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Lost in Dramaland
Love at First Fart - I can't believe I am rating a Slapstick Comedy a 9.0
Never in a million years would I have thought that I would one day rate a slapstick comedy a 9.0 rating. I am someone who doesn’t like over-the-top comedies and usually avoid slapsticks. This drama is still not for everyone, however, the stars are aligned for me to enjoy it.The Aligned Stars ★★★
1. I am in NEED and in the MOOD for a comedy. Just something fun and light-hearted.
2. I set my expectations. I know coming into this that this is slapstick with ridiculous bathroom and second-hand embarrassment humor. I wasn’t prepared when I watched “Euchalala Waikiki” and ended up dropping it.
3. Surprisingly, there’s a stronger focus on romance than I anticipated. I thought this was the slapstick version of “Good Manager” with zero to slight romance. I was pleasantly surprised.
Given these three factors, I had an AMAZING time binge-watching “Gaus Electronics”. I bet all the actors must have such a great time shooting this drama. I wonder how they could keep a straight face and not laugh every single minute of shooting this.
I do want to acknowledge the fact that a lot of the fun was built upon our male lead’s incompetence, clumsiness and misery. If you don’t like bullying in any form (funny or serious), stay away from this drama. These factors might turn a lot of people off. But I switched my brain off and went for the ride.
This is just a very funny drama. The comedy starts from the first episode all the way to the last. The pacing is great and there are so many things going on to keep me engaged throughout. We have enemies-to-lovers romance, unrequited love, rich chaebol trying not to mooch off of his family’s fortune, company politics/stress, and different kinds of relationships. I was pleasantly surprised how moved I was in the last couple episodes regarding the main romance. Acting is flawless and everyone is so well-casted. I really don’t have any major criticism of this drama.
If you are like me and in the same circumstances with the stars aligned, I strongly recommend this drama to you. But if you don’t like over-the-top acting, second-hand embarrassment, and making fun of workplace bullying, then it’s best to stay far, far away.
Other Random Observations:
1. How many managers do you really need for a small marketing team?
2. The references of other K-dramas was fun. It was also fun guessing the famous lines.
3. Yes, that gelled up hair still bothers me to the end.
Completed: 10/8/2023 - Review #365
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Adorable Kid and Family but not perfect
“The Love You Give Me” is an easy-to-watch light drama about family, second-chance romance (and other romances) with a small business plot. Wang Yu Wen and Wang Zi Qi teamed up together again after the success of “Once We Get Married” in 2021. It’s evident that they have a great working relationship and feel very at ease with each other. Their chemistry is good.What I Like:
Quan Quan - Adorable child actor, Cui Yin Xin, is the star of the show. Playing the role of Quan Quan (QQ), he is integral in reuniting his parents together. He is sooooo cute and smart. You never get bored of his scenes and at times, he acts more mature than his parents. I believe this little guy dubbed his own lines post-production (unless DramaWiki is wrong). I can’t believe he is one of the very few actors who uses his own voice, not even his parents did that! Quan Quan's adorableness rivals that of Xiao Bao in “Unforgettable Love”.
The Family - All the scenes of the family together are gold. QQ is such a sweet and caring boy and I love the interaction he has both individually with each of his parents, and also together as a family. I think the scene of QQ with Xin Qi (ML) together with their hair tied with little rubber bands is the cutest scene ever! What a lovely way to bond and introduce us to many more cute scenes of this father/son duo.
Main Chemistry - I enjoy the bickering of Min Hui (FL) and Xin Qi (ML) quite a bit in the first half of the drama. The chemistry between them is great. There’s quite a bit of natural skinship towards the end of the drama. Many kisses, hugs and hand/arm holding. The kisses are OK and for some reason, I thought they would be better. The drama actually gives us a lot of kisses in the last few episodes, and makes me feel like they are fanservice. I also enjoy the storytelling of their romance 5 years ago, via epilogues at the end of each episode. It’s a good way to use flashbacks yet not disrupting the flow of the present-day timeline.
Main leads acting - I enjoy Wang Yu Wen and Wang Zi Qi’s performance. I think working together for the second time and being familiar with each other helps. Though their characters are the usual rom-com role, they performed to my expectations. I am actually surprised they did a pretty good job with the emotional scenes, especially for Wang Zi Qi in the last episode.
What I have Mixed Feelings and Don’t Like:
2nd Romance - I initially found the Cao Mu/Chen Jia Jun romance kinda cute. I appreciate that the drama does not go into the whole older woman/younger man discussion and criticisms. However, there’s not a whole lot of substance to their story. In the beginning, it was adorable how they both tried to find ways to see each other more. Both were shy but wanted more. But once they got together, Chen Jia Jun became an accessory. He doesn’t do anything aside from following Cao Mu around. I got bored watching them. Moreover, how come Cao Mu changes her thoughts of wedding all of a sudden in the last episode?
3nd Romance - This one is even more head-scratching. I can’t see how Zhou Ru Ji, a highly respected cardiac surgeon would fall for a spoiled princess. How can his taste change so much from liking a mature, independent single mother for 4 years, to a clingy and stalkerish little girl? Zhou Ru Ji and Yao Zi Zhu’s scenes are cringey and definitely not cute and fluffy. I would have a little more respect for Zhou Ru Ji if she was portrayed as a serious ballerina and the drama develops her character more than a lovesick, stalkerish puppy.
Plot/Pacing - The pacing of the first half is really good. In a blink of an eye, I was halfway done. But then, it slows down with unnecessary side plots of the rehashing of the accident 4 years ago and the leads’ misunderstanding. The drama spent too much time in Xin Qi pursuing Min Hui again and trying to prove his love for her in a childish way. And then, the transition of Min Hui accepting Xin Qi again is abrupt after she puts up a big fight. Furthermore, the last few episodes are business heavy and I miss the scenes of the adorable QQ. I also miss the CEO character of Xin Qi in the second half. He showed up in the end, but for most of the second half, I don’t see the cool, somewhat mean and powerful CEO. As much as I enjoy his sweet scenes with his son, I hate to see a cool guy turn into a fluffy mess after he’s in love.
Dubbing - I am quite disappointed that for a 2023 modern C-drama, most of the actors are dubbed. *sigh*
Overall, I had a good time watching “The Love You Give Me”. I was craving for a romantic comedy and this satisfies my need + Quan Quan is too cute. Thus, I am giving this an 8.0 rating.
Completed: 10/2/2023 - Review #361
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Many likeable elements, but a very slow-paced drama for me.
I might be in the minority that I am not in love with this drama. I like it fine, but not as much as others.I like many of the elements that others do - the cute kid, the close bond between Minioru and little Tane, the three-way bond between Yutaka, Minoru and Tane, and of course the sweet romance. The three of them are adorable together and their scenes bring me joy and put a smile on my face.
However, I think this might be more successful if it’s a movie and not a drama. Even though the episodes are really short (about 20 mins each), I feel the pacing is too slow. Not much really happens in the drama, and issues are not really explored in depth. The episodes are already short and the drama still spends a minute or two on flashbacks/recaps.
The exploration of loneliness, loss, responsibility, family and being together and enjoying food - are all great messages. I just wish they were executed better. If you enjoy many extended quiet moments, at a slower-paced drama, this will be very enjoyable.
Completed: 6/8/2023 - Review #316
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Amazing Friendship, Exciting Badminton scenes but dragged down by Outsiders' side plot
“Racket Boys” is one of those dramas that is universally praised as amazing. To have an 8.8 MDL rating is no small feat. It has been on my PTW for a long time but I just couldn’t find the right mood to start watching it. Even now, it took me two tries to get into it. I blame this on a slow first episode and not a very fun start. But nonetheless, this is a great drama but with some areas I am not a fan of. Let’s start with what I don’t like first.What I Have Mixed Feelings and Don’t Like:
1. Slow Start - As mentioned, it took me 2 tries to get into it. The introduction of Papa/Coach Yoon is not really that exciting. He does not seem like someone I want to root for but of course, I expect some type of character development later on. Nonetheless, the first 15-20 mins did not suck me in, but I persisted and binge-watched the rest with no problem.
2. Villagers/Adult Storylines - This ‘negative” is the main reason I am not rating “Racket Boys” 9.0+. I like the story of all the villagers interacting, caring and loving our young badminton players. But I fast forwarded all the scenes regarding the City hikers and the redevelopment. I don’t care for them, and they have nothing to do with my beloved players. In fact, those scenes happen during exciting badminton matches and cutting back-and-forth between villagers and matches annoy me big time. The drama could have given me more screen time for the players and for me to get to know their backgrounds/families more. I do like some of the villagers' storylines, especially with Grandma and her playroom and the mural.
3. The White Wolf - I don’t dislike the White Wolf storyline but am not sure how I feel about him being away from the boys in the latter episodes to wrap up the story of the other player. I knew we would eventually see this player on the screen since his name was mentioned so frequently throughout the drama. I just feel if we take away that side plot, it would not have made a difference.
What I Like:
1. Racket Boys - I love all the boys! They are the stars of the show and the reason why everyone loves the drama. They each have distinct personalities and complement each other so well. I love that the drama focuses on their friendships and how they support each other through disappointments, rivalries and successes. There’s no jealousy or childish arguments. They are a joy to watch! I enjoy the rivalries between teams and that nothing really malicious happens.
2. Yoon Hae Kang - Hae Kang is an interesting male lead and I enjoy watching his development. He appears cocky and arrogant, but deep down he is the sweetest kid with a kind and gentle soul. That becomes evident right from the start of his introduction to viewers. He works hard for the scholarship and never brings up how poor his family is. He is always so sweet to his younger sister and immediately shows his kindness when he first moves to the village and meets Grandma Ki. It’s lovely following his journey of being a lone wolf to be the best of friends with other players is heartwarming. Personally, I would like to see him pitch a few innings to show me what an amazing ace he was, but we never got the chance.
3. Badminton Play - If you are a fan of badminton, this is an excellent drama. There are so many badminton scenes and matches, and all look so good and realistic. In the first episode, I thought the badminton play was a little subpar compared to “Love all Play'' and “Nothing But You”. But these are middle schoolers and college or pro players. But after the initial episodes, the badminton play improves a lot. It shows the hard work all actors put into their training. I love all the badminton scenes. However, I can also see some viewers might find these scenes a little excessive.
4. Other Characters - Aside from the Racket Boys, I also enjoy watching the coaches' stories. I knew Coach Yoon had to improve after the first episode, and I am glad to be right. He has changed as a coach and it’s nice to see the hard work he put into coaching the kids. It's nice to see the opposite of Papa Yoon, his wife, Coach Ra. Their styles are so different, and their journey of growth as a coach is different. The two female players might have a smaller role, but they are in no way inferior to the boys. In fact, the drama shows us the top female player of the country in Han Se Yoon. Even the villagers are sweet and caring. Oftentimes we see villagers or country folks as boisterous and irritating and I am glad that none of them are annoying to me.
5. Guest Stars - Since the writer of “Racket Boys” is the same writer for “Prison Playbook”, it’s probably not that hard to invite PP actors to guest star in this drama. It’s lovely to see so many of them just showing up for a scene/episode here and there. Hey, if Lee Kyu Hyung is reprising his role in PP, I am very happy that he’s moving to the countryside 😉
Overall, this is an excellent drama about these young badminton players. It’s a story about friendship and growth first and foremost. I strongly recommend this if you are a sports or badminton fan, or a lover of such teen dramas.
Completed: 6/3/2023 - Review #314
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Fun Father-Daughter Duo - heartwarming, touching and with an adorkable sweet romance
One should really never underestimate the power of Jdoramas and how they can move you and make you ugly cry. Who knew I would cry almost every episode watching this dynamic father-daughter duo? I am not even a super fan of slice-of-life dramas!There are many other dramas out there that showcase the challenges of those living with a disability. “Shizuka-chan to Papa” is no different and we saw the challenges Papa faces and how he overcomes them. But what makes this drama special is the tight bond between Papa and Shinzuka (FL). They live a happy, fun and boisterous life. Their laughter and silliness are infectious and bring so much joy to everyone in the small town. They are loved and accepted. Despite some challenges, the town is a pretty safe bubble for them both. Upon reading the synopsis of this drama, I would never imagine loving their relationship so much.
This drama also brings to attention the unique challenges that a child of deaf adults (CODA) faces. The portrayal of the discrimination and gossip that Shinzuka faces is quite eye-opening. Shinzuka chooses to take care of her papa because that’s when she feels most useful. She’s not ‘sacrificing’ herself, but in a way, chooses a safer and more protected way to live. I really like this unique part of Shinzuka’s journey of self-discovery and self-love.
Of course, I can’t write a review without describing the sweet, adorable and awkward romance between Shinzuka and Keiichi. Two individuals who are criticized for not being able to “read the air” meet and fall in love. I love how honest and straightforward they are with each other. Not only are they each other’s biggest supporter, but also a great teacher as well. Through their meaningful conversations, they learn more about themselves and each is patient to teach the other to view life from a different perspective. Ok, the romance-lover in me might have wanted just a few more sweet and romantic moments.
There are many heartwarming and funny scenes, e.g. 1) a very enthusiastic and adorable young Shinzuka singing animatedly during the choir performance to show her love for Papa, 2) teaching Papa how to ride a bike, 3) A flirty Papa crushing on the nice and gentle teacher, 4) Keiichi unique way of going down the slide. 5) Keiichi dirtying his shirt intentionally, and 6) last example, the special bicycle Papa receives as a result of Shinzuka’s conversation with Keiichi (food for thought below)
Food for Thought:
Keiichi is right. We often say that we have to go over a wall (aka conquer obstacles). But realistically, who really climbs over a wall aside from thieves and ninjas. When our road is blocked by a wall, don’t we all step back and find another way AROUND the wall and not over it? A wall is for protection, protecting things and people you love. Therefore, it should not be easy for you to go over.
I strongly recommend this short slice-of-life drama. It’s sweet, cute, heartwarming and very touching. I am so glad I look past the cover poster and give this drama a shot.
Completed: 5/30/2023 - Review #313
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An overall decent mystery drama, but this is not a BL
“A League of Nobleman” garnered a lot of attention when it was first aired because it’s one of the few censored adaptations being broadcasted when many are still stuck in limbo. However, if you are watching this because you thought this is a BL or have hints of a BL, then you might be disappointed. In the last 5 minutes of this whole drama, the writer force-feeds you the information that Lan Jue (played by Jing bo Ran) is not gay. That information came out of nowhere and the sole purpose is to get this drama through the censorship board.Even if this is not a BL, I was still expecting good chemistry between Lan Jue and Zhang Ping (played by Song Wei Long). Unfortunately, I was disappointed. I was looking for bromance and brotherhood but I find their scenes together lack chemistry. I think Lan Jue has more chemistry with his buddy Wan Yan (played by Hong Yao) and old friend Gu Qing Zhang, where Lan Jue has more of a BL vibe than with Zhang Ping. Is this the writer’s fault? Editing/Censorship? Director or the actors? I am not sure.
There was a lot of initial buzz on the feeds when this was first aired, and mostly praising Jing Bo Ran’s beautiful long hair. (And I agree, it’s a sexy look on him especially with his all white flowy attire) Then, the buzz stops. I wonder if it’s because many drop this drama within the first few episodes. I find the pacing quite slow and with the lack of leads chemistry, I had to really power through those early episodes. But once I saw how the initial crime investigations are tied to the main plot, I became more invested. I was glad I didn’t drop this drama. It also did not help that I was so tired and fell asleep watching this. But it’s more of my fault and not the drama’s. As I rewatched the episode and scenes I missed, the story is interesting but I do need to pay attention.
The acting is decent. Jing Bo Ran is great as Lan Jue but I feel that he could do better. I enjoyed his earlier scenes when you saw glimpses of his character’s lighter side and also the episode when he was delusional and heartbroken. I haven’t seen Song Wei Long in a long time and his acting is fine, not good and not bad. He looks like he lost a lot of weight. But I think the ultimate scene stealer is Wang Duo as Gu Qing Zhang. His character doesn’t show up until the latter half of the drama but I was mesmerized by him. I looked him up and realized he’s the 2ML in “Bloody Romance” and he was awesome in that drama. His role in “A League of Gentleman” carries a very similar vibe.
Overall, this is an OK drama. If you can get past the slower episodes in the beginning, you will enjoy how the different side plots all tied together and contribute to the big secret in the end.
Other Random Observations:
1. These episodes are quite short - about 30-35 minutes each.
2. The white cat with big eyes really reminds me of Song Wei Long.
3. I didn’t know shooting salt and gunpowder into the sky can make rain?
4. I think you can still breathe in the polluted/pollen air if you wear a mask or cover your nose.
5. For some reason, I mixed up all the ministers in the palace scenes. As a veteran C-drama watcher, I usually don’t have this problem.
6. How did Gu Qing Zhang just magically start living in Lan Jue’s house?
Completed: 5/27/2023 - Review #311
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Funny, Heartwarming, Good Acting and Chemistry between the team!
If you are looking for a mostly light-hearted, heartwarming and funny episodic drama, “Return Man” is the drama for you. Led by Alek Teeradetch (“Rivalry”) and Pat/ Chansangavej (“P.S. I Hate You”), Return Man is an item retrieval company. They retrieve items big and small: a handkerchief to a 5-million-dollar painting.Almost all items returned have a sentimental value and the goal is to teach those that took the items to recognize the significance of them, and return them to their rightful owners willingly (if possible). The stories are heartwarming, but not heart-wrenching. This is a very easy watch with a lot of humor. There are many comedic moments throughout the drama, and it’s not overdone or over-the-top. If you are looking for something deeper or more serious (e.g. K-drama “Tomorrow”), this is not the drama for you. Most of the stories are resolved within the episode and don’t seem too challenging for the Return Man team to accomplish the mission. The cases are quite simple and not really too mysterious. However, when it comes to the last 2 episodes, the tone of the case switched to a much more serious tone. In a way, this case feels very out-of-place and the reason behind the motivation for all that happened is rather far-fetched and forced.
I watched this because of Alek and he did not disappoint. I love his character and the female lead as well. They are normal people, not perfect, but those that make mistakes. They could be your next door neighborhood. There are many light and funny moments, but also deep and serious conversations that the two share. Their relationship is somewhat slow burn, but is built on understanding and admiration. I haven’t watched too many Thai dramas, but Pribprao (FL) might be one of my favorites Thai female leads. She’s so personable, likable, silly, clumsy, and funny. There are a couple frustrating moments and questionable decisions, but I gave it a pass due to her issues that need to be resolved and her being new to the team. I love the confession scene in the park. It started so serious yet turn into another heartwarming and funny moment. However, I don’t think there are enough hints dropped in the first ⅔ of the drama to show me that ML is already madly in love.
The Return Man team is such a small, happy family. Each character adds a little something to the team. Their introductions in the first episode are only skin deep. The more you watch the drama, the more their true personalities show. But because the show focuses mainly on the stories of the clients, the drama did not devote a lot of time on each of the character’s background stories. I wish the drama was a little longer (maybe 1 hour instead of 45 minutes) or even more than 12 episodes, so that we can get to know each character more. Well, but it seems like there will be a second season, and I look forward to getting to know the team more. I am a little worried about the last look from Doc.
Other Random Observations:
1. The music and transition give me an 80s cop drama feel.
2. 2ML was presented as such a good option! Hard to choose between the two men.
3. Love the lightbulb changing cardboard invention and the reasoning behind it.
4. There are some flashbacks that happen quite abruptly.
5. What’s up with the shaky camera work in ep. 11.
6. This is one of the very few Thai dramas I don’t recall any product placement. Did I just automatically ignore them? Or were they not very in-my-face?
Overall, I had a really enjoyable time watching “Return Man”. It’s perfect if you want something rather lighthearted, funny, not over dramatic and with good acting and chemistry between the cast.
Completed: 5/14/2023 - Review #305
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Deze recentie kan spoilers bevatten
Interesting Storytelling, Excellent Leads Chemistry & Great Acting all-around
Spoilers only at the end of the review about Ep 38 - also my biggest criticismReview #300
I don’t remember how I came across this drama and it’s probably because I was browsing through Kenny Lin Geng Xin’s profile page. “To Love” (what a boring, generic English title) seems to be an underrated crime romance drama with 23 reviews and 3234 watchers at the time of this review. I am not a serious and very critical crime drama watcher, so I went in without much expectations. Overall, I really like it and enjoy a few unexpected plot twists.
Romance - I was quite surprised (not complaining) with a strong romance focus in the first few episodes, especially for a crime investigation drama. The romance is needed to set the stage for the rest of the episodes and it’s needed for the plot. Kenny Lin and Cass Gai have really good chemistry. Their relationship is fun yet mature. For the most part, they are honest and communicative (as much as they can given Kenny Li’s character is an undercover cop). They have a trusting relationship and both have a big and forgiving heart. Both characters are smart and perceptive, and you don’t have to worry about misunderstanding or miscommunication. It is very satisfying to follow their romantic journey and all they have to go through.
Main Leads Acting - This is my second drama of Kenny Lin after “Master of My Own” (I refused to watch “Princess Agents” since there’s no sight of a season 2). I found Kenny Lin much more likable and charismatic in “To Love”. There’s more in the script for him to work with. Kenny was able to portray the playboy and fun side of Yan Jin, and also show the more emotional and serious sides when needed. I’ve never seen Cass Gai in anything before and my first impression was that she has a very deep and sexy voice. This is such a refreshing change from all the cute/high-pitched voices I hear in C-drama, no matter how old the female lead is. Cass Gai matches the acting and energy of Kenny Lin, and together they have great chemistry, even when they don’t have too many scenes together in the second half of the drama.
Supporting Cast - “To Love” has a strong supporting cast of actors old and young. There is no weak link and I’ve enjoyed all of them. Each character is nicely written and acted. I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters, whether they are villains, brothers, sisters, colleagues, or family members. I just finished “Nothing but You” and Li Qing, who played Zhang Yu (genius violinist) is also in. I enjoyed watching Li Qing in this drama so much more. After reading the synopsis, I wasn’t expecting him to have so much screen time. I’ve grown to like him and really missed him in the second half of the drama. My newest discovery is Dun Chun, who played Zhao Ting Hui (cop and FL’s ex-bf). I am surprisingly attracted to him and found him super charismatic. Now I need to check out his other dramas.
Storytelling/Plot/Pacing - I quite enjoy the storytelling in the first 15 episodes done in an interview format from both the male lead and female lead’s perspectives. In a way, the story was told through a series of flashbacks, but the ability to see from both perspectives added a new excitement to discovering the truth. Once the story changes to the present day timeline, the pacing becomes a little slower. I do think if the drama is a few episodes shorter, the result will be better. Since I am not a very smart crime drama watcher, I wasn’t able to guess who the murder might be until 60% into the drama. I enjoy the multiple plot twists with new revelations and details of the crime. However, I never felt that I was on the edge of my seat.
Overall, I had a great time watching this drama. I might have liked it more than “Love Me if You Dare” or “When a Snail Falls in Love”. Despite my complaint below about Ep 38 and the slower pacing, I am rating this a solid 8.5.
Other Random Observations:
1. I like how best friends, Ji Xiao Ou and Fang Ni Ya, stood up and advocated for each other in front of their friend’s lover. They ask questions on behalf of their friends, when it could be embarrassing for their friend to ask.
2. I am quite impressed with the fight/action sequence between Yan Jin and Liu Wei.
3. Not a comedy, but we do have a tall and adorable cop who provides comic relief by asking and providing relationship advice to Zhao Ting Hui.
4. I’ve always loved the song 《我愿意》“I am Willing” by Faye Wong. This drama version by Liu Yu Ning is really nice as well. I also like that this song is important to the female lead, but the song was not overplayed. So when it’s played and sung, it’s so much more impactful, esp. In the last episode.
5. I agree with other reviewers, I want 5-10 more minutes of happy moments in the end.
6. As my MDL friend @KellyFlower pointed out, this drama has weird and loud sound effects of foot steps (and phantom foot steps).
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Ep 38 spoiler and critique
My biggest complaint about this drama all happened in this episode and when FL goes to the murderer's home. Ji Xiao Ou (FL) has consistently throughout the drama shows viewers that she’s mature, logical and makes good decisions. She was smart enough to come to the conclusion who the murderer is. Why would she go to the murderer’s home by herself? Even if one cop didn’t pick up the phone in time, how about calling the other cop friend? Why would you endanger yourself and risk it all? On another note, the murderer has been so meticulous with the execution of his plan, why would he keep the murder weapon and Zhao Yu’s cell phone? He burnt all his clothes and other items, why not throw the knife in the ocean? What is the point of keeping Zhao Yu’s cell phone? But without all these illogical decisions, we would not be able to see the showdown and the arrest. I just wish there’s a better way of writing the ending.
Completed: 4/23/2023
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Yugure ni, Te wo Tsunagu
3 mensen vonden deze beoordeling nuttig
Simple and Mostly Sweet drama
Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25“Yugure ni, Te wo Tsunagu'' also known as “Hold My Hand at Twilight”, is a short and mostly very sweet drama about two individuals discovering and working towards their dreams with the support of each other. Of course, they fall in love during this journey, especially when they both end up living in the same house. The drama focuses more of their relationships than the dramatic way of achieving one’s dreams.
What I Like:
1. Cool female lead - Finally someone who is fun, bright, and extroverted. No more submissive, naive, pushover female lead who can’t speak a word in front of the male lead.
2. Smart leads - Though inexperienced because she moves from rural Japan to Tokyo, she’s not dumb at all. Male lead might be on the quiet side, but he is someone who can see through lies and read between the lines. Also, no annoying character.
3. Acting - Hirose Suzu as the female lead is the star of the show. The acting is pretty decent for the remaining of the cast. What I like best is the not over dramatic/anime/manga-type acting.
4. Love the dynamic in the boarding house between the leads and the landlady. The landlady is one cool lady.
5. Love the fun interaction between the leads at the house (throwing bean bags at each other) and also their casual but deep conversations.
What I Don’t Like or have Mixed Feelings:
1. Misunderstanding is one thing, but add to that are bad timing and missed chances, seem to be too much in the last few episodes. It somewhat dampens the enjoyment (just a little).
2. Despite one big challenge, the female lead seems to have quite an easy professional journey. Her new career as a designer came too easily and the drama did not spend a lot of time in that respect. The drama might have shown more challenges for the male lead’s professional journey, but still not very realistic. This is not a drama if you want to see the ups and downs of someone trying to reach their dreams.
3. I was expecting more from the mother-daughter storyline.
4. Would like a longer ending, seems rushed.
Completed: 4/4/2023
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Slow-burn romance with Amazing Chemistry; Focus on Family/Business Rivalries
Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25I am not a veteran lakorn watcher but from the few dramas that I’ve watched, “Rivalry” has probably the least amount of over-exaggerated acting. We still have actors opening their eyes really big and glare at you, but at least the camera pans away after a couple seconds.
Speaking of acting in this drama, I think the cast overall did a pretty good job. I am most impressed with FL Nychaa (as Milin), and 2FL Donut (as Wianna). I think they gave the best performance out of the bunch. ML Alek (as Anawin) did a decent job for the most part and is most animated when he has scenes with FL. Pop (as Tewis) didn’t impress me until the last episode. For the most part, he acts quite emotionless, though he’s good to look at. No one character really annoys me and as I commented, the acting is restrained to a certain point.
“Rivalry” really focuses on the rivalries between different family members, and different companies. The majority of the plot focuses on family conflicts and relationships, and to a smaller extent the rivalries between the two companies. The drama casually mentioned why both companies hated each other, but did not really delve into it. There are many twists and turns and the drama’s pacing is good and keeps me engaged for the most part. However, the second last ⅓ of the drama becomes quite melodramatic and that’s why I start to lose my attention. I definitely enjoyed the first half of the drama a lot more.
Chemistry between the leads is top notch. Nychaa/Milin and Alek/Anawin have so much fun and chemistry together, before and after they got together. Anwain is quite a bland character in the beginning, if not for his bickering with Nychaa. His personality definitely comes out then. It took me a couple episodes to like Milin, but she definitely has tremendous growth and I have grown to like and root for her. If you are a romance lover, you should be satisfied with the sparks and skinship between them. However, be aware that this is a slow burn romance, and it did take them a while to be officially together. But once they are together, the time they spent on the island is enough to make up for the long wait. Their love continues to be strong with open communication and trust in each other. I LOVE what Milin said to Anawin when she confronted him after the secret of Anawin/Anna’s breakup was exposed.
On the other hand, I don't quite feel the love or obsession that Tewis has for Milin. Instead, he seems to have a lot more chemistry with Lisa. Most of the time, he is constantly flirting with Lisa and getting all up close and personal. His actions are not telling me he’s in love with Milin.
I would have liked to see a little more of the pre-marriage and marital relationship between Phakhin + Jennis, and the love triangle between Sean + Pete + Naorn. The drama is so long that there should be enough time to tell us more.
The ending to me is actually quite surprising and I can’t tell if I like it or not. I knew something’s up with this character and there has to be a reason behind his employment. But the way it ended was somewhat dramatic and tragic.
If you enjoy family business/rivalries and want to take a first pass at a Thai drama, I think this is a good introduction. If the second half is not as melodramatic and slowed down the pace, I would have given this a solid 8.5. For now, I’ll keep this as an 8.0-8.25.
Other Random Observations:
1. So many beautiful women in this drama! Nychaa looks beautiful with less makeup and a fresh face as a high schooler!
2. I am not sure why the farm lady let some strangers go through all the files in the office.
3. A public restroom stall with a lock on the outside? Why would you do that? For the sake of the drama, I guess this has to make sense.
4. The hospital looks like a 5-star hotel. There are chandeliers!
Completed: 3/3/2023
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Shi Guang Yu Ta, Qia Shi Zheng Hao
3 mensen vonden deze beoordeling nuttig
Finally we have two adorable and sweet teenagers who are BOTH smart and hard-working
Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25China churns out these high school dramas so often each year that it is really hard to be different from others. “Time and Him Are Just Right” is almost there, but not quite. There are so many things to like yet also some to complain about especially in the second half. This is a very lighthearted teen drama. You can go into it without worrying about any serious issues, such bullying or annoying and evil parents. The focus is solely on the students without wasting too much time on the parents or teachers.
What I Like:
1. Main Characters - Finally we don’t see a cool/mean, genius male lead who has to help the bubbly, naive female lead with her homework or studies. We have two equally smart and hard-working students. They help each other out with their studies just like any normal student. They are both very likable and adorable. It did take me a little while to get used to FL’s over-assertiveness in trying to be ML’s friend. I understand why, but still a little stalkerish. However, once we get past that, both the leads are caring, smart, has a sense of justice and just really good people.
2. Wu Jun Ting/Ji Jun Xing (ML)- This is my first introduction to Wu Jun Ting (ML). He has such an adorable face and the way he looks at FL melts my heart. He reminded me a little bit of Wang An Yu in “Forever Love”. Not the character, but the loving gazes and how much affection is in his eyes. On another note, Wu Jun Ting has such a deep voice. His voice is not matching his young and adorable face. Each time he speaks, I am taken by surprise that it’s really his voice. For the first drama, he did a pretty good job. On another note, his character, Ji Jun Xing, is one of the nicest, sweetest and most patient boyfriends out there. He doesn’t react irrationally or get mad even when he is being misunderstood or is not at fault.
3. Young Cast - All the actors in this drama are quite green without too many dramas or movies under their belt. I believe the two female leads are the most experienced ones. The acting is actually not too bad, and they are able to make me believe they’re high schoolers and college students. I also appreciate them all using their own voices.
4. Simple high school life - This is one of the few high school dramas that really showcases the simple life of a high schooler. The drama did not tackle any serious issues, but just regular everyday life. Almost every teen drama talks about the stress of the gaokao aka college entrance exam. This drama has that too, but no drama has ever (that I’ve seen or known) talks about the time limitation of taking showers when your schedule is packed with studying. This drama only has one overbearing parent and it’s only a very small side character. We don’t really see much parental pressure on the students regarding the gaokao, and I am so glad.
What I Don’t Like or have Mixed Feelings:
1. Misunderstanding - The drama was going so well and they have to throw in the misunderstanding trope Why?? Do all long distance relationships need to do this? The leads have such open and honest communication when they were in high school, so why wouldn’t they talk to each other?? Argh….
2. College days - Not that I don’t like the college portion of the drama, but comparatively, the high school parts are much more interesting. The characters really didn’t do much until the last part of the drama when they entered into the competition. Even that competition is kind of boring and predictable.
3. Time Skips - There are so many time skips in the second half of the drama. A few are fine, but once you have so many, the editing becomes weird and it seems the writers are rushing to finish the drama.
I had an enjoyable time watching this drama. There aren't any annoying or irritating characters. It’s a very easy and chill watch to see a bunch of friends going through high school, college and adult life together. It is nice to see how their friendship remains strong. I love the male lead and the female lead is not too bad either. But if you want something exciting, this is not it. Lastly, I wonder if the writers were trying to sneak in a BL couple in this wholesome drama.
Completed: 2/17/2023
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The Silence of the Monster
3 mensen vonden deze beoordeling nuttig
So much potential, poor writing, decent acting by young actors.
Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75The setting of “The Silence of the Monster” is an interesting one. The unique genius duo of He Chu Feng (locksmith extraordinaire) and Luo Bin aka Robin (master appraiser) is the highlight of the drama. With the introduction of Sui Yi (trainee lawyer) added to the mix, their cohabitation shenanigans are fun and interesting. However, I think the drama tries to do too much. If it has focused on the main characters and their experiences, but removed the unimpressive crime investigation, it might be a better one.
What I Like:
1, The three main characters - This trio of He Fu Cheng, Robin and Sui Yi is the real highlight for me. They are three very distinct characters with unique quirks and personalities. Yet when you put them together, they create real chemistry and are really fun to watch. The first half of the drama focuses on how they met, getting to know each other, and living together harmoniously. They are all like-able and lovable, but not perfect.
2. Bi Wen Jun - This is my 4th drama of Bi Wen Jun, and I wish his roles are more diverse. The characters I see him play (“Sweet Tai Chi”, “Sweet Teeth”, “Double Love” and “The Silence of the Monster”) are very similar - cool and smart, not super friendly to begin with but warms up eventually. But I have to say his role as He Chu Feng is a little different in that there are many more emotional scenes. This is not a romantic comedy, and the complicated past of He Chu Feng allows Bi Wen Jun to show a different side of him. His acting has definitely improved since his first role in “Sweet Tai Chi” in 2019. I wish to see him more in challenging roles and I believe he has a lot of potential.
3. Zhu Zheng Ting - My first drama starring Zhu Zheng Ting and he is so pretty. 😍 LOL. What a good-looking guy and he plays a very lovable Robin. Robin brings me a lot of joy when watching this drama. Towards the latter half of the drama, his silliness and optimism do die down a little, and we go into more of the secrets he hides. Zhu Zheng Ting did a good job in switching from an outgoing and lovable boy, to a hurt and confused Robin towards that last few episodes. I look forward to his future projects.
4. Sui Yi (played by Sun Yi Han) - I love to see a go-getter female role such as Sui Yi. Yes, she might be idealistic as a trainee lawyer, but I also appreciate seeing her standing up for herself and not backing down on ideals she believes in. Sui Yi is not perfect but she’s someone I root for. She could be shy when it comes to her relationship with He Chu Feng, but she is also not afraid to initiate physical contact or express her feelings honestly.
5. Main Romance (He Fu Cheng & Sui Yi) - A slow burn romance that I very much enjoy watching. Both are quite inexperienced with love but the chemistry is definitely there. It’s nice to see a healthy relationship where they support each other through hard times, be patient with each other and communicate their honest feelings. Though the kisses aren’t great, they do give off a very cute and fluffy vibe during some of their scenes and I can’t help but smile.
6. OST - There are quite a few songs and they are all pretty good. There are times in the earlier episodes that I think the songs are a little overplayed, but they are good songs.
What I Don’t Like or have Mixed Feelings:
1. Investigation/Cases - I see why these investigations are needed to showcase the characters skills and personalities. However, none of them is interesting to me. They seem too simple and did not create enough suspense to make me want to find out the truth. If they are written better, it might add to the drama. In this case, I think they just prolong the drama and drag the pace. This could have been a better drama with one or two expertly written cases, and cut down to 24 episodes.
2. Preachy? - I find the drama a little preachy when talking about safety education during Hu Chu Feng’s classes. I wish the writing was better to educate viewers without it being straight out of a class.
3. Revenge Plot - The revenge is so dragged out. The character was introduced quite early on and you know he’s up to no good. We knew this will be in the big finale but the wait for that to happen is long. I had to fast forward some of the scenes in the last third of the drama because I was bored.
4. Secondary Romance (Robin & Xiao An) - I don’t see much chemistry between the two and it’s hard for me to believe they fall for each other. For Robin, maybe he doesn’t need a reason since he’s chasing after the Love at First Sight romance. For Xiao An, I don’t see her showing much affection. She acts like a big sister and at times annoyed at the little brother.
5. Poor writing in the end - What is up with the kidnapping plots? The first kidnapping incident is just a joke. We have villains busy bull-shitting instead of doing some real damage. Even when they had weapons, they got easily beaten. Where are the bodyguards? I thought the victim had an injection of some sort. What was the consequence? They could still walk around and fight as if nothing happened. I thought the effects would be disclosed in the last episode, but that didn’t happen. The introduction of the boss and villains were confusing. The editing in the last few episodes feels off and incoherent.
6. Minor annoyances - Too much heavy makeup on Robin. He’s too “white”. Characters claimed to be cold but they wear short-sleeves and don’t wear coats or jackets in the winter. Facial scratches/injuries don’t seem to heal even when another character who suffered more serious injuries is discharged from the hospital.
If you are a fan of the leads, then I would recommend this drama. It’s unfortunate that it has so much potential but the writing isn’t solid. I really enjoy the trio and each of their characters and had an enjoyable time watching the first half of the drama. The writing of the angst, tragic past and revenge should be interesting and a focus of the drama, but they are not. At least, we have some decent acting from the three main characters,
Completed: 2/11/2023
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Interesting light watch into the Idol Industry but nothing deep or impactful
I want to first say that I do not follow any K-Pop idols, boy bands or girl bands. My review of this drama is solely based on my thoughts on the drama itself just any other drama reviews I’ve written.“Imitation” is a simple and uncomplicated drama about the journey of idol trainees striving to debut and become legit idols. This is a pretty light and enjoyable watch, without too much angst or trauma. There is a side plot about an idol trainee and her inability to handle the stress and unprofessional business practices that took away some of the lightheartedness of the show. I was actually expecting a little more trials and tribulations, a little more suffering, scandals, crazy fan clubs, and chaos in the idol industry. The drama touched on some of these issues, but did not do a deep dive. The storytelling of the ending plot in the last 2 episodes is not done convincingly and not impactful enough to make me feel for those suffering.
I enjoyed the first ⅔ of the drama when getting to know each idol group, the dedication they put into their practices and rehearsals, and the introduction of the romance plot. The main romance is enjoyable in the beginning before the leads get together. But once they’re together, there is a lack of cuteness and fluffiness. The kisses are bad fish-kisses and I find the chemistry between the leads just OK. Lee Jung Young is a much better kisser than that! The love square/pentagon seems to have stopped abruptly. For the longest time, I thought Lee Yoo Jin (2ML) could not let go of Lee Ma Ha (FL). But then all of a sudden, he found someone else. The transition from being in love with his best friend for years to falling in love with someone is not done well. I found the third writing-music-together couple a lot cuter but they have very limited screen time. Thus, their romance appears to be half-baked.
I am most impressed with all the dancing. As most of the cast has an idol background, it should not come as a surprise that they can all dance. My eyes can’t help but follow Lee Jung Young around when he’s on stage. He’s so hot and his dance moves are really hard-hitting. He has so much charisma. Unfortunately, I am not as impressed with the music. Maybe they are just not my cup of tea. The only songs I like are the slower ones: FL and 2ML's duet "Like When We First Met" and the last song “Constellation/Your Sign”. I am also not impressed with the outfits that the girls are wearing. Tea Party has the ugliest uniform. The Sparkling boys don’t look good either. I know these two groups are not as popular as ML’s SHAX, but still, the costume department could have dressed these good-looking boys and girls better. SHAX really does look the best on stage with their makeup and black leather outfits.
Acting is decent but I think Lee Jung Young carries the drama on his back. His character is the most layered. He’s adorable when he’s in love, jealous and being petty. But he also portrays a cool and hot superstar really well. I am not as impressed with female lead, Jung Ji So. She’s OK but not as fun as Park Ji Yeon’s portrayal of the sexy and sassy La Li Ma.
Overall, if you want something light that focuses on teammates, friendships and romance, then this is a good watch. But don’t expect anything deep with plot twists.
Other Random Observations:
1. The use of flashbacks could be somewhat confusing.
2. I quite enjoyed the big concert in the last episode.
3. ML has a super ugly historical movie look. How could you turn someone so handsome into a beggar-looking hero.
4. I think FL has hair extensions or a wig on, and they don’t look good on her at all.
Completed: 2/6/2023
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More Legal/Business Talk than Romance - Decent but not Great.
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25 (extra 0.25 for Xu Kai's emotional eyes) - Spoilers about the ending at the end of the review.Many were expecting the broadcast of this drama, and I wasn’t one of them. I like Xu Kai and Yang Mi, but not a fan of older woman/younger man tropes, so I was waiting for reviews to come in before I decide to watch “She and Her Perfect Husband”. Lowering my expectations did help with me enjoying this drama.
Plot - This drama is a lot more business-focused than I originally thought. The conversations about legal and investment dealings might bore some viewers. I usually am fine with a business drama, but I still find this a little too much talking in a conference room instead of seeing legal/business dealings in action. Romance is folded into the overall business talk, since without the law firm promotion limitations for women, there won’t be a fake relationship between the main leads. This drama tries to talk about workplace inequality and treatment for women, and I appreciate it. But I don’t see why our female lead tries so hard to be a partner to make changes, when the firm’s initial ideals and purpose have changed. All the talk by the CEO about how good the firm is, is not shown through actions by management.
Main Romance - Surprisingly, there aren’t that many scenes of the two main leads together in the first half of the show. That’s when they first met and developed a marriage contract, but somehow the business side of things overshadows the interactions of the leads. Xu Kai and Yang Mi have good chemistry and I enjoy their bantering and conversations about their ideals. This couple for the most part really has honest conversations. The confession scene is a little underwhelming. It’s awkwardly cute but I was expecting more. Once they officially started dating, there are more sweet scenes in the middle part of the drama. I was initially worried that Yang Mi would look a lot older than Xu Kai and the romance would not be to my taste. Fortunately, I enjoy the scenes that they have together.
Secondary Romance - Li Ze Feng looks really good as Tao Jun Hui (2ML), just the hair is a little too ‘tall’ for my taste :D But his lack-of romance with Wu Fei (2FL) is really noticeable, and I guess that’s the whole point to it. Wu Fei calling Tao Juo Hui “Uncle” as a term of endearment every so often doesn’t help with the big age and maturity gap. On the other hand, Tao Jun Hui and Qin Shi (FL) have really good chemistry. I can totally see them together and there’s really no comparison between Qin Shi and Wu Fei.
Other Romance - Most annoying romance ever. I think I skip the majority of the scenes between Ren Mei Mei (FL’s BFF) and Qin Wen Yu (FL’s second brother). If I were Mei Mei, I would have divorce that jerk years ago. Their scenes only serve the purpose to describe Qin Shi’s view on marriage. Other than that, these two characters don’t really need to exist.
Acting - The overall acting of the whole cast is not bad. But the veterans definitely outshine the younger generation.. As a fan of Xu Kai, I am so glad he’s not in another cold-on-the-outside role. Yang Hua is still a more introverted character but at least he’s adorable and sweet. When the drama focuses on his background story, you can see his more emotional acting through his big beautiful eyes. That’s what I have been missing from his dramas lately. I am also glad that he’s not being dubbed. He might need some work but it’s not too bad. Yang Mi is Yang Mi. She’s the queen. She’s sassy and bossy as the hotshot lawyer, yet at home she’s a totally different person. Her real voice bothered me at times since it’s so girly. So when she’s whining, especially to the boss lady, it’s a little irritating. Speaking of the boss lady, that woman is amazing. I can’t tell if I should trust her words or not. Her fake smile (when the drama calls for it) is so fake that I can see her mind churning out schemes after schemes.
*spoilers*
Ending - The last few episodes have been criticized for the leads acting out of character. I can see why people said that as the leads have been honest and open with their feelings throughout the drama. For them not to talk much in the last episodes, it could be frustrating. From my point of view, the breakup is necessary and veteran watchers know that it’s coming. It’s not the first time we see a contract relationship breakup for the exact same reason. I can understand ML’s intention and agree with his action. If you want a real marriage, you need to end the old one to start off fresh. I just think he did not communicate his intention for the breakup clearly enough to FL. As for FL, throughout the whole drama, we’ve been told she doesn’t believe in marriage. The breakup allows her to think clearly about what she really wants. I just wish the writing of this part is a little better. You can do all that, breakup, giving FL time to think, etc, but should have done that a little sooner and not dragged that out. It doesn’t make sense that they were apart for 7 months, and then ML suddenly shows up at the apartment across from FL’s, opens his arms and then all is well?? Why wait 7 months? No communication at all for 7 months? What was the point in leaving her when you came right back to her? I thought he was waiting for her to make the first move?
Other Random Observations:
1. Love the conversations between ML and his dad. Dad gives the best advice.
2. FL’s outfits to work seem to be too flashy for a law firm.
3. A lot of product placements - I guess they need money to pay for FL’s wardrobe.
4. The songs are nice but quite repetitive after a while.
5. A few annoying characters but bearable.
6. I don't think the steamy kiss tag should apply here. Just because they are not fish kisses, it doesn't mean they are steamy kisses. I think Yang Mi needs to exert a little more effort for it to qualify for that tag.
Completed: 1/30/2023
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Turn off your brain and enjoy the Cuteness and the Fluffiness.
I would only recommend “Double Love” if you are looking for some mindless romantic fluff. You can’t use your brain, otherwise you will hate it and question yourself why you wasted your time. I tried to turn my brain off, enjoyed the first half of the drama and then the poor editing finally got to me. Don’t watch this for gameplay, because there are barely any scenes. They do hang out and chat in the game a lot. I’ll try to keep this review short.What I Like:
1. Siblings relationship - That’s the best part of the show. Love the interaction between FL and her brother. They have more chemistry than any of the romance storylines.
2. Bromance (CEO Lu and Actor Gu Qiao Bei) - The weird bromance and if you look closer you could find BL undertones. But, no, it’s just pure friendship and they are interesting.
3. CP visuals - Our leads look good together.
4. The songs are nice.
5. FL looks pretty inside the game. Love all the outfits in the game.
6. Good or bad, I quite enjoy the friendship inside the game.
What I Don’t Like:
1. Scenes edited out? Where is the confession scene? How did ML discover FL’s true identity to the CEO? Who is the hacker friend? How did FL know of her and contacted her for help? WHERE ARE THESE SCENES?? I am not sure what happened to the second half of the drama but I don’t want to be TOLD what happened after the fact. I want to WATCH all these things happening.
2. Makeup - I find all the female characters makeup a little off.
3. These superstar actors don’t seem to have trouble hanging out in real life. No paparazzi and rumors, not problem living a normal person’s life, until the plot demands them to be exposed on social media. Not very realistic.
4. For only 24 episodes, I still find the pacing to be slow. Not a whole lot happened in the drama.
5. Too many slow motion close ups. Not my personal favorite, but might be yours.
6. Kisses are meh. I’ve seen ML did a better job in “Sweet Teeth”.
*edit* Random Observations:
It's quite weird to see Zhang Xue Ying and Dylan Kuo in such a comedy. I last saw Zhang Xue Ying in "Princess Silver" and Dylan Kuo in "Ever Night". The roles are so different from this rom-com. It's a weird surprise and it makes me like their sibling relationship even more.
Completed: 1/21/2023
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