Tanlixia
Deserving of its place in the top 10
I don’t agree with all of the highest rating placements on Mydramalist. But Flower of Evil was an outstanding watch and undoubtedly deserves to be at the top. I had heard positive things about it two years ago but only started to watch it over this recent holiday break. I might’ve been weary of the idea of some evil double life. But after hearing a fellow drama lover say she thought it was basically perfect, I decided to see for myself. I was not disappointed and I finished the show within two days. It kept me intrigued the whole way through.And while I feel like there are a LOT of dramas that start off strong and I immensely enjoy for 95% of the time only to ultimately have some unsettling ending I need to process, I’m glad to say Flower of Evil does not have this fatal flaw.
If you haven’t seen Flower of Evil yet, I dare say you are missing out on one of the best Korean dramas to have graced the silver screen.
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Even after reading spoilers, I watched this through and loved it.
Let me preface this by saying I was really impatient and wanted to know what would happen so I went ahead and read the second half of the show’s episode summaries on someone’s blog. I still watched all of the episodes after spoiling the story and looked forward to doing so. And even though I knew what was coming, I still felt all the emotions and am glad I watched it through.Reading someone else’s summary may have colored my opinion a little bit as I can see why some may think there are moments the show drags but to me it wasn’t so bad. That’s really the only reason I give it a 9.5/10.
58 episodes sounds daunting and ridiculous but I legitimately blew through the series within a week. And I loved it - it was an adventure. Music was beautiful. The show was beautiful even with its bad CGI. I recommend this if you are looking to disappear into a fantasy world where time operates differently and watch a love story blossom.
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It's Okay to Not Be Okay
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Definition of a Toxic Relationship
I felt compelled to write a review because it is a travesty that this drama is so highly rated. I have a lot of hate for this drama which I watched weekly as it was released. The only thing good I can remember about this drama is the cinematography and set design.The first couple of episodes caught my attention but as each week went by I found myself less impressed. To me, the main couple was not root worthy. There was one exchange outside the hospital where I thought to myself, “this is toxic.” In general I don’t like labeling things or people as toxic but their relationship was so glaringly toxic I can’t help it.
I was not satisfied with the lack of explanation surrounding Moonyoung’s mother’s “resurrection.” A hyper fan tried to explain it like how it is in fairy tales - they don’t explain where or why the villain does something. No no no. What a nice way to explain lazy storytelling.
I will give credit to the show for concocting a creepy antagonist and some disturbing imagery and plot points. In some ways it is haunting, but I don’t think it was in a good way. And I didn’t root for the “good” guys.
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Sifeng is a Simp
"Sifeng is suffering - do you wish to continue? Press yes or no." These are the words I had in mind every time I was deciding whether or not to hit the next episode button.Before watching this show, I was warned that there would be a lot of blood spitting and misunderstandings. I didn't actually realize there would be THAT MUCH blood spitting. People were not kidding.
When I was 20+ episodes in, I realized I had basically been watching the ML suffer continuously. I mean CONSTANT suffering. Who thought this was a good idea? It was at that point I wondered if it really was worth it to continue with the next 30 episodes. I started to empathize and personally felt pained myself while watching him.
So let me tell you - I continued and went all the way to the end. I don't think everyone can, but I realized I may very well be a xianxia junkie. I think I enjoyed the ride; I mean I blew through 59 episodes within 3-4 days.
I think at some point the show had a meta joke about Sifeng's suffering. It was so excessive that they must've just added more for the hell of it. This guy is the definition of a simp and it was hard to watch, but I had to keep watching to see when this clueless FL would turn around. There were times when I wanted to yell at him through the screen, "Don't just stand there with that pained look, defend yourself!!!!"
Phew. I think out of a lot of xianxias, this one actually had a pretty decent and satisfying ending. While the journey may not be for everyone, I am glad I went for the ride and now can understand all the Cheng Yi spitting blood images I see.
Sifeng is a simp. An iconic one.
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Crash Course in Poor Parenting
I believe my headline is a more accurate title for the contents of this show which Netflix seemed to have marketed as a romantic comedy. I really looked forward each week to watching new episodes and watched as it came out. Overall, this series is solid and enjoyable but with a few things I didn't like.While the story of romance is indeed there, you will find early on that the show actually has a darker side plot. Some felt this darker side plot wasn't necessary, and to some degree, I agree. That being said, I did find the side plot interesting as it progressed further and at one point felt I was watching a full-on thriller, no comedy to be found. I was not quite satisfied with how it concluded. I was really hoping the writers were going to go in a different direction with the character involved and to me this is the one of the biggest strikes on the series. It is a complete tragedy that ends up virtually forgotten in the end.
The show also introduces a secondary romance which I felt wasn't necessary late in the game. It definitely felt tacked on.
Going back to my headline, you will find at least five examples of HORRIBLE parenting. Ultimately, I think that is really the main takeaway of this show, especially once you see a key conversation of realization between two of the teens. Some of these horrible parents will be triggering and may be upsetting to watch. One of these horrible parents is really the root cause for the darker side plot as well.
I enjoyed watching the romance bloom between the leads and enjoyed their chemistry. When the comedy was there, it was great. I don't think is a must watch in terms of all the dramas out there, but if you enjoy seeing a fresh romance between a more middle-aged couple and can also stomach some annoying school-obsessed moms and murder mixed in, then by all means give this a try.
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Fluffy, not so serious, easy and short watch
I binged this show within 24 hours and found myself laughing out loud at some parts. I had just been binging a lot of heavier crime dramas, so this was a nice palette cleanser.If you think about this show critically or in depth, then yes, you will see some flaws and possibly be annoyed. If you don't take the show seriously and just watch it with no expectations, it's an enjoyable and quick watch.
I did find myself almost dozing off in one of the later episodes and I'm not a super fan of the secondary romance, but those are my main complaints.
This is a nice show to sit back to, eat popcorn, and check your brain out.
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Annoying at times but redeems itself
I chose Reset to be the last of 2022 and first of 2023 - so rang in the New Year with Bai Jing Ting. I saw it was highly rated and was a short watch. I am giving it a 7.5 - a decent, interesting and original drama but with a few complaints.This first arc of the show cultivates anti-police sentiment. It was frustrating to see the powerless protagonists go through the same cycles of questioning. I was not sure how much more I wanted to see them being badgered or accused of lying or how many manhunts I'd have to watch or how many sneers I'd have to see from the detective.
When the culprit for the explosions is finally revealed, I thought to myself, "Please don't tell me they are going to try to redeem or cast this person in a positive light."
But once the culprit's backstory was ultimately played out, I cried. Heartbreaking. I didn't expect their story to affect me so much, but it explained the descent into madness and I felt for them. The performance is what salvaged the drama for me to rate Reset at 7.5 instead of lower because when I was watching the first half, I was already writing a scathing review in my head.
I will say that I felt the romance addition was completely unnecessary. I was rolling my eyes. The story would've been fine being a pure thriller mystery.
Also... there ends up being no clear explanation for any of the time jumping or looping or why Bai Jing Ting's character's health suffers when the girl's doesn't. Things just happen and you accept it.
I think this can be good entertainment if you can survive what annoyed me. Shout out to Cat Boy - he was a highlight as well.
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A Cute Watch
I wanted something to watch that was light and not emotionally heavy and this hit the spot.I really enjoyed watching this and had some moments of laughing out loud. (I laugh whenever I see a jealous second lead)
This show is not like the super best amazing omg kind of drama but it’s cute and had me binging. There are definitely a few tropes and there was one scene which was a bit meta and made me laugh when the male lead expressed the male lead, second lead, and female lead set up. Oh yes, there is an annoying mom as well but she eventually mellows out.
Early on, I didn’t really understand why I was subjected to the animation of the characters fighting - only later in the series did I start to see it had some value. I am not familiar with the game they played (it is real!).
If you are up for some fluff, this works!
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An Epic Escape from Reality
As I eagerly clicked "next episode" at 4 am while binging this show all within a week, I was a bit sad knowing that this show would come to an end. I enjoyed the ride wholeheartedly. The first night I watched the first few episodes, I ended up youtubing and spoiled myself fully but I think it prepared me for the trouble lying ahead.I read reviews beforehand to see if it was worth sinking my time into 63 episodes when I feel like I shouldn't have all that time devoted to watching dramas in a week. And for me, it was worth it. Just a bit of a backstory on my viewership so you know where this review is coming from - this is only my third xianxia drama I've watched besides The Untamed and Eternal Love, so I don't have a lot to compare it to.
The music is epic. I had seen people on reddit commenting about the great Ashes of Love soundtrack so that actually piqued my curiosity. Indeed, I agree. Just looked up Sa Dingding and didn't know she was Yuanji - her voice is amazing. Upwards to the Moon is hypnotizing.
I saw some reviews from Runyu fans. He had some excellent scenes. I would not feel sorry for him because Luo Yunxi definitely got to run through all these emotions and probably had the character with the most depth. And please note, I am the one who laughs when I see the jealous unloved character on screen. So watching Runyu grip his fist at seeing Jimi and Xufeng together was a LOL for me. Runyu is f'n hilarious. Did my heart break for him even with his sad past? No, not really. That being said, I liked him and I rooted for him to get his revenge.
I had never seen Deng Lun before in my life so I was pleased with him. Xufeng is what I would describe as a primal, loyal, simple-minded and hotblooded male. I saw reviews complaining about Jinmi/Yang Zi. I have seen a few episodes of the Oath of Love where I thought Yang Zi's character was annoying so I braced myself for this. But I think she was amazing as Jinmi and Jinmi's character grew. She went from a happy-go-lucky grape to an icy petal princess clutching a dagger. Did my heart break for Jinmi? Yes, I actually felt her pain.
I also saw comments about how good the production was and I also agree. Beautiful set/visual design. I enjoyed how the show went all out for the weddings.
So, if you are looking for a roller coaster love story of a Phoenix and a Frost Flower with a Dragon raging in the background, I recommend watching. Also by the way, you have to have some degree of tolerance for all of the WUHUI you will witness.
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Moments of greatness in between a lot of filler
The premise of Hotel del Luna is interesting and original - but the show could've definitely trimmed the fat.I found myself binging the series mainly because I wanted to understand what the hell happened to Manwol in her past life. Her past life was 1000 times more interesting than the present day scenes. In the back of my head, I'd be wondering when they would get back to the interesting part of the story - the scenes with Chung Myung.
And damn, was that story tragic. I am rarely a victim of the so-called second lead syndrome that I see people ranting about, but I honestly liked the broken, twisted, and destined-to-never-be pairing better than the main. Firefly guy had the saddest fate and didn't even get a hug goodbye.
Present day episodes sometimes played like an American procedural drama with some new ghost you didn't really care about. These separate ghost cases felt like filler and the story would have moved along faster and better with less. And yes, while Manwol's fashion was great, her whining and tantrums were not always cute and would have me rolling my eyes, like really? So in all, the series kept me engaged enough to see it through the end but it dragged more than it needed to.
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LIGHT HEARTED and Funny Goodness - A Favorite!!
Business Proposal truly is a gem. It THRIVES on Kdrama tropes and cliches. I laughed out loud watching this show. I looked forward to watching the next episodes during the whole week - it was a highlight of my week.I literally watched every episode twice and I only re watch something if I really like it.
The cast was fantastic. Even some of the product placements were pretty good, I must say.
My only complaint is the show was too short. I was definitely left wanting more! I highly recommend watching this if you are looking for something light and in the mood to laugh.
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Made me laugh out loud BUT I AGREE with the criticism
Are you familiar with that meme where there’s one member of a group project that does nothing at all but still gets an “A” because everyone else did the work?That is how I feel about Mr. Queen’s ending.
First off, this drama had excellent comedy. I found myself actually laughing. The female lead was spectacular. I really enjoyed the journey through the first 18-19 episodes.
And then, oh. This is one of the dramas where it’s “BUT THE ENDING.”
I legitimately spent a couple of hours late at night processing this ending when I watched it about two weeks ago. I felt so strongly about it, so I came back to write this review. I read some ranting reviews and I agree with the criticisms though I wouldn’t go as far as giving the show a 1 because of the finale - though that really gets the point across. (If I do my rating system like a class grade, the final can feasibly only account for a percentage of the overall score. Gotta give some credit for the bulk of the semester…).
My issue is we spent the whole show with Bong Hwan. The king fell in love with Bong Hwan, not that suicidal queen that he didn’t love. At the end, the Queen comes back just like that meme. She didn’t do anything except fail to kill herself and she comes back to a pregnancy and a loving husband. Seriously??? I couldn’t buy that shit. The ending is not satisfactory for the character we watched and loved - Bong Hwan. Le sigh. Oh yeah, and damn, the second male lead was the ONLY character to actually accept that Bong Hwan and the Queen were different people, but you know what… he gets a good dose of tragedy for saving the Queen he loved. Good grief. Oraebani deserved better.
So to sum it up, I am a fan of Mr. Queen but not the Queen herself.
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