Strong acting and familiar, but good tropes

I have watched quite a few historical K-dramas, and this is another strong one.
The story does have the familiar elements of court intrigues, paranoid king, sibling rivalry over both the throne and love (kind of), time of separation, and loss.
The synopsis here on MDL is a bit misleading, or should I say: not as descriptive to the actual events in the drama. It revolves a lot more around everything happening before she became Queen.

The series starts off almost at the end, so we know tragedy will strike. It then takes us back to the beginning of the main couples' story, with a happier mood, but with events building up to the dramatic future. The young cast was brilliant! Kudos to all of them.

As for the adult cast, I thought Lee Dong Gun portraying the elder brother (king Yeonsangun) was absolutely superb. Everything from his facial expressions, the look in his eyes, and tone of voice – this was really strong acting. Even if he played an un-likeable character, you still got some sympathy with him, much because of Lee Dong Gun's portrayal: He managed to show us his character's feelings of hurt and betrayal.

(FL) Shin Chae Kyung portrayed by Park Min Young is also impressive. Her acting is consistently on-point.

(ML) When it comes to Yeon Woo Jin who played Yi Yeok / Nak Chun, he was mostly strong. There was a few instances though where (in my opinion) it looked like he was suppressing a smile instead of crying.

I did search up the history around King Yeonsangun, King Jungjong and Queen Dangyeon after completing the drama, and if Wiki is kind of reliable, my understanding is that the drama is loosely inspired by historical persons, not necessarily by historical events.

Leggi di Più

Light romcom wasn't quite that anyway

This started off giving the impression it was going to be a light romcom, but ended up being more of a drama. The funny scenes kind of dwindled away as the story took us on some more serious paths, and the characters developed.

The story got a bit intricate or hectic at times, and since I don't really know anything about dissociative identity disorder or stress disorder, I don't know how accurately it is portrayed in this series. Some of it did seem a bit unrealistic for me, though, adding to my impression of this not really knowing what kind of genre it wanted to be.

The underlying more serious topic in the script seems to be healing - of childhood traumas and insecurities because of appeareances.

The cast is good.
I like Zhao Yi Qin as the ML Shen Yi, although his somewhat aloof persona is a bit similar to another role I have seen him in. I found him a tad bit stronger than FL. Their chemistry was not bland, but not through the roof either – it did shine stronger in a few scenes.
Li Jia Qi is an actress I can't really make my mind up about. As the FL she mostly did a good job portraying Meng Hui. I must say I thought she did a little bit better as the alternate personality though.
From the supporting cast I enjoyed watching Fan Zhi Xin as Sui An.

Leggi di Più

Good acting, unexpected development

I hadn’t read any reviews before watching this, so for me, the story development came as a surprise.
Writing this without trying to give away spoilers, but if you really don’t want any hints or clues, then stop reading as it is difficult.
####

The synopsis on Netflix is really short, and I didn’t really remember if I watched the trailer back when I added it to my watchlist. So, for me, this kind of hit me right in the heart.
Maybe I was expecting a bit more lighthearted banter, and not something that was quite emotional (I cried).
It felt shorter than what it is; I actually felt they could have let some of the story play out in a little more detail.
The two main actors were great; not boisterous taking up a lot of attention, but low-key strong presence.
The ending kind of left me wanting more.

Leggi di Più

A love-hate story that gets a bit fluffy

Some scenes you could almost feel the tension and the sparks of both attraction and hatred flying between the FL and ML. And then you have some rather dull scenes.
I feel it could have been possible to cut out some of the side stories and “fluff” without loosing much - a few less episodes wouldn’t have hurt the story much.
Mei Lin, the highly trained assassin, sometimes became a bit passive.
Murong Jing He’s character went through an emotional growth-journey. I kind of liked how we witnessed first the more indirect signs, and then his unashamed declarations of love.

As for the other love stories, Luo Mei’s didn’t really feel that it fit her character. As for concubine Zi Gu, they could have kept it at the emotional level and let her fate end in a different way.

For me, the common message from the love stories here was how love can make people take difficult choices, and willingness to make sacrifices.

I must admit I cried as I watched the last episodes in the middle of the night.

All in all, this had some good acting, the story was mostly ok but could’ve been a bit shorter. There were some scenes where the effects were so-so (I especially noticed in the later episodes), and I mostly enjoyed the music.

Leggi di Più

Refreshing and quite original

I will say this script had a very good balance: There was funny moments, emotional and thought inducing scenes, fight scenes and some light romantic scenes.
How the screenwriters managed to tell the rather tragic life of Joseon widows without it adding a heavy emotional feel to the series was well executed.

It was a refreshing take on a historical drama, with unconventional female protagonist.
As for the FL, I liked her in One the Woman, and she gives a good performance here as well; she suits this kind of role where she can utilise her comedic timing.
Kim Mi Kyung (her mother in law) was brilliant as always.

Leggi di Più

Surprisingly memorable

I am writing this review now around 6 months after I actually watched the series.
Originally I rated this an 8 on Viki, but it has really stuck with me, so I am "upgrading" it to 9.

Exactly why it has stuck with me I am not sure of, but the ML did make an impression on me.
He was an interesting character, and Lin Yu Shen portrayed him well. I think one of the reasons his role is memorable for me is that he stands out a bit from a lot of the other more visually "polished" male actors I had seen in C-dramas. Lin Yu Shen is a mature man, not trying to look like he is a 25 year old idol, lol.
Zhao Lu Si as the FL is also convincing, and her persona has some more natural traits than in a lot of other dramas. (I actually didn't know it was ZLS until I looked this drama up again now.)

The story kind of grabbed my interest straight away, and if you are a foodie or have a liking for food, that might be enough reason for you to check this series out.

As for the story, there are some very familiar plots, but overall it is still interesting.

I can see myself rewatching this at some point, mainly because of the warm feelings the ML and FL left me with.

Leggi di Più

Good for a "budget-production"

I kind of review these lower-budget productions on their own "scale", because it just doesn't feel fair to compare them against huge-scale productions.
So, on that premise, I would say this is quite good.
I liked the music, the story was interesting (not super original though), the main cast was good. The script could have been a bit better, and the effects were so-so.

As for the cast, the ML sometimes gave off a bit similar vibe to Song Joong Ki in Vincenzo.
FL was decent as well.
I liked the sensual undertones/attractions shown, without it being overly relied on. Compared to "Embrace in the dark night" that plays heavily on one thing, this is a lot more subtle.

When it comes to what gives it away as a lower-budget production, I would say it is the effects, and the sometimes inconcistencies in the script, especially for time and wardrobe. It was just several scenes where it kind of didn't make sense that they suddenly had different clothes on, or it seemed like they skipped several hours while moving from one scene and location to another, without there being a logical reason for it.

Leggi di Più

Fast & brutal action scenes

I have read and seen little about season 2, I only recently caught on that it is happening in modern times.
Hence, I was quite curious to what kind of character Park Seo Joon (ML) would play this season: would he still be Jang Tae Sang? Or someone who looked like him? I guess I can say I was wondering how they had included his character in modern time. I won't reveal it here to not spoil, though, but it was solved in an OK way.

I know Han So Hee (FL) has been a bit controversial, which I don't want to get into, but as an actress I must say I think she impresses. I dare say I might even find her a bit stronger than PSJ in this season.

The season is fast-paced, with lots of action and fight scenes that are bloody and goory, and sometimes so packed and intense it is almost difficult to follow (at least when watching on smaller screens).

There was a few things I questioned a bit - could be because I don't quite remember from season 1, or because the script didn't go into it.

I won't say this is highly memorable, but it is a quality production.

Tips: Do watch a little bit into the end credits.

Leggi di Più

Good, but felt it was lacking “something”

I liked this drama, but at the same time I feel that I could have liked it even more. It’s lacking a little bit of that extra “something”. A deeper connection to the characters, maybe? Or could it have been the way too obvious product placements that put a dampener on the feel of the series?

The ML has an interesting story arch and development, and I kind of wish that was explored even deeper.
We got some “peeks” into the FL’s backstory, but a little bit more might have given us a better connection to her character.

You have the typical chaebol and power hungry controlling parents and sibling rivalry, but then you also have his mum that stands out a little bit.

I’m glad I watched it, but not something I am likely to watch again.

Leggi di Più

Coming-of-age C-drama

The main premise for this is quite standard for "coming-of-age/young love" C-dramas:
Geeky girl falls in love with handsome school ace, mix in some friends and enemies, love triangles, a pinch of adults' interference, and a dash of going away/abroad, and there you have it.
So, after reading this, why should you bother watching this, you probably wonder?

It is a rather soothing drama, with good character developments, especially the FL (Miao Miao). I read some reviews not being too happy about her initial appearance and the physical changes, and although I do see the points about her skin tan and the glasses especially, it is a cultural thing.

Leggi di Più

A bit uneven script, but quite enjoyable

I found it getting better towards the end.
In the beginning, I felt that it was too many parallel stories going on, and that the script was balancing on the edge to being too cliché in some aspects.
Then the characters matured, and the main couple got more focus.
I enjoyed Eleanor Lee’s acting (Nuan Nuan), and Leon Leong (Han Che) grew on me. Xiong Yu Ting (Han Xue) was very sweet.

A few details bugged me a little, but it was quickly forgotten.

The ending felt a bit rushed, but all in all an enjoyable watch if you want a love story and story about finding your way in life.

Leggi di Più

Enjoyable

A rather delightful watch, I would say.
After having watched some more with similar premise, this is one of the better ones.

Brief synopsis:
Female CEO gets pressured by family, sets her eyes on succesfull doctor who agrees to enter a (contractual?) marriage with her. Living together is not easy, and they face challenges both privately and professionally, adding some real emotions into the mix. Can they manage to handle love, and be together? As the title suggests, there will be a "restart" of their relationship.

Some good story arcs and interesting character development.
ML was quite charming, and FL has a good screen presence.

I especially enjoyed the last part (the episodes after the "jump"), even if the reason for the jump was very cliché and stupid.
Yoyo was totally adorable!

Leggi di Più

Good acting and interesting story

An interesting and quite realistically depiction from the aviation industry, with a strong female character which I really liked.

Very brief synposis:
Female aviation pilot gets transferred from freight to commercial, clashes with a boss who is extremely focused on safety and procedures. She fights to get recognised for her abilities at equal level as male pilots, and along the way ends up falling in love.

The script kept my interest throughout. Of course there are some intrigues to create tension, but the scenarios are kept quite realistic. Well done to manage to weave in focus on safety in an industry where a lot of people don't really think about everything that goes on "behind the scenes".

The FL has really grown on me since I first saw her in "Road Home". Although the character is kind of similar when it comes to personality, I will say she does a very good job here as well. She brings a very good energy to the screen.
ML was also strong, although his character was a bit less memorable than hers

Leggi di Più

Mediocre, with some entertainment value

I watched this after seeing some clips in social media that peaked interest. It didn't quite live up to my expectations though.

It is OK, but quite unrealistic/extreme actions.
Some of the things that pulls it down for me:
How FL is quite immature, none of them communicate well leading to repeated conflicts, and if his coworker really liked him, why would she go to such extremes as to ruin his dream and life?
And how quickly did FL move in to a new apartement? It was like she went straight from deciding to break up to eating dinner in a new apartement. I even skipped back to see if I had missed a text that said "1 week later" or something.

I found ML to act quite well, whereas I am more unsure about FL - might be because of the character.

Leggi di Più