PAINFUL

I am a native Italian. I lived in Milan for 18 years. My family happened to be involved in politics and law. One of my aunts, a judge, was a NON-CORRUPTED member that fought and almost got killed because of her involvement in Berlusconi's trial. I do not know who you are or where you are from, but I travel extensively and I know EACH COUNTRY have crime organizations with local names. My country organizational crime is called MAFIA. Now, my blood almost exploded out of my veins when I saw baby face Song Joong Ki acting as mafia lawyer .My biggest fear became reality when girls and young women are raving about Mafia guys with pride and honor. NO SUCH THING. From The Godfather, to the Soprano , ending with Korea....enough is enough. Korea has MASSIVE crime in the form of loan sharks, due to the extreme nepotism and corrupt government. So I watched all these show and though we were very similar. ONE BIG DIFFERENCE: mafia is a PRODOTTO ITALIANO, made in Italy, so don't export slavery, pedophiles, drug dealers and pimps. Korea is producing such high quality shoes: Flower of evil, my mister, Hyena.....Awaken...I mean, I think you can use Mafia only to make fun of it, or to fight it. Not as a show. Grazie.

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Love is as beautiful as it’s cruel.

I missed this heroine sooooo much !! I truly enjoy this actress when she’s playing roles that “fit her acting persona”. The story is DIFFERENT and let you be surprised at times. It is true that some parts are prolonged to death, but this drama is a very well hidden gem. The actors chemistry is borderline perfect, and FINALLY A PASSIONATE KISS AMONG HETEROSEXUAL, that is so well done to give you butterflies. Last kiss so well done was Hyena. The male actors are quite interesting: at the beginning they seem dull and sleepy, but the more you watch the more intriguing they are. THANKFULLY they all DO NOT LOOK LIKE stiff porcelain dolls, increasing the reality factor tenfold. If the whole world was made of perfectly good looking people, how boring would that be ???? Im a believer of TALENT, above beauty. Wayyyyy above. So, if you can manage reality, you can definitely enjoy this show. The script is confusing.

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WHEN ACTING BECOMES ART.

This drama is very hard to review. It's quite impossible to be unbiased when you are facing such great performance as those of Lee Joon-Gi and Moon Chae-won. The first time I was so pulled in by their acting that I forgot everything. The storyline is quite confusing, not because is a bad story, but I guess it's the classical case of wanting to put too many cookies in the jar. As a thriller with a limit of 16 episodes (more would have been redundant) it's very hard to follow the story of a serial killer active for generations and with ramifications into high up family, government and police. Add to the mix false IDS, family secrets, psychological issue and it's really too much too handle. Thankfully, a STELLAR cast among wich: Gong Mi Ja, Kim Moo Jin, Choi Jae Sup have a way to act while explaining that is superb.
I know I sound like a groupie, but seriously, Joon-gi and Chae-Woo reached their peak with this drama. NO EXCESSIVE CHEMISTRY between them. Just a normal MARRIED couple going through hell. Bravi.

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When you pour too much water in a glass.....

It is true I cannot stand Soon Jong Ki. When an actor personal life become more prominent that their work it changes the public view on their performance. I always found him to be a bit dull, and beside "Boy wolf" and "Descendant of the sun" I have yet to see a different set of emotions on his (once) perfect face. BUT I gave it a shot and watched Arthdal Chronicles because the storyline seemed interesting. What a mess !! If you could pour in a shaker bits and pieces of Lord of the ring (the 3 of them ) and the entire series of Games of Thrones and serve it on ice you would remain puzzled as to what exactly have you order. The basic idea of a sci-fi/fantasy/historical drama is absolutely fantastic, however the ability to start threading without ending up with a huge inconsistent amoeba is slim. The main issue is SIMPLICITY AND CLARITY. So far only Lord of the rings and the original Star-wars (yep the 70's one) are real inspirations. When you have so many events, in different geographical areas, diverse names and cultures and a variety of never ending twists and turns, if director, screenwriters and actors do not sync perfectly, it's just a mess. You know as a viewer if you find it difficult to remember who did what, who was who, and why is this happening now. Great performance by Kim Ji Won ! My preconceived idea of her was gladly crushed.

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EXPECTATIONS ARE PREMEDITATED RESENTMENTS.

Classic story of a big budget drama presented as an incredible journey and ending as a mere walk around the block.
Storyline: since the beginning I though that the wolf/human storyline was used way too much. On top they added another oversaturated plot of love triangles, betrayals, misunderstandings among the main characters THAT they never discuss.
Acting: here is the big blow. The male primary characters are short of "unwatchable", where the females protagonist, in spite of being much better, are too cover in blood and dirt with perfect hair and makeup to notice anything else. (The director should have learned from Kill Bill).
Screenwriting: OMG. The first episode is borderline offensive. I LOVE my dog and her IQ is super high. Wolves are creature of immense intelligence. Did you research before writing anything down for wolves impersonification ? Since the story is bloody and dark, then keep it such. Don't spray bits of grotesque on it.
I am awaiting the Yin and Yeng master after watching the OTS. Now I'm afraid it's going to be another blow.
The pariah of beautiful people do not cover the complete failure of this drama. Sorry for such harsh criticism, but there are actors in China very underrated.

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THE POWER OF A STORY

This is my own interpretation of this wonderful story. If yin and yang decided to stroll the human realm as a couple their adventures would be similar. I never had the religion chip, I was born without, but I wholeheartedly think that there’s a natural balance and karma. The story itself, magnificently acted by ALL characters, would be perfect if not for some silly (or maybe intentional) editing mistakes that gave us doubts on actors dubbing and some redundant episodes. It’s also worth mentioning Sun Zhenni an unexpected solid secondary actress. I’m still very much perplex about Deng Wei….I just don’t get if he’s dull because is suppose to be or else. Special effect are good, ending ……magnificent.

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BREAKING STEREOTYPES

First thing: AMAZING ACTING AND CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THE FOUR FEMALE MAIN CHARACTERS. Yeom Hye Ran, Jung Ji So, Song Hye Kyo, Im Ji Yeon. IF you were victims of bullies, you know they nail it. Especially the part were the bullies DO NOT REMEMBER.
The SUPERHEAVY subject of domestic, institutional, societal violence against women that we deem as "rite of passage" "life lessons" and all that brainwash just to set you up to fail.
The director, Ahn Gil Ho, and the screenwriter, Kim Eun Sook, created an series that is both EMOTIONALLY CHARGED without being redundant.
It was a PRIVILEDGE to watch, and to know that somehow women are heard. 여성은 히스테리가 아니라 우리에 갇혀 있습니다.

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天堂太忙了，沒時間選演員

這個節目完全是一團糟。故事情節令人困惑且難以理解，以一種無關緊要且令人困惑的方式從一個場景跳到另一個場景。編輯沒有幫助。趙露思過人的演技給了她足夠的戲劇力量，讓這部劇活了下來。她甚至還教了吳磊一些面部表情。太糟糕了，她幫助提升了 Leo 的天堂特權。廣電總局：選擇有能力的演員，而不是騙子。

This show is a complete mess. The storyline is confusing and incomprehensible, jumping from scene to scene in an irrelevant and confusing way. Editing didn't help. Zhao Lusi's extraordinary acting skills gave her enough dramatic power to keep the show alive. She even taught Wu Lei some facial expressions. Too bad she helped elevate Leo's heavenly privilege. SARFT: Choose capable actors, not pin up boys.

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WELCOME BACK INTELLECT !!!

What a treat this show is. I'm officially adding Song Zu Er in the list of top notch actresses.
The ability to make people laugh means these people hold pixie dust and know how to use it.
Laughing is the most precious trait of human "natural antidepressant" and those who can create it are some sort of magic healer. NOT LITERALLY GUYS.
The things I adored about this show: clothing is normal and not visibly head to toe top brands.
Worse mistake with Chinese drama is lack of relatability. Most of the time we are bombarded with products and clothing that are $$$$ no matter the character. Take Z. I could not stand him, he was covered in so much merchandise that the acting came third on the list of priority. In this show he's dressed normally (more or less-red coat is brand) and without the flashy clothing you can see HIM.
Also, WOMEN ARE DRIVEN AND AMBITIOUS and don't catfight for men's attention. I love the passion of school project, the temptation and the DILEMMA in between the desire to make it big BUT the hesitation when thinking for the welfare of the little people. Honestly, I totally relate. Well done.
PS- is Z voice his or he's dubbed ? The voice is soooooooooooooooooo sexy.

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THE POWER OF IMAGINATION.

yin story per se is nothing new or unexpected. However, the casting, production, direction and EDITING .. was spectacular.
IU is hands down one of the most talented actress of her age, paired with a VETERAN and CHAMELEONIC actor such as Yeo Jin Goo ...you already have a solid base. The screenwriting and editing are in sync and polished. A complicated intersections of people, twist and turns at each corner and yet no problem following the story, enjoy it, and re-watched it periodically. The production did a great job with maintaining a "low profile" and yet deliver a clean, yet artistic concept. The hotel per se feel so real in this paradoxical and dystopian reality that it doesn't make sense and yet it just does. I adored it.
I ADORED THE LIMOUSINE, AND THE STORY OF THE ELDERLY MAN WITH THE DOG.
It was hearth wrenching but so well done.
The final touch is the 3 goddesses. LOVE LOVE THE IDEA. It's the perfect definition of what yin and yang mean to me. Never full light , never total darkness. Just variations of it.

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A LIGHTHEARTED LOVE STORY

I found myself addicted to this show and I try so hard to comprehend why.
I think I got it.
The story line is CLEAR and so easy to follow because of a GREAT script and the great chemistry of ALL FOUR MAIN CHARACTERS WITH EACH OTHER. Bail Lu and Shane Xiao were magnificent in Legends, and I think they NAILED their friendship on screen. I wonder why people never mention such chemistry. Luo Yunxi surprised me immensely with his acting. I had NO IDEA he was so capable and MULTIFACETED.
The story is original, fresh, with an undertone of real life rather than shakespearean tragedy.
Critics might point little details out, like an overall sense of anti-homosexuality, but I think is the price to pay to come out with such gems.
The real value of this show : US AUDIENCES CAN RELATE TO IT.

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BL

I love good BL stories. BUT considering that the subject is "taboo" in society, IT IS A HUGE RESPOSABILITY that writers AND producers have to shoulder. In the end producers get greedy and push a limit that will have repercussion on the series and on the real people in the world.
This BL has TWO RED FLAGS: 1) Borderline pedophile couples of adults with young teen. 2) All actors have EXTREME white skin. It's disturbing on SO MANY LEVELS. We are DIFFERENT, but bleaching people skin seems Nazi.
The drama hooks you in with the main characters' story, and (personally) disgust you at the same time. The secondary couple is UNBERABLE to watch, not only for the general feeling of pedophilia kicking in, but also because the two actors have no chemistry and act unnatural and awkward.
The BL community needs to revised the age gap, since it's taboo for women is going to be viewed as NEGATIVE towards homosexual couples.
Adults are NOT suppose to be with teens sexually no matter what story you tell.

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I hate Netizens.

Yup I do hate them. Amazing how “fans” are able to modify the narrative, content and casting, when there are pretty much DENIED FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
Let’s play pretend so we r all happy.
Boring, tasteless, repetitive, and the most annoying skeletons like actors that appear so fragile they look like they have malaria.
Also, this machine like assemble and production of dramas, whether they are made by awfully coded AI or underpaid humans, at super speed,is resulting in an unshakable APHATY that has ZERO rewatch value.
Take the Double. Nothing new, same hysterical women and one fierce heroine saved by the ice face guy. YET , you cannot stop watching. The casting is beyond good, all actors have the same level of talent and chemistry that transform the usual in unusual.
Now, I think this Zangh Linghe kid has potential, solid performances and personal development. Yet in this drama is surrounded by bad director, bad cast choice, and simply no character to go with. Why ? Ask the Netizen. They make it and break it.

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THE INFINITE LIGHTNESS OF BEING.

It was very hard to concentrate on the story because of Lee Je Hoon...I mean this guy is a phenomenon. Is acting EACH TIME is flawless and delivered perfectly.
The story as well is a solid 10. Mental Illnesses, if adequately treated, sometimes offer many abilities that others do not have.
The brain allow you to "absorbed" emotions, like the main character superbly portrait.
So the drama starts like a flower bud that in the end blooms.
I adore the cold cynicism of Je Hoon that clashes with the demure yet empowering personality of Hang Ge Ru.
Great show, but a bit more of "light hearted laugh" at times lower the value of re-watching.
When the subject is heavy, inserting suspense or laugh is a must.

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ALMOST.....

I think Tak Dong Kyung is like a bottle of excellent wine that gets better with age.
SHE CAN ACT. Uau, I'm impressed how she can deliver emotions with equal amount of dramatic and poised.
She reminded me of Glen Close.
Seo In-guk performance is also an ace, balancing the multitude of emotional changes the character go trough.
Now, classic money grabber style, they overstretched the story with side stories that were hard to keep up with.
Thumbs up to the casting director for placing at least 2 secondary actors that were good as the main ones: the hot as hell Lee Soo-hyuk, and the super pretty (even though she's skin and bones)Shin Do-hyun. If she's so fresh weighting 10 kg imagine how good she could be if she was just skinny and not deprived.
The last two episodes were "soapy" and at times confusing. Still wondering what their objective was with the love myriagon of the secondary characters.

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