anahera-sdm

[anahera-sdm]

Hotel Del Luna (2019) Thoughts

Warning: will contain spoilers. I suggest you watch the drama first to relate with what I’m talking about because it will be messy.

Disclaimer: Everything written only reflects my own thoughts. There’s a possibility of incoherence. Forgive me, sometimes my brain is all over the place.

Ever since IU was announced as a main lead for this drama, I have been looking forward to it. I have enjoyed IU’s other dramas especially her most recent one in Netflix - Persona. Yeo Jin goo is an actor I like but the last drama of his that I was able to finish (and barely at that) was Orange Marmalade (2015). I couldn’t get into his next dramas after that and ended up dropping them. 

After seeing the plot and the fantasy tag (I always have a soft spot for fantasy dramas), as much as I enjoyed and looked forward to new episodes of its predecessor, Arthdal Chronicles, I also could not wait for it to start. 

Additional warning: Everything is all over the place and this is going to be a lengthy post. I wrote everything that I wanted to talk about right after watching the subbed version of the last episode but there is no proper structure. I apologise in advance if you decide to read everything.

I don’t even know where I should start. The Hong Sisters really did well with this drama - the years spent on it was worth it. That ending was, I can’t believe I’m saying this but I was so satisfied even though they didn’t spend much time together in this life. I was expecting a bittersweet ending when the drama started anyway. I loved the ending and that reincarnation scene (although it is not definite but just an ‘eventually, it will end up that way’ scene) was everything to me. I don’t know why but I loved how they didn’t try to extend Man Wol’s time with Chan Seong (example, releasing her from the hotel and making her human again). It was enough for me because Man Wol also spent enough time suffering. Her time with Chan Seong, although brief, was good enough because she experienced the love she needed and she gets sent off full of it.  

That twist at the end though, how Chan Seong was chosen by Mago - I’m crying. Chan Seong was definitely a reincarnation of someone from her past. They were actually acquainted during Man Wol’s childhood - and he was the one who introduced her to the guesthouse of the moon. 

So now, let’s go to the other parts I really wanna talk about.

One of the reasons why I got hooked and invested with Hotel Del Luna was the fact the way they executed the comical elements despite the horror and drama tags. Additionally, the music and the CGI were really well done. The soundtrack really gets me.

The other reasons, well, IU can really pull off Jang Man Wol - a protagonist who can be ruthless, has a slightly bitchy attitude, crooked (but her actions can be justified) and holds a deep resentment. Yet, she has her cute sides too; all the Kim Joon Hyun moments were a sight to see (her obsession for the restaurants he’s been to, enjoyed it! Later we find out her obsession to find good restaurants were actually influenced by Chan Seong who went to the past! Mind blown!). And her fighting scenes were so cool. IU’s eyes are really expressive in my eyes - 

Appreciate.

I love how despite being crude in her ways when it comes to dealing with the grudges of the souls she’s helping, there is an underlying meaning to it - example, Hyun Joong being able to graduate because of the money donated by his friend. And, I can’t blame her for loving money and wealth. After all, that was what she didn’t have when she was living. I have to add that one of the things I look forward to every episode was IU’s outfit changes. She looks so good in everything! [I actually couldn’t stop myself from buying some of the stuff she wore. Hold your horses, I can only afford the cheap ones like the earrings and hair clips from Get Me Bling that she wore. And I wanna do a face palm because I accidentally bought 2 sets for one of her earrings so now I’m like, what do I do with this?]

The bickering between the leads together with that comical/mischievous soundtrack, pure gold. It’s easily one of my favourite moments. It’s just really funny how sometimes Jang Man Wol is left without words because Chan Seong is right.

The more I watch this gif tho, it starts to look weirder to look at so don't watch it more than 10 times.

I also like how they dealt with Man Wol’s back story - not giving the viewers everything in just one episode. Instead, it was spliced and distributed nicely throughout. Oh but gods, I was a wreck when everything was laid down - Chung Myung’s sacrifice... I just can’t. And how he was with her as a firefly since the beginning... My heart... I actually forgot that scene from the beginning until they showed it again. I though it was just an artistic shot. I actually wanted Man Wol to go with him to the afterlife when it was finally time for him to go. When she escorted him, I wanted her to walk with him during that moment. But at the same time, I can see that there was only a one-sided love left between them because Man Wol spent so many years resenting him that there was no love left. When she finally learned the truth, the only thing left in her was forgiveness and that was the only thing she can offer. The CGI on the bridge to the afterlife though, the aesthetic, props to the CGI team.

Can I just talk about how the actor grew on me? Like, omg, I’m now looking forward to any drama he’s going to be on. [Note: I have since seen him in a new drama, The Great Show (I was watching it because of Lee Sunbin (one of my favourite actresses)) and he’s the teen version of the male lead! I screamed when I saw him.] I should check him out on his previous dramas but when I saw the list of dramas, I don’t think I’ll get into them yet.

Help my heart, their story is so sad.

Helping Kim Seonbi /Kim Si Ik solve his grudge was really fun to watch. And the ‘fact’ that he was the writer of those stories almost all Koreans know, what a twist. Man Wol really cared for him despite not showing it to him - how she tried to find a way to solve his grudge and how she cried after he finally left. 

Choi Seo hee’s story was an unfortunate one but it added more flavour to the already flavourful drama. Those who value family ties or still have crooked views when it comes to family lineage will resonate with her story and perhaps have a change of heart.

Hyun Joong; I love how they gave more depth to his story. That it was not only because of his sister that he was staying as a hotel staff but deep inside there was a resentment. When they wrapped his story up, all I can do was to smile wistfully. His story arc with Yuna was a great addition despite their bittersweet goodbye.

The Sanchez story arc; I... I... He was such a fun character and a good friend to Chan Seong. I sincerely thought they were going to get rid of his character when he went overseas to oversee the funeral of his girlfriend. But we got him back and see another side to him - a rather relatable side where if one loses a loved one, they would find ways to reconnect or hold on to any sliver of hope that they’ll be able to once more be able to talk to them or give them something. Probably, not making sense anymore, but if you’ve lost a loved one before, you’ll get what I'm talking about. After finally getting over it, well, he was not the same Sanchez after that but there was growth in his character.

Mira and Young soo. A twist of fate, these two. Enemies in the past life but became lovers in their current life. Their bitter fates became sweeter this time around. I can't entirely hate on Mira’s past life because her next lives were spent repenting (although it wasn’t shown). Her currently life was finally rewarded, if you can call being with Young soo in her current life a reward. I kept on thinking Mira was just like Chan Seong (not a rich person) but I was so surprised to learn her parents were kimchi factory owners and that Young Soo ate those kimchi since young. 

Mago - easily my favourite character. Wait, characters. Because of how many personalities/sisters she has. Really have to give mad props to the actress. She is just so good. Probably my favourite sister has to be the pink sister and then the eldest. It was so funny when they were having a meeting discussing about the new hotel owner and mentioned the ‘poor’ sister still stuck in Joseon dynasty.

Ah, the cameos in this drama. I can’t not cover that.The amount of cameo is just, whoa! This drama is so rich with it. Some really memorable ones to me are: Kim Won hae (as a corrupt mayor), Lee Joon Gi (as an exorcist; Park Il Do hahah, The Guest feels (I ought to make a post on my thoughts about this drama soon); can’t forget the Scarlet Heart feels too), Lee Si Eon (as an astronaut; I couldn't help laugh at the scene), Lee Yi-kyung (as an actor who can’t really act; Waikiki feels!), Kim Joon Hyun (as himself; I screamed because the first few scenes didn't show his face), Park Jin Joo (as an imaginary spirit), Sulli (as the granddaughter of Chairman Wang), Nam Da reum(as a water deity; I really don’t like the fact he’s younger than me; kidding. He’s a talented kid.) Hwang Young Hee (as IU’s previous manager; she’s a really good actress) and Kim Soo Hyun (as the new owner of the hotel; He renamed it Hotel Blue Moon. I’m telling you, I hyperventilated when his scene came. Such a good way to end the drama - at least for me. Hotel Blue Moon as a drama please!)

For the last episode, I wanted to watch it during the actual broadcast time but I actually calculated the time wrongly (thinking I'm 4 hours ahead but actually just 3 hours; good thing I checked the site). I missed the first 25 mins of the actual broadcast. But I eventually re-watched it with subs and came to write this post). I can only understand roughly 80-85% of the dialogue for the raw version but even then, I was bawling - all the goodbyes; it was so sad but so satisfying at the same time because they were sent off really well. From Kim Seonbi’s to Choi Seohee’s. Painful to see the goodbyes but also very heartwarming; how they finally come to resolve their resentments, came to realizations and tied up loose ends - it was so beautiful. The relationship between the Hotel crew was just so precious - Jang Man Wol crying as she realises how she’ll miss them. Feels. Feels. Feels. 

Overall, I learned so many things in this drama and came to certain realisations such as treasuring the time you have with others, don’t take it for granted. One day, when the time to say goodbye comes, you won’t regret anything. Also, even the people who did bad things in their life can have the chance to live a better one in the next once they have paid for those wrongdoings.

This drama was a perfect blend of comedy, drama, horror, fantasy, romance. In terms of food, it satisfied my cravings. Watching this drama was one of the best things that I did this year. As much as I want to talk more about this drama and cover more areas, I should stop here. All in all, I would say, I really loved this drama. I’ll definitely go back to watching this when I have nothing else to watch. P.S. I ought to make a Jang Man Wol inspired look but when I tried, I failed. 

I’ll miss you, Jang Man Wol-ssi.

Rating: 10 / 10

Re-watch value : 10 / 10

Soundtrack : 10 / 10

[anahera-sdm]

The King’s Avatar (2019) Thoughts

Warning: may contain spoilers, I would suggest you watch the drama first before reading. 

Disclaimer: Everything written only reflects my own thoughts. There’s a possibility of incoherence. Forgive me, sometimes my brain is all over the place.

When I found out Yang Yang has another computer gaming based drama, I have been on the look out. So when it came out, I scrambled to find a way to watch it as soon as possible. Thanks to WeTV, I was able to watch it as soon as it was aired with subs. It just concluded so I just have to lay down my thoughts.

First few thoughts after watching the first episode: ‘whoa, great CGI’, ‘omg, it’s Xiao Nai’, ‘oh wait, he’s Ye Qiu now’, ‘no wait, it’s Ye Xiu.’, ‘I think I will love this drama’

First few thoughts after finishing the last episode: ‘uwu’ , ‘so heart-fluttering’, ‘I need a season 2′, ‘I love Xing Xin so much’, ‘I love the characters so much’, ‘give me a season 2 now’, ‘Ye Xiu, I love you!’, ‘TKA, ILY’

Prior to this drama, I was only watching fluffy romance Chinese dramas (which I have yet to write my thoughts on) so it was really refreshing to find that there is no focus on romance here - purely about friendships, character growths (learning to break out of their own shells, embracing their faults and striving to become better) and sportmanship. Now, I come to watch this drama without prior knowledge of the novel and anime versions. So, there is no prejudice for me as I watch. 

One of the things I have to give mad props to is the CGI of the battles. It was really good. I love how the game characters resemble the looks of the account holder. I love the execution and pace of the drama in general. And the characters, I came to love all of them in the end! The actors who played the characters were great. It was great to see the back story of most characters too - they were introduced well.

Now, I just want to talk about some characters.

Ye Xiu, Jun Moxiao. Too much for me to handle - the seemingly perfect character that has his imperfections too. Strict when needed but he’s actually a clumsy person - he caused so much trouble in the beginning but I found it cute. And, he has his vulnerable sides too - towards his best friend and family. [From research, he also smokes but I’m so glad they didn't show that in the drama.] I really like how he stands by his group members, gives them advices to grow and still maintain really good friendships with his opponents. And Yang yang as Ye Xiu, what’s not to love really?

Yang Yang stoooop, my heartttt can't contain it.

I was so shookt when a Yang Yang No. 2 aka Ye Qiu (Ye Xiu’s twin) appeared. I did not expect that twist. My mouth fell open when the reveal came. All along, I thought ‘Ye Qiu’ was just a screen name.

Yang Yang I hate you for making my heart feel so uwu

I really like Tang Ruo’s tenacity - actually, Xing Xin’s in general as they bounce back from the setbacks and defeats. I like how when Ye Xiu recruited his new team, they are not perfect and that there’s always room for improvement. I love how they grew individually and as a team.

Daisy Li as Tang Ruo

My favourite side characters who don’t belong to Xing Xin are Huang Shaotian and Yu Wenzhou. [But honestly, it’s easy to love everyone.] I love how Shaotian chatty he is and just says everything he wants to. Then, gets ‘saved’ by Wenzhou from embarrassing himself any further [example, commentary during the Qualifiers between Jia Shi and Xing Xin]. I just love his character in general and how he blends with Ye Xiu too. The actor really did well pulling off Shaotian (although, I did not really like him in Brightest Star in the Sky). 

Yu Yonghai as Huang Shaotian

Wenzhou, on the other hand, his dynamics were really good and is really compatible with Shaotian. But he became more memorable to me because of the actor who played him (main lead of Flipped).

Gao Han Yu as Yu Wenzhou

As for Sun Xiang, he’s not a favourite and I really hated him at first. But I just wanna mention him because towards the end, when he redeemed himself, I grew to like him. I admire the maturity he developed. Having Xiao Xiqin and Qui Rei around him really helped. 

Leo Liang as Sun Xiang

I really enjoyed watching this drama. From execution, pacing, portrayal of characters by the actors and CGI of course. For me, it was really well done. Perhaps, there are areas they didn’t cover in this version that are in the other versions but overall, it’s easily one of my favourite dramas now. I also like the fact there was no romance here - I think it would have ruined the drama if there was.  

Rating: 10 / 10

Re-watch value: 10 / 10

[anahera-sdm]

Sweet Dreams (2018) Thoughts

Warning: may contain spoilers

Disclaimer: Everything written only reflects my own thoughts. There’s a possibility of incoherence. Forgive me, sometimes my brain is all over the place.

I have anticipated this drama last year - but for some reason, I ended up dropping it ten to fifteen minutes into the first episode. I have since decided to pick it up once again this year and binged watch it. 

Additional warning: This is a lengthy post. It’s mostly my ramblings. 

I have known about Dilraba Dilmurat ever since ‘Pretty Li Huizhen’. I started the drama because of Peter Sheng (Go Princess Go) but I dropped it because it became boring and I found Peter’s acting too stiff. Peter aside, I’ve been keeping an eye on her because I find her beautiful and her acting was not bad. Her next three dramas were Period and Wuxia - since I was having a bit of a trauma from these genres in Chinese dramas, I stayed away (because I tend to find them dragging too much, and then I would drop them). Finally, when I found out about Sweet Dreams, I was elated. However, when I started it, I was also watching some other Korean dramas and I could not get into it so I ended up dropping it.

Recently, I was lurking around Netflix and decided to watch Ashes of Love - and boy, Deng Lun captured my attention (mind you, he didn’t really stand out to me when I watched Sweet dreams the first time because I was too focused on Dilraba). I’ve put Ashes of Love on hold for the time being because it has too many episodes and my stamina to watch multiple dramas at the same time is on the constant decrease from university work (Plus, period/wuxia dramas require more stamina for me than modern setting dramas).

So I searched for other Deng Lun dramas and I saw Sweet Dreams and I was like (wtf, how did I miss him the first time???). With fresh insight and renewed feelings for the drama, I clicked that play button. And, that’s how it started - my love and hate relationship with Sweet Dreams (I actually can’t believe I was able to finish this 48 episode drama).

I liked the plot - where a bracelet could allow them to be in each other’s dreams. More specifically, Ling Ling Qi (Dilraba) entering Bo Hai’s (Deng Lun) dreams. Through the dreams, it can affect their lives positively or negatively depending on how it ends. If they utilised it well, the drama could have a better flow (Spoilers, they didn't.)

Can I just talk about how Deng Lun looks so good in suits? Gosh.

So, Ling Qi liked Bo Hai since her university days so much so that she took up flower arrangement lessons and even try for a a florist job at his company (even though she completed a veterinary course) - which she has failed multiple times (not because she did not have talent but because she was infamous for being his fangirl). Her first dream encounter with him started shortly after she acquired the bracelet. I would also say that the dream sequences were quite out of this world but then again, it’s a dream. I too, sometimes dream of outrageous things. But I really liked how the dreams were able to influence them positively i.e. how Bo Hai was cured of his color-blindness shortly after his dream with Ling Qi.

By the time she was hired as a sales rep for one of his shops, she was still deeply infatuated. I don’t know about others but I find that Dilraba was able to pull off Ling Qi’s craziness about Bo Hai. It seems a bit over the top at times, but that was Ling Qi’s character. But her character became better when she wasn’t so into him anymore after seeing his ‘devil’ side. I was like, ‘girl yaaasss, don’t idolise too much’. 

As much as I loved Deng Lun, I hated his character for some moments. Yes, there were lovable moments and sides to him but most of the time, I just want to punch him - especially the way he treated Ling Qi about the furniture incident. He was too much then. I get it - some people are better off enforcing ‘tough love’ but Bo Hai’s actions then were too much for my taste. Too cruel - I actually thought Ling Qi was better off without him. Even if he was acting, he should at least inform the people around him i.e. Xin Yan - so Ling Qi did not have to end up locked in the storage room (Xin Yan’s doing). Perhaps, I’m getting fed up with the ‘mistreated female lead’ trope; this aspect of the drama definitely did not sit well with me.

Eventually, the leads get together after the furniture incident has been solved but of course, a series of challenges will be faced by them. The trajectory of the drama was actually doing fine - loved the part how Bo Hai was unfazed when he was told how Ling Qi has been entering his dreams (I was so glad they did not put so much emphasis on that - it just ended as ‘love wins’) - until Mo Nan and Ling Qi’s best friend Bao Ni enters the equation. 

Bao Ni and her infatuation with Mo Nan... even until the end of the drama I could not fathom it. Perhaps, I could not understand her because I have not faced the same situation - but girl, he is a corporate spy that is sent to bring down the company you are working for and you are still defending him??? Okay, maybe he was just brainwashed and used by the actual villain, but still??? 

And Mo Nan... as I write this, I’m actually rolling my eyes. Okay, I get it, he wants to bring down the company because it’s related to his father’s death but getting revenge on a person that is actually innocent and did not play a part in it? Sad. Just sad for him as a person - leave the innocent alone. But then again, he was raised by the villain, so what can we do if he was instilled such qualities... [Edit: I would actually relate now with his actions about getting revenge on anyone who is related to a person they think is responsible but only if it is a fact. In this case, it isn’t. So, I’m still not forgiving Mo Nan.]

So, back to trajectory of the drama. It went downhill when Mo Nan makes Ling Qi leave Bo Hai. For goodness sake, the drama is titled Sweet Dreams  and the plot originally revolved around dreams... Remember when I said if they utilised it well, it could have ended better? This is where they didn’t use it wisely. Ling Qi and Bo Hai could have pretended to break up in real life and continue dating in their dreams. This way, they could still look for ways to defeat the villain in the real world without affecting Bo Hai’s mentality. Instead, we get a time jump and an unnecessary ‘I’m sorry, forgive me’ scene. Given this, I’m just like, ‘gawd, I did not spend hours and hours just to get to this.’

In the end, we get an all’s well that ends well ending. I have some dissatisfactions but hey, I enjoyed watching Deng Lun (despite getting irritated with his character) and Dilraba. But, I’m so open for a re-write of certain scenarios in this drama.

Rating: 7.5 / 10 [Generally good, but I was not really okay with the last few episodes and the way the leads dealt with the situation - they have the bracelets, they could've communicated through their dreams...]

Re-watch value: 6 / 10 [I will re-watch it for the leads]

Cute.

[anahera-sdm]

Love O2O (2016) Thoughts

Warning: may contain spoilers

Disclaimer: Everything written only reflects my own thoughts. There’s a possibility of incoherence. Forgive me, sometimes my brain is all over the place.

Let me start by saying this, “Gaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh”. The feels this drama gave me, I can’t even. I can’t believe I did not watch this drama sooner. First, the main leads, so pretty and handsome and their chemistry is spot on! Second, the support characters, especially Nai He’s friends, are everything - they’re so precious and funny.

As someone in the same major (Computer Science major), I relate so much. And romance between two CS major people? Ok, they got me watching. On a normal basis, I stray away from school dramas because I was saturated from them in Korean dramas. Lately, I have been watching thriller dramas but getting tired of the theme so I decided to give this drama a chance. Best decision of my life, ever! [I am giving the credit to my friend - the same person who recommended Go Princess Go - for recommending me this back then. I kept it in my pending dramas list ever since]. I love the incorporation of gaming in this drama and how they visualised it - it reminds me of the days I used to play. It made me think of starting to game again - it has been so many years.

About the general flow of the drama - love it! The main leads spent just the right time as strangers (well, mostly on Wei Wei’s side since Xiao Nai did knew about her when he approached her), met in person around the right time, romance pace was great (not too fast and not too much as well), right amount of fun, fluffiness and drama. Plus, the people who needs redeeming were redeemed. 

Yang Yang really did a good job portraying Xiao Nai - a 4th year, good-looking campus crush and genius computer science major - has a really good background too and personality. He first noticed Bei Wei Wei, a 2nd year computer science major as she plays an online game. He was enticed by the way she played and approached her in the game. [To be honest, if anyone else probably tried to pull off the same Xiao Nai move, they might be branded as a stalker. But then again, if they had good intentions and have a good character like Xiao Nai, it’s all good.] Yang yang’s expressions in general, melts my heart. I just cannot. Really though, for a character who is entering his first relationship, Xiao Nai is really good. I really love the events of EP 10. It was everything.

Help me please. My heart.

Zheng Shuang is so pretty here - I was taken aback with her resemblance to Kim Jiwon. The resemblance is not evident when she becomes Luwei Weiwei but as Bei Wei Wei, definitely there. Bei Wei Wei, a smart, understanding, down to earth beauty and gamer... Such perfect character - it’s kind of a hard to believe such a person could exist. But then again the world is huge and this is just a drama. 

I was so glad that the main leads were made to be rational and insightful - I did not need to be frustrated seeing the cliché ‘issues causes misunderstanding or separation to leads’ plot. I also really value the friendship and loyalty the support have for the leads. I love how they dealt with Zhenyi Tech and Xiao Nai’s friends were not made to betray him. The dynamics between the characters really worked well with me. I also like how they resolve problems of the leads quite fast - they did not drag it. 

I just have to mention Cao Guang though - tsk tsk tsk. His character... Not gonna go through the details though I love how the two leads dealt with him (what Wei Wei told him was spot on). Yi Ran’s character was actually a good person - she just met a bad friend so I was really glad she got the redemption she deserved.

Favorite support characters:

Yu Banshan : there is just something about his character that is so likeable to me. Ah, his loyalty for Xiao Nai - definitely his best trait.

Xiao Ling: I know she wasn’t shown as much as Erzi but I wasn’t really a fan of Erzi’s character. I liked Xiao Ling’s mature character.

Favorite moments/scenes:

When the two leads finally met in real life and had that date and when Xiao Nai sat next to Wei Wei during the basketball game. [EP. 10 in general!!!!]

When Xiao Nai and his friends hack the forum when bad articles about Wei Wei gets published

Yu Banshan and friends’ teasing towards one another and towards Wei Wei + plus the moments where they really display their loyalty to Xiao Nai

Generally, the two leads being together and their fluffy moments

Xiao Nai’s teasing

Xiao Nai’s back-up plan against Zhen Yi Tech.

When characters like Shaoxiang and Yiran could have redemption.

The ending. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I LOVE THE ENDING SO MUCH.

If there is something for me to really hate about this drama, the following lists it (not listed in order):

my expectations of Computer Major guys - or guys in general - increased again  (Xiao Nai, I blame you for this!)

I feel so inferior because I still lack so much skills and knowledge compared to Wei Wei

not having friends like Wei Wei’s or Xiao Nai’s in university - but then again, I am not the social type and I do not stay in a dorm like theirs

Wei Wei is so pretty and nice, I’m jealous

once I started, I couldn’t stop binge-watching (I finished within 2 days *face palms*)

seeing Xiao Nai’s smile (because it’s so precious and I hate how my heart flutters so much)

too short, need more Xiao Nai-Wei Wei scenes!!! (I know I said I don’t like dramas to drag but I want more fluffy moments between them - like maybe a glimpse to their married life?)

Tell me, who would not fall for that????????? Zheng Shuang is me 

I can definitely re-watch this drama anytime.

Overall, this drama is a 9.5/10 for me (I’m taking 0.5 off just because I wasn’t really satisfied with their kissing scenes and sometimes I see scenes where it kinda has an awkward acting). But, I really enjoyed it. It’s been a while since I was so satisfied with a drama (although I was wishing for more fluffy moments for the leads - can’t get enough of Yang Yang).

Note: I have yet to watch the movie version of this so I cannot compare which I like better yet.

[anahera-sdm]

Go Princess Go (2015-2016) Thoughts

Warning: may contain spoilers

Disclaimer: Everything written only reflects my own thoughts. There’s a possibility of incoherence. Forgive me, sometimes my brain is all over the place.

I started getting into C-dramas around the later half of 2017 - because I did not feel like watching Korean dramas. I first started with period and wuxia dramas. More often than not though, I would drop the drama half-way or skip all the way to the end. Afterwards, I would pick random episodes I have not watched. For a while, that was my routine. Most of the time, I felt like the drama is being dragged, hence I would lose interest. 

Go Princess Go was the first C-drama that I actually watched from beginning to end. It consisted of 35 + 1 episodes and has a runtime of 30 mins each. So, by K-drama length standard, it is normal and bearable. 

The drama was a recommendation from a friend - I complained that the dramas I have been watching were too long and draggy. I can now say that I am forever indebted to that friend. Seems like an overstatement but hey, she helped me give C-dramas another chance.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Perhaps, I owe it to the feelings I had from previous C-dramas I’ve been watching. My boredom was cured! 

The time-travel / gender-bending / comedy theme of the drama got me sold. But the characters made me stay - especially Crystal Zhang’s. She really did a good job portraying her character - a man who time-travelled to the past and became a woman. I loved the voice-overs - it was hilarious.

I loved the racy, seduction scenes - well-executed and just the right amount to keep the drama entertaining. The soundtrack and sound effects were well-timed (I’ve got the drama OST downloaded after finishing the drama). The transition from comedy to romance and to a certain degree of tragedy was smooth in my opinion. It was great that even when the drama starts having the serious vibes, there were still a hint of comedy added.

The main characters’ growth was commendable. Crystal’s Zhang Peng Peng grew from a ‘crude’ woman - he, now a she, started to understand how it was like to be a woman - and we see her feelings of conflict as she starts to fall for Peter Sheng’s Qi Sheng despite having a man’s soul. Eventually, she delved into politics and went back and forth with her feelings for Qi Sheng. Once she accepted it, it was nice seeing her fight for equal love. Peter’s Qi Sheng - stoic and rather cold in the beginning eventually changed as he fell for the ‘new’ Zhang Peng Peng. It was nice seeing him explain himself to Peng Peng to clear misunderstandings - although I did hate him for wanting to kill her at one point. But I give him the plus points when he told Peng Peng that he wants her as a wife and not just an empress.

The support characters, although not really delved on, helped carry the drama as well. I loved Fiction Guo’s Yang Yan and Karina Hai’s Lu Li. The support they provided to Crystal’s Peng Peng was great. I couldn’t really say anything much more since their characters were not delved on deeper in the first place. But, overall, they were a nice touch.

All in all, despite having low-budget, they managed to pull it off. There were plot holes but I could dismiss it because of the hilarity the drama offers. This drama is definitely recommended and the re-watch value is 9.5/10. I’m taking 1 off because I just didn't really like how they handled that ending (I will not be spoiling the details but it was quite heart-wrenching for me but I also like how it was open-ended). But, I also hate myself for being satisfied with the ending so I’m putting back 0.5. 

[anahera-sdm]

Possessed (2019) Thoughts

Warning: may contain spoilers

Disclaimer: Everything written only reflects my own thoughts. There’s a possibility of incoherence. Forgive me, sometimes my brain is all over the place.

Having strayed away from Korean dramas for a while, I started watching the drama with low expectations. However, since OCN dramas were usually a hit for me, I did expect that this drama would be good.

The first few episodes got me hooked - we have a detective (played by Song Sae-byeok) and a medium (played by Go Joon-hee) that eventually came together to fight evil. The first half of the drama was promising but as it progressed, I grew more and more frustrated. 

At some point, I thought the main leads would eventually find enough power to fight against the villain - especially when Go Joon-hee’s character finally assumed her rightful position as a shaman - but by the end of almost all episodes, they would be helpless once again while the villain amasses more power. 

The final straw that set me off was when the writers decided to kill majority of the support characters. They were the ones that was offsetting the dark theme of this drama - they added some vibrance to it. When they died one by one or in the case of one episode, four of them, one after another, I lost it. And the drama, nosedived to a much darker path. I was taken aback and I tried to figure out what was in the writer’s mind. 

I then thought, maybe that this event will be the catalyst to allow our main leads to triumph. I held on to that sliver of hope. I shouldn’t have.

Now, I like my fair share of sad endings in dramas - where one or both of the leads die - but I felt that it was just so wrong to end on such a note for this drama. Majority of the time, they were already powerless. By the end, I felt as if the villain won in the end.