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Lost in Dramaland
Watch if you are a fan of the actors or if you love Ex-es who won't take No for an answer!
Subjective Rating: 7.75I read the comments and the reviews, and I am prepared for the battle of annoying ex-es. But even with such expectations, I am still amazed at how much “Dinner Mate” focuses on these two second leads. But for the sexy Song Seung Hun (who I was obsessed with in “Obsessed”), I am willing to continue watching this drama. He’s the main reason why I am even giving this drama a shot.
The tone of the drama in the first ⅓ is quite light and fun. When the deeper issues are finally revealed, the drama becomes a lot more melodramatic. The lightness did not return until the last two episodes.
I quite like the general plot of having a dinner mate. Someone you don’t know personally, sharing and enjoying a meal together without any worry or embarrassment. I think the chemistry between the leads is best during their friendly dinner mate relationship. I wanted to see more of their dinners, their conversations and support for each other. I also enjoy the part when their identities are finally revealed and they are in this awkward but attracted-to-each-other phase. But once they are in a relationship, their relationship isn’t as fun. I think mainly because I feel that Kim Hae Kyung (ML) puts in a lot more effort in the relationship than Woo Do Hee (FL). In the beginning, I really liked Do Hee and found her to be a fun female lead. But she seems to have changed to be a different person in the second half. A quieter, gloomier person that’s not giving me the same energy as Hae Kyung. For Hae Kyung, he was the opposite. He was a man of few words, then he became more outgoing and outspoken. The dynamic between them seems to have switched. I also wanted more PDA and skinship from them. Hae Kyung tried but Do Hee wasn’t giving much, and I was a little surprised. She’s been in two long-term relationships before and she doesn’t seem like a shy woman, but why isn’t she kissing as enthusiastically as Hae Kyung? Also, I appreciate them both being true to themselves and never wavered when their exes came back, but they really need to set some boundaries, esp. physical boundaries.
Let’s talk about the exes. The drama really is not giving viewers a chance to even like Jung Jae Hyuk (2ML) and Jin Noh Eul (2FL). They have the audacity to dump someone out of the blue and then come back to DEMAND to get back with their exes? That’s not a good introduction of these characters. Both of them wouldn’t take NO for an answer and continue to be annoying up until the last couple episodes. If you don’t like love triangle/square with this type of irritating exes, it’s best not to watch this drama. In the second half, it seems like Jae Hyuk has more scenes than the main characters. He dominated ¼ of the drama when we find out his backstory, history, and challenges and road to recovery. Props to actor Lee Ji Hoon for making me feel sad, angry, irritated, pitiful and then rooting for him in the end to be healed.
I initially found the little love story of the older couple quite cute. Then, it dragged on for so long and got too cringey for me. I actually would have liked to see them break up sooner, and then give them a little extra more time in the last episode or two.
Oh, we also have a “Crash Landing On You” sighting!. It’s lovely to see Seo Ji Hye had a brief reunion with Goo Seung Jun. Did you see the other CLOY reference during the meditation scene?
I actually quite like the food + psychiatry theme and enjoy those therapy scenes more than the B-class podcasts. I enjoy the few songs in this drama but also feel that they are too overplayed. For a drama named “Dinner Mate”, I don’t think there are enough delicious food scenes!
Overall, I would recommend this drama if you are a fan of the actors/actresses, or enjoy watching ex-boyfriends and ex-girlfriends come back and cause havoc.
Completed: 5/4/2023 - Review #304
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A Worthy sequel but didn't top the first movie for me
When I finished watching the prequel about 6 months ago, I was immediately jumping up and down in excitement. I rated the first movie a 9.0 (which is high for me). Coming into "Brotherhood of Blades 2", I had high expectations but I didn't end up jumping up and down in excitement.Acting continues to be stella and its strength. The cast is full of veterans. I was mesmerized with Chang Chen in the prequel, and he continues to deliver in the sequel. He took center stage in this movie, surrounded by an outstanding supporting cast. I enjoy the introduction of the character Pei Lun, played by the excellent Lei Jia Yin. His frenemies relationship with Chang Chen's character is a joy to watch. I would have loved to see more scenes between Shen Lian (ML) and Lu Wen Zhao. The introduction of two female characters, Yang Mi's painter Bei Zhai and Xin Zhi Lei's assassin Ding Bai Yi, makes sense to the plot and they are not there just because we need a female presence.
Although there's a tiny romance element to the movie, it's very subtle and lovely. It adds another side to Shen Lian's character without making him go all lovey-dovey and becomes a different person.
I love the hard-hitting, gritty fight scenes. You can see the dedication all the actors put in. There's no flailing, twirling, flying here and there or just standing there to wait for someone to attack you. Each fight scene is choreographed well and each hit is impactful.
However, compared to the first movie, I find the story a little more confusing. There isn't enough time to explain more about the political maneuver behind the scenes, when the majority of the time is spent on Shen Lian trying to run away. Viewers have to really pay attention as a sentence spoken could be the answer to your confusion. I want to know more about Bei Zhai's drawings and their role in the rebellion. What's the backstory between Bei Zhai and the main person behind-the-scene? A 2-hour movie is not enough to answer all my questions. Maybe a drama would do! Oh wait.. there's a drama version now in "Pledge of Allegiance".
Completed: 4/30/2023 - Review #303
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Simple, Cute and Easy Watch - Don't expect anything out of the ordinary
Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75I stumbled across this drama as I was browsing around for something romantic and light. This is the perfect stress reliever. The plot is simple, no stress, no angst, no miscommunication or misunderstanding. In a way, you can say it's too simple with no surprises. But if you are in the mood for something mindless this is a good watch.
I like the female lead and the acting is not bad. She's optimistic, hardworking, active and sensible. An easy person to root for. I thought there might be some more work troubles, but just like the rest of the plot, nothing really crazy happened. I enjoy the siblings relationship and find 2ML to be very adorable. The siblings have pretty good chemistry.
The male lead, on the other hand, it's quite bland. He is a man of few words but the writing makes him into a boring doctor, with hints of pettiness. He's OK and the romance with FL is OK as well. I was hoping for more after the confession but the drama seems to run out of time to tell their happily-ever-after. The secondary romance is more interesting to me.
There are a couple cute songs, but at times they are too loud and overshadow the lines being spoken by the actors. I also think one of the 'cute' songs played quite too often. As this is a lower budget drama, the dubbing could be better.
Overall, it's a simple and easy binge. It's what I need at the moment andI would recommend it if you have nothing better to watch. 7.75-8.0 because I had a good time, but 7.5 if I am being realistic and critical.
Completed: 4/27/2023 - Review #302
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Set the right expectations to enjoy an overload of Cuteness (maybe a small dose of cringe)
Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25For someone like me who is a little older (not necessarily wiser LOL), I need to be in a certain mood to watch “My School President”. It’s pretty obvious the target audience is a lot younger than me, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy it. I just need to know what to expect and be in the right mood.
Current situation: (when all the ducks are in a row for success):
* I need something light and easy to watch
* I want something fluffy and a lot of romance
* I know this is a high school drama targeting a younger audience
* I expect a lot of comedy and I am OK with Thai comedy - similar to understanding Japanese unique humor to watch dramas adapted from manga and anime
* I expect to see a lot of product placements
Now that the stage is set for me, I can sit back, enjoy and appreciate this highly rated teen drama.
What I Like:
1. Gun aka Fourth - He is so adorable and he knows it. I want to pinch his cheeks and give him a big hug. He’s the star of the show. He made me want to check out “Moonlight Chicken”.
2. Fourth is also the best actor in the whole series among the young kids.
3. Gun and Tinn have good chemistry and are cute together.
4. I like how Tinn supported Gun throughout the drama, despite wanting to be in a relationship right away. He held back, and did what’s best for Gun. I am a sucker for someone who does a lot behind the scenes for their loved one.
5. What a rare sight to have supportive parents. The two mothers love and support their son differently but always have their best interest at heart. Tinn’s dad is hilarious and is an unknowing (or knowing) wingman. I wanted more of him.
6. I love the quiet conversations that Gun and Tinn have throughout the dramas. These moments are so intimate and bring them closer to each other. They seem so mature when some of the more serious topics are shared during these moments.
7. I like most of the funny and supposedly seductive moments (80% of the time).
8. Tiwson is the best wingman out there.
What I have Mixed Feelings:
1. Aside from Gun/Fourth, I find all the other young actors acting to be below average to average.
2. The songs are a mixed bag - there are a few that I really like but a few don’t seem to be catchy enough for me. Best voices to me - Gunn’s mother and Por/Ford. I do appreciate the actors singing the songs themselves.
3. Yak (music club senior) is annoying and has too much screen time for my taste.
4. I guess the music club no boyfriend rule only means no openly announcing to everyone, but secretly dating is ok?
5. Although I appreciate the lack of homophobia among students, it’s still sad that we couldn’t get away from adults having this problem.
6. The side couples and side characters storylines could have been better.
7. I can’t help but still cringe at some of Tinn’s cheesy flirty lines. It’s a little too much and over-the-top when he’s coming on so strong.
Overall, I had a good time watching this drama. It’s so different from the chaste/clean high school C-dramas. The flirting in this drama is at a whole different level. Either you find it funny or you find it too cringey. But through all these comedic moments, there are serious topics explored. I recommend you have the appropriate expectations before watching this. Otherwise, it might not be an enjoyable ride.
Completed: 4/25/2023 - Review #301
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So happy to see Leo Wu act like his age again...
“Nothing But You” has a pretty good balance of romance, sports and business. I really like watching both badminton and tennis, and learning about the training and experiences of these professionals. Compared to many sports romance dramas, it should be noted that the business side of things do take up quite a lot of the drama time. If you are just looking for romance and don’t like business, you might be bored. I personally enjoy the balance of it all.I think the best thing about this drama is casting Leo Wu and Zhou Yu Tong as the main leads. I am so happy to see Leo Wu in a modern drama again after “Cross Fire” (amazing drama I strongly recommend) and in a role where he can act his age. As much as I love seeing him as a tough prince or general in “The Long Ballad” and “Love Like the Galaxy”, it’s nice to see him act as a 22 year-old. It’s refreshing and he’s so adorable.
I was initially concerned about the age gap, since noona romance is not my favorite. The male and female leads reminded me of the leads in “The Rational Life”, but better and more compatible. Even though Song San Chuan (ML) is only 22 years old, he’s gone through enough in life to be quite mature. I also appreciate his character to not be always portrayed as the forever mature and act-older-than-his-age character either. I love that he can still act young and sweet, and Leo Wu is the perfect Song San Chuan. On the other hand, Zhou Yu Tong played the more mature Liang You An very well, too. Professionally, she’s experienced and mature, but when it comes to love, she can still act like a little girl. Even with a 10-year drama age gap between the lead characters, they make a very compatible match as both can be mature and childish at the same time. Leo Wu and Zhou Yu Tong have great chemistry. It did take a while for them to be officially together, though there’s enough sweetness and affection throughout the drama. Viewers' patience is rewarded with many cute and sweet scenes between the leads once they are together as a couple. I can’t help but smile whenever they are both on the screen acting cute.
I really like how Song San Chuan and Lian You An support each other professionally and personally. They have honest and open communication. You won’t find misunderstanding or miscommunication. They are not afraid to verbally express their affection for each other, while also showing their love through actions. Towards the end of the drama, San Chuan supported You An through a difficult time when a family member was sick. I already like San Chuan, but what he did here put him in my “Ideal Man” custom list. In fact, all the characters in this drama are super supportive of each other. There really isn’t any annoying, irritating and selfish supporting character that I hate. I might find FL’s sister a little annoying in the beginning, and wasn’t that interested in her romance, but she got better throughout the drama. I love the bromance between the 4 Top Smash players, the sismance between FL and her best friend, and especially the stepfather/stepson dynamic.
The pacing of the drama is good and there’s enough happening to keep me engaged and focused. It’s evident that Leo Wu and other actors put in a lot of hard work in the preparation of their roles as professional athletes. I greatly appreciate their dedication, and their muscles and abs. LOL The badminton and tennis playing scenes look pretty realistic.
If I have to criticize this drama, I would say I am a little disappointed in the injury subplot. I know it’s hard to not show any injuries in a sports drama, but still, it was quite predictable. I also felt that the pain issue was resolved rather quickly and then all of a sudden the player is back at the top of their game, and we’re informed by a few quick news articles. Maybe some scenes are edited out? I would have liked to know more about the other two male players, rich boy Chen Zhe and high schooler Dai Yi. I also wanted a little more romance between FL’s best friend and the coach (maybe a little less time on the secondary couple). Towards the last ¼ of the drama, the dubbing got worse. I appreciate the actors using their own voices, but the post production got sloppy and the lips don’t match the words. Censorship again?
Overall, I had a great time watching this drama. I like both Leo Wu and Zhou Yu Tong, and love their chemistry and playfulness. I enjoy the equal screen time of romance, sports, and business and find the acting to be pretty good overall.
Completed: 4/15/2023
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Work Later, Drink Now Season 2
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Did not meet expectations; Conflicted about some decisions made.
“Work Later, Drink Now” Season 1 was fun, unique and a surprising hit. But unfortunately, I did not enjoy Season 2 as much. I have many conflicting feelings about the plot and the reasons behind certain actions and decisions made. The three main ladies are still fun and crazy, and the three actresses did an amazing job. I think as a trio, they really click and give us a very fun sismance. The sisterhood is genuine and real, and makes you want to have friends like them. The drinking never stops and it seems to have a lot more product placements to support their drinking habits.However, I feel that the season started off on a weird note. Spending the initial episodes in the mountain feels a little disconnected. Of course, there are many hilarious moments, e.g. training at the arcade in preparation for life in the wilderness, the big statue with an eye-catching body part, the companionship of using the restrooms together, etc.. However the message of trying to survive cancer by delaying possible treatments, and trusting in nature to heal you, is not something I feel comfortable with. Of course, this has a lot to do with my personal beliefs and upbringing, but that also dampens my love for the show. Additionally, sending a text message to your boss/partner and just disappearing into the mountain is so unprofessional. Also, no damage control or consequences after disappearing for 2 years? Where do you find an employer like that?
There are a few other storylines that I don’t agree with. Friendship is great, but an alcoholic mother who abandons her child and neglects the child’s most basic needs, requires more than just caring and supportive friends. There’s no talk of getting professional help. The fallout between the friends towards the end of the drama also seems uncharacteristic. It’s hard to believe Ji Gu never confronted Ji Yeon’s actions all these years, when she’s just a straight talker. Maybe Ji Gu never cared for those guys, or maybe her self-esteem is just too low to even think that Ji Yeon is in the wrong. The women never properly talked to resolve the issue.
Season 2 also focuses more on the family history and dynamics of the four main characters. It’s great to see that and to get to know each character on a deeper level. Some stories are better than others. I find the storyline between yoga Director Kim and her brother somewhat boring. But I do enjoy the ones about So Hee and her mother, and her mother with Buk Gu.
I was really looking forward to the romance between Ji Gu and Mr. Nice Paper. Unfortunately, not a lot of time was devoted to it and I was disappointed. It could have been so much sweeter and cuter, but it wasn’t. So Hee and Buk Gu keep on going around in circles. They are fun together and have great chemistry, but their romance wasn’t done right either.
Overall, I personally did not enjoy this season as much. It’s not bad, but it just did not live up to my expectations. I actually got really annoyed with Ji Yeon started mid-drama. Her craziness and high-pitched loud voice/scream start to irritate me. I don’t remember feeling this way in season 1. Maybe she has more screen time in Season 2?
Completed: 3/14/2023
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Golden Spirit: Joseon Marriage Prohibition
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Untraditional Sagaek with a lot of fun and comedic moments
“The Forbidden Marriage” is a light-hearted drama with many comedic moments. Don’t expect this to be a traditional sageuk, otherwise you might be very disappointed or pissed off. But if you are looking for something fun without too much angst, then this is a great stress-reliever. I would say the drama is about 70% fun, 15% politics and 15% serious plot.The humor is not over-the-top per se, but could be very untraditional. I enjoy the quick references to “Goblin”, “Hotel Del Luna” and “Sky Castle”. I don’t think I’ve seen a historical K-drama with so much adult humor on sex and erotica. There is interesting background music and sound bites to complement the funny storytelling. I like the supporting characters - Chief Eunuch, Court Lady Won and Royal Secretary - who are the most unusual individuals to be giving out dating advice.
The romance is developed nicely between the main leads. I would have liked to see a few more cute and fluffy moments after they got together though. The kisses are meh, but I appreciate Kim Young Dae’s abs very much. He’s also very adorable. The second male lead is the typical nice guy/bodyguard/officer, who is also the best friend of the emperor/prince. It is interesting the way the second male lead said he’s not going to confess, is basically confessing without saying the actual words of “I like you”.
The acting is solid and the production quality is not bad. I don’t remember the last time I watched a K-drama where the female lead does not have perfect, glowing skin. FL is a swindler and a beggar, so it would make sense that she doesn’t look perfect. I also like how ML has dark circles and red eyes during his depressed state.
12 episodes is the perfect length. The pacing is good and everything flows well. I do think there’s too much focus on the “Solo” folks towards the second half of the drama. I am really not interested in their movement, or even the side romance of the common folks. The political and mystery parts are OK. I have to say that assassin has the lowest success rate I’ve seen.
“The Forbidden Marriage” is not perfect and might not have the best writing. But it creates a lot of laugh-out-loud moments. It’s great if this is what you are looking for. But don’t expect a serious plot about palace politics or forbidden love.
Completed: 2/14/2023
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Good general plot and leads chemistry but poor editing
Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75I quite like this more mature plot in a BL drama. Our leads both have a hidden identity yet they couldn't help falling in love with each other while being suck in between two gangs' rivalry.
The leads have good chemistry and their acting is pretty good for a low budget, web drama. Both actors have gone on to more mainstream dramas but this is one of their first earlier projects. Considering they were not very experienced then, I am quite happy with their acting. It's also nice to see a Korean BL with decent kisses and skin ship. Since the drama is so short, the romance develops rather quickly and their one big conflict is resolved very quickly as well. It also has one of the funniest first make out session I've seen in a drama.
Unfortunately, the drama consists of 5 very short episodes and the editing comes off as disjointed. If this is a movie, the editing might be a little better. However, even scenes within the same episode are weird and the transitions are not well done. Additionally, I am still a little confused about the gang rivalry. Aren't they fighting for a club? Why did the bald guy suddenly remove himself at the end when he wanted to kill the Flying Dagger? On a positive not, there are a few really good fight scenes, better than some I've seen in a regular TV production.
The relationship between the Flying Dagger and his father is quite tragic. It's unfortunate that an abused kid was fostered by such a predator. A few of these scenes could be triggering for some. But in contrast, viewers are comforted by the warmth of Gi Tae's sister.
Completed: 2/4/2023
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Glad to learn more about the Unsung Heroes at a hospital
“Radiation House” is a heartwarming drama about the behind-the-scenes heroes at a hospital, radiation technicians and radiologists. This is the only drama that I know of that focuses on these unsung heroes, and the reason I watch this drama.The drama follows the journey of genius doctor and radiation technician, Igarashi Iori (ML). I do find his reason to insist on being a technician a little unrealistic and childish. This also sets the tone of this medical drama. The focus is on the growth of the characters, sparked by the unconventional ways of ML and the desire to save lives through scans and tests. “Radiation House” is not a serious drama about patients, diagnosis and treatments. However, it is really interesting to see the important role of the radiology department and the importance of taking good photographs and scans.
The medical cases are episodic and we also get to know each character one episode at a time. I usually lose interest in this type of format, but it didn’t happen for me with this drama. Some cases are more interesting than others, but none of them is a true tear jerker. They are more heartwarming, except maybe the case of the boy who played baseball with his little brother. I did shed a few tears because the whole situation is just tragic. I also feel that this drama serves as a public service announcement as well. The team really did not encounter too many anxiety-inducing challenges. In fact, everything gets resolved pretty easily due to the genius ML.
Since this is an adaptation from a manga, a few of the characters could be perceived as over-the-top. Took me a little while to warm up to both male and female leads. But there really isn’t anyone too annoying. The Hospital Director and her weird teas are funny and she seems to be a walking product placement for the show.
Romance is almost non-existent. So, don’t go expecting even a slow burn romance (maybe in season 2).
Completed: 1/15/2023
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Short, fun and SEXY - A different kind of K-drama (that I welcome)
A Korean drama about finding the mysterious G-spot, sexual satisfaction, masturbation, sexual partners/friends with benefits is hard to come by. Many enjoy K-dramas because they are ‘clean’ compared to Western television. However, what if such a drama is needed for the local Korean audience? It’s not like Korean movies are chaste anyway. So, if the above-mentioned topics make you feel uncomfortable, please do not watch this drama. This is definitely not for you. Please check the tags.But if you enjoy these more ‘mature’ topics being shown and talked about openly without judgment via stories of our two female leads and their podcast, then this is a fun drama. But this drama is so much more than just sex. It’s about knowing who you are, what you want and how to get that. It’s also a story about healing, hidden in between all the sex talk.
And yes, there’s plenty of sexual content especially when you first hit the “play” button in Episode 1. So be careful where and who you are watching this with. Some scenes are shot more beautifully than others. I don't think the sex scenes are excessive (but you might), but there’s enough to make you wonder if you are watching a K-drama. However, I most appreciate the frank and open communication about these sexual topics. Most of the characters are non-judgmental, and they bring up interesting facts and opinions.
I like the development of the main romance between Son Hee Jae (FL) and writer In Chan (ML). Within 8 short episodes, I can see how they start from strangers to being more than that. Actress Ahn Hee Yeon played an adorable lead and I don’t find her annoying at all. Actor Park Sun Ho, though handsome and I love his smiles, could seem a little emotionless at times.
The romance between Lee Mi Na (FL) and Doctor Woo Jae (ML) is a little too fast and furious for me. They are a very good-looking pair and they do have great chemistry. I would have loved to see more of their interaction before everything wraps up in episode 7.
The sismance is great. I love their open and uncensored conversations, and their little trip to a specialty store. It’s not often that we have long scenes at these specialty stores in any Asian drama.
This is a fun short watch for me. It’s not a perfect drama, but it’s perfect for me at this moment. It hits just the right spot. 🙂 If you like this, you might also like the Japanese teen drama “17.3 About a Sex”, which is a lot cleaner and very PG-13.
Completed: 1/14/2023
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Weirdly Entertaining, Touching and Violent
It's Japanese, so you know this is going to be an unique movie. "Diner" is weird, fun, touching and colorful. I had no expectation coming into watching this but was just prepared for anything Japanese and over-the-top. I was surprised to see that this is an adaptation of a novel and not from a manga or anime.Awesome acting, cosplay-like costumes and larger than life personalities - this movie has a little bit of everything to cater to a wide and open-minded audience. Be warned that there's blood and violence, but also delicious-looking food and desserts.
I feel for Skin and his story. And was surprised to find out the secret of the Bom's special souffle for him. I want to know more about other character's backstory but there's not enough time.
Completed: 12/10/2022
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A Well-Rounded Medical/Slice-of-Life Drama
8.25 ratingHaving grown up watching Hong Kong TVB dramas, I haven’t watched any in 20 years. I finally decided to pick up “Kids Lives Matter” after reading some good reviews and comments. With dramas so accessible these days, I am glad I don’t have to rent or subscribe to my local Chinese TV station. I watched this on YouTube (USA region).
I would say “Kids’ Lives Matter” is part medical drama and part slice-of-life drama. For better or for worse, it is a well-rounded one. The drama not only touches on medical cases and patients, but also focuses on friendships, family relationships, slight romance and hospital politics. If you want a little of everything, this is a good drama for you. But if you want to watch exciting action and in-depth discussion of mysterious and complicated medical cases, then you might not be satisfied.
I found the whole drama to be very calm. Compared to other Asian and Western medical dramas I’ve watched, I don’t feel a sense of urgency in the cases (even the supposedly urgent ones). The hospitals look brightly lit and clean, everyone has big offices with sweeping views. This PUBLIC teaching hospital looks like a fancy hotel or office in a skyscraper. Even if the drama focuses on pediatric surgeons with cute wallpapers and stickers in the pediatric ward, everything is just too squeaky clean.
Though it’s lacking in intensity, I do find a lot of heart in this drama. The cases might not be heart-pumpingly exciting, but the patient stories and their relationships with the doctors are great. There are a couple cases that I especially like, e.g. a mother wishes her daughter’s tumor is bigger so that she can qualify for government subsidy, or the double liver transplant of the two boys who became friends. I also like seeing how the surgeries are performed on a smaller screen and can still see the actors' faces during the surgery. Having the name of the surgery displayed in English and Chinese is also great.
There’s quite a lot of hospital vs. med school vs. doctors politics in this drama. From start to finish, politics is behind everything. When the Hard Team is created, I thought I would see more exciting ‘hard’ cases but I am sorely disappointed. And who names a team “Hard Team”? What an unoriginal and crappy name for a team of elite doctors. The purpose of Hard Team seems to be all about power struggles, and not so much the hard cases.
I do enjoy the friendship of the trio. This trio of best friends has very different personalities and dynamics. But scenes with them are the most fun, no matter if they are against each other, or supporting each other. Romance is not the focus of this drama. There are subtle romances which could be sweet, or dissatisfying to the watcher. I think with the three romance storylines, I like the one between Max and Can the most, even though they are not the main leads.
I do enjoy the final episode when everything comes back in full circle. Most of the loose ends are tied, except for a couple very minor plots of side characters.
Overall, I would recommend this if you want a well-rounded light medical drama. But beware that the medical cases are all about children, so if you don’t want to see sick children suffering, please do not watch this drama. Rounding this to a 8.5 rating to give it a little boost so more people will watch this.
Completed: 12/3/2022
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The Speed Going to You 493km
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A Melodrama - not a romantic comedy or a true sports drama
When one first read the synopsis of this drama and saw the poster for “Love All Play”, I think most viewers thought this is a sports drama + romantic comedy. Though there are some comedic moments, this is actually a melodrama. I saw that MDL tag and read a couple comments/reviews. So I am prepared for some angst and heartaches.Badminton
I haven’t watched a drama about badminton yet and am interested in this, especially when the cast are adults and the setting is in the professional badminton world, and not in high school or college. However, this is not a true sports drama about our leads working hard and trying to be champions. Yes, they still work hard and try to accomplish their dreams, but the sport actually acts as a backdrop to the character development of Tae Yang (FL) and Tae Joon (ML) and how they battle demons in their personal lives. There are more badminton scenes in the first half of the drama and I do find all the action quite realistic. The camerawork really does make it seem like the actors are the ones playing badminton. The second half of the drama turns a lot more melodramatic and the badminton scenes decrease. You see most of the athletes just hanging out, chatting and supposedly training.
Acting/Main Characters
The acting is pretty good in this drama. I noticed I’ve seen all the main leads in other dramas, but the only ones I remember are Park Ju Hyun (Tae Yang) and Park Ji Hyung (Jun Young) . I’ve previously seen Park Ju Hyun in “Extracurricular” and it is quite nice to see her in a totally different character. Playing the female lead, I believe in her portrayal of Tae Yang and her struggles. I do think she cries too much in the second half of the drama, when she has been so tough and strong in the earlier episodes. I am not familiar with Cae Jong Hyeop and don’t remember him at all in “Hot Stove League”. But I think I will remember him now, especially his beautiful and adorable smile. The role of Tae Joon will gain him many new fans. Tae Joon is a walking green flag and we all want a boyfriend just like him - kind, caring, supportive, understanding, and give you space to process and work out your issues. For the first episode or two, I couldn’t distinguish Chae Jong Hyeop from Kim Moo Joon. They have a similar build and look. I am not very familiar with Kim Moon Joon and wasn't expecting a strong performance from him. And maybe my expectations are low, I ended up liking his character and how his character changes from an annoying badminton star to a silly and shy lovesick boy (in a way). On the contrary, I do find Seo Ji Hye’s portrayal of Yoo Min a little annoying. Not that I don’t like a girl who takes the initiative to go for her crush, but her character is a little ditzy, a little fiery, a little stalkerish? Last but not the least, Park Ji Hyun is the most recognizable actor for me in this drama. I’ve seen her as the second female lead in so many dramas. Her character as Jun Young here is not going to make you love her, but you have to applaud her acting because you definitely might not like her here and that’s because she’s doing a good job.
Melodrama
As I mentioned, this is not a romantic comedy. The melodrama vibes are strong in the second half of the drama. To me, there’s too much crying and it took a little too long for the cat to be out of the bag. The drama’s pacing would be better if this drama is only 12-episode long instead of 16. I don’t think there’s really a bad character in this drama, it’s just the accident affects each character in a different way and they have their own ways to get over that hump. Jung Young could easily be the most hated character, but her suffering is so different from Tae Yangs’. It’s true that she could have handled her disappearance a little better, especially her attitude towards Jung Hwan. But when you are in a bad mental state and try to forget what happened, she might not have the mental capacity to care about others. Is Tae Yang the only person at fault? Not necessarily as after all, it’s an accident. But her immaturity and rash judgment caused the accident. Athletes should take special care of their bodies to avoid any unnecessary injuries. I assume all athletes know this and should be in their professional contract. But after suffering for 3 years, it should be enough. She had such a hard life and I am glad she met Tae Joon. They are each other’s light for different reasons and it’s great to see how honest they are with each other. Jung Hwan is probably the most pitiful character in this situation. He’s the one who tried to stand by her girlfriend but ended up being abandoned and with no closure. I guess it takes a nutty/silly character like Yoo Min to break that hardened shell of his.
Main Romance
I really enjoy the main romance between the Park twins. As I said, Tae Joon is a walking green flag. He’s the only one who loves Tae Yang unconditionally, giving her what she wants the most. In return, he gets what he wants from Tae Yang - someone who believes in him and loves him for who he is, not because he is someone’s sister. Their initial interaction is fun and I love the banter. They actually got together as a couple quite early on (K-drama standards). I am glad to see they continue to have that friendly banter while being in love with each other. I hate it when lovers lose their original personalities when they are in a relationship.
Overall, I had a good time watching this drama. I like all the badminton scenes and especially the romance of the Park twins. Just don’t expect this to be a sweet and fluffy romantic comedy. I also like the Korean title “Going to You at a Speed of 493 km” so much more than the cheesy English title, “Love at Play”.
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Too much talking Not enough Action
I’ve had “Ever Night” on and off my PTW list for 2 years. I finally took the plunge because I was running out of good wuxia dramas to watch. As it turned out, what I thought I would like did not meet my expectations. What I thought I hated and delayed my decision to watch, turned out to be not that bad.Preconception but doesn’t mean they are true::
♦︎ "Ever Night” is a great wuxia drama with amazing fight scenes. A great story of our hero starting weak but becoming the strongest.
♦︎ The romance between Ning Que and Sang Sang is not my cup of tea, thus, it took me so long to watch this. I am a romance lover and if the romance doesn’t attract me, I might not want to watch.
What I Like❤️:
1. Sang Sang (FL) - This is a minor surprise as I usually do not like naive and innocent female leads. But Sang Sang turns out to be innocent yet smart and can take care of herself without being taken advantage of. She is so adorable! Ireine Song did a great job in showing Sang Sang’s innocence and adorableness without making feel like she’s another typical annoying female lead. I never would have thought Ireine was 25 years old (in 2018).
2. Ning Que (ML) - I have always liked an anti-hero. Usually in a wuxia cultivation drama, the male lead is weak but perfect, smart, outgoing and well-liked. Ning Que is different. He’s smart but calculating and keeps his cards close to his chest. He doesn’t care if you like him or not, and doesn’t often show interest in others. He’s not particularly cold, but also not particularly friendly.
3. Veteran actors - All the veteran actors in this drama shine the brightest. The younger generation really cannot hold a candle to them. I am particularly impressed with Chin Shih Chieh (Divine Talisman Master) and Ni Da Hong (Grand Priest of Light). Their scenes individually and also together during their battle are so well-acted.
4. OST - “Ever Night” has a very eclectic soundtrack. I was surprised to hear the fun “Take Your Life (取你的命)”. There’s also a good mix of songs that have a very historical/wuxia or romantic feel to them. My favorite song is probably the title song, “Changan (故长安)” by Jane Zhang (张靓颖) and “Let Me (任我)” by Reno Wang (王铮亮).
5. Production Quality - Although there aren’t too many fancy costumes, but I like what I see. Arthur Chen looks great in both black, white and navy blue. I also like the costumes of the Queen and Princess and their accessories. Crystal Yuan as the Book Addict looks beautiful and graceful. The sets and props do not look cheap or flimsy. Another thing I greatly appreciate is that actors use their own voice and there seems to be live recording. I think it’s quite rare for a historical drama in 2018 (though we see more in 2020’s).
What I have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like 🤨
1. Romance - At first, I thought I might hate the idea of Ning Que and Sang Sang together. But they are so adorable in the first half of the drama that I want to see them as a couple. I looked forward to ep 47 when they had the big confrontation/heart-to-heart. Unfortunately, their chemistry went downhill after ep 47. Nothing romantic happened, they didn’t seem to have that many scenes together. Ning Que did not look like he was in love with Sang Sang, nor did he really act that differently. I think he looked like he was more in love with Mo Shan Shan during those shy scenes. I was sorely disappointed. I felt bad for Sang Sang. It didn’t help that Ning Que seemed to flirt with everyone.
2. Plot/Pacing - It took me about 10 episodes to get into the groove. But once we got to the arc of the Academy and the exam, it was fun for me again. I want to see more Academy shenanigans and actual learning. I really didn’t see much learning/studying/training in the Academy. Unfortunately, the last ⅓ of the drama was too slow.. There’s too much talking and not enough action. I typically enjoy someone like Ning Que learning and training to become the hero of the story. Unfortunately, the drama spends too much time on politics and the fight for the throne. In the end, politics didn’t really play a big part in Ning Que’s cultivation and revenge story. So much time was wasted on the princes. I would love to see more of the Academy instead of the royal family.
3. Action - I was hoping there will be plenty of action scenes throughout the drama for this wuxia/fighting fan. Unfortunately, there are barely any action scenes in the first half of the drama. I was expecting something during the battle between Light & Talisman, but the battle was just too poetic with fireworks and rainbows. Argh… I was so disappointed! Give me some good CGI fights if they are too old to do wire work. I have to wait till the last couple episodes to see a few good fights. I do appreciate the lack of standing around during fights or twirling/spinning. These hard-to-come-by fights are fun and exciting to watch. I was also hoping to see more of the disciples in action. They are interesting in theory but aside from the exam, and the last episode, we barely see their gifts in action. It’s just a lot of hanging out and chatting. These disciples just don’t make for exciting drama watching. If not all of them are the fighting type, at least have Disciple #1 and #2 do some fighting. I really had high expectations.
4. Prince Long Qin - I am not sure how I feel about this character. Is he a true villain? Not really. He just has a different belief system than others and is very stubborn about it. But, he also seems very cartoonish as a character. This character probably is the most difficult to play as Long Qin when first introduced and the Long Qin in the last episode are very different. I think Sun Zu Jun did a decent job.
5. Pizza Hut - I just cannot NOT talk about Pizza Hut. This has got to be the most ridiculous product placement in a historical drama. Once I saw pizzas and wings for the first time in episode 7,, I cannot unsee them in every other scene they show up. I can deal with the snacks but pizzas are just too much for me.
6. Ugly Wigs - What is up with the ugly wigs for all the male characters???
Other Random Observations:
1. Arthur Chen was so young in this drama (about 18 years old). His acting is decent but not quite up to par.
2. I can’t help but stare at Sun Zu Jun’s abs.. The 6-pack looks so toned but fake at the same time.
3. The height difference between Arthur Chen and Ireine Song is just too much to make the romance believable.
4. Love the bromance between Ning Que and Chen Pi Pi.
5. I want to see more of the history and romance between the King and Queen.
6. So surprised to see Leon Lai as the King. I can’t believe he’s changed so much and not the heartthrob that I remember.
Completed: 11/22/2022
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Interesting general plot but too short
Rating - 7.25This is an interesting short drama. The general plot is not bad. 3 brothers from different mothers are tasked by their father to locate a potential 4th brother. Each brother is also paired with a love interest. This drama would be better if it's not so short and allows us to dive into more of the brothers; individual family background and stories. However, because it's so short, everything seems somewhat half-finished and rushed.
The acting isn't that great. Just OK. Aside from Korean actor Lee Shi Kang (eldest brother), the rest of the cast is quite new to the industry and doesn't have too many acting gigs under their belt. Though odd, having both Korean and Chinese actors and hearing both languages are quite interesting.
I am most interested in the eldest brother's romance, as it's the least cringey. It's too bad there's not enough time to develop and it ends up him having a personality change at the end of the drama (though they gave us a reason for it). The 2nd brother is clingy and childish, and has a co-dependent relationship with his love interest. The youngest brother's story is the least interesting to me.
Don't expect too much. If you want something quick and easy, this could be interesting. I enjoy this enough to give it a very generous 7.25 rounded up to 7.5. Normally, with this quality of acting, writing and production value, this drama deserves a lower rating.
Completed: 11/7/2022
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