Overall, this is one of the best show of 2017 for me. I hope this helps and happy drama watching!! :)
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Story: This is somewhat of a stereotypical rom-com plot. A handsome guy pursues the girl he likes, people get in the way, friends and family help patch things etc. etc. BUT this wasn't 100% like all the rom-coms I have seen, there were some nice twists on the rom-com drama ideas you have. BIG, BIG, BIG round of applause for inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and questions, while it was not the best and there was some cliche aspects this is a series that openly has characters that are part of the community. I also enjoy the way they sneak future princes into each installment so you slowly get ready for the next guy. The writing was not stand out but it was written well enough and executed as best as it could be. EXCEPT FOR THIS LINE, WHICH I LOVED: "Love isn't about gender. It's about whom you feel good with." Ohhh, girl PREACH.
Cast: The cast was great. I absolutely fell in love with so many characters in this show, especially Pete. The chemistry between the leads was fairly good, as well as with one of the other couples. The family aspect was also very, very good and warmhearted. The script was not the best but the cast did well with what they had. I also enjoyed the fact that not every cast member was absurdly beautiful like carbon copies but had individual looks (short hair on some, pants rather than skirts, tougher personalities, crooked teeth etc.) and interesting features were not altered. I also highly enjoyed not every cast member was whitewashed.
Music: I was expecting some of the same music, due to the shortness of the show, but I was introduced to a fairly new OST. One theme remained to tie the series to its predecessor but there were also 2 or 3 new songs as well.
Rewatch: For me this show has a high rewatch value and binge value. This show can easily be finished in an afternoon/evening and is fairly light-hearted enough that you don't feel the time passing or want to stop. I personally liked this one more than Handsome Cowboy (U-Prince series 1) because it did not try to cram too much into 4 episodes and the male lead was not as volatile. All the characters were written much more consistently. If you want a show with romance, fun, some LGBTQ+ awareness, and eye candy this is for you.
Like I said this one is a short watch but it is a pretty cute and chill one. Like always, happy drama watching! :D
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The story seems like many when you look no more than surface level: handsome young man with a dark and dangerous appeal, a young girl who wants to be strong and save the world etc. HOWEVER, this drama had much, much more to its plot. The theme of reporters and fighting for the truth was much more prevalent and took first seat in this story; a huge and pleasant surprise if one is expecting to be let down on that aspect. The darker underbelly aspects of stories and characters could have been emphasized somewhat more, so I will only score a 9 for this section. That being said they were done fairly well - considering they are topics that are often seen as taboo even in today's societies. Romance and action are actually woven together very well, making this drama much more appealing for audiences. The writing and timing are essential to this production. The writers understand their audience and their desires and mindset as viewers; when certain details get fuzzy there is a new part that brings clarity; you begin to understand bits and pieces only to have a new mystery evolve from what you have been given. There are no stale aspects because every turn something new happens to keep you on the edge of you seat and anticipating the next episode. I had not experienced that with a drama in quite some time.
The cast is essential to this drama as well. Each person not only fits their role but brings something to it that makes them standout. I was surprised how well the actors worked together and how many of them had a wonderful amount of chemistry. Normally you hope and expect the main cast to have that chemistry, especially if their is supposed to be romance involved, but this production gives much more than you are expecting. The importance of family and friendship is highlighted by the cast performance as much as romance would be. Park Min Young balances her role of fighter and an innocent in need of protection so well, I found myself connecting to her in the best of ways. With every victory, mistake and cringe worthy moment I was with her because she did not merely complete a role but gave it something more human and approachable. She definitely emphasizes how someone can be weak in one way but incredibly strong in others. Ji Chang Wook was also just as good as Healer. You expect him to be tough, untouchable and bad-ass. Ask and you shall receive. However, you also begin to see a developing vulnerability that is subtle but gives so much more to the performance. There is a ton of supporting cast (too many to name but all standouts) that create funny moments as well endearing, painful, heartbreaking, and beautiful moments as well. This is most deservedly the highest section I can rate. Absolute 10, if I could score higher I would.
The soundtrack is well timed; moments did not seem interrupted by jarring music or sound effects. In my opinion, nothing is worse than music that does not fit or takes your attention away from the show. Sounds should emphasize, not detract. I have not downloaded the soundtrack so I am not scoring super high in this category but the music was definitely good and added to the experience of watching.
This show is definitely re-watchable, but I am basing this score of 7 more on the ability to binge watch. The plot is a bit too deep to just pick an episode to watch, and with 20 episodes that have quite a bit to them I would have to be really in the mood to watch it again. However, this production was so good I finished it in about a day and a half or so. Very binge worthy - which I think is more important than re-watching! ;)
So overall, I give this drama a 9! And I wish you all a happy drama time! :D
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Story: Not completely unique, but with enough unique points and humor to forgive the cliches. The pace was enjoyable and the writing was very good. Not to mention many (although not all) loose ends were tied up in the final episode involving the cast.
Acting: The cast was spot on for this show and I developed a few new favorites. The parts were well-written, the acting was as expected. Some scenes were exaggerated, but I found it added to the show's charms. The best part was the lack of stereotypical rude and rich romantic male.
Music: The music was very enjoyable and placed in the best of places. Everything emphasized moments, the acting and scenes. i actually never grew tired of hearing anything, even the opening and closing themes which can become annoying even to the most die hard drama fans. I found myself downloading parts of the soundtrack.
Rewatch: I do not think I would immediately rewatch this show, although it would be wonderful to do so. I would wait until I had nothing else or needed time to kill, it is very good for a light and romantic watch.
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There is much more backstory and I feel watching this show gets you more involved, pulls you in more. I also like that Taliw (Kotoko/Ha Ni in the Japanese and Korean versions) is much more likable and is not portrayed as a idiotic and childish figure. She is smart in certain areas and then is lacking in some others, something that is much more realistic in my opinion. There is also no blind following on her part, she can make her own decisions and even get mad - a vital character trait i think was lacking in the other versions. King was especially better, he was not portrayed as a village idiot or obnoxious, but a charmer that is trying his best to win the girl. There were times I found myself getting worked up about the competition, much more than with the other versions.The relationships between all the characters were great in my opinion: friendships, family ties, and love interests all were spot on. The actors did well in each of their roles and I even picked up a few new favorites again. (My list just keeps getting longer!)
Of course, I also loved the music and the placement of the music. Nothing was distracting and every time I would start to get bored a song would change subtly or not so subtly. I actually went out of my way to download the full soundtrack.
I have already watched this show multiple times and I highly recommend it to others. I know some people are die hard fans of the other versions, but everyone should at least give this one a try as well. Personally, it is my favorite version!
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Cast: The cast was very nice. Miura Haruma fans are in for a treat; he not only looks great but does a wonderful job in a serious role, even learning Chinese well enough to not be subbed over, although errors are written into the script to remind everyone he is a Japanese man living in China. I thought the scripting was good, but his acting made it better. Liu Cecilia did a wonderful job as the twins, adding small subtle things to make them different personalities and add to the suspense of wondering how well not only you know those around you, but how well you know yourself. There was always a slight charge of "what if...?" that filled the movie that I think the actors did a wonderful job utilizing to its full potential.
Music: I loved the music for this film. The instrumentals were placed well for situations, emphasizing both story and actors. If I knew where to download the soundtrack, I would.
Rewatch: This movie has a fair amount of rewatch value and you may even gain a new perspective if you do rewatch it. I will not watch it again for a while simply because it's not something I finished and went "Let's do that again!" It's a romance film for every once in a while.
Overall, it's a good movie if you want something that is carefully written, has good acting and it a bit more bittersweet. I hope this helps and happy drama watching! :D
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STORY: For me the story is a 9. I was not exactly hot on the idea of a love story between a doctor and a rich chaebol son with multiple personalities. Worst case? It would crash and burn. Best case? It would be great until it lost steam and fell apart. HOWEVER, this show lived up to it's expectations (for the most part). The show starts with a bang and then a few pieces seem slightly off but come together the more you watch, keeping the show interesting. The writing for this show is a major win. From action sequences, to questions that are answered and new questions that emerge, to dialogue this show has it all. I found myself much more engaged and hooked on it than I thought I would be. The writer(s) make it much more intense and emotionally involving than the summary lets on. My only problem is actually I wish it had been slightly longer in the long run or per episode because I feel there should have been more about each personality. I felt the answer of how to help came to fast and close to the end that I felt slightly cheated. The lead up to the end was great but the ending didn't quite do the whole show justice. If the other personalities had been more developed, closer to how Seki was so developed, it would have been perfect.
ACTING/CAST: No matter how well a show is written the can make or break it. I have to say this is a definite 10. The chemistry between everyone was absolutely the best. First and foremost, Ji Sung. Holy crap. The amount of thought and effort and work that goes into portraying one character to the best of your abilities is hard, let alone SEVEN characters. He gives so much to each one, even if they do not occur very often, that the depth and attachment you feel is mind blowing. An absolute job well done on his part. Hwang Hung Eum was also incredibly good with her role. I was worried the writer would create a cliche character that was dopey or a screw up because she was young in her field, or the character would be overshot and a bit too developed and mature. Hwang was neither. She did convey the traits of a young and immature/inexperienced girl and doctor at times but that was when it was called for. That choice led to a bigger choice of visible growth and maturity for the character as the show continued. She was a relatable character, and spunky enough and strong headed enough that I think even male audience members will enjoy her enough to connect to a certain level. She is not a weak character, though she has vulnerable moments. They were very subtle choices on the actresses part but they made the character more rounded. She was not merely a female lead that will fall in love, but a young doctor trying to save a patient and the child trying not to disappoint their parents or siblings. Family was also a very, very strong aspect of this show. From where it was lacking with some characters backgrounds and how it was strong in the lives of other characters. I am not the biggest fan of family things but this had enough to balance the intensity of the psychological pieces of the show. The sibling aspect between Park Seo Joon and Hwang Jung Eum was spot on. That chemistry was absolutely amazing from them, so subtle at times but also very explicit in others. They will forever be my sibling otp.
MUSIC: So, so good. I have not downloaded it, but I have some tracks saved from youtube. The placement was very good, enhancing scenes, and adding to character moments. Sometimes the songs would get stuck in my head as well. There was not one song that I found myself muting or skipping over, even with credits/end scenes/previews.
REWATCH: This score of 10 is based on REWATCH and BINGE potential. This show has a lot of rewatch potential, I have frequently found myself thinking I kinda want to watch it again. However, because it is 20 episodes a full rewatch would take some time. It is also a little intense at times so jumping in randomly would depend on the person. (Personally I like jumping in on an episode by what personality I feel like seeing; the personalities are memorable enough to kind of remember where they are in the show.) BINGE-ABILITY is very, very high and I recommend doing so.
Happy drama watching, my friends :D
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STORY - Pretty original. I didn't exactly know what to expect, I expected a lot of romance but this has everything. Romance, action, comedy, mystery. Perfect. There is not a lot of lag anywhere, but I am not 100% happy with the final episode. Maybe 90%? BUT DON'T LET THAT STOP YOU FROM WATCHING!!!! The effects are really good in the show as well and the cinematography is very nice - the lighting and camera angles enhance everything rather than being distracting.
ACTING - Amazing and the chemistry between everyone is great - romantic, family and friend relationships alike. I honestly have picked up a few new favorite actors - and reaffirmed why I already liked a few ;)
MUSIC - great as well; this is one of the few soundtracks I have downloaded. Also it's perfectly placed within the show, no random spots that are distracting. The sound effects are also subtle and enhancing as well.
REWATCH - I actually have already rewatched this show all the way through once. However, it is a show I can turn on an episode for background noise or just to occupy my attention and it's still as enjoyable as the first time.
OVERALL - 9! Honestly, this show was amazing and easily has become one of my favorites. The ending is just okay for me, enjoyable definitely, but I would have enjoyed the ending more if it had ended in the manner a certain male lead had wished for. ;)
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Story: On the surface this is basically the same plot as the first two movies, a mysterious phone call predicts a person's death. However, this film utilized a few more things to create a new sense of tension and thrill while expanding on human nature. A new mind set was presented with this movie that made the scares more intense due to never knowing who or what to fear until it's almost too late. There is also more background and foundation given to the curse that fit the tone and added to the atmosphere and demonstrated how all three films are not only connected but come full circle, making the movie a very good finale for the series. As far as production goes, you can tell the film is somewhat old but that makes it no less scary. I was actually surprised how well jump scares and overall atmosphere were blended to create something new while still using what worked for all the previous movies.
Cast: The cast had pros and cons, I will not lie. There tended to be times where everyone overacted; as the movie progressed it fit the script more and more, adding not only to the idea of hysteria but reminding the viewer of the youth, naivety, and ignorant disbelief that teens have. Although there were no real stand outs as far as I'm concerned. One must admit, though, it was nice to see Jang Geun Suk in a role other than the aloof pretty boy. His character had more substance than I was expecting - but you can also tell he was young and not always aware of his facial expressions on camera when not the focus of a scene. Overall, not bad.
Music: Music and sound effects helped set atmosphere and tone for the movie, but there was nothing that really stood out other than a few scenes with what are now Japanese horror standards such as groaning and such. The use of these things did not make the movie cliche, but could be slightly tiring at times when it was louder than dialogue (disclaimer! that may just be the quality of the version that I was able to locate and watch and could be different with other copies).
Rewatch: Out of all three this is the part of the series I would readily rewatch. The pace steadily built up, rather than being fast the whole time and a mess or boring and too dull to pay attention to. The script was okay and the cast fit their roles pretty well; most of all, the film was creepy and had plenty of elements to keep you engaged.
Overall: I really enjoyed this movie and if you love horror, especially Japanese horror, this is a must watch. It isn't the best, but it's pretty good. Happy watching! :D
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Cast: The cast wasn't bad, but not really standouts either. Everyone was enjoyable and fit their roles well, although the chemistry between one couple wasn't 100% there. That doesn't detract from the watching experience though because it somewhat fit their characters' situation and this is a horror movie, not a rom-com.
Music: The music and sound effects worked really well for this movie. The full songs were haunting and gave an eerie edge to watching, while the sound effects definitely added suspense. I would find myself tense at times, not from what was actually on the screen but what I could hear off screen and that's almost always a good thing for movies of this genre.
Rewatch: The movie is definitely good and rewatchable, but I would probably only rewatch it once in a while.
Compared to the first movie, this one is better (in my opinion). The creep factor is there, balanced by myth and even a very, very little bit of comedy at times. Overall, this is a 7.5 for me! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and happy watching :)
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Story: I think the writers took it for granted and just assumed viewers of the movie would already know the story. The story has a lot of potential, a twist on the common flower boy and inexperienced girl shoujo plot. However, this was not executed very well. I have seen shorter manga adaptations that tell a better story than this 2 hour film did. I never thought I would say a movie of that length was rushed but this one was. There was a lack of writing for their relationship and so it did not progress in a believable way and the character development was lacking. The friendship between Erika and Ayumi was fairly good, written with enough detail but Takeru, Kyoya's sister and even Kyoya were very underwritten and flat. Yes, I said Kyoya. THE MALE LEAD. The movie was a meh romance that just wasn't as funny, compelling or satirical as it was meant to be. I think it could have been wonderful as a drama, even a limited episode drama, because there could have been more character development to convey the story much better.
Cast: The cast is not bad at all. My low score has nothing to do with the casting, I enjoyed everyone but they were not given much to work with. If the cast had better scripting and even more screen time for some of them, this could have been much better.
Music: The music was okay? There were some songs I liked such as the ending theme and the song where Kyoya is running through the city. However, I disliked most of the other music choices. They intruded on the scenes and were not very good choices in my opinion, especially the song choice during the cake scene. I found myself focusing more on the music at times than hat was actually happening on screen.
Rewatch: If you like it you can rewatch it. I will most likely never watch this again unless I am desperate.. I really, really just didn't care for this one. I would rather watch the whole anime again.
This is just my personal opinion and I hope it helps. Don't let this deter you from trying it out if you think you might enjoy it! ...I'm just saying t don't expect a masterpiece. Overall, it was just between meh and okay. Like always, happy drama watching. :)
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Acting: The acting in this movie was pretty good. Some scenes seemed a little lackluster while others seemed a bit over the top. That being said, the actors suited their roles well and interacted very well on screen.
Music: The music and sound effects for the movie were what you would expect, nothing too standout. It fit the film well but did not build a whole lot of suspense. I found the lack of background music a little distracting personally.
Rewatch: I personally would not rewatch this. However, die-hard horror fans or Thai movie fans might rewatch this.
Overall: This was an okay movie, not the best and not the worst. I was able to sit through it without getting too bored and the ending was pretty worth it. I wouldn't watch it again, but it does have some rewatch value. It was alright to watch once.
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STORY: This story has a lot of awesome potentials and the buildup through the background is great. There's a nice blend of urban legends, death, ghosts, the reality of trust between friends and safety in school. As someone who has read the book and watched the anime, I was able to fly by the movie and not question too much. That being said it can definitely be confusing for some. There are not enough clear explanations, nor is there a lot as far as investigation or stress and pressure from solving the mystery within a certain time frame. It is kind of presented in a blase tone of "oh another student died, maybe we should try to figure it out I guess". The anime was longer and capable of adding more detail and buildup in the story, something a 90 minute or so movie just isn't capable of. There was also quite a bit of filler that didn't need to be there. It's not a bad story though, it was just done in a lackluster way.
**the graphics are not the best, the filming techniques and cinematography are a little more than okay but not great.****
CHARACTERS: These characters could have definitely benefited from some more depth and better acting. Some of the younger actors seemed uncomfortable at first, and I do not think they were given enough time to develop their characters on screen (I blame scripting and movie length). There was a lot of vagueness overall. The older actors were very good but obviously, they are not on screen much because they are not main characters, and that cannot make up for the poor acting in other parts.
MUSIC: The music and sound effects were pretty on point for this movie. Nothing was distracting but amplified the scenes and created buildup. Like many of the Japanese horror movies I have seen, the end theme was a strange pop song with somewhat morbid/dark lyrics. I never understand why people use those rather than just more instrumental but that's just me.
REWATCH: If you're a fan of the novel, manga, or anime you would probably watch this (some fans may end up frustrated). If you feel the need for a horror marathon it's not bad. But honestly, I wouldn't really watch it again. I would rather watch the bloodier and more understandable anime. Some people might like it enough to rewatch though, to each their own.
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