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Sarah7971989
Reviews
Hwarang (2016)
Brilliant
Very good show! I enjoyed watching it. All the Hwarang actors, with their long shiny hair, are very easy for the eyes :)
The chemistry between Park Seo-Joon and Go-Ara is very good. Their kissing scenes are fire! For the viewers that only want to follow their love story watch until episode 13 and then jump to episode 20. After episode 13 the dynamic of the show changes from fun, love story, friendships towards more serious political and kingdom subjects with more violence and intrigues.
I liked the facial expressions of Go-Ara. She is such a good and versatile actress. I don't think any other actress could have played this role better.
I really liked Park Seo-Joon role and how he shaped it so powerful.
Kim Ji-Soo played her role as the queen so convincingly. On top of that, she is a very beautiful woman. She carried her role with so much grace.
I enjoyed how Sung Dong-Il played his master role. He is so funny!! He gave the show a nice vibe.
All the Hwarang actors played their roles so beautifully. I'm so impressed with their performance. Park Hyung-sik was really sweet.
The Korean Popstars Choi Minho and Kim Taehyung are multi talented because their acting was spot on!!
The writers and director made a really good show. I enjoyed watching it. The collaboration of so many actors/ actresses is appealing. I would definitely recommend watching this show.
Byeol-e-seo on geu-dae (2013)
So so ...
Concept of the story is great.
The writer should have incorporated more sharp dialogue and deeper character building.
Also 10 episodes would have been enough to tell the story. It was too stretched out in 21 episodes causing some boring and repetitive scenes.
The romance between Do Min-Joon & Cheon Song-Yi hardly progressed during the TV show. Again, the writers should have incorporated a lot more romance. The writer and director had two of the best lead actors for the show but they didn't give Jun Ji-hyen & Kim Soo-hyun the opportunity to shine in their own respective strength.
The main lead actress role was written to be silly and thoughtless. I wish the writers had moulded the script in a way that the lead female role would have been portrayed stronger.
I continued watching the show because of the excellent performance of Jun Ji-hyen, Kim Soo-hyun and all other actors. They did a marvellous job with the mediocre script they had.
Itaewon Keullasseu (2020)
A lot of back and forth
The tv show started strong and promising. But as the story progressed the pace became slower. There was a lot of back and forth in the timeline with flashbacks then back to real time and so on. Just when you are getting comfortable with the storyline they switch the timeline.
There was no chemistry between the lead characters. The main lead actor is phenomenal but unfortunately his strength couldn't fully shine due to the screenwriting.
I did watch all the episodes but I was glad when it was over.
In general I would say skip this show unless you want to see how the restaurants scene in South Korea touristic area looks like.
Chungchungirok (2020)
Below average script writing
The script writing was not good. The story started promising but soon it dropped like a house of cards. Due to such mediocre script I'm guessing the director gave up as well. I was hopeful because the cast was so good but this shows that even the best actors can't carry a storyline which is so badly written.
The end made absolutely no sense at all. The last two episodes could have corrected the disappointments of the previous episodes but unfortunately the disappointments only increased.
I wouldn't recommend to watch this show. It's not good. I would have rated it 1 star. It's due to the effort of the cast that I give it 4 stars. The script writers wasted all the good talents of the actors.
Cinderellawa Ne Myungui Gisa (2016)
Nice show, good watch
The storyline is not realistic at all thus my rating is based on the show as it's entity.
The major pro about this show is that it has a good flow. No dullness or slowness in the story. The writers did an exquisite job!
Furthermore the equality between males & females is outstanding. The equality between the rich cousins and housekeeper, the two girls and others are endearing. All the above gives such a positive vibe.
The show has no annoying product placements where they advertise phones or cars brand until you get so sick of it ( like in Crash landing on you). The show focuses fully on the storyline and in letting the viewers know the different characters.
Overall it's a great show to watch if you want to keep your mind interested. Don't expect to identify with the show because as I mentioned it's highly unrealistic. There is some room of improvement if we talk about how three young men managed to do nothing productive with their lives in almost the entire show but maybe that is how rich people live.
The interior design and architecture in the house where they live is well thought of and plays a crucial role in letting the viewers feel comfortable and 'at home'.
The actors did a wonderful job! The main lead actress had such a positive attitude and the camaraderie between all the actors is so endearing to watch. It's as if you can feel their friendships & love through the screen.
The directors, producers, writers, etc. Made a great show out of it.
Sukhee (2023)
Horrible
Sukhee is about a couple that met in college and got married. So far so good. Here is why the story is horrifying:
The man is the breadwinner, not because he's better educated or smarter but just because he is the MAN. He treats his wife terribly and his conversational skills towards her are very poor. They have a daughter together but he knows nothing about her. It's very hard to built any kind of sympathy towards the man. The woman is educated and has many skills but willingly underperforms in her own life.
Who writes a story like this in this age and time. Very outdated narrative. The writers have absolutely no clue what they are doing. They added all cliches of the 60s and 70s movie in this movie. The example the writers give to the young audience is not up to the current standards.
The actors did overall a decent job. They might be shy for money that they decided to sign for this movie.
To conclude, the movie is a major flop. I don't recommend watching it.
Love Is Blind: Sverige (2024)
Netflix should release reunion on time
I would rate a zero if I could. Netflix announced they would release the Reunion episode today and they didn't. We are paying for a service that didn't deliver. This is the second time because Netflix also crashed in April 2023 when airing the Love is blind reunion (American version). The network also started to post 4 episodes per week instead of releasing them all at once. It starts to become a problem. Netflix gained 88 million new subscriptions in 2023 but unfortunately they didn't use a small amount of their profit to improve their service. Money greed network.
About the show, it's nothing compared to Love is blind Japan where contestants where emotionally well developed and focusing on things that matter to built a long lasting marriage. This was superficial and flat.
I would not recommend this version of the show (Love is blind Sweden) and I definitely don't recommend Netflix! They have increased their subscription rates and blocked account sharing and now they're not able to stream according their OWN planning.
Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Skip this one
I watched only 10 minutes of this movie and already it became unbearable. It's a terrible way to bring down such a brilliant, magnificent story that Agatha Christie wrote with so much care where she wrote every little detail so thoughtful.
In this movie the character of Hercule Poirot is protrayed completely wrong. The fake moustache, the arrogance and emphasis on every little detail in a ridiculous way does no justice on an intelligent and charming character as written by Agatha Christie.
No one else other than David Suchet that can truly play a believable and reliable Poirot.
Do yourself a favor and skip this movie.
Equals (2015)
Empty
The views as shown in the movie are clean, organised and everything is digital. It has similarities with The Island and Passengers.
However those two movies are brilliant.
The acting in Equals is top notch. The topic is interesting. However the script writing lacks depth, character building and creating believability between the friendship bonds seen in the movie.
The main characters can't meet each other in the bathroom because they are being watched but they can freely meet in other places. It makes no sense. The way it ended is even adding more doubt and is not logical.
It's a good watch on a rainy day but overall I wouldn't recommend the movie.
Gran Hotel (2011)
Full with suspense
I saw this show back in the days when it was still on Netflix. It's a classic! Hopefully Netflix will bring it back.
The show is full with suspense, adventure, romance, drama, mystery. Perfect combination of all factors that make the tv show unforgettable.
The actors are great! It's like they are living the storyline in real life because they play their roles so convincing and with so much passion.
The costumes, decorations and locations of filming is wonderful! The show is able to capture the moments with the audience and bring you into the storyline.
I watched the show in original Spanish language which was perfect to follow with subtitles.
Would definitely recommend the show if you can find it.
Leave the World Behind (2023)
Painful
This movie needs a part 2 in order to be acceptable. On its own it's not carrying a story. It's like watching the last episode of Friends and not knowing how it will end with Ross & Rachel. That how it felt in the end as if we were invested in the story but that we won't know what happened with the main character and we don't even know the plot!
In the end of the movie you hear the theme song of friends. The contrast is huge: terrible movie vs theme song of a hit series.
I would not recommend this movie. It's really not well written. It's a gigantic waste of your precious time. Just skip it!
Killer Joe (2011)
Terrible
If I could give it zero stars I would. 12 years ago this movie and it's very sick concept might have been cool for some but with time our social acceptable concept has raised the bar and this movie isn't cutting it.
The storyline has no purpose at all. There is no plot. The ending is senseless and actually contributes in making the movie even worse. The aftertaste is so sickening that one immediately needs to watch a different movie to forget this one as quick as possible.
Don't watch this movie. It has zero educational or cultural value. There is nothing positive that comes out of this movie.
Daily Dose of Sunshine (2023)
Mental health with a touch of romance
This show tackles mental health in a very graceful way. My understanding about mental health increased by watching this show. It's a stigma and taboo in most countries in the world to admit suffering a depression, panic attacks or to be borderline or manic. This show teaches us that if you give yourself some space and if the society creates some space and understanding that no matter what your condition is that you can still live your life. Either outside or inside the mental institution and either with full recovery or with an ongoing recovery with relapses. Life is complicated and diverse and there is enough space for everyone to be and to exist.
The writers did an OUTSTANDING job with the script. As did the directors giving the series a nice positive shape. I bow for the entire team, creators, writers, directors, actors and everyone that made it possible to create such a master piece. Much respect for you all.
There is great chemistry between all the actors and there is also romantic chemistry. All the actors are so GREAT!!
I would highly recommend everyone to watch this show.
Good Morning-Call: Guddo môningu kôru (2016)
Acceptable but average
The narrative of the show is weak. The writers could have made this show a full hit if they incorporated less twists, more speed, better communication between characters, more character building, realistic amount of innocence ...etc.
It would have been better if the show ended after the first season (10 episodes). They were still in middle school, minors, and thus I could buy into the story. Season 2 had nothing new. It's hard to understand why they continued the show but didn't make the writing more mature.
There are no teenagers on the planet that can date in such a platonic way. Teenagers have raging hormones, lots of energy, the curiosity to try new things, to do things fast. None of these aspects are in the show. Even historical dramas move faster with building deeper relationships than this so called modern day show.
The way the writers wrote the character of Nao is that she has no personal life goals and fully dependent of her boyfriend. I don't know any girl that is like that. And the character of Uehara, a guy in the prime of his manhood, who is not responsive to Nao's charms is very unrealistic.
Marina's character was written better but they cut her screen time in season 2. Same with Daichi and they completely eliminated Issei.
It made no sense.
To sum the above up: the writers and directors did a very poor job.
The actors were all very good. Obviously they had a bad script to work with but they did a marvellous job. They kept the viewers engaged, especially in season 1. The actors deserve better scrips because they're talented.
I didn't learn anything from this show, I didn't gain any new insights. Nor did I enjoy the storyline.
I wouldn't recommend the show unless you have absolutely NOTHING to do.
Hibhage (2023)
Started well but withered by the end
To start my review I would like to say that I absolutely love the cast. Great actors!
Up to episode 13 the story caused huge suspense and was a thriller with high potential. And then from there on everything went down.
I was so disappointed with how the story turned from absolutely great to terrible within one episode. The creators of the series ( writers/ directors) made huge mistakes in the end. The way they turned the storyline is that they took away the entire climax.
After episode 14 I rapidly lost my interest. I watched the last 2 episodes which were predictable and went from bad to horrible. What a shame.
The last 2 murders were not serving the storyline any good. When they killed my favourite character I knew that they could not turn around the storyline no matter what they did. It was a big mistake. All the hope on a blossoming romance was ended.
The last 2 episodes were ridiculously written. Who approves this kind of writing? And why would any producer pay to have the story made like this.
I start to notice that Netflix productions create a hype in emotions and that's about it. They aren't able to deliver good writing.
I hope all these talented actors will be more critical when choosing a role and that they demand better scripts and budgets. Netflix seems to be using them.
All with all I would unfortunately not recommend this show. Strictly because of the ending.
Actors did their work exceedingly well. It's the writers and directors that should have done better.
Chocolate (2019)
Lots of cooking
The tv series started with a lot of back and forth between present time and past time. The times would flow on the screen so fast from present to past that it took a minute to distinguish in which time we are.
The story is built on a very brief encounter of 2 kids. It's hard to imagine and understand how such a small encounter that did not felt so significant is the foundation of the entire show.
It would have been better if there was more character building and story building for the past encounter so the viewer gets a more depth understanding and feeling.
Then the story rushes in a 1- sided romance which is so quickly built. Again, very hard for viewers to nurture a feeling for the storyline because it's so abrupt.
In the beginning the hospital life, power of family, rivalry between brothers, career, is so important and then poef suddenly all that was hardly in the storyline. How did they settle the rivalry I don't know. Might have fallen asleep in that episode.
The main story takes place in a hospice. That part is perhaps the best if you as a viewer have a lot of patience to see a lot of cooking and other small stories woven into the main story.
I would have rated the show a 7 but then when I saw the end and how unnecessary and not logical it is I found even a 5 is generous.
The actors are doing a good job. All of them. The mega stars, supporting actors, kid actors, really all of them did a great job. It's unfortunate that the story was written so badly. I would not recommend this show unless you have absolutely nothing better to do.
Algoissjiman (2021)
Out of the box concept, very slow paced
The concept of the story is brilliant: art students, seeing how they work and deal with issues at the university, it's inclusive (LBGTQ), diverse and original.
But then it's as if the person with the idea and the writer of the story are very different people. The writing is very slow paced, the conversations are extremely slow and not at all how young people would talk and act. The emotions are flat lined. Young people are energetic, vibrant and act way faster. The main characters even walked and moved extremely slow.
The more I watched the show the more depressed and anxious I got.
The only reason I finished the show to the end is because of the actors. They are all really good. The quality of their work is phenomenal. They were able to take a bad script and still deliver the story in the best possible way. I also liked that they added some scenes outside the university as the beach and the metro station. Anything and everything about Korea is interesting to see.
Eobiseu (2019)
Unbearable
The writing of the story is terrible. They casted such good actors for a terrible written story and wasted their talent. Such a shame.
The way they wrote the conversation of the lead actress Park Bo-Young is idiotic. Infact all the female roles are written ridiculously bad. I could not bear watching beyond episode 5. The voice, conversations and way of responding as written of the main lead actress is unbeatable.
Ahn Hya-Seop is a wonderful actor but to such bad writing there is not much an actor can do to save the story.
I don't recommend this show. It's hard to watch. Giving it 4 stars is still generous.
Happiness for Beginners (2023)
Feel good movie
If you're looking to go for a hike but for some reason you can't then this movie offers some stunning views and nice hiking moments.
It feels like you're in the nature which gives a nice relaxing feeling.
The storyline had a lot of potential but unfortunately they tried to cramp the story in one movie which didn't give enough time to develop each (or any) character well and in depth. They should have made atleast an 4 episode mini-series to address every character and to add some more depth in the story.
The actors are great. The chemistry between them is acceptable. Luke Grimes is carrying the movie. He is the reason the movie doesn't feels as flat as it is. Ellie Kemper and the rest of the cast are a good contribution.
I would recommend this movie for a chilling relaxing experience.
Gaet-na-eul cha-cha-cha (2021)
Brilliant show!
Absolutely brilliant and lovely show. Everything in this show comes together beautifully. Acting is top notch, chemistry between all actors is mesmerising. What I enjoyed most is that in essence there are no 2 or 4 main leads but everyone was a main lead. Every character was developed beautifully and with enough depth. It gave the show a strong foundation and lots of diversity. The surroundings and scenery were magical. Watching the show made me so happy and gave a peaceful feeling. The director of this show did a great job and the actors, writers and all supportive team have worked hard to deliver a unique feel good show. I would definitely recommend this show. It's a must watch!
Yibeon Saengdo Jal Butakhae (2023)
Great acting, flaws in storyline
This series is a sci-fi where the main actor is living her 19th life as the title already suggests.
Great actors and acting but not much chemistry between the actors. Probably due to slow paced storyline which could have been difficult for the director to mold into something with more suspense and chemistry. The storyline itself is full of holes, meaning unrealistic situations or storyline that either make no sense or that feel too 'cold'. In addition there are way too many flashbacks and repetition of same frames. It must have been a hell of a job for the actors to work through this. Kudos to them and the entire team for sticking through it all and for delivering an acceptable result.
To the individuals who are pointing out that alcohol was invented in Iran and who are so upset: please don't be upset at this show. Be concerned about your leaders in your county who kills girls that wear no scarf and who have banned alcohol. Don't take this show as a documentary where every fact is correct. This show is a sci-fi and almost no facts in this show are correct or true. It's just for entertainment.
I would urge you to stop spreading hate and to start spreading love. It starts with YOU.
Outer Banks (2020)
A lot of running around
Basically it's the main characters running around the majority of the time. John B is a great runner and in good shape. The show is heavily relying on those skills.
It's a show about young people that do not seem to use modern technology a lot. They write letters and make verbal appointments where to meet up etc.
In season 2 they finally have a mobile phone. And then the use of technology flips from almost no technology to technology playing an integral part of the story. Quiet sudden transition.
Sceneries are beautiful to watch. Open water, sea, fancy boats and swamps. All that combined with a little bit of mystery. Without the scenery I would probably rate the show a 4 if only based on the content of the story.
It's worth to watch if you're looking for something to play in the background while making a puzzle because the running around and getting caught is a cycle that the entire show is based on.
Our Blues (2022)
Dream away
I enjoyed watching this show. Beautiful images of the scenery and of how life could be in a small town. Close friendships and wonderful way to depict life.
I especially enjoyed the first episodes and I felt the last 5 to 8 episodes focused too much on the mother and son. I won't write details because I don't want to give spoilers away. I did fast forward chunks of episodes in the end because it was too slow. And character build up of the mother was not realistic in my opinion. It was just too empty. No real mother responds or talks like that.
Overall a good watch and would recommend to watch it. Once you start the story will take you up and you can dream away.
Syurup (2022)
It's a good watch
Other reviewers already wrote the plus and minus points. Overall both parties are right. I tend to look at it positively: the cast is brilliant, storyline is ok (could be better with more character building, there was plenty of time and opportunity), costumes are good. The series calms you down and removed you from a hasty pace of what life is nowadays. Thus if you're looking for a relaxing series then this is a good show.
The writers could have done a better job in how they developed the story and going deeper in characters so we get to know them better and know how they are thinking. All with all I would recommend.
Sanae matseon (2022)
Nice RomCom Show
Nice show if you like romantic comedy genre. It's a office romance. The story has enough depth to grow into the characters. Nice time pass show on cold rainy days. Light material.
Yes, not totally realistic always and sometimes a bit repetitive or slow but that isn't taking away anything from the story. I would absolutely recommend this show if you want to really relax.