SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK MEETS SCOOBY DOO IN JOSEON ERA !!

What a wonderful & unexpected little gem of a show! I started watching this purely out of curiosity thanks to many positive comments left by netizens on various forums about The Forbidden Marriage (TFM) and I was most definitely not disappointed. After a very long time I came across a K-Drama that was this captivating and entertaining. The story is about a King who is in grief for 7 years since the death of his first wife under mysterious circumstances. The female lead is a small-time crook who due to reasons ends up lying to the King that she can communicate with the spirit of the deceased queen, hence starting her journey to not only heal the king but also unraveling the conspiracies within the palace against him. The following are my reasons why everyone should definitely watch this show (no spoilers):

1. WELL WRITTEN STORY: These days many K-drama and C-drama lovers have complained that many shows start promisingly but lose their potential midway or a story that should’ve had lesser episodes gets dragged on unnecessarily. All these problems do not plague TFM. Twelve episodes perfectly finish the main and sub plots without rushed ending or leaving us bored. I give full credit to the script writers for succeeding to do so. Also, the story was not at all predictable even though there was nothing wildly unique about it. Not many shows succeed to do so. TMF was a refreshing story in every aspect, from start to end.

2. GREAT BLEND OF GENRES: So many genres were infused in TMF: romance, comedy, suspense, mystery etc. But the makers were able to blend them well to narrate the story. It could’ve easily been a melodramatic romantic story about the ML trying to overcome his past with the help of FL (like Silver Linings Playbook) or become a Joseon era based royal mystery solving expedition with the sprinkle of comedy (like Scooby Doo), but they blended these aspects to produce an entertaining well-rounded show. Korean shows are usually exceptional when it comes to this style of storytelling. Also, the comedy in this show was executed to the point without being corny or silly. It fit seamlessly with the main plot rather than being funny for the heck of it, the comedy served a purpose.

3. UNIQUE OST: Thank God that they avoided ballads!! I have nothing against ballads, but Korean dramas tend to overuse this genre of music especially in Sageuk shows. But TMF has a very interesting blend of traditional sounds with modern music. The upbeat music infused with traditional Korean sounds made the watching experience refreshing and entertaining. It definitely added more substance to the story.

4. MODERN LEADS IN HISTORICAL TIMES: Both the lead characters in the show were fleshed out ingeniously. The ML is a king with average fighting abilities, is adequately smart, righteous and has TONS of feelings for a man in the Joseon era. At the time when men were expected to be strong with no ounce of weakness or soft emotional traits, our lead is the poster boy of soft masculinity. This kind of masculinity is usually depicted in modern K-dramas and not in Sageuks. So, seeing a man who can cry, be emotional, open to learning, empathetic to women, has his ego in check & can handle a prank or two in Joseon era was wonderful to watch. On the other hand, at the time when women had little to no rights, freedom or agency, our FL is seen exercising all of this and much more. She is probably the boldest character out of all and had the capacity to outsmart even the brightest minds of the time due to her ability to adapt and survive even in the harshest circumstances. I absolutely adored both the leads.

5. UNPREDICTABLE CASTING: If someone would’ve told me a year back that Kim Young Dae is being casted as a king for a Sageuk I would’ve been skeptical. Young Dae has grown on me as an actor over the years and I have seen him evolve since Its okay to be sensitive. He always had my attention, but I felt he has not reached his true potential and needed more experience. But I am highly impressed with his performance in TMF. He was absolutely enchanting and enigmatic as the king with great comic sense and romantic flare. He commanded the show with his stellar performance, and I am so glad that he was given a chance to shine. Hope he continues to get good scripts. Park Ju Hyun as the FL was a very surprising casting choice. This character is unlike anything she has done in the past. But I am glad that they casted her as she brought an earnest, soft yet vivacious & joyful performance that was required for the character. I look forward to her future projects. The second ML, Noh Tae Nam was an absolute jerk and loath worthy man in Military Prosecutor Doberman. Seeing him in TMF as a poised & gentle Joseon officer was wonderfully shocking. He is what people call a natural raw acting talent. I cannot wait for him to be casted as a main lead. The supporting cast was brilliant, and they held their ground very well. They uplifted the story as much the main cast.

TMF is a must watch for drama lovers…I cannot recommend it enough. If you seek a fun time binge watching an entertaining joy ride of a short drama, then TMF is for you.

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DEXTER/GAME OF THRONES MEETS KDRAMA WORLD !!??

This show left me extremely frustrated and ultimately disappointed. A part of me does not understand the massive appeal and praise it is getting let alone the insane ratings on this website. Another part of me knows exactly why it has attracted the audience's attention or why it will be remembered for a long time. When I started this show I could see the vast potential it held, but bit by bit my hopes went down the drain as the season progressed. My analysis stems from personal preferences and conscious/subconscious biases, so I hope you keep that in mind as you read ahead (though I've tried to be as objective as possible). Before I get into with my criticisms let me highlight what I enjoyed about the show.

What Worked???

1) Interesting Characters: The show boasts of a huge cast. Various types of characters from all walks of life have been utilized to push ahead the larger plot. I particularly enjoyed the antagonists of the show. The uniqueness to them, their thought process, weaknesses, character profile and interests made the story worth watching.

2) Stylish Aesthetics: The makers definitely kept in mind all the style requirements of the script. Just like the Bond movies, this series required showcasing luxurious and sharp cinematic geography. Not only did they pay attention to the wardrobe requirements (especially of Song Joong Ki) but also celebrating the narrative spectacle. The makers did a good job of consistently visually enticing while making every facet of the story larger than life, which eventually made the show enjoyable (to some extent).

3) Fascinating Idea: The core concept of Vincezo rests on the idea that “only one shade of evil can sabotage the other shade of evil in the quest for justice”. This notion has been used in many movies or dramas across the world, especially in the context of vigilante justice. But what was interesting was a Kdrama flirting with the world of Italian mafia to execute this idea. Even though the story is primarily based on Seoul and on the nexus between corporate sector, politics, judiciary, criminals and law enforcing officers, it did borrow elements of mafia practices to enrich the story.

4) Quality Acting: As usual, kdramas seldom disappoint in this section. Everyone did an adequate job in portraying their characters. Song Joong Ki was able to skillfully steer the show based on his performance (considering the whole plot revolved around him). Jeon Yeo Bin was refreshing in her portrayal of a quirky yet intelligent lawyer. However as I said, the antagonists of the show were the ones that left a formidable impact on the viewers. Ok Taec Yeon was absolutely stellar as a sassy yet scarily eccentric psychopath (who would’ve thought he is capable to demonstrating such evilness with so much conviction). Kwak Dong Yeon has only been improving with every project he has undertaken, so I have huge hopes for his future. And finally, Kim Yeo Jin was brilliant at making me hate her character’s sheer guts to execute whatever she did in the show.

What did not work???

1) Genre Mix-Match Gone Wrong: Now we all know that kdramas are excellent at mixing various genres and presenting a hard hitting story without losing its essence. However, this was not the case in this show. The dark element of this show was higher than any average mainstream kdrama. Bloodshed and gruesome deaths were a key element of the story. But the constant jump between intense scenes and comic elements diluted this seriousness. Now of course this was a conscious decision to lighten the mood of the show for the audience, but honestly it did more damage to the narration and atmospherics. This cracked the illusion of the world the show was trying so hard to build. And the makers did this throughout the series. This deteriorated my interest in the story and I felt least invested in the fate of the characters. The romantic element was still bearable because it was between two mature adults and was not over done. Their chemistry was natural, believable and sat in tandem with their character growth.

2) Glorification of Vigilante Justice: Picking up arms, practicing violent means, breaking laws and challenging the system is the core element of vigilante justice themed movies/dramas. I am not a hard line critic of this genre however this depends on the shade of darkness the protagonist brings on the screen. If I have to simply put it, Vincezo Cassano is a man no normal person would want to be associated with, no matter what. His character reminded me of Dexter and to some extent the brutality seen in game of thrones (of course not as prevalent as GOT). As a protagonist he shocked me on various levels. Throughout the show I felt troubled to understand what I feel for him. His moral compass was highly questionable to say the least. But in the show the kind of respect and admiration he enjoyed made me uncomfortable. His principles that guided him into taking someone’s life were nothing more than self justification, which were unfortunately validated by people around him. But what was worse was that there was no sense of accountability or repentance seen in his actions once the whole chase ended. Vincezo was never held accountable for his actions whatsoever, which begs the question how is he lesser evil than the antagonists? If the villains portrayed a black spectrum then Vincezo was maybe charcoal coal grey at the risk of turning black. The line that differentiated him from these people was painfully very thin (or nonexistent by ep 20). These factors made me question him as the protagonist of this show and hence I was never able to cheer for him wholeheartedly.


3) Mockery of Logic: The world building in this show was almost juvenile. An entire intelligence organization overlooked a mafia member’s activity in the country especially when he has been very nosy in the business of the so called prominent people of the city. The one guy who was given the responsibility to look into this matter eventually ends up being his biggest fan boy. Furthermore, the chief of such a powerful agency becomes a pawn in his larger plan to bring the bad guys down. The Interpol was easily convinced by him to let him do what he wants because he has a knack of making offers that no one can refuse (pun intended). The justice system is a joke, as they can be easily toyed by Vincezo to get what he wants. There is no outsmarting him and every government organization with the best infrastructure, resources and communication network can be used by him for his goal or undermined by him to get what he wants. This was tad bit too much for me to swallow. I have seen many action movies/dramas where the protagonist has to be presented as a heroic crusader for justice. But the makers have to sell these facts convincingly. After a point everything seemed silly.

All in all Vincezo is memorable for frivolous factors like some punchy dialogues, glamorous wardrobe, visual appeal and beautiful aesthetics. But beyond that the show lost its core essence after first few episodes. It lacked depth and genuine insight into the purpose of their characters and their actions. According to me this is an overrated show which will continue to be popular and recommended to kdrama newbies for years. However it failed to woo me.

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I have mixed opinions about this show. I didn’t dislike it....but I will never understand 8.7 rating. By now it’s understandable that on MDL, BL shows tend to garner better ratings.....probably because BL genre has limited audience and production in comparison to mainstream shows (though it’s gradually changing now)....so audiences can be lenient while rating. Having said that.....I don’t get the hype around this show. Without being too bias I’ll try to review (spoiler free).

What worked for me ?!!

1) Story- I think all the wow factor of this show rests on its story. The story is definitely unique from BL standpoint. Such supernatural themes aren’t common in BL universe, so this was a pleasant change.
2) Acting- I felt actors were good if not great. I especially liked Ohm. He has improved leaps and bound since Make it Right series. Even Singto did a good job, considering the show revolves around his character. The supporting cast were very entertaining and brought out the fun element of the script.
3) Production- The show is well produced. It wasn’t tacky or under budgeted in any way. Usually BL productions fail to acquire funding but this wasn’t the case for this one. Stable writing and good budget helped in establishing a nice atmosphere for the show.

What I didn’t like??

1) Chemistry- This might shock some but this couple did not work for me. Sorry. I like both these actors individually but somehow as a couple they couldn’t convince me. And I don’t think that’s the fault of the actors, it’s probably because of weak direction. In no way I’m stressing that they needed more skinship. Chemistry and skinship are two different things. Couples that don’t get hot and heavy can have very good chemistry.....SOTUS is a prime example of that.
2) The ending- That was blatant fan service. I was left puzzled and couldn’t stop saying What for 5 minutes after I finished watching the show. It did not make any sense to me and left me so freaking unsatisfied. All the build up let to that (massive face palm....also can’t say more cos then it will be considered as a spoiler)!! As a viewer I want the couple to get a happy ending but with a logical and justifiable story arc....which wasn’t the case here.

All in all do I hate this show ?! No
Do I like this show? Eh....it’s okay....but I don’t see the hype around it. It’s definitely a one time watch. The story is different and it does provide the viewers with a mushy BL tale. But it’s not memorable unlike many other shows from the BL universe.

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Like it yet dislike it ?!

So I've seen tons of Asian shows from many years, but this is my first Thai Lakorn. If I'm not wrong, Thai Lakorn are basically Thai soap operas (please correct me if I'm wrong). I've not seen many soap operas, so maybe my opinions would be directed to the genre itself rather than this specific show. But I've tried to be as reasonable as possible in my review.

I never thought I'll watch a show which will be liked and disliked by me at the same time. But Hua Jai Sila proved me wrong....turns out I can have this conflicting feeling for a show. There are so many things to like about this and so many things to dislike....so without further adieu lets jump into it.

Likes !
1. It’s a very fast paced story. In every episode there is so much happening, you can’t skip episodes. The narration is pretty consistent (thanks to good screenplay). Even though the core elements of the story aren’t new, its tight execution makes it interesting to watch. You won’t know what to expect next, there is a surprise element.
2. Superb acting! Every single person in the cast did a great job. I cannot fault anyone. This is the first Thai show I watched which gave a memorable performance (according to me). Definitely impressed. Special shout out to Wattanajinda Sirapan, this woman is breathtaking. If she’s onscreen, you can’t dare to look anywhere else. I’m her new fan.
3. The main lead, Thanapob Leeluttanakajorn is mind blowing. His character not only demanded intense emotions and acting skills, but also charisma and an overall majestic aura. I have seen few clips from Project S (one of his earlier work), and man it took me some time to figure out that it’s the same person! He has transformed himself in every possible way to get inside the skin of his character in HJS, and kudos to him for that. I’ve got my eyes on him, will definitely be keeping track of his future projects. Hands down the next big thing in the Thai entertainment industry.
4. The Romance. Where do I begin? If you want to watch a couple which gives you the vibe of Romeo-Juliet; the couple that’s only made for each other and no one else; the couple that can die for each other and will die without each other…..then you have to watch this show. There is something extremely special about Thanapob Leeluttanakajorn and Fern Nopjira Lerkkajornamkul. Their chemistry is something which very few artists are able to create. The onscreen ease, sexual tension, passion, and melt worthy emotional moments between them is quite a spectacle to witness. I won’t be surprised if I get to know that these actors dated or are dating in real life….they are that good.

Dislikes!
1. SERIOUS TRIGGER POINTS ! If you are someone who is sensitive to violence of any kind, especially against woman or feels personally about injustices/discrimination of all types….then please either avoid this show or watch cautiously. There were many moments that made me pause this show so that I can watch a cartoon to divert my mind from this insanity. It’s not that I’ve not seen more mature content in the past, but there is something very icky about some aspects of the story. I won’t say much otherwise it’ll be considered a spoiler.
2. Please divorce logic when you start watching this show. There will be gazillion moments in the show that will make you go what the hell….I’m not kidding. If I start dissecting this show purely on logical terms then it won’t get more than 4 from me. Some moments are bizarre, random and completely unnecessary…..and some downright stupid. So if you decide to watch this one then forget logic and try enjoying it for what it is.
3. The characters are either one dimensional or at the most two dimensional. If you expect to see complex characters that have layered reasoning behind their actions….or a story that relishes character development then this one isn’t for you. The characters are either good or bad….they change from good to bad and vice versa overnight without much development so please don’t feel frustrated if you see that.

P.S- The OST by Yes’Sir Days is a complete earworm….I’ve been listening it on Youtube constantly.

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WHY BAD BUDDY REPRESENTS THAI BL INDUSTRY'S SUCCESS STORY ?

You know a show is great when you purposefully ignore its flaws and focus on its enjoyable aspects. This choice does not stem from a bias but from a desire to appreciate the uniqueness of the show. Bad Buddy is everything and much more a BL fan can ask for. This show represents more than ten decade journey of Thailand attempting to hone its craft and ultimately becoming the premier BL industry in the world. My review will try to answer…. why this show is gaining massive praise? Why it’s not over hyped and worth a watch? And most importantly, why fans will remember this for a long time? I have avoided spoilers so feel free to read.

1. Script is GOD
This might sound like a cliché taught in every film school class, but alas this is the golden truth. The most satisfying aspect of this show is the level of attention that was paid at the scripting stage. The pre-production of this show i.e. story writing, scripting, character developments and narration was well thought off. The two main characters were drafted with great attention to details. The story wasn’t unique but Bad Buddy is the example of how good writing can be the key factor behind a show’s success. Of course, a massive amount of credit goes to the novel “Behind the Scenes”, but the production team did a great job in making the story authentic.

2. Music on Point
Over the years I have started giving great importance to the OST of a show. A good soundtrack can either accentuate the atmospherics or understate the emotions of characters, both decisive for the reception of a show. Bad Buddy has an excellent soundtrack which adds a new dimension to an otherwise generic story. The retro synth-pop with slight pop-rock influences will give nostalgic feels of 1980s teen movies (especially prom centric scenes). It’s hard hitting yet easy on the ears. The standout tracks are Just Friends by Nanon, Same Page by Tilly and Secret by Kacha.

3. Right Focus
For a long time, one of the most consistent criticisms I’ve had for Thai BLs is their unnecessary attention to 13574789 numbers of couple in a specific series. The biggest reason this show has hit the right chord with the audience is because it paid undivided attention to the protagonists. Even though there was one more GL couple, they appeared in the second half of the series and did not divert the story narration. This was good decision making at the scripting level, which heightened audience’s interest in the main leads.

4. Avoided Problematic Trends
BLs are many times notorious for misrepresenting the LGBTQ community. One of the most commonly seen tropes is a protagonist denying his sexual identity. With statements like “I’m not interested in other boys but only him” constantly used in so many shows, it was refreshing to see that the main characters were more accepting of their identities. Similarly, consensus, communication and trust seen as hallmarks of a good relationship were ever so present in their relationship. This positive development signals how far the industry has come and enthusiastically welcomed by viewers.

5. Basic Done Right
The story is very Romeo-Juliet-esque, frequently portrayed by thousands of movies and dramas across the world. The lovers trying to keep their love alive in a society that’s hell bend to tear them apart has been a textbook romance formula. You add enemies to lover progression and you get a delectable series with a right amount of buildup, angst, tension and chemistry. Bad Buddy has all the classic old school basics of romantic movies. The buildup of their relationship is just right, not instant love neither slow zone galore. These choices prove that the audience do not mind cliche, barring they are presented convincingly.

6. NANON-OHM EFFECT!!
And finally, the crown jewels of the show are the lead actors themselves. It would be a gross understatement if one would say that they had a “good chemistry”. These two actors did not live their characters, they reincarnated as Pran and Pat. If the characters were written beautifully, then Nanon and Ohm did glorious justice in breathing life into them. And this is why this show is a must watch. The X factor, the USP, the único trait, the crème de la crème, the daebak factor of this show are Nanon and Ohm aka Pran-Pat. Because the story was well executed and the actors did a tremendous job in keeping their relationship natural, Bad Buddy successfully abated the need for cheap thrills to grab eyeballs, found in abundance in other shows. Pran-Pat will go down in the history of BL couple as one of the most endearing, passionate and healthy couples portrayed onscreen in recent times. This is their show, their journey, their pain, their friendship, their love and their quest in understanding emotions. As an audience we can only be glad to witness their transformation.

As a longtime BL watcher, it’s an absolute delight to witness Ohm’s growth as an actor. He has come a long way and his progress is displayed throughout this series. He was born to be onscreen and one can only hope for good projects to come his way. This was my first Nanon show, and he smashed my preconceived notions scene by scene. When I initially saw the poster and the trailer, he left me significantly underwhelmed. But he presented nuanced expressions and good awareness as an actor, which was not only delightful to observe as an audience, but also testament of his performing abilities.

Has Bad Buddy dethroned “I told sunset about you” as the greatest Thai BL show ever? No (Acc to me) But it is one of the BEST shows produced by the industry. Bad Buddy is hands down a spectacular show that deserves all the success that it is enjoying. Definitely in my top three Thai BL shows of all time. I cannot stress enough how good it is and why it deserves to be watched by the fans of this genre at least once.

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This show is the perfect example that underlines the IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD SCRIPT AND A CRYSTAL DIRECTION, which in this case severely lacks. There were umpteen number of flaws in "The Love Knot: His Excellency's First Love". The show started with a promising plot line but the latter episodes proved me otherwise. The positive aspects of the show included its exquisite production & aesthetic value, interesting story and an elaborate cast. The two protagonists, Victoria Song and Huang Jingyu fit their characters well. But the supporting actors were the real stars of the show especially Leo Li, Li Shen and Liu Yong Xi. I have to give a special mention to all the child actors in the show, they gave a tough competition to their adult co-actors. All of them have a bright career ahead (I'm hopeful about that).

Now the issues.....where do I begin. Firstly, the story had serious narration and script issues. Maybe the novel is better (I don't know, haven't read it), but the script let the plot down. I personally don't mind too much past sequences, but the script did not deal with the historical sections well. The fragmentary presentation of critical past events came up in episodes randomly and failed in driving an effortless present day narration. The bumpy past-present transitions became annoying after a point and led to dilution of my interest for the overall show. Secondly, some sub plots were absolutely unnecessary. The sub plot involving pi pi, tao jilin and tianxin was given almost the same importance as the main plot of the show, i.e. Pipi and Helan's pseudo tragic love story. By the time the makers of the show dwell in the relationship dynamics of the two protagonists, a lot of episodes had already passed (they seriously tested my patience). Thirdly, the show had soooooooo many lose ends and unwanted elements which the makers could have ignored or dealt better with. The Left High priest and Tushan angle of the story was given a poor treatment, even though they were very critical for furthering the plot. The writers (according to me) could not sincerely convey the complexity of these two characters. They both had a lot of raw emotions, motives, desperation & determination; but along the way their characters lost their intensity and started looking very one dimensional.

Fourthly, the makers for some reason gave very less screen time to Helan's character (for gods sake he's the titular character of the show!). Questions: Why was he portrayed so restrictively ? Why did he look so helpless half of the time (even though he had crazy powers) ? Why did he seem like a guest character in his own freaking story ? Why weren't there any scenes that could tell us more about his complicated inner psyche/world or his 900 year experience on Earth? We knew from the beginning of the story that he is an all powerful leader of the southern fox clan with the possibility of taking over the whole of the fox clan, but I don't recall a single scene where I was convinced that he was truly powerful. He seemed more like a modern day leader who was accepted by his people for his socio-political views (like any modern leaders in any country). The magical aspect of the show was not at all represented by this character. Also, why was this character shown so less ! I would have loved to see him more proactively interacting with the other characters and contributing in the progression of the story.

And finally, our main couple lacked chemistry and impact. For any good romantic drama, the leads need to have an alluring charm. They are the crown jewel of a queen's treasury. The treasury might have the best treasures from across the world, but there is always one jewel that catches the attention of the public. In a romantic drama, the lead pair is that jewel that attracts audiences and instills passion in the story. I don't think Victoria Song or Huang Jingyu were that much at fault, its the patchy writing that led them, down. There were some scenes where both of them shined, and portrayed good acting skills. But the secondary treatment of this romance robbed the wow factor of the show.

The direction of the drama was not at all innovative, even though the story seemed ambitious. I personally had very big hopes after seeing its trailer. All in all it can be watched once, but it doesn't have a big re-watch value. Also, I feel people like me who have seen more than 50-60 Asian dramas, this show will be at most mediocre (I lost interest midway).

P.S: The ambiguous ending was not annoying because of the two leads but the failure to address the future of my favorite trio from the show.

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Started off as an anti-buddy cop drama.....but ended up being much more than that…..

Where do I begin....this was spectacular! If you're someone who enjoys a good slow burn mystery thriller THEN THIS IS FOR YOU! There are absolutely no reasons for not watching this.....so here is why this show deserves all the accolades, praises and is one of the best shows of 2021. I have not given any spoilers so feel free to read.

1. Simple done right: At its core, beyond evil is a very simple murder mystery but it is the execution that blows the mind of the audiences. Classic isn’t always bad. With the amount of dramas Korea is churning, the pressure to present new and unique stories rests heavily on the shoulders of the makers. But Beyond Evil is a great example of sticking to basics of a genre yet somehow reinventing story telling styles.

2. Three Cheers for the Screenplay: As I said the story is simple, then what made it a standout show? It was the screenplay. The carefully placed hints, the decision to reveal what aspects of story to the audience, when, how and systematically placing flashbacks in every episode is mesmerizing to watch. I cannot praise the writing team enough for the amount of intelligence and creativity they showed while building every episode.

3. Layers, Layers and Layers: This show can be very deceptive. On the face value it might seem like a straightforward murder mystery but at the end of the day it presents umpteen perspectives to the same plot. The show has successfully bypassed binaries of good and bad. It elevates the discussion on grey characters and grey scenarios. Every character has motives, secrets, complex emotions and varied outlook that clashes with each other. These layers add depth to the story without distracting the plot, rather it enriches the narration.

4. Remarkable Character Development: The testament of a great show is when the characters draw the audience into their world, make them invest and embark on a journey together. This show does exactly that. If you compare every character from ep1 to 16, you will be able to distinctly witness an evolution or devolution. Not a single character remains same by the time the show ends. Every character changes for good or worse.

5. Top Tier Acting Skills: I have always believed that Korea produces one of the best well rounded actors not only in Asia but also in the world. This show proves my point. If the screenplay/script is one pillar of the show then acting is the other. Our two lead titans Shin Ha Kyun (Lee Dong Shik) and Yeo Jin Goo (Han Joo Won) are outstanding. Everyone has been praising Shin Ha Kyun for his spectacular performance, even speculating possible Baeksang (totally deserving), so I thought to comment on Yeo Jin Goo. I never followed Yeo Jin Goo’s career in the past and I only saw Hotel Del Luna, which honestly centered on IU and therefore he did not leave any impression on me. But his nuanced and compelling performance in this show attests his years of experience in the industry. I cannot wait to see what kind of projects this young actor will choose in the future. Special shout out to every other cast member….they were equally great and deserve to get bigger roles after this show.

Beyond Evil has definitely raised the bar high for the industry. This is one of the finest of its genre, so featuring it on Netflix is a great decision. A show that will be remembered for a very long time…..

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Now I'm not big on re-watching drams or movies. Once I've watched a show no matter how good they are I don't usually revisit them (for some weird reason). But I just finished watching this for the second time. I still remember watching it for the first time and the vast impact it left on me. After seeing so many dramas I can gladly say that this is one easily comes in my top 5 (if not top 3). Here are my reasons why you should definitely give this one a go:

1) The story is heavy. Its about trauma, losing people, youth and yourself in the journey called life. Its about facing your fears, forgiving yourself, others and eventually picking your life's pieces and moving on. The story deals with human emotions....almost philosophically. One can write volumes of literature analysis on how beautifully it depicts loss, pain, wounds and healing. The story is poignantly complex on a human level but very simple from the perspective of story plot. No words can do justice to how fascinating this show is, you have to watch it and experience it.

2) Both the lead actors are phenomenal. Junho is just mind blowing. No words can do justice to his mastery in this show. I had no idea he was part of a group called 2pm (yes I know I am late to the party), had not seen any of his previous shows. But after watching this, I can assure you he's one of my favorite. He deserves all kinds of awards and publicity for the acting chops he showed in this one. His profound attention to detail, his ability to empathize with his character and ingenious ability to be raw on screen is magical to witness. I can't wait to see whats more in store from him. I read somewhere that Won Jin Ah got this role after beating many prospects in a countrywide audition. After seeing her in this show, I would like to say kudos to the casting directors. Great job. This woman has a bright career ahead, she was spectacular as the female lead.

3) No matter how hard I try I can't fault anything in this show. The editing, cinematography, background score, supporting cast.......everything was at its best. Visually this show is breathtaking. The direction is consistent, mellow, thoughtful and very wholesome. Its fairly evident that the makers have put a lot of thought in every detail of the show which makes it a gem that no one should miss.

If you're not someone who gets bored with slow shows with heavy topics or enjoys slow burn romances over hollow fast paced cliche rom coms.....I highly recommend it to you.

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VERY PLEASANTLY SURPRISED.....did not see this coming from miles !

After months of escaping all the possible spoilers, I finally finished Lovely Writer. And you know what.....not bad at all!! This was a pretty decent....dare I say a quality show. I started watching this show without any expectations or read reviews or gauged the public reaction (which I usually do because time is of essence)……I simply dived into it. The end result was me decently satisfied with this new Thai BL drama. Without anymore ranting let me start with what I appreciated about the show.


1) OUT OF THE BOX SETUP: The real star of this show has to be the story. To be honest, there is no complicated plot or a genuine plot to begin with. However, the setup is unique from BL standpoint. As ironical as it may seem, the fact that a BL series is made on the world behind the production of a BL series definitely captured the audience’s attention. Apart from addressing our curiosity to know what goes in the making (even though most of the developments were predictable) of a “hit bl show”, the inter cast dynamics, PR gimmicks, fan pleasing, product placements, real story v/s eye grabbing scenes narrative, capitalizing gender/sexual identities etc was partially if not completely touched upon. Due to the light tone of the show, the makers did not dig too deep vis-à-vis these issues. But the fact that they are acknowledging, rather almost parodying (to some extent) these realities was refreshing to watch. For this fact alone, I would want to congratulate the author of the book and the makers who decided to tell this story. There is no moral of the story in the end with regard to these industry practices nor do they start a conversation about reforming this industry. Nevertheless, their decision to give a peak into this world is a start for future BL stories to be more progressive, inclusive and reformed.

2) UPSCALE PRODUCTION: Now we all know that Thai BLs get good financial backing. Because they are widely watched in Thailand and around the world, big channel executives and companies do not shy from spending extra on them and earn millions in profit. So of course, Lovely Writer had scenic scenes, houses we all wished we lived in and clothes we all wished to have in our wardrobe. But according to me, the budget was particularly well spent on the cinematography. I seldom come across Thai BLs with this level of refined camerawork. So many scenes were angled beautifully with the perfect lighting. These creative decisions added more layers to the story and the characters.

3) THE MAIN COUPLE: This couple took time to grown on me, but boy was I glad. The first few episodes did not give any butterflies in my stomach, neither was I swooning. It was only from the mid episodes when the story started revealing itself, did I see their charm. Gene and Nubsib aren’t like Tharn-Type level steamy or passionate; they aren’t like Korn-Knock type long time best friends who radiate same energy and; they aren’t like Konpob-Arthit like senior-junior who slowly initiate their relationship. They are a mix of all these iconic Thai BL couples and much more. On the surface, they are extremely opposite to each other but in essence they were very similar. Gene is calm, collected yet nervous and at times under confident. Nubsib is confident, charismatic yet lonely and detached from the world. Together they were the perfect harmonious couple one could wish for. Gene brought out the best in Nubsib, whereas Nubsib gave Gene the environment where he felt accepted. This show is about them and seeing their journey. Just like colorful shards of glasses forming beautiful patterns in a kaleidoscope, their ups-downs, joyous interactions and individual personality traits molded the best moments of the show. Up Poompat portrayed the character of Gene very well. I was surprised to see his acting, especially in the scenes where he had to cry or be an emotional mess. I think the casting director did a great job, as he has tons of potential. Kao as Nubsib looked almost destined to play this character. Visually, he fit the character like a glove. Though I feel he needs to improve his acting skills, but all in all he did put great efforts in his first role as the main lead.

Areas where the show could’ve improved:

1) COMICAL MUSIC: I did not like the music. I felt it was too cheesy and almost cartoony, especially when a back track was used when the leads were about to kiss or they had a sweet moment. Listening to someone singing “I wanna kiss” in the background when the leads are about to do that killed the moment for me…so many times. Eventually I had no choice but to accept this and get over it.

2) BELOW AVERAGE SECONDARY CHARACTERS: This has been an issue with Thai BLs for a long time but because the cast was more expansive in this one, some characters managed to irk me. I found Aey as a character very frustrating. I understand that his job was to bring more salt to an otherwise sweet story, but he seemed like a half cooked character. The character sketch was dodgy and his portrayal by Bruce was unfortunately not up to the mark (according to me). He needs more training and workshop coaching, especially for scenes that demand him to cry or show vulnerability. Characters like Tum and Tiffy were sometimes sweet and sometimes boring. The actors were okay, but Ken who portrayed Tum also needs more acting workshops. I personally feel the amount of work and dedication the makers put in improving the acting of leads, they do not do that for the other cast members. Unfortunately, acting is one job where you can’t hide. One might not have the taste or knowledge of identifying great acting but public can definitely recognize bad acting.


Lovely Writer brings an obvious yet not so obvious story onscreen. It’s an interesting blend between reality of the industry and a fictional mushy tale. For BL lovers this is a must watch. This show is all about enjoying the story, witnessing some truths yet indulging in the addicting world of BL. Pleasantly surprised !

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AMEIRO PARADOX IS FAR BETTER THAN MANY POPULAR BLS

This is one of those times when MDL ratings do not make any sense to me…WHATSOVER!!! This drama deserves far more love and attention than what it’s getting. If this would’ve been a Thai BL it would’ve been at least 8-8.2. I’ve seen BL shows far more mediocre receiving better ratings. Well, in all honesty Japanese dramas face this problem of low ratings, which I have never understood…probably due to their lesser popularity in comparison to other Asian country dramas. Ameiro Paradox is a great watch and I’m going to give some reasons why it should not be missed by BL lovers (spoiler free):

• THE PRODUCTION: The show is produced well and by that, I mean they made the best of the budget they had. It did not boast of swanky sets or designer wear, but the makers made sure that the quality of the show remains high. It maintained the warmth & slice of life type of storytelling which Japanese shows are known for. A lot of outdoor shots & yellow or warm color grading is used in abundance. The boys were styled well based on the demands of their characters, the office looked pretty nice, and it had overall good direction.

• THE STORY: Yes, it’s about a virgin & playboy. Yes, it’s an office romance. Yes, its enemy to lover trope. However, the show is uniquely portrayed. The setup of a paparazzi office with a moral compass (kinda) and two boys in their late 20s trying to survive the demanding job while exploring their unexpected emotions for each other was refreshing. Almost every episode had a new scoop they covered together and while they explored the issues, they started understanding each other better. The show was easy to watch, and the narration was smooth with above average screenplay/editing. Many BLs face the problem of choppy narration and unresolved story arcs; however, Candy Paradox was well presented.

• THE ROMANCE: Kimura Keito as Onoe Satoshi and Yamanaka Jyutaro as Kaburagi Motoharu was great casting. Even though one could tell that they are young with limited acting experience, they showcased a natural talent to emote various nuances of their character. Satoshi, a young ambitious naïve man with limited to no experience in romance but a high ethical awareness struggled to have his professional moment. On the other hand, Kaburagi the ace of the magazine with questionable ethics, flirty persona & high drive for success was aware of the toll the job has had on him as a person. The two are opposing ends of a spectrum that cannot be more different. However, as a viewer, seeing them realize that they not only have special feelings but also deeply respect and value each other was enjoyable. There is a lot of chemistry between the two actors, and I think that was not only because the characters were well written but also due to the potential showcased by Keito & Jyutaro.

The show has great re-watch value because of the warmth, sweetness and magic the two leads create. The OST is an ear warm & I’ve already added it on my Spotify. If people do not like this show, then that’s just unfortunate as it most definitely deserves more hype. The kisses were adequate even if the show wasn’t as “HOT” as Thai BLs. The charm of this show is the romance which they’ve depicted well. If you want to watch a BL that has a high feel-good factor, leads with good chemistry & not a show that has mindless skinship for the sake of skinship or actors who can barely act….then this one is for you.

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REMARKABLY MEDIOCRE !!!

After watching K-dramas for so many years, it is difficult for audience like me to find a show that can wow us to our core. We have probably seen every trope and cliché repeat and reinvent itself time and again. Once Upon a Small Town (OUST) is a drama from 2015-2016 repackaged with modern production. My review might read harsher than what I scored, but this show is average at best. There is nothing vastly disappointing about it, but I guess its mediocrity is the reason why it failed to garner any kind of attention from the audience who are over fed by exciting content across various platforms. My review contains no spoilers.

POSITIVES OF THE SHOW

1. SETUP: The charm of this show is the place where it’s told. Every k-drama that is being produced these days is set up in the concrete jungle of Seoul. The show does a great job of giving a much-needed break from an urban based story line and visually entices us with sunny landscape, picturesque farmlands, open roads and village life. The simplicity of the village life does a good job of making the viewers nostalgic of their hometowns or simply indulges our desire to escape the hassles of a big city.

2. NO DRAMA: If you are tired of shows that have a lot of drama, angst, betrayal, backstabbing, evil characters etc. then this is a great palette cleanser of a show. After a heavy show I recommend people to watch OUST. The slice of life genre meets rom com does a good job of keeping the story light and fluffy throughout the 12 episodes.

3. MISSING OLD K-DRMAS: If there are people who are missing yesteryear Korean shows that did not have complicated plots or had a straightforward romance with tried and tested tropes then this show is for you. There is nothing remotely complex about OUST and the simplicity of the plot mixed with calming outdoor aesthetic is reminiscent of olden Korean shows.

NEGATIVES OF THE SHOW

1. BORING ROMANCE: There is nothing exciting and capturing about the romance in this show. The writing was very bland & uninspiring, almost as if the script was written for graduation project & not a Netflix show. The leads had no memorable moments or chemistry. I fault the writing more than the actors as the script gave them very less opportunity to showcase genuine connection unfolding between the characters. The characters lacked dimension, genuine motives & authenticity because of which the romance seemed insincere.

2. AVERAGE ACTTORS: Personally, even in the most under budgeted k-drama shows I’ve never seen a “bad” actor. I believe that Koreans are at top of their game, especially when it's about acting. So, when I come across a show that underwhelmed me in this category, I was surprised. Choo Young Woo as Han Ji Yul was okay. He did a decent job, but one could see that he is still young in the business & requires tons of experience. In some scenes he did great and in some he overdid. Joy as Ahn Ja Young was surprisingly appropriate. She has most definitely improved since Tempted. However, one could still feel certain stiffness in her acting. My favorite actor was probably the third lead played by Baek Sung Chul. It was my first time seeing him act and one could tell he has a spark. I look forward to his future projects.

All in all, OUST is a forgettable show. I doubt I will re-watch this in the future. But due to its relaxing story and rural setup, I’m sure many can give this one a shot.

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AWKWARD, STEAMY & GUILTY PLEASURE DRAMA !

I feel the synopsis gives a fair idea of what to expect from this drama. I started this show under the assumption that I won't really like it that much....however to my surprise it wasn't "that" bad. Rather, this is the perfect mini series to binge after an emotionally draining show or when searching for something exciting. The following is my takeaway of what to expect from this show:

P.S: This show will only appeal to hardcore romance drama/shoujo manga fans. People who usually watch serious, action, thriller, melodrama etc kind of dramas might find this series silly. These people have been warned.

YUP :)

1) Steam Galore: Tired of watching prude-esque Korean romantic dramas? Worry not...jdorama to your rescue. This show will give everyone a good dose of skinship. The main charm of the show are the sensual scenes between the leads....and I must say I wasn't disappointed.

2)No Stress: There is no complication in the story line. Its rather a simple, straight forward drama with no antagonist per se. So audiences will be spared of angst.

3) Good Production: The show doesn't seem low budget, given that they did not have many site change. They definitely made the best of the budget they had.

4) High Re-watch Value: We only re-visit shows that are either memorable for how intelligent they were or the ones that made us feel nice. This show falls in the second category. It starts fast but by the end we are left feeling warm and fuzzy.

NOPE :(

1) Fast Paced: Now this isn't necessarily a bad thing, but people like me who enjoy witnessing a relationship bloom gradually might find this story on steroids. Its crazy fast and at times gave me second hand embarrassment.

2)TROPE-Y: The whole show is nothing but a mixture of tropes and cliches. If people are looking forward to something unique then this show isn't for you. This show is everything we have read in shoujo manga/rom-com shows hundred times.

3) Average Actors: I felt that the actors were average. Neither of the cast member will catch your attention. This doesn't mean that they acted bad or were cast wrongly, it just means that the script did not give them the room to show their acting chops.

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HOW DID THE PROGRAM/CHANNEL EXECUTIVES PASS THIS?!

I honestly have no clue how this got a nod to go on floor and be released. This makes absolutely no sense. There are soooooo many problems in this show. Unlike many viewers....the retelling of the story from season 1 was the least of my concern.......however this season had other alarmingly glaring issues. Spoilers ahead !!

1) Absolutely Unacceptable trope: This show was released in 2020. And yet so many tropes used in this series are not only outdated but so problematic. Gone are the days when BL shows could present story lines with icky unacceptable developments and sell it as if it’s nothing. I truly expect better not only from the makers but this industry in general. Techno and Kengkla story made me so uncomfortable in the first season. But what frustrated me even more was the way this season tried to shoehorn them in the box of a cute couple who are trying to bypass a minuscule issue. Oh and that issue is RAPE. What the hell! They not only toned down the seriousness of this issue but also failed to depict how uncomfortable or hurt Techno was (because he clearly was). But not to worry......relentlessly being pursued by Kengkla made him forget everything (face palm).

2) No Room for Consent: Why did consent mean squat in this show? Why!? I fail to understand this!! Tin-Can were a very awkward couple...and this is the nicest thing I can say about them. Random kisses by Tin to Can even when they were not a couple or had any romantic development WHATSOEVER was so frustrating to watch. And no this isn't cute by any means. These characters had no understanding of boundaries or personal space.

3) Gaslighting Galore: The way the makers handled Tin's family story reminded me of all the red flags psychologists warn about. There is no simple way to put it....the brother was a douche-bag of the first order. Yes he also suffered as a child but what he did to Tin by no means is or should be acceptable. When the father was confronted about all the wrongdoings done to Tin, he started giving explanation about how hard it was for Tul, I know I’m a failed father, but you had better than all of us…. so try and understand our perspective because you're a nice boy at the end of the day. Brilliant class on gaslighting. And it worked.....Tin forgave his horrible brother and moved on as if nothing ever happened. Somehow for a change I was on Can's side (usually his over enthusiasm got on my nerves) ....his hesitance to forgive Tul was justified. And what was the whole thing about Tul and the father being mean to Tin because they wanted him to have freedom and no responsibility unlike them. That was some BULL S*&$. The boy only wanted some love, respect and understanding. These guys were mentally 2 years old. Even kids handle relationships better than them. Jeez.

4) Yawn Couple: Pete and Ae were good in season 1. They were the star couple. But what was the need to bring them back in this season. Ae’s sole job in this season was to mope around and be sad. What a waste. The makers did not do any justice in telling their story. Their story was used as filler in every episode. The makers presented half baked reasons for their break up which I was honestly not convinced about and presented unnecessary flashbacks. Focus on Ae diverted the attention from Tin and Can which they definitely needed. Showing the progress in their relationship was important which was eventually done very shabbily.

5) Couples, Couples & More Couples: This is one of my major issues with many mainstream Thai BL shows. What is the need to have 4 couples in a series with hardly 12 episodes with a running time of 35-40 minutes? It makes no sense. Rather than focusing on 1 or max 2 couples and polishing their story line, they divided their attention on 4 couples with neither of them leaving any impression on the audience. This is a very unique technique in expanding the BL universe as the couple that clicks with the audience ends up becoming the main couple in the next season or they branch off as a separate show. The creative dedication in writing meaningful genuine scripts with thoughtful dialogues and inspiring romances is absolutely absent. The audiences do not need multiple couples at a time, all they want is one good couple with a memorable story.

This show is a disaster from top to bottom. The only good thing about it is the production value because anyway Thai shows end up getting hefty sponsors. The direction was amateur, the script/storyline was a mixture of outdated and uninspiring tropes/clichés, and the acting was simply bad. The saving grace was Lemon Can’s sister (she was very adorable) and Tin’s dad who was refreshingly progressive for accepting both his sons being in gay relationships.

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I have watched all the seasons of the History universe....and without a doubt...Make Your Days Count (MYDC) is not only the best in the whole series but also a fine example of superior story telling. This show has singlehandedly changed the BL genre and proven that these shows need to be taken seriously....just like any other straight relationship based dramas/movies. The last episode was controversial....many criticized the whole show because of it....but my review is not about the ending. As much as I struggled to accept the way the makers ended the show, it did not impact my adoration for this masterpiece. Here are my reasons why you should DEFINITELY give MYDC a chance, especially if you are a BL fan & why I absolutely loved this show:

1. Story, Writing & Direction: The story isn't new. It’s simple high school centric plot focusing on the struggles of being a teenager. The plot revolved around first love, friendship and the trials of adulting. But what makes this cliché story a complete knockout…is its execution. There is nothing more satisfying than witnessing a familiar story but with crystal direction, inspired writing and perfect screenplay. The trio needs to be in sync with each other to create magic onscreen. There were no disjoined moments, or episodes which felt un-organic. The story flew from one frame to another with ridiculous ease and believability. The series on the paper was visualized impeccably, making the direction easier. Special shout out to the team behind the camera who put all their ideas together and came up with this show.
2. Characters & Acting (Secondary Actors): Oh boy….where do I begin? If there’s anything that’ll leave a lasting impact on the viewers after watching this show…then that’s the characters. Every character in this story was strategically placed with certain meaning attached to their existence. Let me start with the secondary characters. Even if their purpose was not to show what they believed or what their world is like, their role in extracting the best reactions out of our leads was done splendidly. The friends and family of our leads did a great job of creating an authentic world. The group of six friends of the lead (Hao Ting) and second lead actor (Sun Bo Xiang) is the emotional backbone of this story. All the actors were ridiculously cute, honest, and natural in their portrayal of teenagers. The mother, father and sister of our lead character Hao Ting were the endearing parts of the story. Their presence added immense depth in the story and created a complex emotional narrative.
3. Main Leads: This is the part I’ve been dying to discuss. Let me make a prediction….WAYNE SONG (HAO TING) WILL WIN A GOLDEN HORSE VERY SOON. Why you ask? We usually use terms like “natural” or “gifted” to describe people who are exceptional at what they do……Wayne Song definitely falls under this category. This man can act….not act….but like ACT! He is so freaking good at this job that I thank my stars that he pursued this profession. His character was brilliantly layered. Hao Ting goes through various transitions throughout the story. He is witty, funny, silly, dumb, mean, innocent, naïve, aggressive, passionate, persuasive, straightforward, impulsive, hotheaded, caring and so on. I can probably go on but you get the drift. Wayne absorbed this character like a sponge! His improvisational skills, presence of mind and ease of portraying conflicting emotions makes me want to commend him again and again. I am damn sure that he will go places after this show as he bloody deserves it. This man’s acting chops are no joke. Definitely the next big thing in Taiwanese entertainment industry.

Huang Juan Zhi played by Yu Xi Gu is a shy, serious hardworking overachieving student. I am in absolute awe of this man’s ability to portray vulnerability and delicate emotions. He is the yin to Wayne Song’s Yang, and without him I doubt Wayne’s performance would’ve been this mesmerizing. Yu Xi Gu was subtle in presenting his character to the audience while not missing the essence of who he is. Not once did he break his character as he evolved in his journey with Wayne which is a testament of his talent. Now talking about the second leads….Wilson Liu played Sun Bo Xiang is a temperamental, passionate and loyal teenager who can swallow the world with his conviction and heart. Being the youngest out of the four, one would think Wilson would be lacking in some ways….but that would be wrong. He was very polished in his craft and presented a raw performance. His ease in front of the camera is visible, which makes his performance much more enjoyable. Thomas Chang played Lu Zhi Gang, an adult who seems sorted in life but in reality is burdened by his past emotional baggage. He portrayed his character just the way it should’ve been, sweet, reserved, caring and restrained. I am yet to be convinced about Thomas’ acting, probably because his character had limited emotional palette (according to me). Maybe after seeing his future projects I will be able to judge him better.

All in all, this show is abso-freaking-lutely amazing!!! As much as I liked Boundary Crossing and Trapped (Chris Wu is adorable), MYDC has raised the bar super high for upcoming BL shows. This one will be remembered for times to come and gain a cult following (I can already see that happening). I have seen many shows, too many to list and I’ve never shed a single tear (never been one of those people who can cry watching movies or dramas)……but I actually cried after watching MYCD. The emotional rollercoaster of MYCD is an experience in itself that needs to be undertaken at least once.

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Please watch this show guys !!! I am so glad that I watched this one few days back. Who knew that a two episode series can be this convincing and this good ! The plot about a young girl going back in past is not new. Many shows have used this plot but many have failed to execute it well. This two episode show has set a fitting example of how to deal with such genre. The story was well thought off with a commited script and great direction. The actors acted well and the lead had good chemistry. I don’t want to get too technical and find flaws in it. The feel good factor of this one is really so I do not wish to spoil that. This little gem is definitely not to be missed.

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