If sociopath had a child with narcissism, this would be their child and it's name would be toxicity!

The male lead of F4 is freaking crazy - he's literally a sociopath. I am currently watching episode 4, and I had to stop to write a review about this crazy character. I hope EVERYONE who decides to watch this drama, understand not to copy the behavior of any of the members of F4. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM ARE ALL TOXIC, in their own way! The reason why I gave this drama a 8.5 is because the storyline is good, meaning the concept of this drama is actually interesting. I believe if this drama was a thriller instead of a romcom, then it would have had the potential to be a 10, and wouldn't have been seen as toxic if the character was a sociopath stalker-killer because we would expect it.. However, in this drama the male lead of F4 is portrayed as a cool rich senior kid that everyone likes.

Kudos to the female lead character who doesn't take the male lead of F4 bullying. However, she allows the quiet one of F4 to manipulate her. How is it okay that he openly and publicly declare his love for his friend that's a girl, while kissing and flirting with the female lead? Just because he isn't aggressive like the male lead of F4, doesn't mean he isn't toxic. I hope that she doesn't end up with anyone from F4, and that she choose to be with her male best friend who obviously likes her. I am now on episode 8, and all I can really do is sigh at this moment lol. The second male lead of F4 is back in the picture, and while him and the female lead are at the beach, she's pouring her feelings to him. He literally says, "how come I don't love you," and then proceeds to kiss her, while he depressed over the one he loves. Can someone say rebound? Toxicity? Girl, he really didn't do that much for you to like him. Matter-a-fact, he rejected you more than he actually showed you any interest. I am starting to like the male lead of F4, better than the second male lead.

Whewwww child!

I like the Taiwanese version the best, then the Chinese version, and then the Korean version. I haven't watched the Thai version yet.

Leia Mais

Surprisingly good drama!

The male lead looks like the anime character Gaara from Naruto. Oddly, there is something that I find attractive about his appearance in this drama. I don't know if I find the male lead character or the actor attractive; I am hoping it's the actor, as the character is a sociopath! To be transparent when I saw the second female lead actress (not the character) in the first episode, I was hesitant to continue to watch this drama because I wasn't fond of her performance in another drama (My Golden Life) that I watched with her in it. However, she did a much better job in this drama than the other drama. This drama is really good, and I get excited after watching each episode. This drama is totally binge-watch-worthy! The only con is the pace of episode 15, I feel like 3 major things happened within one episode and it felt rushed. This drama should have been 17 or 18 episodes, instead of 16. The last episode was fantastic. I don't think a drama has to have a happy ending in order for it to be good. I believe the ending should make sense (realism), and the ending to this drama made 100% sense. The male lead actor did a fantastic job acting in this drama. I actually think he's the best male actor in South Korea.

I found out about this drama via the recommendation list for the drama Nevertheless.

Leia Mais

Yup, check it out!

At the time of my review, this drama is still airing. So, I cannot rate the whole drama but I can let you know whether or not I think this drama is worth the watch based upon the first episode. This drama is definitely worth the watch, although the storyline and tropes are pretty common in Korean romantic dramas.

What I really like about this drama thus far is the pacing. I am glad that episode 1 wasn't dragged out to 3 episodes. I hope that this drama continues with this pacing, and the female lead character is likable. Although she is a woman in love, she doesn't act cutesy and that's a plus for me!

Leia Mais

Due to episode 12, I raised my rating from 7.5 to 8.5.

Updated:
The male lead let out much needed steam in episode 12, and for that I raised the rating. Nevertheless, I disagreed with him when he told his wife to apologize to another woman (who was touching and massaging him) in from of others, at their home.

Previous review:
Why did they make the female lead so unlikable?

The story is actually pretty good, the acting is good too (not necessarily award worthy), but good nonetheless. They made the female lead character so unlikable, while making the male lead character loveable. The female lead character (not actress) is physically, and mentally abusive; she is childish, and petty. She behaves like a 5 year old. The male lead is kind, patient, and respectful.

Ugh, I wish the writer made the female lead character down to earth, without being bratty and abusive. I hadn't read any of the other reviews for this drama, but I'm guessing that's the reason why the overall rating is under 8.0.

Leia Mais

So-so, but was hoping for better!

When it comes to Chinese historical/period dramas I like to give my review 10 episodes at a time, because they tend to be 40+ episodes long, and I don't want to forget my thoughts about the drama when I finally reach to the last episode.

Review for episodes 1-10
•This drama had little to no character development in the first episode, and it didn't captivate me because the pacing was way too fast. When I watch historical/period dramas, if there's romance, I like for it to be realistic, and to also have a good ongoing development between both characters. I didn't know until almost episode 3 that in episode 1, the female lead character "fell in love at first sight," it was not obvious to me, it came off as bad writing/script.
•Originally, I did not like the dubbed voice for the female character in this drama, although it's the same dubbed voice that I've heard in a lot of other dramas. I think it could have something to do with the body movement of the female lead actress. IDK.
•I like the storyline, but thus far the execution is a bit sloppy and rushed.
•In episode 2 at the 30:00-33:00 minute mark the leads joke about rape. I'm not sure if I will continue after this episode.
•Towards the end of episode 2 I start to like the female lead character. If you reason that she's probably 15 years old, and not a modern day 15 year old but a 15 year old living during ancient times (w/o technology and social media), then you would understand her behavior. Additionally, there's an intentional playfulness/humor in this drama that eventually I caught onto, but I wish they made it more obvious because at first I just thought it was bad acting. For example episode 2 at the 40-43 minute mark. I nearly spit the oatmeal that I was eating, out of my mouth due to laughing so much LOL.

I DECIDED TO DROP THIS WHILE WATCHING EPISODE 7

Leia Mais

Sigh, from a Black American!

Season 1 and season 2 of Penthouse were good, but honestly, season 3 was not needed, and is silly. I dropped Penthouse Season 3, before episode 2 even aired. If you don't know by now, episode 2 is when the Penthouse writers show their racism by having an Asian American actor dress like a stereotypical Black American man. Note: the percentage of Black American men who dress like that is far less than Black American men who do not dress like that. FYI it's also important to mention that I don't see a problem dressing that way. The reason why Penthouse Season 3, episode 2 is problematic is because when Black Americans go anywhere, for example South Korea, Koreans think that it's okay to approach black people by using discriminatory slang, like yo-yo, gang-gang, that or they are afraid of black people, thinking we want to rob them. FYI, I noticed the subliminal racism in season 2; the Black American actors were thugs, while the White American actors were having fun in a bar or were businessmen. If you're interested in understanding systemic racism please click on the following link [https://youtu.be/FdrNuSw0yII].

The reason why I dropped this show after watching episode 1 in season 3, is because it was too unrealistic. I know that it's a fictional drama, but there has to be something that we can identify with. For example, in episode 1, Joo Dan Tae / Mr. Baek leaves jail and is transported to a hospital, he has heavy bleeding, and he makes 3 stops before going back to the hospital. One of the stops that he makes is pulling up to the house of the governor (or some political figure) in a tractor truck, while bleeding out. LIKE, SERIOUSLY? What made me decide to call it quits, was the last 5 minutes of episode 1 in season 3, when they push Cheon Seo Jin off of the cliff. So, Shim Soo Ryun becomes the same person, she spent the last 2 seasons trying to imprison.

Leia Mais

I am not sure why this drama is averaging a rating of a 9!

Before I get started with my review, it's important for me to mention that I typically don't like Chinese romcoms. I've tried to watch at least seven over the last 5 weeks, and in most cases I couldn't make it past episode 6. I fancy Chinese period and historical dramas. Chinese romcoms tend to be over the top with it's effects (e.g. slow motion) and unrealistic romantic love between the two leads. Personally, I like for there to be some realism even in fictional romcom dramas.

I think the reason why this romcom is receiving such a high-rating is because it's a feel-good drama, as opposed to a drama with true meaning behind the story. If you want to imagine that there's a perfect guy out there for you, watch this drama and it'll give you hope lol.

Regarding the acting, the female lead actress (not the character) seems to act the same way in this romcom as she did in her previous drama, The Imperial Corner (a period drama). I am starting to notice that the younger Chinese actress/actors don't have versatility when it comes to acting. In this romcom she wasn't very expressive, and she looked clueless; that type of acting worked in The Imperial Corner, but not in this drama.

Leia Mais

Overall it's pretty good!

REVIEW OF EPISODES 1-7
I was really enjoying this drama up until episode 6 (sigh). What happens in episode 6? A new character is introduced, and it's the trope of a teen female dressed like a male. I dislike damsel in distress female characters, and characters who do aegyo/sājiāo. In episode 7, you will see the female character doing sājiāo. When I was watching episodes 1-5 I thought to myself, wow this drama is really good. How come it doesn't have an average rating of a 9? Just from watching episodes 1-5, you'll think it wouldn't have filler episodes which consist of commonly seen tropes in Chinese historical/period dramas (see link below). Although I am disappointed by the female lead character in episodes 6 & 7 (I assumed this drama would go in a different direction), since I really enjoyed episodes 1-5, I am going to continue to watch this drama. I will update my review as I watch more episodes.
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REVIEW OF EPISODES 8-20
After watching episodes 8-20, I start to like the female lead because either her character develops, or I understand her character better. The female lead unlike the male lead character is very sensible and smart (she don't take no crap). What I dislike about episodes 8-20 is how the scriptwriter obsessively wrote how dumb/slow the male lead. Get ready to hear it about 40 times within the 12 episodes, I kid you not.

I can honestly say from episode 1-20 (thus far) this drama is full of action, and I am enjoying it. I did notice however, that they are reusing some of the characters and putting beards or mask on them so that they can look different. It doesn't bother me, but just be aware so that you will not think that that one actor represents the same character.
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REVIEW OF EPISODES 21-52
Episode 21 at the 4 minute 50 second mark is not cool. Her dad said he slapped her for her good, because she wasn't focused on her writing skills. People, using physical abuse except for self defense is not okay. I hope Asian dramas do away with justifying toxic behavior and physical abuse in dramas (it is not love).
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To learn more about tropes visit the following link (it's safe and virus free): https://www.solarina.ca/dramaddicts/dramaddicts-blog/2020/10/11/nosebleeds-mission-impossible-masks-in-ancient-china-and-the-cold-executive-a-crash-course-in-asian-drama-tropes

Leia Mais

Feminism - The Academy of Male Virtuousness

I hadn't finished watching this drama yet but what I LOVE about it thus far, is that it's not the usual toxic historical Chinese drama, in which the female lead is a damsel in distress that needs saving and the male lead is perfect and doesn't make mistakes. This drama reminds a little of Mr.Queen (a Korean historical drama that is a remake of Go Princess Go, a Chinese historical drama). The difference is the roles are reversed; the male lead is the stay at home husband who wakes up with amnesia, while the female lead is the business woman. Episode 3, at the 39 minute mark is my favorite. It's the scene at The Academy of Male Virtuousness.

Note: What could have made this drama better for me, is if the actors/characters were between the ages 25-35 and looked like it. I tend to stop watching dramas, if the characters look under 25 because I am in my 30's. I don't want see romance between high school aged characters lol.

I am so glad that C-dramas and K-dramas are moving away from toxic characters. I will update this review after I've finished watching all of the episodes.

Leia Mais

Kind of good, but kind of bad!

This historical drama had the potential to be really good based upon the storyline in the first 2 episodes, and the male lead character and acting. However, I decided to drop the drama after watching the first 6 episodes, and here's why:

#1. The acting is bad. The only 3 actors that I like is the male lead, the female lead prisoner friend, and the female lead father. Respectfully, I did not like the female lead acting.
#2. The crowned prince character (not the actor) is horrible. He mumbles, and is basically an illiterate prince. After he suffers to save his two brothers in episode 6, who btw, tried to overthrow his kingdom, would have killed him and his family, I knew that this drama just wasn't for me.
#3. The sword used by the 2nd and 3rd princes are made of wood. We can see the wood chipped from the wooden sword in episodes 5 and 6. I am sure that dramas are expensive to make. However, swords are one of the most important props in historical/war dramas. Perhaps, they could have used a dull silver plastic sword instead.

Leia Mais

Review for episode 1 - Is this drama worth the watch?

At the time of my review, this drama is still airing. So, I cannot rate the whole drama but I can let you know whether or not I think this drama is worth the watch based upon the first episode. I do think it's worth the watch but the storyline was totally different than what I expected it to be, based solely upon the title of the drama and the drama's profile image. From what I can gather, there are 3 stories going on within episode 1 (and probably the rest of the series), and I believe at some point in the drama we will see how the storyline intertwine. This drama includes the story of a rich family with a bratty daughter. A story of a middle class traditional family with a handsome son who is struggling (note this statement is not the case), and then another middle class family that is not as traditional, with a handsome son who has a nice job. The con thus far is the cutesy and naive type of behavior from the female lead character. In the first 3 episodes the female lead calls her fiance oppa at least 50 times, it's a bit annoying. I hope directors would stop portraying the cutesy/shy character trait for Korean women characters over the age of 21. Women don't have to act cutesy and shy, in order to be modest and respectable.

Side note: While it's a 120 episode drama, the episodes are only 30 minutes long, unlike most dramas which are 1 hr 15 mins long. So really this drama would have 45 episodes if each episode was 1 hr 15 mins.

UPDATE:
By episode 3, you will get a clearer picture of the storyline. I don't like the female lead character (not the actress) because they made her character clueless. I believe this drama should have had a more serious undertone, rather than a fluffy cute undertone. I was thinking this would be more like the drama The World of Married, but it's more like My Golden Life but in a not-so-good way. My original rating was a 8.5 but after episode 3 I dropped it down to a 8.0, and now after watching episode 4, I am dropping it down to a 7.5. By episode 5 it does get better.

I don't like weak female leads (see the definition below). Watching the female lead beg her husband to love her and their child, and to be with her and their baby at the beginning of episode 7 is not relatable to me. She has been in denial for the last 5 episodes, especially the last 2 episodes. Does she really expect things to go back to how they were, even if he decided to? For a woman being a single mother is one of the most scariest things that we can experience, but raising a child with an emotional abusive, cheating dad/husband should be just as scary. I would never want my child to grow up with a toxic parent. Sometimes being a single parent is a better option.

What makes a female character weak?
A weak female lead is someone who doesn't use wisdom, allows the male lead to ruin her life, while she sit idly by for the sake of love (leaving is a really great option, that female leads rarely choose to take up), and chooses the toxic male lead because they had chemistry at one point.

What makes a female character strong?
A strong female lead character is not necessarily someone who knows how to fight physically, but is a female character that
1. Uses wisdom most of the time (not all the time) - A lot of the female damsel in distress characters lack wisdom. They act on impulse, and make decisions that almost always lead them to depend on the male lead or second male lead for the whole drama.
2. Does not allow the male leads to ruin her life, while she sit idly by for the sake of "love," that really isn't love -Dramas tend portray a false image of love when it comes to romance. Love is not a woman taking abuse (verbal, emotional, or physical abuse) in order to be with a man. Almost always in dramas we see that the female lead is deceived, manipulated, or intimidated into a situation by the hands of the male lead. What's the female lead response? They either stick with the male lead through heartbreak and pain, or get back together with the male lead eventually. We often see the male leads choosing their family, revenge, or their title over the female lead, and or we see the male leads leading the female lead on a romantic chase, metaphorically speaking. The female lead in dramas while angered, end up being okay with being the last priority on the male lead's priority list.
3. Is free to choose who she love, even if it's the second lead and not the first - For goodness sakes, dramas will have people thinking that females love attractive toxic men, while hating the good guys who are caring and attractive.

So, yeah... I am dropping this. Unless I read that it gets better, I don't plan to pick this drama back up.

Leia Mais

WAIT A MINUTE! WOW!

I just finished watching episode 1, and I literally have one word for it ----> WOW! If you are interested in watching an action full melodrama full of twist and turns from beginning to end, you should definitely watch this. After the first 40 minutes of episode 1, the story picks up rather quickly.

One of the two con that I have is the behavior of the female and male lead, son! If I were 15 and I saw my father cheat on my mother, I would try to consider and protect my mother feelings (the victim). Instead it seemed like the son was only trying to protect his father, the cheater! Something is weird about episode 6, while the acting is good, it seems as if something is missing (like things escalated quickly without giving us an explanation). I also thought that the end of episode 6 was too dramatic, and the music didn't help. Two years passed by, what did she think would happen? Duh, marriage, delivery of the baby, and stability for their new family. The end of episode 12 is not realistic because of the words, not the actions. The second con, is the lack of accountability that the second female lead had (the one who slept with a married man).

This drama could have had 13 episodes, instead of 16.

Leia Mais