1
Jessica
Through the looking-glass
Great Potential, Less Than Great Execution
Initially super excited for this but was ultimately let down. It’s not a terrible drama by any means, but there are critiques I have that prevent me from considering it anything but average.
THE BAD:
- The format is terrible. It’s been said in the comments, but this really feels like a movie that’s been cut up into pieces for whatever reason. Unlike a typical drama that either ends on a cliffhanger and otherwise feels complete though still part of a larger storyline, these episodes just end randomly and in no meaningful spot. It’s not as huge of a problem now that all of the episodes have been released, since you can binge, but watching it as it aired was not the most enjoyable in terms of that.
- Along those lines, this drama was far too short, and the plot and characters suffered for it. Both the mystery and the boys’ relationships were rushed, resulting in simplified plot lines and no suspense. I think if there had only been the main couple it would have been better, because more time could have been devoted to building their relationship and deepening the initial mystery. But what we’re given is a watered-down version of everything that feels less than fulfilling.
- The switching between Korean and Mandarin (where only one character spoke Korean but everyone could understand him and he could understand everyone else) was stupid. Sorry, I said what I said haha. I can *maybe* see how it would work among the brothers, *if* they grew up together and therefore kind of learned it together, but I cannot say the same for the brother and the stranger who, for all we know, has only lived in Taiwan and has no ties whatsoever to Korea or its language. (Also, the Korean brother and his scene partner were my least favorite, so I got tired of seeing them so much but I seem to be in the minority there haha).
- Going off of the above point, I did not feel any connection at all between the main couple. No spark, no heat, nothing. I’d say it’s due to lack of or poor buildup, but with the other couples—who got even less screen time—I did feel something there (and was more invested in them than the main one). So, I’d say it’s that combined with the actors failure to emote for me what I needed to feel something.
THE GOOD:
- Handsome actors who weren’t stiff or awkward.
- It was entertaining, despite the flaws, and I appreciate the concept as it’s different from the other BLs out there.
OVERALL:
Sure I’d recommend, only because it’s short and fairly interesting. I think the writers could have accomplished so much more had they been given more time to develop both story and relationships, and I regret that the opportunity was missed, but we have what we have and what we have is an average drama that could have been a lot more.
THE BAD:
- The format is terrible. It’s been said in the comments, but this really feels like a movie that’s been cut up into pieces for whatever reason. Unlike a typical drama that either ends on a cliffhanger and otherwise feels complete though still part of a larger storyline, these episodes just end randomly and in no meaningful spot. It’s not as huge of a problem now that all of the episodes have been released, since you can binge, but watching it as it aired was not the most enjoyable in terms of that.
- Along those lines, this drama was far too short, and the plot and characters suffered for it. Both the mystery and the boys’ relationships were rushed, resulting in simplified plot lines and no suspense. I think if there had only been the main couple it would have been better, because more time could have been devoted to building their relationship and deepening the initial mystery. But what we’re given is a watered-down version of everything that feels less than fulfilling.
- The switching between Korean and Mandarin (where only one character spoke Korean but everyone could understand him and he could understand everyone else) was stupid. Sorry, I said what I said haha. I can *maybe* see how it would work among the brothers, *if* they grew up together and therefore kind of learned it together, but I cannot say the same for the brother and the stranger who, for all we know, has only lived in Taiwan and has no ties whatsoever to Korea or its language. (Also, the Korean brother and his scene partner were my least favorite, so I got tired of seeing them so much but I seem to be in the minority there haha).
- Going off of the above point, I did not feel any connection at all between the main couple. No spark, no heat, nothing. I’d say it’s due to lack of or poor buildup, but with the other couples—who got even less screen time—I did feel something there (and was more invested in them than the main one). So, I’d say it’s that combined with the actors failure to emote for me what I needed to feel something.
THE GOOD:
- Handsome actors who weren’t stiff or awkward.
- It was entertaining, despite the flaws, and I appreciate the concept as it’s different from the other BLs out there.
OVERALL:
Sure I’d recommend, only because it’s short and fairly interesting. I think the writers could have accomplished so much more had they been given more time to develop both story and relationships, and I regret that the opportunity was missed, but we have what we have and what we have is an average drama that could have been a lot more.
Cet avis était-il utile?
