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Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Tomorrow With You (Korean Drama)

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Fantasy
Episodes: 16

Main Cast:
Lee Je-Hoon as Yoo So Joon
Shin Min-A as Song Ma Rin
Jo Han-Chul as Song Doo Sik
Kang Ki-Doong as Kang Ki Doong

Synopsis:
Is it possible to prevent a future of misery? Yoo So Joon (Lee Je Hoon) is the successful CEO of a real estate company who has the ability to time travel when he takes the subway. Going back and forth in time, he sees his future self living a life of torment and unhappiness. To try to offset his doomed future, he decides to marry Song Ma Rin (Shin Min Ah), a cheery photographer, even though he does not love her. Can Ma Rin help So Joon change his unhappy future?

My Thoughts (Review):

To be honest, at first glance, I didn't felt like watching it. I thought there's nothing particularly interesting about it. So, I put it aside for months and just recently I cam across it again and decided, Why not? And when I researched more of the drama, i was surprised to learn that it was Lee Je Hoon acting as the male lead and that pretty much was one of the reasons I decided to watch because he is a favourite since watching Signal. He was so good there that I kinda was hoping the same from him here and he does not disappoint.

On to the story, it is of course a cliche 'Knowing the future and trying to change it if something bad happens' kind of story  I was going along it, accepting it as that. But, it being a cliche just serves to improve the watching experience, thinking how the male lead can change the bleak future he has seen, and how he creates parallel worlds with his actions. Though there was no mention of the parallel world since this story focuses on one timeline, but it is evident in the story line. The story keeps on providing mysteries to be solved by the viewers and even if some questions were never answered till the end but surprisingly, even if unanswered, I still love the story and the plot. 

About the cast, of course Lee Je Hoon played his best but I was more surprised at Shin Min Ah, I don't know where I got it, but I had felt that she somehow doesn't suit the role despite not even watching the drama yet. Like the story's gonna go bland because of her. BUT, watching the drama, she totally showed how the role is hers. How there's no one else who can perform Song Ma Rin like she did. And My God, the chemistry between these two was just too fiery. They hit it off immediately. Their characters are both so different and yet they managed to find a common ground and were able to act on it and fall in love. They were just too cute and full of love that it made me smile during those moments when they are trying to understand each other.

There's so much I want to say about them since it's mainly because of them that I got so invested into this drama, going on marathon to finish it because I can't help being curious about what's going to happen. There are times when I get so worried about them, worried that they're gonna get hurt or anything. Also times, when I just get so happy when they get those calm moments before the storm despite knowing they will in the end face the storm. I just am so shocked at how much I felt involved in this drama, how the characters felt like someone I know. It just goes to show how well they developed the character. That to me, is one of the strongest point of this drama.

Also, this story provided so many variables that it just keep on clouding my ability to somehow predict the story. Like, there was one time when the male lead found out he's suddenly married to the girl. I was wondering how the love story would develop to reach that point that fast. But, a different thing unfolded and I found myself fooled. It doesn't stop putting in different variables right to the end. Sometimes I felt like they can't fight destiny and then yet again, sometimes it feels like they could. As the time keeps ticking to the fateful day, it really feels like the best ability would be to pause time as the lead male mentioned.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised at how well thought out this drama was and especially the awesome chemistry between Shin Min Ah and Lee Je Hoon. I was so happy to watch how their story developed when their destinies were never meant to intertwine in more ways than one, or were they always meant to be together? I may never know but what's for sure, they're in love and I'm in love with them. So, come on and don't miss this awesome drama!

Sunday, December 3, 2017

I See You (Thai Drama)

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Supernatural 
Episodes:  12
Website To Watch: WatchAsian ~ I See You

Main Cast:

Synopsis:
Pairin works as a nurse in the hospital and also has the ability to communicate with the dead. She strives to keep this a secret while doing her daily tasks so that she can pretend to be normal like everyone else. Dr. M is one of the acclaimed doctors of the hospital, being able to handle numerous cases. But his cold and sometimes arrogant personality puts him at odds with some of the patients and fellow colleagues. With ghosts such as the playful spirit, Chaba constantly pestering her, and Dr. M who seems to know of her secret, can she ever have a peaceful life?

My Thoughts (Review):

First things first, let me state something about myself. I am afraid of ghosts and the like, I never watch the acclaimed horror movies but for some reason, I was pulled into watching this series despite knowing it is related to ghosts and comes from Thailand who is pretty great at their horror presentations. Also, it might be obvious but I picture a drama to follow what its synopsis is saying but only one or two sentences were correct. Therefore, I tweaked the synopsis and added the necessary information.

So, not even halfway through the first episode, I was greeted with a supernatural event and damn I was spooked especially since I was viewing it alone in my room. I covered one of my eyes to see through the whole episode. But then, I was able to manage and found the series to be pretty intriguing and has similarities to one of the Western Ghost-related series that I have watched before in the female lead's role in the story. But, I found that the first episode was to ensure that the viewer had the capability to continue into the story by upping the horror element. Since after that, I can manage other ghost encounters in the story.

On the cast, I enjoyed watching the leads of the drama but well, what else can I do since they're pretty much the only ones who are in the hospital. Every time a case occurs, it is always the same doctors and nurses who handle them. Others who came are like cameos. You don't really notice them there as their presence was just that weak. Even still, I still enjoyed the acting performance given by the leads. 

By the way, there is a love triangle but it is not obvious enough to affect the story negatively in any way and I like it. My ship kept sailing all the way to the end and I love every moment of it. I am in love with the main leads. Their interactions were cute and casual and most importantly, pretty direct without even revealing their feelings. The male lead had a one-tracked mind and so did she, in the sense that they do not see others but the other. Their love story kept developing and never had a moment where it could have fallen. Their chemistry was just too good that I did not find any fault in their acting. I could rewind their scenes many times and never get bored. They are just fun to watch. 

One of the things I don't quite like is the abundant use of product placements throughout the whole series to the point where I go, "Oh, here we go again. Another PPL... Hmm..." You cannot go an episode without two to three PPL scenes. Another thing, I don't like about it is how effective it is since it made me crave for what they are having. Hehehe..... There are even some scenes where the PPL was not that smooth that it seems odd to be having it suddenly there in the scene. Putting PPL is one thing but to make it so obvious is another one thing. Everytime, the PPL scene occured, they would either blur the surroundings or zoom to the item. It is like ads all the time. I am okay with PPL where it is not that obvious that they are promoting it, being that for a drink, they have it or something. Or a scene which perfectly suitable for it occurs. But well.... ANYWAYS, I am probably exaggerating it a bit here but surely I can say, the PPL only disturbs a few minutes of your time watching the story.

In conclusion, go ahead and watch this drama. It is simple, cliche and all of the above but still overall a great drama to watch. I am definitely excited for another drama from Pae after watching this series seeing how good he was in his role and most definitely, I loved this drama despite the kinda rushed ending because they are pretty cheesy that it is enough to win my heart. Come on and Let's Drama-Watching!!! Hehehe....