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[floreceres]

ALL OF US ARE DEAD

They say... All Of Us Are Dead is a fresh take on zombie movies.

I say, AGREED!

I must incur, first of all, I am not a big fan of gore but I can surely withstand it with the support of a thrilling plot. Speaking of a thrilling plot, I do not think that there was a single scene in each episode that I wanted to skip out of boredom. Even On-jo's scenes were thrilling to watch as I'm excited to see how progressively worse and dumb she's gonna get. But there's gotta be that one stupid character in every zombie series/movie, right? The best characters for me are Nam-ra and Cheong-san. They were the only people who are smart enough to live out the zombie chase. Sadly, those two were bitten.

Going back to the plot, I must admit that it got me stuck on the edge of my seat until the last episode. The way it addressed social issues is commendable as well. Even the side characters there represented the oppressed and the oppressors. It shows how privileged people like politicians and the rich will always find a way to get out of trouble through their power and money. Whereas the powerless, poor, and unheard voices of society like children or youth will suffer unless they fight for themselves.

Speaking of youth, as we know, this series is set mainly on a high school campus. At the start, they showed how silly and playful are the high school students on the campus. It made me imagine what I and my friends are like at school. Then, a moment later, they were infected by the zombie virus and it spread very quickly. The main squad is composed of realistic characters. As we know that they are only students, we cannot expect them to act all brave and smart. So, I find it acceptable that in the face of danger, they succumb and submit to fear. Because that's also how I and my classmates would most likely act if we were to encounter the same circumstance.

Although I would not watch it again, I would definitely recommend it to others, especially to people my age. I am still waiting for season 2 and hoping that Cheong-san (the best boy!!!) is still alive. Plus, the archery team and the two police, and one vlogger trio. They honestly were very entertaining to watch especially the trio. Therefore, my rating for AOUAD is 9/10!

How about you? What can you say?

[floreceres]

MEMORIES OF THE ALHAMBRA

They say... Memories of the Alhambra is disappointing.

I say I couldn't agree more.

Memories of the Alhambra had one of the most unique and fresh concepts among all of the K-dramas I've watched so far. Its main plot is about an AR gaming business that has found some unusual defects in the game so I thought the drama was really a breath of fresh air. It is also set in Alhambra, Spain which added to the "fresh" atmosphere.

Everything from the plot to the CGI, to the sound effects, to the build-up, was going really nicely until the last episode. I feel that the ending didn't give enough justice to the entirety of the story. I was rea;;y annoyed that they made it an open ending and there was a lot of crying at the end. It all seemed unnecessary. You know when a rollercoaster takes you to the top of the course and then suddenly drops you and 1 second later you're back at the drop-off area. That's how it felt like. Which is why I got disappointed

Even more with Park Shin Hye's acting. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Park Shin Hye is not a great actress, at least to me. She often fails to make me feel the emotions that I should be feeling from the scenes. Almost the entire story, she was crying. Honestly, Hyun Bin saved the drama from PSH's disappointing acting.

Speaking of Hyun Bin, he really never fails to amaze me with his acting. He fits the role so well and he amazingly carried the show with his skills. That's why I think he deserved to get the enormous amount of screen time that he got. The romantic aspect of the story wasn't even necessary because of how well he played the character. But then again, a little romance won't hurt.

In conclusion, I would like to commend the great concept of this drama. It could have been executed better. Nevertheless, I liked it and with that, I'd rate Memories of the Alhambra a whopping 7/10.

How about you? What can you say?

[floreceres]

REPLY 1988

They say... Reply 1988 is one of the best K-dramas ever made.

I say, CERTAINLY!!

First of all, can I just say that I haven't heard even one person say that they didn't like Reply 1988? Or if there is one, maybe they just hate feeling warm and good.

What made this drama hit all the right spots in my heart is its authenticity and relatable scenes! Since its theme is family, neighborhood, and friendship, I could feel what the characters feel and experience what they experience. There is no single character in the drama that I hated. All of them were lovable.

Onto the romantic side of the drama. Many people would disagree but I really liked how the ending turned out. From the first half of the drama, I already guessed that it was Taek that was going to end up with Deok-sun - and I'm glad it turned out that way. Although Jung Hwan (JH) and Deok-sun (DK) are also a really good match, DK deserves the love that is sure and never hesitates. JH had a lot of chances to prove his love to DK. He just doesn't have the courage. Meanwhile, Taek made sure to take every opportunity he gets. Which makes him, in my opinion, a better man for DK.

To be honest, I was just randomly scrolling through Netflix when I found this series. I actually had no idea what it is about until I decided to watch it. In the first episode, I thought I wouldn't like it since I got a little bored. Going further, I didn't realize that 1 episode had passed already! It's also a good strategy that they kept giving clues about the ending through the documentary or interview-type scenes that gave a glimpse of the future of the characters. That's one contributing factor as to why I got hooked on it.

Now that we've reached the end... Do I still need to type my rating or you've guessed it already? If you haven't, of course, my rating is none other than 11/10. It was a pleasant surprise for me. A hidden gem that I will forever treasure. When I think of Reply 1988, I think of home. Which is why I will always keep on coming back to it.

How about you? What can you say?

[floreceres]

WEAK HERO: CLASS 1

They say... Weak Hero: Class 1 is not for the weak

I say, absolutely! Don't watch it if your stomach turns after a character passes out due to excessive punching.

This is one of the most violent dramas I've ever watched. This is the type of show that will keep you on the edge of your seat for the entirety of the episode. Not mentioning the insane action scenes and the incredible acting of the trio. I originally came for Shin Seun-Ho since I saw this drama after looking up his name. I did not expect that I would like it this much!

But, halfway through the series, I had to stop for a while. The bullying and the violence got so intense. I wondered if this kind of intense school bullying really happens in Korea. If it does, I hope this drama shines a light on those victims that might not be as strong as the main leads. I really hope that the country's government takes action regarding this serious matter. Because from what I can observe, the bullying in Korea is unimaginable! Students are becoming thugs and the campus is becoming their dens.

Anyway, going back to the drama. Soo ho and Si-Eun's friendship is ideal although unexpected. I like how they support and love each other. To the point that the ever-coldest Si-Eun cried over Soo ho being hospitalized. If you haven't watched this drama yet, you might think that this show would not be able to make you cry since it is full of fight scenes. Well, you are most certainly wrong. In the last episodes where the two best friends were getting beaten to death and almost no hope could be seen, I shed a river. The real villain in the story is not the bullies (well they are, also, but they were only like puppets in the show) but Bum! His background story is not an excuse for him being a total devil.

So, if you still haven't watched Weak Hero Class 1, I HIGHLY SUGGEST that you go off and watch it right now! More so if you're looking for a show that could give you an insane rollercoaster ride. With that, my rating for this is 9/10. I can't wait for the release of season 2!!!

How about you? What can you say?

[floreceres]

NEVERTHELESS

They say… Nevertheless is refreshing because of how realistic it is. 

I say, yes… but…

Nevertheless showed such a realistic take on today’s dating trends. How youngsters date in today’s society is filled with uncertainty. Specifically the “no-name” or “no-label” dating culture. Basically, it lies between flirting and dating. It’s so uncertain because unlike dating or flirting, it has no clear boundaries and you never know what to expect - or rather you don’t have the right to demand because you are not officially dating yet nor are you just flirting. 

From the first few episodes, I liked how straightforward it seemed. The dreamy cinematography really contributed a lot for my eyes to stay glued onto the screen although I cringed so much with the ML’s toxicity. In connection with this, I would like to commend Song Kang for playing this role so well that I wanted to just strangle him right then and there every time he comes up. As for the FL, I discovered this drama because of her. Her drama “My Name” was an absolute chef’s kiss for me. 

Apart from the casting and the cinematography, the plot really bothered me. It kept going around in circles I just wanted to slap Nabi hard in the face to wake her up. Which I could not do because I still feel for her. She just wants to be loved and cared for sincerely. So much that she can even withstand a painful no-label relationship and even when Jae-eon is the most vivid red flag to exist. On the other hand, as much as I want her to get the love she deserves from Do-hyeok, I don’t think he deserves her. Nabi is clearly deeply and blindly in love with Jae-eon and I don’t think Do-hyeok deserves only a part of Nabi’s heart. 

Honestly, the couple that carried the show is Sol and Ji-wan. They were adorable to watch on screen and I’m glad that they communicated well with each other, unlike the main leads. Otherwise, there wasn’t really much of a progression in the plot. As I said, it kept going in circles because of how vulnerable Nabi is to manipulation and how manipulative Jae-eon is. Also, Jae-eon was a completely closed book. In almost all episodes, I had to guess his identity. I just hope they showed even just a bit how Nabi can also get a grip and realize her worth.

With all of this, I give this series a 6/10. Would I watch it again? No. Would I recommend it to others? Yes, if they’re just as susceptible as Nabi or as manipulative as Jae-eon. 

How about you? What can you say?

[floreceres]

BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST LIFE

They say… Because This Is My First Life is boring.

I say, TOTALLY NOT!

Astonishment is an understatement for the feeling that I felt while watching the Kdrama. Okay, alright, I see where some are coming from when they say that BTIMFL is boring and lifeless. It doesn't have a nerve-racking or thrilling plot but the way it hits all the right spots in your heart is just astounding. The main characters were both played so well by Jung So-min (best girl) and Lee Min Ki who looks like the personification of a cat.

I cannot explain more how I loved the realness of the plotline. I connected with the characters and they felt like close friends to me, or someone I have known for a very long time already. In short, this drama felt like home. It's that drama that I always go back to when I get a "watcher's block" if that makes sense. The sincerity in the way they gave life to the script is what gave it away. Personally, I am a big fan of slice-of-life genres especially when it is centered around dreams and aspirations. I like it when I can relate and I can see myself in the characters.

The line that struck me the most and will forever be engraved in my mind is from the scene where she was walking through a dark tunnel after her co-worker sexually abused her:

"When I decided to follow my dream, I thought my life would be like walking through a dark tunnel. But I didn't know it would be this dark. I didn't know… it would be this lonely"

Every time I hear this… I just want to vomit, cry, lie down the road, violently stomp, and break down because of how relatable it is! This is exactly how it feels like reaching your dream when no one believes in you and you got to fend for yourself.

All in all, I'll fight for this Kdrama every chance that I get. So the rating I would give it is 1M/10. If you're looking for a series that will make you laugh, cry, and feel in love, or if you just want to unwind after finishing all three seasons of The Penthouse, watch Because This Is My First Life!!

How about you? What can you say?

[floreceres]

LITTLE WOMEN (K-DRAMA)

They say… Little Women's plot is astounding and very well-written.

I say, partially agreed!

Before watching it, I was skeptical because I had read the original book and watched the movie so I thought "How much better can it get?". In the film, I loved it every time Jo showed up on the screen and bravely spoke her mind. She is the best among the sisters although I did not resonate with her the most since I have never had or have never been an older sister.

Back to the K-drama. I expected the cast to be played well since there is Kim Go Eun - and I'm glad I was not wrong! One of the actresses that also surprised me was Uhm Ji Won who played the villain Won Sang-a. From pretending to be the victim to shedding her skin and revealing her true villainess self, it was all satisfying to watch. Apart from the villainess, I must also compliment the actor behind Won Sang-a's husband who also played the villain Joo Dan Tae in the Kdrama The Penthouse: War in Life.

Not to mention the fact that the ending left so many questions unanswered. The youngest sister did not even apologize for her bad behavior toward her sisters. She thought she could get away with it because she gave her sisters a share of the money? I could not count how many times she made my blood boil in the series. Her performance here in Little Women is as underwhelming as her performance in AOUAD.

Although I enjoyed the aesthetics and the cast of the drama, I could not say that I loved its plot. Yes, I love some thrillers and heavy drama because that's what makes me feel alive but the problem here is the historical revisionism. I am familiar with the Korea-Vietnam War for I have read some articles about it as I was researching the Korean War in which some Filipinos helped. That is why I know for a fact that Koreans are not deemed as heroic as they are in the drama. In fact, hundreds of innocent lives were taken and some women were even raped by Korean soldiers. So it appalls me to see that Koreans see themselves as mighty and brave soldiers during the Korea-Vietnam War.

I am big on condoning historical revisionism so this issue affected my drama rating. Without it, I could have given 7/10 but considering the distortion they did on historical facts, I say 4/10 (or less if actress Uhm Ji Won had not played the villainess role so amazingly).

How about you? What can you say?