Reviews

ENEMIES TO FAKE DATING TO LOVERS!!!

I LOVED THIS DRAMA SO SO SO SO MUCH!!!!

It literally felt like I was reading a contemporary romance book, down to the tropes and everything. The enemies to fake dating to lovers is gonna hit every single time!!! Everything about this drama was chef's kiss. It was the perfect mixture of comedy and romance... you can't help but fall in love with the characters. I also couldn't take them seriously because they were so outrageously hilarious. The banter / discourse between the opposing viewpoints of men and women was refreshing. I found myself thinking wow that's really how men view women and vice versa.

Mi Ran has my entire heart!!! We love a badass heroine who puts men in their place. I adored how Kang Ho balanced her out perfectly. It's like both of them finally met their match and sparks just flew – LITERALLY. The chemistry between them was off the chartsssssss.

I also loved the second lead couple, they were cute... when they got together I'm sure we all screamed FINALLY. His pretty woman moment was so adorable fr!!!

I would recommend this to friends because it was so light hearted and easy to watch / binge in one day. If you are in a drama slump this drama is for you. You literally feel the episodes fly by so quickly one minute your at episode 1 and the next you're at episode 10. Now that I'm finished I am thinking of watching it again.

I gave it an 8.5 out of 10 simply because I felt like I needed more, the episodes were super fast paced which was good at first especially if you have a short attention span like me, but...I felt like they wrapped up the drama so quickly between episodes 9 and 10 especially. The third act conflict just jumped out of nowhere fr after the leads were having such a great time in love and being together which was kind of sad and unnecessary imo.

Either way it's a drama I needed to just sit back, relax and have a nice laugh. I literally couldn't stop smiling because it was so freaking cute!!!

Warning: If you're single this drama is gonna make you feel even more so like I cannot emphasize it enough. The way the couple is with each other is just aajhskjs!!!

If you haven't binge watched this yet you need to hop on the train and do so immediately!!

LOVE TO HATE YOU IS THE ROM-COM DRAMA YOU NEED IN YOUR LIFE <3

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Enjoyable But... I Wish They Gave Us More!

***Disclaimer: This is just my opinion. We don't have to agree and I'm not here to argue with anyone***

(This review is entirely based on the show, I did not read the webtoon and went into this completely blind)

I really loved this drama... I thought the story was interesting, the acting was phenomenal and the OSTs touched my heart. I wish I could rewatch it for the first time and be able to experience and feel all the things I did all over again.

The way this drama had me in a chokehold for weeks needs to be studied! I honestly don't know if this drama would've had the same effect on me had I just binge watched it in one go. From beginning to end you can see the care / effort the writers put into bringing this story to life on screen. I thought the cast was beautifully chosen as the actors captured the essence of their characters so well. The emotions through the drama were raw / real and it was almost palpable through the screen. I heard the webtoon and the drama are different and that writers changed some stuff but idk I think that's the whole point of an adaption it gives the writers creative license and room to explore what the original story didn't have / lacked. Ahn Bo Hyun and Shin Hye Sun were so amazing. I need to see Bo Hyun in more leading roles... perhaps a historical drama next.

Overall, this drama was enjoyable. My only problem with it was that it was too short (12 episodes) and the last couple episodes seemed rushed and like they were trying to tie everything together at the last minute. They could've used the middle episodes to develop the plot further or have Seo Ha find out that Ji Eum was Ju Won's reincarnation earlier as well as her memories from her 1st life and how to break the curse. I found the shaman guy (Min Ki) so annoying. Especially the fact that they let his identity remain a mystery until the last two episodes, it was very underwhelming. They made it seem like he was a lover but as it turns out he was the reason why Ji Eum was cursed to be reborn each time she died. I found the ending of her forgetting everyone while they lived on remembering her very strange / not well thought out but I'm glad everything all worked out in the end and the drama ended on a happy note. I was initially so scared that it would end badly but then again I'm a lover of angst and pain. Either way I think I would've loved this drama bc the storytelling, acting and sequence of events was so entertaining.

I definitely would rewatch this drama sometime in the future. I think the key to enjoying this drama is just to go in blindly without any preconceived notions from the webtoon or constantly comparing it to it. As a reader myself it's just a fact that no adaptation can ever really live up to what you imagined in your head.

With that said I give this drama an 8/10.

Thanks for reading & happy watching!

❤️

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it was awful. I loved it.

yeah your eyes aren't deceiving you. everything was a 0/10 and I ate every single second up as if I was starving.

the story: the writers sat in a room and Jon from accounting said "BDSM Mafia Boss". one person said "what about the storyline?" "don't worry about it" Jon from accounting replied. "the hornies don't care about that." and they really stuck to that because except the lil quarrel they had in the end, nothing really happened. Until Jon from accounting said "you know what. throw in a threesome, but don't build up or follow up on it at any point ok?" and the room said "Sure thing, Jon".

acting: listen I've never seen these actors in any other show and I've read that they are supposed to be good........... BUT WTF WAS KAMOL DOINNNGGG the actor cracked me up. whatever emotion he was supposed to portray, I wouldn't know because of all the botox he apparently got done right before filming. like damn he was hardly able to smile and no way he was able to look angry. his forehead stayed perfectly smooth and gosh I loved it so much...

music: the evil piano music whenever Kamol entered........... It was perfect.

conclusion:
when I watched the first episode, I added this to the "dropped" list real fast. but then episode 2 came and I started to see it as what it is. peak camp. the piano music. whole scenes only for product placements. awkward acting and even more awkward sex scenes with 0 build up. Kamols only characteristic being head over heels for Kim...

everything was awful and it's my favourite show ever.

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It was good but it could have been great!

A solid 8/10 for me.

General Remarks:
Excellent writing, brilliant acting and a suspenseful story that keeps you on your toes.

1. Story about 3 sisters with absentee parents.
2. A mystery surrounding a girl who stole 70 billion won and left it in the account of one of the sisters before she was killed.
3. Main focus is one of the sisters trying to find out what happened to her friend and why she was killed.
4. Characters mysteriously being killed and willing to go to their graves to find this stolen money.
5. The interconnected storylines and drama in each of the sister's and their enemies lives.
6. Mystery behind the blue ghost orchid and the people wrapped up in a society that pledges their lives to it.

Let's start with the positives:

I really enjoyed the storylines of all the sisters. I felt like In Joo and In Kyung always had to be so strong for In Hye and tried their best to take care of and provide for In Hye because of again. absent parents.

I thought the plot was amazing and unlike any other drama I had ever seen or watched. I didn't know so much about orchids and I thought it was refreshing to see a show centered around a rare species of orchid (the orchid of death) and the whole group of people wrapped up in the organization.

I found In Joo battling what to do with all that money to be a realistic portrayal because really and truly most persons wouldn't know where to begin if that amount of money somehow fell into their hands.

I like how everyone's storyline became interconnected and it was like each character was serving a greater purpose in Song-A's "play" of sorts. They were all like her little dolls and she basically called all the shots. At first I was led to believe that she was being forced and coerced by Park Jae Sang but soon it became apparent that everything she was doing was a ruse. She believed herself to be an actress and presented herself differently to each person. Each person was treated like a new canvas or stage of sorts.

Personally I think Sang A was the most interesting character because she was a truly evil serial killer / psychopath. She had no qualms or regard for other people or their feelings (typical sociopath behavior). Finally, a villain being a true villain without any regretful backstory as to why they became that way. Song A was just born that way and though they tried to justify her actions by saying she killed her mom on accident and was living with the guilt and the trauma in her "closed room" (ie. the door that she never opened) Imo her recreating that tragedy was sooooo sick and I loved every minute of it. She was downright horrible and at a point I believed she was going to try and take everything away from both In Joo and In Kyung. I thought In Hye would have never escaped her and she was gonna get rid of Hyo Rin and mold In Hye in her image – creating the perfect daughter. Thank god that didn't happen though!

In Joo and Do Il left much to be wanted at the end – I am disappointed that we did't even get a kiss or a hug lol! The chemistry was there and despite everything they went through you could feel the sheer care they developed for one another. They may not have ended up together but I believe important lessons we learned. No amount of money in the world could make In Joo happy / satisfied and that she would give it all up in a heart beat to protect her sisters and the people she truly loves and cares about. Through In Joo, Do Il too realized that there are some people worth fighting for and more important than money.

I never thought In Kyung would give Jong Ho a chance but I lwas literally so happy at the end when they finally got together and admitted their feelings for one another.

Though In Hye was a really complicated character I thought her message at the end was sweet and behind her depressive and cold hearted exterior was a troubled teenager with a heart. She did care for In Joo and In Kyung but just had a sh*tty way of showing it. Her message to her sisters was sweet and I could kind of understand her reasoning for being distant and wanting to find herself first before appearing in front of them again. Even though she appreciated all the sacrifices they made for her in her life she needed to go her own way and find independence.

Negatives:

I could not stand their mother. She was awful and didn't give a singular f*ck about her kids and it was so infuriating to watch. She took her daughters field trip money and just ran away with the sh*tty excuse that In Hye is young and has so many opportunities to travel and that she needs to go now because she's "old" essentially. That was just soooo absurd to me considering the fact that the mother knew damn well that was In Hye's dream and the thing that would make her the happiest????? Imo she stifled those poor girls and was not fit to be a parent, not to mention their good for nothing father who the mother ran away to help and barely heard from ever since. In Joo and In Kyung practically raised themselves with the help of the great aunt who raised in Kyung for a while and then them turning around and raising In Hye.

I found In Hye to be ungrateful and selfish and the fact that she chose to find herself and travel the world with her friend rather than stay with her sisters even when the danger was eminent left me shocked.

I wish In Kyung's alcoholism was tackled more and we could see her path to recovery not like she just woke up and magically got over it. It's a touchy subject yes but I feel like many people struggle with alcoholism and it would've been nice to see a kdrama tackle such an important issue in the midst of all the mystery and chaos going on.

I wish we saw more character development but I understand it was hard to do so in 12 episodes.

I thought the last episode was rushed but again it was hard to fit everything into 12 episodes. I felt like Sang A died a quick and mildly painful death but she deserved to suffer wayyy more for her crimes... so it was upsetting seeing her die without having to atone for any of it while Hwa Young was badly burnt, survived and still had to go to prison. Imo Hwa Young has mental issues that also need to be taken care of because I don't know how someone can endure all that + their fake death and still be mentally sound. Also I am not sure how I feel about her getting involved in another gardening program (like especially if it has anything to do with orchids) like that was strange and it gave me the creeps. Hwa Young has the perfect demeanor and makings to be a villain / antagonist so it would be interesting to see her character arc in S2 (if there is one) Honestly I feel like she wasn't able to fully get her revenge and have peace of mind so I kinda do hope if there is S2 that opportunity presents itself.

Final Remarks:

Kim Go Eun really puts so much into her acting and you can feel that translate across the screen no matter what role she undertakes. Wi Ha Joon's character was mysterious and throughout watching I couldn't quite place him. Was he evil or was he good? It became clear that he was a morally grey character (which I ate up btw) essentially a wildcard that could swing either way depending on the situation.

I hope there is season 2 with a whole other mystery that the sisters are swept up in. Maybe this time it can start with In Hye and her friend Hyo Rin and then the others have to help save her. I would also love Hwa Young to make a reappearance and help them from prison if she can or this mystery finally frees her as we meet an even bigger contender / mastermind than Sang A was.

I liked it so much as I am still thinking about it and wishing there was more even though it's finished. I would definitely recommend it to others :)

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The Best BL of all Time! So Go Watch!

I have never written reviews for anything but this drama forced me to write one. The recent surge of BL had us BL fans swooning however during the process the BL's lost its originality and offered the same plot with school/university/ engineering/love triangle/making all the females either villain or brainless fujoshi but with different actors. I am not bashing other bls but it was getting very repetitive.

But then BOOM! came this BL out of nowhere. Surprising us with its wholesome and refreshing original plotline. This is a story about an introverted salaryman who was just going with the flow of life and not much caring about love thus stayed as a virgin. However, when he turned 30 he was bestowed with the mind-reading ability and this is where folks one of the most hilarious yet MOST tender wholesome love story of the BL world's begun. Our protagonist, Adachi, finds out the popular and most perfect guy in the office, Kurosawa, has an intense crush on him.

Adachi is someone we all can relate to especially us introverts. He looks down on himself, lacks confidence, and always gives up fighting for himself and others when needed. But after he gained the power we could see the changes in him. He never once used his power for himself or to harm others rather he used them to help the people around him. He is becoming a better version of himself. Slowly but steadily he is overcoming his weakness for a better life.

Where else Kurosawa is completely opposite of Adachi. He is an extrovert person and the most popular guy in the office. He is a perfectionist in whatever he does. Girls go gaga on him including me. He is smart, handsome, confident, and knows how to carry himself. He is the go-to person, whenever someone faces any kind of problem. He is the perfect example of how a salaryman should be. However, when it comes to Adachi he loses his calms and his confidence wavers. All he wants is to stay beside Adachi and make him smile. Kurosawa will be happy and content as long as Adachi is happy and stay beside him even if as colleagues but that's going to change very soon though.

Cherry Magic has stolen my breath and my heart! Every week I anxiously wait for the new episodes like my life depends on it. The chemistry between the leads is sizzling and you can feel it from the very first interaction and you can feel as each episode progresses the chemistry intensifies. At first, honestly, I thought this will be like Ossan's love with overly comedic with little focus on romance especially when I read that the guy will have mind-reading power and the trailer also really didn't impress me but thank god I gave this gem of drama a shot and I fell in love.

The best thing about this drama is that all the characters no matter how small or big their role is very much like real life. All of us can relate to them in our life personally for me I could very much relate to Adachi and Fujisaki-san. Episode 4 touched my heart so deeply like no other bl could. Also, how could we forget our poor Kurosawa's fantasy?! Trust me it will make you laugh and giggle like a kid. Well, all episodes will make you giggle and scream in the middle of the night like a banshee in loose...or like a kid!

And to all the BL writers out there please learn from Kurosawa how to write perfect gentleman. Kurosawa even though is restless about his feelings for Adachi he never ever tried to force his feelings on Adachi. He is always respectful and he even felt remorse when the co-workers forced him to Kiss Adachi ( episode 3) albeit it was only a forehead kiss Kurosawa still felt bad which shows how considerate Kurosawa is and how much kindness and respect he has for Adachi.

This is a genuine love story between these two men that will warm your heart and soul...make you feel like you are on cloud 9. Make you feel fluffy and soft and gushy and will definitely make you say "EHHH!".

The thing with Japanese bl is that they don't need to show physical intimacy to convey their feelings. They can literally carry the whole show, with the same per as those that hugely depends on physical intimacy to gain popularity, with their eye contact and body language, and what acts they do for their loved one. Again I am not bashing anyone specific.

I think like most of you I am also not a fan of Japanese acting. They often feel cringe to me and made me stopped watching Japanese drama for a while. So for the people who are worried about the acting, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. The acting is actually top-notch. Both actors perfectly understood their characters and have dutifully are able to portray them just as they were written in manga. Machida is literally Kurosawa and no one can deny that!

To be honest I feel the live-action characters have more feel to them than the manga in my humble opinion. Also, the director did an amazing job of executing the story. And I am glad that they are adding their own original scenes to this adaptation and changing the timelines of specific scenes which I think will be more exciting.

The only con is the development of a side couple. Don't get me wrong I love them too. Tusge is a chaotic virgin that cracks me up every time he comes on screen and our cutie Wataya is such a tsundora lol. But I wished their story would have progressed with the same care as the main pairing but it's ok. This series is already a perfect 100 for me.

And Udon-Chan is love, Udon-Chan is life!

Listen guys once you start watching this series you will not be able to stop yourself from re-watching the currently out episodes again and again. I have already lost count of how many times I have re-watched the 5 episodes. Cherry Maho really spells a real cast at its viewers then we can't stop watching the series even if we want to.

So what are you guys waiting for join our Cherry Maho cult!

Sorry for such a long-ass review and I know I am not the best reviewer out there but hope this review at least is helpful to you lots.

Peace Out XOXO!


Edit- I have finally finished the whole series and my man I LOVE LOVE LOVE it so MUCH!! It was perfect!!! For me, the character development was so good. Adachi overcoming his fear of losing his power and mingling with people, understanding people without his power showed huge character development! Finally, Kurosawa can have his sweet life with Adachi. I do hope we get a season 2! I wanna see more of their sweet life. Call me greedy because I am. Fantastic ending to a fantastic series. Guys watch this show or else you will be missing out on the biggest gem of your life!

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I have seen absolute darkness. I know what it's like to lie in bed, unable to leave, trapped under sheets of sweat-drenched anxiety because every single movement feels heavier than you are. I've lived for the moments you reach the surface and gasp for air, only to slip beneath the waves. Most importantly, I know how a single hand can reach into that darkness and pull you to shore.

For sake of argument, I am going to share something very personal. In 2009 I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This isn't a condition that you catch like a cold, but rather one that manifests at a certain age and snowballs until it's nearly impossible to function. You can't prevent it through proper care, you can't always predict its onset and you certainly can't run from it. Essentially, bipolar disorder means I suffer from violent mood swings - severe bouts of depression and self-destructive manic states. Most people are familiar with depression on some level, but the idea of a manic state is foreign so I'll take a moment to explain it. If depression is an extreme state of sadness or hopelessness, you can think of mania as an extreme state of happiness. It's generally characterized by impulsive (and often destructive) decisions, lack of sleep and is almost always accompanied by the physical feeling of euphoria (you can think of this as something similar to the effects of several drugs like ecstasy.) This state is the most dangerous and, for me personally, meant that I would blow through money on drugs and alcohol, ostracize my friends and family because of an uncontrollable temper and sail off into the sunset feeling invincible. These impulses left my life in ruins.

I crashed hard during my third semester of college and had to withdraw. At my worst I was suicidal, faced with a crippling loneliness that I had never felt before. You can think of it like standing knee- deep and staring into a dark pool of water. The only light is the reflection of your own eyes and even those seem foreign to you. If you shout you're greeted by a distorted echo that you recognize as your own, but it's masked by an alien quality. In this sense, mental disorders create two yous; the you that you're familiar with and the stranger you can't recognize beyond a silhouette and the stain it leaves behind. You're a prisoner in your own body and every single day you feel yourself inching closer and closer to the water.

If there is a single safe harbor in all of this, it's love. When two souls dredge through the fire and connect, the bond can become unbreakable. Empathy is the great uniter; shared pain is like cement. Love will harden through pain. Two souls become pillars, lifting the other out of the water and into the sky. This is what separates this drama from the rest. This is why It's Okay, That's Love is a masterpiece.

Mental health is not a topic that is addressed very often in Korean dramas, and when it is it often comes across as comical. Mental health balances between something people think of as self-imposed, something you can shrug off if you try hard enough, and something to be afraid of. Because of this, it's usually presented as one of the two extremes: something too light, often existing as comic relief or a silly quirk meant to add flavor without substance, or as something too heavy, existing as some ethereal force that twists the mind into something less than human. It's Okay, That's Love is able to present something serious and keep a lighthearted tone without being insulting.

If you're looking at the melodrama tag and expecting something that borders on makjang, this drama is not that. The feeling of melancholy threads this drama together, but it does not weigh it down. You won't find endless sobbing, misunderstandings or two-dimensional characters. Instead, this drama showcases the marriage of two souls through unconditional love and growth. Love is strongest when flaws can fit together like a jig-saw puzzle, and the characters in this drama compliment each other perfectly. It's important to emphasize that these characters are flawed. Too often dramas shy away from characters with real problems and instead settle on external conflict to move the story in its entirety. The characters in these dramas are perfect outside of the experiences they undergo and the forces that act on them and it makes them two-dimensional. This is not the case in this drama. Most of the conflict is internal, but it's relatable and organic. Every single character is presented in a manner that allows you to love and empathize with them - it's a multi-layered story, the supporting cast is also very well-developed.

In addition to a perfect atmosphere, this drama does something almost unheard of in a Korean drama. It presents a love story that is not about the chase, but rather endurance. Adult topics such as sex, intimacy and trust are at the forefront and allow the drama to paint a picture of actual couplehood instead of traditional guy-chase-girl or girl-chase-guy fare. You'll watch the couple grow not only as individuals, but as loving creatures. It doesn't stop at love, either, the concept of friendship as a refuge is just as strong. The entire cast grows over the course of the show, and if you're anything like me, you will grow along side them.

I really can't gush enough about this drama. It's been a very long time since I watched something that resonated within me with such perfect harmony. The soundtrack captures the moods perfectly, the actors (from main to supporting) have realistic and beautiful chemistry. The melancholy is haunting, but it won't overwhelm you. I cried, I smiled, laughed and lived with this drama. I saw those two souls grow into a love so pristine that you honestly believe they cannot live without each other. The term soulmate can only apply when two people love each other unconditionally, and they both crossed the sea in a rowboat to reach it.

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THE SOUND OF THE FLOWERS WILL HAUNT ME FOREVER ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿

**Disclaimer: This is just my opinion, please don't take anything I say personally. We don't have to agree and I'm not here to argue with anyone. This review is kind of lengthy so please bare with me.***

General Overview:

My Dearest is a profound story set in the year 1636 during the Qing invasion of Joseon. It tells the tale of Gil Chae the "village’s 99 tale fox", who can have any man she wants because they are willing to do anything for her at the drop of a hat. The story depicts how this beloved but conceited and naive girl matures as the tides change and she realizes she must be strong for those around her. She has to step up and become a leader and a source of strength in these harsh times. We also meet Jang Hyun, a flawed man whose actions demonstrate how determined he is to change and be better for the woman he loves. He acts as if he doesn't care about much, but as the story progresses, you can see how much he does care and is determined, willing to fight for and help the innocent people around him.

The plot revolves around the constraints imposed on various classes of people, gender disparity, camaraderie – sisterhood and brotherhood all combined with a breathtaking, slow burn romance that continually breaks and mends your heart. It's about survival and, more importantly, perseverance – it's about how far you're prepared to go for the people you care about. It's a great drama that underlines the importance of sacrifice. This story offers so much more than romance. You get politics, warfare, suspense, drama, heartbreak, romance and everything in between. The story could exist without the love story and I think that’s what makes it so special. The love between the people is what ties everyone together and keeps them hoping for a better and brighter day but it is not the focus of the plot. It is about the perils of war and how that can tear people apart and make them often do things they would have never done in the first place. It’s about choosing the best option not for yourself but for the greater good of everyone.

Needless to say I feel like this story has changed the trajectory of my life. Am I embellishing and over exaggerating? Yes, but I’m also being so serious. It’s a story I believe everyone should experience at least once in their life. The artistry and care behind this production is something you can feel through the screen in any scene, at any moment. I won’t say it’s the best Sageuk I’ve ever watched because there is still more to come but for me, it’s pretty damn close.

If you're on the fence about watching or starting it, I would highly encourage you to do so. I feel like this drama is a classic and everyone should experience it at least once in their life.

____________________________________________________


In more detail (spoilers ahead):

I genuinely feel like my soul just got ripped out of my body. They literally had me hoping things would work out between Jang Hyun and Gil Chae and in the end they gave us nothing but PAIN?!

Let me first take a moment to rewind and go over everything I liked about this drama...

They literally gave meet cute, slow burn, enemies to lovers, forbidden love, right person wrong time, drama, suspense, passion and yearning. When I tell you I was on the edge of my seat with each episode. I went into this not knowing whether I would like this drama as much as the next person but I was pleasantly surprised when I realized this would easily become one of my favorite dramas of the year.

To say Gil Chae is a well-written, multifaceted character who serves as a role model for women everywhere would be an understatement. She has so many positive attributes, and I found myself being a proud observer of her development.

We first meet this young, naive girl who is consumed by the fairytale of having a happy ever after with the man she sees in her dreams (the one she feels is her rightful husband) But oh my how the threads of fate proved to have a different path in store for her. I believe that her dream was foreshadowing all the ups and downs and tribulations she will have to face until she and her lover can finally reunite. We follow Gil Chae on her journey as she transforms from a snobbish, shallow noble's daughter to someone willing to put her life on the line for her friends. The road there is not easy, as we can see but Gil Chae has really blossomed and transofrmed into something of a force herself since the 1st episode compared to the last. She is truly a flower that changes with the seasons and grows older and wiser as the story progresses.

Jang Hyun, on the other hand, is a laid-back, free-spirited man who clearly puts on a cheerful facade so that people don't see the real him or know his true intentions. He appears to be a man who is uninterested in politics, has no plans to marry, does not believe in supporting / backing his country or the king, and prefers to avoid war and picking sides. In contrast, our Gil Chae fantasizes about her ideal happy marriage with her perfect husband. Jang Hyun claims that love and romance are fleeting and that he does not want to be tied down to anyone as a result. He'd rather think about things and have fun for the time being. That is, until he meets Gil Chae, who changes the course of his life and challenges his previously held beliefs. He appears to be a people-pleaser, always seeking flattery and recognition, but I don't think he knows what he wants at the end of the day. He's a man who has lived a full life, is well read and educated, and has traveled extensively. It'll be interesting to learn more about his backstory.

As the story progresses and Jang Hyun's layers are gradually peeled back, you realize he is a shell of a boy, with scars and unhealed trauma from his turbulent past. You can tell he has had a difficult life, but he does not portray himself as a victim; instead, he handles everything with grace. I believe he is very calculating and he sort of quietly observes people as if he sees them as pieces in a game of chess. You notice this when he makes subtle remarks about the king and crown prince, or any bad men he encounters. It's heartwarming to see Jang Hyun change for the better as he rises to the occasion and ends up saving countless lives. He wants to live another day and meet Gil Chae again, not because of the war or his circumstances. He perseveres and survives, demonstrating incredible bravery, determination, and resilience in the face of any challenge, battle, or adversary.

I love a "pathetic" and "morally gray" man so much. There's just something so inherently attractive about a man who is down bad for his woman and literally gets so sad at the thought of leaving or losing her – literally when the mere thought of being apart from her for even a second makes him so lovesick or causes him to make the most unpredictable decisions to protect her. Jang Hyun is the embodiment of "touch her and I kill you" and "I hate everyone in the world but you." and that's why he's the best ML to exist. The mere fact that he would probably burn down the world to save Gil Chae is just so satisfying to watch. I am truly saddened whenever I hear Jang Hyun refer to himself as a terrible man since he is so kind, wise beyond his years and pure of heart. When I tell you we as viewers don't even deserve him, know that I'm being dead serious. Normally, I would find persistence annoying, but the way Jang Hyun pursued Gil Chae had me gasping for air and at a loss for words. It reminded me of a Bridgerton-esque courtship lol! The tension was so thick and intense that it appeared to be impenetrable even by the sharpest blade.

Gil Chae and Jang Hyun share a lot of similarities. They do differ in terms of upbringing, status, and maturity levels, yet throughout the drama, they embark on their own adventures, endure trials, and grow. At first I thought their personalities were too similar and I was unsure about their pairing because in the back of my mind usually it’s opposites that attract. But as I continued watching I realized they were each others true equals. Nobody else would ever be good enough for either of them. It was clear from their banter and subtle gazes that Jang Hyun understands and knows her, and vice versa. They are, at their core, just two people who long for that one constant love that will never change, regardless of time, space, or distance. No matter how many times Gil Chae hurt his feelings and rejected him, he still hoped that she felt even a smidgeon of affection for him. I melted when he told Yeon Jun that if he could only have a quarter of her heart, he would take it. That is genuine love right there. I loved how Jang Hyun was able to let his guard down for her to truly see he was being sincere in his affection and he never wavered even when Gil Chae was being stubborn / playing hard to get. When faced with adversity, they both are unable to to give up. Both will fight to the death to protect the people they care about, while simultaneously longing for the day when they can reunite.

As Jang Hyun said "I swear by the moonlight, wherever you are, I'll make sure to find you." The symbolism of the moon touched me deeply because, just as everyone is under the same moonlight, Gil Chae and Jang Hyun's love will also remain constant, no matter where they are. This oath/promise is kept throughout the entire drama and solidifies their soulmatism.

Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun Jin both delivered outstanding performances. Their portrayal of their characters was so amazing and emotional that it completely blew me away. Namkoong Min takes us through a variety of thrilling and heartbreaking scenes. His fight scenes are fantastic, as are his tender and heartfelt scenes demonstrating his growing affection for Gil Chae. Eun Jin does a wonderful job of portraying Gil Chae especially in her funny/silly moments and her painful, heartbreaking ones. Their chemistry is beyond words to the point where it feels palpable through the screen. The side characters and extras also do a phenomenal job of selling their roles. The villains (Qing intruders) are very menacing and they add to the realism of the portrayal. Everyone in this drama has done a tremendous job acting their asses off – they are really convincing, and I believe that is what distinguishes this drama.

Dislikes:

Yeon Jun annoyed me because he seemed to be playing with Gil Chae's emotions. He seemed harsh when he said that Gil Chae could have any man she wanted, but Eun Ae could only have him. Which was true, but it was still brutal, made worse by the fact that he almost broke down his wall, revealed his true feelings, and kissed her. My heart broke for Gil Chae, but it was exactly what she needed to mature. She needed to experience the fantasy and dream of one-sided love. Something that appeared to be perfectly crafted in her head, but was actually something entirely different in reality. I was relieved she chose to be selfless and encouraged Eun Ae to marry him instead. It was touching how she stood by her friend and assured her that she was worthy of being his wife and the best person for him. He still irritated me in the end because when it was time for him to step up, he didn't and made the lame excuse of not wanting to betray his country and maintain his pride, but all the characters literally suffered and were affected as a result of that one decision. He caused his wife and her friends/family to suffer as a result of his pride and stupidity, which is completely different from Jang Hyun in that regard because at least he is able to use his morals/judgment and be selfless even in difficult situations.

Let us now discuss Ryang Eum. He clearly idolizes Jang Hyun to the point where he believes he has developed strong, intense feelings for him. Jang Hyun saved Ryang Eum from a bad man who was torturing him when he was a boy, and his gratitude grew into adoration and love. While I don't blame him for feeling the way he does, the way he goes about being a driving force to keep Gil Chae and Jang Hyun apart is deceitful and dishonest. I'm not sure how he can face Gil Chae or Jang Hyun after literally betraying them both. Isn't he aware that he is the problem and the plot device / boulder in the way of their love? I'm sure he's smart enough to realize Jang Hyun will never feel the same way he does, will never return his affections, and yet he's hellbent on sabotaging them and then making pathetic excuses like "I thought she'd make you miserable"? I needed him to be so for real! He irritated me, but what is a drama without close friends betraying characters' trust and undercover foes driving the plot?

I also dislike the officer (Won Moo). At first, I was overjoyed at his kindness towards Gil Chae but disappointed when I realized he wanted more than friendship, that he wanted to marry her and offer her a more comfortable life. I guess the deciding factor for Gil Chae was when Won Moo said he would still have her knowing she had another man in her heart. That should have made me feel relieved but I was just so torn as all of this transpired while she thought Jang Hyun was dead. I was celebrating when I believed Gil Chae was going to go with Jang Hyun and the officer would have turned a blind eye and let her, but that did not happen because Won Moo chose to be cruel and let her mentally ill father loose in an attempt to bring her back home. While I wholeheartedly understand Gil Chae's motives, her duty to stay and take care of her family, as she is the sole provider for them, it didn't make the ending of the third act conflict any less painful. Jang Hyun and Gil Chae have been through so much that they deserve to be happy, with each other. I don't know what else to say other than I hope the officer dies. Just anything else just so Gil Chae can be with the man she truly loves. But of course, things are never that simple and we don't get what we want because life isn't fair and it seems like the ML and FL must always be facing obstacles that push them further apart.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, the drama's historical accuracy is astounding. The costumes, scenery, and realistic depictions of the brutality of war is one of the best I've seen in a historical drama. The OST they used is simply stunning and heartfelt. The songs complement the story perfectly and leave an emptiness / yearning that just stays with you. Each episode held my attention, and I'm not going to lie, I've shed a few tears. So be sure to bring your box of tissues lol! My biggest fear is that this drama will end in tragedy. I really hope not. but even if it does I know that i'll stick around until the final episodes' credits roll.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and I’m still reeling from this immense high. They gave cinema. They gave near perfection. It’s just that the ending pissed me off so much I wanted to rate it lower but I will stick to my initial thought. I am still waiting for things to get better They literally had me for more than half of the episodes and then completely shattered me with that ending. While I am aware it is a continuation to say I was disappointed / dissatisfied with the cliffhanger of an ending, is an understatement. I can empathize with Gil Chae and her motives behind choosing to stay for her father and her friends but it hurts to know that two people are so perfect for each other but can't be together (yet). They keep missing their timing, which is both frustrating and exciting.

Obviously, if you start this drama expect a simple and sweet love story, you should reconsider. This is not a drama for the faint of heart. Is it perfect? Yes and no. It's complicated, but that's kind of the point, and it's one of the reasons I enjoy this drama so much. I love how intricate the storylines and characters are. I like that this drama strikes a balance between highlighting the struggle of doing what is right versus doing what is necessary, delving into how far people are willing to go to survive and protect those they care about. This story was written for angst , slow burn, acts of service and pain / comfort lovers like me. In my opinion, these tropes have never hit harder, and I can't wait to see everything else that unravels in the future with these complex characters.

Sidenote:

(I am mad at myself for not watching it sooner but I was unable to start it knowing Part 2 would not be released until October. I started it last night October 12, 2023 and completed it this morning October 13, 2023. I am so excited for Part 2 but also worried because it might be a very sad ending)

I'm expecting more trials and tribulations, but I'm not too concerned because Gil Chae is a resilient person who I believe can and will face anything with a brave heart. Jang Hyun is also a very resourceful and determined man as well, so I doubt this is the end of their story.

The underlying message of this drama is that relationships require effort and that love is a choice people make every day rather than just a fleeting emotion. It demonstrates how two flawed people fight for each other without losing their sense of self-worth. This drama isn't about your typical delicate and frail damsel in distress waiting for a knight in shining armor to come and save her... instead, it's about how two people strive to be together despite all odds but trust that in the end they will have the courage and endurance to take care of themselves until they meet again.

With ALL of that being said, I gave it a 9/10 and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

(Thank you to all the beautiful and kind souls who actually read all this ❤️ )

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Let me say this right off the bat: If you’ve been watching K-dramas long enough- and by long enough, I really just mean like about ten dramas among of which atleast two were law/crime/investigation- there’s a high probability that you’ve already seen all there is to see in the genre. There are some tropes that will always and I really do mean “always” happen in these shows.

Let me count them down with you:
1)Corrupt people in power who have successfully fooled the public into believing that they are good.
2)Our underdog hero and heroine who have a tragic past caused by the above mentioned corrupt people in power.
3)Our hero and heroine having coincidentally linked childhood history of some sorts.
4)An abundance of convenient plot-devices and complications that happen just for the sake of happening.
5)Rushed endings.
6)Our hero having magical powers that makes him have an IQ of 269, ninja fighting skills and a slightly whacked emotional quotient.

Yeah in 9/10 K-crime/law dramas this will happen. I bet my left tit on it. So if you are going to wear your granny glasses and make these the basis of judging what is original and what is not- you might as well save yourself the hassle and stop watching these altogether because by these standards you’re never going to find a drama that is “original”. Even if you do find one that seems different on the surface, I assure you it too will have a lot of typicalities in its core. And I say this in the nicest way possible ‘cause been there and done that.

So you ask me, Jeana, if they all tell more or less the same story what’s the point in watching? So glad you asked. The thing is, while the story may not be entirely never-before seen; the characters that tell the story and the way they tell it, is. And that makes all the difference.

Lawless Lawyer, in its core is also a typical crime/law drama and it has all those tropes I just mentioned above. However, the reason why it’s a must-watch is because it fulfills the goal all dramas strive to achieve: entertainment. And ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you this: LL is entertaining as fucking hell. It has moments that will have you cracking up, moments that will have you hold your breath in suspense even when you can already predict what’s going to happen and moments where your heart will fill with pride because of the characters you will surely come to love.

I’ve been eyeing Lee Joon Gi ever since I saw him single handedly carry the clusterfuck that was Scarlet Heart Ryeo on his beautiful broad shoulders. His acting chops are no joke. You bring him on the screen for two minutes and he’ll show you he isn’t playing. You know how we say that “some actors just emote with their eyes”? Yeah well, LJG emotes with the very flex of his jaw, the flick of his eyebrow, the tilt of his head- you name the part and the man will show you how to act with it. Simply put, he is brilliant. Which is why it’s literally a surprise to nobody that Bong Sang Pil is an extremely enigmatic character with madness in his eyes and gold in his heart. It was a joy to watch him and by the end of 16 episodes I was mighty fond of him.

Holding her own alongside LJG was our beautiful and talented Seo Ye Ji who first impressed me in Save Me and now won me over in LL. Her character had a solid backbone and she wasn’t afraid to show it. I usually have a bone to pick with beautiful actors -both male and female- because they rely heavily on their looks and decide to model their way through the episodes. Even when they are talented, you can see them take it easy and just roll through. I hate that and even my superficial tendency to fawn at pretty faces, masculine abs and collar bones isn’t enough to stop me from giving the drama a big fat 4 if I felt like the actor relied more on looks than putting in work. Here however, both LJG and Seo Ji perfectly embodied their characters and did their job despite being two very gorgeous people and that just made watching them extra sweet.

Some people say that a show is only as good as its antagonists and worry not my folks because the villains here are also an absolute delight. I have loved Choi Min Soo since his supporting role in Warrior Baek Dong Soo where he stole all the spotlights from his younger and more popular co-stars. Some people think that he tries hard or exaggerates with his roles but I disagree. I feel like he always brings these unique characters to life whose actions you both love and hate. He was an excellent villain in Lawless Lawyer and his Ahn Oh Joo- a greedy, ruthless and power hungry goon made me enjoy every second he was on-screen.

Next up on the antagonist list is Nam Soon Jo who with her over-the-top screaming and deliberately evil expressions never failed to amuse me and then finally, last but definitely not the least- we’ve got Cha Moon Sook played by Lee Hye Young. The evil mastermind and the woman on top of the food chain. She was as cold as they come. As sophisticated as she was cruel and I loved every scene she was in.

Lawless Lawyer was a very enjoyable ride from start to finish. There were many endearing supporting characters and some side roles and cameos by older actors who I adore. The music wasn’t too extraordinary but it was well-placed throughout the episodes. There wasn’t too much of a love story either; as a lot of potentially good chemistry between our leads was left unexplored but I’m not complaining because there were some good kisses and cute moments and I don’t ask for much in a drama which has romance as a sub-plot only. Other than that, I’d say LL had basically a bit of everything- love, laughter, kickass action scenes, suspense and emotion and so baby, I was a happy camper.

Yes, there were things that could be better. Some scenes could have developed more properly, some events more fleshed out. The ending more nicely executed but you know what? This show got me out of a three month slump. Before this I kept dropping shows half-way through or near the end ‘cause I just lost interest but with Lawless Lawyer I was compelled to watch episode after episode and I just didn’t want it to end.

So be brave, give it a shot and delve a little in the land of the lawless. ;)

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A Light Hearted Rom-Com — but so much more!

It feels like a 2013 drama that was remodeled for a 2022 audience.

To sum it up in simple terms, The Law Cafe is a very unorthodox law drama with a sheer sense of community and heart at its core. Even though it seems like a rom com do not be fooled as it also has slice of life aspects, political intrigue and mystery.

I adored all the characters and the effort they put into their roles. Kim Yoo Ri and Jeong Ho’s story felt special but I enjoyed the incorporation of the clients stories at the law cafe even more so. In the earlier episodes, specifically the ones that covered child abuse and school bullying, really touched my heart. I appreciate all those young actors / and actresses because the emotions they evoked to truly bring the story to life was powerful. Lee Se Young nailed the part and brought across a true authenticity that you almost felt like you were in her shoes / witnessing real accounts.

I feel like it started off strong in the earlier episode but then fell off midway and towards the end. For me, the true essence of the law cafe lost its meaning after Yoo Ri and Jeong Ho entered a relationship. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy their moments and thought they were cute — it’s just that it felt super rushed. I understand that they had memories from 17 years ago and since college that was understood / implied offscreen but Jeong Ho being in love with her for so long and then feeling like she did not reciprocate his feelings was just a bit too much. Him then basically still going along with his proposal plans even though he knew her reasons for not wanting to get married, just put a little bit of a strain on the relationship dynamic for me. They eventually worked it out but I feel like the drama would’ve been more powerful without them being so close so that Pyun Woong had an angle to strike at. That is to say Yoo Ri was Jeong Ho’s weakness and vice versa. It was very predictable at that point as the villain knew that wounding / hurting one would result in action / serious measures taken from the other.

Jeong Ho’s character felt insufferable at times because he sucks at communicating. Had he told Yoo Ri the truth instead of dedicating his life to research and writing novellas all of this could have been avoided. Him continually trying to push Yoo Ri away and making her cry was also annoying especially when you hear him admit to the camera that he’s been in love with her for 17 years. In essence it seems like he dedicated his entire life to serving her and like she was his main focus. Kinda stalker-ish fr considering he knew her plans to set up a law cafe and bought that exact building… it’s almost like he laid the groundwork for her to come back to him (I guess everyone in that family shares some kind of psychotic tendencies) That isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy Lee Seung Gi’s portrayal of Jeong Ho it’s just that his character arc could’ve had more substance. Through and through he was a silly character and it made you empathize or understand his reasoning a bit.

I really enjoyed the supporting cast. Eun Kang nailed the whole mysterious brooding just-released-from-prison / ex convict vibe which I just ate up. Honestly I’d like to see him as the lead in a drama. The ajumma’s were hilarious but kind of annoying sometimes. Honeybee / Bae Joon had that naive impressionable young person thing going on. I liked at the end how he was likened to Yoo Ri and shared a similar sense of spirit that she had when she first started working for Hwang & Gu Law Firm.

I loved the doctor (Woo Jin) I felt like he too liked a Yoo Ri from the get go… even before Jeong Ho expressed his feelings towards her and I felt sad that he had to restrain himself out of respect for Jeong Ho. I’m not a fan of triangles but I wish Woo Jin had gotten a fair chance or at least his own love interest. His story with his patient was so sad and I really felt sorry for him. A+ for Kim Nam Hee’s portrayal. His emotions translated well across the screen.

I want to also applaud Jo Han Chul’s acting as Lee Pyun Woong. I have enjoyed every drama I’ve seen him in but finally seeing him undertake the role as a psychotic villain was something else entirely. He made me hate him so much I just knew he was doing an awesome job. He did the role justice and was super convincing.

The final episode could have been wayyyy better but I think the fact that the ended with Jeong Ho and Yoo Ri’s wedding says enough. The fact that Yoo Ri got married in a bright red wedding dress just shows how “unorthodox” they wanted this show to be. The typhoon no less was a metaphor for their tumultuous relationship. Imo funny but also highly unnecessary. I literally found the supporting casts love stories more interesting — Do Jin Ki and Seo Yeon as well as Eun Kang and Song Hwa (not portrayed but implied) Those two couples left me wanting their dynamics to be explored.

Overall the drama is a solid 7 out of 10 for me. It wasn’t meant to be deep or intense so if you go into it just know you’re just there for a good time. There are important takeaways from each episode for sure (at least in the earlier episodes) and that’s what I appreciated about the drama. I didn’t think such a light hearted show would evoke so many different emotions but it was truly refreshing and left me entertained for the most part.

Watch this drama if you’re looking for something with a perfect mix of everything. Comedy, romance, drama, politics and a little bit of mystery / thriller.

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I came into this film knowing what it was going to be about, but nothing could have prepared me for the impact of watching The Crucible. It was dark, violent, and quite honestly nauseating. I was on the verge of tears for nearly an hour and when the 1h36 mark hit, I had to pause the movie and did nothing but cry for the children. To think, this is real. This happened to these kids. When I hit play, from that moment on, tears were falling.

I will probably never be able to watch this movie again, but it is something you honestly must see. Yes, the images are disturbing. Yes, you will feel anger, sadness, and numbness, but this movie leaves an impression. The acting is superb and all of the child actors honestly deserve awards. Their expressions, their gestures, they just strike you right in the heart every time. You will not soon forget this movie. I'm not sure I ever will.

What may be even more impressive, this movie caused such a stir in South Korea that the case was forced to be re-opened and laws demanded to be rewritten. It makes you think, it really does. How much effort does it take for justice to prevail? Why can people be bought with money when they know such horrible things had occurred? I honestly don't know, and never will know why such apathy and cruelty exist in the world. Why do we cause each other pain? It makes me sick. But as a quote in the movie says, "The reason why we are fighting so hard, is not to change the world, but instead, not to let the world change us."

Without a doubt, I recommend this movie.

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Age of Youth is one of the most precious dramas I have ever watched and I doubt I will ever find another drama like this that has evoked so much emotion out of me. It deserves every single bit of praise, and will remain in my heart as something beautiful and sensational. This drama is pure gold. I know I’m one of many opinions, but to fully understand what I’m talking about, Age of Youth is one of those dramas that everyone should at least watch once.

The plot was something that originally drew me in. It sounded very original and worthy enough to watch at least the first two episodes. While watching Age of Youth, there were so many moments that either relatable, touching or just plain hilarious. The writer did a fantastic job of the script. With the characters, it took me a few episodes to love all five of them (especially Jung Ye Eun) but each and every one of them, they had a story to tell and all made massive development with their lives. Yoo Eun Jae I grew attached to straight away because I felt a small connection with her and wanted her to grow stronger. Jung Ye Eun was annoying at first (and still can be), but her passionate personality made her admirable. Song Ji Won is the weirdest but most wonderful housemate, and always made a lot of scenes better. Kang Yi Na seemed to have an easy life, but had problems that she kept to herself and solved herself - her pride is something we should all aim to have. And finally, Yoon Ji Myung. I think everyone who has watched Age of Youth can agree that we all wanted to her to be happy as she deserved it the most. Her issues at work, with her brother and mother always caused her to be unhappy and we viewers did not want to see her suffering. All five of them were perfect, unique and lovable. Also, the boys - thank you for all being beside the girls and supporting them (except Ko Doo Young of course). My only issue with the story was the small ‘supernatural’ element that introduced some of the characters’ problems - I wish that was done in a different way.

The acting was on point and this drama was a huge stepping stone in the actors careers. I know I should talk about each actress individually, but I feel like I expressed my feelings a lot in the previous paragraph as their acting was what helped to make each of the characters the best they could have been. The five actresses were amazing, stunning and won my hearts over. None of them wavered in their acting styles, they consistently stuck with their character and continued till the end. I will most definitely be keeping an eye out for their next dramas because I want to see how they all grow.

Music worked extremely well with each scene and every single track was gorgeous to listen to. If you ever have spare time, just stick on the Age of Youth soundtrack and fully appreciate the audio because it will be worth it. My favourite track is definitely the main one, Butterfly by Sogyumo Acacia Band - it has that perfect, young vibe to it.

There is no doubt about it, I would rewatch this right now if I didn’t have so many dramas to catch up on - but I most definitely will be watching this again before the end of the year.

Age of Youth is worth everyone’s time and for me, is the drama of the year - maybe of the decade/century as well haha. If you love a simplistic and cute story with well developed characters and immersive backstories, this is the drama for you.

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MORE THAN JUST A LOVE STORY. ATOTS is GMMTV's nearly impeccable BL Series! --- 9.9/10

This series is a great way to start the year 2021. This series surpasses all my expectations in almost every aspects of this show. This series is exceptional when it comes to chemistry, acting, OST and especially the message they wanted to imply.

STORYLINE / MORALS

• ATOTS' storyline is so unique in the BL world. It's a game changer from the usual university-themed Y series we used to see in this genre. I am not actually a fan of slow paced series, but ATOTS is an exemption. The story is not so fast, and it results to more appreciation of every scenes. The last scene on episode 9 will be more perfect tho if they gave us a kiss (as per the novel's basis as well), but it was still okay due to their powerful scene execution.THE ENDING WAS SOOO GOOD. My eyes are sheding tears while smiling.
• What I love the most in this series is how they showed the contrast among social classes, and making the viewers learn how to value their lives. Showing the difference between people in the higher and lower class of the society results to realizations and understanding among its members. A rich boy realizing how happy living in a simple life in the village; however, if villagers have their choice will they choose to stay where they are? -- it's reality vs. practicality question. Khama's words of wisdoms tell us more about the message that this show wanted to imply.

ACTING / CASTING

• Their acting is so natural and effective, but I want to give a special commendation to Mix Sahaphap. He is a rookie actor, but the way he acts feels like he is doing acting for decades. The emotions was delivered properly, and it transcends from my computer screen. Meanwhile, I don't think anyone is more fit for the character of Phupha rather than Earth. Earth's expressive eyes and effective line delivery is what he made me impressed.
• This show proves that the chemistry among the actors is efficient enough rather than showing too much skinship. EarthMix's chemistry is overflowing, it's similar to fizz when you open a soda can.
• I would also love to commend the other casts in this series, they gave justice to the characters they are potraying. Tul and Longtae being the best friends of the year, the adorable kids in the village, the other forest rangers, Mr. Khama and of course Dr. Nam -- all of them are worthy to remember.

OSTs / Other Aspects

• Who wasn't attached to the sound of the flute? This show managed to put all the musics in the right timing without being too excessive. The OSTs are all pleasant to ears, and I love how they chooses Aye and Earth to sung some of its OSTs.
• The scenery and the village itself was so beautiful, and it becomes more attractive because of their amazing cinematography. It's obvious that they ensure to give their best for the benefits of the audience in this aspect.

Overall, I think this is my most favorite BL series from GMMTV along with He's Coming To Me & TOL. Kuddos to all the teams behind this show, and especially to the director. P Aof never disappointed me in the series he made.???

PS. The 0.1 minus is for Phupha's beard...kidding?

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Anyone disappointed after watching this? NOT ME.

An incredible series that GMM25 has delivered and a dangerous new standard for the upcoming series. Why? Read below. This is a longer review than usual, but this series is INCREDIBLE and therefore incredibly hard to only put into only a few paragraphs. :))

(Quick recommendation. Listen to this while reading: https://youtu.be/__6Eb2jhceo)

The story is unique and nothing that anyone has easily come close to achieving. Political topics have a high risk of not being well received by the viewers because the pacing often becomes very sluggish and boring if it is not implemented correctly. Another danger with this trope is that romance can often feel redundant and inappropriate, thus degrading the quality of the story. Neither is the case here. Why? The answer is not very simple.


PRODUCTION
Let´s start with the production and filming/ writing of the scenes. Throughout the entire series, one can not deny the beautiful shots that were taken. Everything seems to have gone under detailed planning of how to use the natural light the best and how to film beautiful scenes at locations, that doesn´t depend on much editing. However, one thing is certain, professionals are at work. Both in the filming and editing, but also in the individual usage and choice of music. Incomparable to other series.

Praise to Nuchy Anucha Boonyawatana, Noolek Sureechary and M Rittiktai Kanjanawiphu for the incredible screenwriting. I did not stumble across any grievous mistakes. Personally, I want to thank the creator of "Not Me”, Dem Thanutnun Vitsivakun, for creating this incredible story. She has succeeded in merging the topics of politics, injustice, LGBTQ+ and revenge to a point where you can only be amazed.

And of course, praise for the cinematographer Beat Pramett Chankrasse, he gifted us with captures of breathtakingly beautiful moments. The scenes embody the emotions of all the characters and carefully embrace them. But how are other series supposed to keep up now, mister? I have no idea.

The difficulty that this series has met was the decreased amount of episodes because of budget problems. This problem was briefly felt towards the end, but the overall presentation is so brilliant that the few inconveniences can be overlooked, really!


PLOT
Black and White are twins with a powerful connection but the two are as different as day and night. White is very dedicated to reveal the truth behind the state of his hospitalized brother, but his personality is FORTUNATELY too different to not cause other problems, incidents, etc. This fact is very well implemented by the writers: Without being too obvious about it they make White purposely misbehave in his role as Black. The story and its execution go hand in hand in this series.

The entire plot had so many risks in its adaption, but the series succeeded in not getting trapped by them. On the contrary, they used this fear to create a masterpiece that will amaze everyone, probably even the people involved themselves. The expectations were more than met.

The side stories also have their unique charm, and the introduction of a mute person just gives the overall picture that certain something of realistic scenario that you get addicted to watching. No matter if politics, injustice, LGBTQ+, revenge or disadvantages, each topic is accurate and not exaggerated.

The female characters did not meet the cliché standards of many other BL, on the contrary, they were no tools for the story but - and that should be the norm - they were their own masters, had their own lives and did not have any unexplainable toxic trades. All their reactions were understandable and well implemented.

The characters aren't denied their mistakes either, rather in the series these people try to work on their mistakes. That's what makes them so human and the series so perfect.


ACTORS
Before I get to Gun´s outstanding performance, I start with the supporting cast. The acting of all of them was solid and no one seemed to be uncomfortable to look at. Additionally, I also want to praise whoever cast this outrageous cast. Because even smaller roles like the parents or the antagonist have proved themselves well and worked fine with the plot.

Film (Eugene) and Lookjun (Namo) delivered two incredible performances as two female characters in a gay romance oriented series. They acted very naturally, and one could sympathize with their portrayed roles. Especially Film was well cast for her role as Eugene. Filmshy was also doing a good job, but she didn´t have much screen time, so it´s hard for me to review it.

Let´s get to the boys. Oh. I have so much to say but I don´t know where to start. I have never imagined Sing to ever get this kind of role, but he succeeded in any means. If you ask me, he deserves to get more main roles in series because he is such a flexible and good actor.

The leader of the garage, Gumpa played by Papang. Two words. Unexpected Gem. This guy did such a good job in his role. He also deserves more screentime because he is truly gifted. The same goes for Mond, who portrayed Gram. Personally, I like this actor a lot because he always managed to meet my expectations and I love the control he has over his facial expressions.

When it comes to emotions and portrayed intimacy, First (Yok) and Fluke (Dan) were blowing my mind. I loved their shots and on-screen scenes. Everything in this series worked incredibly well together but especially these two. After watching their sequences, I got inspired and overwhelmed by a sudden wave of motivation. I will miss them. I will miss the PAIN. THE PAIN.

There was also incomparable harmony between Gun (Black/ White) and Off (Sean), again ... but honestly, how do they do it? How crazy can one succeed in their role? The two are a great match and I hope to see more of them in the future. Speaking of how incredible these two are, Gun deserves a special mention. He managed to draw a clear line between Black and White. Cold and warm. Physical and psychological. He was playing both twins, but you could tell them apart. Manifestly! What an incredibly good actor! Mastering a twin role alone is something many have attempted and failed, but none has been as good or compelling as Gun. Give him a huge award and lots of love and attention.


OVERALL
At this point I´d like to cite our POP-Queen Lady Gaga:
NOT ME is “talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, (…)”. In a nutshell, this show is everything and more the LGBTQ+ film community has ever wished for. The sceneries and shots are breathtaking, the actors outstanding and the edit incomparable. Even the use of music has been merging with the entire awesomeness of this show. Every expectation is being met and it´s honestly nothing you should miss.

The upcoming series has a lot of work ahead if they ever want to meet this extreme standard of perfection.
Who am I lying to ... it´s impossible.

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If you’re not normally a Thai lakorn viewer, or even a Thai boran (ancient history) lakorn viewer, you should definitely consider making an exception in this case because this is one very special show.
'Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat' is a wonderful light-hearted romantic-comedy lakorn which feature underlying themes of history, karmic retribution and fate.

STORY (No spoilers)
Time-travelling dramas are not new, even amongst lakorns, but I think that this show is a bit more inspired because it certainly knows how to make use of this premise and give us a lovely light-hearted walk through 17th-century Ayutthaya without making either the history-bits or the political-bits too heavy and overwhelming. On the contrary, from the title of the show itself - ‘Love Destiny’ - it makes it pretty clear that this show is primarily a romance show, which it fulfils to a tee.

It was very clever of this show to transport a budding archeologist back into ancient history because the show gives us a natural teacher in her. As she gradually meets one historical figure after another, we get wonderful internal monologues about the various characters’ positions and their impact on history. And when she gets all excited over ancient historical sites, we get lovely little expositions of the significance of those sites. And through her fish-out-of-water personality and conversations, we are seamlessly introduced to the culture and customs of the times, as well as their hilarious reactions to her modernisms. History becomes so much more accessible and digestible as we follow Kadesurang/Karakade through some of the definitive times in King Narai’s reign in history. It’s a brilliant piece of writing and a brilliant way of introducing a slice of Thai history to viewers without making it too heavy or boring.

One would think that with so much historical setting, background, characters and events, the romance would be short-changed to accommodate it all. Wrong! Very wrong! As a romance tale of hate-to-love, and of fated love, this show not only provides generous amounts of time to introduce our main leads and develop their relationship, it actually also spoils us with plenty of fan-service and squeal-worthy scenes. If you’re a romance-junkie like me, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how much fixes you’ll get.

This show does many things well but one of the best things about it is the character and personality of our main leads, particularly our main female lead.
Suddenly transported from the 21st-century into the 17th-century, she is very much a fish-out-of-water and it doesn’t help either that the body she inhabits is one which has a reputation of being a rather evil witch. Having to not only adjust to her new environment, but to also redeem Karakade’s reputation amongst the community, is a tall undertaking but Kadesurang rises to the occasion magnificently. To see her slowly but surely win person after person around to her side is a lesson in human gentleness, kindness, patience and poise which has personally inspired me to try and do the same. She is resilient, resourceful and empathic, and she takes every hit she receives in her stride but without losing a shred of her dignity or determination. She is beautiful and amazing.
Our main male lead is very much a product of his status and his time but his evolution from him despising the woman he is affianced to, to learning to see her for who she is in her new personality, and then to be curious about her, and then to accept her (quirks and all), and then to love her - deeply love her - is both funny and very heart-warming.
They also make a pretty compatible couple. They don’t dwell on their fights for long; they take pains to listen, understand and learn about each other; and they learn how to accommodate, give-and-take, and be flexible with one another. Theirs is no childish playground-bickering juvenile romance, nor is it those demanding, personality-clash, dramatic ones. It’s quite wonderfully mature and steadfast, but losing none of its charm or warmth. I love it!

Before I say a few words about our supporting cast (because they are deserving of their own little section), I would like to say that another good thing about this lakorn is its great absence of your typical thai lakorn tropes.
No evil nangrais (aka second female leads)? Check.
No love triangles? Check.
No mad antagonist/ crazy villain? Check.
No plot-filler? Check.
No long-drawn-out misunderstandings? Check.
No lack-of-communication angst? Check.
No revenge plots? Check.
No slap-kiss? Check.
No cartoon/ cardboard characters? Check.
No inconsistent or irrational character portrayals? Check.
Wow, too good to be true? Yes.
There is, however, one - ONE - lakorn cliche that does feature itself heavily in this show and I would be remiss in not pointing it out. It’s your ‘tripping-and-falling-into-arms-followed-by-long-stares’ trope. Not gonna lie, this one gets quite a bit of air-time but they’re all variations of the trope so it might be interesting to see just how much they can stretch it, lol. They do water it down to just ‘turning-and-staring’ as the show progresses, and perhaps it may be a matter of taste but I personally thought the show did okay in giving this particular trope quite a bit of spice through its variations.

Finally, a word about the supporting cast. SOLID is the word that comes to mind. This show’s supporting cast have added extra layers of life, depth and breadth to the show. They sparkle and shine in their own different capacities, and while some might be a little more intense and heavy in terms of presence and personality, the show also gives us little insights and glimpses into their thought-process which makes them all comes across believably real and human. The scintillating supporting cast is truly a massive plus.


ACTING/ CAST
POPE THANAWAT - as Thun Muen Suntorndewa/ Por Date. I’ve seen Pope before in the 'Suparburoot Juthathep' series as the 2nd brother and I knew he had it in him to give his character an aura of gentlemanly dignity and authority where needed. And I also knew he could act and pull out the emotions and the tears if required. He did not disappoint. Our main male lead did a great job in taking us through his emotional journey from start to finish, and if he has not won for himself new fans after this show, I would be very much surprised. His eyes and his smiles are his best assets here as they are beautifully expressive.

BELLA RANEE - as Kadesurang/ Mae Ying Karakade. I’ve always liked Bella from her 'Padiwaradda' and 'Khun Chai Puttipat' days, but she blew me away here with her incredibly versatile portrayal of Kadesurang/ Karakade. I think this show/ script is also great as it allows her to really expand her acting ability and show us just how versatile and capable she is as an actress. I am so glad that she took the script by the horns and threw herself into it with gusto. She really is the main character and the lynchpin to the entire show and she shone brilliantly all the way through. Wonderful performance.

Best of all, the chemistry between these two in this show is on fire! No words - It has to be seen to be believed and after you’re done curling your fingers and toes, squealing into your pillow and rolling all over the floor in romantic ecstasy, you’ll get up and want more. For a show that doesn’t have many skinship scenes, this is a masterclass on how to do restrained romance in dramas. Goodness.

The supporting casts of actors and actresses are all stellar. Standout performances for me were:-
Nirut Sirichanya as our dear old Khun Loong/ Ork Ya Hor Thibadi (Por Date’s dad) was absolutely lovable.
The girls playing Karakade’s personal maids P’Pim and P’Yam killed every single one of their scenes - they are a dynamic duo and such an example of sisterhood girl-power.
Ampha Phoosit as Nang Prik, and Chamaiporn Jaturaput as Khun Ying Jumpa (Por Date’s mom), were an unforgettable double-combo act.
Punjan Kawin was charming as Khun Reung, and Chartchai Ngamsan had that on-screen gravitas as Kosa Ban.
Louis Scott added vulnerable dimensions to a power-hungry Constantine Phaulkon, while Got Jirayu stole all his scenes as a charismatic and hot-looking Luang Surasak.
And the actor playing Joi? Adorable.
Really, the supporting cast all outdid themselves here and I’m so glad this show’s hit-status has brought them into the limelight.


MUSIC
The OST for this show has apparently been outselling itself so it can't be bad. Holistically, taking into account everything from the soundtrack, the background music and the sound effects, I thought this show did very well in incorporating the various elements of it into the scenes. I particularly enjoyed the way they employed their sound effects - it definitely added pep and pop to the scenes!


RE-WATCH VALUE
This show has so many things going for it - sweeping romance, liberal sprinklings of humour, good introduction into Thailand’s ancient history, beautiful sets and costumes, a memorable set of cast of characters, and a storyline which doesn’t spin itself into unnecessary knots or is packed with fillers.
One of the best light-hearted romance dramas I’ve seen to date. Definitely re-watchable.

EDIT TO ADD:
There are 2 versions of this lakorn - it's original 15-episode (1 hour 50 mins per episode) version, and a Director's Uncut 40-episode (40 minutes per episode) version which features a few hours worth of extra footage scattered throughout its entire run.

This lakorn became such a massive hit in Thailand during the year it ran (2018), it single-handedly cleared Bangkok's notoriously terrible traffic jams on the evenings when an episode was airing and spawned an Uncut version release. Unheard of. Yes, this lakorn was THAT good.

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Machiavelli in love.

The first thing that comes up in any discussion of the Rise of the Phoenixes is that it has a bad ending. I put this in cold storage because I didn't want to be punched in the face after 70 episodes. After watching, l can confirm that it does indeed have the worst ending ever: 5 bad minutes that make little sense. The rest of it is so engaging that I loved almost every moment, plot flaws and all. It is one of my top 3 dramas. There is a spoiler discussion of the ending at the bottom if you scroll down. 

This was adapted from a popular novel (which I did not read) that had tragic elements but did not end in tragedy. Most of the flaws can be traced back to a fatal decision to change the book ending. That resulted in plot inconsistencies and several main characters making odd and uncharacteristic decisions in order to force this outcome. This begins from about episode 50. The last arc (~10 episodes) are the least convincing and closes the drama at its weakest moments. There are excellent reviews here that analyze the plot holes and flaws with this drama so I won't deep dive any of that. I will focus on what makes this hidden gem irresistible and unforgettable in spite of the negatives. 

This is a political drama about the ascent of Ning Yi, the 6th prince of Tiansheng. Raised amidst palace intrigue, betrayal and murder, Ning Yi is a somewhat dark character who is an ultimate survivor. He is the quintessential Machiavelli; a ruthless manipulator and a consummate Go player both literally and figuratively. Wrongfully banished for eight years, he claws his way back to favor, methodically eviscerating his scheming brothers along the way. Initially his purpose is uncover the mystery behind his mother's disappearance and avenge his third brother's deposal. As he gains power, the goal posts change as he aspires to unite the kingdom and make it a place where all are equal in the eyes of the law. Like all characters destined for political greatness, Ning Yi believes that the ends justify the means and ruthlessly and deftly eliminates anyone in his way. He is a guarded character that conceals his true self behind a mockingly care-free and cynical façade. Shards of radiant light emerges when his core convictions are tested and when the people he cares for are threatened. Chen Kun's deliciously portrayed Ning Yi is brilliant, dramatic, wicked, ferocious, daring, charismatic, mischievous, sentimental and utterly unforgettable. I could not get enough of his wandering eyebrow, the wicked gleam in his eyes, his vehemence and his diabolical sense of humor. Ning Yi is an endlessly fascinating, one of a kind character that is by far my all-time favorite c-drama protagonist. 

Fang Zhiwei for the first ~50 episodes is the rare strong female lead character we don't see enough of. She is the lowly niece of a powerful minister that is raised in his household on sufferance. She is highly educated, clever, idealistic and audacious enough to take charge of her own destiny. She encounters Ning Yi for the first time in a bold attempt to foil her uncle's plot to marry her off to this powerless prince in her cousin's place. He is intrigued by her and recognizes her resourcefulness could be useful to him. But she has a mind of her own and does not fall in with his plans that easily; as often as not they end up on different (though not necessarily opposing) sides. With Ning Yi's help, she disguises herself as a male scholar Weizhi and enrolls in the most prestigious school in the capital. She gains recognition as the Ultimate Scholar and becomes an influential member of the court and trusted confidante of the emperor. I love strong female characters like this and Ni Ni really shines in this role, especially when she goes toe to toe with Ning Yi. She is as persuasive as the boyish, accomplished and cunning Weizhi as she is the exquisite, vulnerable and overly idealistic Zhiwei. Zhiwei/Weizhi is a consistently awesome character until she sheds her identity as Weizhi and becomes Zhiwei again. At that point, in all the moments that matter she loses her common sense and regresses into a naïve, overly emotional and easily manipulated Zhiwei who no longer knows what she wants. Unfortunately this remarkable character was thrown under the bus to facilitate the dreadful ending.

Ning Yi and Fang Zhiwei were just made for each other.  Only actors of Chen Kun and Ni Ni's caliber can express intense passion and longing while barely touching and the wordless communication of two soul mates who just know each other. All of their interactions are mesmerizing - their spirited and witty banter, the way Ning Yi chokes with unholy mirth every time he teases her and of course the biting scenes that I couldn't stop re-watching. Every time they part ways, I am devastated by how dejected Ning Yi is; how their body language conveys the true feeling behind the false bravado of their words. Ning Yi is proud of, not threatened by Zhiwei's abilities and independence, even when she challenges him. Thus Zhiwei bails out Ning Yi as often as he saves her. They are the ultimate power couple, a force to be reckoned with when they are united against some rather formidable villains. By no means invincible, they suffer crushing personal losses and setbacks that among other things forces Ning Yi to make the hardest sacrifice to keep Zhiwei safe. 

The romance is so consuming it sucks you into rooting for them through many obstacles; blithely ignoring the blatant warnings throughout that it doesn't end well. This overshadows the fact that this drama is actually about political strife both internal and external. Together our main protagonists deal with internal conspiracies, ambitious princes and politicians, rebellious fiefdoms, remnants of the former kingdom, encroaching neighbors and a devious and paranoid emperor. The emperor is a distant father with too many sons that he treats as little more than pawns and potential usurpers. He is the one person that Ning Yi cannot protect Zhiwei from once her origins are revealed. Their worst enemy however is misplaced fiduciary to an older generation that can not let go of the past so that the younger generation can follow their hearts and dreams.

While the plot is complex with multi-faceted main characters, the overall narrative is clear, well paced and easy to follow. Despite some messy transitions and plot holes (likely due to censorship), the meaning and general thrust of the storyline is intact. The dialogue is witty and sprinkled with light humor that balances politically heavy tone of the drama. The characters are colorful and many have lovable quirks: Nanyi's odd eating habits, Ning Sheng's priceless facial expressions and Helian Zhang's parody of a lovesick fool.  Both main protagonists have meaningful and independent relationships with the other core characters; they are not just defined by each other. Ning Yi's key friend, ally and confidante is headmaster Xin Zhiyan, an ambitious and wily strategist. He is protected by the fiercely loyal Ning Cheng, who is the couple's greatest champion. Zhiwei is aided by the dependable Yan Huaishi and protected by the devoted and silently lethal Gu Nanyi. The characters are well written, with their own priorities and agendas and have free will. Ning Yi and Zhiwei's relationship and their actions create uncertainly and friction in some of these surrounding relationships that sets in motion a number of unexpected and exciting plot twists with some heartbreaking consequences.

Though the last ten episodes are the weakest with pathetic and unconvincing villains, I still wanted to see the last main villain go down. Although I was warned, I won't lie: the last 5 minutes were still despicable and unforgivable. It was also completely out of character for Fang Zhiwei and thus not convincing. It was so bad I didn't even feel sad, I just kept shaking my fist at the TV. That said, this drama must be judged in its entirety and remains emphatically one where the journey is much more important than the destination. What a thrilling and riveting journey! I started to re-watch it almost immediately, something I haven't done since TMOPB. I really want to give this a 10 because I love it so much I just don't care about the flaws. But I knocked off 0.5 anyway as my petty and impotent vengeance for the ending.

On re-watch I realized that the ending can be interpreted as open which I discuss below (MAJOR SPOILER).





Warning: Major Ending Spoiler

In Zhiwei's last conversation with Nanyi at their base in the capital, he reiterates that he goes where she goes. He asks her if she is really going to marry Ning Yi and be his empress. She asks if that would be such a terrible thing? We may not have been shown the whole conversation which ends with Nanyi saying that he will wait there for her, implying she is coming back (and not marrying Ning Yi). The ending jump scene had a very surreal quality to it, almost as if it were a dream and not real. It can be argued that she fakes her death and disappears with Nanyi. This would be much more in character for Zhiwei. It would also be closer to the book ending which has her faking her death and eventually reuniting with Ning Yi who gives up the throne for her (credit to @Skibbies who shared the book ending with me). I think most viewers (including myself) were so shocked and dismayed they missed this subtlety. Though less obvious, it is the ending interpretation I prefer. I understand why Zhiwei wouldn't want to be empress when their path to the throne is littered with bodies but she is also smart enough to know that their cause was never her cause and that would be too unfair to Ning Yi. Ning Yi and Zhiwei have done enough for king and country and deserve a chance to enjoy their uncommon love as common people.

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