I finally finished a Taiwanese drama after so long and I am happy to have selected another good drama to watch. Actually, this drama was recommended to me and I picked it up because it has only 15 episodes. Taiwanese dramas are good but can get too long to bear as each episode spans mostly more than 70 minutes. I have been meaning to watch one specific T-drama for a while but have still not been able to watch it. Hope this drama breaks the jinx and I finally start watching it soon.
Coming to the review, Marry Me, or Not? (MMoN) is a rom-com with the central plot revolving around human pride. People often give up on things and people they love just to preserve their pride. In MMoN, Huan Zhen and Shen Nan have a misunderstanding and give up on their close friendship only because neither of the two wants to sort out their differences. This leads to years of enmity between the two former best friends. This drama is high on romance and comedy which is why I enjoyed watching it.  
Let’s weigh this funny romantic Taiwanese drama on our drama beam balance and see which side it weighs heavy with.

Good Weights
Roy Chiu: Roy is ‘seriously’ funny. He plays Hao Meng who wanted to be an environmental lawyer but is compelled to become a divorce lawyer due to lack of scope in environmental law. This man is hurt for not being able to achieve his dream. He lacks respect for marriage after seeing his parents fight all his life which is why he is glad to take up divorce cases. Roy maintains a poker face throughout the show that makes you crack up easily during comedy scenes. However, in scenes where he is required to show pain, sorrow or anger, he has done so like an ace. His acting is subtle and controlled. His occasional smile would make me swoon for him. His performance is sincere and flawless. He is the first male character I have seen crying so much in a drama.  

Alice Ke: Alice plays Huan Zheng who appears snooty and selfish on the outside but actually deals with a lot of insecurities. She camouflages her vulnerabilities with attitude and aloofness. She fears being abandoned which is why she easily breaks relations so that she does not feel hurt on being left by someone. Her ego often gets into her way to real happiness in life. Alice Ke does a splendid job in this drama. She looks fabulous in everything she wears on the show and her good acting helps make her character convincing. Also, she shares a great chemistry with Roy Chiu.

Brother-Sister Duo: I often applaud lead couple chemistry in my drama reviews and even though I liked the main couple chemistry, I personally preferred the brother-sister duo more. Sheng Nan and Hao Meng's crazy antics would make me want to see them more in the drama. This pair of menacing siblings looks painfully adorable.
 
Production Value: Taiwanese dramas are usually made on low budgets which affect the quality of a drama. But that wasn’t the case with MMoN. This drama was visually appealing. Even the wardrobe the two girls flaunted was chic and high-end. This drama certainly looked a lot better than the other T-dramas I have watched till now.
 
Bad Weights
Second-Lead: Don’t be surprised, I am not criticizing the second-lead here. The second-lead is a bad weight because I felt his character was not well-written. Harry Chang plays the role of Jiang Qian Yao (love the way Hao Meng addresses him as Qian ‘whatever’ Yao) and man he’s cute. He even resembles my favourite Korean actor, Lee Joon Gi. Initially, he appeared to be a very weak actor compared to the rest of the cast but as the episodes progressed, the man startled me with his evil-grin and easy charm. His acting was good but the character was rather weak. Qian Yao is perceived as a bad character who then seems to be good but later ends up becoming the bad guy. I’m am not sure if it is my love for second-leads that has me dissatisfied with the way Qian Yao’s character shaped up in the drama. I liked his chemistry with Sheng Nan and wanted to see more of them. Too bad, that does not happen and Qian Yao has to leave without any scope for redemption. Had his character been a little more developed, he surely could have redeemed himself later and I could have had the perfect ending for Sheng Nan. But the writers wanted to show something different and I will accept that.  
 
Marry Me, or Not? is loaded with good weights. You may find it frustrating each time the main leads break-up. Also, the drama does get draggy towards the end but those are just a few low-point for a rather good drama. This drama will surely make you laugh because it is high on comic quotient. I want to mention here that there is a special appearance by the uber-cute Chen Bolin (In Time With You) in episode 2 where he complains of having issues with his wife. He looks so cute that I missed watching him on-screen.  
 
Marry Me, or Not? is a very entertaining drama and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. You have to watch it if romantic comedy is your favourite genre.  

Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in.
 

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Kon'nichiwa! I am back with a new JDrama review. I have an extra looooooooooooooong list of doramas to watch and review. I feel I must dedicate one whole month to Japanese dramas or else I will never be able to tick off all the dramas on my list. For today’s review I have the Japanese rom-com, Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku starring Matsumoto Jun and Takeuchi Yuko. I have seen previous dramas of both these actors and was excited to see them together in a drama.
 
Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku / Summer Romance Shines in Rainbow Colors) (2010) (10 episodes)

Kusunoki Taiga (Matsumoto Jun) is the son of the famous actor, Kusunoki Kotaro (Ito Shiro) and wishes to follow his father’s footsteps and become a popular actor someday. However, despite trying Taiga is unable to bag a decent role for himself and ends up working with reality shows to earn some money. One day, while skydiving he loses control over his parachute and ends up hanging mid-air from a tree in a deserted forest. He is rescued by a strange woman who he falls for at first sight. But she disappears without even telling him her name. Intrigued, Taiga goes to the same place the next day hoping to bump into her. He does meet her the next day and she recognizes him as the famous actor Kotaro’s son. She tells him that she is a big fan of his father’s work. But she once again leaves abruptly without mentioning her name to him. Taiga decides to get over his feelings for an unknown woman but finds himself in a fix when he sees her at his office as a new employee at his agency.
Let’s weigh Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku on our drama beam balance and see if this dorama is an interesting watch or no.

 
 
Good Weights
Matsumoto Jun: This guy is funny. Really funny. He was the funniest version of Tsukasa Doumyouji (Gu Jun Pyo in Boys Over Flowers) of all the adaptations of Hana Yori Dango and with Taiga he just proved how effortlessly hilarious he can be. Jun can look overbearing and endearing at the same time. His comic timing is impeccable and he makes me laugh till my stomach hurts. His craziness is proven when Shiori finally confesses her feelings for him and he does not know how to react. It was the most amusing confession scene I have ever seen.
Coming to the role of Taiga as a whole, I feel Jun played his part flawlessly. His character is the best thing about the drama and this drama is watchable because of him.


 
Yuko Takeuchi: I adore this lady. I loved her in Pride (one of my most favourite Japanese dramas) and I liked her as Shiori too. Shiori is a doting mother who works hard to give her daughter a good upbringing while trying her best to deny her feelings for Taiga. Takeuchi’s innocent face and her sincere acting skills make her an apt choice for this role. I could not find anything lacking in her acting despite her having a one-dimensional role which has limited growth in the drama.  


Character Development: Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku may not make it to my most favourite drama list but Taiga will always be a lovable character for me. I like that Japanese dramas show character development and do not believe in focusing on just the story while the characters show no growth. Taiga evolves as a person in the drama and does not reach his aim overnight. Taiga is a young boy who dreams to be a successful actor like his father but he does not do anything to achieve his goal. He feels he is innately talented and does not require to work hard on honing his skills. It is only when life gets tough on him does he realise that he is lacking as a performer. His journey is bumpy and he slowly works towards bettering himself in his craft. By the end of the drama, Taiga is as naïve as he always was but he now looks more passionate about his work than he was before.
Realism: I admire Japanese dramas for being so connected with reality when dramas are all about straying away from anything real. I want to mention one scene here which moved me and I could see how much of thought the writer must have put behind the scene trying to make it real while retaining the positivity in it. [[Spoiler]] Taiga’s father is most popular for a legendary character, Gin-san that he played on-screen. After his death, the movie producers cast a popular and established actor to reprise the role of Gin-san. When the news reaches Taiga, he feels heart-broken as it was his dream to step into his father’s shoes and take forward the legacy his father left behind. Since it is a drama and everything goes as per the lead’s wishes, I thought Taiga would suddenly be motivated to work harder and will end up bagging the role he feels he most apt for. However, this is JDorama where fantasy will also be entwined with reality. The role finally does go to the established actor and he visits Taiga to tell him how difficult it is to fill in his father’s shoes. Before he leaves, he tells Taiga that he can succeed him as the third Gin-san and Taiga feels overjoyed at the mere prospect. Nothing happens suddenly in Japanese dramas. I am mentioning this scenario here because for some reason I could imagine Abhishek Bachchan in place of Taiga. I remember Abhishek always said in his interviews that he loved his father’s role in Agneepath and how he would love to reprise his father’s character. However, it was Hrithik Roshan who was eventually cast as Vijay Dinanath Chauhan in the remake of Agneepath which went on to become a blockbuster. Taiga’s situation reminded me of Abhishek and I could see how the writer has shown brutal reality but concluded on a positive note by generating a hope in Taiga’s mind at being one of the contenders for the role. [[Spoiler]]  

 
 
Bad Weights
Lack of Chemistry: Jun and Takeuchi are impressive individually but together, they are not able to build the chemistry that is required to look like a convincing couple. I have seen dramas wherein an older woman falls for a younger guy and it is sad that only a few have impressed me chemistry-wise. This drama too falls short in this department and though I love Takeuchi I have to say that she does not look good with Jun.


Too many ‘coincidences’: Drama world survives of convenient coincidences. And I am a very accepting viewer I easily believe what the drama writer wants me to believe. However, sometimes some ideas are too hard even for me believe. And this drama tries to sell too many coincidences which I find difficult to accommodate. For instance, Taiga first meets Shiori when she rescues him in the forest. She coincidentally has a pair of scissors in her bag which she uses to snap the cable of Taiga’s parachute. Coincidently, she happens to be a big fan of his father. Coincidentally, of the many fans, Taiga’s father chooses father has, he chooses to write back to Shiori to help his son. Coincidentally, Shiori’s husband is dead and Taiga has nothing to worry about before he can ask her out. Coincidentally, Taiga’s brother is Shiori’s daughter’s teacher and is also in love with her. Even if I could gulp down all the other coincidences, one coincidence that I am unable to digest is the fact that Shiori lives in the same locality as Taiga. Taiga’s father was a rich man and their house is lavish too whereas Shiori is finding it difficult to make ends meet and lives a humble lifestyle with her daughter. Despite the difference in status, they share a locality which is something I find difficult to wrap my head around. If the Japanese do not believe in status and if the rich and poor live together in harmony, then that is a different thing. But if that’s not the case then I firmly refuse to buy this convenient coincidence.
Shoehorned Angles: Now drama lovers know how there is always a second-lead in a romantic drama. This drama has not one but several second-leads. In most dramas. Second-leads help to get the main leads closer but here, all the extra love angles only burdened the show with unnecessary characters. For instance, Taiga’s elder brother likes Shiori and so does Shiori’s late husband’s brother. Both these men like Shiori but do nothing to add to the story as our main couple is too busy fighting their feelings for each other to pay heed to these two men. Similarly, there is a fellow artist named Sakura in Taiga’s agency who likes him and vows to steal him from Shiori. However, she too does nothing to keep her vow except for trying to kiss Taiga. I fail to understand why is she even there in the drama. This drama could have been better had it not added unnecessary angles to the central love story.
 
The drama beam balance has more good weights than bad but the bad weights outweigh the good weights. The drama had a good cast with some really cute kids but the story was lacking. The drama was slow paced and the script was boring in certain parts. I could watch it only because of Jun and Takeuchi's performances.  
I give Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku 2.5 out of 5 rating. The extra 0.5 is for the amount of positivity this drama holds. Though this drama exudes a lot of warmth, it is insufficient to keep you from feeling cold. I found myself dozing off on several occasions while watching the drama. I would recommend this drama only to those who do not mind watching some decent feel-good dramas. Also, if you feel bogged down by difficulties in life then this drama is perfect to reignite the lost motivation.  
 
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
 
 
 

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Pride is considered to be one of the best Japanese sports based romantic drama. And, believe me, it really is that good to be praised so highly by dorama fans. The show feels like a 90’s Hollywood film, probably because of Freddie Mercury’s ‘I Was Born To Love You’, which is the show’s theme song. Since I have always enjoyed watching 90’s Hollywood films so for me this show was like a trip down the memory lane when life was less about text messages and chats and more about meeting people personally and spending time with them. So, let’s have a look at what makes this dorama so special and praiseworthy.

Good Weights
Plot: The plot revolves around a man’s Pride. Halu is a man who has had a tough life and has nothing but his pride to cling on. Hardships have hardened Halu so much that now he only aims for the best and despises anything that isn’t up to his standards. Throughout the show, Halu is shown to pick his pride over everything else. Even when he knows that he can stop the woman he loves from going to back to her boyfriend, he doesn’t do so because begging for love would amount to crushing his pride. He financially supports the coach’s family after his death only to keep his wife from marrying another man. He wants the coach’s wife to spend the rest of her life as a widow mourning the death of her husband since he knew how much the coach loved her.
I personally do not support such traditional thoughts. It is just that the dorama has beautifully depicted the importance of pride to a man.
 
Back-stories: Each of the important side-character has a back-story that explains his or her behaviour and choices in the show. For instance, Halu’s teammate Ikegawa Tomonori is a good-looking rich brat who lives life recklessly. He throws away money (literally too) on women and booze. People only know him as the rich playboy, who has no care in the world and will one day inherit his father’s business when in reality he is actually an illegitimate child of his father’s mistress and his father is ashamed of acknowledging his mother and him. To compensate for the lack of father’s love his mother gives him a lot of money to live a lavish life. He, however, is shattered by the reality of his birth and splurges money looking for happiness.
Every episode touches the life of one character and explains the reason why they are so passionate about ice hockey and how Halu plays an important role in their lives.
 
Bromance: Since this is a sports drama, there is plenty of bromance. You get to see the camaraderie that sportsmen share with their team. Actually, the one thing common in most sports drama is the bro code of ‘bros over hoes’. And it feels nice to watch men share such a bond with their friends.  

Romance: Halu is the man with a painful past and Aki is a sweet naive woman looking for love. He brings love like a challenge in her monotonous life while she brings warmth in his life. They complete each other and even when they do not acknowledge it, people around them can clearly see how perfect they are for each other. Takuya’s chiselled face and a muscular body make him the perfect iceman. While Takeuchi’s innocent face and soft voice make her the very lovable Aki. They effortlessly bring their characters to life. Together they share great onscreen chemistry.

 
Bad Weights
Slow Paced: The story progresses slightly slowly. Some scenes are dragged unnecessarily. But that is just a handful of them. The show is otherwise quite engaging.
The show has enough of good weights to be called a good dorama. I wanted a good romantic drama to keep me entertained over a rather boring weekend and Pride had me involved a 100%. Its soundtracks, story and cast were all put beautifully together. I enjoyed every episode of this classic Japanese dorama.

If you want to start watching Japanese drama’s do start with this one as its video quality and dubbing is much better than most other J-dramas. If you are looking for a good sports/romantic drama then Pride should be your pick as it seamlessly combines the two and brings you an almost flawless drama.

Originally posted on ww.alphagirl.in

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I like Japanese dramas. They are usually short stories with real characters dealing with unrealistic situations. Second Love is a drama about two people who fall in love in an unexpected way. They want to stay by each other’s side but their circumstances just won’t let them be. I went into this drama without reading its synopsis. At first, I was confused with what was happening in the show. In fact, by the end of the first episode, my jaw dropped to the floor seeing the speed at which things were progressing for the two drama leads. It could be because I am too used to watching conservative K-dramas, where having a kiss scene in the first episode is rare, let alone an intimate scene.
I do not mind dramas having too much of skinship as long as it is meaningful and has some significance in the story. In Second Love, our two lead characters are lonely and are looking for a breakthrough in life. The male character Taira Kei is looking for a job worthy of his talent while Nishihara Yui wants to get married and live an ordinary life with a husband and family. They both want different things from life but their unison as a couple changes them and staying together becomes challenging with each passing day.

Let’s weigh this uncomplicated love story on the show beam balance and see if it is worth your time or no.

Good Weights
Realistic Scenarios: People high on Korean dramas will know how refreshing it is to watch a show that doesn’t have a super-rich guy fighting with another rich guy for the attention of a so-so clumsy girl. (Jeez! I just gave away the plot of 80% Kdramas ;)) In Second Love, the male lead is a passionate dancer who has seen his career high and is struggling to make it out of a bad phase while the female lead is tired of a monotonous life and is desperately looking for some change in life. The pace at which the two hook-up may be a little hard to believe but considering their respective situation it isn’t impossible. Time changes and so do people. With an increase in work offers, Kei is on his way to finally achieve his dream, which makes him pay less attention to Yui. It is a true scenario where a man often neglects his woman as soon as his career starts to move forward. The fact that all the scenarios in the show are relatable makes me like the show. I have seen creative people struggle, I have seen teachers being disrespected (not the way they do in the drama…that was a shocker for me…but I have seen students behave rudely with teachers), I have seen men change in relationships, so whatever was shown in the drama was not over-the-top but very true.

Realistic Characters: There is a scene in the drama where Yui wants the light off before the two of them get close, but Yui insists on keeping the lights on. They both fight for the switch till Kei has his way. The scene may seem like just another one in a drama but there is depth to it. Yui is a woman in her early thirties who lacks confidence in herself. She probably is not confident of her body and insists on undressing only in the dark whereas, Kei is a passionate man who would like to appreciate his lover in every way, which is why he wants to see her in the most intimate way. This scene actually goes on to depict the nature of the two characters. Yui is lonely and when a man much younger to her calls her a ‘goddess’ she feels desirable and is easily tempted to give in to his request. Her heart yearning for love is the reason why she sees nothing wrong in living with a man completely unknown to her. Little details like this always impress me. I like it when the characters have a soul and portray real emotions.


Bad Weights
Stone Faced Kame: Kamenashi Kazuya is a popular Japanese idol-actor. I guess he may be popular more for his singing because acting-wise he did not look impressive at all. This is all the variation he had to offer in expressions. Contemporary dances usually have a story to be conveyed through dance movements and facial expression. But even when dancing Kazuya looked pale and inexpressive. I have seen him in Nobuta Wo Produce where he has acted decently. I don’t understand why playing a disappointed, struggling character made him do away with his expressions. Also, there is something off about his eyebrows. I was too distracted by his eyebrows most of the time.

Japanese doramas are usually 10-11 episodes long but this drama had only 7 episodes because of its poor ratings. Going by the first 5 episodes I found the drama engaging and interesting I do not understand what was so bad about it to have it cut short.

The show beam balance has more good weights because I really enjoyed watching this drama. To me, the characters were very real which is why their actions seemed justified to me. Of course, this isn’t the best romantic J-drama but it is a decent love story focusing only on the two main characters.

Second Love is a simple love story of two people driven by lust and desire. If you like romantic shows with less of complications and more of love (making) then go for this one.  

Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in

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Taiwanese drama, Mars is based on the Japanese manga of the same name. Mars had been on my ‘to-watch drama’ list forever. Drama fans have been praising this drama for a long time and many drama watchers suggested I watch this drama. However, my main motivation to watch this drama was the lead couple Barbie Hsu and Vic Zhou (Zai Zai). These two actors had first featured together in the super-hit T-drama Meteor Garden (Taiwanese adaptation of Hana Yori Dango or Boys Over Flowers). Though they weren’t a couple on the show I loved their chemistry and was looking forward to seeing them together in Mars. And they did not disappoint me as it was their couple chemistry that kept me engaged for 21 long episodes.

Let’s weight this psychological romantic drama on our show beam balance and see what makes the drama so popular amongst drama addicts.
 
Good Weights
Vic Zhou: I personally love the character of Hanazawa Rui from Hana Yori Dango. And have a crush on all the actors playing that role in their respective versions i.e. I like Ji Hoo (Korean) and Hua Ze Lei (Taiwanese) as much as I like Rui. Vic Zhou (aka Zai Zai) played Hua Ze Lei and I have been his fan since then. After seeing him play the reticent Lei, it was interesting to see him play a completely opposite character in Mars.
In Mars, Ling is this enigmatic playboy who is often surrounded by girls vying for his attention. He is a fun-loving crowd pleaser who wants to live life on his own terms. However, all of this changes when he meets Qi Luo. The fearless Ling starts to feel protective of the meek Qi Luo and wishes to provide for her. He works hard to make her feel safe and happy. But Ling himself is a broken soul and battles psychological issues because of a difficult past. He camouflages his pain and struggles with a cool, reckless attitude. He is a complex character with several shades to him.
If you talk about looks then Vic Zhou was perfectly cast for the role of a lady-killer. Acting-wise however, Vic had a slow start wherein the initial episodes his acting was far from convincing. His forced laughter and awkward facial expressions made me wonder if I would be able to sit through 21 episodes. But as the show progressed Vic seemed to get into the flesh of the character and looked every bit of the troubled Ling. He isn’t a mind-blowing Ling but he sure is decent enough to have your attention.

Barbie Hsu: I am amazed at how effortlessly Barbie pulled off the character of Qi Luo which is starkly in contrast with Shan Cai in Meteor Garden. I liked her in Meteor Garden but loved her in Mars.
Qi Luo is a restrained and diffident young girl who keeps to herself and avoids any kind of interaction with people. She has suffered a traumatic experience in the past that altered her personality. Meeting Ling helps her bring out the real Qi Luo and she realises how much she wants to be her old self again.
Barbie played the reserved and quiet Qi Luo to perfection. Her body language and dialogue delivery made her a very convincing Qi Luo. She especially shines in emotional scenes which is most required for a role like this.

Couple Chemistry: Barbie and Vic’s pairing was a much-requested one by fans of Meteor Garden who shipped the couple real hard. Ling and Qi Luo’s love story follows the typical handsome, fearless, outspoken dude falling for a guarded, introverted girl concept.
Barbie and Vic have a very easy chemistry where they look extremely comfortable with each other. Mars is a dark drama with characters dealing with extremely complicated situations. Had the producers cast any other couple for Ling and Qi Luo’s role, I don’t think I would’ve been as interested in watching it, as I was knowing of the actual cast. To be able to sit through a poignant drama like Mars, you need a realistic couple to convince you of their love and for me, Barbie and Vic were perfect as the much in love couple. It was Ling and Qi Luo romance that kept me involved with the show.

Compelling Plot: Mars has three central characters, each with a dark back-story. Each of these characters has personality issues they need to address. While Ling and Qi Luo help each other overcome their personal difficulties we have the third character Tong Dao chose a completely different path to deal with his problems. The show makers have effectively justified every characters’ behaviour and choice and have done a good job in simplifying a convoluted plot.


Bad Weights
Redundant Scenes: Considering the types of characters and their lives 21 episodes seems justified as it takes some time to create a realistic image of the characters in the minds of the viewers. However, in an attempt at giving a deeper look into the characters, the show would end up stretching unnecessary angles and storylines. It was good that they dealt with the back-stories in detail which helped in understanding the characters better, but there were too many long conversations and flashbacks that hampered the pace of the show.


Mars is not a regular romantic drama. It is about how two battered lives converge and connect to lead to a better fulfilling life. It is about how certain events permanently change a person’s course of life. It is about how time heals all wounds and eventually we learn to make peace with our past to save our future. The drama is slow paced and slumps occasionally but its riveting storyline will keep you engaged.

If you like deep and moving dramas then go for this one. Moreover, Barbie Hsu’s acting and Vic Zhou’s charm (not to mention good looks) will easily pull you through most of the show.
 

Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in

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My Instagram buddy and fellow Korean drama fanatic once asked me to listen to the title track of the drama she was watching. I checked out the song on YouTube and the video was a fan-made compilation of the best scenes on the show. As soon as I finished the short video I knew I had to watch the show because not only was the song catchy but also the show looked damn interesting. The show I am talking about is the Taiwanese drama, Behind Your Smile. This is a revenge drama and also a hate-love trope wherein the guy meets the girl to seek revenge from her but eventually falls for her. The drama plot is clichéd but the show is gripping and interesting.

Let’s weigh Behind Your Smile on our show beam balance to determine if the show is worth a try or no.
 
Good Weights
OST: The show’s opening theme is what got me to watch it in the first place. ‘He Isn’t Worth It’ by Shi Shi is hauntingly enchanting and suits the revenge plot of the drama.  ‘Lost on The Way’ by Shi Shi feat. Matzka is saved for the suspenseful moments where your mouth is agape watching something you did not expect to see. My favourite ‘Don’t Panic’ by Shi Shi is a delightful song that reminds me of all the funny moments Lei Xinyu has when she is with Zhao Yiting. Here is another fan vid featuring this peppy song that instantly brings a smile to my face. This video has all the cute moments that Yiting and Xinyu share on the show.

Eugenie Liu: Actress Eugenie Liu is tailor-made for the role of Lei Xinyu. She looks and plays the part to perfection. Xinyu is naïve, overly trusting and good natured and Eugenie Liu’s innocent face will make you forget that she is actually acting and may not be like that in real life. Her cuteness is palpable and she lights up the screen with her alluring smile. Xinyu’s ability to smile even in adversity makes her a typical drama character nonetheless she is a very endearing heroine.

Marcus Chang: Actor Marcus Chang plays the quintessential ‘khadus’ (rude) boss who is stingy with his smiles. His character Zhao Yiting has seen severe hardships in life and is determined to exact revenge on the people who destroyed his family. Chang may falter in some comical moments on the show but he manages to pull off the role effortlessly. He looks great for the role and his acting is smooth and consistent. He has an attractive persona and his eyes emote so much that you cannot help notice how attractive his face is.

Lead Couple Chemistry: This drama has a lot of light and sweet moments that are brought to life by Chang and Liu. These two actors look so good together that I am shipping this couple hard to date in real life too. Chang and Liu seem to share a good rapport off-screen too which is why they look so convincing as a couple in the drama. If you are a sucker for romance like me than this drama is perfect for you as this drama has plenty of romantic ‘accidents’.



Bad Weights
Draggy Affair: I have this complaint from most Taiwanese dramas. They stretch their episodes a little too much. Behind Your Smile was a weekly drama and each episode was 75 minutes long. It gets a little draggy after a point of time and I started to lose my patience. However, the drama was quite gripping so I will not say that it was boring but it could have been shorter.  
 
Overly Far-fetched Scenes: I know several dramas show scenes that are practically impossible to even imagine in real life but most of such scenes often do not bother me. It bothers me only when some scenes are too hard to believe or even watch. For instance, Yiting runs to rescue Xinyu when she meets with an accident. When he reaches the spot, he sees a young boy bleeding in the driver’s seat but he chooses to ignore the boy and looks out for Xinyu. The boy could have died, dude. Why did you ignore him like that? That scene I felt was too stupid to believe. I understand Yiting is worried for Xinyu but C’mon he leaves the boy bleeding only to avoid being spotted by his brother. In another scene, Yiting saves Xinyu from some goons and they hide in an abandoned shelter in the jungle. She then asks him to imagine that they are in an action movie and that she is trying to save his life by almost giving him a CPR. Kyaaaaaa….Who does that? I often found myself saying ‘arre yeh to kuch bhi tha’ (This was utter rubbish).    
 
Behind Your Smile weighs heavy with good weights which indicates that it is an engaging drama. Yes, it is flawed but it is never dull. I liked the cast, the story and the soundtrack and would certainly recommend it. This Taiwanese drama has suspense, revenge, love, hatred, Eugenie Liu and Marcus Chang so it is a must watch at any cost.

Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
 

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I don’t mean to exaggerate but when I say that I actually felt my brain twist several times as I watched this drama I really do mean it. Ok. I did exaggerate but did you get what I was trying to say? This drama is such that it will make anybody’s brain churn in the skull because it’s so damn weird! It’s one of a kind. I had to reset my brain a hundred times just to grasp what was happening in the show. Nonetheless, all the complications in the story make the drama hatke so its all worth it.

Good Weights
Interesting Plot: The show is about a manhwa character’s life merging with the real life of an alcoholic writer. It is about how characters of a fictional world created by a writer start coming to life and messing with the life of the writer and his daughter. This distinctive plot made the show such a success in South Korea. The show survives mainly because of its unique storyline. It was because of this show that Kim Woo Bin’s Uncontrollably Fond suffered and dropped in ratings. W – Two Worlds and Uncontrollably Fond were pitted against each other by rival channels. W – Two Worlds managed to garner higher TRPs with its fast thrilling plot.
Highly Unpredictable: This is one of the few shows where you just cannot predict the next scene. No matter what you think should happen next, the writer will throw a complete googly at you and you will be left gaping wondering what just struck you. Every episode is full of twists and turns and all that you anticipate will never really happen in the show.
Good Direction: The shows’ camera work and direction sharp yet smooth. Even the computer-generated effects on the show were excellent. The director has done full justice to the suspense and thrill theme of the show.


 
Bad Weights
Too Complicated: There were some weird things happening on the show that was never explained clearly. For example, the rules of the manhwa kept changing without any reason. As a viewer, it’s too confusing to keep up or understand the twist when there is no clear reason behind it. The show is fast paced and you have to pay attention to understand how things are constantly changing in the two worlds. This is the reason why I call it a brain blasting drama.
No Explanation: Many things that occurred in the show had no logical explanation behind them. I was hoping that the last episode will answer all the questions I had, right from the starting of the show, but sadly that didn’t happen. The show ended leaving several questions unanswered and that disappointed me a lot.  

Despite its loopholes this sci-fi drama kept me on the edge of my seat throughout its run. This show is one helluva brain twisting ride. I often praise the actors of a drama that I liked but here the story is the hero of the show. The actors are good no doubt. Lee Jong Suk and Han Hyo Joo are perfect for their roles but this time, it’s the story that won me over.

If you are game for something that challenges your rational thinking then do go for this one. This thriller will make you think…… really think. If you are a romance lover, you can still go for this one as the show has plenty of romance.

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The Heirs was one of the most popular shows in the year 2013. The main lead Lee Min Ho bagged several awards for his performance and also won the Baidu Feidian Best Asian Actor Award that year. Additionally, the lead couple Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye won most of the Best Couple Award that year. Considering the categories the show won awards for, I guess I understand what exactly worked for it. As for me, The Heirs was one drama that left me bewildered. I still haven’t understood if I liked the show or no. Since I watched all 20 episodes, it means that it did manage to hold my attention. But in the end, I am still left wondering what made me stick till the very end. It definitely wasn’t the Original Sound Track (OST). Then, what was it?

Good Weights
Good-looking Cast – I think I should stop mentioning this point because this is common for almost all Korean shows. A good-looking cast is the USP for most Korean dramas. If not the cast then, at least, the male protagonist has to be extremely handsome to appeal to its target audience i.e. young girls. The Heirs does indeed score high on a cast full of eye candies. Lee Min Ho (Kim Tan) is an Asian heartthrob and has a huge fan following across Asia. It is said that The Heirs was in the news after Lee Min Ho was finalized as its lead. Fans kept a tab on minutest of development in the show.  The female lead, Park Shin Hye (Eun Sang) is one of the most successful Korean actresses and has a loyal fan base of her own. Together they made a very interesting couple.

Competent Supporting Cast – The subplots of the show were reasonably interesting and the supporting actors did a marvellous job with the limited screen time they had. I simply loved Bo Na and Chan Young’s love story. Bo Na was the show stealer and her easy chemistry with Chan Young was really enjoyable. Kim Tan’s arch rival Choi Young Do’s gradual growth with each episode in the show was also very interesting. His character seems to grow on you and you eventually start liking him despite his rotten ways.  

Amazing Outfits – Since the story is about rich kids, the cast flaunted some chic and classy outfits. Rachel Yoo’s (Kim Tan’s fiancee) wardrobe was the best amongst the girls. Sadly, the female lead was the daughter of a housemaid so she could not sport expensive dresses and jackets.


Bad Weights
Cliched Storyline – If the show was talked about then I am sure it must have been majorly for its cast because the storyline did not have much to offer. It is the same old rich boy falls in love with a poor girl, defies his family for her and they live happily ever after. There are viewers who still enjoy the Cinderella concept but it can be a drag sometimes.

Too Many Subplots – Though the subplots were interesting it could have been a little less chaotic. There were too many characters and each of them had a back story. I would often get confused trying to link the stories together. Most of the time I would be wondering who is marrying whom, who is whose mother, who is having an affair with whom and so on.  

Pathetic Theme Song – The song ‘Love Is The Moment’ By Changmin would be played each time there was a romantic scene between Kim Tan and Eun Sang. I am sorry to lambast the song but it really killed ‘the moment’ for me. I wish they played some other song (actually any other song) instead of untimely hammering “love is the moment” in our ears. It’s really annoying to hear a man scream the same words at a very interesting and awaited point of the show. Actually, the song itself is not that bad. It just did not suit the show.

The show beam balance has an equal number of good and bad weights which means that I enjoyed the show as much as I disliked some aspects of it. It has many special moments that made me go ‘awww…’ at the same time, it also had me go ‘what the heck….’ more than once.

The Heirs is for those viewers who enjoy watching beautiful people fall in love and fight against the world to be together. If you are looking for some sensible power conflict amidst a love story then do not opt for The Heirs because it does not offer you that.

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My first reaction to the drama teasers was “What’s with the mask?” and just like that, I was drawn to watch this historical K-Drama with an unusual title – Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. One of 2016’s most anticipated shows, Scarlet Heart Ryeo was in the news mostly because of its star cast that boasted of popular K-Pop idols and acclaimed actors. I am new to K-dramas so I wasn’t fully aware of the popularity of each actor. For me, the storyline and the fact that so many good-looking men were in one single drama was enough to pique my interest.
 
Let’s weigh this interesting historical drama on our show beam balance and see if the show is worth watching or not.
 
Good Weights
Lee Jun Gi (Prince Wang So): First let’s talk about the character Wang So. Wang So is the bad boy who generates fear in the minds of not only his enemies and but also his friends. He punishes all those who harm his loved ones but sadly ends up earning their fear. He isn’t a jerk. He is not mean. He is just a little misunderstood. Wang So is the quintessential good guy who hides under the garb of an evil, ruthless man only to protect himself and his people. He is aggressive and ferocious yet kind and loving. A dominating character like this required an ace actor to pull it off convincingly and Lee Jun Gi’s portrayal of 4th prince Wang So was simply flawless. The drama has several popular faces but lead actor Lee Jun Gi just stole the show not just because of his character but also because of his strong screen presence and fine performance. This may be because he is a much-experienced actor compared to the rest of the cast and Jun Gi can be credited for having kept the audiences engaged for 20 episodes. Even with half of his face hidden behind a mask, he manages to convey So’s feelings so effectively that I fell in love with both the character and the actor. The mask suited him so much that I liked him more with it than without it. Had it not been for Jun Gi I don’t think the drama would have been as interesting as I found it to be especially when we had a pale and expressionless face for a lead actress.

Direction: As you start watching the drama you will notice that every second shot is a close-up shot of the actors. The director seems obsessed with close-ups. Initially, I found these close-up shots annoying but then the same thing starting appealing to me. I especially appreciated these close-up when the scene had the stoic Wang Wook in it. Now, 8th prince Wang Wook is a shy, reticent prince who does not speak a lot. Actor Kang Ha Neul’s close-up showing his subtle expressions worked extremely well for the story. Similarly, Jun Gi as prince Wang So is often scowling or grimacing and the close-up shots effectively captured his not-so-subtle expressions. The only nightmare was lead actress IU, who plays Hae Soo. She is pretty but her face shows no variation in expression. Tears would trickle down her eyes and you still won’t be convinced that she is actually crying. You see, she was that bad. Other than that I think the direction was quite good.

OST: ‘Can You Hear My Heart’ by Epik High and Lee Hi is my favourite of all the songs used on the show. The music is stirring and emotional and suited Wang So the best. Then we have the mournful ‘Wind’ by Jung Seung Hwan and ‘My Love’ by Lee Hi. So melodious these songs are that you will love it even if you don’t understand Korean. That’s the power of Korean soundtracks.

Lee Ji Eun (Hae Soo): When you have bagged a role to die for don’t you think people will have high expectations from you? Scarlet Heart Ryeo revolved mostly around Hae Soo’s character but sadly actress IU was the weakest link of the show. Hae Soo is a complicated character as she goes through a lot of emotions in the story and at times it is difficult to understand her choices and actions. For such a character, it was very important that the actor portrayed emotions that would convey her inner feelings with only her face. Sadly, IU just remained a white face with big black eyes. What’s worse is that she had most of her scenes with actors Lee Jun Gi and Kang Ha Neul who are masters at facial expressions. IU often fell flat before such skilled actors further highlighting her lack of acting skills. I not only hated Hae Soo the character for being so fickle minded, but I also disliked IU for almost ruining the show for me.

Ending: This always happens to me. The dramas I love watching end in the most disappointing way. Previously it happened with Healer and now this drama. This show was so cool throughout but its climax was so bad I almost cried. Happy or sad ending didn’t matter I was just looking for a conclusion that made sense and did justice to the story. But all I got was a drab finale episode.  

The show beam balance is heavy with good weights and I must add here that the drama isn’t perfect script wise but highly remarkable performance wise.I enjoyed every episode and loved every character on the show. Hae Soo did test my patience but I will let that slip as Wang Wook and Wang So managed to rule my heart through the weeks the drama aired.
 
Originally posted on Alphagirl.in.

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A Prince falling in love with a girl disguised as a eunuch. Hhmm… Honestly, the plot did not interest me. I have had my fill of Korean gender bender dramas and did not want to indulge in anymore. But Moonlight Drawn By Clouds is much more than just a regular disguise drama. It is more about finding a true connection while disconnecting all the corrupt links that plague one’s life. It is not easy to believe a Prince’s fondness for a eunuch but the two lead actors have done a fabulous job at convincing the audiences of their love. Here is my take on this sweet love cum historical K-drama.

Let’s weigh this difficult, forbidden love on our show beam balance and see if Moonlight Drawn By Clouds shines or not.
 
Good Weights
Kim Yoo Jung: When you see the drama, you will not believe the fact that the lead actress Kim Yoo Jung is only 17 years old. This little girl has acted so well that she can put much older actresses to shame. Her comic timing was impeccable. Ra On is a vivacious girl and Yoo Jung played it to perfection. She did falter in emotional scenes but she compensated for it by bringing Ra On as well as Sam Nom alive in several other ways.

Park Bo Gum: Park Bo Gum, this name broke the internet just like Song Joong Ki’s did following the stupendous success of Descendants of the Sun. Coincidentally, the two actors are close pals. Park Bo Gum was simply outstanding as the spunky Prince Lee Young. His full smile can melt your heart in seconds. The naughty smirk, the twinkling eyes, and his trademark lip quiver would make my heart beat faster. I wouldn’t be wrong in giving him 60% credit for the success of the drama.

Sweet Love Story: Aforementioned, this is a gender swap drama so the love story is quite predictable. Prince Lee Yoon somehow is always there to save her and she is always the one in trouble. However, instances that bring them close are so cute that it brings a smile to your face even after the episode is over. It is only because of the chemistry that Bo Gum and Yoo Jung share. They play their parts so convincingly that you will fall in love with them.


Bad Weights
Forced Love Triangle: Is it mandatory for every South Korean drama to have a love triangle? I do not understand how every heroine has two or three men fighting over her no matter how she looks or what she does. Even the clumsiest of women have at least two suitors ready to do anything to have her attention. This drama too has a nobleman in a one-sided love for Ra On. There was no apparent reason for such a nice man to fall for a regular girl who actually dressed like a boy. If that wasn’t enough then we have another girl madly in love with Prince Lee Young. She is so much in love with him that she agrees to help him by marrying him despite knowing that he loves another girl. Thankfully, the writers did not show bodyguard Byung Yeon in love with Ra On even though it was a possibility considering that they shared a lodging.



I do not have too many complaints from this drama. It may not have impressed me greatly but it sure wasn’t bad. No doubt, it was entertaining but towards the end, I started to lose interest in it. I did not feel eager to watch the next episode. I did not feel restless on missing a new episode. At the same time, I did not jump through any episode because the show was interesting enough to hold my attention. It just didn’t manage to excite me.

Moonlight Drawn By Clouds is that drama which will bring a smile to your face each time you think of it. It is funny, lovable, and highly entertaining. What more do you want?

Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in

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I decided to watch Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake because I was in the mood to watch an old Japanese drama. I like watching 90’s dramas because it reminds of my childhood when technology hadn’t taken over our lives and life was so much simpler. Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake is also my first drama where the lead character is battling AIDS. I have seen tonnes of drama characters dealing with all kinds of fatal ailments but never seen someone fighting AIDS. This dorama teaches a lot about the much-dreaded disease. Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake is a heavily flawed drama but is still beautiful watch. Keep reading to know why I am saying so.

Good Weights
I enjoyed watching Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake because…
…it gets rid of the stigma around AIDS. The word AIDS and even HIV +ve is enough to scare anyone. Despite knowing that AIDS does not spread through touch or by sharing food and drinks people still isolate an HIV patient. This drama very beautifully breaks the stigma and shows two men love and support a girl infected with the HIV virus. The drama also shows how love is beyond social norms or even medical conditions. Keigo deeply cares about Masaki and even her disease does not deter him from loving her. I think this drama is a very good way of spreading awareness about HIV and AIDS.
…it shows how your family will always stand by you even in the most difficult situation. This is what I love about Japanese doramas. They do not focus on just one relationship and always show different relationships in a normal person’s life.
…last episode was a tearjerker. I don’t really like emotional dramas but the last episode was so moving I cried buckets of tears. [[Spoiler Alert]] Though I knew what the ending would be I did not like that they had Masaki die on her wedding day. It was a little cruel to so show something like that. [[Spoiler Alert]]

Bad Weights
I did NOT LIKE Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake because…
…there was a lot of sprinting. If you have watched a few Japanese dramas you will know that Japanese heroes are fixated with running. They run all the time. Keigo runs when he is excited, sad, angry and sometimes even without any urgent reason. He runs at home, on the roads, over a bridge, inside a hospital and just about everywhere. It’s a little tiring to see him run all the time.
…Masaki is an extremely exasperating character. She does everything a person should not do. But then she is 17-years old so isn’t that how we all are at that age? But I hate the fact that she does not show any remorse. I understand there is no use crying over what happened and it is the best to move on but the lack of regret is something that disturbed me.
…[[Spoiler Alert]] Keigo sleeps with her despite knowing that she is infected with the HIV virus. Ok, sleeping with her is not an issue but not using protection is. I understand that deep down in his heart Keigo wishes to end his life and does not mind being affected by the HIV virus which will eventually lead him to what he wants but is getting the young girl pregnant in such a condition a good thing? I think it was very irresponsible of Keigo as it was not the correct way of showing his love. But then again, the drama had to be concluded in a certain way so all that happened was required so, fine. [[Spoiler Alert]]

Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake is about loving someone without any expectations or bias. It is about how teenage rebellion can go wrong thereby altering the entire course of life. But every dark cloud has a silver lining and for Masaki, Keigo was her reason to smile and live life.

Originally posted on AlphaGirlReviews.com.

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Never judge a book by its cover and never judge a drama by its NAME! Had the title of this drama been Because This Is My First ‘Love’, I would have certainly watched it the first day itself. But the actual title did not interest me so I did not watch this drama till everyone on Instagram started praising it. I asked my friend (who has been watching Korean dramas since 2004) about the drama and she told me how good it was and how it felt like a sweet Japanese dorama. Say ‘Japanese’ to me and you will have all my attention. She highly recommended this drama and the very next moment I was online watching this drama. And I loved it from the very first episode itself. Never thought a trite contract marriage could be this evocative. My friend was right, it does feel like a Japanese dorama.    

Good Weights
I enjoyed watching Because This Is Our First Life because…
…Se Hee reminded me of Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory. His scientific reasoning for every feeling, every emotion made me laugh and go awwww at the same time. In one scene, Ji Ho expresses her feelings about finally being able to relate to others and be a part of a group after being an outcast all her life. Instead of offering some kind words of understanding, Se Hee justifies her feelings with Maslow’s theory. I wanted to strangulate him but changed my mind after seeing his honest face. Actor Lee Min Ki has done a fantabulous job portraying the robotic Se Hee. Please watch out for the scene where Se Hee announces his marriage to his colleagues and asks who all thought he was gay or asexual. That scene was hilarious. I am laughing even as I write about it.
 …I love Jung So Min. This girl is too adorable and her portrayal of Ji Ho is way beyond perfect. Ji Ho is a dejected, lonely and unsuccessful writer looking for love and success. Her's is a very real character, in a real-world working under real circumstances. She struggles throughout the drama and even at the end, she does not become an award-winning writer like most drama characters do overnight. She continues to struggle but with a smile on her face. Her optimistic and hard-working character is a delight to watch. Complications in her story show that life is not a fairy tale. Just when you think everything is going fine, life throws a curveball that hits you right in the nose and you are left disoriented for a few minutes. But just like Ji Ho, you have to pick yourself up and keep going. If you are lucky enough then you can even hit the batsman who hit you with the ball. Do watch out the scene where she kicks Se Hee to make him bow before her strict father. I was in splits watching that one.  
 …there is a lot of love and romance. It is almost like an arranged marriage where two people, bound by a relation, hardly know each other but fall in love gradually as they spend more time together. Se Hee who seems like a heartless robot initially becomes more caring with each passing day and Ji Ho cannot stop herself from falling for her loving husband.
…I love the second-lead (?) even when he is hardly there. The dimpled cutie, Bok Nam is not exactly a second-lead but I still loved him. Wish he had more role in the drama.
 …I liked the parallel storylines along with the central love story. I cried when Ho Rang and Won Seok broke up in the drama because theirs was the cutest love story in the show. And Su Ji and Sang Goo’s hook-up then break-up followed by another hook-up was interesting to watch. Mr Ma's sincerity and love towards Su Ji was very moving. I must applaud the writers for adding their sponsor’s product to the storyline very effectively through Su Ji’s bra troubles.
…I appreciated the girl bonding happening between Ji Ho and her two buddies, Su Ji and Ho Rang. I studied in a convent school and I know how much fun it is to be in an ‘only girls’ school. The three girls have each other’s back and support each other without judging. Every girl should have friends like Su Ji and Ho Rang.
…the supporting cast was just amazing. I liked each and every supporting cast member on the show including Ji Ho and Se Hee’s parents. Everyone was just awesome in their roles.  
…I loved the dialogues especially Ji Ho’s voice over where she explains scenarios in her and others lives sometimes through quotes and sometimes through her beautiful thoughts.
…..it gave me the perfect ending I was looking for. When I sensed that one of the three couples would be breaking up for sure, the drama surprised me with their dramatic reunion and I couldn’t have thanked the writers more for this. I prefer realistic dramas but I also like happy endings. Like Shah Rukh Khan from Om Shanti Om, I too am a sucker for happy endings and I feel a drama is incomplete without a happy ending. This drama gave me everything I was looking for and I’m happy as a clam. :)

Bad Weights
I did NOT like Because This Is Our First Life because…
Err….naaaah I LOVED this drama. This made me feel so happy that I was grateful to have discovered dramas in the first place. Why do you need anything else when a good drama is enough to give you the ultimate high. Drama is my drug and this drama is one of my favourites.

 
Oh noooooooo!! One side of our drama beam balance has broken because the ‘good weights’ have outnumbered the non-existing ‘bad weight’ by a large number indicating how much I loved this drama. Because This Is Our First Life is an entertaining and feel-good drama. It is one of those dramas that lift your spirit and bring a smile on your face. If you feel low at any point in time then just watch this drama and trust me, you will feel so so good about life and everything else.    
I give Because This Is Our First Life 4.5 out of 5 rating. No drama clichés (except for the contract marriage) just great content is what this drama comprises of. I will urge everyone to watch this NOW!!!!

Originally posted on Alphagirl.in :)

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Clichéd storyline, amazing performances, and heavy infusion of humor is what summarizes K-drama ‘You’re Beautiful’. This show appears on most of the ‘must watch’ K-drama lists and now that I have watched the series I know why it makes it to so many lists. The show was so popular that it was remade in Japanese under the title ‘Ikemen desu ne’ in 2011 and in Taiwanese under the title ‘Fabulous Boys’ in 2013 with Jiro Wang as its lead (Jiro Wang played Ah Jin in the show It Started With A Kiss and I simply loved him in it. I was surprised to see him look dapper and hot in this show. I could barely recognize him. I knew that boy was talented ;)). The show may be criticized for its faulty plot but fans have loved it for all the elements that make the show memorable and worth watching.    

Let’s weigh You’re Beautiful on our show beam balance and see if it is worth any praise or no.

Good Weights
Hilarity – The major plus point of this show is that it is so damn funny. The show may not be perfect story-wise but what makes it so appealing is its humorous screenplay. There are serious plot lines too but most of Mi Nyeo’s encounters with Tae Kyung are so amusing that I would be in splits.
Acting – Park Shin Hye played the gawky Go Mi Nam to perfection. She was so endearing that I was forced to ignore the fact that she didn’t sound or look like a boy at all.

Jang Geun Suk as the smug and bigheaded Hwang Tae Kyung was simply superb. Initially, his sneering and pouting (not to mention his pathetic dressing) irritated me but as the story progressed I accepted all of that and even started liking him as an actor.      

 
Bad Weights
Outfits – I don’t follow K-pop stars so I don’t really know their dressing style. But the wardrobe for the main cast was such an eyesore. Most of the stuff that Tae Kyung wore looked so feminine. Go Mi Nam is healthy so it must’ve been difficult to conceal her femininity and dress her to look like a boy, so they ended up layering her with multiple pieces of clothing that seemed way too much for a guy. And I don’t know why Jeremy was dressed in such loud colors. Was it to add to the comic element or just to further emphasize that he is the most vibrant of the three boys? Whatever the reason was it just didn’t suit him.

Storyline – Yes the story is heavily flawed. Few scenes here and there will leave you wondering ‘How did that happen?’ But then if you are enjoying the drama for what it is i.e. SIMPLY HILARIOUS then you will learn to overlook all of it. The only thing that disappointed me was that they never showed the real Go Mi Nam. I was looking forward to the reunion of the twins but that never happened. Of course, they did show a poorly shot scene of Go Mi Nam at the airport but nothing more than that. There was absolutely no interaction between Go Mi Nam and Go Mi Nyeo. Mi Nyeo helped Mi Nam to save his career and he couldn’t even thank her over the phone. Weird!


The number of weights may be equal on both sides but let me add that the weight of the acting and hysterically funny script weighs much more than the bad weights. If you are looking for some rib-tickling romance then do spare 16 hours of your life for this one.

Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in

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It’s been weeks since the Japanese drama, Everyone’s Getting Married ended and I still don’t know what happened to it. What I mean to say here is that, for a show with such a good start and potential, I don’t know why it ended the way it did. I understand the show must have lacked TRP’s in Japan which is why the producers of the show must have pulled the plug sooner than expected, but as an international fan, I find it unfair to be cheated of a reasonable conclusion. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the first 6 episodes of the show so I have no major issue with it.  

Let’s weigh this to ‘marry or not to marry’ conflicted dorama on our show beam balance and see if it is worth investing your time in or no.

Good Weights
Lead Couple Chemistry: Japanese actress, Mariya Nishiuchi and lead actor Ryuta Yamamura have an age gap of 8 years, but when you watch the show, you will not notice the age difference at all because they look so good together. For a romantic drama, the lead couple chemistry makes up for 90% of the drama. If there is no chemistry between the lead actors, then no matter how good the story is, it will fall flat if they don’t look convincingly in love with each other. Ryu and Asuka’s love story was convincing because the lead actors did a fine job of breathing life into their respective characters and developing good chemistry.

Mariya Nishiuchi: Japanese actress, Mariya Nishiuchi is a cutie pie. She may not be an ace actress but her efforts are evident and worth appreciating. She looks slightly weak in emotional scenes but I am sure she will be better with time and experience. I have no complaints from her in the comedy or romantic scenes. She looked extremely sweet and lovable as Asuka. She is a very pretty and capable actress and I would love to watch more of her shows.

Ryuta Yamamura: If you have read any of my Korean drama reviews you must have noticed how much I gush over the gorgeous Korean men. Japanese actors too are good-looking but they are not pretty like the Korean actors. Japanese heroes are short while the female actresses are usually tall and thin. Actor Ryuta Yamamura may not be the conventional swoon-worthy romantic drama lead, but the guy acts well. His deep masculine voice makes up for his lack of attractiveness. His acting was decent but it was his voice that kept me watching the show.

Screenplay: Everyone’s Getting Married has a simple plot where a love hating man falls in love with a romantic girl who changes his views about marriage. There is nothing new about this story but what was refreshing was the screenplay. We all know that the hero will eventually fall for the girl and marry her but how that happens is where the charm of the show lies. Some shows exude certain natural charm and this was one of them. Despite the thin plotline, I kept going back to the show because I enjoyed the character development of Ryu and Asuka. The sweet couple moments that Ryu and Asuka shared are too adorable. The way they grow close to each, live together and learn about each other’s habits is cute and delightful.



Bad Weights
Ending: Just when I thought the show was going great and it’s going to be my most favourite J-drama, the show suddenly hit the accelerator and drove so fast that it ended before I could even wrap my head around it. The drama is great until episode 6, but from episode 7 onwards the pace of the show is fastened leading you to a hasty ending. I loved watching this show but the abrupt ending ruined its whole impression. With a start so strong, I had great expectations of it but I don’t know why the show was concluded so quickly. The rushed second-half disappointed me and I still hate the producers for depriving me of a good ending.
 
The show beam balance has more good weights because it really was a good dorama and I have no clue why it was cut short. I have no major complaints from the dorama except the rushed ending which left a sour taste in my mouth.  

The show is worth trying because it is absolutely endearing. If you can handle a poor ending but an overall pleasant drama, then go for this one. It is a decent watch for a day when you crave to watch a romantic Japanese drama.

Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in

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This is the first Asian drama I watched live. I mean did not binge watch Refresh Man but patiently waited every week for its next episode. The wait was frustrating but totally worth it so I am not complaining. The term ‘Refresh Man’ was new to me and that’s what got me intrigued. The show features Aaron Yan who had made a short appearance in my favourite Taiwanese show It Started With A Kiss. Refresh Man was very popular in Taiwan so I thought let’s see what makes it so popular.

Let’s weigh Refresh Man on our show beam balance and see if the show is ‘refreshing’ or ‘tiring’.

Good Weights
Amazing Aaron: Aaron Yan is a complete drama hero. Be it romantic scenes, comic scenes, or even emotional scenes he aces them all. He is good-looking and expresses through his eyes and that is something I admire the most in him. His emotional scenes are subtle yet you can feel his pain and clearly see the emotions he is going through as a character. Taiwanese romantic dramas thrive on the perfect kissing scenes and kissing is Aaron’s forte.  All in all, he is just the perfect romantic hero.

Lead Pair Chemistry: Joanne Tseng and Aaron Yan make a good on-screen couple. They even manage to look ten years younger in their school uniforms without causing any dilution in their chemistry. They look very comfortable and that comfort level reflects in their acting.

Magical Music: The show has some good soundtracks. The show’s theme song Partner by Claire Kuo is peppy while You’re The First to Come to Mind by William Wei is romantic and addictive.  

Fantastic Finale: I initially thought that the show has 20 episodes which is a reason why episode 17 was more of a shocker to me as I wasn’t expecting it to be the concluding one. But episode 17 is the best of all the episodes. The writers put in so much effort to tie all the loose ends and make sense of all the mysterious instances on the show. Everything that happened in the show was beautifully explained in the last episode. It was undoubtedly one of the best finale episodes I have seen of a drama.



Bad Weights
Too Good To Be True: Wen Kai is the perfect boss, perfect mentor, perfect businessman, perfect friend, and the perfect boyfriend. Now isn’t that too much of perfection? He was supposedly dumb in school but suddenly after ten years he is excellent in everything he does. What did he do in those ten years? Visit some multi-talent training camp? But he is the quintessential drama hero so you can’t even expect him to be flawed in any way.
This office romance is interesting and enjoyable. The characters were well written, the script was consistent and the actors did full justice to their roles.

Refresh Man is perfect for binge watching. If you enjoy watching swoon-worthy romances then do watch Refresh Man as it has all the ‘awwww’ moments you watch in a romantic show.

Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in

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