Thai Movie Review: Yes or No

I’m abandoning my usual format for this review as I can’t quite seem to organize my thoughts into neat “liked this” and “didn’t like this” boxes. I’m just going to talk about this.

Let’s start with a note about terminology. The subtitles on the version of Yes or No that I watched referred to Kim as a tomboy. I feel like this is not a totally accurate translation, but as I don’t speak Thai, I have to use context here. Tomboy in this movie, seems to include concerns about her that range from her being gay to her being transgender. I would say that Kim dresses more androgynous more than butch (which is what I originally pictured when reading the review of this movie) and is very adamant about being a girl. Regardless of what she wears or who she loves, she embraces being a woman. While we do know by the end of the movie (or reading the summary) that Kim is ultimately gay (or bi at least), she doesn’t seem to fully understand that herself at the beginning, so the way she dresses or presents does not appear to have much influence from that side of herself – at least, not consciously. All that is to say, I am going to keep using tomboy as the term to encapsulate all of this when writing this review, understanding that it’s a bit different from how I would normally use it.

In short, this movie is about roommates, Pie and Kim. Pie is conservative and therefore concerned when she meets tomboy Kim. Even though she wants nothing to do with Kim initially, the she warms over time as they develop their friendship and ultimately, their relationship.

In watching this movie, I was most profoundly moved by the vulnerability Kim shows. I somehow expected that because she is a tomboy, she’d be forcing a strong façade, but Kim never shies away from showing her insecurities. Whether its fear of the dark or her own feelings, Kim is constantly opening herself to the others around her, in spite of the fact that people treat her poorly. Although Pie is cruel to her for a long time, Kim waits her out and never lashes out at her. Sadly, this does seem to speak to how much she deals with this, but more than that, it speaks to her bravery and strength. Kim seems almost childlike, she wants acceptance and approval, which makes the way people behave towards her even worse.

In this regard, it is much harder to feel for Pie. She starts this movie at a place of ignorance and fear and it is really only through jealousy that she notices her feelings for Kim may be more than friendship. Between the two, Pie displays more outward confidence, but behaves much more cowardly when it comes to Kim. Yet, coming from a religious family, knowing that level of judgment so close to home, it actually takes a herculean effort to accept others and yourself when you’ve been told that it’s not right. In that way, I think Pie actually deserves a bit of slack. It takes her long than the viewer would like to be upfront with herself and others, but she does a good job of being honest with Kim about her fears. Kim, more than anyone, should know what signing up for a romance with her will mean. It’s easy to say that love will win out, but that can be impossible when the world is tearing you down and apart.

On that note, let’s talk about Jane. Jane owns her sexuality, but that’s really the only positive thing about her. Jane’s painted as a drama queen and it is heavily implied that she jumps rather quickly from girl to girl when it comes to love. There is some blame to be laid on Kim, who is not upfront about the fact that she is not interested in Jane until it is way too late, but Jane can see what is happening between Pie and Kim and constantly interferes. While she doesn’t explicitly know the extent of their relationship, it is not OK to just come into someone’s room and kiss them when they can’t see you. I have no sympathy for Jane (which is probably intentional) and waited for her to realize that what she did was wrong, but her own selfishness really makes any redemption for this character almost impossible.

On the flip side, there are supportive characters. The people that Kim is surrounded by are truly heartwarming. I love that Auntie Inn is very upfront with Kim and helps her work through issues that are difficult for her to handle on her own. Furthermore, we don’t get to see Kim’s father much, but his immediate acceptance of Pie is a nice balm on the wounds that get torn open at the end of this movie.

In terms of bravery, this movie embodies it just by existing. As far as I can tell, this is one of the first movies with these themes in Thailand. It is important for people of all kinds to feel accepted and seen and representation in the media is an important part of that. For all the dramas I watch, especially those with the cross dressing, seeing those with true LGBT representation is rare. Especially, all things considered, at its heart this movie is just a romantic comedy. The chemistry between our leading ladies and a script with vulnerability and heart made this a lovely watch.

Final Grade: A-

CDrama Review: Love 020

*Available on U.S. Netflix Streaming*

The Gist: If you are looking for a show with misunderstandings, love triangles, rich moms who think no one is ever good enough for their sons, drawn out fights, and lots of suspense… Love 020 is not the show for you.

When computer major and department beauty, Bei Weiwei (Zheng Shuang), is approached by a talented player in her online game to be her new in-game spouse, she accepts, not imagining that the one behind the character is campus celebrity Xiao Nai (Yang Yang). Xiao Nai, though, fully understands what he’s doing, having seen Weiwei play in a cafe and admiring her instantly. After getting to know each other their game, eventually the draw to meet is too strong and they must take their relationship offscreen.

Love:

1. Modern/Unique Relationship

I love the premise of this show. There is something so modern about a relationship that begins by gaming together. As someone who games with their SO, I know how fun and engaging it can be to get to know someone through playing together. I like that this show never looks down on gaming, but uses it as a unique framework for developing this relationship. I love the costuming and looks of everyone as their characters and really enjoyed the gaming sequences. I was even pleasantly surprised at how good the effects looked.

But beyond that, this relationship is portrayed really differently than a lot of drama relationships. There is a tinge of her snagging the  celebrity and the whole world is jealous, but that’s not really what this show is about. This show is more about the small things: getting to know each others’ friends, supporting each other through work, meeting the parents, planning a future together, and above all else, trust. The amount of trust in this relationship is staggering. You get used to the usual misconceptions and self-doubt that dramas normally portray, that this is a total breath of fresh air. It’s actually a fairly relaxing watch because you know that no matter what problem arise, what mischief gets thrown at our character, they are always on each others’ side, unconditionally. They believe each other first and foremost and tackle their problems together. These are the types of relationships that should be role models for young girls (and boys) out there.

2. Bei Weiwei

Oh, my love for Weiwei knows no bounds! While I will always love a show with a poor but plucky protagonist, it’s nice to have a girl who is respected in her field, considered skilled and talented, smart, capable, and pretty. I know that last one seems petty, but shows are always trying to convince me that pretty girls are ugly (like Love 020 does with Weiwei’s roommate Erxi), that it’s nice for once to have one just come out and say, yes, she’s gorgeous! Because she is!

But, I think what I love most about Weiwei is that she handles her own problems (and Xiao Nai encourages her do so). When rumors float around about her, she faces them directly and head on, even though she is a quieter personality. She is no damsel in distress and does not need her boyfriend to fight her battles for her. He always supports her, but the one time he does confront someone for her, he apologizes for it.

I love Weiwei and her and Xiao Nai have such amazing on-screen chemistry together that every scene between them feels effortless. I love that she is never jealous of how much he works, but just tries to support him as much as possible. I think despite how shocked she is at first, she is a very confident person in herself and her relationship.

3. The Cao Guang Problem

Let me start off by saying it’s been a long time since I disliked a character the same way I disliked Cao Guang. He contributes to rumors and thinks he has some right to Weiwei. Even when she is very clear with him how she feels, he does not accept her answer. Even when she start dating Xiao Nai, he doesn’t totally let go. He’s not above using her friends to get at her and is all around just problematic and incredibly selfish.

For a show with minimal conflict, his behavior is the catalyst for probably the largest issue. All of this led me to have some amount of dread about his interactions with Erxi (Weiwei’s roommate). She likes him, but I felt like he is in no way good enough. That was something I was just prepared to not like about the show.

Spoilers to follow: Yet, I was pleasantly surprised how they handled this situation. Having Weiwei confront him was insanely satisfying. He totally deserved to have someone ask him genuinely what is wrong with him because he’d been behaving like a spoiled, hurt child. And you know what? He gives both Weiwei and Erxi space. He apologizes and makes things as right as you can with Erxi, but then he backs off. This is especially meaningful because that’s the biggest mistake he makes in the first place, is not backing off when Weiwei says she’s not interested.

I like that the show time jumps a bit because I think the only thing that really redeems him is having time to change. If this show had moved right into a romance with Erxi, I would have resented it as everyone was hurt by what happened. Ending this show with a hint of a relationship to come for them was the right flavor and extremely tactful. They say time heals all wounds and if Cao Guang used his time to learn how to treat people, then I’m all for some redemption for him.

4. Meng Yiran

Ostensibly, Yiran is supposed to be some sort of love rival for Weiwei, but she never stands a chance (at all). Yet, Yiran is not really the villain of the show. Her friend Nana is horrible and constantly giving her bad advice, but I’d say Yiran’s biggest flaws are jealousy and listening to people who don’t have her best interests at heart.

Some more spoilers - ultimately, I like Yiran. Unlike Cao Guang, for the most part, she accepts at a certain point that Xiao Nai likes Weiwei and lets it drop. She really only comes back in when she legitimately thinks something is wrong. Her friends go out of the way to bully Weiwei, but Yiran doesn’t really. By the end, I did just kind of feel bad for her and for that reason I was happy when she realized she wanted better friendships and a sincere relationship. She makes things right with Weiwei before heading off to a fresh start. I think that’s about what this character deserved, so I thought it was well handled.

5. K.O. and Hao Mei

I was totally stumped at the beginning of this relationship. I could not figure out if K.O. was something nefarious (and I mean, he kind of is?) or why Hao Mei liked him so much. I really was just confused and constantly, wondering… are they going to…? will they? won’t they? Because let’s face it, asian dramas are not on the forefront of LGBT representation, so while the show left it kind of vague, the two of them are definitely starting some kind of relationship by the end of the show. There is a closeness that is very cute between these two. K.O. is not expressive, but is constantly taking care of Hao Mei and Hao Mei is jealous of other people interacting with K.O. and is proud of him, not to mention K.O. protects him. Essentially, while I would have loved for this to sprout to full blown romance, I am happy at the groundwork laid for a relationship for them.

6. Let’s Talk About That Ending

Spoilers, obviously. So, this show has always been incredibly grounded and the ending is no different. Much of the last episode is dedicated to Xiao Nai getting Weiwei’s parents’ permission to marry her and then bringing their families together. I didn’t even mind that we didn’t get to see the wedding because the scene where Nai is helping her put on her wedding dress is sensual, intimate, and just touching. Not to mention, her dress is a red gorgeous thing that instantly brings back memories of her character’s red outfit, reminding the audience of the roots of the relationship. She looks all at once not totally done up, because she’s at home freshly showered, and so authentically beautiful and happy, that it’s a lovely wrap to the show. The two of them are building their home and life together and you get to see just enough of it to feel satisfied. Finally, it was a joy for him to bring him back and walk her through where he first saw her. They muse on how they may have missed each other and it really is such a wonder that there relationship worked out the way that it did.

7. Xiao Nai

This seems a little low down on my list and that’s only because Xiao Nai is the closest thing this drama has to a trope. He’s not overly rich, but he’s well off, and he’s gorgeous and great at everything from IT to basketball. Yet, despite this, he seems incredibly grounded. He doesn’t care that everyone is looking at him, isn’t embarrassed by how much he likes Weiwei, how inexperienced he is at romance. He has a great balance of dry humor, he loves to mess with just about everyone, and sincerity, so that Weiwei is never left doubting his feelings for her. He cares about whether her friends are taken care of and that her parents like him. He works a lot, but makes sure that Weiwei is never feeling less than cared for. Most importantly, though, we come back to the trust issue. When anyone casts doubt on Weiwei, he stands by her, forever, and that is what truly makes him gorgeous.

8. The Support Systems

I love the friends on both sides of this show. Weiwei’s roommates are totally her number 1 supporters when she gets with Xiao Nai, rather than being jealous that he wants her. They care for each other and watch each other’s back. Erxi and Weiwei do have some issues to work through, but the sincerity of their friendship is evident and you can see how important it is to both of them. Likewise, Xiao Nai’s friends are loyal and funny and they immediately embrace Weiwei as family. There, again, is barely any jealousy, but good natured love for each other. I like that Weiwei and Xiao Nai take the time to get to know each others’ friends (OK she gets to know his friends more, but still). This is something I feel like gets overlooked in a lot of drama romances - they’re so concerned with developing the relationship that they don’t incorporate their lives together. It’s one thing I like particularly about Meteor Garden and Love 020 does it better.

Hate:

OK, there is one single, solitary thing that I really didn’t like about this show. It’s small, but this show is so flawless that is stuck out to me. Tiny spoilers ahead. There is one conversation in episode 23 that grates on my nerves. Erxi and Weiwei have a falling out after Erxi realizes what’s been happening between her and Cao Guang in the game. In the attempt to comfort her later, Xiao Nai tells Weiwei essentially that she shouldn’t feel too bad because Erxi is just a small part of Wei wei’s life and he is her everything. It’s played straight, but that’s horrible advice. I think they were trying to get at the fact that he is a constant to her, but it ends up sounding like he is the only thing she needs… which isn’t right. It’s important for people to have strong friendships outside of their relationships. It’s even weirder for Nai to say that when his male friendships are so strong and important. He really should have said that they’d work it out. I did like him encouraging her that the two of them (Nai/Weiwei) wouldn’t need to fight in the future because they have other ways to solve their problems, but I wish he hadn’t followed it up with something so… immature. It also sticks way out because Nai is otherwise so reasonable, that it just tanked that scene for me.

I will say that this conversation is redeemed in the fact that he tells Erxi how much Weiwei misses her and how happy they’ll be to make up. I’m hoping something is lost in the translation of this scene, because I know he doesn’t feel like their friendship isn’t important (he even threatens Cao Guang about messing with their friendship), so it just seemed like a weird thing to say. But, I am dwelling on the tiny, tiny piece of an otherwise stellar show.

So…

Can you tell that I loved this show? Have I been holding it in? Yeah, it’s obvious, this show was a home run for me. I like shows that are happy, fluffy, and this one was totally different than the things I have been watching recently. I am actually feeling a keen sense of loss at finishing this show because I was enjoying watching it so much (I actually forced myself to space out several of the episodes so that I could savor the experience). I plan to actually watch the whole thing over again as soon as possible - the 30 episodes seem to fly by. For a show whose main characters don’t meet for 10 episodes, it sure is awfully compelling. It’s sweet, it’s healthy, it’s inspiring, it’s warm. Perfect for a winter night watch.

Final Grade: Super Double A+ Perfection

CDrama Review: Meteor Garden 2018

The Gist: F4 are the handsome, rich, smart, quartet of bridge players at Ming De University. Poor but plucky Dong Shancai (Shen Due) is thrown into their path when bad-tempered leader Daoming Si (Dylan Wang) crushes her phone accidentally. Rather than offering to pay for the damage, Si brushes Shancai off, forcing her to take drastic action. Si’s never had a girl quite like Shancai stand up to him before and the more time he spends with her, the more he softens. But Shancai is looking towards another member of F4, Huaze Lei (Darren Chen), who is much gentler and much quieter. When both start to fight for her affection, where will she land?

Side note to get started, Hana Yori Dango, the Japanese live action drama based on the the source material for this drama was my first live action drama, so this has nostalgia for me but I am also critical that it gets done right. The KDrama version has so many missteps and Meteor Garden 2 is one of my least favorite dramas of all time, so I was skeptical going in. I must say I am really pleased with this incarnation, so let’s get into the specifics.

Love:

1. The Casting

I am floored by how pitch perfect the casting for this drama is. Shen Yue is excellent as Shancai and I had already loved her in A Love So Beautiful. Still, I think the boys are really where this drama shines. Daoming Si has the perfect balance of sweetness and temper (which was the right note in the original MG). Lei has the gentle, sleepy vibe down pat, where it felt more like he was living the part rather than acting it. Even the side characters, Si’s fiancé Xiaozi and Shancai’s friends are pitch-perfect, supportive but not static. It took me a little bit to grow on Xiaoyou, who seemed overly quiet at first, but she gets fired up as the show goes on. Most importantly, Si and Shancai do have great on-screen chemistry, which only gets better as the show progresses. This is a great reinforcement of the development of their characters as they get more comfortable (and more desperate) with each other.

2. Toned-Down

While I do love the basic core premise of this show, there was always something sort of inherently despicable about F4. In the source material, they use their wealth and power to bully the students at their school, actively encourage, nee ordering students to attack each other. The Korean version starts off with Jan Di stopping a bullied student from committing suicide. YIKES.

MG18 took real effort to tone down the harshness of these characters. F4 is still popular and unattainable and Daoming Is still has an attitude problem, but they’re not monsters (like hire-someone-to-assault-the-girl-you-like monsters; still looking at you original Si.). I was also skeptical about making them bridge players - it was just more surprising and didn’t fit with my preconceived view of them than anything else - but it makes sense to give them a framework to challenge people. It makes sense that they get card challenges, they’re card players. Makes more sense than the F4 death threats.

Another tone-down I really like is with Shancai’s classmate, Li Zhen (Dong Xin). Minor spoilers - so Li Zhen’s character in the other versions is so obsessed with Daoming Is that she is willing to hire and beat up Shancai to get what she wants, and is really just pretending to be a friend. Li Zhen in this version does take some unpleasant action against Shancai, but it is out of frustration with their friendship, which has its problems. More than that though, Shancai forgives her and she becomes a good friend throughout the show. I love redemption and it was nice to have a version of this show that finally gives her a chance.

Speaking of classmates, I could not stand Qinghe in the original Meteor Garden. He is over the top and kind of useless. I liked that they toned him down in this version and while he still loves Shancai, it doesn’t impede the progress of the story. I also like that they strengthened their friendship. They stayed good friends through high school and now college, rather than reconnecting in the middle of the show. Qinghe is a best friend to Shancai and this version really sells that.

3. HURTS SO GOOD

So, fans of the original storyline will know that things were always going to get worse before they got better. Somewhere around episode 27/28, things are going totally sideways and while I longed for the happy ending, I loved the tears and the drama. More minor spoilers. I am obsessed with the rain breakup scene outside of Daoming Si’s house, I am obsessed with him throwing the necklace into the water and Shancai having a hysterical breakdown searching for it, and I am obsessed with Si’s drunken laughter turning to full on sobbing before a straight cut to credits! Just carve my heart out. Not to mention the heartache that both Lei and Meizuo go through in the course of this show. Some of the best moments of this show, I was sitting on my couch, tearing up over my poor babies.

4. Good Character Development

With a show this long, it has a lot of time to develop its characters and MG18 does not waste that opportunity. The chief among this is always going to be Daoming Si. You can see his reactions to things changing over the course of the show. He goes from violent and demanding things to working at them and keeping his cool. While this is definitely evident in his dealings with Shancai, it is even more so in his dealings with Xiaozi and F4. He tries so hard to let Shancai go, but he is up front with Xiaozi, twice, when he knows that things can’t work with them. I love the moment where he tells her to go find a good man. He doesn’t drag her along but validates her feelings. Additionally, Lei and Si have a complicated relationship, but time and time again they try to make space and accommodate each other, even when their feelings overlap. They may flare up now and then, but overall their relationship is really sweet.

5. Episode 13

So, I know this seems weirdly specific, but this is the episode that really sold me on their romance. When Shancai wants to give up, Si gives her some tough love, but then they just spend some time unwinding together playing cards, drawing on each others’ faces, and sleeping (I mean cuddling!). Although they are still a long way off from being together, it feels natural for them with each other. There is also this really nice moment where Shancai closes her eyes and would let him kiss her, but he backs off and decides not to. It’s good to see her growing more towards him and him growing more patient.

6. NO AMNESIA

Enough said.

7. Cute Cameos

Fans of the original will find a few familiar faces (and they're not very subtle about it). The mom in the original is the restaurant owner in London. It was so nice to have a few nods to the original. I also thought it closing out on the original theme music was a nice touch.

Meh:

1. Product Placement

So, I am not so naive as to thing a big show like this one won’t have product placement, but they really are hitting you over the head with it. I don’t know what beverage they are drinking, but boy are they drinking it always and always and always (and now I want one - so I guess I get it?). Also, they’re sure to talk about perfume and skin care. I understand what’s happening, but it would take me out of the moment every time.

2. Caina

OK, so this is not nearly as bad as all the side characters of the original Meteor Garden, but boy did we spend a lot of time on Caina. Play-boy F4 member Meizuo finally falls hard for someone and labors at winning her over, even though it’s immediately obvious that she’s totally into someone else. I really felt for Meizuo and this was good growth for his character, having him really experience heartbreak for the first time, but letting her go to be happy. Still, there are a lot of scenes between China and Terrence and I just did not care. I only cared about her in regards to Meizuo and that made all of those scenes painful. I admit, somewhere around the middle of this situation, I started fast-forwarding through all of their scenes. There was so much else going on in the story, that I just felt like we were wasting time. I did watch the last scene to see their romance wrap, but I didn’t really feel like I missed anything jumping those scenes, if you feel like doing the same.

3. Too Long to Fall in Love

I get it. There are 50(ish) episodes to fill. I love a slow burn romance, but we know that Shancai loves Daoming Si way earlier than she is willing to admit to him. I understand there are some challenges to overcome, but she spends way too long not being honest with herself that it starts to impact the pace of the show. I had this complaint about the original as well so at least I wasn't surprised about it. The good news is once she does come around, it's so cute!

4. Ximen/Xiaoyou

First - small complaint. Why did Xiaoyou cut her hair?? It was so cute. But that's besides the point. I wasn't really sure where we were going with this story line. Their romance has a lot of different endings based on the version you watch. Some spoilers. While I'm happy their romance worked out, I don't think their chemistry is as good as other characters on the show. Additionally, I don't think Ximen does enough to prove he's serious about Xiaoyou. She works so hard for him and after he admits his feelings, he just takes her on the standard date that Meizuo did earlier. That wasn't exactly screaming sincerity to me. I am glad at the progression of this storyline, but I did feel that Xiaoyou is too good for him. At least he knows it.

5. The Wedding

Spoilers! Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that we finally get a wedding! The original teases that story before bailing on the amnesia story from hell, so it is nice to get some closure. More than that, the wedding prep episodes were some of the cutest of the show (will I even get over Daoming Si calling Shancai's mom, mom? no!). There are some weird points. What was up with it being like a surprise wedding? Why weren't her parents there? Or his mom? What was up with the weird dancing, dream sequence? The whole thing seemed so silly for no reason in a series of events that were really serious. Also, let's talk about Si's mom. I love that we get some redemption for her, but we never see her really apologize to Si or Shancai before moving on. More than that, they're doing this dumb hunger strike when Daoming Si has a backup plan he just never gets around to mentioning to her? I know it makes for dramatic television, but that whole episode just felt force for me. Luckily them jumping ahead in their marriage a bit to them visiting Lei was a beautiful wrap up.

So:

So.... I think that despite some minor qualms with the show, this is as close to perfect as any of the versions of this story have ever been. It handles it's length well, subtracting and adding to the story just right. The friendships and romances were true joys to watch. The cast chemistry is excellent and I found myself really looking forward to episodes of this show. I was really worried about the amnesia thing, which basically obliterated my opinion of Meteor Garden 2 in the original series, but it pokes a little fun at this before moving on (thank god!). All in all I found this to be excellent and I was so happy to watch another, great version of this show.

Final Grade: A+

CDrama Review: A Love So Beatiful

 *Available on U.S. Netflix*

The Gist: Plucky Xiaoxi (Shen Yue) pursues a one-sided love with her smart, but cold neighbor Jiang Chen (Hu Yitian). Jiang Chen has a hard time looking past her low IQ and embarrassing antics, but starts to get possessive when a new student, competitive swimmer Wu Bosong (Gao Zhiting) transfers to their school. Still, as both boys start to circle Xiaoxi, neither can really accurately express their feelings. The cast of friends is rounded out by tough but smart Jingxiao (Wang Ziwei) and dorky Lu Yang (Sun Ning). The five friends live out their high school days trying to sort out their hearts and chase their dreams!

Love:

1. The Romance

So, did this summary remind anyone of all those Itazura Na Kiss adaptations? The smart but cold boy pursued by energetic but dumb girl. They’re neighbors in this rather than living together, but the effect is similar. Readers should know by now, though, that my love for the Kiss franchises (It Started With a Kiss, Mischievous Kiss, Miss in Kiss, etc.), so it was nice to see a show that had the same vibes.

However, there were some major differences that I found quite awesome in our main duo. Shen Yue and Hu Yitian have awesome chemistry as our main pair. While Xiaoxi is totally obsessed with Jiang Chen, she doesn’t wrap her career around him and when she feels like she’s being mistreated, she doesn’t hesitate to stand up for herself. There are some misunderstandings that arise from this, but it’s nice to see a girl who can still stick up for herself despite being so in love.

Likewise, once Jiang Chen admits his feelings, he is very doting on Xiaoxi. It’s so lovely to see that he isn’t embarrassed of her. When he tells people that she’s his girlfriend or their getting married, it almost took me by surprise because he does grow a lot in the series from being so closed off. Into some spoiler territory, at the ending, it does take him a long time to apologize (and there was fault on both sides), but when he does, he is so sincere about it, it just wiggled its way into my heart.

Honestly, I have heart cavities from how incredibly sweet this show is.

Also, I will say, again, in small spoiler territory, that I loved the development between Jingxiao and Lu Yang. I was worried with the nurse plot, but they are a good match and it was nice to have their story moving along in the background from our main couple. Again, this show is just so sweet all around, I could barely take it!

2. The Time Jump

So another thing about this show that reminds me of the Kiss franchises is the time jump. We see our characters not only in high school (though that is the bulk of the show), but in college and beyond as well. I was wondering why all the characters looked so old at the beginning of the show, but once I realized the scope of what they were doing, it made sense. I like this in the Kiss shows and I liked it a lot here as well.

It was nice to see how our characters matured and to give their relationships time to develop. Obviously, any show like this will have some relationship problems to work through and I think that progressing to working adults gave some extra opportunities to really handle the nuances and hard work of balancing life with your work. Also, the ending to this show was just so insanely adorable, I couldn’t handle it. Their relationship isn’t perfect, but it felt very relatable.

3. Wu Bosong

Oh man. I really liked Bosong. His relationship with Xiaoxi is really funny - I love that he calls her boss. He is very supportive and friendly and while you know that Jiang Chen is end game, I did really feel bad for him. Not to say I think that Xiaoxi should have ended up with him, but some triangles are harder to swallow than others and I think this one was difficult. He is willing to open up to Xiaoxi in a way that Jiang Chen isn’t for a long time, but I think he just came from too far behind, she was already so in love with Jiang Chen by the time Bosong showed up. I will say though, that a lot of the parts following him swimming when other characters weren’t present, I found myself skimming. I like him more in relation to other characters than I did on his own. Additionally, I liked that Bosong and Jiang Chen had sort of an uneasy friendship. It’s more complicated than if they just straight up hate each other all the time. I think it also allows for Jiang Chen to really have to contemplate if Xiaoxi would be happier with Bosong.

4. Pacing

I was a little worried about this show being 23 (+1 bonus) episodes long, but honestly, I watched this show so fast that I didn’t even mind that it was on the longer side. Realistically, this is one of those shows that I would have kept watching if it was even longer. Things move a little slower during the high school years, but not in a way that I minded. I like a little bit of a slow burn romance (although I was ecstatic when they finally got together). The later episodes move really quickly and I think that doesn’t leave too much room for filler. This means that most of the show at that point is just so focused on the romance and that’s just the way that I like it.

5. Jiang Chen

OK, so I said already I like the romance, but I really loved Jiang Chen. Hu Yitian does such a fabulous job of making him aloof, but also just so so caring. You can tell how much he loves Xiaoxi and is just totally committed to that. I find that he really shines in their kiss scenes. The expressions he makes before (super intense) and after (kind of an amazed dazed?) are just to die for. It’s lovely. Also, he is very beautiful, so I get where Xiaoxi is coming from. I don’t think my heart would make it either.

Meh/Hate

Honestly, this is another one of those times that I am really wracking my brain to figure out what about this show bothered me and am coming up quite short. This show warmed my heart so completely and I am excited at the prospect of watching it again sometime soon. Spoilers: I think maybe my only complaint is that we didn’t get to see a wedding for them? But at the same time, we get a beautiful proposal and we did get to see Lu Yang and Jingxiao’s wedding, so maybe that would have been overkill.

So:

So… I adored this show! ADORED IT. This was one of those times that I was slowing down so that I could savor it just a little longer because I wanted to watch the entire thing in one sitting. It was a struggle. This is a great summer show - light with all the romance. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but it executes familiar tropes well.

Final Grade: A+

JDrama Review: My Little Lover (Minami kun no Koibitio)

The Gist: Chiyomi (Maika Yamamoto) and Minami (Taishi Nakagawa) used to be best friends. After knowing each other since childhood and being neighbors, Minami suddenly pulls away when his father leaves his family. Now in high school, Chiyomi and Minami barely speak to one another. That is, until a rainy night catches Chiyomi out in the storm and she wakes up to be several inches tall (think Honey I Shrunk the Kids). After Minami tracks her down, she begs him to hide her rather than burden her parents with her mystical disaster. Minami reluctantly agrees. While the challenges of having to take care of your tiny next-door neighbor cause troubles for Minami, the new close quarters give them a chance to work out just exactly what went wrong in their relationship.

Love:

1. Unique

I am on a kick of shows that I had been avoiding because they just sounded so stupid. I should know by now that the dumber the premise, the better the show. After reading a couple good reviews, I decided to watch this one. It was short, so despite being skeptical, I dove in. I actually watched this entire show in one sitting on my day off. I can say I’ve been thinking about it every since I finished it because it was just a strange plot that is executed really well.

Really, what is the bread-and-butter of this show is Minami and Chiyomi. They both have some serious acting hurdles to overcome because with Chiyomi needing to be so small, they can’t actually act directly at each other (in real life). I thought both actors handled it really well and they both managed to convince me that they were talking to one another, when it is obviously an effect. It is no small feat to handle a romance when the girl fits in the guy’s pocket, but they handled the chemistry in all the right places.

Not to mention, it was interesting to see how they handled the tiny details of her being so small. Where does she go to the bathroom? (my biggest question and it was answered immediately). How will she bathe? What will she wear? It’s hilarious to see Minami struggle to take care of her like a small child when she’s really a peer.

2. The Romance

So, I think one of the things I really like about Japanese romance dramas is they tend to focus really singularly on the main pair. Korean dramas tend to build a lot of other story lines and multiple romances and it’s interesting, but can be overbearing. Every scene in every episode of this show is in service of the romance and the main problem of Chiyomi being small. This helps with the pacing of the show as it’s relationship-building is front and center.

I also really like that they avoided any major love-triangles, although in another show, Sayori could have been the leading lady. Her and Minami had a lot in common and really her only flaw is that she isn’t Chiyomi. Obviously she serves the purpose of getting Minami to really confront his feelings, but I appreciate that they developed her into a well-rounded character and not just a set piece.

Honestly, the show that this actually gave me a similar vibe to is Mischeivous Kiss. Now, you should all know how much I love that show (Mirai Suzuki was actually in both shows and in the hospital scene, the characters are reading the manga!). Something about the forced cohabitation and the male lead coming to realize the one for him has been there all along has a similar warm feeling. Especially as their families are both friends, even though this plot is totally different, I found myself feeling similarly to how I do when I watch Mischievous Kiss.

Let’s get into spoiler territory here. I love that since the traditional skinship of this show has to be light (she’s so tiny!) that we make up for it with a big kiss scene at the hospital. I wasn’t totally sure how much of this we were going to get, but I appreciate that after waiting all this time, they didn’t shy away from our characters getting their much deserved intimacy once Chiyomi grows again. Also, I know some people will think this show ties up too neatly, but I love a show that ends on a wedding. Gah! It’s so cute!

3. Our defeated rivals

I know I touched a bit on how Sayori is a well-developed character beyond being a rival, but I was equally impressed with Chiyomi’s other potential love-interest Riku (played by the above-mentioned Mirai Suzuki). While he is definitely way too obsessed with dolls (it’s a touch problematic to want to keep a girl in your pocket…you know, without the supernatural circumstances), I appreciate him manning up and stepping aside when it’s obvious that the person Chiyomi loves is Minami and not him. I found him to be a fairly mature character and I was glad we didn’t shoe-horn extra conflict in with him. Also, he handles finding out Chiyomi’s secret like a boss.


4. Family Building

Now, while the romance is definitely the focus of the show, the family relationships are an excellent backdrop. So much of how children see romance is colored by their parents’ relationships. We see how much Minami’s father leaving affects him, but his grandmother and mom are both so strong and so supportive. Although he feels like he has to be the protector, they are both good examples of leadership in his life. I like how when Minami gets into trouble helping Chiyomi, his mom’s first reaction is always to support him, rather than punish him. It is clear that they have a lot of trust in their relationship, which you can see mirrored in his approach to Chiyomi.

It’s obvious throughout the show that Chiyomi’s parents have problems. We find out quickly that they got married after Chiyomi’s mom became pregnant. Their relationship is stressed as their daughter appears to be missing, but I appreciate how they resolve this storyline, especially how Chiyomi gets to be a part of this solution. Just as her parents have to work at their relationship, Chiyomi and Minami have to work at theirs.

Meh:

1. Self-defeating problems

So, throughout the show, I was really wondering what happened to Chiyomi and Minami’s relationship.  It was obvious it had something to do with his father, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Slight spoilers ahead - finally, Minami confesses that he pushed her away because he was worried his feelings for her would change and that he would abandon her, like his father did to his mother. All that makes sense in the mind of a pre-teen teenager, but when the solution to that problem is to randomly have a change of heart and abandon her… aren’t you just becoming the thing you’re afraid of earlier? Again, I am willing to forgive this plot line because he is so young when his dad leaves, he doesn’t really have the tools to process what happened to him, but it is a little ironic that he enacts what he’s afraid of as a solution.

Speaking of problem-solving, so it becomes obvious quickly that the reason that Chiyomi is staying with Minami is to get closer to him rather than to spare her parents, but for how much she complains about her parents reactions, they also handle finding out her secret with cool heads. It becomes obvious in the end of the show that she was creating more problems than she was solving, but again, forgivable - she’s a teen girl with a chance to get close to her crush. Eh, I’d do the same.

2. The Special Effects

Don’t get me wrong, as far as dramas go, they did a pretty stellar job with the effect of Chiyomi being tiny. Yet, there was always a little part of my mind thinking “the pillow’s not indenting where she is.” While they got the placement right and the acting is great, they have a hard time making Chiyomi look like she has any weight to her. It’s especially obvious when he’s holding her that it’s not quite right. Again, I think everyone does a great job and it doesn’t really detract from the writing of the show, not to mention how much did the effects cost already, it’s just a little distracting. I will say, they did a pretty good job of making her look like she’s wearing things that are tiny, large knit cloth or doll’s clothes. Additionally, her holding giant pieces of food is always hilarious.

So:

So… color me surprised, I freaking adored this little (get it??) show. It was an excellent watch, with all the right pieces for a good romance. It’s not especially heavy, but it does have just enough that it will keep you thinking about it for awhile (at least, it did for me). At 10 episodes, it’s much less of a commitment than a lot of other shows and the story just breezes by. I definitely recommend for any and all drama watchers, especially those who liked Mischievous Kiss.

Final Grade: A+

KDrama Review: Beating Again/Falling for Innocence

The Gist: Kang Min Ho (Jung Kyoung Ho) has a major chip on his shoulder. After his sick father’s death during his childhood, his uncle betrayed his father, took over his company and abandoned his family. The betrayal and loss prompted his mother to commit suicide, leaving Min Ho with a whole slew of emotions to work through. He lands primarily on revenge, eyeing his uncle’s company, with a plan to dismantle it before the same heart disorder that claimed his father’s life claims his own.

It is in the midst of this hostile take over, that he is reunited with a childhood acquaintance Kim Soong Jung (Kim So Yeon). She has taken up the mantle of her father as secretary to the chairman, Min Ho’s uncle, at their company. This has not done her any favor with Min Ho, who sees her whole family as complicit in his uncle’s betrayal.

A twist of fate intervenes when Soon Jung’s dopey and lovable fiancé is in a car accident (more on this later), and is a match to donate a heart to Min Ho. After the transplant, Min Ho starts displaying personality traits and a stronger affinity towards the now grieving Soon Jung. This relationship is further complicated by longtime friend Joon Hee (Yoon Hyun Min) who will do anything to win Min Ho’s seat at the company and Soon Jung’s heart (like, literally ANYTHING).

Love:

1) Min Ho Substitute Father

So Min Ho is understandably wrestling with a lot of guilt when he realizes that he has Soon Jung’s fiance’s heart. One of the best things about this show was the relationship he builds with the heart donor’s father, played beautifully by Ahn Suk Hwan. They have a hilarious teasing relationship that turns sincere as they are trying to save their company. All the while, they are filling a void in each other’s lives, with Min Ho having lost a father and Tae Seok having lost his son. He is a great force for good in Min Ho’s relationship with Soon Jung, as he wants her to move on and be happy. *Minor Spoilers* When it is revealed that Min Ho has his son’s heart, Tae Seok is happy for Min Ho and grateful that his son’s death means another can live. The continued relationship for them I felt was very strong and added a good depth to Min Ho’s development across the span of the show. While I love the romance, this relationship was probably my favorite thing about this show.

2) Min Ho

Kyoung Ho really gets put in some work and show off his acting chops in this drama. He does a great range from pre and post transplant Min Ho. He plays fierce perfectly in the beginning of the show, but is completely believable as the softer hearted man he becomes throughout the show. He does excellent work So Yeon, who are handling a lot of complex emotions they need to show on screen. So Yeon also does an excellent job juggling falling for Min Ho, still missing her fiance, and feeling guilty about both. Min Ho is just an instantly likable character, and even when he is being cruel, you can tell that he is just hurting. I like that they plant some seeds of empathy in Soon Jung before his transformation and you can tell that even she understands why he is the way he is. Sure, that doesn’t necessarily excuse his behavior, but he is a character whose motivations I understand completely. This is a combination of solid writing and great acting, that I really enjoyed. 

3) Villain Commitment

We are going to head back into spoiler territory. So at the beginning of this series, you really think that the uncle is going to be the big bad. Oh boy is that not the end of it. Joon Hee starts out as a fairly beige character whose biggest threat is being in a love triangle. But oh man do they double down on committing him to irredeemability. If Min Ho’s motivations are completely understandable, than Joon Hee is on the complete other side of the spectrum. He, in the course of the show, sabotages a company several times, murders his best friend and then relentlessly pursues his fiancee, treats his father like garbage even though he is willing to protect him at the cost of his life, and just has no sense of shame. I have never seen a character under the guise of a friend who I so strongly object to. I found myself just watching this play out with my mouth agape at the gall he has to continue to woo Soon Jung after murdering her fiancé. I just can’t even.

However, I will say that this kept things interesting. I am sick to death of the second lead syndrome and Joon Hee’s actions again and again make it totally impossible for him to ever have a shot at being redeemable in any shape or form. I was impressed that the show was willing to go this far, to break Soon Jung’s heart so completely. I am also glad that the show gave Soon Jung a chance to confront him after she figures out what he’s done. It was a unique twist to this show’s development.

Meh:

1) Let’s Suspend Our Disbelief

I know most Kdrama’s really ask you to not think too hard about what it is they’re doing with the plot, but this show is pushing the envelope a little. Now, people who have transplants do sometimes start exhibiting tastes and behaviors of the people their organs are from. However, I don’t think psychic memories are included. I am willing to set this aside for the sake of an otherwise strong show, but it did have me sort of scratching my head a little bit when we would run into those scenes. If you go into this knowing that you are going to have to turn off your thinking brain for a bit to get through a few scenes, you should make it out OK.

2) A lot of Corporate Stuff

Oof. Beyond the wonderful character building and romance development, there is a lot of time spent plotting and in corporate warfare. I think this show does a fairly good job of balancing that aspect of the story with other more interesting parts of the show, but there were definitely scenes and problems that I was just ready to be done with even before they started. Still, the reward for sticking through all the corporate problems is satisfying. More spoilers, the ending is a nice wrap-up with Min Ho getting what he’s working for and Joon Hee getting some swift justice.

So:

So… my gripes with this show are relatively minor and I will say I thoroughly enjoyed watching this show. The romance was a delight from start to finish and now that I am more used to dramas being a bit both dark and funny in the same show, I think I didn’t mind that this show is a strange blend of several tones. There are definitely some heartbreaking moments, but the viewer is rewarded for powering through them with some great character development and sweet moments. I will say, when I first read the summary for this show, I thought it sounded stupid, but I was very glad I gave it a try (I should stop judging shows on their summaries. Some of the best ones have the dumbest premises!).

Final Grade: A

KDrama Review: Goblin (The Lonely and Great)

The Gist: Once upon a time there was a man. This man was a general in the king's army. This general was betrayed by his king and suffered a great curse. This man was no longer a man. He was a goblin.

Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) has wandered the world for over 900 years, waiting for the Goblin's Bride who can remove the sword in his chest and his immortal curse. Ji Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun) has always been different - the ghosts she can see have told her that she is the Goblin's Bride, although she does not know what that means. That is, until her 19th birthday when she summons a Goblin to her side by blowing out the candles on her cake. In Kim Shin, Eun Tak finds a salvation from her miserable home and school life and in her, he finds his chance to die. Unfortunately, now that he is not alone, he is not sure he is ready for his time to end.

Throw in a Grim Reaper (Lee Dong Wook), who becomes the Goblin's unlikely roommate and who can't reconcile his feelings sassy chicken store owner (Yoo In Na) and you've got Goblin. Let's settle in - it's a fabulous ride.

Love:

1. The World Building

I have been mostly unimpressed with the fantasy dramas I've watched thus far, so I was excited to hear that Goblin was doing so well. The thing that impressed me right off the bat was the nuances of the world that were a constant delight to discover. I love the corporate feel of the reaper world; that the most troubling thing that they deal with is too much paperwork. I love the teahouse that Reaper operates out of and the mysterious questions about the reapers' pasts. Some of the best scenes are when Reaper is escorting souls on their way (the blind man meeting his guide dog! I teared up.)

I also love the touches on the Goblin lore. The doors that open between places for him and the summoning with the fire were both nice touches to the storyline. There is also a great intersection of worlds when the Goblin interferes with doomed souls. The balance between real world and fantastical elements is handled craftily and the whole discovery was a joy.

2. The Found Family

This is one of my favorite story devices: when a group of unrelated people create their own family and depend on each other. This starts with the Goblin and Reaper. Their bromance really steals the show in every scene they are opposite each other. They are natural opposites, but as two eternal and empathetic beings, they are naturally poised to understand each other. Especially as they both start romances with mortal girls, they are following each others' pitfalls. The scene where the Goblin and Reaper come to save Eun Tak from the kidnappers and they're doing a nice slow-motion walk gave me literal chills. LITERAL CHILLS.

They're also both sort of tragic heroes. As comedic as they are, they are both facing down their own tragic fates. The Goblin is doomed to die now that he's met the girl he loves and the Reaper can't really connect with a mortal because he does not know himself or his past.

Next up in the family is Eun Tak. Although she's the only mortal residing in the house, she's magical in her own right. She can see the reapers, the Goblin, and ghosts, and she has her own special role to play. She brings a unique perspective to the house and it's adorable to see the boys get protective over her. I love her bright and cheery attitude in the face of her troubles - which I know is standard for heroines, but I love a strong and chipper leading lady.

Rounding out the family is Duk Hwa (Yook Sung Jae). He is likely to rub you the wrong way at first, but it's nice to see his growth through the show. Also it's funny to see him push the buttons on our Goblin friend, especially knowing the history his family has of serving him.

Sunny is fabulous in her own right, but she's not really connected to the house, so she is a little ancillary to the found family in my mind. However, her big sis attitude with Eun Tak and total confidence is refreshing. She also took some time to grow on me, but her chemistry with Reaper is fantastic and heartbreaking all at once.

3. The Romance

Like Descendants of The Sun, Goblin has two parallel storylines rather than competing love triangles. The romance is well paced and well developed. On the Goblin/Eun Tak side of things, you get over the supposed age gap pretty fast. The Canada scenes were some of the best of the bunch. Eun Tak and the Goblin both have some pretty dramatic acting to do with each other and both actors rise to the occasion. Especially towards the end, there is some nice kisses and sweet touches. They are a well written pair, which makes the balance they walk of sad and funny so poignant.

Reaper and Sunny likewise are total delights. The way they meet is hilarious and without spoiling much, the ultimate framework of their love story is well woven, which kept me totally engaged. Their romantic trajectory is very different from the others, but I think that's what keeps this show interesting.

Honestly, I found myself thinking as the show went on that it was just plain romantic. Not sweet, not cute, not sexy, just so so romantic. It's one of the best I've seen.

4. The Backstory

I traditionally have had trouble with stories that jump back in time too much, have reincarnations/dopplegangers, and amnesia. Goblin has quite an abundance of all three and has handled it the best of any drama I have watched so far. Peeling the layers back on this story were worrying at times, exciting at others, but all the way had me just wanting to watch all of the time.

Let's get into spoiler territory here: So the Goblin, Reaper, and Sunny are all original players in the historical backdrop. The way that the Reaper handled finding out he was Wang Yeo broke my heart all over the place, but watching him and Kim Shin work towards some kind of reconciliation that they didn't get in their past life really reinforced their friendship. I would have liked to see a bit more building between Kim Shin and Sunny (his reincarnated sister), but seeing Reaper and Sunny process who they are and sort it out across their lives made their romance ending particularly satisfying. I guessed that Reaper was the king very early on, but it was still fascinating to see everything fall into place as an organic source of conflict for our characters.

Meh:

1. Some qualms about that ending...

Spoilers ahead! You have been warned. So I had this aching in my stomach that this story was going to end sadly and I was half right. Yet, I think that the show ended exactly as it needed to. I have two qualms about the ending. They aren't flaws with the plot, but are things I am still processing and feeling a few days after finishing this show.

Number one: breaking up the bromance. Now, it is necessary for Reaper to be truly happy to put aside his memories once more and live again as a person. This gives him and Sunny the chance to be happy without the burden of their past. Reaper doesn't need to feel guilty anymore. He definitely has the happier of the two endings because Goblin now doesn't have his friend to walk his immortal life with. I was hoping that if Goblin has to live on that at least they'd still have each other. I was sad to see that relationship dissolve with the end of the show.

Number two: Goblin has such a sad fate. While it reinforces the sacrifice he makes for Eun Tak, to have the time with her in exchange for his chance to die, it is gut-wrenching to think of him living on waiting for her for years and years and years. If she only has four lives, then even living long with her will leave him alone for most of his life. Essentially, Kim Shin is exactly where he started - lonely and waiting for his bride. It was pleasant to see the two of them meet again at the end of the show, it was honestly happier than I thought they would get, but still ultimately left me feeling sad.

But, that's not such a bad thing. This show is all about balance and it is funny, happy, and breath-takingly romantic, but it is also sad, and anxious, and leaves you thinking and feeling long after you've finished. I love a happy ending, but it gives a real weight to the show that the emotions linger. At its heart, this show is sad, but the beautiful world and characters are definitely worth the trade off (also it's not hopeless, which is what I truly can't stand).

So.

So... let's wrap up this review. I didn't hate anything about this show and in fact, am surprised at just how impressed I am with it overall. It's one of the best shows I've watched. Period. The story is well-paced, the sets are beautiful, the effects are good, the romance is romantics, and the soundtrack is to DIE for (seriously - check out Round and Round and Stuck in Love. If you didn't watch the intro to this show every time, you are a stronger person than I).

Don't wait. Watch this show immediately and when you have a lot of time to sink into it. I can't recommend it enough.

Final Grade: A+++ Damn Near Perfect.