A disappointing inevitability

You may have read the synopsis of this drama, taken a look at the cast, and wondered, Why are the ratings so low? Well, you are not alone on that, I felt the same way, and out of curiosity, I decided to watch it.
The story had so much potential that it hurts. At a certain point, you start to feel the potential slip through your fingers until it disappears.
What completely caught me off guard was the violence, the manipulation, the gaslighting that the ML and the SML radiated. In some dramas, this was tolerable because they took place years ago when people didn't know better. We also did not have the kind of access to information that we do now. That is not the case in "To all the guys who loved me". Not only did the screenwriter should have had to pay attention to that, but also the actors. They are experienced enough to be more than aware that their characters' representation perpetuates misogyny.
If we ignore the disappointment that I felt due to the waste of potential and the frustration and disgust that lingered every time the SML opened his mouth, there isn´t much left.
I can't ignore the efforts of the other actors and the production crew and, that´s the sole reason I even bothered to watch this whole drama. They are also the reason I´m not giving it a lower rating.
If you are reading this review after watching the drama, I feel for you. But if you haven´t watched it yet, save yourself the time and get some sleep instead.

Leggi di Più

"Do you still have trust in people?"

People and their values. Even better: people and their greed.
Squid game was a very anticipated Netflix series. The trailer is phenomenal, the cast eye-catching. I mean, we have Gong Yoo and Lee Byung Hun as guests. Where do I sign up?

The game-style show reminds me of Liar Game. Except that with more money, more contestants, and more brutal deaths.
Even though this game is everything except righteous, we cannot forget that every individual was given a choice. Several times. People wanted it. The main character included. So to blame the creator of the game for your own decision to participate is true hypocrisy. That is one of the reasons why I hate Seong Ki Hoon. He is an awful person and an even worse father. I´m not saying that we´re supposed to like him. But it sure felt that the writer wanted us to.

"You don´t trust people because they´re trustworthy. It´s because you have nothing else to lean on." Yes. I hate Ki Hoon, but he knew what he was saying. People are selfish and greedy. If you want a concrete example, just look at the sexist Garden of Eden men. Someone supposedly faithful to his religion who prays and prays but only when it suits him. He also uses religion to justify his sexism and allow him to have a better chance to win the prize money. And at last, what outraged me the most. While praying, he thanks the people who died and allowed him to win as if they made that option. Well, I can guarantee him that didn´t die for him.

Three good people played the game: Sae Byeok, Ali and Ji Young. The rest, pure scum. Like most of us. Me, writing this and you, reading it. I don´t intend to offend anyone, but unless you´re 100% sure that you´re as selfless, innocent, kind-hearted, and naive as they are, don´t pretend to feel hurt.

Overall, I enjoyed this series quite a lot. There were some obvious gaps that I would love to see filled. These gaps of information make me believe there will be a second season. If so, I look forward to it.

Leggi di Più

House + Love = Home

"-The fateful last episodes ruined, for many people, what could have been a great drama."
Here´s my take on this:
I didn´t love the end. Then, did I hate it? Not really.

This drama presents us with a great variety of ships throughout the episodes, some better than others; some I loved more than others; some were unnecessary *coughs in love triangle*.
There are a lot of cliches, but I don't mind them since most contrast with the comical ambiance that the screenwriter so well created. The romance between the CEO and an employee is the biggest cliche of them all. I could argue that there are particularities that differentiate this couple from others of the same genre, but I just can´t be bothered. It`s a cliche, so what? Accept it and move on.
Ships and boats apart, I can finally get to my favorite part: House + Love = Home. That is what we all look for, a sense of belonging. Finding a home is finding love, comfort, joy, peace. It´s not as easy as it sounds, and this drama shows just how hard it can be to find/build one.
The real estate tips were a fantastic addition. Not very often do I come across a drama that provides pertinent information explained in such an easy way.
All the houses that were showed got me mesmerized. At a certain point, it felt like I was watching "Property Brothers" in a good way, of course.
Lastly, I have to commend the acting, which was exceptional and, by far, the best attribute of this drama.

To everyone who is considering watching this show, please go for it. I`m certain you´ll be able to find the same or a similar type of comfort I felt while watching it.

Leggi di Più

I can´t believe that this is a drama that aired just last year and I never heard of it until a few days ago, probably if it had aired on a bigger television platform it would have had much more success but let's focus on what this series had instead of what it lacked.
Great storyline, I think the writer did a great job of making the story interesting without it being boring. Crime dramas, most of the time, tend to be a lot to diggest, the writer focuses on giving us as much information as he can, which makes the whole watching process really tiring as you´re trying to keep up with all the information you´re given taking all the enjoyability from it but that´s definitely not the case in "Kill it" in which the writer gives you time to enjoy the drama as well.
Casting, the actors were perfect for each role. While watching this drama, I never once thought that a certain actor was doing a bad job or was doing something out of character, they portrayed their characters' emotions and circumstances really well, which made the storyline more complete.
The number of episodes, this is where many series of 16 or 20 episodes go wrong, they stretch the storyline as much as they can and had filler scenes all over the place, so I´m really grateful that here, they stuck with 12 episodes, while it may not seem enough, it gave enough time for the story to develop really well, and without dozens of filler scenes in between.
Overall, if you want a quick yet intense crime drama with great acting that will always keep you on the edge of your seat, watch "Kill it".

Leggi di Più

What it means to be a family

When I first read the summary of "Flowers to my life" I wasn't expecting it to be a family oriented drama, I usually do my best to avoid those, but this one just felt so right.
From the main to the support characters, everyone here has a story. These stories are imperfect, but so is life. Instead of saying that these are good or bad people, I like to think that they are simply people with a story that found each other and created a beautiful family within a community.
Truth be told I didn't focus much on trying to find faults on the acting nor on any other technical details. Why? Because the story was that good, it made me feel complete, as if I too belonged with these fictional people.
I'm happy, even if this was a drama whose main theme is death it made me rethink life and its value for me. What is it that I truly want? Do I even want something?

I hope the ones who watch this drama feel the same urge as I do to find their dreams.

Leggi di Più

Wow, this drama took a toll on me.
I have finished "Do do sol sol a la sol" exactly 2 minutes ago, my emotions are all over the place, and my impulsivity is taking over me so, I hope you forgive my shortcomings.
This drama had, from the start, a joyful, funny, fuzzy kind of vibe that had everything to go right. The actors did an amazing job, the characters had a very well defined personality that accompanied them throughout the drama, well, that was before Jun got sick because we definitely needed some "Autumn in my heart" vibes here. We all know that cancer is always the perfect cause of death in dramaland (I´m being ironic, cancer is a serious illness and I don´t mean to disrespect anyone with my words). If we ignore the terminal illness part, this drama is almost perfect.
The piano element was very well balanced here and it got me motivated to force my parents to buy me a piano as well. The locations where the drama was set were so beautiful. The neighborhood environment got me feeling nostalgic. The relationship between the leads couldn´t have been more heartwarming. And here I am, crying again, smudging what's left of my mascara.
To conclude, yes, we had a happy ending, but it felt somewhat open. I didn´t have the closure I expected to have, and that 20 plus minutes in which I really thought Jun was dead didn't help much.
Overall, "Do do sol sol la la sol" is a heart-warming drama that will make you reminisce about your loved ones in the best possible way.

P.S. Just don´t forget the tissues in the last episode.

Leggi di Più

Did it for Sol and Ji Wan

I started this drama mid through with low expectations since all the comments I saw rambled about how toxic Na-bi and Jae eon´s relationship was. Well, ladies and gentlemen, the criticism is well deserved.

The main couple´s relationship should have never worked out. Unfortunately. Well. We know how it went.

Whenever Na-bi was around Jae eon, she kept feeling insecure while second-guessing herself. She constantly repressed her feelings and words. The best way to exemplify this is by using her statements. "Jae eon keeps making me think the way my annoying ex did." "Jae eon makes me feel anxious." "My anxiety about Jae eon hasn´t disappeared, but..."
When I reached the last episode, I was so saturated that I couldn´t even stand to look at Jae eon´s face. No matter how much he redeemed himself, the past holds too much of their relationship. Progressing from that is not realistic. A continuance between their relationship is just toxic.

"-Na-bi, you know what? Flowers don´t bloom just for one butterfly."
"-What are you saying?"
"-Jae eon is like that flower. Full of vanity, a symbol of seductive beauty that withers once it´s plucked."
I wish Na-bi had listened to Bit Na. My girl knew what she was saying.

Truth be told I only completed this series for Sol and Ji Wan. They were my breath of fresh air. It would have been lovely if they could have more screen time, but I´m not too upset. Okay. I sort of am. You can´t tell me that you have time to give a "happy ending" to a toxic relationship, but not explore Ji Wan and Sol´s story properly.

It felt only appropriate to end this review with my favorite quotes. "Sol. Can you hold my hand again? I like you the most. I like you more than my mom and dad. You´re my favorite person in the world."

Leggi di Più