Reviews

The cheesiness was too much for me but I ride-or-die for Jun

I came to watch Wen Junhui in a male lead role as a fan. The drama is a fluffy youth/coming-of-age romance drama where the male lead is the cold studious older-brother-like childhood friend but secretly whipped for the cute naive little-sister-like female lead.
The romance was a bit cringe and cheesy because it was pretty stereotypical. I think Junhui expressed hidden affection quite well but I understand some people may not like his character because Lingchao is quite reserved, withdrawn and deadpan, but imo that's what makes it funnier when he does out-of-pocket things for the female lead.
I actually like the second male lead a lot, his love was very sweet. I think the actors did well within the script they were given.

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A Gritty Crime Thriller Where Revenge and Corruption Collide

*Gangnam B-Side* (as of Episode 6) has proven to be a gripping and intricate drama, blending intense character development, dark themes, and a maze of morally complex choices. Set in the underbelly of Gangnam, it explores the dangerous world of power, corruption, and the exploitation of vulnerable people. The show does a great job of painting its characters as deeply flawed yet compelling, particularly with its leads, who are constantly caught in the tension between seeking revenge and protecting those they care about.
The central plot revolves around the criminal activities of Gangnam Trading, led by Joon-seo and various other powerful figures, including Choi and Tak. The illegal trafficking of drugs like Neon and the exploitation of escorts add a sense of urgency and suspense to the narrative. Characters like Dong-woo and Gil-ho have become somewhat tragic figures, driven by guilt, revenge, and a sense of justice, though often falling short in their attempts to protect others.
The pacing has been relatively well-balanced, with the first few episodes establishing key relationships and tensions, while episodes 4 through 6 really ramp up the stakes. There’s a delicate interplay of personal vendettas and larger criminal conspiracies, and the show delves deep into the emotional toll these secrets take on its characters. Episode 6, in particular, marks a turning point with a huge revelation regarding Gil-ho’s past and his identity, which adds another layer of mystery to his motivations.
The themes of power, betrayal, and guilt are consistently explored throughout the episodes, with each character’s arc being carefully developed. While the show can be dark and at times a little slow in its buildup, it rewards patience with intense moments and twists that keep the viewer invested. The cinematography, particularly the use of neon lights and the atmospheric tension of the scenes, also contributes significantly to the show’s tone.
There are hints of resolution in the near future, but with two episodes remaining, it seems that *Gangnam B-Side* still has plenty of dramatic developments to unfold. The final episodes are likely to tie together the fates of its main characters, who have been caught in a web of crime and vengeance, though it’s unclear who will come out on top in the end.
In short, *Gangnam B-Side* is a tense and thrilling watch that pulls you into its gritty world of crime and power, while exploring complex character dynamics and deep emotional stakes. If you're a fan of dark crime dramas that blend mystery with intense personal conflicts, this show is definitely worth a watch.

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This Show Gave Me Whiplash

This was the first series I've watched with these actors so I viewed it without the bias of being a fan of any of them.

Things this show did well:
Casting - Everyone really brought their characters to life and did well with what they were given. The leads had great chemistry. Grandma's actress really tied the whole show together with her charm and acceptance. Toi Ting's actress was cute without being annoying. The actors playing the friends were quirky and interesting even if the characters they portrayed didn't have much growth. I do have to call out the surgeon with shaky hands, though.

Acting: There were really great performances. It wasn't always great across the board, but I'd say on the whole that it was acted well.

Settings, Costuming, and Makeup: I thought the settings and costuming really added to the show. Not just Joke's costumes but also the costumes for the other characters. I felt like each character really would wear what they wore in their various scenes. I also liked that the actors weren't caked in makeup and looked more natural, unless it made sense for the character to be wearing makeup. Jack's home was really inviting and warm and contrasted well with the more posh locations.

Heart: The time, energy, effort, and heart that went into making this show really does come through. It's obvious that everyone gave it their all to bring this story to life. This isn't a show with more simple production like one with a uni/school/office setting. It is ambitious with many complicated scenes.

Things that didn't work for me:
Logic/Reason - It pretty much doesn't exist. Why did this thing happen? How did that thing happen? Where did the resources come from for that thing? How does the timeline line up properly? Don't worry about it and just believe that it did. Joke got hired as a makeup artist for a wealthy client who then happily showed this stranger daddy's secret treasure room? Believe. Characters ended up relocated out of town with little time or resources to get them there? Totally happened. These guys had the resources to make cool stuff when it's established everyone is poor and in debt? Believe. The whole scene in the bank? Just trust. Joke totally just got lucky enough to find the camera that Tattoo threw on the ground without his knowledge while he was hiding in the cooler? Sure thing buddy. It continues through the entire series. Shows with elaborate schemes and heists are so much more enjoyable when they make somewhat logical sense.

Lack of editing - Ever read a really long fan fiction and start feeling like the author needs an editor to reign them in and tighten up the story? That's what this show began to feel like after a while. There were episodes that were movie length and could have definitely used some editing. The entire show is nearly 15 hours long and could have been trimmed to make it more concise and impactful. I'd start by trimming the fight scenes. There were way too many, they went on for too long, and they were so unrealistic you'd think the characters had super powers with the kinds of beatings they took and just kept going.

Identity - This show couldn't decide what it wanted to be. Comedy? Action? Heist show with a clever mastermind? Romance? Social commentary? Heartwarming family drama? It tried to be all the things, and as another reviewer said, all the tone shifts didn't work. Yes of course, shows can blend multiple genres together, but there wasn't good blending. There were some pretty brutal and dark scenes in this show that came without warning. The comedy was also not the kind of comedy I find funny.

Continuity - My brain gets hung up on continuity errors and won't let go, so the scene where Jack is cleaning the Joker Thief symbol off the garage wall really stuck with me. There were other places where continuity was lacking, but that one was the most egregious.

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I came for the romance but the side characters frustrated me so much

I happened upon a random Youtube clip of this drama which made me absolutely bawl my eyes out and want to watch this drama. I can say that the best parts of the drama are the vulnerable scenes with only the main leads as that's where we see the actors' good chemistry and skills.
The story has a good premise (basically a pandemic but with zombies) and I did read some of the webtoon it is based on. The side characters make really stupid decisions which I know is supposed to illustrate the classism between the more rich tenants and the poorer tenants in the apartment building, along with other personal issues the characters have, but goddamnit this is a zombie apocalypse and these people don't have a single ounce of logic. The main leads are officers so they use their power to boss around the tenants for the safety of the community, which can be considered abuse of power, but these people are so stupid, I can almost excuse this.
Overall, I would say watch this if you like zombie stories or a couple who are ride-or-die for each other, and maybe skip some parts by reading summaries.

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Dorama interessante que pecou no excesso de episódios

É um dorama bem dinâmico, com personagens interessantes e com uma história cômica e leve.
Nos primeiros episódios estava com dificuldade de me prender à história, mas os episódios foram passando e a história começou a ficar interessante. Não é um dorama com muitas reviravoltas, plots complexos e dramático. Mas sim, um dorama mais tranquilo, com bastante comédia, voltado em destacar a amizade, companheirismo e amor entre os personagens.
Tem vários casais que se formam, os romances são leves (nada de triângulo amoroso ou enemies to lovers) e destacam a cumplicidade entre eles.
Para mim, o dorama poderia ter terminado no episódio 26, no reencontro dos protagonistas no mundo imortal. Até aí, a história foi coesa, interessante e sem episódios enrolados e desnecessários. A partir daí, acho que já não tinha mais coisas para acontecer, e percebi que começaram a encher linguiça para completar os 40 episódios… sem falar que no episódio 26, teríamos um final perfeito, já no ep 40 tivemos um final em aberto e muitas coisas desnecessárias aconteceram.

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saí desse desidratada

"Para as coisas que já se foram, para um tempo já passou, eu quero dizer um adeus atrasado. Adeus, juventude. Adeus, Ssangmundong.”

Eu fui assistir esse aqui já sabendo que ia amar, mas agora eu posso afirmar com todas as letras que: Reply 1988 é uma obra prima.

Eu não tenho adjetivos pra descrever tudo o que eu senti assistindo esse drama, e tudo que eu falar ainda vai ser pouco. A palavra mais próxima talvez seja "aconchego", como um abraço apertado ou de um carinho no colo da mãe.

Esse drama é belo em todos os sentidos, especialmente na forma realista dos dilemas pessoais que cada personagem enfrenta, a simplicidade nas relações... cada detalhe é perfeito.

Não teve 1 episódio que eu não me emocionei, porque é tudo tão sensível e tão real que é impossível você não se apegar e se emocionar como se não fosse um familiar ou seu amigo próximo. Todos os personagens são tão apaixonantes que, pra mim, não teve nenhum núcleo familiar mais ou menos interessante que o outro, eu queria conhecer mais sobre cada um deles!!

O elenco todo é incrível, sério, que elenco bom! Em especial eu dou meus parabéns pra hyeri que conseguiu interpretar uma das protagonistas mais amáveis, divertidas e cativantes que eu já acompanhei (te amo Deok-Sun!).

Acabou e eu queria mais, 20 episódios foi pouco! Eu assistiria 40, 60, 100 episódios se todos tivessem essa mesma essência.

Se você gosta de sitcoms como eu, assista reply! e se você não gosta de sitcom, dê uma chance pra reply, vale muito a pena!

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A thrilling funny steamy masterpiece

So first of all I wanted to say Jojo has done a wonderful job for this first episode. Literally from the get go you will fall in love with the series m, the set up, the background music and the cinematic views. First Khaotung are literally gems! Like tbe chemistry is as hot as a sizzling pan. From the expressions to the acting, I cant ask for more. Especially Khaotung giggling like a teenage girl inlove lol, loved that! And Joong Dunk are soooo precious in this! I am loving to see Dunk improved a lot!! And he is killing as Style! And Joong is so handsome in that grumpy role! I read the book as well and the first episode seems sooo well done! Can’t wait for more!

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Black Out es otro drama más de " thriller & crime ", sin momentos memorables ! .

Le tenía altas expectativas al drama ,pero terminó siendo no memorable .

Al menos esperaba que después de superar todo lo que había pasado en la cárcel , Junwoo sea más rudo y activo en la búsqueda de justicia por su cuenta . Pero él seguía sintiendo pena por aquellos que lo traicionaron que era gente sin escrúpulos que arruinaron su vida y no merecían su empatía .

Además que el detective tenía más protagonismo en resolver el caso ,aunque le tomo demasiado tiempo .

Otro punto es la actitud de la madre, es que no me puedo creer que no haya ido ni una vez a visitar a su hijo ,al menos debía confiar en como era y si antes no mostró actitudes agresivas ¿ Por qué mataría a su enamorada y a su mejor amiga ?? Luego cuando supo todo solo le dice que lo supere y sigan adelante .Todo bien pero al menos pídele perdón ?

Ni hablar de los demás personajes , todos confabulados y ninguno era de confiar solo buscaban sus propios intereses, el tío resultó bien manipulador , es que ya desde el ep 1 fue sospechosa su manera de llevar el caso . Lo que es poco creíble es que en todos esos años no se haya dado cuenta del lugar secreto de Su o y lo que había allí !

En fin , si desean ver algo que los enganche de principio hasta el final con buenos plot twist y un protagonista que no le tenga miedo a nada , definitivamente BLACK OUT NO ES EL DRAMA que yo recomendaría .

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You think you stole my heart? But it was already yours to begin with!

This is the story of a righteous potato and a dumb fox who met each other at the right time but in the wrong place. Later, the series delves into their chaotic lives to show that separated, they're miserable, but together, they're sunshine on earth.
 
✓Things that I appreciated:
 
• The main lead's natural chemistry is what brought us here. Storyline is important, but without camaraderie between the actors, establishing good content is impossible. Yin and War's portrayal of Jack and Joker showed us that with mutual understanding and support they can conquer the world!
 
• The main motto of the series was not to make a goofy light rom-com but to create an everlasting impression on the audience. The thrill, suspense, comedy, and romance it delivered were equally divided into parts that didn't outshine each other.
 
• The brilliant side characters Ama and Toey Ting. They were those supportive pillers; without them, the series would be incomplete. Ama's wisdom and Toey Ting, the Smarty pants, brighten up the mood instantly whenever they're on screen. The best supporting role goes to them!
 
• In the era of "who's more dominant" talks, we got our vice kings! One dialogue, "Let me lead today," warmed up my heart. This proves they're not showing what the audience wants but what they should expect. They set the bar high; no chance of defeat!
 
• This is not just a BL drama; it's more than that. It's a story of rays of hope finding their way through the darkest corner of hell. This is a tale of unprecedented happiness you get for fighting for your loved ones, i.e., family. Outside the blood-related family, you create bonds, which lead to an orientation of a family that accepts you for who you are and makes you shine beyond your shortcomings. 
 
• I loved how the storyline was not entirely dependent on romance but had a proper story to tell, which created a huge anticipation throughout the episodes. The audience didn't get bored but rather was immersed in it the whole time.
 
✓Room for improvement:
 
•I would really appreciate it if action scenes were shown more naturally than memorised steps. Although they improved a lot from the first episode till the last one. This was my only problem; otherwise, it was a perfect series from start to finish.
 
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the rollercoaster ride of anticipation, disappointment, sadness, and joy. It was thrilling to begin with. All those comedic elements did give a moment of relief and rehabilitation from the series of serious situations. Highly recommend. If you're looking for something fun and thrilling with a dollop of romance blooming, then this is it.

9/10 and 0.5 for my immense love for Yinwar (≧◡≦) ♡ they'll be dearly missed!

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It is not original, and sometimes it tends to sugarcoat the reality of prisoners in Thai prisons

'A Prayer Before Dawn' is a prison drama directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire. Based on a true story collected in the book "A Prayer Before Dawn: My Nightmare in Thailand's Prisons", by Billy Moore, it tells the life in prison of a young British man with a problematic past and addicted to heroin, who ends up being confined in one of the Thai prisons, considered among the most dangerous and inhumane in the world, for drug possession.
In the film, the relief for the self-destructive life and mind of Billy Moore, masterfully played by Joe Cole, known for his role as Luke in the series 'Skins', John Shelby in 'Peaky Blinders' and Sean Wallace in 'Gangs of London', comes in the arms, lips and the inconstant sexual attentions of Fame (Pornchanok Mabklang), a ladyboy, with whom the main character will maintain a homosexual relationship, and the discipline of Muay Thai and boxing practiced by the British citizen.
The image that the West has about the life of a prisoner in Thai prisons, such as the Bangkok Hilton, which many call "The Great Tiger", one of the harshest prisons in the world, is consistent with the reality shown in this 2017 film: institutional corruption, extreme violence, overcrowding and unhealthiness where prisoners fight to survive in inhumane conditions.
The recent sentence to life imprisonment of chef Daniel Sancho, the son of renowned Spanish actor Rodrigo Sancho, for premeditated murder, dismemberment and concealment of the body of Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta, on the tourist island of Koh Phangan, in southern Thailand, in August 2023, has once again brought to debate the inhumane situation experienced by prisoners in Thai prisons.
In addition to living with drug traffickers, pedophiles and murderers, between 30-60 prisoners survive in each cell, without water, electricity or hardly any food, with a single hole in the floor to relieve themselves. Fights over a crust of bread or a piece of soap, or to avoid being raped by other inmates and even by the guards themselves, are constant. If the prisoner runs with good luck, he will be cared for by a doctor and two nurses, alone, to provide medical care to thousands of inmates.
While in other prisons around the world convicts spend their time with the aim of reintegrating them back into society in most cases, going to prison in Thailand is simply a punishment.
In this scenario where the days are tremendously difficult and hard, in which crime and daily violence outside prison continue inside it, and survival is the greatest challenge, 'Winter Is Not the Death of Summer but the Birth of Spring' focuses on showing the life of the main character already inside a cold and hostile prison in Thailand. A voice-over, which tells us, during the first minutes of the plot, how he ended up there, helps us as viewers to become familiar with him from the moment he crosses the threshold of the prison and leaves his routine life behind.
The series follows a true love story between two inmates: "Jed", sentenced to one year and six months for a check fraud law, and Bible Khamphi, a young man who seems indifferent to life but who possesses a magnetic attraction that attracts Pathomkan.
It is precisely the approach of anguish, oppression and confusion that Andy Rachyd Kusolkulsiri, known for directing numerous BL series and films, such as 'Love Sick Season 2', 'Make It Right: The Series' and 'Tom Gay', turns to tell us the story.
From the first scenes, the audience is able to perceive that the director does not stop to explain anything to us, he builds his main character as he goes and at the same time he inserts the other characters and subplots. The series manages to keep the viewer stunned and disoriented, holding Jed's hand in a prison that looks at him with brutality, leaving this peaceful and dejected man alone in the middle of a violent place, waiting to be rescued by a pious soul... or loving.
In addition to a love story, 'Winter Is Not the Death of Summer but the Birth of Spring' is a story of survival in very extreme conditions.
Andy Rachyd Kusolkulsiri's camera takes us into the warlike Thai prison world. It shows sweaty and tattooed male bodies like emaciated flesh eager for violence, blood, nicotine, drugs and sex, a voracious hunger that never sleeps, where you have to fight to get a few drops of drinking water with which to quench your thirst, sleep carefully open and where a visit to a latrine can end in a gang rape, since the guards are not there to ensure the safety of the prisoners.
The explicitness of the acts of institutional corruption, authoritarianism and physical and psychological abuse, both by the guards and by the prisoners towards other prisoners, in a hierarchical order of supremacy, seek the truth, the reality, that the eyes of the viewer learn first-hand what kinds of underworlds inhabit our own planet.
Jed is going to end up in prison for a crime committed, he will cry out for bail, and the most terrifying thing is not the room, but the sea of voices and screams of other inmates and guards who look at him with contempt and will humiliate him without contemplation.
The intrusion does not remain in the auditory, but also in the visual: down there, in the depths of hell, among dark men with elaborate tattoos, pronounced abdomen or extreme thinness, their pale skin and innocent gaze, in contrast to those around them, shine like a beacon, bringing to light the sexual desires of those who have not enjoyed sex in a long time.
It is the unfavorable side of justice, stuck within four narrow walls of an underworld, stuck inside the purest shit of the environment that surrounds him, Jet will try to find the light, that is, freedom. Or at least a relief for their tormented days.
His fall is long, painful, above all painful, reinforced by self-deception, outbreaks of violence, and cruelty not only on the part of others in his condition.
Another aspect to consider is the acting, where for obvious reasons, the majority is either novice actors or are not professional actors. Likewise, we have a notable work by Art Pawaret Prapapornvorakul, who plays Bible Khamphi, and Mark Methasit Aiyakornkul, who plays Jed, both in their debut in the entertainment industry.
Although it is original for a Thai LGBT+ series, its premise is not unique in world cinematography in telling a homosexual relationship in a prison in that Asian nation, nor is the label "based on a true story."
On the other hand, at times it seems to offer a sweetened and complacent image of the harsh conditions and life of the convicts, such as Jed's quiet walks through dubious and improbable reading and music rooms full of convicts.
Still, the story moves in two directions: that of survival in a brutal environment, and the love that Jed finds in another inmate. That is to say, on the one hand it is an unpleasant series in substance and form that evolves in a rude manner to feed on violence and hostility, while on the other hand it offers the romantic rapprochement of two beings destined to suffer confinement.
Loaded with intrinsic dirt, the viewer waits anxiously to see if the next frame shows us even a drop of tenderness and redemption.
'Winter Is Not the Death of Summer but the Birth of Spring' has very powerful bases, since the presence of ladyboys is added to the above, which gives it an exotic touch.
If I have to question something, in addition to what was previously said, it is the lack of a budget that allows us to satisfactorily guarantee that all aspects of the production are managed effectively and efficiently, in order to better develop the story, and the division of the plot in short episodes, about 8 minutes each.
Due to its crudeness, because it does not tell a romantic plot as lovers of the genre wish, it is not suitable for all audiences, but that does not mean its effort to tell a true story should be detracted, which despite its flaws, contributes to make visible the harsh reality of prisoners in Thai prisons.
I will return to the review later. It is recommended.

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