Featured

Final Thoughts: Oh My Venus

Since these are my final thoughts there will a few spoilers of the plot, some vague that I don’t think it would ruin your experience and other a little more objetive that are Bold⚠️⚠️.

Information

Drama: Oh My Venus
Director: Kim Hyung-Suk, Lee Na-Jeong
Writer: Kim Eun-Ji
Network: KBS2
Episodes: 16
Release Date: November 16, 2015 – January 5, 2016
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Source: Asianwiki

Synopsis

Asianwiki’s synopsis is good but not good enough so I will just do a few changes.

“Kim Young-Ho (So Ji-Sub) is a personal trainer for Hollywood stars. Even though he comes from a wealthy family background, he suffered a devastating injury during his childhood days. Now, he overcomes his problems with patience and stubbornness.

Kang Joo-Eun (Shin Min-A) is 33-years-old lawyer. She has struggled to support her family. Now, Kang Joo-Eun is overweight and ~~not so attractive.”~~ Not as attractive as she was younger. Known as “Daegu’s Venus” in her hometown, she was every guy’s first love and every girl’s nightmare in her high school years.

After being 15 years in a relationship with Im Woo Shik (Jung Gyu-Woon), high school sweetheart, she catches him cheating with an old friend, Oh Soo-Jin (Yu In-Young), who happens to be her new boss. Frustrated, she decides to lose weight for revenge, blackmailing John Kim, the mysterious Hollywood stars’ PT.

What I didn’t like…

The overreaction of the characters from Kang Joo-Eun’s weight. She isn’t ugly, but unhealthy. The first episodes were the most enraging episodes because they kept underestimating her. If that was their objective, then they succeeded it…

The late second and third generation are all trash except Young Oh’s right-hand, Chief Min, and the mothers. The usual annoying stereotypes of so many Korean dramas’ characters: the poker-faced father that ignores the son, the traditional grandmother that wants to marry off his grandson to someone of her liking, the bodyguards/ all-time slackers/ human wall that are nothing but walking models behind our male protagonist; and a board of egocentric ~~asses~~ misters that don’t see pass power and money. Maybe I am being over the top, but I got so mad at them in so many moments, so much drama, yet so little. We know that characters suffered from their actions, but I wished I could have seen more. I felt like it was brushed rather quickly.

⚠️⚠️ Spoiler Warning: I was happy with the ending, but you do wonder about what happened to the secondary couple, Main’s lead’s Ex and her boss. I wondered if they did marry and were able to have kids or something else happened, since that was their problem…⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️

What I really loved 💖💖…

⚠️⚠️ Spoiler Warning: Is how first impressions change and maybe the poker-faced father does indeed crack a smile and the traditional grandmother isn’t always an obstacle. I like how “Oh my Venus” gave the audience the warning of future drama, but never happened. Such a tease aahhaha. ⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️

The side characters’ wholesome personalities together mixed so hilariously and beautifully like family. You will fall in love with this unexpected group of friends and join their upcoming moments as yours. Jang Joon-Sung (Sung Hoon) and Kim Ji-Woong (Henry) are uplifting characters, the muscle and cutiepie guys.

It is going to be cheesy and cliché many times. You will hate those cringy moments where she is saved. I recall a certain moment that makes me want to hide from embarrassment and rage because of Kang Joo-Eun’s lack of confidence. The only good about those horrible moments was the origin of her strength to fight and believe in herself. At first, it existed for the wrong reasons, but she changed and realized better.

Her gradual transformation was not only psychological but also physical. Along with her exercises and heathy dieting, I started seeing changes (or was it just me?), which motivated me, not to exercise, but to watch more. I enjoyed how it wasn’t as impactful as she dreamed of and that we joined her in this adventure.

I couldn’t have been as engaged to the kdrama if it weren’t for the soundtrack. The cast was beautifully selected. So many gorgeous flowers I met and would love to watch more. If you guys have any recommendations tell me. I will check it out too.

I am in love with the main leads’ relationship. They are so cute together and relatable. Kang Joo-Eun is straightforward and determined, she inspires Kim Young-Oh to do his best and so the opposite. Although, they are always talking about each other ‘sexiness and attractiveness and people outside their bubble can misunderstand, the viewers know how much they love each other in and out, healthy in the heart and the mind. Their interactions and conversations are the cutest and I loved the latter episodes.

Final Thoughts

If you follow my Instagram and Peooople account, you already know I recommend this kdrama dearly. I was engaged from start to end and I felt so easily entertained by the plot, soundtrack, and cast. Although it can be repetitive as our female lead is always being saved in the most convenient times, and it’s annoying how she isn’t ugly at all, rather unhealthy, and people keep underestimating her.

I’d recommend everyone to watch this kdrama. If I were to describe the theme in a few words they would be: A mature and relatable romance, so sweet to the eyes and heart and wholesome moments with amazing performances and great music.

Check it out for yourself and tell me what you think? Do you agree or nah? Tell me your experience with “Oh My Venus”.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend

Quick Thoughts: Melting Me Softly

Information

Drama: Melting Me Softly (Engish title) / Let Me Melt (literal title)
Revised romanization: Nal Nokyeojuo
Hangul: 날 녹여주오
Director: Shin Woo-Cheol
Writer: Baek Mi-Kyeong
Network: tvN
Episodes: 16
Release Date: September 28 – November 17, 2019
Runtime: Sat. & Sun. 21:00
Genre: Romance
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Source: AsianWiki

Synopsis

Simply put, Melting Me Softly shares a story about a man and a woman that decided to join in 1999 the first ever human cryonics experience along with other 4 participants for 24 hours. Due to an unexpected turn of events, this pair woke up after 20 years, in 2019, facing a completely different world from the world they knew.

Meeting their family and friends as adapting to the advanced technology and modern trends, both learn about the events that occurred during those 20 years as well as the consequences and changes of being a cyronic human in the society.

After being frozen in low temperatures for such a long period, they suffer from hypothermia, human’s temperature is 36,5 while the cyronic human’s temperature is 31,5ºC, which couldn’t support 33,5. This made living a normal life more difficult, since they couldn’t do anything that would raise their heart rate.

Final Thoughts

After finishing this outstanding kdrama, I can finally express how much I love it and recommend it.

The various plot lines are addictive and dynamic. I enjoyed the main plot as it was unique and special for the cryonics theme. It created plenty of different scenarios, so many funny, others stressful and curious. The romance between the main characters was slow paced and deadly, because of their body temperatures, which brought so many emotional and painful moments to the screen. Of course some of them could’ve been avoided which annoyed me, just a little bit.

The mystery that caused the 20 years’ delay of the experience was also an attention grabber as it continued to cause more troubles in the present. The side characters’ stories were also interesting and comedic, especially Ko Mi Ran’s ex-boyfriend’s, and the characters development was impactful during the 20 years (for example the families of the participants) and after (Ma Dong Chan’s ex-girlfriend).

There were some fails and what the hell moments I couldn’t ever anticipate (high kick). Even so, I was really engaged to the cast’s great acting, soundtrack and beautiful scenarios. I would love to watch more from the cast in the future. The soundtrack felt appropriate to the scenes as well the scenarios were diverse. I really enjoy the Pocheon Art Valley views. It reminded me of “The Legend of the Blue Sea”.

Overall, I’d recommend this kdrama for fans that enjoy a slow-paced romance and a lot of drama and comedy. The cryonics theme is very interesting and unique which captured my curiosity. It has a happy ending, but until then a lot of tears will be shed.

Ps: Get ready to be stunned by the amount of advertising there is. After watching this drama, you will think that everyone owns a KIA and a Samsung galaxy note 10s. There were times when I disengaged from the plot to count how many KIA cars I could see in the picture and, of course, how amazing is to slideshow pictures with a stick in a small screen.

I hope you have a good day!

Faith

Quick Thoughts: A Good Day to be a Dog

Featured

Another finished webtoon to recommend is A Good Day to be a Dog by Lee Hee with 93 Episodes.

Synopsis

Meet Hana, a kind, intelligent and pretty high school’s teacher, who is cursed with a cruel fate. If she were to kiss someone, she turns into a dog every midnight and to reverse she has to kiss the person who she had her kiss with.

The story starts with a regretful mistake. She kisses Seon Jin, a rude and cold colleague, instead of the guy she likes. As expected, she wants to undo the curse and to kiss him again, not only does she have to deal with his unexplained hatred towards her but also his fear of dogs.

Check out the trailer.

Quick Thoughts

As I was writing this small post, I realized that it is very similar to Untouchable in many ways. Hell, this webtoon could also be called Untouchable but dog version.

I really enjoyed how the plot developed, filled of drama, romance, and comedy. This concept was really interesting to follow as it had plenty of different scenarios to experience: the lack of time, the difficulty in reaching Seon Jin’s lips as a dog and other obstacles to their romance that I won’t spoil ~~(hint: characters’ ancestors)~~. I was happy with the ending and how it fulfilled most of my wishes and curiosities.

Lee Hee’s art style is engaging, neat and colorful. The puppies are so adorable and fluffy.

I would recommend if you like the genres romance, comedy, drama, and fantasy, forbidden and difficult romance. If you liked reading Untouchable you will probably enjoy this adorable piece of art like I did. If not, it showers you with cute puppies that you cannot avoid!

I am always on board if the webtoon has animals in it. If you have any webtoon in mind with animal themed stories comment I would love to know them.

I hope you enjoyed reading and that you read this amazing webtoon! Share on the comments what you think, I would love to hear your thoughts as well.

Good read!

Memories lane: What’s wrong with Secretary Kim?

It’s been a while since I watched “What’s wrong with Secretary Kim?”, an addictive story about an harworking and patient woman whose decision is about to shake her boss’ life and make him question and change. Until then, he is always going to be that shinning, egoestic narcissist who doesn’t see anyone but himself…

Check it out if you haven’t! It’s really fun and interesting to see their story develop and uncover their backstories. If I can’t convince you, hopefully these screenshots will ahah.

Which one is your favourite? Do you remember any of these moments?

When I watched “What’s wrong with Secretary Kim?” I always loved their expressions and conversations. I am a huge fan of Park Min Young ( loved her in “Her Private Life”), and I would love to see more from her. I’ve never seen City Hunter, where Lee Min-Ho is main lead, so I need to see it ahaha. Such an interesting combination…

Park Seo-Joon definitely left me hooked and when I discovered he was also part of “Hwarang”‘s cast, along with Kim Tae-Hyung, known as V from BTS, Choi Min-ho, member of Shinee and lead from “The Perfect You”, Park Hyung Sik, lead from “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon”, and more, I needed to watch it. Hwarang was a fulfilling combinition of some of the most beautiful flowers and… I am getting distracted.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I am off to write my thoughts about “Goblin”.

Thanks for reading!

Quick Thoughts: Untouchable

Featured

Hello readers!

I am back from school! I am currently watching “Oh my baby” and to pass time faster I decided to reread the webtoon “Untouchable” and in this post I’ll share a few thoughts about my experience.

Source: Untouchable Webtoon Google Images

Webtoon: Untouchable
Author: Massstar
Chapters: 142 (Completed)
Genres: Romance

Synopsis

Untouchable shares a new reality where vampires exist, and they evolved a lot from the traditional vampire we know so well to better survive. Instead of sucking people’s blood, they touch the human’s bare skin to “suck” the human’s energy.

The story follows beautiful Sia Lee, a prideful vampire, that runs away from home (particularly from her dad), because she doesn’t want to “eat to live” but “live to eat”, that is, she doesn’t want to survive with the blandest energy but hunt the most delicious ones. Sia Lee moves out to find the tastiest energy she had tasted in her life, but she also discovers that it’s not going to be as easy as she thought.

The owner is called Jiho and he is germophobic. He does not like to be touched by other people. Sia Lee instead of giving up she forcefully enters in his life and attempts to “eliminate” his problem to touch him more.

Quick Thoughts

This is the second time I read this webtoon and, although I knew how it was going to end, I had forgotten those small details that make a story so much richer. Back in the time, I loved reading this webtoon so did I do now, but it is my first time reviewing it.

So, the first thing I wanted to say about “Untouchable” is how beautiful the art style is. I loved the plot and the art made it even more meaningful and distinct. I loved how the colours were used, it made the characters and environments glow and create a more impactful story.

And second and last was its engaging plot and interesting concept. I liked how the plot was placed and developed along with the characters. The vampire’s new concept was different which created a unique romance between this very common couple.

I have a few things that I still questioned like Sia Lee’s family’s attitude towards the “situation”, but I guess it was meant to dramatize the plot even further. It can get a bit cheesy and repetitive because of the flashbacks. I liked how the vampire’s concept evolved but it does not make sense to me how the vampires do not control the energy they take and how the energy’s taste is general between vampires. How humans choose to eat and have different palates, vampires should be able to choose how much they want to take, without having to stop physical contact, and differentiate their tastes from other vampires’ tastes. I guess it still has a lot to evolve.

I would recommend this webtoon if you enjoy vampire themed stories with a forbidden romance between vampires and humans, a love triangle, drama, comedy, strict family, and two-faced best friend. Prepare to have your heart snatched by gorgeous Sia Lee who will not stop until she “eats” that delicious chicken (that is how she calls Jiho).

~~~~

Thank you for reading and I hope you read this amazing webtoon. Do not be like me that spent reading it until 2 am. It is really addictive but don’t sacrifice your beauty sleep. 😅

Tell me what you think about this webtoon when you finish it, I would love to read your thoughts as well. Have fun reading! 😄

Bye bye~~

Quick Thoughts: Million Dollar Bride (Webtoon)

Hello readers,

I’ve been reading several webtoons these days and discovering a lot of new ones. Besides the ones I mentioned in the latest post, I am also enjoying reading “Million Dollar Bride”. It’s not finished but from what I read so far it’s definitely worth checking out.

“Ninia, a young teen full of youth and innocence, is destined to follow a tradition… she will be sold for marriage when she turns 18. [Updates Every Sunday]”

Source: WEBTOON

The synopsis may sound cliché-like and rather repetitive to some people. You may think after reading the synopsis she is going to marry a guy that is different from her but eventually fall in love through the ups and downs, but the plot is much darker and unpredictable. Let me put in a different way:

There is a tradition, where our protagonist lives, once the girls make eighteen years old, they are sold to the richest man and become their wives to survive the unjust world and the poverty their families go through.

Our protagonist soon makes 18 years old. Ninia, dedicated to this “dream” to help her family, learns how to behave like the perfect wife so she can become an object of some lustful “grandpa” when she comes of age.

As you can imagine, this isn’t anyone’s “dream” so she is heavily criticized for her future plan, which made her wonder and ponder about her future…

⚠ Spoiler alert ⚠

Ninia falls in love. It would be a beautiful fate if the man fulfilled her “dream”, but he doesn’t. It’s a guy she can relate to, and, though he is talented and understanding of her condition, he is not rich, he can’t “buy” her, unlike her friend’s brother that seems interested in her.

She denies her feelings and chooses her rich pretender but loses his sister as a friend in the way.

Ninia is confused about what is so wrong about her decision and, as she finds out more about her mother’s real intentions and aspirations, she starts doubting her dream and, hopefully, releases herself from the image her mother set her to be.

⚠ End of spoiler ⚠

If you are interested in this webtoon and didn’t read the spoilers, know that its plot isn’t the expected lovely romance between two characters with an offsetting beginning but, instead, a more dramatic and impactful story of the struggles of a young girl who would do anything to help her family, including sacrificing her feelings and free-will.

I just can wonder will she give up on her actual dream and be the woman she learned to be or grow a pair and fight for her rights as a woman and not an object for sale. Until then, there is going to be a lot of drama, which I would love to see it.

The SakurakiLaura’s art style is super pretty and cute which gives you a different impression of what’s to come but soon enough it easily adapts to what the moment needs and brings its intensity outside of the panels.

I am truly addicted to this webtoon and excited for their updates! If you are currently reading “Million Dollar Bride”, comment on what would you do if you were in Ninia’s position? I think Ninia can do things in a different way, a way that everyone can be happy, even if it will cost a lot in the beginning. If you just started what are your thoughts?

I hope you enjoyed reading and that you have a great time reading “Million Dollar Bride”.

Until the next post!

First Impression: Her Private Life (Kdrama)

Dear Otakus,

“Fangirling will make the world more beautiful!”

First Thoughts

First stunned by an innocent commercial, I was keen to watch this new popular series called “Her Private Life”. I started watching recently and I am excited to share my first thoughts of this plot surrounding a very dedicated heroine, Sung Deok-Mi, to her career in an entitled Art Gallery where she was the best in organizing and planning art exhibitions as its art curator. Meanwhile in her free time, she spends it fangirling over her favorite idol, Shin-An from White Ocean, very passionately, hoarding common objects (water Bottles per example) he threw during shows, pictures of him framed in the walls, in pillows and even owned an carton image of him standing by her doorstep and pursues their every move and appearance to admire and inform her followers of any updates and gorgeous pictures from her website “Shin An is my Life”.

In order to keep her job and reputation safe she keeps this hobby a secret from her family, and coworkers and director, while playing the part of what society called a “normal person”. Her plan was afflicted by Ryan Gold, the new director of the art gallery she works in.

In the first episode, she meets her rival, her future boss, Ryan Gold, an arrogant ex-painter and present prestigious art critic, in an art auction who she found to be alike her idol Shin An.

“Do you want it?”

Ryan Gold

He is a very exceptional character just from this line.

They hit off quite badly as she tried to dispute against him in an auction bid for a collected art piece of Shin An and lost. If losing Shin An’s collected art piece wasn’t enough he almost found out her identity as she was fangirling over Shin An.

Meanwhile, the male protagonist Ryan Gold suffers from a strange condition, which made him stop painting. I don’t know how a brain works to create a trauma of this kind, (but) he stopped painting when he first witnessed a bubble feely painting, which is coincidentally Shin An’s collected piece that the female protagonist desired. The Shin-Ah’s painting brought them together for the first time.

The second episode covered the blooming of their professional and love relationship which I found chiché (what can I say “hand grabbing surprise” is kind of overused in kdramas) and dramatic (well it’s a kdrama) but it’s normal since it is a kdrama.

I was a fan of the variety of scenarios, especially Deok-Mi fangirling scenes, and its personality and complexity (her room and her family’s home); I enjoyed the acting, it was more down to earth and relatable, we don’t cry like just born babies and we don’t scream to express more anger or satisfaction. Their acting added more depth to an emotional act. I am still learning about the soundtrack (I am only in episode 2 as you can see) but so far is distinguished from what I’ve heard before.

The plot is part original for its different perspective of idols’ fangirls and boys in society, its utility in creating drama, and its relation to art as a form of expression (when Deok-Mi published her taken pictures of Shin-An on the internet). The male protagonist’s character is rather misjudged in the beginning. Although he presented to be an arrogant and selfish jerk, he was honest and upfront with his emotions and thoughts and merciful and kind-hearted to the people he was wrong to. One of my favourite aspects about this kdrama so far is the comedy,

Spoiler: I remember when the protagonist has her third encounter with Ryan Gold while she was standing on a ladder in high heels. When she recognizes him, she falls to the ground hard while he looks down to her, unmoved as a rock. It was hilarious! Great to check out his gentleman features ✔️

Deok Mi falling from the ladder after seeing Ryan Gold. As you can see, he is unmoved as a rock.

Besides these positive remarks, the plot repeats over a few clichés seen in other dramas to develop tension but I am very enthusiastic for its development.

These were my first thoughts so far about the Kdrama “Her Private Life”.

I hope you enjoyed reading and you are as keen to experience it for yourself! Hopefully when I finish this Kdrama, I can become a fangirl myself xD.

From Faith

Subject: Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

If you have “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo” in your watching list prepare yourself for a lot of screaming, overreacted crying, forced and constant violence and friends and family who you think you can trust but are keeping a secret from you for “your sake”.

You should also prepare for an amazing and talented cast, an interesting plot surrounding sports, dreams and romance in university among a medium size group of characters, within different sports. It had an aesthetic style to it and a few scenarios I was fascinated about.

Banner from "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo"

Information

Drama: Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo (literal title)
Revised romanization: Yeokdoyojung Kimbokjoo
Hangul: 역도요정 김복주
Director: Oh Hyun-Jong
Writer: Yang Hee-Seung
Network: MBC
Episodes: 16
Release Date: November 16, 2016 – January 11, 2017
Runtime: Wednesday & Thursdays 22:00
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Source: AsianWiki

Our Kdrama begins introducing Kim Bok Joo (Lee Sung-Kyung), a weightlifter from Hanwool University of Physical Education, a passionate and talented young athlete that as child was influenced by her former weightlifter father. As she grew up, she missed what meant to be feminine and never had experienced love since she was focused in training. In university, she comes to learn a lot about herself, love and her sport with her friends Seon-Ok (Juyoung Lee) and Han-Hee (Cho Hye-Jung), her roommate Shi-ho (Kyung Soo-Jin), her coach Choi (Jang Young-Nam) and teacher Yoon (Choi Moo-Sung), Jung Jae-hi (Lee Jae-Yoon), Jung Joon-Hyung (Nam Joo-Hyuk) and more.

Kim Bok Joo from the Kdrama "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo", Actress: Lee Sung-Kyung, is wearing a blue jumpsuit trainer with her short hair tied in a ponytail. She is waiting, sitting on a chair on a gym, to be called for the first weightlifting test. (Episode 1) — Kim Bok Joo (Lee Sung-Kyung) Episode 1

I usually don’t read synopsis; I just look at the cover image of the kdrama and either decide it it’s worth watching or not. By not reading I was ultimately surprised by the plot’s focus. Sports plus university is a topic I haven’t dedicated much to and I kept high hopes for the next episodes. At first, I found it a bit cliché, by the end it still was, but I couldn’t help caring for poor Kim Bok Joo, the most reactive character of all, thanks to the actress Lee Sung-Kyung, and the surrounding characters that interfered in her life.

Meanwhile, I found the kdrama very alike to “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon” in a couple of details. Although Kim Bok Joo’s source of power is talent and effort and not at all supernatural as Do Bong Soon’s power is, her relationship with the male protagonist were very similar (both disliked each other and were “forced” or coincidentally together in the few scenes), the male Protagonist Jung Joon-Hyung reacts very emotionally as Ha Min-Hyuk (“Strong Woman Do Bong Soon”’s hero), who I consider my favorite actor from this cast.

Kim Bok Joo and Jung Joon-Hyung (Nam Joo-Hyuk) on Episode 11 Trying to sleep in their beds while thinking about each other. — Kim Bok Joo and Jung Joon-Hyung (Nam Joo-Hyuk) on Episode 11

Even so, I’d recommend watching if you enjoy first loves and the sweet and delicate innocence, love triangles between brothers, the theme sports and university, the competitions, drama, ex-girlfriend’s the rival, childhood crushes and a very emotional cast specially Kim Bok Joo (when she cries, she is literally a baby, it is obnoxious most times), and a bit of coincidences and clichés like any drama. And comedy. In a few moments you won’t stop laughing at the characters’ attitudes while hanging out on Karaoke’s studios or eating out, others, that capture the characters’ personality and relationships.

To who watched this drama I only say this:

“Swag”!

Subject: The Mermaid (CMovie)

Dear Otakus,

I love mermaids and I think any recommendation you would have of this theme I would watch it, even if it was rated a 6/ 10. After watching the Chinese movie, “The Mermaid” or Mei ren yu” I can’t do the same or at least with the same expectations. I was completely fooled by the cover they present, instead of a humorous plot, I was shocked by the amount of violence, aggressive and sensible visuals and ill-speaking, I can stand this much, but if you don’t, don’t watch it.

The movie starts with a terrifying song while demonstrating the Human’s impact on the environment with catastrophic images of pollution, destruction, and death. While it’s message is noble, to sensibilize people about global warming and Human Greedy Activity and promote environmentally-friendly habits, the plot that follows is a mess, especially it’s development and final scenes. The beginning left me expectant of the romance and drama the movie had to offer.

To the people that already watched the movie, I am ignoring the first scenes about the marine biology tour in a sketchy place where they mention that mermaids exist. I don’t understand what was the objective of this act, it was super confusing and cringy.

Devant…

The plot introduces Liu Xuan (Deng Chao) a powerful, flirty and greedy businessman, who buys the Green Gulf to create more profit, his team develops a project to keep the animals away from the island, a submarine transmitter that sends waves and kills from an approximate distance in a couple of seconds (I don’t understand why they wanted to destroy the marine life).

Because of this project, the rest of the mermaid community is forced to shelter in an abandoned ship by the islands’ coast and, in order to stop their extinction, they send the prettiest mermaid to seduce and assassinate Liu Xuan.

Shan (Lin Yun) enters in contact with Liu Xuan and, as her attempts fail to kill him, she begins to fall in love for him.

At first, when I just had finished the movie I hated it for its simplicity and lack of originality but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Why the contrast? Why did I enjoy it?

My reasons are mostly “technical” aspects of the movie.
I am not used to Chinese music but I love it already. The movie’s soundtrack is exciting, I enjoyed to hear it through the movie, the natural sceneries are gorgeous and the special effects are very well done. At times, it feels 3 dimensional with creative and humorous moments and if it was on the theatres it would probably look amazing and funnier to watch.

The plot’s main subject was the environmental problems surrounding Human’s actions and their cruelty to animals and humans. They use the mermaid’s concept very wisely and uniquely to place this subject, although inefficiently, in the end-it only proved how baseless and mechanic are humans-, that made the plot more curious and unexpected.

The development of the characters was also rushed but meaningful, how Love no matter how small it is can change someone’s actions for that individual.

What made my mind go past these positive remarks were:

The lack of Romance: The romance between protagonists was rushed and weirdly placed with a horrible drama in between with a rival so selfish and possessive.

⚠ Spoilers ⚠

I don’t understand her thinking when she was alloying Liu Xuan to see the “prostitute”- Shan’s cover- and when she ordered a carnage and tried to murder him. It just adds so much to how Humans are so vain and despicable, sploit by greed and jealousy.

End Spoilers

The comedy is limited and childish: for example the moment she tried to kill Liu Xuan and when they started interacting with each other. Sometimes, it wasn’t placed in the best moments and others are so violent visually and cruel you are perplexed the movie is tagged comedy at all.

I am not used to Chinese movies nor the language so the movie was already confusing for me, that is my fault, but I also don’t think by opening your mouth so little you can make a big sound. I mean that’s what I saw and heard: uncoordinated lips and volumed voices when their mouths were almost closed. I don’t understand it so I can’t judge it, but I was a bit off by those moments.

Final motive, the ending: a cliché ending.

⚠ Spoilers ⚠

Liu Xuan survived miraculously to two shots in the chest and lived as a new man, free from his greed and married to the mermaid that tried to kill him, while supporting and donating to marine biology research and conservations.

End Spoilers

Do you not recommend it?

Yes and No.

I wouldn’t recommend it to people with better things to watch with a tight schedule, go check out that recent drama series live in Viki Rakuten, read the popular and new weekly webtoons at LINE Webtoon, don’t spend your time on “The Mermaid”.
I do value it for its message and the dedication in the scenarios and soundtrack, they are indeed marvelous, I’d recommend for the experience and to learn the new mermaid concept but if you want to watch a good movie of romance with mermaids this option wouldn’t be by far my first recommendation.

My “The Mermaid”’s opinion is contradictory, I enjoyed but I didn’t simultaneously and I hope you understood why. Thanks for reading!

Have you watched “The Mermaid” do you disagree or agree with me? Would you recommend?

I hope you have a good day,
Faith

Subject: Kimi Ni Todoke Movie

Hello, Dear Readers,

Do you know that feeling when you finished a drama and you aren’t satisfied with the ending? That’s what I was feeling when I decided to watch the movie “Kimi ni Todoke”. I thought maybe it would be the quickest way to get over a bad ending and instead the feeling only grew worse.

I had two frustrations instead of one.

“Kimi Ni Todoke” follows Sawako Kuronuma, a high school student who is known as Sadako, a ghost from a popular horror movie, because of her appearance and shy and tense behaviors. A lot of rumors spread around her character and she is unable to befriend, or even talk to her colleagues because they were afraid of being cursed.

In reality, unlike what the rumors say, Sawako is a very kind and pleasant girl that had difficulties expressing her feelings. The only person that noticed that was Shota Kazehaya, a popular and friendly student, who was known and admired by her and many other students because of his charismatic presence.

The movie then begins to change Sawako’s life as she creates her first friendship, develops a romance and integrates into class.

╔════════♡═════════╗

Information

Movie: From Me to You
Romaji: Kimi ni Todoke
Japanese: 君に届け
Director: Naoto Kumazawa
Assistant Director: Kojiro Hashimoto
Writer: Karuho Shiina (manga), Rika Nezu, Naoto Kumazawa, Yukiko Manabe
Producer: Takahiro Sato
Cinematographer: Masayuki Fujii
Release Date: September 25, 2010
Runtime: 128min.
Genre: Romance / Teen / Based on a Comic
Production Company: NTV, Toho
Distributor: Toho
Language: Japanese
Country: Japan

╚════════♡═════════╝

In this post, I’ll explain my thoughts about the movie “Kimi ni Todoke”.

So first of all,

Why did I like it?

The movie was very assertive with the selected cast. The female actresses are very alike the roles they interpret as well as their performances. They were physically and personality-wise on point with the several actresses. I was very surprised to see Mirei Kiritani as the Rival (I had seen her in “Heroine Shikkaku” and her current role in that plot was sarcastic).

The male cast had a good performance but it wasn’t one of my favorite aspects, which I’ll explain later on the blog.

The soundtrack does capture the essence of the moments and they do fit on each moment they are placed. Besides that, the silence is very powerful as it is constant so when a song plays it’s during agitated moments.

Lastly, I enjoyed was the sceneries even if it was on the school’s campus, I enjoyed the sakura trees moments and the final scene.

But, overall, I was let down by other aspects that had a negative impact during my experience.

Why I don’t recommend it?

I have one complaint about the sceneries: the rooftop. The scenes in the rooftop are so forced and unexplained it made me perplexed. It only contributed as a “different” scenery because it was outdoors but it’s not safe nor it makes the moment more beautiful.

When I was watching and all suddenly they were in the rooftop, instead of being in class, I noticed how there were no railing in the spot they were and a very convenient chair abandoned there. Do you know what Chizuru, Ayano and Sawako were doing? Bandaging Sawako’s knee!

They walked all the way to the rooftop to treat her that it was probably better than going to the infirmary, skipping class with the teacher’s authorization.

The producers purposely put them in the rooftop to be more “Woah”. What the hell. And that’s not the “best” part.

In the original plot, Kazehaya sees them make up and feels disappointed he couldn’t be with Sawako. In the movie, while they were on the rooftop clearing things up, the camera turns to Kazehaya’s perspective, on the ground floor, where he could admire their moment as well.

It’s idiotic how they changed this moment and how creepy the finishing result was. I just couldn’t take it seriously.

Besides changing this moment’s sceneries, many other details were changed for the convenience of the storyline and location so I can understand but the plot they based it off was so cut off of so many important moments for characters’ development I couldn’t help but wonder how would they build up the ending with 25 minutes left of screen time. They rushed it so much I lost interest in the movie, seeing how different was actually from the original plot.

I know I am comparing a lot and there were changes that really surprised me for the best, for example, the beginning, how Sawako was born. The way they developed the ending was smart and different as well around Sawako’s dad concert in New Year’s Eve.

It was different and original its own way but at other, it felt rushed and demotivating.

I was very disappointed with the male cast, not because of their performances, but instead by their appearance. As a high school student, Ryo looked much older then his colleagues and that pulled me off a bit from what was happening. He is indeed very unlike Ryo but I couldn’t overcome that thought. Arai-sensei’s closet is well picked but the actor doesn’t look alike and finally Kazehaya’s actor: I don’t think he is a bad actor but I couldn’t see him as Kazehaya, he didn’t have his aura.

I do admire the resemblance between characters but I couldn’t see past these aspects while was watching.

Would I recommend it?

Yes and No.

You never watched anything related to “Kimi ni Todoke” and you would like to be reminded of its plot, if you like the romance, school life and slice of life genres, a shy, sweet protagonist and “refreshing” male protagonist, I’d recommend this movie but if you are well updated with the original plot, I wouldn’t.

My experience was completely sabotaged by constant reminders how the movie had changed from the original plot but I do recognize it for its merits besides these thoughts. Maybe in a far away future, I’ll watch it again and see if my opinion changed.

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed today’s post,

Tell me your thoughts do you agree, disagree,

I always care to hear from you,

Have a good day,

Faith