5
46
3
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Lost in Dramaland
Frustrating journey to see how the main romance landed.
Not knowing what to expect aside from the low rating and the simple synopsis, I really didn’t have a lot of expectations. I thought the initial plot sounded interesting. I am a fan of enemies-to-lovers and second-chance romances, so this might be right up my alley.Well, the first half of the show is pretty decent. The divorce stories are simple enough to feel relatable, yet still interesting. They do not necessarily take up too much screen time as the primary focus is still on the characters themselves. So, I would not go into this drama thinking this is a law drama or a serious business drama.
The romance and story between our two leads, Ha Ra (FL) and Eun Beom (ML) is what this drama is all about. After all, it’s called “Strangers Again”. What could possibly go wrong when a divorced couple meet again and work closely together? Ha Ra and Eun Beom have good chemistry together. I enjoy their scenes the most, and Kang So Ra and Jang Seung Jo gave us pretty good acting performances. The rest of the lawyers provide good supporting colors to the drama with their unique personalities. I would say the relationship between ML and his mother is a little over-the-top.
I really quite enjoyed the first few episodes until I found out the reason for the leads’ divorce. I don’t want to spoil this, but it’s one big pile of bullshit. The leads have been together for 10 years and married for a few, yet Eun Beom (ML) still cannot openly communicate his feelings and concerns. How could he come up with such a stupid plan to divorce someone you supposedly love. Ok, fine…. At this point of the drama, I knew he had some sort of tragic backstory. Viewers’ patience is required to slowly find out what that trauma is. I shall be patient.
Many are upset about the ending of this romance. I actually like where they both end up. What I am mad about is HOW they got to this point. I was so annoyed at Ha Rah for the way she goes about pursuing Eun Beom again. I don’t mind a woman taking the initiative to go after a guy. All the power to her. However, the way and the timing are all so wrong. He is already so stressed out about a court case. You, as a co-worker and a future/former loved one, did not try to support and help him during this stressful time. Instead, you selfishly and pathetically add more stress and pretty much bully him into saying ‘Yes’. At this point, I started disliking Ha Ra and don’t want them to be together.
When the leads got together again, I would have liked to see more cute and fluffy scenes. A few more kisses won’t hurt either. Unfortunately, the calm is short and the storm hits again. Issues, miscommunication and misunderstanding arrive and this couple should have known better after what they went through the first time. Are we going to use past traumatic experiences and the lack of understanding of what love is to kill this rekindled romance? These supposedly mature professional adults should have been able to communicate better and solve problems together the second time around.
The secondary opposite-attract couple is fine. Their story could have been better written. It seems pretty one-note in this opposites attract narrative and the writing is trying too hard in telling us how different they are. I would have liked a few more heartfelt and sincere scenes, or touching moments for me to want them to be happyl. They just ended up being kind of bland.
Luckily, there are only 12 episodes. I would have been super annoyed if their ‘journey’ lasted 4 more episodes. As a romance lover, this is a frustrating watch. I like flawed characters too, but the decisions made by the leads here do not make sense and I don’t root for them at all. What saves me from rating this drama even lower is the all-around good acting.
Completed: 7/16/2024 - Review #461
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I forgot all that happened in Season 1 and I still had a GREAT time watching Season 2
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75The long-awaited season 2 of “Joy of Life” did not disappoint. Props to the novel writer and the scriptwriter for coming up with such an engaging plot and witty conversations. The humor in this drama is top-notch. This drama shows that you do not need to have over-the-top acting to make people laugh. If I have to list ONE good thing about this drama, it would be its comedy/humor.
As the title said, I did not rewatch season 1 and I forget almost everything. Is it still worth watching season 2? ABSOLUTELY! However, I do think that if you forget what happened and have the time to rewatch season 1 or the shortened (LOL) 25-ep recap, you should do it. There are times I really wish I could remember what happened in Northern Qi. There were very few flashbacks to season 1 and when they were reminiscing about what happened, they did not go in-depth.
Just like in season 1, the acting is spectacular. Zhang Ruo Yun plays a more mature but still funny version of Fan Xian. Fan Xian’s journey is central to the plot and the second season shows his growth and character development as he learns more of her mother’s legacy and influence. Everything revolves about him and the people around him. You feel for him when he becomes unsure of who he can and cannot trust. There are layers and layers of schemes over schemes. The emperor is even more omnipresent than before. After a while, I automatically assume he’s behind everything and can’t be trusted at all. The veteran cast continues to impress. The elder trio of the Emperor, Chan Ping Ping and Fan Jian (ML’s father) has some of the best scenes. I also like the witty banter and animosity between Fan Xian and the Second prince, and the friendship between Fan Xian and Wang Qi Nian. I am also so proud of Fan Si Zhe and Fan Ruo Ruo growth in this drama as well. Having said that, at one point, I wonder if this drama is ever going to end (not because I was bored). It feels like the stories revolving around Fan Xian can go on forever. There doesn’t seem to be a main plot with a beginning, middle and end.
On a shallower note, Zhang Ruo Yun lost a lot of weight this season. He’s looking more handsome than before. Li Qin is still beautiful, but the 5-year wait really shows Li Qin’s more mature look. But I guess it’s OK, since Lin Wan Er is not the little girl with the chicken leg anymore. I still find Wu Gang (Chen Ping Ping) and Chen Dao Ming’s (Emperor) faces very botox-like and a little distracting. If we have to wait another 5 years for season 3, I am afraid all the cast members might become too old!
“Joy of Life” obviously has a pretty decent budget. They might not be able to bring Xiao Zhan back, but it still has a star-studded cast and many supporting and guest roles. The production quality is great with beautiful costumes and accessories, (how elaborate and detailed was Lin Wan Er’s wedding headdress!!!), sets and props. The CGI of the fight scenes are just OK though. I know this is not a wuxia drama, but I wish there were more fight scenes.
A couple of my minor criticisms have to do with the writing of the female cast. First of all (and it might only bug me) is the romance between Fan Xian and Lin Wan Er. I know romance is only a very tiny part of this amazing drama. I still feel that there aren’t enough of the two of them together throughout the drama. The majority of their scenes are towards the end of the drama, and I need some sooner, so that the impact of their wedding and confrontation in the latter half can be more impactful. Additionally, the drama introduced several female characters in the first half, e.g. Northern Qi’s princess (Mao Xiao Tong), Sang Wen (Wang Chu Ran) and Yuen Meng (Wang Xiao Chen). What happened to them in the latter half? They just disappeared? I thought I would see more of the 1st Prince with the princess, similar to the story of the 2nd Prince and Ye Ling Er.
Having said all that, “Joy of Life 2” is really worth the 5-year wait. There are a few scenes that I enjoy so much that I actually jot them down in my notes:
1. Seeing Chen Ping Ping with his hair down in his mansion is a weird sight. What is up with the extravagant lifestyle!??!
2. The conversation between FL’s brother (Da Bao) and father also breaks my heart. It’s a sad reminder that people change one day and those who like him now, may not like him in the future. That whole side story of the two is so touching.
3. Fan Xian and Wan Er’s teary confrontation also broke my heart. I have to say, Li Qin was excellent here and that’s a huge compliment when she’s playing opposite Zhang Ruo Yun.
4. All of the different conversations Fan Xian and his family have between each other are touching and meaningful.
I go back and forth on whether to rate this an 8.5 or 9.0. I think part of my wavering is because I don’t remember much in season 1. That doesn’t seem fair to downgrade my rating because it’s a me problem. Objectively, “Joy of Life” is very deserving of its high rating with great writing, excellent acting and a controlled yet smooth pace, even though they are some loose ends that might or might be resolved by season 3. I hope we don’t have to wait long to find out!
Completed: 7/14/2024 - Review #460
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Love the poems and ML, but too many insufferable characters on repeat.
The concept of “ A Poem A Day” is really lovely. The poems chosen for each episode are appropriate and provide a great epilogue. Some are more touching than others, but generally speaking, they’re chosen well.Lee Joon Hyuk is really dreamy. His character, Dr. Ye, is the best part of the show (aside from the poems). He comes off as cold and inflexible in the earlier episodes, but he’s the one with the most character development. His starting point might be because of his girlfriend, but he has become a better person in the end. He’s mature, calm and only has eyes for Bo Young. I was impressed by his maturity especially when he faced the childish second male lead, Hin Min Ho. There were a few times I thought he might lose his calm but he didn’t.
I like Bo Yeong as the female lead who is trying her best at work. A big part of the show is her journey to obtain full-time employment at the hospital. Bo Yeong is a likable female lead. She’s sweet and kind, bubbly and not too childish. I’m impressed with her patience when dealing with her annoying co-workers. At times, I wish she would break character and start yelling at them more often.
Even though I like Bo Yeong and Dr. Ye individually, I do not like them as a couple much. The chemistry is just OK, but not enough for me to root for them. Bo Yeong might not be immature, but I feel Dr. Ye is just at a different level. He’s just way too mature. Is it opposites attract? Possibly and I can see why guys would like Bo Yeong. I wish there were more intimate conversations with substance. Their conversations revolve around work, daily lives and the superficial get-to-know-each-other. It’s not until the last episode when Dr Ye wanted more.
I also do not like any of the supporting cast. There are many complaints about Shin Min Ho (2ML) and now I know why. He was an immature, childish, spoiled brat through and through. He’s used to getting what he wants, won’t take no for an answer, and doesn’t care much about others feelings. He was insufferable in the beginning. But then, I saw a glimpse of hope that he has grown and become a better man. Unfortunately, his petty and selfish personality just won’t go away, especially how he treated Bo Yeong in episode 14.
I don’t care for the radiologists and the rest of the physical therapy staff. They are not very likable and their antics are repetitive and annoying. There’s only so much indecisiveness, selfishness, gossip and nosy behavior I can take. It’s worse when all these behaviors are on repeat throughout the drama. Those young guys are all spoiled brats. They have to learn the hard way in order to grow.
Lastly, the repetitiveness of Bo Yeong’s disappointment and second-hand embarrassment never ends. When you show her getting her hopes high and then disappointed once or twice, I feel bad for her. But when you keep on writing this trope over and over again, it becomes predictable and I don’t care about it anymore.
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this drama, unless you are a fan of Lee Joon Hyuk and poetry. A slice-of-life drama of characters I don’t like is a tough pill to swallow. I also wish the medical cases are more interesting and have more weight on the character development. But they are just an afterthought.
Completed: 6/20/2024 - Review #452
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Decent acting and great leads chemistry, but lost steam in the 2nd half.
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75I don’t remember how I came across “Dear Mr Hermitage” as it’s definitely not a popular one and the leads are not played by idol actors. I think we can classify this drama as a romantic comedy with a side of business.
I actually really liked the first half of the drama and thought I might rate this an 8.0.. The acting is pretty good for a cast full of experienced but not super popular actors. Tang Min plays the female lead, Su Shi Yu. I’ve seen her previously in “Chef Hua” (I really like) and “General’s Lady” (I dropped this one). Her acting here is pretty good as a go-getter, straightforward, kind and independent woman. I didn’t quite like her shenanigans in the first couple episodes, but she grew on me. Apparently, I’ve seen Chen Jing Ke, playing the male lead Lin Wei, recently in “Amidst a Snowstorm of Love” but I don’t remember or recognize him. Maybe it’s the short hair. I have to say, I am quite impressed in his portrayal of the cool, calm and monk-like Lin Wei. I wasn’t sure if he would pull it off and just looks emotionless and bland. However, he actually was quite expressive with his eyes and micro-expressions.
Because both Tang Min and Chen Jing Ke did pretty well and have great chemistry, their romance is the favorite part of the drama. They started as strangers, with FL annoying ML to no end, then becoming frenemies, friends and lovers. The pacing of their romantic journey is good, and both characters are mature, honest and communicative. That makes it easy to root for their success, despite a couple of admirers.
Unfortunately, the secondary and tertiary romances are a little lacking. I am glad that the secondary leads are not annoying but pretty good people. So, no need to worry about evil characters trying to sabotage the main romance. But their romance is not developed very well. Bai Ruan’s romance is even more lacking. I think her story could have been interesting as she has an interesting dynamic with her man,, but not enough time is given. Instead too much focus is on the business side of things.
In the first half of the show, I was fine with the tea business and Lin Wei’s determination to grow this special tea. The villagers are decent people and not too irritating (annoying villagers and towns folks are my pet peeves). In fact, they are kinda cute in a way, meddling in the leads business but also very supportive.
However, in the second half, the business plotlines become boring. The tea business was forgotten for a while, and then picked back up in the end to integrate with FL’s vlogging. It really doesn’t seem very realistic for FL to move her business to the small town. There are some minor plotholes that don’t necessarily affect the big scheme of things, but they just seem unrealistic and too easy to create ‘drama’. The downfall of ML due to the villain's evil plan seems too easy and not written well. The family animosity was so secretive for too long. I would have liked to know why ML’s uncle is so angry and putting the blame on ML. Once that was revealed, the resolution came too quickly and easily.
Ultimately, the drama lost its steam in the second half after a pretty good start. I don’t think I will recommend this drama unless you are fans of the actors. It is an easy watch and I do like the main romance quite a bit, and it’s essential to the whole drama. But don’t watch this for the business part of the plot.
Completed: 6/12/2024 - Review #451
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A second-chance at being a Good mother, but still ended being a Good Bad mother.
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25I wanted to like “The Good Bad Mother’ and I did until I started losing interest towards the second half of the drama. In short, this drama has excellent acting from the youngest to the oldest. The mother/son relationship is the central focus and takes me on a rollercoaster ride. Unfortunately, the revenge plot lost me in the second half and I just don’t care for it anymore.
The title of the drama aptly describes what this show is all about. It’s tough to be a good mother. You want your child’s best interest but how you show your (tough) love and convey that message to your children are the most difficult part. We witness how hard Jin Young Soon (mom) tries to be the best mother she could be, after her husband passed away. As a single mother, she worked hard, cared for her son, ensured he had the best future as a prosecutor. But it was hard watching her executing her parenting plans. You can even say she’s an abusive mother. When she was given a second chance to do it all over again, she seized the opportunity to right the wrong and be a better mother. It was heartbreaking to watch her interaction with Kang Ho (son), when he expressed the same frustrations as not being able to choose what he wants, that he’s always pleasing his mother and doing what she asks him too. The shock and traumatic experience on Jin Young Soon’s face said it all. History repeated itself.
Despite a tumultuous relationship, there’s a lot of joy in this drama. It was lovely seeing an adorable Lee do Hyun. He might not be the most handsome actor out there, but every time I see him (no matter what role he plays), you can’t help but like him. He plays an excellent Choi Kang Ho and is a worthy partner to Ra Mi Ran’s excellent and heartbreaking portrayal of Jin Young Soon. The cast is full of veterans that we’ve seen in many Kdramas. Their acting skills are undeniable and make you love and hate them at the same time. The villagers are not as annoying as I worried, but a few of the side plots or characters don’t really contribute much to the general plot. I have to say, the kids are adorable! Such smartypants and they do provide some great comedic moments when the drama gets a little more emotional. Oh, how can I forget about the cute little pigs! It’s rare to see a drama about a pig drama and I like this uniqueness.
Unfortunately, the revenge plot is not exciting enough. We’ve seen enough illegal dealings by the two villains. There’s no suspense and them trying to kill and scheme against each other become repetitive and boring. I would have liked to see the amnesia go away sooner. Then the drama can focus on healing, rekindling romance, re-adjusting to new life, and better writing in revenge.
The romance is a very small part of the drama. There are some sweet moments. I just would have liked to see more complicated feelings from Lee Mi Joo when he met Cho Kang Ho again. I want more semi-avoidance, more confusion and more interaction between them. When the secret is out, their resolution is too quick and too anti-climatic.
I do like the ending after the trial. It was emotional and bittersweet. A fitting ending to a drama that gives us such an emotional rollercoaster ride. I can see why “The Good Bad Mother” is so highly rated, but it’s just missing the mark a little for it for me personally. I was going to give a solid 8.5 in the first half, but will end up giving this an 8.25 instead.
Completed: 6/7/2024 - Review #449
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Interesting Plot but Annoyed with all the slow-motion scenes
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75“Hard to Find” is a mid-length drama that actually has a very interesting and attractive plot. With 28 episodes and about 20 minutes each, I would not consider this as a mini-drama, like most of the dramas that male lead, Zhao Yi Qin, is known for. There’s a lot to like, yet quite a few areas that annoy me.
What I Like:
General Plot - I really do find the general plot/story of this drama interesting. I especially enjoyed the first half of the drama when the leads reunited, up until she regained her memory. The story is easy to follow, yet not overly simple. It has a good mix of romance, fantasy plot, mystery, revenge and a little bit of palace politics.
Shen Yu Jie (FL) - Shen Yu Jie plays the female lead, Feng Yuan. The costume designer and hairstylist got brownie points from me for dressing her up so beautifully. Her acting is also the best of the cast. Checking out her profile, I realized she’s only 22 years old but has been in quite a few bigger budget dramas. I thought she is also one of those mini-dramas actresses. I see a lot of potential in her.
Great visuals & production - For a lower budget drama, “Hard to Find” is beautiful to watch. Not only is the whole cast good-looking, but some of the scenes are shot beautifully. Costumes, hair accessories, set designs and props, all look pretty good and not cheap. I also enjoy the songs played, even though they are overplayed.
Wang Ze Xuan - Without spoiling too much, I just have to say I enjoyed his acting in the last 5 episodes of the drama. He looks so ‘pretty’ and portrays the character in a dramatic fashion, but not over-the-top. I’ve seen him in “A Familiar Stranger” and I guess he’s got a knack for playing the bad guys convincingly.
What Bothers Me:
Slow Motion Everything - This is very personal, but I generally dislike the use of slow-motion in dramas for extra dramatic effects. I especially detest fight scenes that are sloooow moving and have actors posing during a fight. The first comment I wrote down in my notes is slow mo fighting (yuck!). There aren’t even that many fight scenes, so to not be able to enjoy a few good ones is disappointing. Not only the fight scenes slow, there are sooo many scenes that are shot like that. I get more and more annoyed towards the second half of the drama. It also drags down the pace as well, and I lose my focus slightly in the second half because of that. Additionally, they also change the voiceover to this slow echoey voice, and add in non-stop background music during these slow scenes.
Zhao Yi Qin (ML) - I have seen Zhao Yi Qin in quite a few mini dramas and have generally enjoyed them. For some reason, he seems to be trying very hard in this drama and appears overly dramatic. When he’s acting angry, he looks exaggerated. He frowns more than I’ve seen in his other dramas. For some reason, his acting is just not clicking with him. He’s a good-looking guy, but if I have to compare what he looks like in his MDL profile picture and him in this drama, he looks a little gaunt and exhausted, even during the honeymoon phase of the romance. Is he overworked?
Over-the-top Dramatics - Not only is Zhao Yi Qin’s acting a little over dramatic, there are many elements in this drama that are like this. The drama is trying too hard to stand out, yet comes across as trying too hard. I think the drama would be so much better if it is a little more grounded and tones down on all the dramatics (constant background music playing, shining light on faces, wind blowing at hair, etc.) The drama has a solid script but lacks perfect execution.
“Hard to Find” has such a strong start and I was willing to give it an 8.5 rating, until all the slow motion scenes accumulated and annoyed the heck out of me. The second half also loses some steam and the pace slows down. Unfortunately, in the end, I will have to give a lower rating of 7.75. I might rate this lower if this is a bigger budget production. “Hard to Find” is still a decent drama if you want something short with an interesting plot. But this is definitely not a must-see.
Completed: 5/5/2024 - Review #436
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Short and Soothing
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25“Letter from the Sun” is a soothing and slow-paced drama that introduces the Thai art of weaving. Through the stories of two generations, we learn a little more of Thai cultures and the meaning of patience, dedication and commitment.
The plot itself is very simple. ML travels to Thailand to learn about his mother’s special box after her passing. As he discovers the meaning and story behind this beautifully weaved box, he also encounters a short romantic interlude in his life. There are no plot twists, no angst, but it is quite bittersweet. This drama can be interpreted as very slow, or just the perfect pace if you want something calming.
I enjoy the mix of cultures and languages in this drama. Except for Ayako (ML’s mother), all actors are Thai even though ML and his fiance speak Japanese. I am not sure if there’s a thick accent, but they sound believable to me. Acting is good and cinematography is nice. With only two episodes, I think “Letter from the Sun” did a great job in pacing and storytelling, without feeling rushed or unsatisfying.
If you are looking for something short, soothing and slow-paced, this is the perfect one for you.
I watched this on Thai PBS with English subtitles: https://www.thaipbs.or.th/program/LetterFromTheSun/episodes/93437
Completed: 3/30/2024 - Review #422
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So Good. So Real. So Honest. So Fun. So Everyday Normal Lives.
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75“Small Town Stories” is one of those dramas that is underrated because it has no popular idol actors, no flashy plot and it’s just about the everyday life of the regular folks. Aside from high school dramas, China is really good at producing dramas such as “Small Town Stories”. Although there is nothing flashy about this drama, it brings me warmth, tears, hope and love. This is definitely not a drama for everyone, but it’s one that touches me.
What I Like:
1. Bai Lang (ML) - I am in love with Bai Lang. I am going to include him in my ‘Male Characters I love… Ideal man!’ custom list. He’s definitely not perfect in the fairytale kind of way, but he’s perfect in my eyes as a regular guy. Bai Lang is smart, hardworking, considerate, caring, loyal, dependable, responsible, and funny. He’s not cute or handsome in the traditional sense, but I love his tan skin and adorable smile. Gao Zhi Ting, who plays Bai Lang, has matured quite a bit. I’ve only seen him in “A Love So Beautiful” as the green flag 2ML. But in “Small Town Stories”, his acting improves, he has more screen presence and is a lot more charismatic.
2. Main Romance - I love the chemistry between Bai Lang and Mu Di. I am a fan of bickering leads who don’t like each other in the beginning, then slowly become friends and then fall in love. This is definitely a slow burn romance and you would be disappointed if you are looking for cute and fluffy love. The romance here is gradual, subtle-yet-not-subtle, but it’s full of fun, laughter, and tears. I like the development of the romance more than the actual romance when they finally get together.
3. Main/Supporting Cast - Every character in this drama feels real to me. No face smoothing, no super white make-up, no backlighting. These characters could be your next door neighbor, your uncle or aunt, or a classmate/friend. The characters are flawed and very ‘human’. They make mistakes, they act irrationally at times, yet you can’t help but root for them and not hate them. Yes, there’s an annoying girl who just won’t take no for an answer, but in the end, she’s still a good person at heart. Ok, she’s just a tad annoying and got on my nerves a little bit. But aside from that, I like everyone in this drama.
4. Acting - I am very impressed with Gao Zhi Ting (ML) and Karlina Zhang (FL). I see a different side of Rain Lu (2FL). Wu Xing JIan (2ML) might be the weakest of the four main leads, but he’s still not bad. I enjoy the acting of the supporting cast, especially Song Jia Teng (as ML’s BFF/Brother), Xu Shao Ying (Cop friend), FL’s family and all the musicians. The cast of “Small Town Stories” is full of veterans and very experienced actors. They really bring the characters to life.
5. Mini-stories - I really enjoy the side stories of weddings, celebrations and funerals. For the most part (except the last two subplots), these stories are touching yet don’t take away from the main plot and main leads character development. Through these stories, we see the growth of Mu Di (FL) from a self-centered and proud musician, to hitting rock bottom, to slowly realize what makes her happy and what her dream is.
What I have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like:
1. Last few episodes - I feel that the older couple’s love story, and FL sister/bro-in-law banking fiasco are the weakest subplots of the series. They don’t jive with the vibe of the drama in the first 20+ episodes. They also don’t contribute to the general character development of the leads, the music journey and the event business. I was worried that this amazing drama is going to tank in the last few episodes and I will end up being disappointed. Luckily, episodes 29-30 picked back up and ended on a high note. Those two episodes brought back touching tears, silly laughter and hope for the future.
2. Chinese Government - I wish the drama could have focused on the cultural aspect of the music without bringing in all the government talk. Maybe that’s also why I don’t like the banking subplot as that introduced more government involvement to the drama, and the boring business talk of the new Cultural Street/Development.
3. Dubbed correction - It was great having all the actors use their real voice and with live recording as well. But then, there are quite a few lines that are dubbed over the original. Is that possibly due to censorship? This happens more than once or twice, and it takes me out of the zone and interrupts my viewing pleasure.
4. One-sided Love - There are three different one-sided love storylines in this drama and all three individuals are quite persistent. One just wouldn’t take No for an answer and is annoying as heck. One goes above and beyond to impress the family shamelessly. One is not even friends with the love interest and is obsessed with them and almost ruins 12 years of friendship. If all three of them stop sooner, then one of the other romance storylines would have time to develop and make me root for them.
5. Kisses - There are a few not-so-great kisses. The camera shot these kisses at weird angles and you can't really see much. The ones that you do see are in the last episode but they are definitely for fan service. They’re not particularly romantic and did not evoke any positive feelings from me.
Overall, I had a great time watching this drama. I wish more people would take notice of it. It’s not perfect, but if you are in the mood for small town stories of normal people’s everyday life, this is a good one. However, the city definitely doesn't feel small town as it keeps on showing me scenes of tall buildings and city lights. LOL. So, don't think this drama is about rural life and townsfolks. "Small Town Stories" is about a very interesting event planning company.
Completed: 3/29/2024 - Review #421
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Unique Plot with a Deeper meaning, but Execution could be better.
I applaud the writers of “Love for Love’s Sake” for thinking outside of the box and coming up with quite an interesting plot for a short high school BL drama. This drama is so much more than transmigration into a video game, which we’ve seen quite a lot of those from different countries. As we learn more and more about our male lead, Tae Myung Ha, we get to know more of him as a person, and not just a character in the game. The story goes from a cute rom-com, to a darker melodrama.Towards the middle of the drama, you can slowly see hints dropped about his relationship with Cha Yeo Woon, and a deeper meaning to their encounter and experiences. However, despite having a unique plot, I feel that the execution is not quite up to par. When the drama ended, I am still quite unsure if it’s all a dream? A prank? A real transmigration? The work of god? The work of death? What and why did it all happen? In this case, I wish the drama would be longer so that it can explore the backstory of the characters more, especially for Tae Myung Ha.
The acting of the cast is average at best. I would say Lee Tae Vin (who played ML Tae Myung Ha) delivered the best performance of the bunch. And Cha Joon Wan (who played 2ML Cha Yeo Woon) delivered the weakest performance. The rest of the cast is just OK.
Although you can tell this is a small budget production (wearing the same clothes, the same few sets, limited OST), I have to say the drama does not look cheap.
Overall, I had a decent time watching “Love for Love’s Sake”. I commend this drama (or the webtoon it’s adapted from) for an interesting plot, but just wish the execution, storytelling and acting could be better.
Completed: 2/20/2024 - Review #405
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A Medical drama focuses on Romance, Relationships and Character Development - not medical cases
“Emergency Couple” holds up pretty well even after 10 years. Although most of the scenes are spent in the ER, I would say this is not a true medical drama as it focuses on romance, relationships and character development more than medical cases. The patients help with fostering the interns growth and maturity, which I quite like. But if you want a true medical drama, you might want to look elsewhere.What I Like:
Choi Jin Hyuk - I always thought he’s a handsome guy but this is the first time I realized what a great actor he is. I hated his character in the first few episodes and couldn’t wait for his character development to happen soon. He was great in making me hate him, and made me laugh and smile when he’s acting adorable, petty and jealous. But I was most impressed with his emotional scenes towards the last quarter of the drama. His eyes can act and emote very well.
Oh Chang Min (ML) - How I hate him in the first few episodes. I wanted to punch him in the face during those early scenes before the divorce. I definitely enjoy his character development the most throughout the drama. He went from an asshole → doctor with a reputation → doctor who couldn’t live up to his reputation → maturing doctor → doctor who cares → a real doctor. He also went from an impulsive sweetheart → demeaning husband → sabotaging ex-husband → adorably-in-love but pushy loverboy → heartbroken but understanding ex → hopeful boyfriend. I actually think he should forget about his ex-wife and go find someone else. He’s too good for her.
Medical cases - They are not too complicated and don’t last too long. Their injuries and treatments seem realistic enough. The drama does not go into the background stories and nor try to make you feel a certain way. The patients do not take the spotlight away from the doctors. If you are watching this as a medical drama, you might be disappointed. But since I am a romance-junkie especially for second-chance romance, I think the amount of screen time for the medical cases and hospital politics are perfect for me.
No evil secondary characters - It’s so refreshing, especially for an older drama, to have a non-toxic love hexagon. No one is forcing their feelings on others. No one is doing or saying anything to drive the leads apart from each other. In fact, they are all too nice.
Acting - Acting is pretty good all around, including those in supporting and minor roles. I don’t really have any complaints.
What I have Mixed Feelings:
Main Romance - I really enjoy the first ¾ of the drama when it comes to romance. I like enemies-to-lovers and second-chance romances. I think both leads have great chemistry together, especially when they are fighting. Because of how much I disliked the ML in the beginning, I love seeing him try to chase FL back and grovel. I also like how FL is taking the more cautious approach to the relationship. However, when it comes to the last few episodes, I do not like how FL starts to change her mind and wants to get back together. Not that I don’t like them together, but I don't like the writing of the process and development. It feels off and not genuine for some reason.
Oh Jin Hee (FL) - I felt so bad for her in the early episodes and was rooting hard for her to be a successful doctor. Even after successfully starting her internship and obviously doing a pretty good job, she just keeps on apologizing. She’s also very wishy-washy with her feelings towards the Chief and her ex-husband. I do not like her character towards the end. I also don’t like how she acts when she’s trying to woo her ex back. I blame the writer for doing a poor job here.
(Non) Romance - As I mentioned above, I do not like FL’s wishy-washy unclear feelings, especially towards the Chief. She was giving out all these mixed signals, asking if the Chief would consider someone who makes his heart flutter or someone he’s comfortable with. Now you got his answer and then what? I know she could still be confused about her feelings or resisting certain feelings, it was still a frustrating watch. The Chief demonstrated in the earlier episodes that he might like FL, and nothing happened for the longest time until the last few episodes. He has no chemistry with FL. I started to question Lee Pil Mo’s (Chief) acting a little because he seemed so restrained, then emotionless and then acted his ass off in a conflicted/embarrassed/shy/heartbroken way in the last episode during that one-on-one conversation with FL. On another note, Chief has so much more chemistry with his ex, Dr. Shim, and seems to be giving her mixed signals as well. I kept on going back and forth whether he still has feelings for her or not, especially, when I am not feeling anything towards FL.
Pacing - I think the pace is pretty good for the first half of the drama. But 21 episodes is way too long. Even though I know older dramas tend to be about 16-20 episodes long and not the 8-16 format these days, 21 is way more than enough. Not a whole lot happened and the romances in this drama dragged on for too long. There’s a lot of talking but not a lot of doing/actions taken.
What I don’t Like/Don’t Care for:
ML’s Mother - OMG… I hated her so much. I really want to believe somewhere in there, all her actions and mean words, come from her love for her son. But it’s really hard to not want to strangle her. I fast-forwarded most of her scenes in the first ¾ of the drama. I have mixed feelings about her character redemption in the end.
FL’s sister - I really don’t care for the sister and her boyfriend. The kid is cute enough, but their story really didn’t add much to the main plot.
Overall, I had an enjoyable time, especially during the first half of the drama. I was going to give this an 8.5 up until the last few episodes when I start to dislike FL more and more. As I said, I do not like how the romance came around and started, and felt that the last episode is just a filler. But seeing that this is a 10-year old drama, I don’t find too many things cringey.
Other Random Observations:
1. Who knew CPR could be so sensual. LOL ?
2. FL was running around looking for ML, no wonder her heart was beating fast! It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s because of ML (but of course, that’s what my brain says, not what the drama’s point).
3. I find it a little cringey when FL was trying to seduce ML in the last couple episodes.
4. Does anyone find Song Ji Hyo (FL), Han Ji Min (One Spring Night), Hwang Jung Eum (Kill Me, Heal Me) look alike? OK, maybe just me then. ?
Completed: 2/11/2024 - Review #402
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An Exhausting Watch! I need a shoulder massage after this. It's too stressful, in a Good way!
Subjective Enjoyment Rating: 8.5Objective Drama Rating: 9.0-9.5
Disclaimer: Horror is usually the genre I avoid as it’s not really my cup of tea. I am a scaredy cat, though I am Ok with violence. My review is from a novice perspective.
I want to emphasize that this is a very stressful drama-watching experience for me. My shoulders were all tensed up from Ep 1 to Ep 16. I am not sure if it’s because I am a novice and not used to this, or if this drama is just so exciting and full of plot twists. This is a whole new experience for me and I’ve watched many, many dramas in the last 3-4 years, though not this genre.
The acting is excellent - from the youngest to the oldest, from the main cast to those with very minor roles. It’s nice to see Kim Dong Wook play a regular dude, not a CEO or professional. This is a side of him I haven’t seen before, and he’s much more expressive than when I saw him in his last drama, “My Perfect Stranger”. It’s also great to see my beloved Kim Jae Wook, not as the perfect boyfriend but as a stoic priest who really needs to act to show a range of subtle emotions. Jung Eun Chae as the main female member held her own in the trio. It’s so great to see a badass female cop who actually could come in and save the day physically, and not a damsel in distress. Additionally, this drama also has a pretty stacked veteran supporting cast.
Special effects, creepy and scary sound effects, hair and makeup, all added to the overall viewing experience. This is a top notch production and there’s really nothing I can pick on. From a horror perspective, it’s not too scary for me. I think the horror aspects are more visual (violence, gore, blood). It’s less of a psychological horror, thus, I wasn’t really scared at all. But if you don’t like violence and gore, I would not recommend this drama for you. Those exorcism scenes are quite a sight to behold.
Even though I was tense from the beginning to the end (what a crazy, exciting and an emotional last episode), I do feel that the pacing of some episodes is somewhat slow. These are hour-long episodes and at times, they felt longer than one hour. There are also times when not much happened and the main cast was running around in circles. I actually wanted more action. I also don’t feel the urge to keep on pressing the “play” button to go to the next episode.
For someone who is inexperienced in this genre, I do think this is a great drama. I am not going to pretend I have a very enjoyable time, because I was stressed out and exhausted. I definitely do not recommend binge watching this. But if horror is your thing, please do check this out. If you don’t like violence, gore and lots of blood, then skip this one.
Other Random Observations:
1. Hwa Pyung reminded me of Harry Potter, and Park Il Do reminded me of Voldemort. LOL.
2. I keep thinking the three main characters plus all their friends and relatives should all carry a cross with them at all times.
3. Shamanism working hand-in-hand with Catholicism? That’s interesting.
Completed: 2/5/2024 - Review #401
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Frustrating and Unlikeable Characters in a Makjang-like Drama
Subjective Entertainment Rating: 7.25I would never have watched or known of “Fashion King” had it not been the Chaos Clown Cave Chill Challenge and I was assigned this drama as a MLDer’s least favorite. Because of the low rating, I came in with very low expectations. That should be the mentality if you want to watch this, especially, if you are watching this many years later (2024 for me). But I figured, Yoon Ah In is in it, I can deal with that as he’s always been excellent in everything he’s played.
Plot:
Keeping in mind that this is a 2012 drama, I somewhat excused the physical assault, slapping, throwing things and the not very realistic fist fight. “Fashion King” actually ages pretty well and I don’t think it’s very dated. But it’s more makjang than I anticipated.
1/4 of Drama - Makjang-like introductions to all the main characters. Everything that could go wrong for Kang Yeong Gul (Yoon Ah In aka ML1) and Lee Ga Young (Shin Sae Kyeong aka FL1) went wrong. From broken families to kicking out of the house, to all the adventures getting to and in New York - it’s quite ridiculous.
2/4 of the Drama - I am slowly enjoying how things are developed. Relationships between the four main characters are more defined and the business side of things picked up a little. Feelings are developed and there’s some pining and push-and-pull, along with very muddy former relationships between Jung Jae Hyuk (Lee Je Hoon aka ML2) and Choi Anna (Kwong Yu Ri aka FL2). I probably enjoyed these episodes the most.
3/4 of the Drama - Scheming and getting back at each other continued on. Romance is getting complicated and I am slightly impatient as I realized I don’t want to root for anyone. Everyone should remain single as none of them deserves each other. Even though the drama is about the fashion industry, they don’t really dive right in. It’s a very superficial/peripheral attempt. If you don’t like business dramas, then this is a positive thing.
4/4 of the Drama - Thought I would be rewarded with a little happy romance, but no, happy times don’t even add up to 30 mins. The angst and annoyance I put up with throughout the drama, especially when it comes to romance, was not rewarded at all. And that ending, so many plot holes and everything could be resolved with a few honest conversations.
Characters:
I have a very hard time rooting for our 4 main characters. Yeong Gul appears fun and nice, but is scheming and will use you to advance and make money. Ga Young was spunky and stubborn in the first few episodes, but then she resorted to crying or sleeping all the time. Jae Hyuk is a chaebol man-child who is petty and somewhat naive, but also mean. Anna is a pitiful ex who’s trying to grasp onto something and not sink. If you like flawed characters who make questionable decisions with unclear intentions, then you would love them. For me, I am 70% frustrated and 30% entertained.
Romance:
The only somewhat consistent feelings in this drama are from Ga Young to Yeong Gul. She has liked him from the very beginning. But towards the end, I questioned if she also has some feelings for Jae Hyuk because she’s bad with boundaries. She might say NO (and sometimes says nothing), but her actions might say otherwise. Or maybe deep down she’s enjoying all the affection Jae Hyuk has for her. Jae Hyuk is like a high school boy who shows affection for his classmate by being mean to her. He would make sarcastic remarks all the time, then give you a smile and then run towards you to apologize and make nice. He does not know how to love properly. I couldn’t tell if he still had feelings for Anna in the earlier episodes. Was he unable to show or he’s just using her? I would have liked to believe that Anna did indeed love Jae Hyuk in the beginning. But how she was discarded like trash broke her and drove her towards Yeong Gul. But her affections for Yeong Gul are probably not 100% sincere. She needed a life jacket, and she found one in Yeong Gul. Yeong Gul, once recognizes his feelings, is the easiest to spot and the more cliche lover. He wants to give Ga Young everything he has, wants payback for those who mistreat her and wants to give her all the best. Yet, of course, he doesn’t use words. If he and Ga Young actually talk to each other, I would not be so frustrated.
Acting:
Yoo Ah In really keeps me in this drama. He’s just so charismatic and I can’t help but draw to him. He’s not the typical handsome type, but no matter what drama he’s in, he’s the center of the attention. I love his acting here. Amazingly, I found Lee Je Hoon paled in comparison to Yoo Ah In a little. Probably because his character is a little more pitiful. But his character also allows him to show much more range than the other 3 main leads. Visually, he does not have the swagger for a rich Director and he walks funny. Shin Sae Kyeong is so pretty and young. But she always has the same crying face. I am not sure if it’s the writing of the character or her acting, I get annoyed when she just stands there and not says anything, and acts all shy. Kwong Yu Ri is so beautiful. She really does give off the high class designer vibe, and the subtle bitchiness in the way she walks and talks.
Fashion:
When the drama is about fashion, they better have some good fashion. And I am having a grand type admiring Yeong Gul’s eclectic and loud style, and also nice tailored suits. As I said, Yoo Ah In looks sexy and dashing in this drama. The ladies also have beautiful outfits. I like Ga Young’s casual style and work outfits, and Anna’s more high-end fashion. But Jae Hyuk in the earlier episodes looks like he’s wearing a suit a size too big for him. I have to say, Lee Je Hoon ages well. He looks more handsome in his 30s than in his 20s.
Ending:
I was going to talk about the ending, but decided to keep this spoiler-free as there are many other reviews about this disappointment. Let’s just say it’s not that hard to locate someone, or give someone a call and not rely on regular postal service completely. Communication can solve a lot of problems.
Overall, this is an interesting watch. I am not sure if I will recommend this drama when there are much better ones out there. Maybe if you are a fan of Yoo Ah In and you miss him now that he’s blacklisted? In a way, the entertainment value to ‘hate-watch’ is quite high for me. I am tempted to rate this much lower just because everyone hates it. But subjectively, it’s a 7.25 and I’m rounding this up to 7.5 to boost the rating a little. Though the characters frustrate me and it’s hard for me as a romance lover to not feel rewarded, this drama is still entertaining in a way and keeps me focused pretty well.
Completed: 1/20/2024 - Review #397
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The Moon That Rises in the Day
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Unsatisfying execution of an interesting plot; Lacking romantic chemistry
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75I am sure I am not the only one who read the synopsis of “Moon in the Day” and liked it, especially for fantasy romance lovers. The plot looks interesting and the male lead is the handsome Kim Young Dae, so I gave it a shot despite mixed reviews. Although the drama is not horrible, the execution and storytelling could have been better. It is wasted potential.
I quite enjoyed the first half of the drama, and dare I say, I liked the dynamics of the leads in the present-day storyline more than the past. Their encounter, the unfolding of the events, and how the leads get to know each other, are all fun to me. It was decently paced as well. But as we entered the second half of the drama, the pacing slowed down and I started to lose a little interest in the present-day timeline. There’s a whole lot of talking (repetitive themes) but not a lot of action. This is when I become more invested in their past lives. The leads’ story and romance slowly unfolded, and though with controlled and conservative emotions, I believed in their tragic love and felt their feelings for each other.
Unfortunately, I do not feel the chemistry between the leads in the present timeline. The romance is too slow burn and there isn't enough shown or conveyed to make me feel that they have fallen in love with each other again. But the time they outwardly expressed their feelings, it was too late and too superficial. Their romance did not move me. The only time I was sad and cried was in the last episode.
The pace is slower in the second half and people seem to talk a lot slower (in both timelines). It also doesn’t help that the formerly miraculous firefighting heroine slowly becomes a damsel in distress. How many times is she going to trip, fall, get into an accident and need someone to help her out. Where was her fire fighting training? Isn’t she an athlete that could fight and protect herself? On the other hand, the villain can do no wrong. No one could ever catch him, and he has all these resources to pull the strings behind the scene. The cops are as useless as ever.
The acting is not bad. But I’ve seen Kim Young Dae acted better in “The Forbidden Marriage” and had much better chemistry with his co-star. Apparently I’ve seen Pyo Ye Jin in several of her past dramas but I had no recollection of her. Her character allows her to convey more emotions than Kim Young Dae, thus, it seems like her acting is better. . The rest of the cast did fine. The veterans definitely shine more than the younger main cast. Lee Kyung Young as ML’s father is awesome and Jung Woong In never disappoints when he plays a villain.
Overall, this is not a must-watch but do so if you are a fan of the leads, or if you are a really big fan of fantasy romance. I am OK with the ending and feel that it’s quite reasonable. I might not have guessed the result of the end of the present-day timeline perfectly, but I definitely anticipated how the whole drama ended in the last couple minutes. It’s actually quite typical for this genre.
Completed: 1/15/2024 - Review #396
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BL Drama no Shuen ni Narimashita: Crank Up Hen
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Short but Sweet - Captures the Fun and the Feels
I saw a few posts on the feeds praising “ BL Drama no Shuen ni Narimashita: Crank Up Hen”, so I decided to check it out. I’m glad I did. It’s an adorable drama about unrequited love in the world of filming a BL. Japan is known for some of the cutest and fluffiest BL dramas, along with some quirky ones.I really like being able to hear each male lead’s inner monologues. Oftentimes, you only get one perspective and maybe another perspective in the very last episode. These monologues greatly enhanced my viewing pleasure during both comedic and more emotional scenes. I also appreciate that both characters are pretty similar in personality. I was worried that Hajime is the typical naive, innocent and introverted character, and would be too shy to utter any word. Luckily, he was just starstruck in the beginning, and is able to actually hold a conversation like a normal person. Akafuji, on the other hand, is not the typical superstar but a crazy stan. I feel that because they have a pretty balanced personality, they are on equal footing in regards to their romance.
This drama special starts with a lot of comedic and typical Japanese over-the-top manga adaptation moments. But eventually it dives into the emotional side of each character. One of the reasons I really enjoy this special is because it has 2 of my favorite things - unrequited love + those mini heartaches, and the guessing of whether he likes me or not. Both of these elements give me all the feels I need and especially in a manga adaptation comedy.
The acting of the leads is good. There isn’t anyone annoying or super loud. I do find the suits too big on the guys and they look too old in these oversized suits. Does anyone find Hajime in glasses looks like Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter? LOL. Ok, maybe it’s just me.
This is a short 3-episode fun watch with a lot of laughs, a lot of feels and a lot of cuteness.
Completed: 1/14/2024 - Review #395
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A decent rom-com of unrequited love and second-chance romance. Miles Wei does what he does best.
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75I am a fan of unrequited-love-turned-romance and also second-chance romance. So, “I May Love You” is the perfect drama for me at the moment. It’s an easy-to-watch rom-com to kill time.
I have conflicting feelings about the female lead, Tang Xin. Her first introduction to us viewers isn’t quite what I was hoping for and I was a little worried. She appeared to be obsessed with ML, Tang Yu, a little stalkerish with her wall of photos, and seemed to be a little clingy. I understand she’s been in love with Tang Yu for 4 years, but still, those pictures creeped me out. But on the other hand, I liked her assertiveness and her straightforwardness when confessing her love. I might not agree with her dishonesty in a way, but also understand where she’s coming from. Luckily, I like her more when stood her ground and focuses on her career. She let Tang Yu grovel and try to win her love without giving in too easily.
I love seeing a male lead miss his chance of love and have to grovel and win the affection of the female lead. However, that push-and-pull and Tan Xin’s stubbornness lasted too long. It was fun at first, but then towards the middle of the drama, it became very repetitive and I slowly lost interest in the main romance. I eventually just look forward to the secondary romance, which is cute and sweet. I adore that couple and wanted more screen time for them.
Miles Wei is the usual Miles Wei. He has played similar roles many times, but you can’t deny he looks quite handsome. At least he is not a total cold CEO and does show his lovable side once he’s in love. I know this is not a big budget production, but they have got to give Miles Wei and Huo Chen Dong better suits to wear. Their suits look like UNFINISHED products from fashion design students, or unfinished products from Project Runway contestants when they ran out of time after Tim Gunn told them to stop. They are ridiculous! Miles can use a few more suits and not repeatedly wear the same ones. He’s the CEO of a film production company afterall. The makeup of the female lead isn't that great either. Her foundation is too white but her lips are too bright. On the other hand, 2FL looks really pretty.
On a positive note, there are many lovable characters in this drama and no annoying ones. I adored ML’s mother and his sister. They are so cute and are the best wingwoman for ML. I was worried the sister would be another annoying spoiled princess, but she’s so lovely. We only have good and supportive parents, and good and supportive friends.
Aside from the mid-drama slow pacing due to the back-and-forth of the main romance, this is a pretty decent and light-hearted drama to watch. I don’t think it’s a realistic portrayal of the industries, so don’t think too hard but enjoy a cute and fluffy drama, with decent quality and number of kisses and an adorable supporting cast.
Completed: 1/12/2024 - Review #393
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