Unexpectedly heartwarming with a touch of comedy and a lot of fantasy!

Overall - 9.5/10

It was very adventurous and engaging ride. I enjoyed the movie a lot. It has its tearfully heartwarming and equally heart-wrenching moments, which was paired with suspense and action! The movie is definitely one of my top recommendations for fantasy-action genre movies!

Plot/ Storytelling - 9.5/10

Ja-Hong who lives a diligent life as a filial son and a dependable brother, faces an untimely death as a hero who sacrifices his life for a little girl. Ja-Hong who’s called a paragon in the afterlife is accompanied by three guardians through the trials of hell.

Every part was interesting and insightful. The different hells revealed a new aspect of Ja-Hong’s life and with each trial proving his honour more. There were moments of suspense where you’d be on the edge of your seat unsure about Ja-Hong’s fate. Other times you’d shed a tear or two out of fuzziness created by the heartwarming scenes.

The characters felt well developed, each having their own uniqueness and their own part to play in Ja-Hong’s journey. It was interesting to see the humanness of the guardians and how they too had their own motives and selfish desires. The portrayal of reincarnation as something that had to be earned rather than someone’s inherent right, was interesting. The fact that hell’s trials were much similar to ones on earth and that injustice can happen even in the afterlife was fascinating and it added to the tension.

The sub-plot of Soo-Hong’s story was heart-wrenching and enraging but it opened a lot of potential for a second movie. Soo-Hong’s character was also dynamic and had much depth. The action scenes between Soo-Hong and Gang-Lim added more spice and coolness to the movie.

Cast/ Acting - 10/10

You just simply can’t expect Cha Tae-Hyun to play a role without a flair of comedy added. His slight clumsiness and laughable expressions made it even more interesting and enjoyable.

The cast is just saturated with A-Listers. You can really see the eliteness these veteran actors bring. Every character even the minor roles had uniqueness and was interesting.

Music/ Sound - 9/10

I, personally, don’t pay much attention to background music and sound. I’d notice if it was bad but not so much if it went smoothly. I wouldn’t say there was anything particularly catching or phenomenal about the music or sounds. But it didn’t interfere with the story. The sounds and music did well in supporting the scenes and helping to bring forward their expected potential.

Rewatch Value - 9/10

It’s definitely a movie that’ll be as enjoyable the second time watching as it was the first. It’ll be a movie that’ll be revisited many times.

thanks for reading! hehe <3

Leia Mais

Highly Informative, Liberal, and Entertaining.

Intro:

I am someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy genres like: romcoms, drama, etc. I mostly watch thriller and crime series. I'd say that my standards and expectations when it comes to content I watch is quite high. I can, at times, be quite a biased critic, as I tend to enjoy content that aren't unaware of social issues. I do love social commentaries that intentionally include social issues in order to show its faults and impacts. I tend to shy away from content with characters that act in stereotypical ways and where characters are excused or applauded for their certain insensitive/ bigoted actions.


Story - 10/10

What I loved about the drama is how informative it was. I loved that sex and intimacy was displayed in very raw and refreshing ways. The use of anatomically accurate words for reproductive and pleasurable body parts was so refreshing to see, as Asian content rarely touches on these topics without censorship. There were many different forms and types of sexual relationships touched on the show. The show touched on the importance and the unfairness faced by menstruating people: the providence of free pads/tampons and the pain of menstrual cramps etc. Other social issues presented in the drama were: Transphobia, Homophobia, Fatphobia, Sexism, Misogyny, discrimination against diverse sexual needs like BDSM, Abortion, Unhealthy Parenting, Responsibilities, Dating Abuse, Consent, Use of Protection during Intercourse, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Trauma, etc. I personally felt that the topics spoken about in the series were done very well. It didn't seem inappropriate or insensitive, rather it was represented in a motivational manner.

All the leading characters were very different to each other but they also shared similarities which allowed them to be friends. The highlight of the show was the character arc of the protagonist Alex (acted by New). He was always a decent person but his choices and mistakes made him grow up to be a person he didn't expect to be. I loved that they showed how the MC's actions impacted others around him, whether those actions were intentional or not. The FL who's life was adversely affected by the MC was shown with so much complexity and sympathy. The MC's mistakes and actions were never completely or solely the MC's fault. His friends and those around him are equally responsible. The "MC's mistakes" were the lack of actions rather than the presence of faulty actions. Even though he was never to solely blame, he never held his ground and never stood for what he believed in. His growth were he stops avoiding and starts fighting was amazing.

The MC was actually the hero and the MVP of the series. He shined the most and left the biggest impression and had the largest impact on me. By the end of the drama, I came to the conclusion that the world needs more people like him. His second chance really did allow him to be better himself and get to know the people around him on deeper levels. he took that opportunity given to him and made the most of it.

The pacing of the episodes were good. Nothing felt too fast or too slow. The time travel didn't feel messy. Although there were some plot-holes and unrealistic odd developments; they were never memorable. I have to add that as much as I love the story there were parts where I felt it could have been better and parts where I felt that at times the message that needed to be delivered wasn't the best out of the options available.


Acting & Cast - 9.5/10

As always the acting was done wonderfully. New really suited his role well, he perfectly brought his character to life. I was very impressed by Fluke's and Thor's chemistry. The pair stole the show every time they were on screen. I'm continuously impressed by Sing Harit's versatile acting. He had a tough character to play in my opinion but he truly nailed it. I was so attracted to Silvy's aura and presences. She felt powerful even without speaking or moving. I've felt that Joong tends to always act in similar roles. He's often the guy who’s shy but also straightforward, the guy that seems stoic by is actually a romantic, and the soft spoken guy with clear boundaries. But he really does eat up those roles every time. He's got a talent for making the viewer feel like he's in love with them whenever he establishes direct eye contact with the camera. He wasn't a prominent character but oh he definitely stole everyone's hearts in that brief period. New was just the best choice to play Alex. He simply exudes Alex energy. He's always been a great actor, even still he continues to grow. I'd love to see him playing serious and dominating characters too.


Music & Sound - 9.5/10

The music was top notch for me. Their OST "Sweet but Naughty" really became one of my all time favourite songs. It just felt right in an inexplainable way. Gawin's voice is just amazing to listen to. Sing Harit's "Safe Zone" was amazing too. I didn't really feel that the music stole the show. They were amazing to listen to individually but I barely noticed the songs when I was watching the drama. The music just blended into the scenes seamlessly.


Rewatch Value - 9.5/10

I this is one of the highest rating I've ever given to a show before. It wasn't forgettable but I'd watch it again just to be informed of the various social issues discussed. Plus I don't think I can ever get enough of New as Alex. The show was just being a green flag left and right. The relationships between the leads all grew to be so refreshing healthy.


Overall - 9.5/10

I loved the series. I recommend everyone to watch it. It's such a open-minded series when comparing to usual Asian content we are exposed. It was a satisfying watch and felt inspirational. Some of those characters were truly badass icons! I didn't know if I wanted to be them or do them.


Thanks for reading so far <3

Leia Mais

One of the best dramas all-time, a k-drama veteran verified thriller masterpiece!

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OVERALL

I really enjoyed this drama, i think that any other thriller fan will enjoy it the same. If you're someone that has begun watching the drama but the earlier episodes don't suit your taste, just hold on as it changes as time passes. It gradually picks up pace as the drama goes on. This is definitely a must watch and probably one of the best k-dramas.



STORY

As a person who immerses themselves in various cinematic and dramatic media, I would say that I am somewhat hard to please. I tend to find myself being very critical towards any type of content I engage with. Having said that, I loved this drama. I have watched many thriller k-dramas and "Blood Free" (BF) takes a place amongst the top ranks. I've seen many people mention that the drama was quite slow especially in the early episodes. However, I felt that I was enticed from the first episode itself. The first episode was almost too uncomfortable to watch and it was gruesome but it was that explicitness that conveyed the emotions in their message of advocacy. I do have a very small attention span and I get bored quite easily, even-still I was fully engrossed in the drama. In my opinion the drama was well paced. The more I watched, the more I wanted to watch. From scene to scene, the story kept me on edge, waiting to see what would happen next.

The concept such as of BF's feels very new and novel. There have been many before BF that have had their attempts at creating an advanced world in the near future and most have failed in their execution. BF did very well in executing a large combination of elements: medical, sci-fi, thriller, power-play, and drama.

With all the appreciation that I have for BF, I don't think that it was completely perfect. The earlier episodes took a path of storytelling where advocacy for environmental protection was tightly intertwined in the dramatic elements. However, mid-series that advocation aspect disappeared and it began more of a typical (still well written) power struggle. I would have appreciated the drama keeping its consistency and bringing in a stronger element of advocacy into their storytelling. That would have kept this series unique throughout. There were other loopholes that I had noticed while watching the drama but they aren't gaps that most would notice on their first watch.

The characters were all very interesting but I wished that there was character building that was done, somehow their backgrounds and foundations felt incomplete. This could be the writers intentionally keeping information in order to reveal them in a later season. However, the characters felt slightly surface level. I loved the main character (the female lead - FL). I thought that her personality and mannerisms were quite unique and interesting. I hadn't come across many FLs like that, she was different in a good way.

The drama left so many unanswered questions that it practically requires a second season. I am very excited for this new season that hasn't even been announced yet!



ACTING & CAST

The casting choices were on point. It was the cast that elevated this series from average to exemplary. The phenomenal acting by the cast brought the story together. From mannerisms to speech, it felt that the cast had truly embodied their characters. Han Hyo-Joo and Ju Ji-Hoon rightfully stole the show as the main characters. Ju Ji-Hoon exuded a mature aura to him. He was the textbook definition of a hot bodyguard. Han Hyo-Joo played a more complex role, Hyo-Joo had lived her character in even the smallest mannerisms.

To me, Han Hyo-Joo stole the show with her acting skills. She truly proved herself as a versatile actress. Ju Ji-Hoon is talented in picking characters and dramas that suit his style of acting, he delivers every role with perfection. Over time, I have felt that the characters that her employs are all quite similar at their base. That does not change the fact that he plays his roles phenomenally or that he is most definitely one of the top actors out there.

When it comes to Han Hyo-Joo I truly feel that she is underrated. She is very popular and well known but she still deserves even more recognition. She has played roles which are vastly different to each other. Spunky and sassy characters, cute and lovable characters, badass and strong characters, Strict and model characters, adventurous characters, played mothers and daughters, physically fit to intelligent geniuses... she has acted it all. She deserves more global recognition for her talents.



CINEMATOGRAPHY & EDITING

Honestly, i didn't love the editing and cinematography. There was this specific cut where it's a tour through the hallways of the BF company building in a spiral motion and it felt so out of place to me, it did not match the serious and warmer undertones of the drama. The colour grading was good, but i felt the cinematography could have definitely been better. If it was better, the drama would have been even more exceptional. Even though I say this, the cinematography wasn't horrible or even bad, it was good - better than most.



Thank you for reading my review!! <333

o(>.<)o

Leia Mais

Truly beautiful concept, not so great execution, and an amazing finale. Deserves a try!

INTRO:

Firstly, I have to say that I am not someone who really enjoys romance in general. Rom-coms, especially, are just not up there for me. I tend to enjoy thriller and action dramas/ movies more. Secondly, I am a little bit biased towards sentimental and emotional romances, if i had to pick out of romance as a genre. Thirdly, I have the attention span of a toddler, I lose interest extremely fast, especially if the story is slow paced. All that said, on to the review!


STORY:

I, personally, loved the whole premise of the story. The idea was very interesting and emotionally provocative. Love that transcends time and existence, there's quite a profound beauty to that. As beautiful as the concept sounds, I felt that it wasn't executed as well as it should have been.

To be honest, while I was watching the show as it was airing, I thought that episode 12 was the final episode, until I checked MyDramaList and realised that the drama was actually 14 episodes long. I felt like that was enough proof that the drama was dragged two episodes too much. Had they made the execution more concise, it would have been more memorable and more enjoyable.

Somewhere around the middle, the drama started dragging. There was a bit of repetition and too many flashbacks that gave the same feeling (and didn't necessarily add essence or emotion). I felt that there were missed opportunities for emotional and deep moments. The characters' growth and change wasn't seamless enough. Also, I did identify some loopholes in the plot.

Plus, I really wished that they kept the FL as strong as she was in the beginning. There should have been more occasions for the FL to show her strength, both physically and mentally. After all, she was a firefighter who had seen death and faced tough situations.

Even so, there was something about the drama that kept me wanting to come back and watch. I was made curious about the ending and about the fate of the leads. I've seen many people claim that the last few episodes were the most disappointing to them. But I beg to differ, for me, the last two episodes were my favourite from the whole drama. They were the most memorable and most emotionally provocative to me. Personally, I loved the ending and the depth behind it. The ending was a true testament to transcendental love. The last episode was the most well done in my opinion. You could clearly see how much the leads had improved in their acting, chemistry and roles. Although, I did feel that last scene of the finale was somewhat unnecessary. I would have preferred for it to not have been there and instead shown the characters in their old age so, that the audience could have really felt the time pass and the story come to an end.


ACTING:

I did feel that the leads (Pyo Ye-Jin and Kim Young-Dae) were quite awkward in their acting at the start. KYD in a historical context felt a bit odd to me, as if he wasn't very suited for it. PYJ was great but there were awkward moments but in her modern settings. The kiss scenes were just not giving, especially considering that the drama was supposed to be overflowing with emotion. There was only one decent kiss scene, every other one was lacking passion by heap. PYJ was absolutely gorgeous in her historical attire.

Their acting and assimilation into their roles peaked in the final episode. It felt like they finally got to be their characters. To me, their chemistry during the historical settings felt more natural and convincing.

P.s. I have to say that I am a simple person: I see KYD, I click. I see PYJ, I'm convinced.


OVERALL:

I really did like the drama. It's one I would recommend others give a try. But I can also see why it might not be someone's cup of tea too. At least for the sake of the finale, you should give it a try. As for me, the reason the drama got a such a high rating was simply because of its finale and concept.


Thank you for reading hehe <3

Leia Mais

Unexpectedly amazing! A must watch!!

Synopsis

The series revolves the main couple, Bai Zong-Yi and Fan Ze-Rui. Zing-Yi first meets injured Ze-Rui when coming home from his high school. While providing a safe haven and medical care to Ze-Rui, Zong-Yi develops feelings. Their relationship faces many obstacles and dangers, due to Ze-Rui’s job as a gangster. Zong-Yi who’s ultimately made to give up on his dream to become an accomplished doctor, constantly fights for their love. On the other hand, Ai-Di (while helping his friends, Ze-Rui and Zong-Yi amidst all the chaos), is longing for the time Chen-Yi would come to him.


Overall - 8.5/10

The series was entertaining and wholesome. I did catch myself shedding a few tears for Zong-Yi and Ai-Di. It would be great to see this remade again with more and longer episodes. At first it didn’t seem as though i would come to love it as much as i did. But the story was truly wonderful. The series was cute, wholesome, and emotional. I definitely think this is an absolute must watch for BL fans.


Story - 8/10

The second couple, Ai-Di and Chen-Yi get an almost equal amount of screen time making them seem more of a main couple than a second. Ai-Di’s and Chen-Yi’s relationship have a very different dynamic compared to the main couple, probably influenced by both of their involvement in gang leadership. Ai-Di had significant screen time, which especially made him seem more that an a support role.

The second leads’ personalities are very different to the main couple’s. Chen-Yi, is quite stoic and serious. Ai-Di, is playful and brutal . Zong-yi, is gentle and straightforward. Ze-Rui is romantic and sentimental. These differences made watching the series all the more interesting.

The third couple in series would probably be the relationship between the two bosses Dong-Yang and Ming-Lei. Their love story felt quite sorrowful and tragic. I felt that their love story had a lot of potential. It would be quite interesting to see their story developed as a series of their own.

To me, the main couple’s romance felt too sudden and random at the beginning, although their relationship developed to be my favourite later on.

Seeing, “history 3: make our days count” couple on screen brought back nostalgic memories. However, it does seem that they (more specifically Wayne Song) can’t escape their misfortune, as lovers in H3:MODC and as antagonists in this series.


Acting/ Cast - 9/10

Taro Lin (Bai Zong-Yi) was the most impressive to me. I felt that Taro was quite good at expressing the subtle emotions and nuances of his character. He did a good job in balancing his character’s gentleness and his contrasting boldness with his love interest. Taro and Hsu Kai (Fan Ze-Rui) had a lot of chemistry, which made their character’s relationship all the more realistic and enjoyable. I did feel like that Nat Chen (Chen-Yi) and Louis Chiang (Ai-Di), had more room for improvement compared to the leads. Personally, Nat’s and Louis’ chemistry felt a bit dry at times.

Louis was a personal favourite. His parts which focused on him leading his gang was the most interesting to me. I had hoped for more scenes where Louis would have been able to showcase more of that playful and dangerous brutal sides of his character.


Music & Sounds - 8.5/10

There’s wasn’t anything too special about the music. It didn’t draw my attention or getting me thinking it was amazing. But it did it’s job in emphasising the emotions of certain scenes. The Music or Sound, didn’t have any notable impact on my overall rating of the series.


Rewatch Value - 7/10

I wouldn’t say it’s always good to have a high rewatch value. A higher rewatch value could mean that the film had less of an impact, was less memorable or was quite generic. This series did have its memorable points, but it did fell generic. It’s something I would watch again to pass time, or when I feel like indulging myself on Chen-Yi’s and Ai-Di’s angst, or Zongyi’s and Ze-Rui’s wholesomeness.


Thank you for reading so far!! <3

Leia Mais

keeps you on the edge of your seat as if you are waiting for football player score a winning goal!

Overall - 9/10

It was an extremely fun film to watch. It kept me on the edge of my seat praying that Kwon Yu would make it through his next obstacle. The plot has a lot of potential for a sequel, or trilogy, or even better - a drama. I am desperately hoping for a second film!

Cast - 9/10

The cast was the highlight of this film for me. Everyone played their parts very well. Ji Chang-Wook embodied the metamorphosis of his character. I could see Kwon Yu’s journey clearly from a unemployed gaming addict who became a powerless victim to a strategic fighter for revenge and justice. I enjoyed the age and personality diversity within the gamer team! Their team chemistry was great. Most importantly Ji Chang-Wook never disappoints especially in the action genre!

Story - 8.5/10

The story was enjoyable and easy to understand while keeping the tension strong. The gaming world touch to the film made it unique and added to the enjoyment. I would have enjoyed a little bit of context when it came to the criminal organisation and the main antagonist, especially since they played such an important role in the story. I felt that the even though the ending gave closure to story that was built, it also left somewhat of an opening ending with a lot of room for continuation. I’d love to see the sequel to this film soon! They have a lot more to explore and so much room to continue the plot. There were many stones left unturned in the first film which could be revealed in a sequel. In my opinion, the plot is highly suited for a drama. I can see myself getting hooked from start to finish if this film ever gets remade as drama.

Thanks for reading, hehe <3

Leia Mais

A MUST WATCH FILM, especially for those that enjoy comedy, action, and crime genres!

Overall - 10/10

I absolutely loved this film. There were many elements that captivated me. The story suited the cast exceptionally well, while the cast played out the story exceptionally well. The chemistry between the main characters was top notch. The depth of the plot and the nonchalance of the delivery was a refreshingly brilliant combination. This film is known to have done amazing in Korean box office but I still feel that it is very underrated. The film deserves way more recognition, especially on a global scale.

Story - 10/10

From the first scene on, I was already laughing. It truly stayed true to its comedy tag. It was absolutely hilarious. I would catch myself unable to stop myself from laughing many times throughout the film. Personally I'm not a fan of comedies, I often see that most times the plot and direction is sacrificed for the laughs. But not this, it had a clear plot, that was easy to understand. The writers didn't compromise the story for the laughs but rather used comedy to further emphasise the plot. Comedic elements came at exactly the right times, not allowing the film to lose its lightheartedness at any moment. It was easy to identify the reason as to why those characters were chose as a team and why they had great teamwork. There was no need for an elaborate back story to showcase the closeness of the main characters. There was never too much depth and never too little, there was just enough to get you hooked. The action was seamless. At no point did the action and the dark undertone of the film compromise its carefree ambience. The characters were all unique and dynamic.

Cast - 10/10

I watched this movie for Lee Ha Nee. You just know that she's going to go home with her characters. Lee Ha-Nee and a comedy tag? Speak no more, I'm in. As expected Ha-Nee will never not do amazing! I can't imagine any others playing these characters. The cast did a spectacular job in bringing their characters to life. The film was saturated with A-Listers and veterans. Every single role was played to perfection. The film was packed with some of my favourite actors: Lee Ha-Nee, Ryu Seung-Ryong, Gong Myung, Shin Ha-Kyun, and Oh Jung-Se.

Music - 9/10

I was simply too focused on the actions and lines of the characters that I didn't pay attention to the music and sound effects. Nothing stood out for me to remember or recall a memorable OST or instrumental element. However, there was also nothing that the film lacked either. The sound effects and music did its 's job emphasising action and shied away from stealing the limelight.

Rewatch Value - 9/10

The only reason the rewatch value was not a 10/10, was because I felt that the film was extremely memorable. The film made a long-lasting place for itself in my mind. I, personally, am not the type to rewatch content in general, even more so if the content is memorable and good. Although, I'd love to rewatch the film with friends so, that I can enjoy all the inevitable laughter with the company of others.

Leia Mais

a must watch for action lovers and those looking for strong female leads!

I am someone who loves actions and thriller genres. i also have an undying love for strong women in movies/shows. i always look for new content that have women that are unapologetically strong and don’t end up needing a man to keep her going. this movie is exactly up my lane.

the protagonist is an independent and strong woman. she has had her fair share of trauma and hardships. however she always triumphed through them. she was feminine yet brutal. she never held back but never hurt someone that didn’t deserve it. she seemed cold on the outside but she was desperate for love, a family, and stability. although she got them, they only lasted a sweet moment.

the last scene was probably my favourite. the fl technically said the title without saying the title. it felt like we had just gotten a prequel to the main movie. it felt like her story only just started. the end left me yearning for me. the one thing this movie desperately lacks is a second movie! the ending left room for more of the protagonist’s story.

the acting was phenomenal. Kim Ok-Bin, Shin Ha-Kyun, Kim Seo-Hyung, and Bang Sung-Joon; they were all just amazing in portraying their respective characters. Ok-Bin really proved that she deserved to be the protagonist. She played her role so well!

Kim Seo-Hyung always manages to make everything gay. I fall in love with her ever second. She’s so attractive and complete pleasure every time she appears on screen.

I’d highly recommend this movie for anyone who loves intense action scenes and thrillers. everyone should be aware it’s an amazing ending that connects everything and makes it all make sense but it isn’t a happy ending. if you hate tragedies, beware!

Leia Mais

beautiful story and a lesbian treat!

i don’t particularly indulge myself in romance content. i prefer action and thriller. however, i can tell a good movie when i see one.

this movie was absolutely beautiful. it brought about a pure love story that defies all obstacles. although the love between the main characters was pure, their circumstances was far from it. personally i felt a deep sympathy towards lady hideko and pride. for sook-hee it was adoration and admiration.

their love story was something unexpected in their lives. they appeared in each other’s lives at the perfect time. they both needed each other.

the plot twists were amazing and unexpected. after the first plot twist, i let out a huge gasp in surprise. i was tricked into thinking the movie was over until saw the duration and realised otherwise. the second plot twist was emotional and a pleasant surprise.

i was cheering them and their love on. it was just like the first cherry blossoms of spring.

the acting was nothing less than phenomenal! kim min-hee and kim tae-ri did a spectacular job portraying their roles. their chemistry together was off the charts. i could see the gayness literally overflowing. i have to point out that tae-ri’s abs and minhee in kimonos and suits was my favourite thing ever in the movie. this movie made me love tae-ri more than i already do and i didn’t think it was possible. she should take on many more queer roles!

it’s definitely for adult audiences (17+ish). however the nudity and sex scenes added to the story and were placed very timely.

i have to give special honour to the last scene. it was beautiful. it tied everything together well. it has small details/symbols that were talked about earlier in the movie. the scene will be much more impactful if you pick up on the small nuances. the bells ringing at the end were perfection and they mirrored wedding bells so perfectly.

Leia Mais

Silly, goofy, and imaginative rom-com for kid-ish adults!

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Disclaimer: At this point in time, I have only completed two episodes of this drama. I will comeback once this drama finishes to finalise my review.


OVERALL

To explain, this show feels like a third-rate cinderella story in the best way possible (I promise this is a compliment). It reminds me of the narrative style often employed by Japanese shows. It's refreshing and imaginative. A light-hearted and fun drama with minimal seriousness. The cherry on top, is our two beloved leads and their superior acting skills.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who hates romance and comedy because that is the very essence of this show. Still, I am not a fan of rom-coms and is an avid lover of thrillers but I enjoyed this drama so far.


STORY

The premise is the well known and heavily overused story of a modern cinderella but with a refreshing twist. Although, this is your average couple dynamic of a rich man and poor woman, from the short snippet I've watched, I can already tell that the characters are though out and have gone beyond surface level. A female lead that actually wants to be a Cinderella and a male lead with an actual personality other than being a "tsundere" (cold on the outside, soft on the inside). The first impression you get is that both leads are your run-off-the-mill crackheads. They are bound to cause trouble wherever they go together (in a humorous way).

Jae-Rim's (the female lead) story is a mirroring of Cinderella's story. Jae-Rim's father passes away leaving her at the mercy of her step-mother and two step-sisters. The twist is that once you take an inside look into their family you can see that Jae-Rim's not a typical cinderella. Jae-Rim's step-mother is actually nice (albeit clueless) and her step-sisters are nothing more than typical siblings. However, this dynamic lets the audience look at one of Jae-Rim's flaws, she somewhat seems to force her situation to fit a Cinderella story.

Then comes Cha-Min (a literal pun to Prince Charming) who hates Cinderellas. However, he's different from your average jerk male leads that hate true love or their future love interest for no reason. He's not a holier-than-thou figure or a typical boss on their high horse. Cha-Min is close with his employees and purses a good work balance. He's a bit fcked in the head (but are well all also a little fcked in the head).

In contrast to your typical K-dramas, this drama spares on time on the romance. First episode in and you practically dive head in to romance in the most hilarious and nonchalant way.

I can already feel that this drama is going to be an absolute hilarious and sweet gem.


ACTING & CAST

The first thing I have to say is that I started watching this drama for Pyo Ye-Jin and Lee Jun-Young (Jun) and I am going to continue watching this drama for Ye-Jin and Jun.

Ye-Jin and Jun are two of my favourite actors. They are experts at playing silly goofy characters with serious back stories. I absolutely adore Jun and will watch anything and everything he is in. I strongly think that both Ye-Jin and Jun are severely underrated actors. I hope to see them in many more lead roles across different genres.

I can't think of any two better people to play these two leading roles. Their chemistry is off the charts. They really do give twin troublemaker vibes.


CINEMATOGRAPHY & EDITING/ DIRECTING

I actually love the format of this drama. It gives me 2010's J-drama/ J-movie vibes. The narration is over exaggerated and expressive. It does feel like your reading a comedy spin-off of your favourite fairytales (which it literally is). It's colourful and seemingly childish. It gives you nostalgic feelings about your own childhood imagination. It almost allows the audience to enjoy kid things in an adult way. All of this, truly adds and emphasises the premise of the story. They've added colourful and comical scenes, that make it even more novel-like. I guess, these scenes remind me of Japanese variety shows (mostly the romance ones). This style of 2000s - 2010s style of format has not been seen in the K-drama industry for long time. So, it's refreshing and new.


thank you for reading my review!! have a nice day <333

o(>.<)o ♡

Leia Mais

a must watch for romance lovers! def one of the best bls out there!

Intro:

I am someone who doesn't particularly enjoy romance, especially romcoms. I enjoy genres like: action, thriller crime, etc. However, I can recognise a good drama regardless of the genre. This is one of those rare gems which you'll love even if you don't necessarily love romcoms in general.



Acting & Cast - 10/10

My first Thai BL was SOTUS so, Krist is an actor I hold in my heart memorably. However, his controversies surrounding his homophobia made me dislike him over time. As a queer person myself, I couldn't comprehend how people, especially those who profit off the queer community, can be queerphobic. I am not someone that believes queer character should be only played by queer people. A character is just a character after all. But the least you can do when you play a queer role is to be an ally. However, even though late, I've learnt that Krist has grown a lot over time. He has always been vocal towards his support towards the queer community. People, including myself, were quick to judge with only edited and limited resources at hand. He has said somewhat "rocky" things but has always learnt and grown from those mistakes. Krist is truly one of the few BL actors that loudly supports the LGBTQIA+ community online and offline.

Now on to the actual series, I never expected to see Krist and Gawin as a couple but it was an extremely pleasant surprise. Krist is an actor, who plays all the roles he is given amazingly well. He never disappoints when it comes to acting. Gawin is another great actor. I'm so happy to finally see him having a lead role. This was truly the perfect first main role for him, imo. GawinKrist's chemistry was insanely good. They fit so well together. I really hope to see more of them again, one day. I hope to see Krist in more BL roles (which is something he has wanted as well but couldn't due to his pairing with singto).

The cast was a perfect fit for all of their respective roles. Everyone was great at truly embodying and projecting their characters. This one of the best series in terms of casting and chemistry between actors.



Story - 10/10

The story was amazing. The story was very progressive, complex, and heartwarming. The portrayal of one coming to term with their sexuality was beautiful. I felt that they did a great job in showing the complexities of it. There was one thing that disappointed me. The only thing that disappointed me. There was a certain scene where there was an opportunity to talk about asexuality but wasn't. Asexuality is practically invisible in most dramas. It would have been nice to finally see some representation for those on the asexual and aromantic spectrums.

It was refreshing to see family dynamics that were complicated. Families that weren't just bad or good. The children had problems with their parents, faced disappointment but also showed the love between them. It felt very realistic and relatable to the majority in most parts. Every character's family situation was unique and different but also very similar. Most of the families in the drama were supportive which was so nice to see in BLs.

The characters all had depth and development. The best part of the drama was Kawee's character development. The side characters had their own stories which were filled with complex emotions and depth. I loved how the side characters' stories had satisfying conclusions too and weren't abandoned. Every character has their own unique struggle.

The fantasy/ supernatural aspect of the drama was very good. It all felt like a big heartwarming lesson on life. The time travel was perfectly woven into the story. It never felt unnecessary and it further showed each character's growth and made the ending even more satisfying. The drama showed how even the smallest decisions can have a domino effect and change the future. The best part was how after every travel, the characters grew some more. It was imperfect in a perfect way.

The romance was perfect. Kawee's and Pisaeng's growth together was great. I loved how healthy their relationship was. We truly need more representations of healthy relationships in dramas especially BLs. Almost all of the characters ended up being green flags by the end of the series. The romance and character development was paced so smoothly. It never felt sudden or delayed. The overall pacing of the whole drama was really amazing. It kept me wanting more and more, to the point that I am miserable now that the series ended.



Music & Sound - 9.5/10

The OSTs were actually so good. Krist and Gawin are really good singers. The singing parts didn't feel cringe or out of place, which is unfortunately something that often happens in BLs. I felt that the songs really portrayed the emotions and stories of the characters really well. This is one of the rare series I've watched where I actually remember the OSTs.



Rewatch Value - 9/10

The series was very memorable but I'd rewatch it just to be happy all over again. The fluffy feeling that I got from the drama will not fade easily. The drama had me all giggly and flushed, that wholesomeness is something I want again.



Overall - 9.5/10

I loved it! I definitely recommend all BL and romcom fans to watch it. Don't hesitate just give it a try and you'll even get some relatable advice from Max. This series is truly one of GMMTV's best creations. I need more like this!



Thanks for reading this far <3!

Leia Mais

morally ambiguous yet justifiable actions portrayed in one of the most exciting ways possible!

Story - 10/10

Vigilante aka Kim Ji-Yong, a student at the police university is simultaneously a criminal that's taking the country by storm. Ji-Yong's character from its core is contradictory. A police officer who is the epitome of law enforcement and a vigilante who breaks the law, being the same person is always very interesting. Ji-Yong defies what is expected of him and does purely what he believes is right. He's a dark hero, an evil fighting greater evil.

Vigilantism is a topic that often causes debate. Are acts of vigilantism right or wrong? In Ji-Yong's case, he is a serial killer, murder is murder no what the reason is. On the other hand, death penalty and self-defence exist, they are known as justifiable. The question is where do we draw the line between what is justifiable and what is not? I felt that this drama really moral ambiguities of the characters.

No character was truly "good" in my opinion. Cho Heon although he punished criminals through law, his process of catching criminals wasn't always lawful. He confronted Ji-Yong, telling him that what he was doing was criminal. But failed to see that many of his own actions can be labelled "criminal". Choi Mi-Ryeo, a reporter that doesn't hide the truth and brings justice through he raw reports, her ways of pushing the truth even if it could be harmful or her ways of attaining that truth can also be labelled "criminal". The people who watch the vigilante take action through murder but voice their support for his actions can also be labelled as "criminal". In the end, it was just about who had the capacity to wholeheartedly stand by what they believe in.

The drama was paced very well. There was no scene that felt like a filler. Every moment felt crucial and complimentary to the story. The action scenes were very satisfying to watch. The suspense was never lacking. The story was clear, easy to understand but also entertaining and mysterious in certain ways.

The ending felt complete but it also gave much room for a second season. The battle isn't over. So, I hope we get a season 2.

Personally, I love seeing morally grey characters. They are often more interesting than characters who are defined good or evil. A story about a dark hero who becomes a monster to fight off greater monsters, is never not thrilling.


Acting & Cast - 10/10

Nam Joo-Hyuk, is not really an actor I love. He has always felt rather stiff and quite limited in my opinion. But Joo-Hyuk really proved himself through this drama. I think this is his best role yet. I could feel so much improvement in his acting. This character felt like it was made especially for him. Action and thriller genres really suit him. I hope he takes on more roles in these genres rather than always sticking to romance. Not only Joo-Hyeok but the entire cast did a phenomenal job. Kim So-Jin was the other person that really impressed me in this drama. Her acting was equally amazing. I could clearly see her obsession increasing and taking over her. She did a great job at portraying her character in entertaining way, I could see how much of a workaholic, obsessed, and righteous her character was in a unique way.


Music & Sound - 9.5/10

I was too focused during the drama to notice the music and sound. But the ending OST was very catchy and appropriate. The BGM didn't steal away the focus from acting and did well in enhancing every scene.


Rewatch Value - 8/10

The rewatch value being low isn't always a bad thing. The drama was very memorable to me. I don't think I need to rewatch to be able to recall the drama. I was so engrossed in it that when I close my eyes I can watch the whole drama in my head. Still, I'd be tempted to rewatch for just the sake of rewatching, just to remind myself that this masterpiece is a masterpiece.


Overall - 10/10

Overall, this drama was one of the best action-thriller dramas ever. I throughly enjoyed it.


Thanks for reading so far hehe <3

Leia Mais