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Lost in Dramaland
Love is Dang Nyang Dang Nyang
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Interesting general plot but Lacking in Execution
I like the general premise of “Choco Milk Shake”. A cat and a dog came back as humans to help their former owner heal from loneliness, have closure and pursue happiness. However, the execution is a little lacking. The pacing of this very short drama is slow, and I am not sure if it’s because I watch this after a long day of work. But I fell asleep watching the first half because there’s a lot of silence and pauses. If the director is aiming for beautiful aesthetics and setting a mood, then they forget about adding some substance to the scenes. What is up with the empty Royal Saloon until the last couple episodes?The overall acting is pretty good especially since this is the first drama for 3 out of the 4 main leads. Choco and Milk portray the mannerisms of a dog and cat well. Jung Woo and Uncle are OK as well. If I have to pick, I believe Milk might be the better of the bunch (I also think he’s the cutest one).
I am not a pet owner, so I have some trouble believing in the main romance between Choco and Jung Woo. I am under the impression that Choco loves Jung Woo unconditionally as a pet towards its owner. Is that love between two adult humans? I am not sure. I have an especially hard time believing Jung Woo would fall in love with his pet dog which he has raised from young. Is he in love with Choco as two adults, or as a pet owner? The drama does try to show us some cute scenes, some petting and Choco following Jung Woo around (like a puppy). But their interaction is not enough for me to believe in this romance.
On the other hand, it’s easier to root for Uncle and Milk. They do seem like two adults liking each other. The chemistry is a lot better despite not having better romance plot development. I would have liked to see more interaction between the two before they get drunk together. Nevertheless, I enjoy seeing Milk fighting the attraction and yet couldn’t help himself with the look Uncle gives him. If there’s a side story, I want one for Milk and Uncle.
Completed: 1/11/2023
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A good mix of Romance, Fantasy and Crime Investigation
“Love in Time” is Chinese adaptation of the Taiwanese drama “Meet Me @ 1006”, which I also watched. But it’s been a while and I don’t quite remember the details. “Love in Time” has a good mix of romance, fantasy and crime investigation. I think romance might be stronger and has a larger plot than “Meet Me @ 1006” (but I might be wrong).Storytelling using multiple timelines could be confusing but I think “Love in Time” did a pretty good job. It shows clearly on the screen whether it’s in 2021 or 2022 and it actually isn’t hard to tell apart even without the words on screen. If you are really picky about consistency and things always make sense in different timelines, then I am not sure if this drama will satisfy you. What happened to the jealousy of the co-workers? How about paying at the convenience store when you’re not from the same timeline?
I think the strength of the drama is giving the three genres (romance, fantasy, crime investigation) equal time and integrating these elements well throughout the drama. However, even though the drama is only 24 episodes long, there are moments that I felt like the story is not moving fast enough. Technically, there are two big “events” that the main characters want to change, and I feel certain smaller events are repetitive and could have sped up the pacing.
I enjoy the acting by the two main leads, especially Yang Xu Wen as the male lead. He basically plays two characters and you can tell just by looking at him which timeline he’s in. He looks so handsome in this drama in nice tailored suits (better looking than in his period dramas). I enjoyed his acting here a lot more than “Strange Tales in Tang Dynasty”. The female lead, Julia Xiang, did an admirable job as well. I really like her character in the first half of the drama. She’s adorable and smart, and has a strong sense of justice. I also want to see more of her challenges as a newbie reporter. But towards the second half of the drama, she cries too much and I miss her brighter personality.
Unfortunately, I do not think the acting of the supporting cast shines as bright as the leads. Wang Men Li (as actress Wu Ji Rong) and Xu Kai Xin (as reporter Mu Shi Ming) are especially disappointing and bland. I had high hopes for Dai Gao Zheng after seeing his sexy acting (aka abs) in the popular web drama “Maid’s Revenge”. Unfortunately his role as Jiang Sheng Hao will not be his breakout role. He was OK, but he didn't stand out. I also think the script for the supporting cast is not doing the actors any favors. There’s barely any character development and the supporting cast only serves to move the plot along. This show is made for the male and female leads. Anyone else is an afterthought without depth.
As a romance junkie, I am satisfied with how the romance develops between the leads, in both timelines. I really do feel like the romance takes center stage in this drama. There are fun enemies-to-lovers bantering, cute and sweet scenes, a couple kisses and some really good, genuine hugs. I am glad that the male lead doesn’t turn dumb and useless after falling in love. He’s still smart and still level-headed. He really does have character development and has become a better person at the end of the drama. The second half of the drama becomes a little more melodramatic (because of the plot). I still think the female lead cries too much and I wish there are more heartwarming and sweet scenes here and there to balance out the melodrama.
I am satisfied with the ending of the drama. I was worried it’s going to be a cliche ending where someone would wake up from a coma or recover lost memories. Since this is a fantasy drama, I can’t use the word ‘realistic’ to describe it. But I would say it’s reasonable and not abrupt. There’s time between the end of a certain important event for the lead to recover, adjust and slowly come to terms to how they feel and to finally move on.
Other Random Observations:
1. I’m glad the actors are using their own voice. But I wish there’s more live recording and less post-production voice over. The quality of the dubbing isn’t great.
2. like Yang Xu Wen even more after this drama. But for some reason he is giving me a playboy vibe, which is weird because his character is definitely not a playboy.
3. My notes reminded me that I criticized the FL in the Taiwanese version for not showing enough of her judo. I think FL here does a little more MMA, butI still not enough. I want to see her beat up some bad dudes.
4. The apartment here is really big and nice. The Taiwanese apartment has a little more character and fun, definitely not as swanky especially for a down-on-his-luck lawyer.
Completed: 12/25/2022
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A timeless classic love story even when watching this in 2022
"The Classic" really is a classic. It doesn't matter if I am watching this in 2022 or in 2003. The love story might be simple and uncomplicated, but I think that's also the beauty of it. I enjoy the two parallel timelines when telling the mother's story and the daughter's story. I would say the focus is in the older generation's romance. It's much more romantic, beautiful and impactful. Who Joo Hee ends up with in the end is not surprising. But watching how the story unfolds from beginning to the end is a beautiful thing.My only criticism of this movie and the reason I am not giving this movie a 9.0 is the modern day romance. It pales in comparison to the older timeline. I would have loved to see Ji Hye and Sang Min's story develop a little better and with more screen time. I don't need to see more of the annoying Soo Kyeong, but I need more interaction between Ji Hye and Sang Min. I think it's a waste of Jo In Sung's talents and his character. Because I am not as invested in this couple, it makes the ending scenes not as impactful as they should be.
It's really interesting to watch this in 2022 and see how innocent-looking and adorable these big stars were. Their talents shone even when they were so young. The acting is great all-around and the OST is beautiful as well.
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Thin in plot but Thick in sweet innocence
The second Filipino drama I watched that's shot during the Covid-19 pandemic about meeting someone special online. In comparison to "Gameboys", "Hello, Stranger" is a lot sweeter and more innocent. I feel all sorts of emotions with our main lead, Mico. This drama really touched my heart and rejuvenated my tiring and cynical heart. I love all the awkward and shy moments.However, there isn't much going plot wise, and if you are not interested in this sweet romance, this is not the drama for you. It's not as impactful as "Gameboys" and the use of social media as a way to tell the story is also not as creative. Not to say this is a bad drama, but just different and maybe my comparison to "Gameboys" is unfair as well (I can't help it though).
Acting is not bad and there's no irritating character, or annoying 'Baby' (sorry, my last comparison 😆) The teacher is hilarious and the friends are caring and supportive. This is a short and easy watch.
Random Observations:
1. Tony Labrusca (Xavier) reminds me of the Chinese actor Wang An Yu in "Forever Love". Both are so handsome and I love their shy smiles.
2. On the other hand, Vivoree Esclito (Kookai) reminds me of the American actress Vanessa Hudgens (who is part Filipina).
Completed: 11/7/2022
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If you love or want to learn about Thai culture/tradition/history, Watch this!!
Rating - 8.25 rounding up to 8.5“Bhuppae Sunniwat” aka “Love Destiny” is only my second non-BL Thai drama after “The Crown Princess”, so I am very new to this genre and my thoughts are reflected in a way that I am still not used to some of the acting or comedy styles. This is also my first Thai historical drama and I learned so much about Thai traditions and history. Characters from “Love Destiny” are based on true historical figures, but I am not sure how accurate the portrayals are.
What I Like:
1. Thai traditions and history - I really enjoy learning about the different Thai traditions, foods, rituals and history. I never knew Thai ladies folded and shaped the petals of unopened lotus flowers when doing floral arrangements. I’ve seen plenty of lotus in ponds in C-dramas, but never knew they could be presented in another beautiful way. There are many similarities between Chinese and Thai traditions, especially with respect to how they treat the elderly or senior members, high-ranking officials and their slaves/maids/servants. In a patriarchal society, wives did not have the same rights and treatment as men. I love the traditional costumes that all the women wear, from accessories to scarves to beauty products. Watching this drama also led me to Googling about the French influence in Thailand. If you are interested in Thai culture and traditions, this is a great drama to watch.
2. Acting - Female lead, Bella played three very different characters in this drama. I can really see the difference in her portrayal of the vicious and mean Karakade, the sweet and nerdy modern Kadesurang, and the new and improved Karakade. What a beautiful and talented actress! Bella is paired with the equally talented and handsome Pope. He really can act with his eyes and his shy smile and stolen glances melt my heart. I love watching him slowly fall in love with Karakade. The other two couples are equally talented and good-looking. “Love Destiny” has a pretty large supporting cast - family members, servants, royal family and government officials, and everyone did a good job and there isn’t anyone too cringey for my liking, acting wise.
3. Overall Plot - I enjoy the overall plot of this drama and why it’s called “Love Destiny”. Without going into spoilers, the drama does give an adequate explanation of how one woman came to live in another woman’s body, and how everything is destined that way. I would have loved to learn about the reason sooner, and have the drama focus a little more on that part of the story.
4. Por Date (ML) - I have something to pick on the main romance, but I do like Por Date. He has a strong sense of family, traditions and loyalty, but also not so inflexible that he would oppose all the new things that FL introduced to him. Despite being a self-proclaimed jealous and possessive fiance, he never once acts out of character, openly expresses his annoyance, or gets overly physical and possessive when he’s jealous. He might pout and walk away, but he’s gentleman-like. He also has a way of subtly flirting with FL. Though his love lines could be interpreted as cheesy and corny by some, I am eating that all up, because coupled with his loving gazes and smiles, I am also very much in love with him myself 😍 I also LOVE the thoughtful present he gets for FL from France. Not something he bought, but something he spends a lot of time and effort on, because he knows FL well and knows that she would treasure such a gift.
5. ML’s Father - A kind and caring father who openly accepts this weird future daughter-in-law into his family. He’s so accepting of FL’s vicious and non-traditional behaviors. Despite FL making all these mistakes and breaking traditions, he is always patient and understanding. In a patriarchal society, he could have easily punished or kicked her out of his home. He also has a way to control his wife and her servant from acting up. Just a quick look or a word of two to put them in their own place.
What I have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like:
1. Modern Karakade (FL) - It is fun to see Karakade acting all modern and crazy, and speaking a different language. The blunders she made are a fun comic relief. However from a character development standpoint, it seems quite uncharacteristic for her to not want to speak or act properly, even after living in historical times for a couple of years. I know it’s more fun to teach your servants to speak your modern language, but if you decide to stay there, shouldn’t you make more of an effort to fit in? She got in trouble repeatedly, never seeming to learn from her mistakes and causing great harm/punishment to her servants. She seems to regret her impulsive and thoughtless decision each time, but still makes the same mistake over and over again. For a smart, independent modern woman, she also makes some dumb decisions. I love and find her annoying at the same time.
2. Por Date + Karakade Romance - If you like enemies-to-lovers and slow burn romance, this is it for you. I enjoy seeing them slowly fall in love, especially when Karakade unintentionally melts Por Date’s ice. It took a really long time for them to officially become a couple and when they do, there’s finally some PDA. But it was such a long and teasing drought to get to that point. There are so many instances where ML sneaks up behind FL’s back, approaches her, flirts with her, FL turns around and leaves and is held back, and ML ALMOST plants a gentle kiss on her cheek and then nothing happens. This is such a tease and is so repetitive that it slows down the general pacing of the show. There also way too many accidental trips and falls into someone’s arms.
3. Production Value - As mentioned, I love all the costumes worn by the characters. I also like the set designs, the different houses/rooms and the open floor plan. Inside the palace seems somewhat small, but I don’t watch enough Thai dramas to know if that’s always the case. I just realized compared to Chinese palaces, this one seems quite homey. I also like to see all the foods and desserts and even the boats and rivers. I am a big fan of natural lighting and we see this in “Love Destiny”. I like seeing how the servants put out land lighting lanterns/fire to indicate the change of day. But some scenes are too dark and I wish there were more lanterns. CGI/green screens aren’t great. The palace looks really fake when the characters are on a boat passing it. The music sounds nice but it’s so overplayed. The romantic song is played during EVERY single romantic scene, and there are many. No matter how much I like the song, I became very annoyed. The editing and scene transitions are also a little off. Maybe if I watch the extended version, the issue won’t be as prominent?
4. Pacing - Each episode is 1 hr 50 minutes long, and they are and feel really long. The drama spent a lot of time on home life, but there aren’t enough exciting events happening to keep me entertained and not looking at my clock to see when this very long episode will be over. For the most part, the drama focuses on romance and family life. But then a few episodes are dedicated to just politics, mainly in the second half of the drama. I would have liked to see politics introduced in a more balanced way throughout the drama.
5. Nang Prik (Old maid) - She was fun for a while and provided some comic relief. But her actions and constant meddling into her master and mistress’ business becomes too annoying. A servant should never have such audacity to criticize your masters/mistresses no matter how long you have served in that household. Her irritating behavior lasts way too long.
Other Random Observations:
1. It’s hard to keep track of all the long names and title changes.
2. The men in this drama don’t seem to need to work, esp. In the first half of the drama.
3. I like the duo Nam Yam and Nang Pin. They are fun without being annoying.
4. Love ML’s expressions when FL showed him the French greeting. A different expression on each cheek!
5. It’s somewhat hard to tell the passage of time. This drama spans many years but no date was ever shown on the screen.
Completed: 10/31/2022
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Gameboys Level-Up Edition
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Interesting storytelling by using different social media platforms
“Gameboys Level-up Edition” is my first Filipino drama and it took me a while to decide to watch this. Watching a drama with the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown while we’re still in a pandemic might not be a good idea. But I am ready to move on and try to live a semi-normal life, so here I am. And I have a surprisingly enjoyable time watching this.What I Like:
1. Acting - I almost dropped this drama after the first episode because everything seems so cringey. But then, the emotional scenes started and wow, I am very surprised and impressed by the two leads’ acting. I was expecting some not-so-good acting, similar to other BLs I’ve seen with idols and inexperienced actors. Looking into Elijah Canlas’ profile, I found out he has won multiple acting awards and at such a young age. I have to say, he was really great in this drama. After I got over Kokoy de Santos’ cringey and cheesy scenes, I discovered that he can act pretty well. Both of these young actors are great in their emotional scenes and when tears slowly welled up in their eyes and dropped down their faces, I cried with them.
2. Different issues - This drama tackled some very real-life issues faced during the height of the pandemic. Not only does it explore the illness and medical cases, but also how the pandemic affects everyday communication and relationships. Of course, the focus of this drama is on the budding romance between Cai and Gav - from how Gav courts Cai, slowly falling in love, dealing with relationship issues when unable to see each other in-person, to the consequences of family members passing away. The drama did not forget to pay tribute to the brave men and women who are front line workers and first responders, and also remind us to observe all health and safety precautions.
3. Execution - At first I wasn’t sure how I feel about using social media as the primary way of telling these stories. But I do think this is a very creative way especially during the lockdown, to showcase how young people communicate. We see the characters use ‘fake’ Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, Live streaming/gaming, video calls and Zoom to communicate during the lockdown. It took me a little while to get used to the changing social networking platforms, but I think I end up quite liking this refreshing format.
4. Friendships - OK, Pearl can be really annoying, Gav can be very cheesy and cringey, and Cai can be inconsiderate, but I LOVE their friendship. These guys are so funny during their zoom calls (chatting, exercising, dancing, drinking and game playing). They have really good chemistry and it’s friendship like this that helps keep our sanity during the lockdown.
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5. Cai’s family - What a great and supportive family Cai has. His father’s letter to him was so touching and heartbreaking. I love how Cai’s mother gives him relationship advice and repeatedly tells him how much she loves him for who he is.
What I Don’t Like:
1. Baby Baby Baby - If I hear the word “Baby” one more time, I might have to strangle someone!
2. Cringe and Cheese - Gav is a great guy but gosh, he’s so cringey. The drama needs to dial down on this intense courtship in the beginning episodes. It’s annoying and borderline stalkerish. I am glad I persisted and didn’t drop this drama, but I bet others might not be able to stand Gav’s character and drop it.
3. Pearl - I love her as a friend and she’s super fun to watch, but she’s too over-the-top for my taste. She needs to dial down on her screaming and high pitched voice.
4. Terence - There’s something about Terence that seems very fake, even though I know he’s supposed to be sincere in some scenes. I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s his voice and the way he talks??
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Why Did You Come to My House
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Short and sweet Friends-to-Lovers Trope
Friends-to-Lovers is one of the more popular tropes and one of my favorites as well. When I first saw Park Hyung Sik after not seeing him in a while, my first impression is, 'He's so adorable!'. This feeling continues on throughout the drama. His character is sweet and caring, and you can't help but fall in love with him and root for him.Han So Hee on the other hand is as beautiful as she can be. Her character, Eun Soo, is a lot more outgoing, to contrast the more conservative side of Park Hyung Sik's character, Sun Woo. But I can't help but think that she overacts a little.
The two have good chemistry together as friends, but I do feel it lacking a little in the unrequited love department. I think Sun Woo's shy and sweet personality conveys the unrequited love a little better. Eun Soo's struggles don't move me as much.
As other reviewers mentioned, this short drama boasts a pretty large collection of songs in its OST. They all sound pretty nice to me, but because there are so many, I did not get attached to any song. The songs all give a very similar feel and sound the same to me.
The plot is simple and nothing new. If you enjoy watching two friends slowly discovering that they have feelings for each other, this is a good and quick watch. The visuals are great and the cold winter adds an additional charm to the story.
Completed: 10/23/2022
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I Secretly Fell in Love with the Student Council President
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I slept on it before writing this review, as I think I might be very critical if I write this right after I finish watching. “About Youth” is quite highly rated and has received a lot of positive reviews. However, I just find it “OK”. It’s not bad, but it’s not excellent either.
The drama focuses on two things: romance and familial relationships. We follow the development of the sweet and innocent romance of our two male leads, Xu Qi Zhang and Ye Guang. I enjoy the innocence and shyness of this couple. I feel their chemistry and I am also a sucker for longing and shy gazes at each other. On the other hand, we also witness the more complicated romance between Ray and Ah Jian. This romance provides a good contrast to the main romance. However, due to the limited episodes, this relationship is not developed or explored enough. It could be even more interesting than the main romance, but it just feels a little disjointed to me.
The drama also continues to explore the pressure Asian parents have on their children to have good grades in school. Ye Guang battles (internally and externally) with his parents throughout the whole drama. However, the resolution is underwhelming, considering so much time is spent on the conflict. On the other hand of the spectrum, we have Xu Qi Zhang and his very supportive mother. Their relationship is so much healthier. His uncle’s scenes only provided the vehicle to create Xu Qi Zhang and Ye Guang’s first fateful encounter, and nothing more.
This seems to be the first acting roles for all four main cast members, and it shows. I would say out of the four, Shen Jyun/Xu Qi Zhang might be the best. Li Zhen Hao/Ye Guang got better towards the last couple episodes, but the first few ones were rough (except for acting cool and cute). The acting does affect my viewing pleasure a little. I like the title theme song, but it’s quite overplayed, especially for such a short drama.
Overall, the romance is light and sweet, and the more serious parts revolve around Ye Guang’s parents. It’s not a bad watch if you’re looking for a sweet and short romance and don’t mind the school/grades parts.
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Simple and Heartwarming
Completed: 9/25/2022"Tokyo Seimenjo" aka "Tokyo Noodle Factory" is a light and heartwarming short 6-episode drama. Each episode focuses on a specific character but it always ties back to the noodle factory and the general plot. When a new manager arrives, his unique and passionate customer service approach creates havoc within a well-oiled machine. However, his passion eventually rubs off of each of the employees and they bring along some simple and heartwarming stories.
I really enjoy the fun intro theme song of "Tokyo Noodle Factory". Oftentimes, when there's dancing and singing involved in a Jdorama, it's cringey. But this is light and fun. It reminds me of the fun ending theme song of "Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu". The udon noodles look really delicious and I learned a few more ways of eating udons. The acting is not overdramatic or anime-like. The characters are unique and work well together as a team.
I'm glad I dropped "Rokuhodo Yotsuiro Biyori" to watch this. They have a similar style, but I was bored of the other drama and don't feel like the individual stories tied back to the general cafe, as well as the noodle shop here.
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Great Found Family but Useless Romance
Completed - 9/18/2022 - 7.75 Rating“Short” is a very short drama about short track speed skating (see my puns? LOL). In four episodes, this drama covers a lot - training, competition, family, friendship and romance. There’s a lot to like about this drama and also a few areas I don’t like very much.
What I Like:
1. Found Family - I love all the scenes at the boarding house. The cozy and comfortable feeling, and friendly banter between friends and families. Having family meals together is the best thing!
2. Rivalry to Camaraderie - As with many similar dramas, the drama started with the rivalry between the two male leads, a veteran super star vs a newly discovered rising star. I enjoy all the scenes of them together.
3. Parents/Children relationship - We see the contrasting relationships between Man Bok & his mother and Eun Ho & his father. Though Man Bok is poor financially, his relationship with his mom and sister is rich in every other aspect. A loving mother to everyone and a loving and responsible son. On the other hand, Eun Ho is rich yet his relationship with his father is cold. He has to find comfort and warmth in the boarding house.
What I have Mixed Feelings:
1. Romance - Romance is really unnecessary and this is a big criticism coming from me since I am a romance lover. With only 4 short episodes, I would love to see more about friendship, family and competition. I don’t see why the two male leads are attracted to Jin Na at all. She might be pretty, but then what else? If I have to choose romance, I would love to see more of Man Hee and her new crush.
2. K-pop - similar to romance, the whole K-pop audition storyline could be eliminated. It doesn’t bring much to the drama. Also, they should have let the actress sing during her audition instead of playing a different song.
3. Skating scenes - I feel that there isn’t enough competition or racing scenes in this drama that’s about speed skating. The few that we have are not exciting enough. I am especially disappointed in the Olympic trials. No exciting racing scenes at all. I didn’t even know the leads were reaching the finish line until they announced the winner.
Other Random Observations:
1. Kim Do Yeon can really dance.
2. I noticed the skating scenes seem to be slower than in C-dramas such as “To Fly with You”. Maybe C-dramas speed up those scenes digitally?
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Selfless and Generous friendships
8/17/2021I've watched quite a few slice-of-life type high school dramas and I find that they all a few things in common. You will end up loving the friendships and the relationships storylines. However, I also find it increasingly difficult to distinguish and separate these high school dramas from each other. They all seem to focus on studies, exams and esp. college entrance exams in all of them. The romance storylines might be a little different, but they are all very sweet and innocent in their own ways. However, this might be the only one (but I might be wrong) that they discussed a little bit about the physical changes of these teens - development of breasts, hair on their legs and even one wet dream.
The young actors did quite a good job considering considering this is the first drama for several of the leads. I've seen Neo Hao in "A Girl like Me" and I find his acting in this drama SOOO much better, even though this is a 2018 drama. I enjoy the selfless friendship of these teenagers. There isn't anyone that is jealous of others - school or love life. Even though we have a love triangle/square, the characters never hate each other out of jealousy. The bromance between the male leads is endearing and supportive. I especially love the grandmother/grandson relationship. I love grandma as she's so cute and also heartbreaking when she's battling Alzheimer's. Personally, I enjoy all the HK references, esp. music (The 4 Gods), having grown up listening to the same types of music and loving Leon Lai as well. If I am correct, there's a lot of live recording instead of dubbing in this drama. If there's dubbing, it will be the actor's own voice. What a breath of fresh air, after watching so many dubbed historical drama. I also enjoy the songs sung by our male leads.
On another note, I do find that the pacing is a little slow in the middle of the drama (I do have a tendency to think slice-of-life drama a little slow). I find myself being distracted by other things and lost my attention. I would like to see more development on the minor characters storylines - Class teacher's crush (what happened?), Yang Xiao He Mei and the brother's ambiguous friendship, Li Yu and Huang Deng Deng's friendship. I can see how many find this drama similar to Reply 1988. But I never doubt who the FL is going to end up with, unlike Reply 1988 which kept me thinking. I want more of the romance as there's a lot of back-and-forth without much going on.
Overall, this is a nice and sweet drama, but I don't think I will remember much of it later on. I also enjoy the songs in this drama very much. It's a good palette cleanser for me after watching "The Wolf".
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Tragic romance full of angst, sacrifices and regrets
8/15/2021I debated whether to rate this drama an 8 or 8.5 and I ended up rating it a little higher. I really like the general plot and story of Wolf Boy and Princess Ma. However, I think the execution wasn't done right and there are plot holes here and there. I read that the drama was cut short due to censorship and this might have contributed to these plot holes.
Negatives:
Plot/Plot Holes - As I mention, I really like the general story of Wolf Boy (ML) and Princess Ma (FL). I love the story of how they met and their lives together in the mountain. I like the struggles that they both endured before meeting again, and all the angst in their romance. However, there are a few unexplained plot holes and illogical events (e.g. lighting explosives hidden in the slave's bodies without fire?) in this drama. Is it due to the reduction of episodes or the writing, I do not know. Here are a few examples that I remember to write down. I am sure there are more towards the beginning of the drama.
Example 1 - what is the big conspiracy of the Chu Crown Prince's death that has to do with the King?? I never really figure that out. The crown prince's death played such an important part in ML's decision to stay by the King's side and do his dirty work, but it was never fully explained what the King did to finally prompt ML and his 4th brother to cut ties with the King.
Example 2 - If Jao Ji is so in love with ML, why did she want to kill him 5 years ago, even if she did not get the leader position? If she hated him so much back then, how come all of a sudden they were so close again?
Example 3 - Did Ji Jong officially announce his divorce from FL? Did no one bat an eye when ML and FL got together again towards the end of the show? Are we just skipping through this controversial divorce?
Romance - I hesitated and procrastinated to watch this drama, as I've read complaints about the toxic relationship. I can see how others are uncomfortable and unhappy about it. However, I am generally fine with the "toxic" romance after understanding what ML has gone through and without really any positive role models in his life. I do find the back-and-forth of the main romance a little slow in the middle. I wish they could have reduced a few episodes of misunderstanding happened in the Bo Manor, and use the time for other storylines. There are too many different misunderstanding/noble idiocy self-sacrifices in this drama. As for the ending, for some reason, I didn't want to see Ji Jong and Princess Bao Na got together. It's only been 6 months and Ji Jong already let go of his love for FL? He was so in love with her and sacrificed so much for her that I wish he traveled around the world alone.
Positives:
Acting - I enjoy the acting of the whole cast - main and supporting. It's my first drama watching Darren Wang and wow...what an amazing portrayal of Wolf Boy/Prince Bo. You see and fall in love with that innocent smile when he's Wolf Boy and then he changed into this cold and cunning Prince Bo. When he's not on the screen, I miss seeing him. He's the main draw of this drama for me. This is my second drama watching FL after "Joy of Life". I find her the weakest link in JOL and her romance with the lead is my least favorite. However, she totally changed my mind in this drama. She showed so much more range - from acting innocent to a little spoiled and to a more mature woman in the end. I read that some don't like her acting here, but I actually thought she did a good job. As for our 2ML Ji Jong, this is my 4th drama watching Sean Zhan (Untamed, Joy of Life, Duoluo Continent). I wasn't even aware that he's in the drama and I bet many watch "The Wolf" because of him. I have to say that this is the best I've seen. He is able to portray his carefree character well (just like his other roles) yet I love him more when he's being FL's protector and when he's heartbroken. I think he showed a lot of range in his role here. The supporting cast also do a great and convincing job. There isn't anyone too annoying and despicable in the drama, though Princess Bao Na almost got to that point.
OST/Music - I see that Jolin Tsai was listed under the Music Department, so I am not sure if this has something to do with all the great songs and music in this drama. I love each song played and I am glad there are more than 2 songs. Otherwise, I get really bored when the same song gets played over and over again. I think in general, the songs came on at the right moment, usually a romantic moment. The music is loud enough and not too loud that I can't hear the lines.
Cinematography/CGI/Costumes/Make-up - Great cinematography in this drama. I enjoyed the scenes when the leads are in the mountain the most. I also find the CGI wolves to be realistic. The costumes are also great and the cast wear more than one or two costumes. I am not sure if it's really cold or ML is really buff - I also felt that he looks like he's wearing a lot of clothes and looks very bulky. I enjoy the more formal clothing ML wore when he's in the palace, and then a more casual/wuxia look when he's not. For the (first?) time, we have leads who are not covered with makeup that make then look pale and sick. I love the more tan look of ML and 2ML. Even though you know it's spray-tanned (some shots are more apparent than others), I still enjoy seeing a much "healthier" skin tone, esp. when we're talking about a wolf boy who ran around in the sun a lot. Even for the other actors, I don't see anyone that's pale-looking.
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Underrated drama of the challenges/decisions of Court Judges
8/11/2021I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy watching this drama. I don't think this drama is recommended enough. First and foremost, this is NOT a crime or legal drama about court cases. You will be disappointed if you are expecting well-thought out criminal investigations or legal battles. The court cases serve as a means to tell the stories of court judges. This is why the drama is so unique, as we don't often hear the behind-the-scene career crises that judges face, whether you are a rookie judge or a senior judge.
The cases are those that happen in real life for normal people. Trigger Warning - the drama covers sexual assault/rape cases, as well as depression, family expectations, inheritance battle, custody battle, and teen drug use. I read that this drama is written by a real life court judge. No wonder those challenges faced by the judges felt so real.
I really like the character development of our ML. He went from an introverted, anti-social, logical and rational judge, to be come a more "human" judge through the influence of FL and his colleagues. I like the FL fine but find her character a little unprofessional and immature to be a judge in the beginning of the series. And this is why I didn't give this drama a 9 rating instead of a 8.5. Even though I understand her character has to be unique and vastly different from our ML and other judges to make a difference, it's still unrealistic for her to be that emotionally unprofessional in the beginning. I also love the bromance between our ML and 2ML. They are frenemies to start but really develop a strong bond throughout the show. They are so funny together. The supporting cast of judges, court employees and aunties provide many comedic moments as well.
Romance plays a very small part in this drama, so don't expect a rom-com/fluffy romance from our main leads. Instead it's a slower romance that develops naturally and very understated. I do love seeing the shy smiles from our ML. He's such a cutie with those adorable pimples! He's the reason why I chose to watch this drama to begin with. The second lead romance is a lot funnier and fluffier. They provide such good comic relief.
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Not the best or the worst E-Sports drama
7/30/2021After watching "Love O2O", "Gank Your Heart", "Cross Fire" and "Go Go Squid 1", this is my 5th e-sports drama. "Cross Fire" is my favorite out of the 5 shows. I have "The King's Avatar" and "Go Go Squid 2" on my Watchlist. I would rank this drama in the middle of the group. This drama has a stronger focus in the romance department than actual competitive gaming. It also spends a lot of time on the e-sports fan base/social media/online forums.
Many commented on the romance between the leads. And it is true that Xu Kai (ML) is just as handsome as everyone says. I am a fan of him after watching him in "Arsenal Military Academy" and am looking forward to watching him in "Ancient Love Poetry". He plays a very different role here, and he did a great job. I know this is an adaptation of the book and I read that his "horny" character was toned down in this show. However, I still felt that it is a little out-of-character for this cool, calm and rational Captain to suddenly become this lovable, clingy and somewhat cheesy boyfriend. I just find his Jekyll/Hyde personality a little uncharacteristic. But if the novel is like this, I guess it's really no fault of the drama and scriptwriter. This is my first time watching our female lead. I think she did an OK job, as I do find some of her facial expressions a little wooden. I don't find the chemistry to be especially strong between our leads, except for ML's loving gazes. Chemistry is OK, but not amazing. I enjoyed watching their slow-burn romance before they got together, than when they are together (it got somewhat cringey). Luckily, their kiss scenes (surprisingly there are quite a few) are believable and nice, and not the fish-kissing in "Love O2O". The secondary romance seems a little more realistic, we don't really see their romance much, compared to secondary romances in other rom-coms.
A common theme in e-sports dramas is the amazing friendship and camaraderie between team members and rivals. It's not an exception here. You will grow to love all the team members, even those from rival teams. They provide comic relief and for the most part, things didn't get too negative or dramatic. The friendship between FL and2FL is also great to see. I still don't understand why 2FL is so rich. We have somewhat supportive family members for most members and there isn't anyone too annoying in the show.
Gaming graphics are amazing in this show. I am not sure if these are original animation from the actual League of Legends games, or specially created for the show. But it's not doubt that the graphics and the music are amazing. It's different from the actual actor being in the games such as "Cross Fire" or the coding in "Go Go Squid". For a non-gamer, I do find it a little difficult to follow the gaming scenes.
I do have a minor criticism and wished the scriptwriter has added. Since FL is the first female pro gamer, I wish they would have followed her journey to encourage other fellow female gamers. I would love for her to be a role model. Unfortunately, for most of the drama, the show focuses a lot of gender bias, putting her down through online comments and social media. I know that's an important part of her journey as well, but I wish the show has cut down on some of the social media stuff, but empower her to do more for the industry.
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Sweet Rom-Com + Challenges faced by Book Editors and Authors
7/26/2021As part of the Sweet On series, it is to be expected that this is going to be a sweet and fluffy romantic comedy. I'm glad to know that there's more to it than the usual cheesy love story. I love books, therefore, I decided to watch this drama as it's about publishing companies and authors. It's a very different vibe from the K-Drama "Romance is a Bonus Book", but it's just as enjoyable. I am glad that the actors real voices are used and the drama seems to have a combination of live recording and dubbing (not that bad).
Setting/Plot: I am not sure how realistic this drama is in regards to the challenges editors and authors face each day. However, I enjoy watching how editors work with their authors and how much effort is put in to getting a book published. Though the scenes might seem overly dramatic, the gist of what's happening seems realistic enough. The drama also focuses more on the challenges of established/veteran writers, than newbie writers trying to break into the industry. In many C-Dramas, we always see overly-bearing and disapproving parents. This drama has it, too, but it's part of an essential plot and character development of our ML. However, I do have to say that the antagonists do seem quite over-the-top. If they are really working in a publishing house, they should have been fired long time ago for their unprofessionalism.
Characters: FL at first glance seems to be another cliché female lead that is innocent and naïve. Many give up on this drama because they find FL's real voice annoying. It does take a little bit to get used to her "childish" and "whiny" voice, but once you do, it's a great story to uncover more about her. She is independent, energetic, persistent, NOT a pushover, and a go-getter. I enjoy discovering her personality throughout the show. ML, on the other hand, has more character growth. He started as an introverted, arrogant yet childish and petty famous author, to becoming more open, caring and mature. FL is more of a discovery throughout the show, and ML is more of a character development. In contrast, the secondary leads are much more mature, and go through a different set of challenges in life and romance. At the end of the drama, they have changed to become a better partner and better versions of themselves. The supporting cast has their individual role in the drama. The antagonists make your blood boil and you really want to slap them in the face for their unprofessionalism.
Acting: This is the second drama I've seen FL in after "I've Fallen For You". Both her roles are quite similar that she's bubbly and high energy. After getting used to her voice, I enjoyed her performance as she could be cutesy but you still love her, and want to root for her. It's also my second drama of ML after " The Romance of Tiger and Rose". He did a good job in playing this awkwardly cute guy, and then changed into his author character. I am especially impressed in Ep 35 in the scene with his father. You see his eyes slowly welled up and all the feels! 2ML is a handsome guy but I feel that he could look a little wooden at certain scenes. His best scenes are when he's bickering with ML. As for 2FL, she did a decent job but I find her crying scenes not believable.
OST/Costumes: I scored the OST lowest in the categories because they play the title song a little too much for my taste. It comes up every time there's a romantic scene, and it's quite unnecessary. Give us some peace when we enjoy such romance. I am especially disappointed in the last episode when the two male leads are delivering their heartfelt monologues and songs started to play. The volume is as loud as their voices and it's really distracting. I want hear their voices and feel their emotions, and not the loud music. Having said that, Ryan Ding's song "月光变奏曲"/Heartless Poem" makes me happy as it's so upbeat (his singing is just OK though). On the other hand, everyone has quite a nice wardrobe. You see different looks - for work, for play, for outdoorsy activities and formal events. Our four leads look amazing.
Bromance: The bromance between our two male leads is the best part of the show. When they are together, you feel their chemistry and laugh at/with them when they are bickering like children. 2ML is most lively when he's with ML. I want to see more of them together as they have such a fun and supportive relationship.
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