a positive note, Paolo and Ian's chemistry was AMAZING and felt so natural. They had some of the best kisses or affectionate interactions I've ever seen in a BL. They're definitely up there with some of the best!
Music: This is the area that the show really succeeded in. I really loved all the music used!
Rewatch Value: Personally, I wouldn't rewatch this. I found it hard to get through the first couple episodes, if I'm being honest (mostly because of the cringe moments and awkward acting) but I soon came to really enjoy it once I was three episodes in. Despite that, I still wouldn't rewatch it. I don't like open endings. I don't mind if I only have to watch it once, but it means I won't rewatch it. Not unless another season is released.
Overall: I recommend you give this a go if you like pinoy BLs, have run out of BLs, or it interests you! It's not that long so if you didn't end up liking it, it wouldn't be wasting a lot of your time.
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Ohm (Frame) Was The Star
I don't know why but I feel the need to write a review for this mediocre BL, but here we go.If you want the spoiler free version, just read the following paragraph and then STOP because the rest will be spoilers:
The show is decent, I actually liked this season about as equally as the first. I say give it a go if you love FrameBook and maybe just skip the couples you're not interested in (that's what I did). I think it's worth watching for the TeeFuse and FrameBook storylines alone :)
OKAY ON TO THE SPOILERSSS
Let's start with the cons so we can get it over with:
- Half of the couples were boring or too cringe-worthy for me to sit through. Even though I like Plan as an actor, there was no way I was going to watch him flirt with his character's friend's mum who is played by the same actress who played his mum on Love By Chance. That's just TOO WEIRD OKAY. Plus his character (Wit) is supposed to be 16/17 in this season which makes the whole thing more gross. I know a lot of people like MoYok but as a couple with a storyline, it didn't grab my attention. Their whole storyline kind of felt like its only purpose for being there is for comedic value. and to fill episode runtime. There was also sort of a couple (attempted) storyline with Fuse's sister and that guy which didn't get much screen time or depth (plus, what happened to her dating Champ? lol.) Lastly - out of the minor couples at least - we had NineRodtang, which felt MEH. I was rooting for them in the first season when they had a nice development and growth starting, but they ruined it in this season. We barely saw them and it was kind of the same scene/conversation any time we did see them until their last couple scenes. Plus we never saw them confess any romantic feelings and decide to date. It was disappointing to say the least.
- The music was fine but I put it at a 6.5 because I don't really remember it having any sort of impact on me and I wouldn't even be able to tell you what the soundtrack sounded like. But hey, at least it wasn't so bad that it was memorable for the wrong reasons. I'm putting it on the con list though since it wasn't anything impressive or significant.
- The acting is a con here for quite a few of the actors in this but I'm not going to go on about this because they were all pretty young when filming this.
- This season was still kind of problematic in some ways (but not as bad as the first season since there is no romanticisation surrounding lack of consent.)
- THAT WHOLE DAMN TATTOO PLOTLINE BECAUSE LOL WHAT THAT WAS THE WORST WAY TO SLIP IN ADVERTISEMENT XD
- The plot overall wasn't the greatest, lacked development and depth in a lot of areas.
- This last one isn't a con for me but I'll talk about it here since a lot of people consider it one: how long it took for Fuse to get his shit together and break up with Jean (Gyne). Honestly, I wasn't that upset about this because I understand that Fuse wasn't in love with Jean anymore - he loved Tee. Hear me out. The only reason Fuse had stayed with Jean throughout season 1 was purely out of feelings of obligation. They had been dating for a long time and he had loved her and he probably felt like he wouldn't be able to actually be with Tee (with how LGBT+ relationships are viewed in Asia.) So it's not as simple as "oh I like Tee now so bye bye Jean". Fuse didn't want to hurt her but he also didn't want to hurt Tee and in his defense, Tee said he was really okay with it all and even encouraged him to stay with her and not break up with her just for him (in case they don't work out.) And in season 1, he often chose Tee over Jean anyway whenever he could get away with it and, yeah yeah cheating is bad blah blah, but Jean had been cheating on him first anyway. Plus he hung out with Tee and avoided Jean basically at all costs in season 1 too. Now back to this season, he had finally decided that it had been enough time and he was sure enough about how real his feelings were for Tee that he wanted to go ahead with breaking up with her. BUT then he found out that apparently she wasn't cheating that whole time and that it was just her brother (which we know it's not lol). SO NOW, he feels guilty for "wrongly misunderstanding" her and for cheating so he feels even more obligated to stay with her. He does the "right-ish" thing and ends his romance with Tee out of respect for all of their feelings. He doesn't want to string along Tee as a side piece and he doesn't want to 'unfairly' cheat on Jean. And then nothing happens between them again until he finds out the truth and breaks up with her. I think this is good. Sure, he could have done it earlier but at least this storyline wasn't used as a toxic device in his blooming relationship with Tee
(*cough* KornKnock *cough*). His feeling of obligation and hesitancy to break up with his gf for a guy he has confused feelings about is honestly more realistic than him being all "huh, I think I might possibly like my guy friend in a non-bro way so I'm just gonna dump my gf who I've been with for ages and love and have no real evidence of her cheating on me". And remember, Tee himself reassured him over and over that he was COMPLETELY OKAY with it all since they didn't even know what was going on with them. Buuuuut I'm still going to state that I don't condone cheating and dishonesty. However, they're just hormonal confused kids at high school and it could have been worse.
NOW FOR THE PROS:
- OHM'S ACTING IS THE SOLE REASON I GAVE THIS SHOW A 6.5/10 AND NOT A 4 OR 5. Seriously, Ohm is no joke. Which, in all honesty, he's the reason I finally started this show. I loved him in He's Coming To Me where he's the reason I gave it a 9.5/10 because WOW he's actually amazing. When I came to watch MIR, I wasn't expected the best performance from him since he was such a baby in this. Damn, was I proved wrong. His acting is by far the best throughout the cast. It feels natural and super engaging. I never once cringed or skipped his scenes. Any time he was sad or crying, I followed. And any time he smiled, it made me so happy. Plus, his character is *mwah* chef's kiss.
- That brings me to the next pro: FrameBook. They, for sure, held this season together. Their relationship and story was the most mature, complex, and well developed out of all the couples. It physically hurt me to watch Frame struggle with his emotions and pain while watching Book sink. Ugh, I could go on and on about Ohm's acting really, but I'll stop here (btw, I'm immensely looking forward to Bad Buddy where he's paired with Nanon ahh).
- TeeFuse is a pro for me this season, for sure. There storyline didn't frustrate me that much (ok except for when they lacked communication or idk, maybe that time when Fuse almost kissed Frame cause like oh hell nah. ) I actually think they time apart was good for them to realise how deep their feelings go. It filled my angst-depraved heart too which is always a plus. They ended up cute as heck, but they still can't compete with FrameBook.
- The ending was cuuuute. AHH.
- Book's storyline was pretty well done if you ignore the fact that we never found out how the video was leaked (since Tern claimed he didn't do it and he found out who did but never said.) And even though most people got angry at Book for pushing Frame away, I didn't because I get it. He was going through A LOT and that included the feelings of shame and disgust. Of course, he wouldn't want the person he loved most to see him that way. He didn't want to hurt him or have him be disappointed (since he obviously felt unworthy of love with his parents being idiots too) so he pushed him away, which inadvertently hurt him and he felt guilty for hurting him. So then he felt even more unworthy to see him. He just really wasn't in a good place, huh? Our poor dude. And btw, the reason he let Tern talk to him or touch his shoulder without shoving him away is because he DOESN'T love him or care about his feelings/existence. So it simply didn't matter to him. He loved Frame, so Frame's opinion mattered most to him.
AND THERE YA HAVE IT, FOLKS, THAT'S MY REVIEW.
So basically, go stan Ohm Pawat, he's amazing.
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Definitely Recommend
I have to address something that people are pointing out as a flaw; the age gap. I'm going to start by saying that I'm not typically a fan of age gap romances at all, but I feel like there was a purpose in Goblin for the ages and the writers did a great job with their relationship development. They didn't do anything illegal in terms of intimacy while she was 19 - they had one peck when she tried pulling out the sword. They didn't kiss again until she was 20 and they didn't go further than that until she was 29 (if we go off of implication). Yes, when she was 19, Kim Shin admitted that she was his first love, but why is that inappropriate when she would age and he wouldn't? You have to remember that he's essentially stuck at the same physical age and his loved ones all age around him. And if she's fated to be his true love, he will love her at any age. From young to old. In addition to that, the love he feels for her isn't just about romance. Plus, the reason she was 9, 19, and 29 is because of the whole '9' thing in the show, so she couldn't be slightly older or younger than 19 at the age they met. I think I would have had problem with the age gap if they kissed properly (or went further) while she was still a minor, but they didn't because this series is about their fated true love and how they'll always meet. It's a beautiful story of their sad love and life. Age isn't really in the equation.Story: I loved the entire story. It kept my attention so that I was never bored - despite the episodes being long. The writing was amazing most of the time. I laughed, smiled, squealed, cried, and even got scared by that asshole evil soul who shall not be named. Plus, I loved the fantasy and supernatural theme of the show. It had all the right ingredients to make me fall in love with the drama: romance, fantasy, supernatural, comedy, angst, found family and bromance. The development between Wang Yeo and Kim Shin honestly brought me to tears. Ugh. Anyway, the last four episodes kind of brought down the rating for me a little because everyone was taking turns dying or leaving. But, it does make sense for the show. All the characters were great too, there wasn't a single one I hated.
Acting/Cast: Incredible acting from the entire cast. Although I love Gong Yoo and he played his role perfectly, I feel like he would have been better suited for the role 5 years beforehand.
Music: Perfect.
Rewatch value: If I have time, I might rewatch this.
Overall: I highly recommend watching this if you haven't yet. It really is such a good drama.
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Needs to be longer (but it's great still)
Okay, so my review will be relatively short because I pretty much agree with the masses: unique story concept, well presented relationship development, cute, aesthetically pleasing, but needs to be longer to explore all the storylines and characters more.Story: I only gave this a 7 because like I said, the length of this series really hinders it. The concept is amazing, the writing is amazing, and so is the cinematography. But the lack of storyline explorations frustrates me because there's so much potential there. This really should have been a full length drama . BUT, for a mini series, this is still amazing, unique, and very interesting. Despite the short runtime overall, the story is decently placed (except for the last couple eps which felt rushed) and the way their friendship/relationship grows is natural and well done. I loved the twist at the end with Yoo Han's confession about faces because it put them on an equal playing field; they both need each other. And I especially love that the story never took the 'psychotic' route and let obsession take over. When it comes down to it, Yeon Woo wasn't unhealthily obsessed - he was just scared of becoming that way since it was drilled into his mind that that's how it ends for monos and probes. If he really was in that condition, he never would have attempted what he did. He was showing that he desperately wanted Yoo Han to be safe and never be in danger.
Acting/Cast: Amazing and great chemistry.
Music: Also amazing.
Rewatch value: High because it's hella cute and would be quick to watch.
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