A well-structured, controversial dark romance.

This is one of the dark-concept GL movies I found interesting. It reminds me of Black Swan and Thelma. The epilogue is rather bizarre, but it managed to pull the audience's attention right away. The moment it started, you knew that it was going to be full of angst, so brace yourself.

The main characters, Phoenix and Jade, are two women from different backgrounds. Phoenix is an openly gay artist who lives a free-spirited life, while Jade is a prosecutor and a Catholic fundamentalist. While Phoenix is keen to pursue a relationship with Jade, it’s not exactly possible. Then there’s Meng Ye, an androgynous man. Though this movie centers on the love triangle between them, there is no romance whatsoever in this movie. Only desire and pain.

This movie has an extensive theme that ranges from jealousy, possessiveness, sexual acceptance, one’s insecurity, and unhealthy conceptions of power and sex. It also explores the analogy between sex and gender. While the theme and the storylines are quite controversial and provocative, the director handles them brilliantly and conveys them through skillful cinematography.

In my opinion, ‘Wrath of Desire’ is not a perfect movie, and it may not be everyone’s cup of tea due to the taboo and dark elements it touches on, like BDSM, self-harm, cheating, grooming, and sex abuse, but it's a well-structured movie. It's a nice blending of reality, fantasy, emotions, and desire into a tragedy-packed story. If you like dark romance or something melodramatic, and if you can handle the triggers mentioned, it’s something to watch.

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Lacking in some areas, but not a bad remake.

'Flower of Evil’ is one of the best thriller K-dramas ever produced, so when I found out it was going to be adapted, I was a bit skeptical. But I was intrigued by how the adaptation was going to be, so I gave it a try. 

While the original is weighty with all sorts of emotions shared between each character and has more suspense elements, this Filipino adaptation, on the other hand, is not as heavy. It added more subplots with more interaction between the characters, which gives more space for drama and character growth. Although there are some scenes that, in my opinion, are unnecessary, it’s expected to be a bit draggy considering that the drama is 32 episodes, 45 to 50 minutes long.

FL (Lovi Poe) and ML (Piolo Pascual) play the roles of a married couple more convincingly. The two have more natural skinships, kisses, and tender gestures, making the romance, and conflict even better. I’d say that Iris and Daniel give off a more domestic vibe than Jiwon and Hyun Soo.

My biggest problem with this adaptation is the villains (Jacob, Jacob's father, and the thug leader). They are not evil enough to make me despise them. Jacob is probably the worst of all. Despite being a talented actor, Paulo Avelino failed to portray the psychopath character in a more believable way. He seemed like he was trying so hard to be a violent maniac, he came off as a Joker impostor. Wrong cast, I think.

Overall, this is an okay remake, but not up to par. The drama, the suspense, the pain, the betrayal, the romance, and the happy moments are there, but it didn’t have the same emotional rollercoaster. It’s still a good watch though.

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Talking and communicating are two different things.

This movie is not about the deaf culture; it’s a story of a mute-deaf couple. They are two people who are different in many ways, yet they fell in love and got married. Two people with different perspectives on life, struggling to keep their marriage. The premise of this movie is ironically showcased that there’s a huge difference between talking and communicating by showing people who are mute and with hearing impairments suffer from a lack of communication in their marriage, just like any normal couple would. In other words, poor communication is a problem between people, and it has nothing to do with one’s disability.

Janine Gutierrez and JC de Vera succeed in showing the emotional struggle and tension of two people in a troubled marriage. The facial expression, their gestures, and the way they express every emotion are good, showing the beauty, pain, and chaos of love where no spoken words exist. However, ML and FL do not appear to be as fluent in sign language as those who are deaf and mute and who have ‘spoken’ with sign language their entire lives. It’s understandable that they are actors who learn sign language for the movie, but if you're going to portray a character with a certain condition, at least make it convincing. Even the child actors playing as their children signed more fluently. So, ML and FL succeed in one part and lack in the other. I feel like if they had actually cast PWD actors in lead roles, it would have made this movie better.

This movie has good plots, but the storytelling pace is inconsistent. The present day and the flashback are vaguely moving back and forth without much change in appearance to distinguish the different timelines. There are some loose-end plotlines as well, making the flow go flat toward the end.

Above all, I praise this movie for its ingenuity and authenticity while presenting the complexity and conflict that we often see in everyday life without really focusing on the disability. It’s one of the rare depictions we’ve seen on the big screen. However, the execution is rather flawed, and the good concept alone is not enough to make it a great movie.

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Is 365 days enough for someone to move on?

First of all, I give this movie a clap for Bela Padilla for being the woman on screen and behind the camera. It’s worth noting that she is a triple-threat actress. This movie shows how she brilliantly conveys all emotions with her acting and visual direction.

The premise is not something that we haven’t seen in a romance genre movie before, but it's still something you can enjoy despite its clichés. The movie moves at a nice pace with two different tones. The first half is filled with the weightiness of grief and pain, letting the melancholy mood sink in immediately as the movie opens, which, in my opinion, managed to draw the audience in and invite them to stay in the emotional depths of the movie. The second half has a lighter mood and slowly turns into corny romantic plots, but the transition seems abrupt, and it alters the seriousness of the movie. The back-and-forth change in tonality slowly affected the story flow and the emotional rollercoaster this movie intended to give. It’s kind of a bummer to me. There are also some loose ends that detract from the overall quality of this movie.

Here are two aspects of why I think this movie deserve a 7. 1. The cinematography. The indie-like camera work boosted all sorts of emotions this movie has to offer: love, happiness, pain, loneliness, heartbreak, despair, and encouragement. 2. Acting. While the emotional rollercoaster is not crazy enough, the acting is what stood out the most. Bela did an excellent job portraying a bereaved lover, showing the genuine and realistic way that grief is expressed through character and narrative. Even though JC Santos is not the ML and he didn’t have many scenes he shared with Bela, this tandem still managed to show their good chemistry and make you feel the sweetness they were showing from their few scenes together.

The movie subtly makes the point that letting go and moving on are two different things. It also showcased the guilt in moving on. It’s okay to keep old memories without necessarily erasing them, but knowing when to let go is crucial to healing. Time heals everything, as the saying goes. However, a person's willingness to truly let go of the past and go on, no matter how painful it was, is what matters most.

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While there are many ways to die, there can be one reason to live.

This movie is not your typical romance drama where you’ll find yourself smiling and go ‘aww’ all the time. It touches on the sensitive topic of suicide with a touch of romance. Even though the theme is pretty dark and sad, this movie finds a way to inject humor here and there while maintaining its relevance and seriousness. The idea of two people who met in an unfortunate circumstance – when both of them tried to commit suicide but later connected and decided to do it together – is executed quite nicely, but with some flaws that detract from the overall impact of the idea. Just when you think the movie is going to follow the romance drama formula for Mark and Carmina, the movie suddenly takes a different turn, making you gasp for a second. The plot twist really gets me. I can’t really say I like it, but I don’t hate it either.

The elegant cinematography and production design are the aspects that I really like about this movie. It gives a dark, old, and vintage ambiance to the movie, which is different from other Filipino romance dramas I've watched.

Character-wise, Toni and Piolo did so well. Toni is always fun to watch. She has a knack for playing characters who are both humorous and poignant. Carmina has a cheerful and lively personality that makes her easy to love. But I wish the character could be developed better.

Though the topics of suicide and mental issues that lead to suicidal thoughts are frequently discussed and read about, there are very few depictions of these subjects on the big screen, which adds an interesting element to the concept. But this movie pretty much romanticizes suicide in its efforts to illustrate a narrative of distraught people on the brink of taking their own lives. All in all, it’s a brave attempt to break free from stereotypes, but the outcome is rather flawed.

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It's simply okay.

I watched the 2016 drama series before watching this drama. I think this drama is meant to be an introduction to the 7th Section aka Higanbana. The concept of an all-female police unit that's designed to protect female criminals and female victims is good, but somehow the plot falls short in some ways. The idea of having the main character with sixth sense is fascinating, but it doesn't deliver well, which makes the whole storyline less impactful. Overall, it's not bad, but it's not very good either.

If I may suggest, watch the 2016 series first and then give this drama a shot if you like.

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It’s a worth watch

I remember watching this drama years ago, and I loved it. Now I’m rewatching it again and still love it. It’s nice to watch a drama that centers on medical analysis, especially with mostly female casts. It’s like House MD, but with a team of all-female specialized doctors.

Instead of a full-fledged medical drama, this drama has some suspense and mystery and some comedies, which I’m drawn to. It’s witty, surprising, and shows a human side of disconnection through attention to detail. This show seriously has so much to teach. It provides a lot of diagnosis and symptoms from which we can learn something.

The Analysis Diagnosis Department doctors are divided into two cliques, which are Tachibana’s team and Iwakura’s team, but despite their different approaches in diagnosis, the women would usually put their differences aside when it comes to saving lives. Their clashes and arguments are mostly professional. It’s good to watch a drama where women are not at each other’s throats, fighting over men.

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Revenge drama at its finest.

Among Thai revenge dramas I’ve watched so far, Thicha is one of very few with solid and neat execution. From the storylines, props and set details, and suspense elements, everything is great. Thicha’s revenge plot isn’t about killing those who have hurt her, but delves deeper into the complexities of exposing wrongdoings, seeking justice and wanting to stop the vicious cycle of abuse and violence those people have caused to her and other people. But just like any other revenge dramas, it’s important to understand that in the end, no one will be left unhurt.

Other than well-crafted storyline, the essence of this series lies in the compelling character development and stellar performances from each member of the cast. From the main to the supporting character, they successfully bring their character to life with such nuance and depth. Bussara and the rest of the antagonists deserve praise for making you despise them to the core. Just when you think those devils can't get more shitty than they already have been, they prove you wrong. Among all the cast, I’m really impressed by Xiang Pornsroung’s diverse acting as Phu.

The most acclaim goes to Baifern for her excellent performance as Thicha. It is fascinating how she carries the series on her shoulder with such perfection and portrays Thicha without making her a stereotypically strong female character. She’s an empowering character, as strong as her motivation. Her strength lies in her complexity. And despite her resilience and strong will to uncover the truth, she’s still a woman with flaws and weaknesses.

This series has excellent suspense and tension build up. The pacing is just right, with each episode leaving viewers eager to know what will happen next. The clever use of cliffhangers ensures that there is never a dull moment. But above all, the message conveyed behind the revenge is particularly noteworthy.

Overall, it's a good example of a revenge drama done right. If you’re looking for a drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you wanting more, look no further.

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Uplifting. Positive. Honest.

I had no idea how a show about running could be so therapeutic until I found this gem. It’s by far the most heartwarming variety show I’ve ever watched. The concept is pretty simple: five girls go running together, get some healing through running on the beautiful running courses, bond with each other, and reflect on their past lives. I love how this show used running terms like pace, obstacle, recovery, and finish line as metaphors, relating to the ups and downs of life.

The scenery and the beauty shots are so calming. The motivational and introspective theme is very impactful. This show subtly highlighted how a good support system can really help someone get through any difficult time and move forward through the concept of running. The girls developed sincere friendships through this program. The deep talk about the struggles they faced elevated their bond above simple acquaintance. Understanding that even with just one person cheering, it manages to uplift someone to keep going on the adventure.

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A masterpiece; a work of art. It's simply DEABAK!!

Out of all the historical dramas that I’ve watched in which the main character is the queen, I personally think this one has the best queen.

Kim Hye-soo did a fantastic job portraying the Queen. She’s the perfect actress for the role. She is simply outstanding throughout the entire series. Her gesture, her facial expression, her emotion, the way she conveys her lines – everything is on point. I really like how the Queen is presented as a strong-willed, fierce and hot-tempered woman who is also a compassionate, doting, and thoughtful mother - traits that is uncommon in most historical series.

Unlike other historical dramas, this one shows a diversity of parent-child relationships. The King, Queen, and Grand Princes demonstrate how strong family ties may persist in the face of difficulties.

Even though the resolution for some villains isn’t very satisfying, I love how the ending concludes the meaning behind ‘under the queen’s umbrella’.

The supporting characters are also good, especially the Grand Princes and the concubines. Each of their roles complements the plot perfectly. Other than the Queen Hwa-ryeong, I personally like Consort Hwang (Ok Jayeon). I’ve watched other of Ok Jayeon’s projects, but it seems like she’s being typecast with similar villain character. But she nailed it anyway.

The series is sooooo good that I even watch the behind-the-scene clips and enjoy every bit of it, just like I did with the series.

Brilliant acting ✅
Emotion rollercoaster ✅
Intense conflict ✅
Pure evil villains ✅
Potential young actors ✅

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The title truly captures the essence of the drama.

I finished the drama in two days, and there wasn’t one bad episode. Each episode has such a smooth flow and satisfying arc that it makes it hard for me to stop watching.

I was skeptical at first, especially when most political dramas are usually heavy, slow-paced and draggy. But I was wrong. Although this drama revolves around dirty politics, corrupted people, and revenge, which is not far from other political dramas, it’s centered on how public relations plays its role in crisis management, narrative control, and image shaping.

Kim Hee-ae, as Hwang Do-hee, is unquestionably the best character. She, being the mastermind, had carried the story brilliantly, with great emotional effect in each episode.

This drama has well-crafted main plots and subplots that weave all characters into a nicely woven storyline, including the revenge plot. I’ve watched many revenge dramas, but sometimes the revenge plotting gets dull towards the end. This drama, however, keeps evoking exciting and unexpected retaliation from both sides.

The villains – there’s none of them that you don’t hate, which means the actors did a good job portraying them. Even the least hated or evil one (in my opinion, it’s Seo-jin) is also good. You hate every single one of them to bits, but at the same time, you can’t help but anticipate the wicked things they'll do next and how they’re going to get burned. Watching the revenge games between the protagonists and the antagonists is like watching a Grand Slam match. One side hit a big serve, another side returned it with a strong smash, and the game continues with suspense about who and how they are going to win.

This drama’s only shortcoming was that some plots involving certain characters were left unresolved. The ending was ambiguous, as if hinting at a second season. But overall, it’s one of the most satisfying revenge dramas I’ve ever watched. Even with no romance whatsoever in this drama (well, there’s an affair, but it didn’t count as romance), it managed to make you hooked.

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Interesting premise, lighthearted setting, but not neatly done.

The poster might seem like a horror drama, but don’t let it fool you. It’s is more of a drama with a touch of romance and light comedy than a comedy, so the genre tag is inaccurate. This drama centered on the lives of three estranged sisters who are bound to have an unlucky year. So, because of their connected fates, three of them will face repeated unfortunate circumstances. In order for them to dispel the misfortune, they must live together, and each of them has to adhere to certain rules in order for them to remove the bad luck.

This drama started off decently but slowly became monotonous. 20 episodes seems like a long journey because there are some scenes that I feel are unnecessary and repetitive. There are a few loopholes that make you have to guess about when and how certain things happen. The comedy is more about a comical reaction than a clever punchline. Aside from the main story about their effort to reverse their bad luck, this drama has a lot of good messages along the way, which earns some extra points rather than simply a 5.

While this drama is centered on family, the plots mainly revolve around the sisters' individual stories and romance. There's not much of the sisters' backstory as a family or the reasons behind their estrangement, making the story’s development seem loose. The sisterhood bond is pretty much showing them either discussing, bickering, or updating about each other's unlucky situation. It would be better if the sisterhood could be explored more to have a greater emotional impact when the three of them share a scene. Overall, this drama has an interesting premise but isn't executed well enough to make it compelling. But it's still a watchable drama you can enjoy for its lighthearted setting and storyline.

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It’s either love or luck; you can’t have both.

The concept is relatively new – it’s literally about love and gambling – something you rarely see focused on every now and then in Asian movies. The premise of this movie is straightforward: two strangers use their 'luck' to gamble their way out of debt and fall in love. The main conflict has already been established right from the beginning, making it easier for the audience to just enjoy the whole story without having to think much about it. The only thing that will leave the audience anticipating is how they will deal with the cardinal rule of being ‘life charms’ – that neither of them can fall in love with each other. Even though the plots flow smooth and nicely, they leave little to the imagination. The clichés are expected too. But since it’s a rom-com, I’m well aware that I shouldn't expect much.

In my opinion, Jericho Rosales and Bela Padilla’s acting is what elevates this rom-com. It’s refreshing to see Jericho play an imperfect, pitiful, uncharismatic character, which deviates from the serious-sappy persona he usually portrays. Bela naturally and effortlessly nailed the typical hopeless romantic character - I love her! I’m amazed by the great chemistry Jericho and Bela have, considering that this is the first time they are paired together. The 'falling in love’ scenes are so natural, making it impossible to not smile like an idiot. Despite not being a love team, the tandem of the two actors makes the movie a very entertaining romantic watch. I hope they can act together again in the future. Overall, this is well-made and well-acted escapism fluff, and I enjoyed it.

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The battle of the comebacks

The idea of the "battle of the comebacks" appeals to me because it gives exposure to some groups and soloists who are not very popular and gives them a good comeback platform. Queendom has some of the greatest stage performances - AOA's rendition of Mamamoo's Egotistic is incredible, G-IDLE final stage 'Lion' is wow!

If I based my review on the performances alone, I would rate this show a 9. But, knowing how biased Mnet's survival show voting system is, I can't rate it higher. It's frustrating to see some good performances being robbed of their deserved victory. It's obvious that fanbase size determines the winner. And the misleading editing will always be a bummer. Favoritism in Mnet shows is insufferable.

On a broader note, I recommend watching this if you enjoy music, dance, and performances. Seeing the contestants' level of production in each stage performance is very exciting.

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Not a bad adaptation

As someone who follows the anime, I think this movie accomplishes what Jigoku Shoujo ought to have. Although this version has better and darker plots than the 2006 series, there are a few key points that are missing, such as the tattoo and the boat scene, that make the movie slightly unsatisfactory. Overall, it's not a bad adaptation. Tamashiro Tina did a good job of delivering the similarity of the Enma Ai eerie vibe from the anime version. The supporting characters - Hone Onna, Ichimoku Ren, and Wanyoudo, could have more engaging plots than simply being the assistants with little dialogue.

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