28/01/2023

Had no plans to watch this at all, but ended up binge watching it over the last few days.

All 40 episodes!!!

I give this a thumbs up of approval!

More or less this series is about three kids, two boys and a girl, brought together in their childhood as a "blended family" due to different losses and what happens to them from childhood through to graduation, then the next 10 years or so with all the sagas, joy, heartbreak, absence and experiences between themselves, friends and family.

It explores the strong bonds of *family ties" as well as what loving or toxic relationships can be like, also, what happens when secrets are kept or the truth isn't told like it should be early on rather than decades later. Unfortunately, sometimes children are overlooked when it comes to grief, neglect, domestic dysfunction and their emotional well being.

Also, this is about what can happen when relationships change to something more than just friendship...

The child actors were fantastic in this series as were the three acting as "siblings" when older - they were so believable in their roles as high school students then as adults in their careers as a dentist, cake chef and sculptor.

The brother and sister relationship was done to a tee!

I have to say the whole cast did an amazing job of bringing this to life with their characters and stories so not one episode was boring for me.

Only a little bit annoyed me like the *sister" making a stand about being her own person and not needing anyone, but a few episodes (few times) after that she throws tantrums, cries and sulks around her "brothers" like an annoying 5 year old.

So much for being strong and capable, but other than that it was still excellent on the whole as that side of her occured in small tolerable doses.

The main theme song became one I liked more and more each time it played only I could have done with more episodes not just 40.

There are a few funny moments I really enjoyed like:

a: Li JianJian's first day of high school.
b: Li JianJian's heartless acts towards Zi Qui when he first came into her life - like being mean to him and packing his suitcase and throwing it down concrete stairs because she didn't want him living with her and her dad at the grand old age of 7 or 8.
c: Ling Xiao always keeping the other two in line with no problem disciplining either.
d: The mischief relationship between Li JianJian and Zi Qui which often lead to trouble.
e: The time Zi Qui had to sleep with Ling Xiao so that his aunt could have his room only Ling Xiao told Zi Qui that he should sleep on the floor in which Li JianJian pipes up saying that she would quite happily sleep in the bed and he can sleep on the floor as she was already on the floor next to them on a mattress. He responds to her : "Why are you here anyway?!" She didn't want to be left out it seems and didn't trust her "brothers" not to talk behind her back.
f: Ling Xiao telling Li JianJian in 12th grade he would marry her if she was brain damaged from all his head whacking.
e: The elevator and kitchen scenes between Li Xiao and Li JianJian as adults.

As the series progresses there aren't many funny moments like that as it does become more of a drama and especially once the boys return from abroad.

One moment in episode two made me open my eyes a bit. It was when Ling Xiao's father talked about what happened to him and his wife when they decided to keep their "second child" - like her losing her job and him being demoted in his job. Also, in a later episode there was a "moment" when Li JianJian's dad saved Zi Qui from a life of being worked on a farm (child labour) because of coming from a poor family.

Child labour should not be happening in any country!

Seeing how "broken" the boys were in their adult years despite having a wonderful man in their lives (Li JianJian's dad) was also heartbreaking to observe, however, it was truly understandable. In part, their overseas experiences contributed to that "damage" as well not just their childhoods.

Actually, maybe that isn't quite true - their time abroad added more and more to the internal conflicts and past insecurities simmering inside of them only with one of the "brothers" it was perhaps more Psychological and detrimental Mentally.

Secrets shouldn't be kept, the truth should not be hidden from those closest to you and real open communication is important even if it hurts.

This series is highly recommended and is one I will revisit with no issues whatsoever!

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Justice For An Injustice!

16/01/2023

I'm sure most of us have heard of at least one person imprisoned for life or executed even though they were innocent of whatever crime they were accused of committing.

This is what this short drama series is about!

It show cases this easy going fun loving naive college student, Kim Hyeon-soo (Kim Soo-hyun), who steals his dad's taxi one night to go to a party he never makes it to as he ends up having a one night stand with a mysterious girl that hops into the vehicle to be taken home.

As it so happens he wakes up to her being murdered only he has no memory of what happened and in his panic leaves fingerprints, DNA and physical evidence that is enough to arrest him and ultimately take him to trial and be found guilty.

The shock, disbelief, fear and reactions of this young male facing murder charges and life time imprisonment are quite realistic right through to how he hardens as an individual because the system failed to protect him inside a maximum penalty prison.

So, what we get to witness is the transformation of what was once a vibrant happy go lucky individual to a hardened distanced cold one that doesn't quite fit in anymore with the likelihood of no return. And this is despite the fact he is eventually proven not guilty (second time) because of an excellent lawyer that refused to give up on finding proof and establishing the truth.

Being exonerated came a bit too late for him it seems.

One of the most pivotal moments I reckon was when he was finally released from prison and suddenly stops in his tracks on seeing his father's taxi with this incredulous look on his face - the same taxi cab he took that night which lead to those unfortunate chain of events that completely turned his world upside down.

To me it was a cruel reminder of the fateful choice he made which couldn't be unchanged, erased, forgotten or turned back in time.

What simply started out as one ordinary day for most of us turned into this innocent young man's worse possible nightmare!

It really made me want to protect him and all those out there that are wrongfully accused!

I have seen a few discussions about the ending being too open and that there is this untoward suggestion of him "committing suicide" because he goes right up to the edge on the rooftop and that is where us viewers are left hanging regarding him.

Not sure why some would go that route at all - seriously.

Why don't I think he took his own life? Because he wasn't broken. Prison may have drastically changed him as a person only it didn't tear him down into an irreversible emotional mess - it just hardened him to the core. I reckon if he was going to clock out he could, and would have, done it in prison rather than on being released.

These are my own personal thoughts on that matter.

Lastly, I have to say, Kim Soo-hyun did a top notch job of his character as did Cha Seung-won who portrayed his lawyer.

It is a great drama to watch although not easy at times, but is still highly recommended!

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In My Top 5 - C Dramas!

15/01/2023

This is all about an 18 year old female posing as her deceased brother in an all male military academy during the Japanese occupation to fulfil what he couldn't do, also, to understand him better.

This will likely be in my top 5 Chinese dramas for life!

All the main and supporting actors were well chosen and played their parts so faultlessly that as a viewer I found myself invested in each and everyone of them.

There is a decent amount of humour in the first 13-16 episodes and also others, but as it progresses it does get heavier once their training is almost complete as well as when they are sent on missions.

In addition, there is this "gay" undertone throughout it because even though we know she is a female no one else really does except her best female friend and Gu, her annoying room mate, by episode 5.

I really liked the main male lead, Xu Kai, as well as the second male lead , Toby Lee, as their characters were cool guys in every sense of the word.

Some favourite moments for me would be the unexpected contraband inspection being carried out in episode two, Gu's wake up call and get back tactic, Gu's refusal to have another person sleeping in the room, Xie when she performs in Romeo and Juliette, Xie kicking Li's butt in martial arts, Qu when she saves Xu on a motor bike, Xu when he declares his love and also when he plays the piano which was unexpected, heartfelt yet so hilarious when it came to a response.

There are a number of other moments I enjoyed as well!

Before I forget there are different love situations involving Qu, Gu, Xie, Shen and one or two others in a criss cross kind of fashion. Like Xu likes Xie and so does Shen and Xie likes Shen as does Shen's female friend from his school days whereas Qu likes Xu and Shen's brother likes Qu.

Do you see what I mean?!

I will leave it at that except to say that there are no heavy angst moments nor is anyone harmed due to anyone being jealous so it made me enjoy it just that bit more.

What else?

The one character I really really liked more than anyone else was Huang Song as out of all of them he was the most uncomplicated with a good heart and balanced temperament. A very humble, kind and beautiful soul even if not clever like the others. If I could choose anyone to watch my back it would be him! And it is because of him that I will never watch one particular episode again - not ever! One of my favourite scenes with him in it was when Xie, Shen, Xu and Ji came through for him to help him get out of this "black market illegal boxing circus" in which he had to "fight to the death." All of the goings on in that made the series even more interesting.

It is a well told story and a series that isn't boring at all even though there are 48 episodes. I'm not usually into war or romance yet this won me over no sweat because of the humour, drama, characters, costumes and even the cinematography. Maybe not some of the hair styles, but most definitely everything else!

It is re-watchable as I have seen it again within a short time of initially watching it plus I still keep returning to it just to revisit all my favourite scenes.

It is most definitely in a class of its own - there is nothing else like it so is highly recommended!



Main characters:

Bai Lu as Xie Xiang
Xu Kai as Gu Yanzhen
Li Chengbin as Shen Junshan
Wu Jiayi as Qu Manting

Support:

Liu Runnan as Li Wenzhong
Wang Yizhe as Ji Jin
Liu Sibo as Huang Song
Meng En as Zhu Yanlin
Shao Bing as Guo Shuting
Lin Yo-wei as Lu Zhongyu

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14/01/2021

I like season one, two and the movie, but mostly season one.

This isn't another cliche horror movie or tv series and is different because we are taken back into historical times in which the zombies aren't your run of the mill type zombified fiends. For example, the zombies are only active at night time and play dead in a sleep like state hidden from direct sunlight during the day.

However, it isn't just a series about zombies, it is also about a royal family with power conflicts, political corruption plus there is a background story behind why and how the zombies come to exist in the first place which kind of goes against the law of nature.

We have a combination of great story telling and adventure plus episodes full of drama/action/suspense and interesting characters.

Episode one eases us into it - then it is full on action and what have you from episode two on right through to episode six.

It isn't too slow or so fast that it feels boring or rushed.

Everything about this is done perfectly from the acting, music score, costumes, atmosphere and thematics right through to cinematography.

I enjoyed the main male lead and his servant's relationship as well as all the fight scenes and zombies when they invaded and attacked. There are some really cool scenes that are well worth watching throughout it. E.g. Finger in the pot of soup.

Personally, I liked it and feel it is most definitely something that can be rewatched again with no problem.

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Life Isn't Always Fair!

14/01/2023

This is more or less about a 30 year old male that puts his whole social life on hold because of an older autistic brother only to have his world turned upside down when he meets a female author with a personality disorder.

It's not one's everyday typical type of romance which is rather refreshing plus it is quite intriguing observing the dynamics between a relatively "normal" guy and these two high maintenance characters in his life.

However, there is alot more to the story than just this chance encounter as there is actually history shared between them that goes back to their childhood plus something more than that - that is twisted.

One of the saddest lines ever from Moon Kang Tae (Kim Soo Hyun) that touched me to the core:

"I never want to be born again."

From a conversation between his "fake" mother and himself when she told him to repay her by being reborn again as her son, but he didn't want that because of all the burdens and hardships of his current life with his brother.

Kang Tae can't be in a real relationship because his brother requires full attention not to mention the guilt he carries of leaving his autistic brother to drown (almost) once and wanting him to die when they were younger as well as wishing a number of times that he was just "normal."

In addition, with the murder of their mother as youngsters and the case still being unsolved it still impacts on the two brothers in some ways - what they don't know, however, is the person responsible is connected to them including Go Mun Young, the author.

This unravels more and more in the later episodes until it is no longer a whodunnit anymore.

So, we have three beautiful damaged souls trying to survive life the best way they can all because of one selfish, sadistic, narcissistic person in their past that set that path in motion.

It is a brilliant and unique series which I thoroughly enjoyed!

ADDITIONAL NOTE:

I first saw Kim Soo Hyun in HOTEL DEL LUNA only dont really remember his character so perhaps it was quite minor and then recently in ONE ORDINARY DAY which was truly outstanding although I have yet to watch a few parts l missed as I don't like violence and also a few episodes from MY LOVE IS FROM THE STAR which is not too bad.

I read he is the highest paid or one of the highest paid Korean actors and I can see to an extent why that would be with ONE ORDINARY DAY and ITS OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY, but I would really like to see more versatility and if he can pull off comedy which is really hard to do. I need more proof!

I know some think he is very handsome and attractive, but it is his eyes really that are alluring and height rather than anything else.

There are a few better looking Korean and Chinese male actors I reckon.

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Badass Female In Action!

09/01/2023

This was kind of unique to watch from the very first episode.

Imagine 3-4 males from wealthy families plus one prince from the royal family hunting 30-40 young women with bow and arrows, destined to die anyhow, along side manacing wolves as sport.

It is the introduction episode to Princess Agents and for some it will be understandably unsettling, but also it is the first glimpse of the main female, Chu Qiao, in action bacause she is one of those women.

She does survive to go on to becoming a slave to one of those distinguished households and works her way up quickly towards being a fighter/assassin/soldier due to having such "strong natural abilities." However, she has no memory of her past so isn't aware of the secrets she might hold...

I really liked the relationships she had with all the main male characters, but especially with Yuan Song, Yan Xun and Xiao Ce.

As for Yuwen Yue I found him too stiff and cold plus he looked like a 50 year old male. The actor did play the part well enough, but he just wasn't appealing at all.

It is a series full of action and story telling so isn't really boring at all and it is well paced.

For the first 8 episodes or so we see the dynamics between her and Yue and then after that it is her and Yan Xun when she ends up with him due to certain circumstances. With Yan Xun it starts out strong only it changes over time when he loses perspective and they no longer walk the same path anymore whereas with Yue he undergoes changes in how he views the world due to the losses he sees and the war which puts Chu and him on the same wavelength some years down the track.

What I did like was that out of all the males Yan Xun accepted Chu as Chu regardless of rank or wealth and allowed her total freedom whereas the other males, although they liked her too, still had that "slave is a slave" mentality. This also included Yue.

As for the last episode and no season 2 - I had no issues with how it ended or that it wouldn't be continued. Nothing whatsoever!

I feel the last episode made its point and rather well. Xiao Chu made a choice and that choice was to be with Yue regardless of whether or not he made it out of the lake after Yun's attack on him. However, it would have been great to have had an additional 10 minutes or so just to see what had awakened inside of Chu when she opened up her eyes under the water trying to save Yue.

Before I forget, the only annoying character in this story for me was the princess over time although she didn't deserve what happened to her. It was a shame she was so jealous and petty because it didn't get her anywhere whatsoever and was her absolute undoing.

Overall, I really liked this series and would have no issues watching it once a year at least.

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Good To Pass Time!

Ji Eun, Young Jae, Min Hyuk and Hye Won.

Who goes to a foreign country for the first time for a few days with no money?!

Apparently, the female lead in this one does!

There is an awful lot of yelling and arguing from the first episode to the last one between the two main actors and it kind of grows tiresome early on.

I did like Ji Eun, Young Jae and Min Hyuk, but didn't find all the humour or dialogue lines funny or that great at times.

The story was good in parts, but even that dragged in certain episodes.

I didn't know the actor of Ji Eun was the same one in The Glory that just came out! Very versatile it seems.

I didn't enjoy the music, most of the fashion nor Ji Eun's hair style until the last few episodes.

There are a lot of moths and flies whether inside the home, the office or even in the car. In a few shots you can see the shadow of the camera man as well as the equipment and this noticeable glare in all of the actors eyes like they all wore contact lens or something and a light reflected off of them.

What is good is this is light hearted on the most part and it is interesting seeing four different people when it comes to love.

Young Jae, a famous actor, has loved Hye Won for years only it is unrequited love plus they treat each other as close friends. He won't tell her because he doesn't want to be rejected or to lose her.

Hye Won on the other hand loves Min Hyuk who is a lady's man and doesn't reciprocate her feelings at all.

At a party Hye Won embarrasses Young Jae by putting him on the spot about him being in love with her so instead he declares his love and upcoming marriage to Ji Eun to save face only Ji Eun and him hardly know each other.

Ji Eun and Young Jae are actually together as her home has been illigally sold behind her back to him so she is trying to pay off a debt to him as well as get the house back.

As for Min Hyuk...

On receiving some of her written work as a writer to review he actually starts to fall for Ji Eun.

So, we have all these different individuals in love - just not with a person that loves them back!

What happens with all of them unfolds through each episode to the very last.

I will say one thing - in reality if someone keeps standing you up over and over again for another person - don't wait. Seriously! Life is far too short to be waiting for another person who is in love with someone else for years.

This series isn't too bad (except all the screaming and yelling) and will pass the time for sure!

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Not The Same As Go Ahead!

When I say it isn't the same - it isn't as great as Go Ahead at all!

It's not bad, but nothing like it's Chinese neighbour.

I have seen Go Ahead maybe 3 times even though it has something like 46 episodes.

Going forward I will refer to Go Ahead as GA and Family By Choice as FBC.

With FBC it misses the humour that GA has when the children were young - even as teens and adults.

In GA, both boys were top students in school whereas the girl wasnt. One boy became a dentist, the other a chef/baker and the girl became a sculptor whereas in FBC it looks like one has become a doctor, one a dropout and the girl a cake maker.

Not sure about the dropout being a proper dropout just yet!

In GA, the one that became a dentist would supervise the girl with her homework at times and around episode 5 told her he was going to marry her someday. There was also this moment he didn't want her sniffing his bed and being in his room as he was starting to develop feelings for her so he told her off. The humour when they were teens in the original version was excellent whether at school, just with each other or at home.

In FBC, the one that becomes a doctor, doesnt say anything about marrying her as teens and doesnt really do too much when she smells something different about his bed which is actually a pertinent moment in the original version. Although they all get along really well - it just isn't on the same level as GA.

When ten years elapses in FBC it seems like the boys have just gone for the weekend then returned as their hairstyles haven't changed nor their faces in age.

With GA they all transitioned from teens to adults which was believable and noticeable like 10 years really had passed.

The good thing about FBC is that it is only 16 episodes so will give you a taste of what the Chinese one is like, but it doesn't have the same depth or characters. One character missing is the one that became a flight hostess in GA.

In FBC, it seems like they are bringing two characters together that were never together in GA. Personally, I don't like that at all.

Another change is the real younger sister of the oldest male seems to be more mature and not so bratty in FBC compared to GA.

Overall, I prefer GA over FBC because of the characters, their stories and the unquestionable dynamics between all of them as well as close bonds - including the parents.

FBC made some obvious changes which shouldn't have been the case - like losing the humour and certain characters, for example.

Still recommended if you want something shorter than the original even if not on the same level.

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Almost dropped this half way through episode one and wasn't going to give it a chance at all only I'm so glad I did!

Not a rom-com fan so have had to fast forward through a few predictable boring moments between Mr Cold and Miss Night, but on the most part each episode has been fine.

With the main leads (young ones) I have to say I'm not really into their dynamics at all nor the hot/cold shoulder treatment or whimsical hurt female after being rejected or whatever the situation might be.

The humour in this is great, however, and the timing is on point.

I've actually enjoyed the relationship between Miss Day and the second lead - it is so hard case.

Watching their scenes over and over again is something I could do quite easily just for the laugh. For example, the cafe scene in Episode 9.

Am also enjoying the true crime mystery to it, but not how there always seems to be a connection between the leads from crossing paths somehow in their childhoods.

Anyhow, 6 episodes to go and I'm hoping this keeps me invested until the end!

Recommended!

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Clean-Up (2019) - 05/04/2024.

I'm really surprised no-one has written about this movie.

Am also wondering why it didn't make it over 8 as a rating because it is really good. Could it be because it is a tiny bit slow in unfolding the story or because the actors are realistic in what they are portraying with no unnecessary thrills or effects.

Although it is about a woman that lost her son due to a bad heart as a child we don't see much of him at all - this is more about an ex prisoner she meets later on in her work environment (Sweepers) that reminds her of the past, but for "different reasons" other than her son.

SPOILER ALERT!

It seems her and her ex husband abducted him to get a large sum of money when he was about 10 years old. As a consequence of that, however, it impacted on the boy in a negative way.

It is really sad when it comes out as to what happened to him and his life afterwards and why, also, her to some extent.

SPOILER ALERT!

It kind of has an OLDBOY feel (if you've watched it) to it with the way it is filmed, also, due to what develops between the two a bit later on which is messed up yet makes sense if you look at it from both of their perspectives.

What is explored in this movie is the relationship between a victim and abductor years after the fact, only one wants forgiveness knowing what they did and who the victim is, and the has no idea until the clues fall into place...

Worth the time and effort to WATCH!

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01/04/2023 (April)

I wasn't too sure about what I was getting myself into when I started watching this movie because I'm not keen on the idea of children fighting or being exploited.

It is that to some extent, but not really.

More or less this ex convict ends up taking over a group of boys that have no homes or anywhere to go. At first he teaches them how to fake fight only when that is exposed he starts teaching them how to fight for real - like boxing and kick boxing.

Years down the track a video released of two of those boys fighting in a cage not only destroys his career, but makes him out to be an abuser not fit to have kids under his care

Here is the thing - he took those kids and gave them hope and taught them the only thing he knew - fighting. No one else wanted them or cared about them until that video was publically made known - and even then!

Anyways, the story is about all that plus what happens after the public is outraged - like all the boys being shipped off to different places including two of the older boys being "sold off" to a different manager only to end up in the worse case scenario.

What will become of their futures in the hands of a manager that really does truly assault those he manages and has no problems using illicit drugs to gain whatever means with his fighters?!

Who is willing enough to save them or not next?

Well worth watching!!!

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29/02/2024

This is a 2006 production which I actually liked regardless of its age.

If you want to know what it is about - read the Synopsis.

It is a sad drama with a bittersweet ending, but one with no regrets, closure where it was needed most and ultimately being able to forgive, move on and to have known true love.

It isn't perfect and does have its flaws, also, if there was less of a love story and more on just the main male character's math genius I wouldn't have minded whatsoever.

I probably would have appreciated it more!

What can be taken away from this drama is that life should still be lived regardless of someone committing suicide or whatever it might be that is the cause of a person's death.

Some mentioned (other sites) that they weren't invested in the male lead after some point and thought Bora's character evolved to be a better person.

I don't agree.

She didn't really change that much - she just toned down her outbursts and stroppy behaviour plus she has no choice but to resign to the fact that her fate was out of her hands.

It would have been better had she not just given back the words he gave to her - but also to encourage him to live guilt free, live life to the fullest and to find love again so he would never be alone or lonely.

It is worth the watch and even being re-watched.

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30/01/2024

Don't expect this to be full on action or anything other than a story being told with a specific point.

Why is it so easy for some to condemn others for not being so fortunate in life or to treat someone like a lepar because of being the child of a convicted murderer.

It is not okay for teachers to ignore classroom bullying or teens/adults to be so vindictive towards someone for being the daughter or son of a felon.

Furthermore, it is unacceptable not to protect someone being mentally, physically or sexually abused - hell no! Sometimes you need to approach adults that can be trusted or the police because there are some things in life that are way over one's head.

Of course, if no one can be objective or non-judgemental it makes it harder still.

SPOILER ALERT

The female teenage victim in this had no real support with very limited protection so was quite isolated and all alone despite the brief association with the male adolescent (newcomer) and family member at home.

The newcomer did try to be friends, did have a few fights on her behalf, but he let her down when she needed him the most. If he was capable of taking on the high school bullies - what was one adult male? And then to sit on that incident and not report anything plus the church scene. I get he was young and wasn't to blame, but him not turning up that day and then ignoring her alienated that poor girl even more and likely drove it home in her mind just how alone she really was in the world.

I have read a few other comments to do with her last scene where some believe she died whereas others went with her running away somewhere.

What do I think happened?

I reckon she went somewhere to die because of the despair she felt, no one having her back, the trauma and everything being so overwhelming. The only thing she could trust or hold onto that brought a bit of happiness into her dismal life was the black goat and it most definitely wouldn't have been enough to save her nor was it hers to keep.

This movie is worth a watch!

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28/01/2024

A re-make of this would be AWESOME with some distinct changes!!!

Maybe less angst and more gangster material with a bit of love thrown in for good measure - like 1%.

The changes I would make personally:

a: A lot less crying whether male or female.
b: A bit more humour in each episode.
c: A different hotel manager than the one they had for this series.
d: A better stronger female character for the female lead to play out.
e: Improvement on the OST and music choices - Malmsteen would remain.
f: More action, drama, gangster scenes and fighting.
g: More native Japanese actors perhaps or bilingual/multi-lingual.
h: A totally different ending!

Not a big fan of romance, unfortunately, but am all for gangsters, fighting, revenge and action. I will say I've liked a few that had romance in them, but maybe because they were more on the mature side or didn't have so much angst or weak characters. Not many, however.

In regards to this drama series I have to say one thing - there should have been a one night stand at least between Oppa and Hana or a weekend away together as a "couple."

That is one major change I would make if this was ever made a second time and I'm no romantic.

Have to say, Park Shin Hye, is always the same in every drama I've seen her in - the same hair style, facial expressions, always rom com/rom genres and even the same type of character.

I've tolerated her until this one maybe which is either the 3rd or 4th drama I have seen her in, and despite it actually being her first, I found she got on my nerves quite easily.

This series has proven to me that she has no range or diversity.

Actually, in this she was too much of a cry baby plus too weak and needy for my liking. Made no sense as it was her choice to keep "Oppa" at arm's length not to mention she was going to leave for Tokyo without him to be with her senior (male). So, being clingy with her unrealistic expectations and behaviour two years after being apart seemed a bit over the top for me (cringe worthy) - had to stop myself from throwing up.

Am in it for "Oppa aka Yuki" and his new life which seems to be with the Yakuza or similar and also because of Malsteen's Icarus piece throughout Episode 5 and on.

I am now on...

The whistling tune thing is a bit creepy as well, by him (Oppa), and that seems to be throughout each episode.

What has been good about Park Shin Hye in Tree of Heaven is when speaking Japanese she wasn't too bad at all and she was able to pull off being a young adult despite being 16 years old when she acted in it. Unfortunately, she is the same in everything I've seen her in after this series. Furthermore, in Episode 5, it would have been better had her character not overreacted to seeing "Yuki" as that was overboard. It would have been better had she just kept cool.

The nausea pills I have aren't enough!

What else? Some of the music in parts wasn't right for the scene at all and I wish the OST was better overall.

Malsteen's Icarus in Episode 5 (and on) suited each scene although they should have just had his version only.

This should be re-made with a few changes I reckon as this could be right up there with some of the best!

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27/01/2024

This would have been a heck of a lot better had the actors looked like their ages (too old facially for high school ages) and if they didn't do an about change in looks with Xia Mu's face at the end. The two actors for Xia Mu were on point.

A bit disjointed in one or two parts and maybe not fleshed out like a drama series would be, but it wasn't too bad and it did tell a good enough story.

Did read somewhere some considered Xia Mu a bit of a stalker as he turned up out of the blue in a few scenes involving her when he probably shouldn't have been there, but I didn't see it like that at all, also, if she had any concerns she would have told him so.

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

I think I understand Shu Ya Wang's decision between her first love, Tang Tian, and the dysfunctional boy she tutored and supported for years as a friend and "big sister, Xia Mu, post being sexually assaulted at a company party by Qu Wei Ran.

This is age difference aside!

I feel her choice came down to the fact that both were "damaged" (herself and Xia Mu) and therefore could relate more to the other not to mention what Xia Mu did to protect her.

Turning her back on Tang Tian wasn't to hurt him, but because what happened to her would have always overshadowed them plus she knew deep down there was no going back to their carefree days like when they were youngsters, teens then young adults.

With Xia Mu it wouldn't have mattered to him and it didn't - what was most important to him was that she was happy and he accepted her unconditionally. That is regardless of his small outburst in prison because be wanted her to be happy without him.

I think her choice was the right one because long before anything took place in the way of "violence towards a woman" I imagined a future for them anyhow - just not the way it turned out.

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