fate and friendship

this is very good drama though it is sad to see from flashbacks and forwards the fate of these friends； some criticise this but for me it deepens the tragedy as most tragedies like Greek tragedy you know the characters are tied to an inescapable destiny〜this drama is dark from the start with violence in korean schools and descends into predictable gangster violence and fight for survival of poor people with only small episodes of relief and hope in romance and loyalty to lighten the story。 I was interested in the school episodes and transition from this to the gangsterism though less in the formulaic gangster drama itself・ taking account of development of many episodes there is a certain sympathy for one of the friends but this evaporates from episode 16 as we see them equally caught in the net [there is a sea/fishing motif appearing at the start and at points throughout the drama] of evil。 part of sang taek coming in later is used to work out broader plot of organised crime and corruption though his move from diligent student aiming at law career to going into the army and journalism for me lacks credibility as with how he is brought back into relation with the other school friends as part of the plot。 the element of romance is rather straining for effect and real purpose in this drama and also seems formulaic〜still a very involving and good drama of its type though I do not think this is one for re-watch

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weird mix of fantasy and reality comic and serious

fantasy mixes with reality in this movie as a teenager's weird sexual obsession is the background for many stories of other inhabitants of his apartment block and middle school。 there is a lot of silliness in this movie but also、 if you are open minded a lot of interest and amusement though not entirely lighthearted some serious developments in the story though、meaning it did not drag for me at any time。 hiraoka plays his role well and his contortions bending and stretching maybe made him taller in the end！ it ends with more obvious manga parodies and an unexpected ironic outcome in one point of story。 worth watching to fill two hours WARNING: if you are a real middle school-er let your parents see the title only not contents unless they have liberal views as there are some really "explicit" scenes here they may not take in the comical way intended！！www

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Emperor in August

very good historical account of the attempted coup against Japan's acceptance of terms of allied powers to end Pacific War and Showa emperor's central role in achieving it〜 the production values are good although the lighting is rather dark、 whether intended is not clear but even so maybe adds to claustrophobic atmosphere of tension as ministers argue and small group of conspirators drawn from military elite try to gather support for their ill-starred enterprise： the swan song of militarism that dominated Japanese politics and society through 1930s to 1940s〜10/10 as interesting history and likely I will watch again

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Touching historical drama of a family and Hiroshima

I decided to watch this drama having enjoyed Matsuzaka's other dramas〜 episode 1 has a slow gentle start、I was expecting more impact of historical events to be show in the drama but initially it sets the scene of a provincial family's story but it more than makes up for this as the series progresses to the awful climax of the Hiroshima bombing： the the settings, costume, production are very authentic〜I like the ML and FL： both very pretty and Matsumoto honaka has nice character but all the characters including the support actors and actresses I can really empathise with。 very much recommended if you will like serious historical drama and becoming attached to the lives and futures of a family living through the personal and historical events of its era〜

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painful love tangle

very good but painful film〜 appears to me a classic story of a man unable to love himself and therefore unable to be loved by others、protecting himself from vulnerability by pushing them away and leaving emotional havoc behind： I think especially with the women he so easily attracts trying to sustain the outer image of a conventional straight relationship which is false to his (maybe unconscious) real self which Imagase begins to pull to the surface。yet it seems Imasage ultimately fails too。 I detect irony comparing Otomo's relationship to Imagase at the start and the end of this film as it seems at the end Otomo needs Imagase as well as the other way round where before Imagase alone pursues Otomo： finally we are left with images where Imagase experiences the pain of real love but Otomo is left literally with an empty room reduced to fantasy ーusing an ashtray of Imagase to evoke Imagase but without the cigarette ends that would show Imagase is actually there himself

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Night Flight

wonderful moving film about gay love repressed in an oppressive society reflected in its schools 〜thoughtful and provocative with much darkness about how and why people behave to each other so cruelly especially to those considered "different" and the struggle to accept yourself being gay in this environment。the action is filmed against a background of arid broken gloomy urban landscapes well reflecting the cruelty and alienation in the fight for survival among the persecutors as much as those they persecute. there are only brief interludes of happiness or beauty along the way such as Yong Joo's and Gi Woong's trip to the coast。the title of the film Night Flight comes from an abandoned gay club （closed down because of prejudice it was too near to schools！） where Yong Joo and the only other student from a different school in the area secretly meet。 it is a dark film with much violence bitterness hatred but out of the darkness almost miraculously come fragile glimmerings of light, love and hope??

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Silent Criminal

really interesting start and just gets better from quiet small beginnings in small provincial town about a clever local constable the plot becomes more complex progressing to involve high affairs of state〜the MLs have appealing chemistry of opposites reminding me of 「The Untamed」 and main female leads also have well-drawn characters〜 the wuxia is exciting without taking over the story。among the few dramas I can rewatch and wish was longer though one of the strengths is the tightness of the plot。music very good too。 very glad I found this drama and I wish the MLs had more good roles though seem limited to support roles from MDL list❤️

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Good ride

very slick well written and planned and well-acted thriller with plenty of action like the best K-drama of its genre〜the concept is not that original but it is well done 〜reminds me of 「Mission Impossible」except it is not one completed story for every episode but leaves cliffhanger and there emerges an underlying backstory and plan behind the targeted individuals〜 you have to focus to follow the detail 〜this is binge watch quality which is rare for me。Great cast both main and support。 you really want them to get those low-lifes in high places。Song Seung Hyeon was also in similar genre「 Black」（also with Kim Won Hae） and 「Time Slip Dr Jin」 that I liked but his main career roles seem romance or melodrama〜Kim Won Hae also has a long distinguished career in similar roles （main and support） such as 「Nine Times Time Travel」、「Black」「 I am Human Too」 「Hotel del Luna」 to name a few it would have been good to see a follow up with these actors as they developed good chemistry。

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❤️beautiful though too short GL story in old China

?this will not be to everyone's taste as it may seem slow and the characters not very dramatic、 do not be misled by the fierce opening scenes since although there is partly a court battle background most of the story plays out as a gentle comedy of manners with same sex attraction MLs。 I love the characters 〜the eccentric apparently slow-witted magistrate Tao Mo who actually has laser-like intuitive wisdom and the cool intellectual Gu She hiding passion deep inside、as well as their jealous retainers quarelling with each other and the various others on the make around the town and court〜and seeing how they relate and develop and there are law court sub plots as well as the background political intrigue to vary the story〜the final episode is very moving and confirms this as a GL story （maybe most openly so Chinese one I have seen）〜 it is a pity as others say that the series does not continue longer especially given most Chinese dramas are usually 30 episodes at least （maybe for political reasons ？）?special mention for the very fine singer of the main theme
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　。：゜(；´∩｀；)゜：。

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Holyland 2005

original adaptation is best ！ not great fan of yankee or gang dramas but I like here how it shows Yu transforming as an individual and also realising importance of friends both personally and in fighting 〜 and at a deeper level this drama shows a man in a real fight for existential survival and this lifts this drama above simple entertainment：he fights or he's bullied、 but even fighting and winning the battle never ends as life itself is a battle〜don't agree this is too short it is just right to ensure the pace and development of the story without useless repetitions of fights just for their own sake and for me there is no boring episode〜fights are exciting but scary〜 theme music great?

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great K-drama mystery drama with original theme

Intense gripping, superb drama in the best traditions of K-drama： keeps you guessing from each dramatic episode cliffhanger to the next： Han So Fun、 brilliantly played by Moon Geun Young (have not heard of her before)、 is like a fierce terrier dog who will not let go in her quest for the truth until the end。 there were so many different strands to this drama and the family relationships were so complex it was really difficult to keep up with them all as well as the two big stories of Han So Yoon's sister Hye Jin and the serial killer story, apart from all the sub-plots and character development、 and I wondered how they would all be sewn together at the end but this was done superbly〜 my only slight disappointment was the uncertainty regarding the fate of the super-obnoxious Seo Chang Gwon, very well played by Jung Sung Mo and how the "chairman” came to be there at the end I assume Park Woo Jae with his "detective instinct"、again brilliantly realised character played by Yook Sung Jae、intervened。It is good to see him develop so well as an actor in a lead role from his support part in Goblin although the fresh bright character type is the same。Choi Jae Woong must also be mentioned for his portrayal of the "Young Lady" Kang Pil Sum. however I can not think of a character who was not good in this drama.

From earlier review as I watched:
not exactly the beginning I was expecting 〜the heroine seems pretty neurotic but if I discovered a corpse I suppose I would be too(๑⃙⃘°̧̧̧ㅿ°̧̧̧๑⃙⃘) meanwhile it's the usual bubbling cauldron of K-drama mystery including ruthless local businessman・politician、 alienated wife、rookie junior policeman providing the light relief、spooky village gossips and weirdos、obnoxious school students and teachers、 casual romance 〜riveting so far plenty to hook me into seeing how it develops though at 16 episodes I wonder if it can retain interest？yes it is keeping me waiting for the next episode seems to be classic mystery K-drama〜I decided to try this because of yook sung jae and as expected I like his character best！

yes, it obviously did keep my interest www〜and was one of the few dramas I finished in very short time two episodes at a time sidelining other dramas I am watching could not recommend too highly〜 will look out for this writer and actors
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　╭( ･ㅂ･)و ̑̑ ˂ᵒ͜͡ᵏᵎ⁾✩

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Heartwarming romantic drama

Lovely heartwarming drama set in beautiful hotel and surroundings with eccentric quirky characters and nice stories： any romantic like me will like this〜after first few episodes about revival of the hotel there mainly very good episodes on individual themes which worked quite well and enough variety to maintain interest but I think it was the characters and their development which provided the main interest 〜〜where is this hotel I would really like to stay there I must reserach！theme music by American singer only thing I don't like but give 5 for other waltz music〜

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fantastic in every way！！

rollercoaster of bizarre mix of tragic and comic but charming〜 only K-drama seems able to capture this mix of comic and tragic, light and serious in each episode。as it goes on it goes far from original idea of going into dreams with all kinds of scenarios crossing between afterlife and life and the back stories of main characters and their soul relations that adds interest〜what a fantastic finale:I had to watch last two episodes together and really did not see all that coming and I am happy with the ending〜and unlike some K-drama this was very well-judged length not too drawn out to lose the tension and fascination with the drama 〜I thought I saw Yook Sung Jae's cute face before and of course it was in Goblin！look forward to more by these lead actors *(*´∀｀*)☆

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