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Saturday, September 9, 2017

Make It Right The Series (Thai Drama) ~BL~


Genre: Friendship, Romance, School, Youth
Episodes: Season 1=> 12
                 Season 2=> 14

Main Cast:

Synopsis:
Based on the popular BL novel "Make It Right", this drama follows the adventures and love lives of high school students. Fuse is a gentle and sensitive boy who is heartbroken because of his girlfriend who cheated on him, so he tries to get over her by getting drunk with his friends at a party. However, he meets his friend Tee there - and ends up sleeping with him that night. How is he going to cope with his new feelings for another boy and just how many boys who struggle with the same feelings are there at his school?        

My Thoughts (Review):

Another great series adapted from a book. I was looking for a drama to watch last year and came across the first episode of this series, and decided to give it a try. I was instantly roped in from that first episode and had been watching the story as it unfolds week by week because this story is just an awesome story as always. The actors are all pretty young, late teens to early twenties but they were super great in the portrayal of their characters. The interactions were cute and there were many funny moments and absurdly weird but humorous ones as well. The tone was lively and bright, truly embodying youth.

The chemistry between the couples are just to die for. I mean, they look so compatible with each other more than you can think of. They just seemed meant to be. Like OTP, OTP all the way!! Fuse and Tee was seriously a cute budding relationship that I just enjoy watching all through season 1 as they flirt with each other, fight and then cutely make up with each other. It was just so much fun watching them. Despite how many people were into the Frame x Book ship, I find myself just abandoning their ship. I just don't really like watching their scenes and I don't know why, just my preference I guess. I look forward more and more to TeeFuse's scenes, like I can't wait to see their adorable little love, the vague lines are all but words between them, I'm always "Get together already, OMG!" 

But, a few episodes towards the end, my attention got dragged to another emerging couple. As soon as the RodNine ship set sail, I was already dead. Like seriously, they were adorable to the next level. I can't help but cringe at how cute they are. Even more at how they really suit each other so much, like the budding relationship between them is just too much for my little heart to take.Their scenes were so little in the first season but they slay every single scene they come out in. Their scenes occurred during the episodes where Fuse was in a dilemma over his own feelings and things were not so good between him and Tee. So, RodNine was a much needed relief from that. I am telling you Nine was just too damn adorkable. I can't help smiling at his expressions when he was touched and affected by Rodtang's gestures. Like, this is it, down for the count! You are irrevocably in love with him. Seriously, the both of them are just a couple you have to look out for! 

The story was super well played in season 1 that when I saw that season 2 is out, I was super excited and immediately can't wait. But despite it being season 2, I rather not have truly watched it at all. I was deeply disappointed with how things turn out in season 2. It lost the expression of vibrant youth that season 1 had, it went on and on in a serious note. I did not truly enjoyed watching it. For two reasons. 

One, the chemistry was lost in the new season. I did not feel the passion in the relationship between Tee and Fuse like they did in the previous season. It's like a relationship gone sour and felt faked. Yes, I see them being lovey-dovey with each other, but the nagging feeling never left that the whole nature of their relationship was changed. And I kept hoping for the prospect of them being who they were before but it went down for the count. I find myself throughout the season yearning for them to return to how they used to be. I look at old episodes of them and felt sad at what they have became.

Two, the actor playing Nine changed because the original actor's schedules clashed with the shooting. I was surprised that Nine was changed. At first, I thought or held hope that this new actor should be able to portray the role of Nine as well as the original did since he kinda look the same as the original actor. But as I see him act and Nine's relationship with Rodtang, the whole ambiance of his character was lost forever. Everytime I see him, it's like I'm seeing a different person altogether. This not only affects Nine's character but the whole dynamic of the RodNine ship. Nine used to portray a pretty dominant role in the relationship, but then Rodtang began to play that role and I see Nine being demoted to a pretty submissive role which I hated a lot. And from there on, the RodNine ship sunk.

In season 2, it's like the scriptwriters rewrote the whole story, it could be the pressure of the first season being so big that they gotta do something to be on par with it, but well, they failed big time. This is the first time I actually commented negatively about a story and I usually refrained from doing so but this story had such great potential and could soar so high. The characters can be developed even more and refined even better. I really enjoyed watching the first season, I was over the moon as I watch it. I expected a lot from the second season, but I guess that expectation is what disappointed me. Season 2 will live in the shadow of the glory of Season 1 in my heart. That's my opinion.....

Nevertheless as to what happen in season 2, Season 1 is and I swear a really really great season to watch. It was one of the best dramas I ever watched, period. Do give it a try despite my words about season 2. But it just goes to show how great Season 1 was! There's always a possibility that you watch the drama with a different view than I do, like Season 2 was a pretty good season as well. But, that all depends on you to judge, I'm just here to give a review. And well damn that was a long review.

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Sotus The Series (Thai Drama) ~BL~

Genre: Comedy, Friendship, Romance, School, Youth, Boys Love
Episodes: Season 1 (15 episodes)
                 Season 2 (13 episodes)

Main Cast:

Synopsis:

There's a university system called SOTUS (an acronym which stands for Seniority, Order, Tradition, Unity and Spirit - a tradition in which upper classmen sometimes exploit and even abuse freshmen and others seeking acceptance). Junior level students are required to mentor those freshmen and be respected in return. Enter a rather assertive and vocal freshy at the Engineering faculty named Kongpob who gets to be under the mentorship of Arthit, a strict Junior who happens to be the boss of his year.

(Review) My Thoughts:

My God, you won't imagine how much of a year I had when this series was released. Each coming episode, I was enormously entertained and undoubtedly hooked with this couple. I seriously can't wait for each single episode to come and got excited when the episode is released and subbed by my current favourite Thai BL subber of all time, Miss Delightful. This was the first piece I saw of her and surely not the last. She is always entertaining in her subs and explains some customs and terms very throughly. Also, you won't be able to describe the joy of reading her side comments on any particular scene. I had to actually pause a scene to make sure I clearly read her comments. It's like having another person watching the episode at the same time as you do. If you all decide to start watching this series, please watch those subbed by her because she is simply amazing. Well, done with complimenting the subber now on to the story but before that, Miss Delightful is really great at her job. Alright, done for now. You'll see me talking about her again soon!

Sotus is simply one of the best dramas I have ever watched, the talent in these actors is just too much to handle, not to mention the awesome chemistry between the couples. Everything started as a simple teasing game by Kongpob which ended into something much more as time goes by and Kongpob started falling for Arthit. The story is simply great and full of heart. It completely deviates from the normal path of other Thai dramas and became a unique existence of its own. No wonder it became a sensation. 

Kongpob and Arthit is just too much for my little heart to handle. The developing romance between these two is really not for the faint of heart. And I'm serious. There are times when I'm heavily strucked by Cupid's arrow of love. I had to pause the video at times and regain my composure and then continue and endure the blows. The story was just perfect, how it continues the interaction between the two from being senior and junior to a much more comfortable relationship and then to a higher level. How Kongpob chases after Arthit is just entertaining to watch and how he is touched by some gestures by Arthit is just cute to say the least. I would say the boy fell seriously hard for Arthit. What I admire the most in the story is how they portrayed LGBT acceptance. Arthit at first had some troubles accepting his feelings for Kongpob and then after talking with a friend and then a senior, he finally got rid of his inhibitions and the journey to there was just a spectacle. And what more the journey after that. But I will leave finding out about that to you yourself. How he fought with his conflicting feelings and then, their relationship became official.

And I have to say I was ultimately super duper surprised at some developments in their relationship. I honestly did not expect it to happen and then so smoothly. The story is just pure joy to watch. The thing I liked here is that there is no love triangle or whatever, it is just them there and the highest challenge in their relationship for this series was them accepting their feelings for each other. Seriously, you all, those who haven't watch it, if the genre does not bother you, by all means, do give this series, a try, I am certain that you would not be disappointed. FYI, the sequel is out now called SOTUS S THE SERIES, and I'm watching it with pure excitement because Arthit x Kongpob is one of the strongest OTP I have ever rooted for. Be sure not to miss this show!

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Diary Ng Panget Ko ~ Diary of An Ugly (Philippines Movie)

Released Year & Length: 2014 (2 hours)

Main Cast:
Nadine Lustre as Reah "Eya" Rodriguez
James Reid as Cross Sandford
Yassi Pressman as Lorraine "Lory" Keet
Andre Paras as Chad Jimenez

Synopsis:

Eya, a poor, self-described ugly girl, an orphan whom as soon as she turns 18, her aunts kicks her out of her house. To make ends meet, she takes a job as a nanny for Cross, an egoistic young man who completely dislikes her presence. Through certain events, they became involved with each other and bonded. In school, Eya became friends with Lory, a rich young lady who had been eyeing Cross since kindergarten. Eya also got to know of Chad, who she found out, had a crush on Lory. As time went on, Cross and Eya got entangled up in many events and feelings develop while some hearts were broken and comforted. In the end, a masquerade ball was held and Eya was entranced by her dance partner that night. Who is this dance partner? And what is to become of the love story between Cross and Eya?

My Thoughts:

This was just pure simple romantic comedy. It developed well in the beginning and finishes pretty smoothly. I would guess that this movie was the start of love pairing of James Reid and Nadine Lustre and their continuing co-starring roles. I would say I was surprised that this movie was actually originated from a Wattpad story who got famous. And I have tried to read it, the original book that is, and and the name suggests, it was written in the form of a diary. And of course,  a movie can't do that, it has to have a third person perspective, most of the time. But, you'll see they pretty kept some of the essence of a diary there. 

The leading stars have a pretty good chemistry, I felt really absorbed in their interactions. Their scenes once they bonded are so sweet and I enjoyed their moments. They're just plain simple ones but the impact is strong. Like the moment that they were on the hospital bed, I would say that's my most memorable moments due to atmosphere in the room at that point and the words exchanged within that room. One of the things that really intrigued me is how Cross is such a tough guy but he has his moments where he is not and for me that's where Eya comes to play really nicely.

The only thing that annoyed me while watching the story was that the flow of the scenes were not consistent around close to the end of the story, like I was lost in trying to understanding when does this scene happens like movies do a lot of the split chronology in scenes but at least, the viewers should be informed when certain scenes occur because it was confusing the heck out of me trying to justify the story. To me, that's the biggest flaw of the movie, but not the story, the story was pretty well designed but just the after effects from editing that was poorly done.

As always, the perfect thing is when a girl doesn't need to look pretty for a boy to fall in love with her, she just needs to be herself and let the boy chase after her, hahaha..... So, come and watch this movie because it is just that good despite the FLAW it has, because there are pretty cute love moments occurring in this movie within just a simple 2 hours. 

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

My Secret Romance (Korean Drama)

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 13

Main Cast:
Sung Hoon as Cha Jin Wook
Song Ji-Eun (Secret) as Lee Yoo Mi
Kim Jae-Young as Jung Hyun Tae
Jeong Da-Sol as Joo Hye Ri

Synopsis:

Cha Jin Wook is a son from a wealthy family who runs a large company. He usually only pursues short-term love, but when he meets Lee Yoo Mi, who has never had a boyfriend before, he changes. In a dating world full of busy people who tend to flirt and chase “some” relationships rather than having meaningful connections that allow them to show their true feelings, this couple has a one-night stand. They meet again three years later, whereupon they kick off a shaky push-pull romance that’ll keep them on their toes as they fall in love.

My Thoughts:

To be honest, I did not pay much attention to this drama at first because I felt it lack the attraction that I desired. That is until I saw a few FMVs of the couple that I decided okay, why not let's try giving this story a chance. 

It is a simple love story and that is probably what I liked the most about this story. Everything was not over exaggerated. They did it within the realistic ranges of relationships. Two people, one guy and a girl, met by chance, went through a series of embarrassing happenings, through them, seriously took notice of the other. They had a meaningful conversation and from there, they bonded, followed by attraction. Supposedly, this would just be your one-way ticket to happily ever after. But, we won't get 13 episodes of them if it just ended like that. Fast forward in time, they finally got to know each other's names and from there, it all started again. It was love paused in time, and then the play button was hit. They don't even really hate on each other. Once they found each other's feelings, that's when they really get it on. 

Their love was just cheesy and sweet. Hahaha... remembering the days when I have to feel second hand embarrassments are just funny.... The lead male was just a real flirt with the female lead. How they cared for each other and just took noticed of the little things that they found out about the other person. How they took each challenge in stride and solve each misunderstanding. Sometimes they just get so sweet to each other that I feel diabetic. Their simple romance blossoming was just a thrill to watch. 

Finishing this drama was of course sad, because I loved their simple love interaction and the look on their faces when they felt each other's love. The situations they made up to get closer to the person they love. This is a worthy drama to watch for sure!

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (Korean Drama)

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Fantasy, Thriller, Action 
Episodes: 16

Main Cast:
Park Bo-Young as Do Bong Soon
Park Hyung-Sik as Ahn Min Hyuk
Ji Soo as In Gook Doo

Synopsis:

Do Bong-soon was born with superhuman strength. Her strength is hereditary and passed along only to the women in her family. Her dream is to create a video game with herself as the main character. She desperately wants to become a willowy and elegant woman, which is the ideal type of her crush, In Gook-du, a police officer. Thanks to her strength, she gets the job of a bodyguard, to a rich heir Ahn Min-hyuk, the CEO of a gaming company, Ainsoft. Contrary to Gook-du, Min-hyuk is an odd man who is playful, a little spoiled, and has no regard for rules, and dislikes policemen. He has recently received anonymous threats, blackmails, and has even been stalked at an occasion.

One day, a series of kidnapping cases break in Dobong-dong, the district Bong-soon lives in, and she is determined to catch the culprit after her friend was targeted. Under the help and training from Min-hyuk, she manages to control her strength to use it for good causes.


My Thoughts:

OMG, OMG, OMG, this story is just too good to be true. Man, I was utterly, body and soul hooked to this story and those two up there. Have to say, I was intrigued by the setting of the story. A girl who obviously seemed very weak actually possessed superhuman strength, stronger than 100 men combined and this strength is hereditary from the maternal side and only get passed down to female members of the family. In this kind of setting, you can't have a "I will protect you because I'm the man" line coming from the lead male because the lead female is many many times stronger than the male and of course that produces an interesting story that strays quite far from cliche. No damsel-in-distress as long her powers are intact. 

On to the drama, the content is very wide-ranging, I mean it can go high up to down low easily and quickly. Like happy and bubbly, to sinister and evil the next second. It's hard to keep up sometimes. Like, I'm not even ready to let go of the romantic scenes and then its the dark scenes. The writers are pretty good at developing both sides of the content and truth be told, I like it like this, Compared to pointless external forces disturbing the balance of the romantic relationship just to develop the story to 16 episodes, I like that the external force in this story, the antagonist, is independent and secluded from the relationship and develops by itself and does not require the relationship. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. Both plot lines develop by themselves to an intersection point. I believe that's when a story is good, they don't need anything to back it up and it's good enough by its own.

Of course, there's the problem there that I was afraid to happen when I first noticed these separate plots. When two plots are different and not relying on each other, it'll be hard to continue working on developing these two plots to reach the satisfying conclusion for the viewers. Usually, a writer would have to end up focusing on the one that viewers were most likely to watch, to conclusion and just give a simple finishing to the other. BUT, the writers for this drama was really good at balancing the two plots, though there was the problem of perfect transition between plots but the effort to develop both plots at the same time makes me disregard the transition. The questions are being answered even though late but better late than never.

DID I Mention the feels I have for this drama???? I don't think so so OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!! The romantic relationship side of the drama was just so cute and the right amount of cheesyness and respect!! Min Hyuk did not force himself onto the Bong Soon and slowly let their relationship develop and blossom into more than just colleagues. The treatment he gives to her is just goals hahaha.... and the fact that he doesn't treat her coldly and with fears is just pure great respect. He respect her as a person and just slowly decrease the distance between them. They are such a cute cute couple. The way he reacts to her is just adorable af, how he can't stand just seeing her smile at him. What am I doing and what are you doing reading this? GO AND WATCH IT NOW! I am not ordering, I am just squealing out of excitement. By far, the feels of this drama almost can come close to Just A Smile Is Very Alluring and that's saying a lot because I super super like that drama.

I guess opposites do attract well towards me. I feel if a story just continues smoothly and have that feels all the time, I am so gonna have a hard time finishing the drama. The dark and crazy parts of the story just brings the mood down faster than the speed of light. You get to see the plans and actions of the villain and see how his work is executed in a pure absurd way. I can't believe that guy sometimes. I just don't know what to say about that part, just that the villain is a super genius and psychopath on the loose. He plans his actions really well. Like, becoming a witness to one of his crimes, for two reasons, direct the police the wrong path and also putting a hidden camera in the station to know what they're up to. I watch his parts to see what kind of crazy antics is he up to or what kind of clever way he is using this time?

This story packs a powerful punch in its contents. It's not just a simple love-hate love story. It hides an evil and sinister crime by a crazy genius psychopath. It cleverly intertwines the two different sides of a coin which increases the value of that coin to me. This story is a real roller-coaster unlike any other, it brings your emotions high up to the sky and then bring it down lower than the earth. These emotions are strong and hard and real and will make you enjoy this ride so completely. So, go ahead and watch! I promise it will be more than just good, it will be AWESOME!

Monday, April 3, 2017

Senior Secret Love : My Lil Boy (Thai Drama)

Genre: Romance, School, Youth, Comedy
Episodes=> Season 1: 6
                    Season 2: 8

Main Cast:

Synopsis:

Season 1=
Belle is known for her beauty throughout the whole school and she has always been successful getting the man that she wants. Yet her charms don't seem to work when it comes to a junior boy named S that she has taken a liking to. Determined to get S, Belle asks for the help of her two best friends.

Season 2= 

Belle is enjoying her life as a first-year student in university, while S is still in high school. However, now that Belle's attention towards him seem to have decreased, S realizes he has feelings for the girl. S is now the one chasing after Belle and he will do his best to win her back. But it's not as easy as he thinks.

My Thoughts:

Finally, I felt like posting a post about this series. I still can't get over the fact that episode 8 of Season 2 was the final episode so I am still in withdrawal mood. Anyways, this was one heck of a cute youth drama with of course the school setting and I will tell you why slowly. This drama is part of a project of young and old counterparts with this being 14(boy) and 17(girl) and then they get one year older in Season 2.

This was a plain story of crushes in high school, just with a few twists and turns as you know, cliche. I at first thought nothing much of this drama, I just had so much time to kill and I thought of this drama so why not? It was a pretty simple story really but the fact it brought together 3 of the major things in my dreams into a story got me into this story: High school life, Japanese elements and a romance in high school. I'm a simple guy really. Give me cute and supportive story and I'm hooked.

So, about the characters, they both have their own story for sure. S, being a super introvert and nerd on comics, also he's super innocent in love, being young and all, never dated once and never felt in love and of course, doesn't relate to love songs of today. Belle, on the other hand is your simple high school girl at first who got attracted to a senior and then got cheated on, but still she had some experience with love, she's also an extrovert in a sense. Both got entangled because of Belle meaning to prove something to her ex by making S fall in love with her.

And then, in S2, S is no longer who he used to be, he is now a much more confident person and bright and cheerful. With his feelings realized, he began pursuing Belle and entering her world like she entered his. Normally, it is a simple happy ending because both liked each other. But no, the story had to get complicated with Belle having doubts and playing hard to get pretty much and wanted to see S prove his love for her. It was a tough road really with many twists and turns that is unnecessary. But, at least I am loving his efforts to change himself for her and yet Belle does not like that one bit because she knows how tiring it is to become someone for someone else, also she loves S for he is. But a little change does not hurt, hahaha... you'll see which part of the change he maintains. 

In short, this was an easy story to understand and follow through with though some parts are just exaggerated and unthinkable but you'll learn to ignore it. It was an interesting development from beginning to end and I can't think of another better way to say it but just heartwarming and smooth pace, not too rocky in S1 but manageable in S2. It is a case of plain opposites reaching their middle point and learning to love each other despite each quirkiness and trying to get on each other's best side and receiving attention. Go ahead and watch this short drama!

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Because Of Meeting You (Chinese Drama)

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama, Family
Episodes: 56
Remake of : Come, Jang Bo Ri

Main Cast:
Sun Yi as Zhang Guo Guo/ Jin Yi Bei
Deng Lun as Li Yun Kai
Wu You as Zhang Yu Xin
Dai Chao as Li Yun Zhe

Synopsis:

Zhang Guo Guo grew up in a Wonton shop and is also the food-delivery girl for the town. Although Guo Guo did not receive very high education, she is loved by her neighborhood because of her enthusiastic and sincere personality. But what people don’t know is that Guo Guo is actually a famous embroidery workshop boss‘s daughter, and an accident caused her to grow up in the small town. Guo Guo has a unique talent when it comes to embroidery. Even though Wang Ai Yu strongly opposes it, Guo Guo worked with dedication and persistence until she gained approval and earned a chance to study at her biological mother’s embroidery workshop. 

Guo Guo is very grateful for Wang Aiyu for raising her, so she views Wang Ai Yu’s biological daughter, Zhang Yu Xin, as her own family. Unexpectedly, Yu Xin turns out to be Guo Guo’s biological mother Xu Hui Jie’s apprentice. Yu Xin had studied design overseas and integrated that knowledge into her embroidery, and became Guoguo’s rival. 

On the road to pursuing their dreams, the two girls meet brothers Li Yun Kai and Li Yun Zhe, and love blossoms. Yu Xin lost herself to fame and wealth, but Guo Guo, despite challenges and setbacks, never changed her goal to learn embroidery. Ultimately, Guo Guo used her heart to awaken everyone’s conscience and made great achievements in embroidery.

My Thoughts:

Okay, another remake drama, I know. Why go through the trouble of watching a remake when there's the original and it's shorter and faster. But, I will elaborate on that later. Hehe... I always keep myself updated on any dramas from a few main countries and this pop out one day. I read the synopsis and thought hmm... should I give it a try? I read the comments and found out it was a remake and the commenter was doing spoilers according to the original. That and the fact that it is a remake got me interested since I was not too fond of watching the original at all years back. So, on with the show.

This is another take on heavily-used cliche. If you read my other posts, you know me with cliches. I just love them so much because of the excitement and expectation they give me. The excitement in seeing how the writers is going to make a cliche story into a unique story of their own, this was further enhance with the spoilers the commenter gave based on the original plot line. The expectation in waiting for certain things to finally happen since I know it's going to happen sooner or later. So, I went with a few episodes. And honestly, it was not too bad. A few key events that I love in the prologue, the embroidery competition, to see the characters doing embroidery was a sight and the highlight would be the interaction between Yun Kai and Yi Bei, they are just too cute. Hahaha...

So, about the reason I chose to give a remake a try rather than the original, every country has their specialty, Japan with plain humor and slapstick comedy, Korea with its dramatics and unrealistic situations. China on the other hand, there's just something about the way they handle remakes and their own dramas that really pulls me in. You gotta have skills to drag a story out and still be able to get me tuning in, a person who is easily bored and lack patience. China has that ability, no matter how many times the story repeats itself or the enormous time skip or the repetition of the same lines and plots, I still watch it, expectant to see how the story unfolds. You can't imagine the satisfaction I had watching Chinese dramas as everything reveals itself finally and it leads to a conclusion. The wait is always worth it with Chinese dramas.

There's that and I just love the way Chinese drama are toned down, not too much dramatics, no dramatic cliffhangers. With Chinese dramas, I want more not because I was left hanging but because voluntarily I want to know more. The slow paced, and humble nature of the drama is pretty much what makes this drama even that much more worth the wait and expectation. Less is more as the saying goes. They don't need to go out of their way to get me excited, just focus on how they will lead the story excellently is all I need, and that's exactly what they gave me. I was pretty satisfied with how things turn out so far. The romance, I need not say more than just pure adorablely cringy but not uncomfortable. They presented the perfect balance there and I love it. Not only there, but many other areas as well. Well, find out yourself.

If you read my posts, I'm all about knowing the characters in depth, the numerous episodes provides the foundation for just that, I get to know more about the characters and get surprised by their different sides. If not for the many episodes, I would never feel that much pity for a character or an understanding for an antagonist's actions. I really really love this type of dramas and now I am finally close to the ending of this drama, and I am feeling pure bliss for the harvest of the fruits I have planted since episode one. This time's post is not about the drama but is about what makes the drama that much more worth watching despite the many episodes. I just really want to talk about what makes Chinese dramas that much more worth watching despite everything. So, despite the lack of information, go ahead and watch this drama, binge-watch it, get mad at the characters, get attracted to the characters and support the drama! I approve this drama! Hehehe....

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Introverted Boss (Korean Drama)

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Business
Episodes: 16

Main Cast:
Yeon Woo-Jin as Eun Hwan Ki
Park Hye-Soo as Chae Ro Woon
Yoon Park as Kang Woo Il
Kong Seung-Yeon as Eun Yi Soo

Synopsis:

When a young, energetic employee joins a public relations firm with an introverted and severely misunderstood boss, she makes it her life’s mission to show the world who he really is.

Eun Hwan Ki is the boss at a PR company. he is really shy. So shy that even his employees don't know him that well. he prefers to hide in his office. everyone thinks he is a cold, prickly, arrogant grouch. They call him the "Silent Monster".

Chae Ro Woon is a recent hire at the same company. She is energetic, bubbly, loves to be the center of attention and always has something to say. the exact opposite of her boss, who she seems to have an old grudge against. her goal in life is: to expose the big boss man for who he really is and take her revenge.

The same company also employs Kang Woo Il, co-boss at the company. He, unlike his partner, is warm, sensitive and well-liked. Eun Yi Soo is a chaebol heiress who has been engaged for three long years. 

My Thoughts:

I seriously don't know what's with this drama, I don't know what specifically pulled me to continue watching this drama. There's just something that is so charming about this drama that makes me want more and more and watch more and more. Maybe it's the theme of the drama itself about an introvert boss who is just bad at speaking in front of people and takes what people says at face value in fear of burdening other people. He cares too much about people to the point he thinks he is being selfish for wanting to do some things.

Or maybe it's the humor of misunderstandings that this story gives that makes it that much more fun to see what kind of things these people can make up about Hwan Ki. Like looking into his eyes can kill a person or he carrying suitcases that can fit a person. That's not all, I tell you. There's many more. Besides how ridiculously funny those rumors were, the even funnier part was the truth behind those misunderstandings.

This show is just ridiculously funny. I guess that happened after the rewrite. Yes, this show had rewrite while still being released. The change is noticeable at that it was pretty heavy and dark at the beginning but after doing so, it became light and much simpler and less moody. But that "noticeable" was only after a few more episodes because I was not so seriously watching this drama. I just focused on watching it and less comprehension probably because I binge-watched it. Other viewers were able to notice the discomfort of the story and then the change in atmosphere immediately. I on the other hand, only "noticed" it after a while, when the story really piqued my interest, and I began comprehending the characters and the story.

About the characters, I realized that they are all onions. There are just so many layers to them, Layers I did not thought existed and seem imposed upon and unnatural at times. Layers that I did not thought they would possess. Layers that just makes me love them even more despite the tear-jerker. Layers that seem so sudden that I just take it in stride and accepted them and begin to love the story even more. Another thing that probably caught my interest was the portrayal of the introvert character is so relateable to me that I just love Hwan Ki even more because I understand him so much. I so much want to stay hidden in my hood away from prying eyes. Hwan Ki is pretty much, a wallflower, standing in the background watching people interact and seeing through people that way.

Anyways, this is a great drama to watch, filled with unexpected surprises and of course, a lead who takes charge of his own life and begin growing stronger to support himself. It is truly a pity that it got reduced to 16 episodes from the intended 20 episodes. FYI, I am a pretty good Yeon Woo Jin fan, and seeing him here is probably what piqued my small interest to check out this drama. And damn he's good at acting as always, his emotional expressions are just fantastic especially being an introvert. Like when he's blushing, oh so cute man! Want to experience them then go ahead and watch this drama!

Saturday, February 18, 2017

The Legendary Shuttle (Korean Movie)

Also Known As: The Legendary Lackey
Released Year & Length: 2016 (1 hour)

Main Cast:
Lee Ji-Hoon as Kang Chan
Kim Jin-Woo as Seo Jae Woo
Seo Ji-Hoon as Jo Tae Woong

Synopsis:
A legendary transfer student that won a 17:1 fight is here! Tough kid Tae Woong is the top of the social food chain at his school in Busan! Then shows up the legendary transfer student from Seoul, Kang Chan! And just as peace is restored another new kid from Seoul shows up! It’s Jae Woo who went to school with Chan! Why does Chan always seem nervous around Jae Woo? And Tae Woong isn’t happy with the new changes in school!

My Thoughts:

First, this is not actually a movie. It is a KBS Drama Special. It is a drama that has only one episode, I can't say it is a drama because it doesn't fit the requirements so I termed it as a movie for comfort sake. NO synopsis analysis: It is a short drama and basically any elaboration on synopsis would give a rough easy gist into it.

So, about this story, I found out about it through a youtube random showing FMVs of it and I was interested in Lee Ji Hoon playing a part in here. I've been following him for a bit so I was excited to watch him act somewhere. I was surprised that it was just a one episode though. Anyways, I truly really enjoyed it so much that I can't help but to post it into my collection even though I just watched it today. The developments in the story is so unexpected and unpredictable. And I love being surprised by a story in a good way. I truly am loving the surprises of this story. By the way, this story houses quite a number of rookie actors but I did not notice that at all. I'm always like, 'Why haven't I noticed you all before?' because they're so good at it despite being new, that I originally thought that they were quite veteran and I just missed them at some of the dramas I watch. Seriously, everyone is really good at acting, I guess it's because it's just a short drama so they can put more effort and enthusiasm into it. The energy is strong here and I/m absolutely loving it. 

Did I mention that this story is super funny? I mean seriously hilarious that despite in a serious environment, I can't hold myself back from looking like a crazy person laughing to myself. I was highly worried this story would touch a lot on bullying but it didn't generally touch on it, it just focused on the budding relationship of the main characters and how that relationship affects the other characters. I highly do not want so much negativity in my life. 

I absolutely adored Lee Ji Hoon in this, he was so great at developing contrast in his character. Tough at one point and then fragile the second. His acting really livens up the story into hilariously funny or deeply emotional sometimes funnily. The other two leads are pretty good too. With friendship being pretty much the main focus in this story, it create an interesting ride to see the friendship contrast and how it affect Kang Chan. It is really cute to watch these friendships bloom in their own way against adversity. 

I can expect a little from watching this story but overall I was fondly surprised by each event in the story. This slice-of-life story is just casual and smooth and not too heavy. It proves to be an excellent ride for me watching this story. I just have a hard time to explain that feeling when watching this story. I guess I would call it a very heartwarming story to see teenagers dealing with their problems together with their friends and grow mature together. It is just so cute to see the friendship deepen. Bromance game going as strong as ever!! Maybe you can find out for yourself, those feelings, while watching this story. It won't take long, just an hour. Enjoy!

Saturday, February 4, 2017

U-Prince The Series: The Absolute Economist (Thai Drama)

Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 4

Main Cast:
Jirakul Focus as Chompink

Synopsis:
Teddy, a senior majoring in Economics is a heartbroken and lonely man due to being dumped. He began pursuing popularity as a way to distract himself from the loneliness, For this, he and his junior, Pascal began openly being friendly with each other, more than friendly at times, suggesting a deeper relationship to those watching. 

The uniqueness of their relationship soared them to popularity, until everyone knew of them except for Chompink, a bubbly and joyful girl, who is always in her own world and sometimes delusional until her encounter with Teddy which got her falling in love in first sight. Once she knew the nature of Teddy & Pascal's relationship, she was determined to make him "straight" and fall in love with her. Her efforts led from one thing to another until she was stuck in huge debt. The debts finally ended up with her having to do Teddy, a favour every single day until she pays off the debt.

The daily interactions and Chompink's cute antics brought light and warmth to Teddy's cold and dark heart. He becomes ready to sacrifice his popularity to be with Chompink, but what would happen when his ex comes back and now says she wants him back? Will the unlikely couple face the weird odds of opposites and go through the obstacles such as a mean ex and scary fanclub?

My Thoughts:

Okay, to be honest, I am so bad at synopsis that I think I just almost told the whole story right there and then. Yeah, the synopsis up there is all by me! I felt the given synopsis is not suitable and a bit too different from the drama I just watched so I decided to give my own synopsis based on what I have watched in the drama, maybe when you're watching it, it'll be different from my synopsis, who knows, because this is based on my perspective and more about it later.

I found this drama while on Youtube and have to say I was drawn to it through what I thought was the trailer and since then, I was like, I want more. So, I waited and waited until finally they released the drama, though the "trailer" is not the right one, I was not fully disappointed. Taking into account, the weirdness of the characters and the determination of the female lead, I decided well okay, let's try watching this. I will tell you though it was so hard to finish one single episode because the plot is so cringey that I can't stand it at times, like how the female lead thinks too much and just very interesting thoughts about the male lead. Every single time, she gets close to him, she would just talk to herself about how hot he is or how good he smells and other stuffs. She gives me second-hand embarrassment so many times I couldn't count.

The downside of this drama is that with all the exposition on Teddy & Pascal's relationship, there is no further development of actually why and how they started on it, subtle hints is all I get so from there, I created my own synopsis. I am not so sure about the plot itself because they focused on how Chompink will attract Teddy to her and T&P's relationship is like just supporting role when I believe it should be main role as well. It's like they are just aiming on that Teddy fall in love with Chompink, they just made up all that other stuffs to make it easier. It's like your modern fairytale come to life, little interactions here and there and abracadabra, he's in love.

The story is great and I absolutely loved it but damn, I want more. I feel that it is not enough. Everything went by too fast that I could not comprehend at times, and sometimes things that humans should not even think to do happens in that period of time. I sometimes feel that they are forcing the story and exaggerating a few things. It's like they have a goal in mind and they will do whatever it takes to reach that goal. The only thing that I could comprehend was the budding of love between Pascal and Piglet, Chompink's best friend. Damn, those two are a cute couple. Theirs was a simple love story, he likes her, he hits on her, she plays hard to get, he gets sad, she comforts him, they became official.

Okay, I know my review is a bit messed up today but simplifying things, what could've been a simple love story turned into an exaggerated event. I wanted to hold on to the message that this drama is good in its own way and that there are going to be bad parts about it but if you just held on, you would get to see the rainbow after the storm. Hehehe... There's just too much of that and too little of this for this drama. Therefore, if you have watched this and don't like my review, I was just talking on my perspective. On an ending note, nothing is perfect and there's so much I didn't tell you about this drama, some good ones and some bad ones, I think it's better if you find out yourself, so head on drama-watching!