IN MEMORY OF YOOK WOO DANG (1984-2003)

That’s what it says at the end of this short film, so I read about him. Yook Woo Dang is the pen name of Yun Hyon-seok, a South Korean LGBT poet-writer-activist. He took his own life in protest against discrimination against gays in South Korea.

The short film is also about contemplating suicide. Jin Joon Won is bullied because he is gay. The girl who he fights with is not his girlfriend but his true self, which he blames for his troubles. But he makes peace with her (or himself) before attempting to end his life.

The initial scene in which Jin Joon Won is eating lots of fried chicken, to me, shows that he is not enjoying what he is doing anymore. He is eating, yes, but his eyes are blank and his mind is not in it.

This 12-minute film says a lot in such a short time. Acting is good, and so is the direction, cinematography, editing and overall look. Definitely worth a rewatch.

The lead actor here, Yoo Jun, is also lead in COLOR RUSH, another great show (this one is a BL series of 8 episodes) from South Korea.

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IT TOOK 8 EPISODES TO REALIZE TAWAN IS BEING TWO-TIMED ??

I REALLY WISH TO SAY THAT I ENJOYED THIS SERIES, but unfortunately, I didn’t. Maybe I started with very high expectations because of the reviews I’ve read. But there’s just too many glaring idiocies and laughable scenes here that I couldn’t ignore.

THE TWO MAIN ACTORS. Tawan (actor: FAME) is neither good nor bad. He is just average in terms of acting, but tends to ham it up. Also, his looks are bland at best. He’s not main lead material to me. Mork (actor: FLUKE) is more natural. Those dimples are a plus, too. However, I don’t feel any chemistry between the two.

Story is all over the place because there are so many side characters, the most useless of which is the Toy-Boss tandem. The series can do away without them. I fast-forwarded their scenes beginning in Ep 5. Toy’s character is not funny at all (a blackmailer who takes advantage of Boss). Boss is a spineless character, too – and his “speech” in front of Toy’s class in the finale is not believable at all; in fact it’s laughable.

Mayom, the bartender is bearable because his acting is consistent. He’s the best looking guy in the cast, too; second only to Mork and Top (Por’s boyfriend). Nadia’s character is funny but can be irritating sometimes. Also, why do they dress her like that? I’m talking about the festival where she wore a cheap dress even a cheap sex worker won’t wear!

The uncles are okay, too, though their fights tend to be overacted.

What really irritates me is the story: It took 8 episodes for Tawan to realize Por is not really into him. Worse, it’s not only Por who kept it from him, but also Mork. So, we were left with only 2 episodes for the 2 MLs to develop their romance – which is even worse than the university BLs.

Overall, I felt impatient with the story flow that I fast forwarded many times. In the end, it felt like it was a waste of time.

Technically, it was so-so. There’s no outstanding shot/s, not even during end kiss. Their earlier supposed “romantic” or “deep” talk on that bridge was not breathtaking at all. It was bland at best.

7 / 10

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THE GHOST AND THE CLUELESS BRAT

GHOST BOYFRIEND
China (2016 movie)
1:30


We usually side with the bullied – not the bully. But here, I love to side with the supposed bully – because the “victim” is a stupid bratty punk who is very irritating. Can’t sympathize, sorry. Another case of miscasting, for me.

The bully is the ghost – a hunk of a ghost. A hunk ghost that takes showers and cooks meals!

Can’t believe he came back from the dead to be with that brat!

And the cute young producer is hitting on the brat, too??!!! Whatda??? Haha!!! Roll eyes!! MISCAST!!!

At 50:11 mark, I really want to stop watching, but I grudgingly watched the rest.

Then… the “angels of death” are… also gay?? Haha!!! Can it get any more crazy that this???

And… after the stupid brat realizes his roommate is a ghost – what does he do? He storms off in anger! Wha…??? Is that really the reaction when someone realizes he’s been living with someone who is, well… dead?? Really??? Or just the reaction of a really stupid brat?

And then, at the last 20 mintues, the ENGLISH subs disappear!! But at this point, you won’t care anymore.
[If you care to understand the last part, an English translation is in the comments section]

Then comes the bed scene that is ewwsome.

The ending? I COULDN'T CARE LESS ANYMORE!!!

5 / 10

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LOVE IT BUT I HAVE 3 NAGGING QUESTIONS

LOVE IT BUT I HAVE 3 NAGGING QUESTIONS

I know what the producers did here: They did not make this a BL to appeal to a wider audience – BUT they also placed BL elements to titillate BL fans to reach THAT market as well. So, even though this is not a BL, they gave BL fans some bits to munch on.

It’s not perfect but I’m still giving it a high score because it’s a breath of fresh air from pollution in the sea of BL/bromance series. Also for the strong chemistry of the two MLs.

I was ready to give it a perfect 10, but the first half of the finale episode (rescue and escape) quite ruined it for me. It could have been better written and executed.

Three nagging questions were left unanswered:

1) Where does Longjie get money now that grandpa is gone?

2) Why does Merman know how to read?

3) When Merman got caught in the rain and grew a tail, we saw his shoes near the tail. Where did his pants go?? Haha!!

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A GEM FROM SOUTH KOREA

Perfectly shot, lighted, acted, directed, scored. A hidden gem from Korea.

A little sad atmosphere and themes (rejection, loneliness), but realistic as well. Love the story.

When Won Gyu (the flight steward) tells his ex that he is now “with a 34-year-old” and he tells his new “friend” (the one in orange jacket) that he is now “with a 24-year-old,” it means he lied to both. He is actually single because of the trauma that happened to him before.

He doesn’t want to go back and stay in Korea because he was a victim of homophobia, publicly humiliated and outed, and disowned by his father.

Sex scenes were done tastefully. Chemistry is intense.

Character driven movie, instead of plot driven. Acting is superb!

Definitely deserves a perfect rating.

I LOVE THIS MOVIE A LOT.

10 / 10.

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DISAPPOINTING

I started watching with high expectations because of the ratings from MDL. Here are some of my beef:

1. Over the top acting from ML and the two sidekicks. Almost caricaturish in some scenes. I know they were doing it for laughs but they could have been done without going overboard.

2. So many unbelievable fight scenes. One versus two or more. In many cases, more than four! In Season 1 there were TWELVE such fight scenes. In Season 2, there were SIXTEEN!!! Guinness Book of World Records candidate?

In one scene in Season 1, ML was tied to a post, beaten with a BASEBALL BAT several times – including the head. After releasing himself, he beat up ALL those thugs around him. On the way out, he again took down another group. And outside, another group!

Towards the end of Season 2, there’s another series of one-versus-an-entire-gang fight scenes – one after the other. Incredible, look-to-the-sky scenes!

3. So many loopholes in the plots.

4. Too gimmicky. Instead of helping victims DIRECTLY, they (like MARIA at the beginning) had to play a video game to get into the “program.” Imagine leaving the poor woman – who still needed medical attention at the time – in an empty street! So many gimmicks like this one.

5. So many continuity errors. In Season 1, the big guy was INSIDE the building while ML took down the thugs. When camera shifted OUTSIDE, the big guy is there again! This is just one of many such continuity problems.

6. Product placements aplenty.

The best performance of this series is from actor SHIN JAE HA who played HA-JOON. Compared to ML LEE JE HOON, JAE HA’s acting is consistently good. No ham acting, no caricature character. I’ve seen him in PRISON PLAYBOOK. He’s also good there.

As for LEE JE HOON, I first saw him in MOVE TO HEAVEN. He’s good there, so I was expecting him to be equally good here. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed with his acting – in both Seasons.

MY RATING: 7.5 / 10

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NOTHING SPECTACULAR, MAIN ROLE IS MISCAST

Turbo is miscast as Anda here, for me. He is supposed to be shy and timid, but he always appears to act like a brat who is always pouting. His acting is very amateurish, too.

In the entire cast, it’s only Bank and Jet who are consistent with their characters. P’Thee is overacting. Ryo is so-so, nothing special. His face has changed since his THARNTYPE days where he played Lhong, the friend-turned-fiend. His wardrobe is tends to be over the top though. And his makeup and lipstick, too.

Chemistry between the two male leads, to me, is almost zero. I cringe when they kiss or have bed scenes. It seems that there is more chemistry between Ryo and Bank.

In the technical department (cinematography, camerawork, editing) and production design, there’s nothing to brag about here. Average. Nothing spectacular, but not too bad either. It’s not “film quality” like ITSAY or CHERRY MAGIC. Music is ok though.

I really wasn’t blown away by anything so there were quite many fast-forward moments.

I’m not familiar with the original story, but I guess this Thai version added more characters. Thai series tend to overload their series with so many characters so the tendency is to have the story all over the place.

7 / 10

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A GEM OF A SERIES!!!

Love this series. Never a dull moment. And this proves that a BL series can be touching and effective even without kissing o skin shots.

The chemistry between the two leads is over the roof!

Also love the cinematography and camera shots/angles. Even the product placements are done tastefully.

Joseph Wen looks like Krist of SOTUS, and Xia Zhi Yuan is a dead ringer for Ali King of BOYS’ LOCKDOWN.

There are quiet moments in the series when I was moved to tears, proving that you don’t need melodramatic scenes to achieve that effect.

Definitely worth watching again.

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BRILLIANT PRISON DRAMEDY!

One of the reasons why I watched this dramedy ahead of the others in my must-watch list is because it’s directed by the same director of REPLY 1988 and HOSPITAL PLAYLIST (1 and 2), both highly rated series.

If we compare REPLY 1988 (2015) with PRISON PLAYBOOK (2017), you’d notice that there’s a big improvement, style-wise. The photography and camera work in this series is superb.

The flashback visual clues are consistent: The screen goes black & white if the scene that follows happened before the current time (whether just minutes ago or years ago). It will turn black & white again to denote the end of a flashback. Yeah, like bookends.

And since it’s from the people who made REPLY 1988, many actors from that 2015 series are also here.

Bear in mind though that this one is a slow burn. Though there are funny and endearing scenes in the initial episodes, I got really hooked starting with EP 4. No turning back from then on. The series actually gets better and better as it nears the finale.

Are prison cells in South Korea really that clean and neat? Well, this is consistent with the theme of the series that a prison is “a place where humans stay” and that it is possible to even thrive there. And that not all folks who are in jail are really bad people; some were framed or were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

This is not for everyone one though. Like REPLY 1988, many found PRISON PLAYBOOK a great series, but some people did not. To each his own taste.

Also, if you’re looking for romantic titillating moments, these are few and far between here. But there’s bromance, if you like that.

In the finale, I missed Looney. Didn’t expect that the penultimate episode was his last. I was kinda hoping that it was just a bad dream – because THAT scene looked kinda dreamy, right? And also, he was so determined to clean up his act. Oh well. I felt sad and disappointed for his ending. Felt sad for his lover and parents, too.

I’m really glad I stayed on and finished this great series. I rate it 10 / 10.

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LOVABLE SPECIAL FEATURE

THIS IS A MUST-SEE!!!

A high school student is dying of leukemia, so he asks his friends to find a girl who will kiss him before he dies.

Best line in all bromance movie ever:

"It's not that I like a man, but when i think about it, my first love was you. I did a lot of things with you dude. So I may not have my first kiss but at least I have a first love before I die."

Be ready to laugh and cry a river.

BRAVO TO THE ENTIRE CAST and production team!!!

The director did a great job in stirring just the right of emotions for the audience.

Yes, I can watch this over and over again.

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4 REASONS WHY I DROPPED THIS SERIES AFTER WATCHING HALF OF ITS FIRST EPISODE

I was expecting a lot from this series mainly because it came from the director and screenwriter of REPLY 1988 and PRISON PLAYBOOK, two of my favorite Korean series. Then, there’s YOO YEAON SEOK who became my favorite after watching MR. SUNSHINE and DR. ROMANTIC.

I don’t usually drop a series, once I start watching. I give it until Episode 3 or 4 to decide whether to continue or not. But for the first time, I’ve decided to drop a series after watching only half of its maiden episode. Why?

1. STUP*D ELECTRICIAN. The series opens with two of our doctors (there are five to them, 4 male, 1 female, just like the group in REPLY 1988). There’s a problem with the ceiling light so they called two electricians. The female doctor warned one electrician to wear a protective glove and first shut off the circuit breaker. But even before she can finish her precaution, the stup*d electrician fell to the floor and lost consciousness. Are all electricians this stup*d?? Why did the series open with this stup*d scene? Did it help us know the characters better? No, all we got was the male doctor is a “mama’s boy” and the lady doctor is, well, a busy doctor. To me, this opening scene is not only bleak, it’s quite useless. Big turn off and it’s just the opening scene.

2. STUP*D FRIENDS. These five people have been friends for TWENTY YEARS and yet they don’t know that one of them is the son of the Chairman of the hospital they work for?? They only found out when the Chairman died. Are these really friends?? When asked about it, the son of the Chairman’s reason was: “I was waiting for the right time to tell you, guys.” Duh. For TWENTY EFFIN YEARS, you didn’t find “the right time”?? And those friends really didn’t care?

3. STUP*D DARTH VADER. One of our main doctors was playing with his son when he was asked to perform an emergency liver transplant surgery. After hesitating, he agreed to do it. Only, he did the operation while still wearing the Darth Vader helmet – topped with a surgeon’s cap. How stup*d is that? Do they really find this amusing??

4. STUP*D CONDITION. After the Chairman died, the son gathered his doctor friends to form a “VIP WARD” group. He doubled their pay so they would agree. Only one didn’t agree right away. He said he has one condition: That they form a (musical) band. What??? Ok, so now I get it. That’s the reason for the title. Still, it turned me off, coming from nowhere.

That’s when I decided not to continue watching this series. Lots of stup***ty in half of the first episode alone. Also, the characters were not endearing. They came off as aloof, haughty, no charm. This is far from the genius of DR. ROMANTIC.

Sorry.

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EPISODE 6 SHOULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED

This series was really going along quite well… until EP 6 happened. It seems like the writers were tripping or something. That “one day trial relationship” offer of Typhoon (which Nuea accepted – quite stupidly – when he and Kluen had just revealed their feelings for each other a few minutes before) was totally uncalled for and unnecessary. It was so unrealistic.

TECHNCAL DEPT. Nothing outstanding. Not the cinematography, not the directing. A little above average, but nothing spectacular. Same with editing and music. Nothing special.

ACTING. Kluen (actor: JOONG) is okay. He is consistently cool (and sometime cold) which is his character. Confident acting. Nuea (actor: Dunk), on the other hand, has many awkward moments – especially when crying is involved. Seems forced. Facial expression doesn’t register grief or pain. His acting was especially awkward when Kluen was showing him the art works he kept all those years. His smiles are also awkward, not showing genuine happiness. Maybe it’s his face and mouth/teeth. But the two has real chemistry. This would have been more intense if Nuea’s acting is at par.

I like Sean (actor: SATANG) and Typhoon (actor: PEPPER) for their honest and consistent portrayal of their characters. The other support actors are equally good, but there weren’t enough exposure for them.

STORY. Overuse of tropes (not telling the truth right away, etc) kasi. Seems like an insult to viewers. After conflicts were resolved (Gia, Fah, Typhoon), two were recycled after Episode 6 (Gia, Typhoon). Conflicts are forced or contrived).

I was ready to give this a 9.0 rating, but after Ep 6, a big turn off, I was ready to give ita 6.0 or 7.0. But the series has enough charm, thanks to the cast. So, I’m still giving it a rating of 8 / 10.

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VERY CONFUSING!

Victor and Hugo. Haha!!! I know what you did there, writers!

So Victor is a new character. But who is he? Was he and Hin lovers? If so, why is he living with Hugo? Are they brothers? It wasn’t clear. Confusing!

Hugo didn’t even realize that his wallet was missing – until Yiu returned it to him?? How was he able to go home that night without his wallet?

While Marco was recording Hin’s song, he (Marco) and Cory kept chatting. Hello??? Aren’t your voices being recorded, too?

Hin’s voice is not for singing. They should have dubbed his singing parts.

The kisses here are soulless. No feelings at all. It’s all just work.

What happened to the lovely theme song from Season 1 (“Fish in the Tank”)? That’s a lovely one. They should’ve used it here as well.

5 / 10

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WARNING: NOT FOR THOSE WHO ARE AFRAID OF GOOD LOOKING GHOSTS

This 3-episode series packs a lot in less than 45 minutes running time. An innocent love story turned love triangle, betrayal of friendship and supernatural. Yes, you read that right. Well, the end of episode 1 kinda gave that hint.

Good looking cast, check. Steamy kissing scenes, check. Thriller, ghost scenes, check. But not quite effective because the apparition (Peem) is too good looking to be scary at all! (Even funny because of that runny nose).

Acting is good, not spectacular, but good. Lots of good and effective camera shots and angles, too.

That haunting song at the end! Can’t get it off my head! Though I don’t understand the words (there are no subtitles for the song), it was plaintive and mournful, full of anguish, Mike’s final song for a lost love.

Rewatch rating since it’s just less than 45 minutes anyway: 10

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EVERYTHING WAS GREAT UNTIL THE FINALE HAPPENED

I was really ready to give this series a rating of perfect 10 because it gave me that fuzzy REPLY 1988 feels, but then the finale happened. I know not all real-life stories have happy endings, and I wasn’t expecting one, tbh. I am disappointed with the execution. And the fact that many loose ends were left dangling. The biggest one of which is the identity of the father of HEEDO’s daughter. The viewers were expecting a twist or a big reveal in the finale – but that didn’t happen. You get the feeling of having been taken for a ride – because ALL the previous episodes were really, really good and were like teasing us to guess who the father is. It’s like they’ve made you invest in the characters and their stories, but shortchanged you in the end.

The cause of the breakup of the main couple was also not well established. So, male lead went to the US to cover victims of the Twin Towers attack. What was not made clear was why he decided to accept the job as a correspondent – and therefore live in the USA – without consulting or at least telling the female lead about it (she had to learn this from other people). And in their breakup scene, HE accused HER of thinking on her own! Really doesn’t make sense at all. Made me want to bonk him on the head. Big minus points for his character.

We were given updates on the other major characters – but up to 2009 only. What happened to them in the present – during the pandemic where the series took off? Would’ve been nice to know.

OVERALL

Despite that disappointing finale though, this is still an impressive series – great mixture of drama and comedy, one that we can easily relate to. The lines are good, very well written. It’s still a delightful experience, all in all. It leaves a special warmth in your heart; the way RELY 1988 did.

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