Heartbreaking, emotional, amazing!

Oh my gosh that was so good! I'm not going to try to be all poetic and proper, I just want to gush about how good this series was. There was such good chemistry amongst the characters. And I swear, every time Ung smiled, I melted. So now I'm just a puddle of goo trying to operate the keyboard to say how much I liked this.

I didn't cry a lot, which in itself is a miracle, because I'm a crier. There were a couple of tears shed here and there though. If there hadn't been, I don't think I'd have liked it as much. That last episode definitely tugged at a heartstring or 2.

There were a lot of flashbacks, especially to the first documentary, but they were done well and I loved them. There weren't too many scenes throughout the whole show where I questioned whether I should fast-forward. But honestly, it's 16 episodes....I think there were 2 or 3 that I thought about doing the Netflix 10-second skip. To have that few is a win in my book, and I never did skip for fear of missing something.

It wasn't fast paced, but it wasn't so slow as to be uneventful. I swear I was heartbroken for the first 13 or so episodes, and several times I went to the MDL individual episodes to comment, but I never wrote anything, as I was too much into the "what's next" of the series. Truly, it was WAY better than I thought it would be.

Leia Mais

We don't talk about Todd.

I am all about a good action show, but a lot of the action portions didn't do it for me for whatever reason. I did a lot of fast forwarding during the first few episodes of the show. I didn't drop it though, because even if this particular show wasn't my favorite, it was still a good story with some amazing acting. It felt full and well rounded, and the resolution, in my opinion, took about 3 episodes as opposed to everything being dumped into the last episode. So, while all the sneaking around and violence was necessary to the story, I didn't feel the need to pay attention to any part that didn't have dialogue.

I appreciate that, while LGBTQ+ rights were a part of the human rights that they were protesting for, it was in no way an issue for the guys to have romantic relationships with each other. Within the gang, there was no discussion whatsoever about it being taboo...they just accepted it and moved on. The only part that was really mentioned was the fact that Black and Sean didn't get along so it was surprising that they got together (even though it was finally revealed that Sean was with White, not Black.)

I want to reiterate that the acting was phenomenal.

Some of my favorite scenes:
--When Black beat up Sean and Sean didn't fight back
--The van rescue
--White saving Sean's life in the shootout
--Any scene with Gumpa....I just loved his character, and the smiles that he gave Sean and White showing his happiness for them. Such a parental unit for the gang.
--Any scene with Gram. He was just so good looking. I think it was his hair. Also...I did not really understand the relationship with Gram and Nuch. I think they tried to explain it, but it just confused me. But I loved how sincere Gram was in his affection towards them. And the scene where Gram blew Nuch a kiss was simply sweet.
--Dan's tears

Despite the fact that I wasn't interested in parts of the first few episodes, and various parts throughout, I think that it is worth a high rating.

And Todd......

Leia Mais

Great acting!

As it's now 2022, I'm a little late to the party. Still, the themes are relevant for a high school setting. Typical sex/drugs/rock 'n roll themes are used here. I'm not a huge fan of this much drama, but I wanted to write a review to say how good the acting was. These kids did an amazing job! At no point, in season 1 or 2, did I think about how a line should have been read or how something didn't look realistic, because the acting skills were terrific.

For someone who prefers to watch a fluffy series, I was actually disappointed that all the story lines got wrapped up neatly. That took quite a bit of the realism out of the story. I think Phai was my favorite character, and he got hit with some heavy storyline. There were other characters that I loved as well, but there were also ones that I hated and ended up skimming through. I have to say that I loved Tar's guitar playing.

Again, the acting was phenomenal for season 1 and 2. I am not planning to watch season 3 though, as there is only 1 character I liked enough to watch, and that's not enough for me to continue with such a heavy drama.

Leia Mais

I liked this

I just really liked this drama. In my opinion, it was so sweet and enjoyable. I laughed out loud a few times, I cried more than I expected to, and although I didn't think the male lead was overly handsome, I did swoon over his model pics a few times, 'cause sheesh! LOL. I appreciated that it didn't have a bunch, if any (for me), of cringe moments. I appreciated the support that the characters gave each other. There were moments that the plot line of some characters surprised me, and there were others that were predictable, and I was ok with them all.

This drama touched on some issues but it didn't shove them in your face, which I liked. Some issues got wrapped a little too neatly, but it's a drama, and if I wanted real life, I wouldn't bother watching a K-drama series.

I generally don't rewatch many dramas, but there is a definite possibility that I may actually rewatch this in the future.

Leia Mais

I have just finished the series. I have many thoughts, but I am specifically writing a review because of the actors. I am very forgiving when it comes to dramas, because they are just stories to entertain. Unlike real life, if you aren't entertained, you can simply quit watching. I, like another reviewer I saw, binged this drama in 2 days. It was a bit much, as I often had tears running down my face from about episode 28 through the finale. But I loved the acting so much, even if the story and characters were unrealistic.

Cheng Ran (Ran-Ran)--Ultimate good character. Most supportive best friend in the world. Best boyfriend/husband. My favorite character. Loved how he was attracted to Yan-Yan as opposed to being scared for her. Loved how he said he would do anything to prove his love, and did. (Tiptoeing to keep from crushing the eggs? Brilliant!) He had the best reactions to both Yan and Gu Chuan. I think he was most real to me. Liu Rui Lin understood the assignment.

Jiang Ling (Auntie)--my second favorite character. She was just cool. Bada$$ with her expressions. A side-eye from her would make anyone stop and think twice.

Xiao Ning--I saw a lot of reviewers calling her childish. I disagree, I would say "child-like." *shrug* Some people just are. It's in their nature to be child-like, naive, innocent. It's also the reason that people like that are firm in their beliefs, committed, only seeing the best in others. Plus, she was young and matured throughout the series.

Yan-Yan--Loved her. Loved how Cheng Ran couldn't fool her. Loved the process of her falling for Ran-Ran and then never letting go.

Gu Chuan--Just like Cheng Ran, I was happy every time I saw him on screen. I found it interesting how he portrayed emotion without portraying emotion. I think the directors did a fabulous job with him also.

Grandma--Zhu Ya Ying did a great job with the script. I thought her character was too easy-going though. Dementia patients will tend to be confused a lot, scared, and unreasonable, at least occasionally. Grandma was always firm in her beliefs (even if they were wrong) and way too calm.

I have more to say, but that just makes for an unreasonably long review. But oh....my fav scenes are Gu Chuan's confession scene and the League of Legends "First Blood" (etc.) reference. Had to mention those. :)

Leia Mais

Waste of potentially great actors

I wish that someone would have taken this cast and given them a script. The younger of the cast have great acting skills, but they had nothing to act on. I finished watching this series for the actors alone, not the story. The story was lame and disjointed in my opinion. Honestly, the behind-the-scenes was more entertaining. And I hate saying that, because I LOVE Boun and Prem, and wish them the best. I also enjoyed the other boys. The fathers seemed to be comedic relief without the comedy, and there was a lot of overacting that just came off as ridiculous. There was so much space that could have been filled with story....ANYONE'S story...none of them were complete. Instead, there was a lot of staring out over the ocean/river/sunset. It was a waste of a lot of talent. From day 1, it has seemed that this is just a little drama to keep Boun and Prem relevant until their next drama airs.

Leia Mais

Absolutely underrated

Just a quick review to add my 2 cents because I don't understand why people rate this drama so low

First: the music. I am rarely swayed by the music in a drama, but I absolutely loved the music in this one. I also love the fact that the singers in the band, both lead and backup, could actually sing. So many times, the directors (or producers or whoever) put someone up to singing a song when they really shouldn't. Not everyone is a born singer.

Second: I loved the characters.....pretty much all of them, especially by the end of the drama. Props to the side characters for carrying the leads to where they needed to be.

Third: I thought the storyline itself was unique. If one is looking for something really dramatic, this isn't it. But it was sweet and held my attention, and in the end you find out everyone's motives.

Please excuse the lower "rewatch" rating. I don't like to rewatch most dramas, It would have to be on the level of "Goblin" for me to want to rewatch. Not much measures up to that, at least in my opinion.

Leia Mais

An enjoyable drama

First: Other than Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) I have rarely come across an OST that catches my attention. But during this drama, I was surprised to find myself thinking, "That's a great song to put there" or similar thoughts. I mention this first, because it's so rare that the music impresses me.

Second: Rowoon. He's a good actor, and I am fascinated by how good looking he is. I hate the scenes where they put too much makeup on him....maybe the makeup didn't change but the lighting did. Idk. But he didn't need as much as they put on him most of the time.

Third: I enjoy Asian dramas, whether they be Korean, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, etc. I like the good ones and the bad ones. I can confidently say that this was a good drama, because I've seen so many. It had a high production value, good acting, and decent chemistry among the cast. It had enough drama in it to be dramatic, but not so much that it was cringey. It was, over all, a feel-good drama, which is nice because dramas are an escape, and it's nice to fantasize that there are happy endings. I teared up a time or two, but I never had to break down sobbing for the characters, so that was nice. There's enough reason to sob irl.

Leia Mais

IMHO

I loved the acting of both leads, and they did what they were supposed to do in all the scenes. They did not seem to shy away from the intimate scenes, and they played their parts well. But can I ship them? No. I couldn't find the chemistry that others seem to think was there. I thought Shi Lei had better chemistry with Stone and the waitress than with Real.

Shi Lei's mom was GREAT! I loved how she supported him.

I liked this drama, but I would not rewatch it. Hank Wang, however, is cute as a button, so I'll be looking out for him in other productions.

Leia Mais

Need better writers

I'm so surprised that people rated this season so highly. The acting was great in my opinion. However, there was too much story and not enough air time to include it all. I doubt there will be a season 3, as the actors are moving on. It made me happy to see the different actors as they came on screen but as far as the story goes, it was a waste of my time. And that's sad, because I rarely find fault in a drama and can overlook a multitude of sins. This was too much though. So I'm conflicted with my love for the actors and their acting, and my dislike for the story I just watched.

Leia Mais

Great way to spend an afternoon

I agree with some of the other reviews, this mini-drama is charming. I find it interesting that they reused the songs from "He/She/It" just as they recast the same actors as leads. I'm not upset about it though. The only thing that bothers me about "Ingredients" is that they kinda skipped the romance part. They went straight from flirting to wondering how they were going to live without each other, with only a kiss in between. It just seems to be missing an episode, in my opinion, for the story to be cohesive. I'm not wanting anything dramatic, but instead of getting to explore their feelings for each other, they went to cook....which was adorable, but still. Regardless, I did love what I got to see with my whole heart. The acting was amazing. The story was cute and fluffy and heartwarming.

Leia Mais

Questions...

This is not a polished review, these are just the thoughts I have now that I've completed the series:

--In the final scene with the director, why didn't Pang tell the other kids that they couldn't lose their potentials once they had them?
--What was in it for Ms. Ladda in her final actions?
--How did Mon and Korn end up back with the group, and when did they realize they still had their potentials?
--Did Chanon die or was he mentally incapacitated?
--What is the director's end-game?

I haven't watched Graduation yet....hopefully some of this will be cleared up. I have so many questions....

Leia Mais

I will remember this as one of my favorites

This drama got a lot more hate than I think it deserved. Although this drama was not perfect, it gave people exactly what they asked for: a sweet, supportive relationship between two imperfect people, amazing chemistry, hot NC scenes without being vulgar, real kisses, supportive friends, trauma/psychological management, gorgeous settings, beautiful visuals, and more. While I did not read the novel, which apparently has the storyline and characters more in-depth and fleshed out, I am satisfied with this series.

You can't please everyone, and there were things that even I did not like. My biggest complaint is Jade. This best friend, portrayed by Yim, was a constant irritation to me. He was supposed to be comedic relief and make the show lighter. Instead, he generally just came off as stupid and whiney, and it didn't fit the overall theme of the show. Yim is a good actor and his more serious scenes were spot on. I just didn't like his interpretation of the character or the direction of the character as a whole.

I didn't start out as much of a Net/James fan, but I did end as one. Their chemistry is undeniable, both on screen and off. James does a great job playing a pretty yet stand-offish character who naturally exudes sexual attractiveness. He is wary of others due to his traumas, both past and present. Net portrays a playboy type character with animal-like sex appeal who is utterly smitten with his hard-to-get target. Together, they navigate a FWB relationship, learning to support and trust each other.

I looked forward to this show and was not disappointed. I think both Net and James are good actors who will continue to grow their skills as they get more experience and learn to trust their own instincts better.

Leia Mais

Very enjoyable!

With one episode left to watch (currently waiting for it to drop on Netflix sometime today) I can honestly say that I am thoroughly enjoying this show. It is a true rom-com. It isn't original or anything crazy, but it's exactly what I'm here for: the romance and the comedy. There's a bit of drama as well but it gets dealt with in a satisfactory manner and adds depth to the show as opposed to turning me away. (If I wanted to watch the bad guys win, I'd turn on the news instead of a rom-com that makes me feel good when I see the underdog win.)

I have seen a lot of bad comments about this show, so I'll warn you that if you can't laugh at yourself and others without getting offended, then this isn't for you. If you respect your own culture/politics/religions as well as others, you should also be mature enough to be able to enjoy a comedy sketch without taking it seriously.

The actors do a good job playing their roles appropriately, and I have no problems with the directing and editing teams. There is sufficient chemistry between the characters to pull off believable relationships within the show. The settings are lovely and exactly as expected, and the music is appropriate and not distracting. It is overall, well made and easy to watch.

Leia Mais