Trillion Game is a hidden gem

"Trillion Game," a delightful Japanese drama, promises to deliver the perfect dose of laughter. Stumbling upon this hidden gem was an unexpected delight and undoubtedly one of the highlights of my September. If you're anything like me, someone who often finds themselves numb to typical dramas and only has limited free time, then this drama is a must-watch. It's a captivating series that can be enjoyed from start to finish.

While "Trillion Game" isn't without a few minor hiccups in its storyline and editing, I can wholeheartedly assure you that investing 10 hours of your life in this series is a decision you won't regret. Meguro Ren effortlessly captures the charisma and poise of Haru, while Sano Hayato perfectly embodies the timid yet brilliantly Gaku.

The show's female characters each possess their unique brand of beauty and charm, with Torinrin and Kirika-hime standing out as my favorites. "Trillion Game" not only offers a refreshing escape from the mundane but also introduces a cast of characters that will stay with you long after the final credits roll.

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How many twists and turns do you want? Yes.

First off, I was excited to see this movie because it was directed by the man, the myth, the legend, Lee Jung-jae himself. I was happy for him when he reached global stardom after Squid Game because honestly, this man is just phenomenal. Going back to the movie, at the beginning it will throw you right in the middle of the story. As far as action goes, the tension and adrenalin were there but were not maintained so when the climax came, I felt it was a bit dull. But all throughout I was absorbed in the story. I believe the lead characters' objectives are justifiable to a point. I'm convinced that, yes, this was the world then. Maybe, this is our world right now, too. The ending I kind of already guessed and I'm glad they took that route because it's far more realistic than having a Hollywood ride to the sunset. Jung Woo-sung and Go Yoon-jung were excellent in their roles. It's a film worth watching at least once.

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How Creepy!

The second season of Utsukushii Kare is an exceptional drama that left a lasting impression on me. The series features the talented actors Hagiwara Riku and Yagi Yusei, who portray the characters Hira Kazunari and Kiyoi Sou with a great deal of nuance and complexity.

One of the standout aspects of the drama is its unique take on the power dynamic between the two main characters. Initially, their relationship appears to be one-sided, with Kiyoi holding all the power. However, as the series progresses, it becomes clear that there is much more to their dynamic than meets the eye.

The line "How creepy!" is so frequently used that I lost count. At first, it was so off-putting to me hearing Kiyoi "insult" Hira. However, as the series progresses, this line takes on a deeper meaning and becomes a symbol of the characters' growth and development. It is a testament to the strength of the writing and acting that a seemingly simple phrase can evoke such complex emotions.

The last episode of the series beautifully showcases the growth and maturity in the characters' love for each other. It is a touching moment that underscores the depth of their relationship and the series wrapped it up with a good, I really mean it, good scene. The subtle shift in expression from worship to pure desire is honestly such an iconic moment for me.

Overall, IMHO Utsukushii Kare Season 2 is a standout drama in the BL genre and one of the best in its history. The only downside is that this series is too short! But with exceptional performances from its lead actors, a unique power dynamic between its characters, and a beautiful story of love and growth, this series is sure to be one of the best BL series for a long, long time.

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Dropped it so many times but finished it for Dongfang Qing Cang

The production is stunning, anyone could see this drama had a BIG investment. The cast's visuals are so ridiculous that they look like they popped out of paintings. Costumes and sets are works of art and I can't complain about anything. Dongfang Qing Cang is honestly godly. I wish I could say the same for little Orchid, but she's the reason I struggled to watch it till the end. I'm not fond of innocent and cutesy characters, especially if they were done like Orchid. At first, I really thought they fell in love just cause. They're the titular devil and fairy, of course, they had to fall in love with each other. There are many examples of good stories where a powerful male lead will fall in love with his sweet and kind female counterpart despite the difference in their rankings. That was the story that this drama is selling but surely Orchid has to be special somehow to justify her role in DFQC's life and for me, that's just lazy writing. I came to the finale thinking what does love between fairy and devil means? At this point, I think I missed it and I'm unbothered. I just think this drama is entertaining enough.

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An uncomplicated Ming Dynasty tale

Are you tired of the toxicity of Harem dramas? Perhaps, you've grown too old to tolerate a dunce female lead? If yes, then this drama is for you. The talented Tan Song Yun portrays Luo Shi Yi as my female lead wet dream. She's not annoying and is often logical with her decisions. Does she ever fall into the enemies' traps? Why, yes of course. Because we won't reach 45 episodes if she consistently can outmaneuver her opponents, and evil machinations are the favorite pastime of the ancient people apparently. Anyway, this girl is great, she's near 9 in terms of likability for a strong heroine. Oh, and Wallace Chung is great too.

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When Disney+ got something right

Despite my hatred towards Disney+ and corporate influences, they really nailed it with 'Moving.' This is how you create a captivating action/supernatural KDrama. I was hooked from episode 1 until the end.

I appreciate how the writers didn't underestimate the audience's intelligence; they allowed us to guess, speculate, and get to know the characters at our own pace. I enjoyed piecing the puzzle together myself, and the ending was incredible.

I've been a fan of Han Hyo Joo since her 'Spring Waltz' and 'Dong Yi' days, and watching her again felt like revisiting my youth. The same goes for all the other stars from the 2000s. It warms my heart to see them again, especially Cha Tae Hyun—what a pleasant surprise. Go Youn Jung and Lee Jung Ha are so adorable. Please protect them!

Overall, 'Moving' deserves its spot as one of the best KDramas of 2023.

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The Eight Sense is a strong 9+

South Korean BL shows have been impressive lately, and 'The Eighth Sense' is no exception. It excels at delivering emotion and depth that sets it apart from the rest. Im Ji Sub (Seo Jae Won) and Oh Jun Tae (Kim Ji Hyun) make a stunning on-screen couple, exuding a natural chemistry that's truly captivating.

What sets this series apart is its exceptional storytelling. The romance unfolds organically, without any forced elements. In addition, 'The Eighth Sense' sensitively highlights the importance of mental health, which is seamlessly woven into the narrative. Credit goes to Inu Baek, one of the creators, whose track record includes such notable works as 'To My Star' and 'Where Your Eyes Linger'. His talent for creating compelling love stories shines through.

Overall, 'The Eighth Sense' is a masterfully crafted show that's a must-see for BL drama enthusiasts, and even rivals 'Semantic Error' for the title of best Korean BL drama in recent memory.

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Behind Your Touch Needs Retouch

I really enjoyed 'Behind Your Touch' for its unique blend of comedy, crime, and drama. It's one of the better Netflix dramas, and I had a great time watching it. But I have a few concerns about it, so beware of spoilers if you haven't seen it yet.

If you're a fan of detective dramas like me, this might not be the best pick for you. 'Behind Your Touch' relies more on supernatural elements and lacks strong detective work. Even the male lead, Detective Moon, admits that only the female lead, Ye Bun, can uncover the truth about the serial killings. While the killer possesses OP psychometric abilities, their methods are far from flawless, and a diligent detective should have been able to see through the sloppy murders. By the time I reached episode 12, I had already guessed who the culprit was, despite the show's attempts to mislead viewers by attributing Ye Bun's visions and scanty evidence to other characters. The killer's motive is kinda of lame too, now I think about it. It could've worked, sure, but the narrative and the personality of the character didn't align for me.
As with many dramas of the past few years, 'Behind Your Touch' suffered from a weak ending. Those last 10 minutes, which had a comedic tone, felt unnecessary. After everything the two main characters and those around them had been through, it would have been more fitting to end their story on a more heartfelt note.

Overall, though, I would still recommend giving this drama a watch at least once.

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This shouldn't be a hidden gem

I'll be honest, I only started watching this because it was mentioned in an episode of "In the Soop." I'm glad that I didn't miss it because it's easily one of my favorite KDramas. This show deserves recognition. A wonderful story about what love truly means. I expected nothing less of Kim Dami and Choi Woo-Shik who really are in a league of their own. I appreciate the editing and filmography, you can definitely see the team that works on this really put their thoughts and effort. Every shot is like out of a movie, even the car scenes, which are supposedly boring, are impeccable. Everything is detailed even the littlest things. The OSTs are so good too! A solid 9 for me.

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It took me 4 tries to finish the Story of Minglan

For the life of me, I found the first 20 episodes or so to be boring and unoriginal. But the drama started to be enjoyable midway and seriously, I was glued to my screen then. I dropped this drama like three times before reaching the ending, but I can say that the Story Ming Lan is arguably one of the best Chinese Dramas I've watched. First of all, the soundtrack and filmography are just *chef kiss* and the editing is seamless. The leading actors are top-tier, and the other cast members are just as good. The sluggish start may be a deterrence, but I'm glad I pushed through it.

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Beats Romeo and Juliet

This is a cautionary tale about why you shouldn't marry a man you just met because he may or may not be a prince on a mission of vengeance slaughtering your whole clan. Seriously, anyone who wants a wholesome and happy drama should watch this! To remind you that happiness is an illusion and love sucks. Props to Chen Xing Xu, this is my first drama with him as the lead and I'm obsessed! Peng Xiao Ran is beautiful and was excellent in her role. The two brought emotions to every scene. The cast is good too, some are better than the others. A very solid 9/10 drama worth the 52 episodes.

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The main couple deserves more

At the start, I'm confused with the plot. I watched this on subs so maybe I'm missing something but it felt like I was dropped in the midst of the story. There's no build-up of the world and the characters are horribly introduced. It's almost criminal how the second leads are portrayed, they seem to be one-dimensional and had no redeeming characteristics. But thank goodness for the writer and director who made a female lead that makes sense. Camille Hua embodied a strong and intelligent woman. She has flaws but, as an audience, it's easy to fall in love with her, so we can sympathize with the male lead, who's almost perfect, why he also fell in love with her. This is my first drama with Wang Rui Chang. He's a total eye-candy but what is surprising is that he sold his character to me. By episode 17, I've lost interest in the story about the acquisition and the businesses involved. If the story was a little bit more refined, this easily could be one of my favorites with such a good ensemble.

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