Ruby Lin is awesome

Just finished this. I love the Noona dramas, Something in the Rain still one of my all time favorites. Whereas that was a believable storyline, I found My Dear Boy to be utterly unrealistic. I love Ruby Lin, which is why I stayed with this till the end, she was great in Light the Night so it was nice to see her in an earlier drama. I thought she was great and carried the show throughout. My big problem was the male lead. Not once was I cheering for him to get the girl. I just never understood her attraction/connection to him. He really didn't offer anything for her, he just had this belief that he belong to her. Once he confessed to her, you would think that she would have put a quick end to it. It seems she tried to rebuff him, but did not do it with enough conviction to turn him away for good. Of course, that would have been the end of the drama, however it would have been more realistic and they could have taken it in a different direction. I thought her original relationship with the father of her child would have been better to explore more.

I am from USA and have been watching A-dramas for 5 years now. It's funny how they are becoming so popular now due to Squid Games, which was great, but I would not put it in my top 5. I have always loved the dramas because they are a refreshing change from the heavy handed drivel that are USA TV shows dramas. And I love all the cultural differences and all the same themes you see in every one of them. Drinking and eating are a major theme in every one of these shows, they play a much bigger role than any USA show, outside of cooking shows. I think it is cool and enjoy it even though it is repeated in every single show. So even the silly ones (and by silly I mean unrealistic) like this one I enjoy because of how different it is from USA shows.

So, although not one of my favorites, I did enjoy this simply because of Ruby. I hope to watch some of her older shows and look forward to new ones.

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Pokwang is incredible

Just finished and although silly movie, i enjoyed it. I am so used to watching English subtitles shows/movies that it is strange watching a Filipino movie where they randomly switch back and forth between English and native language. I am most fascinated about the Philippines in this regard and want to learn more about their culture.
Anyway- the movie, as stated, pretty silly, but enjoyable. Pokwang made it for me. I thought she did a great job. Her reactions in the beginning parts of her relationship with her Korean man are incredible. Here interactions as the mom and the daughter were spot on. In addition, she has a quirky beauty in my opinion, and really she turned on the sex appeal in some scenes. Overall she made the film a great watch for me.
Support cast was good as well.
I'd recommend as a quick diversion.

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Didn't see the plot twist coming

I enjoyed this movie even though there are a lot of negative reviews, which I guess are warranted. However, everyone has their own opinion but for me I just want an interesting plot and some great acting and I think this has both.
I've seen so many A-dramas now and I think this could be the only one that I did not see the plot twist at the end coming. I am still processing it, but at this point I think it worked.
Of course I have more sympathy for the FL, the ML gets what he deserves as he is not a very nice fellow, clutching at straws to settle. But who knows, FL may turn out ok, but it is just so uncertain as seen in her final expression in the film.
Overall, I enjoyed the movie.
It is getting harder to find good A-films/series as I have seen most all of them. I am hoping they keep coming.

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Dark characters, pretty powerful story

Very dark and sad story about the worst of circumstances that life can throw at someone. Pretty graphic scenes both sexual and violence, but most necessary in telling the story. FL is awesome- she would have made a great actress if the inevitable did not happen. She is on the edge of desperation, first in selling her whole self to any guy with a buck, to being with a boyfriend that she knows there is not a future with; and then the story pivots from this seedy side of Tokyo to the rural calm of the village. But the village does not bring any relief for her as the past does not go away and the reason she escaped is still there. She does find some comfort in her high school friend and she gets to experience some level of joy when they are together at the lake and the bbq, but her history is just too tragic and so much a part of her that she will never escape it. I thought maybe they would be together in the end, but she is just too far gone. I liked the ending- we can only imagine what is next for her- will she find peace- probably not, will she die- possibly, or anything else- it is up to the viewer to think about it. I like to see that kind of ending in these kind of movies.

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Interesting and entertaining series, captivated me because of the lead and title character- Saki. Very intense character, and I loved rooting for her and against her.

First, what i hated- subtitles- in episode 3, the subtitles were about 20 seconds behind, made it extremely difficult to follow. last episode- long sentences were cut off. As it was the end of the series i was kind of able to finish most of them but still very annoying. So that's the technical stuff.

What i didn't like about the story: not that i didn't like, because if it was missing, there would be no point to the whole series, but i just can't believe how a couple of these guys continued to fall for her mind games and then fall off the deep end, especially the hospital chief. Lose it all, but get on with your life. The way he flipped out seemed too extreme to me. Their whole story line with the wife is confusing for me as a western. Maybe a cultural thing. The shame of being the other woman in Japan must be so much more extreme; I can see an American couple telling Saki and anyone who cared: too bad bitch, get over it, we are together. Anyway, the way these guys became totally absorbed with Saki and how she was able to convince a couple of them to off themselves or become violent was a little laughable to me.

I didn't care for the reveal of each victims 'crime' in the last episode. Not much to them and you can argue that the 1st two fellows were just a matter of bad luck. I was expecting that the reason Saki did what she did to them was because they did something significantly bad that would justify her actions. They didn't do anything reprehensible, they were just aloof at the wrong moment, especially the AC guy. Even the lawyer, when realizing what he was doing, was bowing to apologize. Saki did not drive him to suicide for his main problem- loving his own sister, but because he mistakenly blocked the road. I can see the hospital chief to a degree, but i was even not sure if he directly turned the mother away, or that he was just the person being held responsible because he was the chief and father of the kid who was treated instead of the mother. His son was pretty much of a wimp. When Saki called him an idiot, i was hoping he would say- oh well, i almost made it with you, and then got on with his life.

Next- the final confrontation scene with her brother, Hayako (by the way, he was pretty good in the series, even though he always had a deep, glazed, duh look on his face). Anyway, I thought the scene could have solidified this chick as the ultimate villain, as evil as Hannibel Lector. I really thought that when she broke the glass out of his hand and started crying that she was faking, knowing that the glass she broke didn't have the poison and that she would get him to drink the other glass with the poison. As it turned out, she appears to have some humanity and saved him. Blaming him did prove she had a twisted mind, however, i guess he was able to convince her that he was not responsible, where the other guys had no real chance to do so. I would have also liked one final scene for them together to tie up were they stood with each other.

Lastly- the pregnancy. Where did that come from? Was it the lawyers?- his seemed the only relationship close to doing it. Maybe this all happened off screen. Would have liked to have known more about it, or maybe i missed something.

Now on to what i liked- Saki! Totally gorgeous, which attracted me to her immediately. A very beautiful lady, made even more so by her expressions and demeanor. The 'celebratory' food scenes with the steak and wine were different, and a little weird (shot of her throat), but i still thought it was pretty enticing. I loved watching her work her spell on everyone- even though it was hard to fathom how some of these guys went off the deep end because of it. One of the best female characters i have ever watched.

I did like the story, even though i mentioned more negatives above. I love watching Asian dramas, they are very entertaining, even when they are extremely implausible in my mind, like this one.
Overall, a very good watch. Check reality at the door and get ready for one of the best female lead characters in a A Drama- and some really weak guys!

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i guess i could get tired of the ever optimistic lead female who always stays positive, doesn't abandon people even though she has every right to and just is so determined to succeed, but i have not tired of it yet.
loved this drama from beginning to end. as long as the leads are strong, i can endure the rest. not crazy about her parents, especially the dad, but it was not anything that made me not want to watch. i do like how they supported each other, just thought the dad was just a little too out there.
also, as with all dramas i scratch my head and say, why did they do that, or why did they make that decision. but that's ok..it is why i love these dramas.
lead was so cute..just loved her

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where is season 2

I've watched about 100 A-dramas over the last few years and i think this is the first one in which you are left hanging after the first season with no chance to start watching the second season. But even the other ones had a resolution to the main issues after the 1st season and then would move on to new issues the next. This one just leaves you scratching your head.
As always, my interest is the female lead. I think she is quite good..her choice seems easy to me- one selfish rich guy, and one sincere nice guy..but as with all the dramas the choice is not easy to her and she usually ends up going with the wrong one.
Well, just have to wait and see...not sure how or when season 2 will be available, but i'll watch it.

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Who will end up with who?

Nice cliffhanger for episode 8. Can’t wait til next week. Through the first 8 episodes I have enjoyed the drama. It seems that male and female leads are destined to be together but circumstances seem to keep them apart. Now they are both pretty deep into other relationships. ML1 is with what appears to be the ultimate catch, but it is all too obvious, except to her, that he is not all in. I almost feel sorry for her as I see her getting hurt once the ML lead’s true feelings become known. He was too weak to rebuff her advances, but if he did, we wouldn’t have this great dramatic conflict. FL1 is with the ultimate nice guy, but do you feel their spark? I don’t.
It’s hard to read FL1. She seems like someone who has it all together on the outside, but torn on the inside. I think she goes with the flow, which resulted in the relationship she has with ML2. Of course, they could make it together, but we all know she belongs with ML1.
Overall, so far, another great drama. Can’t wait to see what lies ahead. Will comeback after show complete for an update.

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I dont usually write until end, but thought i would try something different. it will feel weird when this does end, as this story could go on and on forever..in the same vein it could have been wrapped up sooner as well.
with that said, i do enjoy watching it. i have to say it is one of the most cliche filled dramas i have seen. deep into it now, each time someone falls asleep and is covered in a blanket, or prepare food for someone, i laugh. As an American, these things are insignificant and you would not see them as being so important in US dramas, but i dont mind these cliches in these type of dramas. it is one of the reasons i watch, to escape into a world that you need to suspend belief a little...isnt that what most movies/tv shows do.
As for actors, i do like Jan Di. i like that she is not most beautiful or desirable, yet someone who has a glow in which in the end even though she has tough situations, she always makes the right choice and things seem to work out for her. my biggest irony is why do i want her to get with Goo Joon Pyo instead of Yoon Ji Hoo...i just like their interactions better i guess, even though he is not at all what you would want for a guy. Yoon is just too perfect..everything he does says that she should be with him, but i never wanted that.
So i'll continue to the end to see what happens. I am sure it will be a standard ending, but thats ok..that is why i like these.

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BREAK AFTER EPISODE 8

There is a trade off of having to wait for new episodes. The negative of course is having to waiting for it. The positive, especially for this drama is try to guess what will happen!.....i wanted to write one after the episode when Dao first came clean to Ae. I guessed that she would blow the whole thing off, and she did. Now for this one after episode 8. Will they kiss?...and will they get together? Based on what has happened so far, plus from watching a number of A-dramas is that i think she will pull away at the last moment. Could be wrong, but that is my guess. I loved when she said he is stirring up her heart again, she became vulnerable, something that i did not see in her before...but i am still thinking she will pull away and the conflict will continue.
As for the story- I love it...i am rooting for Dao to win An back. Don't know why. I don't particularly like the other guys so i guess it is by default. but i do believe his love is the most intense, at least at this stage. I am sure there will be more to come with subsequent episode to change my mind.
As with all my dramas, my favorite is the female lead- and this one does not disappoint. Although i did think, as someone else mentioned, that she over did it a couple of time in the beginning, as episodes have progressed, i think she has really become a very strong lead. I can't wait to see what comes next for her, especially for how things between her and Dao turn out.
My next favorite plot is the child. Thought for sure early on that the actor was the father..now not so sure. maybe by the next break I'll have a better guess, but as of right now, i'd have to guess it is Dao's.
Can't wait for episode 9. I plan to write another review after the next break.

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Really Enjoyed Watching

Just finished season 3, right after 1 and 2. Really enjoyed all three. Although the themes and processes were pretty much identical, it was interesting to see how each participant reacted to each situation.

As an American I really love to watch the reality shows from Asia. I detest US reality shows as they are all about promoting self. USA is a ‘me’ country, which I really don’t like. That’s why all I watch now is Asian shows/movies. I love Asian culture. Simple examples such as the act of bowing, being contrite, apologetic and being thankful is so refreshing to see. You can tell it is a way of life, and it is sincere. There is no pompous, look at me attitude that the USA is all about.

As for this season, here are my thoughts. First, I was perplexed by Aoi’s appeal to the two ladies who were interested in him, especially Yuga. Yuga was so gentle and kind, not to mention her super model looks. I can’t fathom how this guy would not want to get to know her better. She would have been the one I choose to at least to get to know her better. I did not care for Aoi’s various looks, the way he moved his eyes and his reactions to everything, which I thought were over the top and very annoying. Of everyone in all the seasons, his appeal was the most baffling and disagreeable to me.

It’s ashame Yuga let her situation get the best of her as I definitely think she could do so much better than him. I was so much hoping that she would have told him at the confession that he was the only one she could choose, but she was not interested in pursuing further and then go triumphantly out on her own.

Reina was very interesting to me. Extremely cute, an air of sexiness about her and most importantly, very focused. I think she was the best actor of the show. She was lucky that she had won the audition for that great kiss scene. It seemed to seal the deal with her leading man and turned the direction of the show upside down. If I had to rank on acting alone, she would be number 1 with Nari a close 2nd. All the others were ok, but I don’t think they were close to those two. As for her romance, I worry for her. The way Tatsuya bounced back and forth between the girls, I think Reina needs to keep an eye on this guy as he seemed like the type that would stray pretty easily.

I’ll finish up with the ladies. Asuka was so nice. Pretty girl and so positive. I am glad she gave up on Tatsuya, she deserves much better. Amon seemed like a nice guy so maybe that will work out. With that said, it would have been interesting if she went up against Reina during the confession. Even though Tatsuya told Reina he would have chosen her, I don’t necessarily believe that he would have. Would not have surprised me if he picked Asuka if he had to make a choice.

Nari was great, although I thought she was going to choose Ren. I loved her emotions even though she was sad quite a bit. She was a great actor. Poor Ren, seemed like a nice guy, but I think him not being the ideal type hurt him. At least Nari was clear in letting him know how she felt, but I thought it would have been nice if she accepted him.

Last but not least Yuta, who I did not care for very much. His insistence on keeping Amon out of one of the auditions was petty. Too bad no one spoke up against him. But it ended up not well for him, and you could tell it hurt him a lot, so I did feel bad for him a little.

Lastly, I really loved the overall format of the show. From how the selections were made, the auditions and then the filming of the final scenes were really well done. Also, liked the commentary, although I was wishing it would end quicker to get back to the show itself.

Overall, I really enjoyed these shows and hope that there will be new seasons.

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curious decision

Another one with a great female lead. Almost every movie/series i like has great female lead character performance..
As for the story, I thought it was good. Truly wonderful first half of the movie, tragic second half.
I'll concentrate now on the 2nd half. The biggest question in my mind is trying to understand why Ya Wang would not go back to her boyfriend after what happened. I mean I understand it, but it would have been just as plausible to have them develop a new and stronger relationship after the traumatic event. They were very much in love prior to the event, and he was still committed to her even after what happened. Would have made for a happier ending if she had accepted him and stayed with him, but then we would not have had the dark, thought provoking ending about what would become of Ya Wang and the boy after his 7 year prison term for what he did for her. The boys total devotion to Ya Wang was so strong, you could tell soon after the event that Ya Wang would be connected to him forever in such a way that she would not able to be with anyone else.
As a side note, loved the second couple, the 'fake' beauty and 'bald' guy. I loved the scene where they 'exposed' themselves, in public and realizing that love is more than just physical appearance. Loved that they found their real selves.
Overall, a beautiful 1st half of movie, taking an ugly turn and then playing out the consequences of the life altering event. can't always have the happy ending, but i am ok with that.

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Enjoyed this very much, especially FM. Although it was hard to believe her naivete and lack of experience at her age, particularly considering how good looking she is and successful in career, i still liked the storyline. I did think it made more sense for her to fall for the 2nd ML though as they were very compatible, and did seem to make a great couple, but that is why i love these A-dramas- lots of implausibility which makes it enjoyable to watch for me.
As alluded to, i really loved the female lead. I think she did a great job with this role. I found her very sexy, not just because she is hot (she looked awesome in every outfit), but because of that naivete, inexperienced way she portrayed the character. It was so adorable to see, even though hard to believe in such an older lady. I still like the sexy cougars, and aggressive types, however there is something very alluring about this character.
I'm from the USA and have pretty much dedicated my leisure watching to Asian productions. I love all the cultural differences, and they seem to be prevalent in all the shows i have watched, from Chinese, Taiwan to Korean and others. First- food. Americans like to eat just to eat, but in all these shows food is a most important aspect of every day life. so cool to see that. Second- the family hierarchy and the conflict about how things should and ought to be. In USA, it is pretty much, do what makes you happy and others have to accept it. In these shows, everything is decided on in lots of cases based on what is expected of you, or how others would perceive you- very fascinating. it is what makes these series 30-40 episodes long in most cases. Third- the age difference scenario- makes a good storyline
Anyway, I digress a little. I really liked this drama...lots of tender moments, lots of anguish for both leads and other characters and a nice happy ending. Great stuff, particularly during these difficult times we are going through now. Will be looking for more of these types of shows now that i have to stay in the house for the next 6-8 weeks, ugh!

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watched this right after boys over flowers and even though i can say that it is basically the same story, there was enough differences for me to love them both. i though each sets of characters had the own uniqueness, even though it is essentially the same story. another cute, average girl fighting for what she believes in, going through hard times and never giving up. you cant help but root for her. and the obnoxious lead guy, even through he can have pretty much any girl he wants, falls for this ordinary but special girl. i think this is what i like most. even though most may want her to fall for the secondary lover, i was always pulling for the jerk, because you knew his love for her was so complete. i love all the cliches of these asian dramas..i will keep watching..i really dont watch american tv shows anymore.. ironically enought the only usa show i watch is fresh off the boat, about an asian family making it in the usa...thanks for reading

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