Long Time No See (2017)

The Story Definitely Had Potential

The story definitely had potential if it weren't for the fact that, like most of the criticisms leveled against it, the story ran too fast to my own liking. There were a lot of things that audiences seem to be required to fill in the gaps with their own interpretation and imagination. And that is its biggest flaw. If we had more character depth and the story was given more time, this definitely would have worked better.

Now, even after that, I can't say that I didn't like it, quite the opposite. On a lazy day or when you're stuck somewhere with nothing to do, you could fire this up to have something quick to watch. It maybe too fast, and there may be gaps but the story is straightforward and the chemistry works OK, I guess.

TLDR: Its pacing is too fast, but if you're willing to look past that, and love a kind of lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers again story, you just might like it even if just a little bit.

Leggi di Più

Short Time to see...but fine

Ce BL trainait dans ma liste depuis bien longtemps mais je n'ai eu l'occasion de le voir que très récemment et j'avoue avoir beaucoup aimé malgré quelques points qui m'ont dérangés que je vais expliquer avec cette critique.

Les points positifs :

Tout d'abord, l'alchimie entre les deux leads et vraiment visible, ils s'aiment et ça coule de source, quand ils se regardent on voit tout de suite que le courant passe entre eux. Ensuite, même si le personnage de Gi Tae, incarné par l'acteur Yeon Seung Ho, n'est pas aussi détaillé que Chi Su ( joué par Tak Wu Seok), c'est mon coup de cœur de la série, il a un visage tellement mignon qu'on pourrait le bouffer tout cru ! Il m'a vraiment fait l'effet d'un petit chaton qu'on a envie de câliner. On voit donc comment le couple se forme (assez vite) et tente de surmonter les obstacles qui se présentent à eux en profitant du bonheur à l'endroit et au moment où ils le peuvent, comme une bulle de fraîcheur et de paix dans leur monde de brutes.

De plus, j'ai adoré le personnage de la sœur de Gi Tae interprétée par l'actrice Ra Seon Yeong, son jeu est bon et elle a un sourire très communicatif, elle apparaît, avec le restaurant qu'elle tient, comme une oasis, un refuge, pour le couple principal. Elle est aussi campée comme une personne très ouverte d'esprit qui accepte et aime son frère et son amant pour ce qu'ils sont, je l'ai trouvé merveilleuse.

Enfin, les scènes de combat sont bien orchestrées et il y a un sacré retournement de situation vers la fin, accrochez vous à vos cerveaux ! Pour les plus coquinous d'entre vous, le drama ne vous laissera pas en reste avec des scènes intimes assez osées en référence à ce qu'on peut voir habituellement en Corée du Sud au niveau de la romance.

Les points négatifs :

La durée du drama ! Même si on le regarde comme un film, environ 1h10 (sans les génériques et les scènes qui annoncent le prochain épisode), ça reste bien court pour développer au mieux l'histoire et on reste sur sa faim. Comme je l'ai dit précédemment, autant le personnage de Chi Su est relativement bien approfondi, autant pour Gi Tae, on se retrouve avec beaucoup de questionnements.
Il en est de même concernant les histoires au sein de la mafia avec les personnages de Black Rose (joué par Kim Myeong Hwan) et Black Leopard (Won Tae San). Ils sont en froid, voire carrément ennemis mais on peut les voir se parler au téléphone comme si de rien n'était vers les derniers épisodes, c'est très perturbant car je me suis demandé s'ils étaient vraiment en conversation ensemble ou s'ils parlaient à d'autres correspondants, surtout concernant ce qui vient après la conversation : qui commandite l'action contre les héros ? Les deux ? Ou seulement l'un des deux ? Ou encore, l'un puis l'autre ? C'est pas très clair...

En résumé, même si certains points auraient mérité un développement plus en profondeur pour apporter de la cohérence à l'ensemble et pour qu'on puisse d'avantage s'identifier aux personnages principaux, l'ensemble m'a tout de même bien plu.

Maintenant à vous de vous faire votre avis.

Leggi di Più

It absorbed my attention

There's literally not a single thing that I disliked.
The plot is so good! Interesting, captivating, realistic, intense, I could go on for pages.
The actors blew my mind! Especially Tak Woo Suk, he left me speechless. Soooo talented.

I'm very very sad that this masterpiece is so brief. It would deserve like twenty, thirty episodes. There was so much potential, so much material! It is as short as intense indeed. I'm also a big fan of gangster stories, which made it even more exciting for me to watch, but I've also never seen/heard of a story like this. The emotions they felt, their attraction that was never directly spoken..I could feel it all, with a tension that boosted my interest. I really enjoyed the fights too (I have a thing for fights/martial arts), and overall I think it was filmed very well.

In my opinion, this story's one of a kind and totally worth a rewatch. 100% recommend.
Enjoy every second because it ends really fast!

Leggi di Più

Was ok

I read some reviews saying this was the best movie they’ve ever watched. When I read some reviews I really question the emotional intelligence, taste level and IQ of said people. This was not a bad movie, it’s definitely watchable but to say it’s the best movie. I know am supposed to respect people’s opinions and what not but I’m like shaking my head and asking myself what the hell is wrong with some people. It’s a question I’m not likely to get an answer to.
This was no where near a great movie unlike some reviewers would like you to believe but I can’t say I do not recommend or recommend. What I can say it’s, if you decide to watch then just enjoy the ride, if not you’ve not lost anything either.
Rewatch value is a 2. Won’t be rewatching but not mad I watched either.

Leggi di Più

If your new to gay or bl genre, this will set your benchmark pretty high.

I have Swiss cheese for a brain hence I have the gaps and memory issues. I started watching it and every now and then I’d recall having seen it that particular scene. Not that the film isn’t memorable or good! I do recall though having the same thoughts about it and that I enjoyed it. The first and second time I watched it. Definitely not something I’d say was a waste of time.

Considering I found it on GagaOOLala, was pleasantly surprised it wasn’t one of those that bordered on porn. I’m no prude. I think the naked body is beautiful and sex is fun and even better with a sprinkling of … i digress. This film was very tastefully done. Lots of tenderness between the lovers considering the line of work involved. I wish it for everyone discovering/finding their new lover.

I’d say it is underrated. I’d borrow Goldilocks words and say about the movie that “It’s just right. “. Nothing heavy or toxic. good for those days when you just want to escape life. Short/long enough to unwind from a busy day. No dragging scenes. Not one you could complain about short/aborted sexy times or goldfish kisses with wide open blinks eyes. Just enough build up to get you to love or hate the characters. LEFT ME FEELING GOOD ENOUGH TO SPEND TIME TO WRITE A REVIEW ABOUT IT.

There should be more movies/series like this. JUST RIGHT!

Leggi di Più

Must Watch!

Wrote this as a comment but figured it could work as a review!
Just finished Long Time No See and it is most definitely worth the watch!! I kinda wish it was longer, but for the time they had it was paced well in my opinion. The story was a refreshing change from the college love stories we usually see. The relationship between Gitae and Chisoo was also a rather healthy one despite their circumstances. The contrast between their family lives was also a great point in the film and Gitae's sister was an amazing character addition to the story. I think my favorite part of it was the way Gitae and Chisoo's moments of tenderness contrast against the rather dark subject matter that the film deals with. Those moments were done so beautifully. They feel like lights at the end of a tunnel, moments of love and clarity that they're both searching for. It especially highlights what Chisoo is longing for- just someone to love and fully be able to trust. Beautiful body of work! Everyone involved did a wonderful job! 10/10

Leggi di Più

Chemistry si couple-nya dapet banget!

Kurang suka sama jalan ceritanya, kayak lompat-lompat. Typical BL Korea durasinya pendek & episodenya juga sedikit. Makanya ceritanya kayak diburu-buruin. Plus, konfliknya kayak ada yang nggak selesai. Masih penasaran nasib geng mereka masing-masing gimana. Progress hubungan si couple juga menurutku kecepetan.

Tapi, jalan ceritanya yang kurang sedap diselametin sama acting semua cast-nya. Ekspresinya bagusss, aku nikmatin banget acting-nya. Nggak ada awkward sama sekali pas scene "ehem". Chemistry & skinship-nya pas, ga kelebayan atau keliatan canggung. Jadi, nggak cringe ataupun geli nontonnya. Kakaknya Gitae juga bagus acting-nya. Mantap-lah, pokoknya.

Buat musiknya, kayaknya nggak ada deh. Atau aku yang nggak sadar. Soalnya terlalu menyimak dramanya & acting-nya jadi nggak terlalu merhatiin soundtrack-nya.

Intinya, kalau kalian suka BL, ini oke kok ditonton buat tambahan hiburan.

Leggi di Più

I loved this - I seriously did. It was a good story and the chemistry worked with the two male leads really well. The kisses felt real which was good as some straight actors really struggle with the more physical side of any gay roles they take on.....

STORY - As I said - it was good. Engaging, entertaining - funny in places and also had it's more sad moments.

ACTING/CAST - VERY good; they really made you care for the two main characters. The more peripheral cast were a little more sketchy - mainly the actors playing the bad guys who were just lacking moustaches that could be twirled. But the actress playing the sister was very good too. Overall the two main leads were completely believable to the point if you saw them in the street then you'd not be surprised if they were holding hands. That kind of believability is rare in BL/gay dramas.

MUSIC - Sadly this is where it was let down - the music wasn't great. A lot of it was the type you'd expect to hear in lifts (aka elevators) and the rest was just utterly schmaltzy and forgettable.

REWATCH VALUE - Actually pretty high because it was well acted and a good story. I would certainly watch it again.

OVERALL - so overall for me I gave it a 10/10 - it deserved it. Sure the peripheral cast were a little OTT in the acting and the music was bad, but the story and the acting by the lead couple was brilliant and on point. The run up to the ending is NOT what you think either, so don't worry.

Leggi di Più

This is definitely my favourite BL drama so far. I would strongly recommend this, especially to people who loves BL. What can get better than assassins/hitman/mob genre and men who are in love? I’m sorry but this brought the fanfiction world to life (at least for me it does). And it gets better because it is a happy ending, definitely unlike the usual sad stories I always avoid watching. I’m so happy about this to the extent that I’m willing to start writing my first review here.

STORY:
If you haven’t gotten the idea yet, I love the plot so much. Yes, it might not be new but definitely one of the firsts in BL dramas. I would say this is *the* drama readers of mob fanfiction are probably waiting for. The only thing I’m sad about is how short the drama is. I would love to watch more, and this is from someone who dislikes dramas with too many episodes. And because of the shortness, some parts were a bit rushed and unexplained - like how they *really* fell in love and how they were found out, for example.

ACTING:
Now this is one thing I love in this drama. The actors were good. Really good. Unlike some BL dramas out there (albeit low budget and bad plots with too many loopholes), they acted their characters out well and those raw emotions could be felt throughout. Especially the actors for Chisoo and Gitae, I love how they had chemistry and their interactions did not look awkward at all. It was natural and enjoyable. They really brought their characters to life. I applaud the other cast too, their fighting scenes were realistic and I loved every moment of it. This is one cast with great acting.

MUSIC:
I would say if you’re paying so much attention to the music, you’re not focusing on the story itself. To me the music was fine, but I was focused more on the plot than it. Some scenes could have better music to increase the suspense/emotions though.

REWATCH VALUE:
I’ll definitely rewatch this. I can’t get enough of it. My favourite genre plus men in love, and adorable Seung Ho.

Leggi di Più

Uma história original, adorável e otimista.

Com um plot que foge dos clichês de BL padrão (sem querer criticá-los, pois os amo), excelentes cenas de ação e lutas muito bem gravadas e encenadas, além de um romance que é desenvolvido de forma leve e adorável (que me faz sorrir sempre que lembro sobre), "Long Time no See" é definitivamente a melhor obra BL sul-coreana que tive o prazer de consumir.
Uma das coisas que definitivamente chamaram minha atenção foi a abordagem de temas que até então sequer tinha visto em outros BLs sul-coreanos, como bullying, aceitação familiar, abandono e outros tópicos que necessitam de uma segunda vez assistindo para serem melhor interpretados.
Algo que definitivamente fez ele conquistar um espaço em meu coração foi a forma explícita que a sexualidade dos personagens foi tratada, de forma respeitosa e como sempre deveria ter sido.
Outra coisa que me agradou bastante é que o filme tem um começo, meio e (um maravilhoso e otimista) fim, coisa que infelizmente não senti assistindo alguns outros BLs sul-coreanos, que pareciam correr com o roteiro nos últimos episódios.
Definitivamente recomendo para todos que queiram assistir uma boa história de amor.
Também fico no aguardo e esperança de mais obras sul-coreanas tão excelentes quanto essa.

Leggi di Più