Art is the theme

I really enjoyed how this fantasy drama was portrayed.
The emphasis on painting and the different styles and interpretations of how to depict a theme was very entertaining and educational.
The FL is caring for her artist father who has been driven mad. We later discover how and who was involved. Meanwhile his daughter is following in his footsteps. The back story of how she was blind and then became sighted is also part of the flashbacks that weaves together elements to bring us to the dramatic latter half.
The actors did a great job with special mention of the young actor playing the tiger demon. The ML, Ahn Hyo Seop, has different characters to play and is excellent in each.
As the blind scholar Ha, astrology advisor favored and funded by the king, he portrays a quiet dignity and elegance very appropriate to this role.
As the mysterious masked Ilwolseong he has built a network of spies and informants so is able to sell information to the wealthy.
As the Demon (Mawhang) and the use of CGI, he becomes a dangerously strong mythical creature.
The FL is a plucky character who is devoted to her father and desperately seeking a way to cure his mental illness. Her attraction to scholar Ha is very sweet and believable. She displays astounding ability to paint and to copy masters. This is her fate so that she can be chosen as the divine painter tasked with creating the portrait needed to use in a ritual to capture MaWhang the demon.

Visuals and attention to colour palette help to create the atmospheres of painting, love and crisis. The costumes and settings are done well and will be appreciated by anyone who enjoys costume dramas, The traditional Korean paintings a re a bonus.
If you are still hesitating about watching have a look at the extensive picture gallery.

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Season two has improved the format

Attractive men who get the chance to step out of their comfort zones to quickly choose and declare their interest in the inhabitants and hope it gets reciprocated.

Terrific show that will hook you into the emotional turmoil that is looking for romance in a contrived situation (8 strangers meet in a house full of cameras) under time constraints of 8 days.

Egos are bruised and some get inflated but at the end of the day all the participants get a chance to express themselves and to reflect on how they approached love.
Way better than season 1.
The location was superior. The final discussions, episode 12, between the men who had unfinished business so they could express their feelings individually was handled well. Lots of opportunities to select a date or roommate and someone they hadn't dated.

Great pacing and capturing the action.
Point for improvement - name tags it can be confusing for non natives like me.
A chart to show current date pairings and connections.

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Love or lust at first sight

We meet an attractive girl about to be married to her fiance. They have been together for 7 years and they have lost the spark and heady rush of love.

An attractive stranger, whose business has just failed and he tells us is leaving for Zanzibar the next day, flirts with our FL. She responds to the attention and his childlike recklessness. Their actions lead to making love in an empty building. Thus begins a 24 hour sexual adventure with both parties giving no details about their identities.

This dangerous liaison explores a no holds barred encounter that is liberating because of its finite time. Even when the fiance is confronted with her infidelity we are shown his casual acceptance, hinting at his own acceptance that affairs will occur in a long term marriage.

During their encounter the girl tries to walk away and return to her more rational self, however, the heady excitement of sex with a good looking and willing stranger over rules her and causes her to return each time.

As with most brief fantasies, as the departure time begins to encroach, doubts and longings are experienced by both parties.

Their motives are not explained and perhaps were not fully understood by them either. The ending has a poignancy that is depicted by the drawing of their hands on the park bench.

We are left with the question 'what if' and are free to interpret how we may have handled the affair either as; the stranger, the unfaithful partner or the cuckolded fiance.

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Sometimes finding the words is a barrier

These two beautiful and talented actors have me invested in their outcome as a couple.
We see Hira still unable to translate what Kiyoi is feeling. His lack of empathy for others is deeply embedded and causes Kiyoi to feel frustrated and angry to the point he sometimes lashes out only to regret that action later.
Kiyoi wants desperately to be understood without having to bare his soul and communicate his needs. At the start of this drama the stand-off between this couple has only barely moved forward since season 1.
In only a few short episodes we can see the progress and the flashbacks highlight these subtle improvements. Both are determined to be in this relationship so a lot of apologies and gestures of love band-aid over the cracks.
Kiyoi begins to express the changes he wants Hira to make and there is a lovely scene where he takes him clothes shopping hoping Hira can appreciate himself and how lovely he is as perceived by Kiyoi.
The biggest breakthrough is subtle and it occurs after Hira secures a job with a famous photographer. We get to see a more confident Hira one who one day hopes to be successful enough to be the on-set photographer of his successful lover.
TBC I hope the proposed movie keeps capturing their loveliness.

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I felt the acting was mostly awkward and not nuanced.

The premise of this story is interesting the execution was lack lustre.

A supposedly introverted student (with very dyed hair) tries to not be noticed?
A jock type student who loves loud extroverted friends and sport falls for his neighbour after a brief glimpse and a few conversations?

Issues of how these two extreme types make for a good relationship are attempted, however, the power dynamics are uneven and despite all the 'green flag' behaviour of God he overplays the benevolent protector to the point of nearly creating a 'Daddy' personna.

Luckily this is curtailed. I felt the jump to intimacy was premature, they had so little time together beforehand so this trip away and shared tent scenario seemed rushed, especially as we are led to believe Diew does not reveal much about his past or feelings.

The grandfather is terrific offering the whole hearted support in place of the dead father. The Mother is well depicted because her harsh expectations are what has added to her sensitive son's inability to voice his needs and to feel not 'normal' enough. The ex boyfriend reveal is a good explanation of what can occur when first love feelings get trampled on. Diew has already absorbed the not normal message from his mother and now it is repeated exposing his greatest fears. So the little turtle shrinks back into his shell.

The turtle metaphor is apt but like other viewers I wanted both Diew and the turtle to have more freedom.

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"Regrets I've had a few"

I have watched the other 2 productions and I feel that they are improving the format with each show.
I think the people who come on the show are very emotionally brave. They are about to be filmed during intimate conversations with their exes and be judged by the viewers.
We, as the audience are given a ring-side view of all these individuals and their past relationships are revealed later in the show so guessing the pairings is intriguing.

I find it fascinating to watch those who come on the show with a clear goal in mind find their determination failing as jealousy shakes their resolve. Few people, I believe, can handle seeing their ex enjoying and thriving in the company of another unless they had already handled a mutual agreement to split up as a couple.
This show sends the individuals into past reflection and has numerous contrivances to trigger this. I personally think this is a good thing because it gives them a chance to appreciate what was good in their relationship and what may have caused the breakdown.
Their are many shifts in the couple emotions and as a viewer, or even one of the hosts, it can seem easy to comment on where the individual is failing to communicate their feelings. As a participant the burden of emotions warring with their logical mind can elicit some poor responses and regrets.

These are real people and even if some participate to perhaps get higher media cover they are reduced to an individual looking for love.
I also like that we get to see that pairings are not always obvious. Brief connections can be as painful, or joyous, as longer term established relationships and offers us a chance to think how we might have reacted in this.

After all the exaggerated emotional dramas I have been consuming this program is refreshingly 'real'.

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Brilliant

Be prepared to fall in love with the characters, their development is so well handled and their acting is on point.
Everything in this drama screams acting masterclass.

I was pulled into their court intrigues and felt deeply about our main couple who are world weary and have been betrayed by the very people they admire and have vowed to protect. Their relationship is a constant, the chemistry and respect is palpable.
Ruyi is one of the strongest female leads I have encountered. She is proud, fierce incredibly talented, flirtatious, outrageous and admirable.

The young naive princess Yang Ying is a hidden gem. Her emergence from terrified female out of her depth in dangerous situations to a person who weighs up the difficulties and makes informed choices is terrific to watch.
There are lots of bad/evil characters but one of the most interesting is Ruyi's disciple, Li Tongguang, his plotting and machinations make him an easy fall guy target and his obsessive stalker behaviour to his shifu creates lots of opportunities for conflict.

If you come on this journey and hold out to climactic last episodes you will probably need several boxes of tissues. For me the most heart rending is watching the youngest member of the delegation. Yuan Lu, who despite his heart issues pushes his body to exhaustion delivering the vitally important message requesting military back up for his brother. Then there is Shisan, known as a playboy and lover of all things beautiful in life, making sure the woman he loves is safe before making a final heroic stand fending off the enemies.

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Delightful rom com cleverly executed.

Nichika as Aoyagi- imbues his character with the right amount of introversion and angst as he fights his low esteem issues to try and make a success from this BL drama opportunity.
Aran as Akafuji- on the surface a successful, experienced actor dedicated to improving his acting until he actually meets his stan Aoyagi and has to try very hard not to be a gushing fan.

Lots of lovely comedic scenes as each ML misunderstands the motives of the other, Their inner world is given to us as inner dialogue and this highlights the inner and outer conflict each is feeling.

Despite the briefness of only 3 episodes the story is cleverly plotted and unfolds at a good pace revealing their feelings and growing romantic interest,

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Burgeoning romance

Ichika and Amane show great character development as each has to step out of their comfort zone to make this arranged marriage work.

At this time in Japan the role of females was very prescribed and Ichika has to overcome her upbringing, lack of confidence and the constant reminders by her Aunt and others that she is not worthy to be the head chef. Amane, being younger, has more modern thinking and his ideas are the catalyst for the ryoten restaurant and Ichika to solve the dwindling financial situation.

I liked the scenes where the couple work together to solve problems;
the American delegation not wanting Japanese prepared food
the US Japan women's group charmed with the bento boxes and making sushi rolls
the wedding reception on a budget
the competition to save the inn

The couple show a lot of consideration and respect and we can get glimpses of their feelings slowly changing to romance. They do not declare love at the end, however, they step closer and make a pact to continue together.

The manga is ongoing so it would be nice to get another season.

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Delightful!

Season 2 outdoes itself in allowing us, the audience, to watch from the sidelines as their day to day activities play out. The details are where we feel the love between these mature men who have been a couple for around 8 years.

Slowly permitting more of the outside world to interact with them and acknowledge their cohabitation. we are given insights into the Japanese societal norms and lack of legal support for same sex couples.

Meeting each others parents, discussions on retirement, death and funerals is refreshingly explored in their shy way.
This season gives us dialogue around commitment and the last episode is extremely touching.

Love is demonstrated in action rather than emotive displays of affection and their mutual caring and respect is heart warming.
Hopeful for another season XXX

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The online dystopian community exposed

I am wary of the whole online opinion makers who rush to trash people for their own gratification. The individuals who make the deliberate choice to become online influencers are also a mystery to me.

I started watching this drama out of curiosity, similar to reading the gossip magazine found in a doctors waiting room, and discovered a world previously unknown to me.

I liked that the FL had a pretty gamin beauty, like Audrey Hepburn or Audrey Tatou, fresh and vulnerable. This made her likeable and watchable and her wardrobe choices are terrific. She is depicted as having a great instinct for fashion and this is what sets her apart from the other females who we learn have less desirable traits. The men are shown to be quite misogynistic even the main love interest believes he should save the FL because she is out of her league.

I am not very drawn to revenge motives, however, as the drama unfolds and Ah Ri's online narration reveals all the background machinations, lies and personal attacks I was lured into needing to know more. There are many twists and reveals and some heart pounding moments that kept me watching.

The acting is okay and the plot-line exaggerated for dramatic effect but if you can let yourself suspend logic and just enjoy this distorted view of an online community bent on creating a luxury illusion you will be entertained.

The online dystopian community is exposed everyday where public personas are destroyed overnight by a cacophony of keyboard armies spewing their hate and outrage into the void. I find this tale a good warning of what might be going on in the world of fashion influencers.

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Well worth watching and a cut above most BL offerings.

I was totally pulled in to this depiction of mature age BL story of love and breakup.
The acting was wonderful and all the small nuanced gestures kept the feeling real. This couple have reached a rocky point in their relationship and the more conservative Fumiya calls it quits. This breakup on, Ritsu's birthday, is incredibly real and raw.

Then we are taken on their journey as Fumiya learns that Ritsu rushing out that night has been involved in an accident. Fumiya realises Ritsu has lost all memories of him and any associated with their life together. He resolves to assist Ritsu and makes the fateful decision to label himself as his roommate.

This decision seems counter-intuitive here. Fumiya has the perfect opportunity to 'reset' their relationship and regain the love. I can only surmise, as he avoids all of the 'signals' from Ritsu to form a love relationship, that he is worried that Ritsu, upon regaining his memories, will recall the ugly break-up.

Their relationship is shown in a series of flashbacks as places they have previously been to are revisited. The love and care is beautifully shown and I was very invested in their getting back together.

The writers do a wonderful job of slowly revealing the arc of their story and there is a very satisfactory and believable ending.

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Sweet, clumsy shy love.

This is a cleverly written and acted slice of life BL that is heartwarming.
The young actor Maeyama Kuuga is so natural and spontaneous he also has the important role of bringing the two boys together and defusing tensions. He nailed the role of Tane.
His brother, Minoru, is very relatable as a young man who has dropped out of college to care for Tane and is grieving the recent death of his mother.
The chance meeting of Yutaka sets of a series of small, positive shifts in all their lives. Yutaka is pulled into their caring family dynamic and begins to open up to the world.
We are given flash backs to understand how each of the two boys have been shaped by their past. Their blossoming love is a slow, respectful journey initially broached by Minoru in a shy confession then later firmly accepted by Yutaka.

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A gentle love encounter

I was totally captured by the 4 actors in this drama.
The two main leads were perfect as the main love interest. Each was given enough backstory issues to create the misunderstanding that almost topples their slow burn romance.
Their attraction is subtle and wonderfully depicted in their body language and facial expressions.
The confession is very touching and I could feel the anxiety in his trembling voice. The hugs are beautiful and almost make up for the dead fish kiss.
(BL actors and directors need to be comfortable displaying love. Acting is acting and if a kiss is called for then use your craft to make us believe it).
The second couple help make the ensemble even more interesting, I want to know more and see more about their burgeoning love relationship.
The production has captured the artistic mood with settings and lighting and suitable wardrobe.
In the story-line the ML Tae Joon is, understandably, feeling hurt and betrayed by Won Young's actions. What makes the difference is Won Young also feels wounded by Tae Joon's stance and pursues him to clear up the misunderstandings.

The director, Eui-Soon Jang, was an assistant director on the wonderful Coffee Prince and also directed the sweetly, sad BL Peach of Time.

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Worth watching for the child actor

Lennon Sun playing the child, Xio Bao, stole the show. He was so cute and precocious in every scene he was in that it kept me engaged for the first half of the drama. His interactions with his stepdad, Qiaoyan, are very natural, affectionate and believable. The FL, Yiyue , bonds with him and handles the awkward situation of being put into the mommy role when she is actually a child psychologist hired to help him overcome muteness due to PTSD.
The inevitable quibbling and quarrelling between the two leads is the much used trope towards romance. This is also fine initially.
I did like the generous friendship support offered by Ruo Wei for YiYue and Wen Gu for Qiaoyan.

Where it all starts to fall apart is the latter episodes.
The entitled actions of Lin Wei and her families attempts to destroy Qioyan's company are never addressed.
The Aunts hiding vital information regarding the car accident tragedy is unnecessary manipulation of her, already affected, nephew.
The stupid trope of now we are together and lets breakup but I wont tell you why is annoying.
Poor editing and sloppy ending spolt the overall for me.

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