Kang Dong Won's character in Haunter's is just so incredibly sad - as the other main lead character said "if we'd met under different circumstances perhaps we could've been friends" - Kang Dong Won's character Cho inwas betrayed, abused and brutalised all his life - so it was hard NOT to at least sympathise with his plight. Perhaps if those around him had taught him to control his power then things would've been better; or at least if they hadn't abused him when he was a child hen perhaps he may not have been as angry, filled with hate and a need for revenge when he grew into a man.

The other main lead Im Gyoo Nam (played by Go Soo) had a loving sister and a much happier life - so, even though he was also 'gifted', his attitude was far warmer and more positive than Cho in's. I know many abuse victims grow into wonderful adults and manage to come to terms with their past; but not everyone is able to do that and it seems that this movie showed both sides of the coin - those who do grow into good adults because, even though poor, they have love and support around them and those who grow up with abuse and brutality as their daily companion which feeds their need for revenge.....

For me, as usual, Kang Dong Won completely stole the movie; his bad guys roles always have layers - they're never JUST thugs, murderers, assassins, etc and so you tend to find yourself crying for them, sympathising with them or even begging them not to do what they're about to - that they CAN change. THAT is a sign of a good actor, when he can even get the viewer to care about someone who is basically the 'bad guy' and we should be utterly against....

The movie itself was good overall; the acting and the casting was excellent. The music wasn't great, but as I've watched this twice now I would say it has pretty good re-watch value.

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I completely understand why so many think it's too sad - it is. But this movie is very good and I found by watching about 30 minutes and then going away for a while and then watching a bit more I got through it without too much of an emotional breakdown and sitting bawling like the world had ended (as I usually do with these types of movies).

I could NEVER watch it in one go though - FAR too sad. But the bit whilst the end credits are running actually makes it not so sad and the twist is really beautiful. I had decided not to watch it at all to start with; but friends who had kept nagging me and so I did, the way I explained, and I'm glad I listened to them......just, you know, DON'T watch it in one hit if you think you might cry - with this movies tears are GUARANTEED....

However, it's good - REALLY good and so, for such a beautiful tearjerker of this magnitude, I'd give it a complete 10/10.

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Acting was a bit OTT in places, but it really had the spirit of the 30s era movies as well as being set in that era. I thought the 'antiheroes' were exceptionally well done and you were really rooting for them - along with the (very) bad guys who you were desperate to see die; preferably with great pain and suffering.

Huang Xiao Ming was absolutely brilliant as Zou Zhen; his utterly focused and unwavering love for Rong Jin Xiu was breathtaking ------* SEE NOTE BELOW ---- It had a few slow moments, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be watching it more than once I can guarantee - in fact if I can find a region free, English subbed DVD I will also be buying it! I'd give a 9.5/10.

* READ THIS LINE *AFTER* WATCHING IN CASE IT'S A SPOILER - (especially as she as an utter moron when it came to her own safety and not trusting those who meant her harm).

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As the headline says, this is really worth a watch. There's some humour there to break up the horror and whilst this isn't 'Train to Busan' (and isn't trying to be), it's really entertaining. I loved it.

STORY - Pretty good story. Basically no one is safe, there is no real 'hero' or ;heroine' that you can say the start "oh yeah they're the survivors"; that trope is abandoned here. For me that's a good thing, because it means you don't really know who, if anyone, will still be there at the end. The horror is pretty average; there's the usual ripping neck and throats out that ALL zombie movies have, with the accompanying blood. There is the usual dry Thai humour through this which helps in some of the bloodier moments. (I give it 8.0)

ACTING/CAST - Most of the cast was really good. Maybe the zombie extras left a bit to be desired, but certainly overall it was really good and the main cast were very good. Although the guy with the pudding bowl haircut that was crying and the noise he made for his clearly fake crying drove me nuts by the end. I kept begging for zombies to eat him, you'll have to watch to find out if they do. (Another 8.0)

MUSIC - music was okay but not really anything to write home about. (a midrange 5.5)

REWATCH VALUE - I have to admit there isn't much rewatch value. Once you've seen it, that's it. A zombie film is a zombie film and there's not really enough going on for you to go back and view it again. (only 5)

OVERALL - I think it's pretty good. Typical Thai horror and that's not a bad thing. Certainly worth a watch. (I give 7.5)

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Very good and very creepy.  Not very horrific as such.  But it was a good movie and the motivation of all those involved could be understood. As usual Takizawa Hideaki was excellent in the role of the 'mysterious man' - but the whole cast worked well.

The story was believable, but sadly I can't say much without spoiling it.  So all I will say is that given what is done to the children, the consequences are understandable.  I didn't find the 'Mysterious Man' a monster in the real sense as he was only doing what was wanted of him.  

The acting was first rate - the entire cast gelled very well together and all were convincing in their roles.  However, for me at least, Takizawa Hideaki stood out as the main protagonist; an almost childlike figure lashing out at those he held responsible.  It showed children can be remarkable in coping with a horrific life and finding allies in the most unlikeliest of places.

The music added to the story and certainly the organ grinder style music was creepy.  The final few frames with the child at the door, organ grinder and the little doll were unsettling but also strangely satisfying.  I would love for there to be a sequel.

Even though I know the ending, I did watch it raw and, only having a few sentences of Japanese learnt, I would like to watch it again with subs and see if I was wrong in my assumption that the 'monster' wasn't really a monster, just a being existing for justice for those unable to seek it themselves.  I would watch it more than once, or even twice, that's for sure.

 Overall, it wasn't too scary and certainly a nice film for a winter's evening with a mug of hot chocolate and some marshmallows.  A real campfire story really.  It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed it and will give it 10/10.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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This was a truly horrible series - but I loved it. I think because I went through a period of time myself where I hit the rockiest of bottoms before gaining a better understanding of myself and my family; there were moments in the last episode I could relate to. This drama shows that sometimes we have to take things apart - even ourselves and our families ties - to come back together as someone, or something, better. Sometimes self awareness is gained at a high price and we don't always like what we learn. It's how we use that new information that is key. This drama was thought provoking and shocking - but kept you glued to the screen. Even at times when I was thinking of stopping, I'd find myself almost unconsciously clicking the next episode. The ending was satisfying but, thankfully, not in the sugary sweetness of other dark dramas that bottle it at the end, this ended in the same dark way as it had progressed. There is hope, but also some trepidation. This show is a must watch for all genuine dark drama/'screwed up family' fans (and no, NOT 'dysfunctional' - this drama is so far beyond ordinary 'dysfunctional' families it's not even in the same postcode). Oh and to anyone saying 'this is rubbish because they would've ALL been arrested at various points - not least the 'tutor' ' - yes, you are right; BUT this is DARK DramaLand - even usual DramaLand rules do not apply here, let alone the real world ones. Watch this at your peril - you'll be addicted and have to watch; even when you REALLY want to press the stop button....... and you'll also scared of home tutors for life! :D I will add though that the music was jarring in places - I know that was because of the way the story was going and it was to add to the darkness and dysfunction of the family; but it got really annoying in the end. For me it was the only bad part of the drama. Also, it's a hard show to watch and to do it more than once is for stronger souls than mine.

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I LOVED this - the story was brilliant, not too much drama and 'death, doom, destruction' that usually accompanies such dramas.

STORY - the story was very good.  There was an age gap of about 11 years and a child from a previous relationship for the character Shi Yi Jie (wonderfully portrayed by Jiang Chang Hui - aka Steven).  He also had an ex-wife but, without adding spoilers, I can't say much more on her.  The younger character Fei Sheng Zhe (played by the very cute Zhang Xing - aka Hunter) was the right balance of emotionally damaged (due to traumas at high school) wariness and desperate to love, nurture and be loved in return soft-heartedness.  His relationship with Yi Jie's daughter, Yo Yo, was wonderful too.  It had a happy ending and never left you feeling disappointed.  the last scenes definitely made me smile...but a teary one of happiness.

ACTING/CAST - here's why I only gave this 9.5.......the KISSING.  Seriously, I know that Hunter was the young and inexperienced student, they're straight men in RL and all that - but guys come on, kiss PROPERLY.  They're supposed to be besotted with each other and yet the kisses (on hunter's part to be fair to Steven) was just VERY tame.    Hunter seemed determined to keep it to the always disappointing 'lip bumping' no matter what Steven tried to do to make it more realistic.  That is the ONLY reason I gave it a 9.5; the wife's character was a nutjob anyway, so any overacting there can be forgiven.  The storyline was a lot for a little girl to take on and understand, so  a major pat on the back for the little girl who played Yo Yo; she did a really good job.  The other two characters who  were Sheng Zhe's student friends were also well portrayed.

MUSIC - the music was good; the ending song was the best.  It didn't have the catchiness that the songs from series one did - but they were still good and I liked the ending song in particular.

REWATCH VALUE - well, I've already watched the last three episodes three times so I can definitely say that it's 10/10.  What I did like a LOT was the hugging, little touches, affection and cuddling that was included - I have a gay cousin and I know she's like that with her partner; it's not always all sex and passion.  the LGBT community have the same companionship and affection side of their love as we do,and it was so genuinely nice to see it properly portrayed for once. It's one of the reasons for me rewatching the last three episodes almost on repeat.....it made those episodes the cutest of the eight.

OVERALL - although the little indicator above suggests 9.5  as an overall score - for me this has to be a 10.  Sure the kissing was a bit tame (especially in the bed scene), but other  than that it was such a well acted, beautifully cute and low drama story that to not give it a 10 would be criminal.  HIStory: Right or Wrong is a MUST WATCH for any BL fan.....in fact anyone who loves a decent love story and  can look past the bad kissing.

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Yamashita Tomohisa is THE best part of this drama. He had me sobbing at intervals and all out bawling at the end. This is a MUST SEE; I cannot stress this enough. The story is really interesting and the characters who are friends to 'Algernon' are wonderful to him. The acting is wonderful and the actors all make their characters so believable you become very invested - especially in Algernon; you root for him so much. The cast really give their roles their all; especially the always great Tomohisa and Masataka. All in all this is a really good drama; I didn't really expect much - but my stars, was I so VERY wrong. WATCH THIS, seriously, you won't regret it.

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To anyone asking why I and others cried - this is all I can say: No, it didn't have a sad ending it had a happy one - we're not used to it; plus it was happy happy. :) I think some of us cried out of shock that no one died and the world didn't end.....

There were moments the more emotional of us might shed a tear, but certainly not the kind that would leave you a tearstained snotty mess, surrounded with a truckload of used tissues and wishing you had shares in Kleenex.

The acting was really good - perhaps not to A-list standard but, for me at least, it made the story more believable. I really liked it and would certainly rewatch it. I'd give it a solid 3 bars of chocolate out of 5 for the fact that it's a good story and no sad ending - those of a emotional nature that do not like tearjerkers can watch this in safety....unless you're liable to cry out of shock that no one dies from a random act of violence, disease or even a paper cut at the end......

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DON'T watch this expecting the same ending as the book it's apparently based on.

I haven't read the book I was told it's based on. I've been told the drama is VERY different compared to the book, definitely from episode 23. So don't watch this expecting the same story or ending. DON'T read past the spoilers alert below if you don't want to know ANYTHING about what happens!!! Though I have tried to be vague.

SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!

Just to be sure everyone understands that there are SPOILERS ahead.......
SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!


The book apparently had a happy ending for the main couple ( though they did really suffer for it). I don't know this because I didn't read the book. There is NO happy ending, not even a bittersweet ending. It's just a full on tragedy.......needlessly so. I've been told the author, who was (allegedly) not aware of the changes being made to her story, is 'upset'. I would be more than 'upset' if it was my book being butchered like this.

However, the acting was truly amazing; completely faultless - the main couple were so cute and really made the development of their deep love for each other (we're talking SOULMATES, people!) utterly believable. Liu Xue Yi who played the ML wonderfully as the (somewhat insane, at least in the beginning) , Prince Murong Jing He. His growing love for the FL was also very believable. As an actor, he really aces these historical/fantasy roles the best.

Wu Jin Yan, is a consummate actress, I've seen many of her dramas and she aces her roles every time. and she really was believable as the revenge driven female lead, Mei Lin. Again, her developing love for the prince was believable. As was the desperation to remain with each other come what may as their story progressed. The similar desperation to 'save' each other though, was annoying and led to so many moments of me just yelling - "OH MY GOD!! JUST *TELL* HIM/HER!!". Things would've been different for the FL if she'd just TOLD the ML some stuff, but she didn't because......enter stupid reason. But that, sadly, was the script, not the actors fault.

Even the malevolent couple were cute (together - scary with everyone else!) you really believed that, especially the Crown Prince, was genuinely, deeply in love. The always wonderful Baron Chen was the evil Crown Prince (and man, was he evil to all but his beloved general, Luo Mei).

We truly expected the unnecessary suffering would at least lead to a Happily Ever After for the main leads and at least SOME pf the other 'good' characters......which it did in the book (at least that's what I'm told). I swore so MUCH at my tv at the ending.....SO much. Basically NOTHING good is kept at the end and EVERYONE suffers and ends up utterly MISERABLE, DEPRESSED and verging on self deleting.

There's a cute ending bit of what would've happened to the main leads if Jinghe had had the entry to the town HE wanted and there was no fire. In it the princes were brothers first, etc and there was no power struggle. Jinghe's mother was still alive too. It was cute - but, again (at least in my mind), the scriptwriter fricked us over.

The scenes were about how the main couple were fated to meet, how they were fated to be together because they were soulmates. So why not have that cuteness as their NEXT lives? Maybe a few ones after too? Showing them having increasingly happier lives together after the suffering they endured for justice in this life (including the side characters who suffered). So give them better lives moving forward, ESPECIALLY the main leads? Oh this is a soapbox I could camp out on - literally build a small town here and move in to rant daily about how even this TEENY segment was done so wrongly.

It was definitely wonderful to see Baron Chen (he's the evil Crown Prince) back on our screens in the West again (I'm sure, as the gifted actor he is, he's been working a lot in Asia, but we still don't get enough Asian dramas/movies here so don't see too much of him). He played the Crown Prince as the malevolent royal usurper, completely without redemption. EXCEPT for his love for his female general, who you could see he genuinely love deeply. They were very believable in their devotion though, fully as much as the main couple.

There is NO SML Syndrome; which, I admit, was refreshing - I am a repeated SML Syndrome sufferer and have been for years. So it made a pleasant change not to have it here. He wasn't even that nice overall; he did something UNACCEPTABLE to FL. He is also NO threat to the ML on any level - warrior, lover, romantic interest. Naught, None, Nada. You know it the second you see him interact with the FL; there's not even an attempt to pose him as a serious threat to the main lead on any level - as shown by the fact its clear in the drama to main leads are soulmates (in damaged souls as well as love) and the loathsome thing he did to the FL.

There is NO rewatch value - seriously, NONE. I don't need to see the abomination of the ending more than once. I don't need to use that amount of bad language against my poor tv more than once. It literally switched itself off randomly, probably because of the bad language being angrily hurled at it. Apparently some people watch just the main leads and stop at episode 23 (which is where the script basically completely abandoned the book).

If I can find the book as an English translation I might buy it, just to find the better ending.

Please understand this is MY take from this drama, only mine. I loved ALL the actors; I think they ALL deserved better than this Script of Abomination - like. oh I don't know, maybe the author's ORIGINAL story. I mean they really committed to their characters and made their character so believable.

I wish another, more competent, scriptwriter could work WITH the author and do it all again with the same, VERY gifted cast. But then, as my late mum would say, "if wishes were horses, then beggars could ride." So yeah.....sadly, there will be no horseriding beggars and no better version of this. This had so MUCH promise that was wasted by a scriptwriter from hell.

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BRILLIANT movie - although a happy(ish) ending still go in armed with tissues as you WILL cry. Cheung Julian as 'Man Cho' was just heart-breakingly sweet. Seriously, the character will rot your teeth - he is the kind of man we all want to end up with and, if like me you have a daughter, we want them to marry. Because love with him is easy - he gives his whole heart and expects nothing in return. Loving him would a cake walk; and so you're rooting for him with whoever he chooses, the first ten minutes into the film. Then you're rooting for HIM the rest of it - you do wonder at the sick humour of Fate, not only for him but the woman he worships, but you cast aside all doubts and you continue to physically WILL the happy ending to happen. You tell your laptop as the tears run down your face that this is one time ANY other ending is NOT acceptable.

Okay, so that covered, let me go through the list above to explain my marks -

Story:
it's really good. No, seriously, it is. The actions taken by a certain girl, although horrible, are kind of understandable. Love makes us do horrible things; but eventually good people take the right path. The main couple are adorable; both hurt, both scarred, both fighting to make their own way in the world and ultimately relying on each other. So when Fate plays the dirty trick it does your first reaction is to yell "oh come ON!! REALLY?!!" at your screen. I think the ending IS happy - I think it's also utterly believable. For that I'm thankful on too many levels to count. 10/10

Acting/cast:
what can I say? ALL of them were BRILLIANT - really - there was NOT a bad actor amongst them. I think that's what made it SO watchable. Obviously Cheung Julian as 'Man Cho' and She Charmaine as 'Chuk Kwan Ho' were the best, but also Chen Jo as 'Ki Ki' (so sad too) and Sit Nancy as 'Chu Sai Kui' were epic too; but so was all the cast - the shady cousin (who wasn't all bad), the other taxi driver who looked and acted tough and smoked like a chimney, but she actually was kind too. ALL had their roles down. But in the name of full disclosure I will admit that Cheung Julian held my attention the most - he hurt my heart through movie and then broke it with that final scene. 10/10

Music:
Music was okay - nothing to write home about, but fine. It fit the movie and, though none of it was memorable, it was good. 8/10

Rewatch Value:
Well that's obvious as I've already watched this movie SIX times and counting. It's just such a warm and wonderful movie - even given the sadder moments. so an obvious 10/10

Overall:
Again this is kind of obvious - given that I adore the whole movie, the cast AND I've rewatched it a LOT it would be weird NOT to give it the best marks possible. so 10/10

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I often think that, whilst most people sympathise with the amnesiacs, those who are with them and have their memories intact, are the ones we should be sympathising with the most. It's harder for them as they remember it all and yet have little they can do - yet they have to live with being treated like a stranger by someone they deeply love.

 That said, I struggled to sympathise with the wife - sometimes loving someone so much is destructive. I can't say too much because...spoilers.  But every time I watch it I come away with the same feeling that she made everything about her;  which is, of course, not helpful to him.. Time is *not* a great healer (if it was it would've cured cancer) but it does pass and yet she doesn't get that going back over and over never works......

I'd like to think the lives of the main couple improve and they're eventually happy again, though I'm not actually that hopeful because the wife refuses to let this depressing cycle end. This is one open-ended movie where I appreciated why they left it that way........

Story - 9.5/10 (I think there were chances missed to explain more of their backstory since the accident as you're lead to believe this cycle has happened before, more than once)
Acting - 10/10 (main couple deserve that alone).
Music - 7.5/10 (very m'eh)
Rewatch Value - 10/10 (I've already watched it 3 times recently; it's the sort of film you keep coming back to to see if things can be done differently for a different outcome.)
Overall - 9.5/10 (again because of the missed opportunity to show the viewer all those other hinted at attempts she's made).

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Story - okay this is why I'm low marking. The beginning was okay. But it quickly fell apart and became a complete chore to watch. I would mark this in minus numbers for the story. It was a mess of an ending with a ridiculous and unnecessary twist. The twist was what had me hurling abuse at my laptop. This story had so much potential (as the first half showed), sadly it was all squandered and for NOTHING. So for me this is 1/10

Acting/Cast - The cast deserved 9.5 maybe even 10 because they CARRIED this rubbish on their backs. Their acting was the ONLY reason I kept watching and the ONLY reason I'm giving this a 6 overall. Most notably Higashide Masahiro as Baku / Ryohei. The three main leads really gave it their all, but the writing and story itself completely let them down. I hope to see more of the three main lead actors, Higashide Masahiro, Seto Koji and Karata Erika (in that order).....they worked so hard to make a mess of a story watchable, and for that I can only thank them.......and hope they get better projects more worthy of their talent in the future. 9.5/10

Music - It was okay nothing really memorable. 4/10

Rewatch Value - there is only any rewatch value if you truly adore the the cast, especially the main leads, and can't find anything else with them in. However, if there are even adverts they've been then watch those - it will still be better than this. 3/10

Overall Score - As I've already said, the acting of Higashide, Seto and Karata is the ONLY reason I kept watching and the ONLY reason I'm giving this a 6 overall. so yeah, 6/10. (though it is still better than the all time worst of the worst 'Miss in Kiss' - though watching paint dry is still better than THAT mess).

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I ADORE Nagase Tomoya and TRIED so HARD to like this - but.....I just couldn't. I'm so, SO sorry. This was just a hot mess; but it shows he's a fun actor and can handle literally ANY role thrown at him. I think he's BRILLIANT.



Of course Kamiki Ryunosuke is brilliant too - I know him most from Studio Ghibli character's he's voiced and the voice role he played in the brilliant anime movie 'Summer Wars'. Like Nagase, he showed he could act in this movie - the roles they both played were utterly bonkers; but it's just a shame the film was a total mess.



They can't be blamed for the fact this film was complete nonsense and self indulgent trip for the writers and director - Nagase and Kamiki did the BEST work they could in roles that anyone else would've walked away from shaking their heads; the failure of the overall movie is down to the seemingly tiny budget, bad writing and awful directing.



I'm giving this 3.5/10 ONLY because of the sterling work by Nagase Tomoya and Kamiki Ryunosuke.

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