Midyear Catch Up

I haven't posted again since April, which is the same with my personal blog. But I've watched plenty of C-Dramas. I may have started with J-Dramas, but I changed course since early pandemic time. Despite having an average of or at least 40 episodes per drama, I find C-Dramas endearing ang easier to catch up with. Also, I don't know any interesting J-Dramas lately but I plan to watch Marry My Husband Japanese version.

There are a lot on my to-watch list but they have to wait as I have personal affairs to deal with. Sadly.

The Double first half

I'm currently watching THE DOUBLE, a 2024 C-Drama starring Wu Jinyan and Wang Xingyue. I recently finished Perfect Match which also starred Wang, whom I've first known from Amidst the Snowstorm of Love. It's safe to say that I am a fan. As I was looking for the next costume drama to watch, I couldn't decide right away so I tried three and ended up hooked with The Double. It's actually the last one. The other two will have to wait after I complete this one.

What I find fascinating about this drama on the first episodes were its comical style. This drama has serious themes and violent scenes. I guess they're trying to balance it out to keep it from being too dark themed. The comical parts are only with non lead characters, not even the secondary ones. The lead characters are out of the question. Wang Xinyue who plays Duke Su has a serious character and his playfulness are only subtle but also exclusive. Wu Jinyan who plays Jiang Li / Xue Fangfei has a grave past, pun unintended.

The Double also has this noticeably frequent up close shots of characters during a dialogue. I don't know if it aims to double as entry for the actors' modeling stint or what. I would definitely get too bothered if not for Wang Xingyue being handsome. But I sometimes imagine myself in their shoes and end up admiring their boldness to stare at the camera. But then I am not an actress.

Recall

Let's see what shows I have completed watching this year, so far...

MARCH
10 - 🎫In the Mood for Love, Hong Kong

APRIL
07 - 📺The Last Immortal, China
10 - 📺 Hidden Love, China

MAY
16 - 📺 Handsome Siblings, China
30 - 📺Amidst the Snowstorm of Love, China

JUNE
09 - 🎫 How to be a Millionaire Before Grandma Dies, Thailand
19 - 📺Secret Ingredient, Indonesia/Korea/Philippines
?? - 🎟 Jungle Emperor Leo, aka Kimba the White Lion, Japan

JULY
01 -📺Fireworks of My Heart, China

AUGUST
25 -📺A Journey to Love, China
30 -📺The Longest Promise, China

After 4 years...

Wow. Almost half a decade since my last post.

I've already finished a lot of movies, animes, dramas - Chinese, Japanese, and Korean - since 2020. A lot of things have also happened.

As of now, I am more into Chinese dramas again. And I wish I could just spend most of my time watching C-Dramas. I miss the quarantine days. BUT just for having a lot of "free time."

Back with K-Drama

After months of watching C-Drama, I thought it'd be next year when I go back watching Korean dramas again. Before While You Were Sleeping, the last K-Drama I tried to watch was What's Wrong with Secretary Kim? I had to put it on hold as I find it getting too cheesy for my preference.

I mentioned WYWS in my previous entry and I must say I already finished watching it. I went on to watch Something in the Rain, but it's currently on hold, and Start Up, which is currently airing. The former had Nam Da-Reum while the latter is Suzy's newest drama.

While waiting for the latest episodes of Start Up, I take my time watching Dr. Romantic. I haven't watched a medical drama in a while, can't even remember the last time I did. Turned out these K-Drama has two seasons. I'm already on the 14th episode of the first season. I'm already quite excited for the second season.

So far I am enjoying Dr. Romantic. I like how much medical residency-related scenarios I see. The scenes featuring treatment of patients' condition in the ER were also ample. This drama is on its way into becoming one of my favourite medical dramas, probably after Code Blue. It's not exempted from overly theatrical scenarios and obvious mistakes you never do as a medical doctor, but it's quite understandable. So far I haven't seen someone intubated yet talking comfortably. Thank goodness. I'm so tired of seeing this mistake.

I'm hoping to finish Dr. Romantic season 1 today. But before that, I need to attend to a personal emergency.

Now Playing: Blackpink -Stay

January-June 2020

Made a little recap a day or two ago about the things I did these past 6 months and found to have completed the following:

Books Read

Paperback - 3

E-book - 1

Manga

CHN - 4

JPN - 1

S.KR - 2

Film

In cinemas - 1

Online - 8

Asian Drama

C-Drama - 10

K-Drama - 3

T-Drama - 1

SEA - 2

Western Series - 1

Anime

Series - 5

Movie - 3

Documentary - 2

Chinese Dramas

These is a list of my completed Chinese Dramas and my thoughts about them. I haven't written about each C-Drama I've watched though.

Accidentally in Love

Love O2O

Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms

The King's Avatar

Whirlwind Girl

Without or with partial entry:

Legend of Fuyao

Les Interpetes/The Interpreter

Pretty Li HuiZhen

The Untamed

Well Intended Love

Mo Dao Zu Shi / The Untamed

Finally started watching The Untamed. Wasn't really planning to watch the drama though I considered doing so but only after when I finish those in my to-watch list. Meaning, it's not a priority. So what changed?

I mentioned in another Produce 101 blog entry that I started reading Mo Dao Zu Shi manhua because of Wang YiBo. I also said that I might consider watching the live action drama depending on how I see him in the variety show. Well, it wasn't him who changed my mind. It was no other than his co-star in  The Untamed who played Wei Wuxian, Xiao Zhan.

One of Produce 101 China's tasks was a group performance with another idol. One of the idols invited was Xiao Zhan, whose entrance, introduction or first appearance in the show was the coolest and cutest.

By the way, I'm already in episode 22 of The Untamed so it's been days since I've been watching. Been held up by reading other manhua, including Mo Dao Zu Shi, and watching anime/donghua.

I must say I've been really confused with the timeline in the anime's Season 1. Thankfully Season 2 was already available and I pushed to watch. Enlightenment! But that was only for the general plot.

  

While watching the live-action, I realized I have some questions like, "Why is Wei WuXian called the Yiling Patriarch?" and "Why was Wei Ying/Mo XuanYu avoiding Lan WangJi when he was summoned back to life?" Both were answered by The Untamed. Eureka feels.

Speaking of which, I also realized and began to appreciate its fandom under a particular genre. I have a male colleague who has already watched The Untamed and I wonder if he got some hints of this particular genre. It feels so different for me because I've watched the anime and read the manga. It wouldn't even occur to me if it weren't for the fanarts of the Y-fandom. The manga only confirmed it, especially in that chapter when Lan WangJi was drunk. I wonder how much is in store with the novel.

Now Watching: The Untamed Ep-22

Resuming Les Interpretes

Just a few more episodes and I'll be finished with Le Interpretes/The Interpreter. But I have to pause on this particular episode where the mother of Xiao Fei (Yang Mi) was actually talking her into a relationship with Gao Jia Ming (Vengo Gao) knowing she's dating Cheng Jia Ying (Huang Xuan). I can't appreciate her mother's reasoning.

Regardless the legal situation of the relationship between Jia Ming and the Chengs, they're still family. They still interact with one another, see each other.

I feel Xiao Fei's stress during this one on one with her mother, especially her current situation and because she can't disclose her dilemma to her mother. Filial duty really is sometimes one's bane.

Now Playing: Anna Tsuchiya - Zero

Love O2O

After watching The King's Avatar live action I knew I had to watch another Yang Yang project. The easily available one back then, in Netflix, was Love O2O. I was having second thoughts watching it because, well.. the title. I'm not into romance, especially Korean dramas, and I'm still not familiar with C-Dramas with romantic genre.

Thankfully I got a friend who had already watched Love O2O. I asked for his assessment and told me that it's "safe," meaning the romantic relationship between the main characters were nothing high-school like but rather handled with proper maturity.

I'm glad I heeded his remarks. I enjoyed most, if not all, of the romantic scenes between two Computer Science majors Xiao Nai (Yang Yang) and Bei Weiwei (Zheng Shuang) from Qing University. I think it's because their individual personality were already matured despite still being in college. Xiao Nai and Bei Weiwei were amazing in their own rights, add to that the influence of their respective families and peers.

If there was anything cheesy among them, I was able to handle it. It didn't feel too much for me that I'd go umay. In a way, it was a refreshing kind of romantic drama. And I like how there were in-game interactions from A Chinese Ghost Story. I find Love O2O a good transition after watching The King's Avatar. I think whether you watched either first would be fine.

The supporting characters of this 2016 C-Drama were also interesting, especially those from the side of Xiao Nai. As for Weiwei's, I sometimes had to extend some patience for her best friend and dormmate Zao Erxi (Mao Xiaotong). One could only sit back and try to understand this cheerful character because she's pure simple and naive but sincere toward her relationship with people. She may sometimes come without reservations but she's someone you'd gladly have as friend. Hey, no one's perfect, right?

 

One of the obvious things in this drama was product placement. It was everywhere! I don't remember seeing a drama with too much product. Some may be subtle but there were those that are quite hard-selling in a way. But everything is nicely incorporated in the story.

I also think it was good, because I got to be familiar with some Chinese products. Not that I am interested in buying, but with the recent pandemic options are limited. Should I come across a Chinese product because of very limited non-Chinese product options, at least I can relax while consuming it. Also, I would like to know what probiotic drink was featured in this drama. Of course I first thought of Yakult, given the product's design and popularity. We're running out of Yakult in groceries, Dutch Mill isn't also available, but I see tons of probiotic drinks in a particular grocery store that I go to. The brand is in Chinese so there's no way for me to understand.

As I've watched Love O2O a month ago, I had to check some information and happened to find some good reviews on this drama. Special mention goes to Emdesan and KDramaKisses. I got the last two photos from the latter btw. Sorry for using without permission.

Now Playing: Susie Suh - Won't You Come Again

Produce 101 China without English subtitle

Watched episode 6 of Produce 101: China yesterday without a subtitle. Awful. I could only make up a few words. Thankfully there's Indonesian subtitle, which is close to my native tongue so I kind of understood some. Well, it was really few.

Here's to hoping that the English subtitle is available for episode 7 onward. I'd very much love to know what they're talking about. It's just 3 more episodes to go, come on.

Now Playing: Santana ft. Rob Thomas - Smooth

From Produce 101's Duan Ao Juan to Huang Zitao and Wang Yibo

After listening to The Most Amazing of You I knew I had to find out who was the voice behind this soulful song. Thankfully I found her: Duan Ao Juan. Turned out she's among the winners of a Chinese girl group search competition back in 2018 called Produce 101 China. My fondness for her voice led me to watch the variety show. I'm already on the second episode. It's not that easy to watch because each episode is 2-hour long. I still have some dramas to watch. 

Produce 101 had mentors who looked familiar. There's Huang Zitao, who I remember from Negotiator playing opposite Yang Mi. Then there's the only female judge and mentor, Ella Chen, who looked quite familiar until I checked on her. Thought she's one of those famous singers in Taiwan or Hong Kong back in the day, when I was actively listening to J-Pop/Rock. Those days. Turned out Ella Chen is a member of the Taiwanese trio S.H.E. Also, Ella Chen was that girl from Hana Kimi (Taiwan). No wonder.

By the way, isn't it weird that Produce 101 was about finding the members of an up-coming girl group yet they only had one female judge and mentor? Thankfully though, so far during these two episodes, the male judges and mentors were considerate enough. This may be a variety show already back in 2018 but I hope to see them staying that way: a professional and gentleman.

There's another mentor whose name rings a bell, beside it sounding like social media platform Weibo. Yes, it's Wang Yibo. I don't know if he had enough screen time during the first two episodes but I only got to pay him attention when he demonstrated the dance for Produce 101 theme song. He was so cute in that number.

This blog entry, I dare say, started with Wang Yibo. As I checked on this lad, who turned out to be a member of K-Idol group Uniq, no surprise there as Zitao was a former member of EXO, I realized why his name was familiar. He played Lang Wanji in the C-Drama The Untamed, the live action adaptation of Mo Dao Zu Shi.

I've already watched the donghua of Mo Dao Zu Shi. Now I'm reading the manhua, thanks to Wang Yibo. Haha. Reading the manga and watching the live-action drama are already on my to-do list but the former moved up because of Wang. I intend to read it first before watching The Untamed, so far. It could change depending on how I see Wang Yibo in Produce 101.

Besides moving up my to-do list of reading the manhua, I've also brought Negotiator from "Dropped" to my "On-Hold" drama list because of Zitao. I think I'll see it through, though not so soon. I'd probably continue watching it together with The Untamed.

Now Playing: Produce 101 theme - Pick Me

The Producers

The Producers was my first IU/Lee Ji-Eun drama, my second (?) for Kim Soo-Hyun. Oh, it's also my first for Cha Tae-Hyun and Gong Hyu-Jin. I find it a laid back, lazy weekend type of drama.

This blog entry is actually long over-due, like almost 3 years. Can't exactly remember why I started watching this 2015 K-Drama but I know Cha Tae-Hyun had at least something to do with it. Who would forget him in My Sassy Girl?

This drama gives a glimpse of the drama in entertainment industry, though I kind of wondered if producers in S. Korea were really like a little "soft" in the presence of talents. Ra Jun-Mo (Cha), a veteran PD, encounters "ice princess" idol Cindy (Lee) through fellow PD Tak Ye-Jin (Gong), and  rookie PD Baek Seung-Chan (Kim).

As I watched The Producers back in 2016/2017, I had to check some info and found out that this drama was actually aired for weekend slot, Friday-Saturday to be exact.

I may remember some scenes and details in this drama but I know not how to write about them here so let me just it this way.

Now Playing: Susie Suh - Lucille

"Any skill is meaningful only when it is used at the right time.

Otherwise it will become a flaw."

Ye Xiu, The King's Avatar

Circling Camera

Coming from the heart-breaking last scene of Pretty Li Huizhen's episode 29 into the opening of episode 30, I can't help but get dizzy. Who wouldn't? Eyes fresh from or still shedding tears into a camera that keeps revolving around its focus, I really have to take a break. I might just end up triggering my migraine. Not now when I've been watching the C-Drama since yesterday. Don't ask.

These two above, definitely my new pairing albeit being non-canon. I'll just watch The King's Woman soon.

Now Playing: One OK Rock - Stand Out Fit In

New Favourite Rom-Com?

I'm currently watching Pretty Li Huizhen. I'm still on episode 23 but even before completing halfway of the series, I already have a strong feeling that this might be my new favourite romantic comedy series. Before this remake drama, My Love from the Star held  the title. Thanks to Jun Ji-Hyun's acting.

I got to watch Pretty Li Huizhen because of Dilraba Dilmurat. I've seen her Mr. Pride & Miss Prejudice movie which I enjoyed very much. I think she's really good in romantic-comedy projects. Of course I intend to watch her other works. Besides these two, I've already completed Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms and the pilot episode of  The Flame's Daughter, which also stars Vin Zhang who plays the second lead male in Pretty Li Huizhen.

For now, I'm going to continue watching episode 23.

Now Playing: Anna Tsuchiya - Blue Moon

Suddenly It's Magic

Never considered watching Suddenly It's Magic, a 2012 Filipino-Thai collab movie in the cinemas back then. I never even got to watch this on CinemaOne or on any cable channel. It's interesting though that because of it, I decided to avail for a one-day premium subscription of iWantTV.

I wanted to watch this movie starring Thai actor Mario Maurer and Filipina actress Eric Gonzales because of, well it started with lakorn, The Crown Princess, which I hope I could write about later and just got me here. This movie also guest starred Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul a.k.a. Baifern as Sririta Taylor.

Giving credit to this ECQ that allowed me to be relaxed and laid back as well as more tolerating to genres I don't usually pay attention to, because by one look I wouldn't really bother watching Suddenly It's Magic. And if I stayed the way I was, I dare say I'd miss out one feel-good movie with a sweet story.

True it has the cheesy elements of a romantic movie but the overall story or plot isn't dull, for my poor vocabulary these days. I think it followed a formula, whether conventional for the genre or particular for Filipino audience and even for Thai people. I said the latter because the last scene between Marcus and Sririta it reminded me of lakorn.

The conflict they both faced didn't end when Marcus (Maurer) had to decide whether to stay in the Philippines for Joey (Gonzales) or go back to Thailand to pursue his career. That may had been resolved but reality hit them in the face so a new or continuing conflict arose when they were in Thailand.

I'm not familiar with Maurer's acting, as I've only watched him in his hit movie A Little Thing Called Love with Baifern, but I think it was decent with Suddenly It's Magic. I remember watching an interview or behind the scene vid where he said he got surprised when, I think on the first day of filming, he got a real slap on the face. It was part of the movie, but he said he didn't expect a real one. Based on the lakorn/s I've watched, slaps are fake. One of the differences between Filipino and Thai acting scenes.

Suddenly It's Magic did not require heavy acting so for Erich's part, one can't really expect much. But it wasn't mediocre. However, the one who stood out for me was Joross Gamboa, who played as Sam and Joey's best friend. I dare say he was amazing here, neither exaggerated nor downplayed.

As usual, at least among the Filipino movies I've watched, the cinematography was amazing. I can't say it was the best but I like how Philippine scenery and culture were presented. Too bad there wasn't much scenery for Thailand.

Now Playing: Utada Hikaru - Flavour of Life

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim? initiated

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim? is the series that broke my no-K-Drama since Crash Landing on You back in February. I only decided to watch this rom-com because of its trailer on Netflix. The trip to the flower shop and back was just hilarious I thought I should watch it to satisfy my curiosity.

The flower shop scene was on the pilot episode, which was enough to keep me and continue to second episode. However, I couldn't continue watching it after a few episodes. I can't actually remember which episode I last watched.

I've been enjoying plenty of Chinese dramas recently and I somehow felt a sudden halt of interest in Korean dramas. Add to that that I am not a fan of K-Drama's typical format of dramas, especially if there's romance involved. Truth be told, I could hardly stand them.

Besides, my preferred genre nowadays are adventure, or those with such and battle scenes. I had to mention the latter because I remember watching romantic C-Dramas but I had the tolerance so long as there's adventure or battle scenes in the story.

As for What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?, it's still on hold until I no longer mind the cheesy scenes. I don't know though when that would be.

Now Playing: Madilyn Bailey - Perfect

Accidentally in Love

Finally finished watching Accidentally in Love, a 2018 C-Drama about Chen Qingqing (Amy Sun) who initially ran away from her family-arranged wedding but went on to stay away from her rich family. She's lost both her parents though and was raised by her maternal grandfather, whom she found to be controlling her life.

Running away from home Qingqing met idol Situ Feng (Fiction Guo) and his best friend Gu Nanxi (Ma Li), who eventually became her classmates. According to her grandpa, she already finished a degree. But she still enrolled to the same school her parents attended to find out more about them especially her father. There she displayed here versatility in arts and even Math.

Chen Qingqing was an interesting character. There's naivety in her but it wasn't annoying, which I attribute to Amy Sun's acting. I don't know if Accidentally in Love was based from a donghua or manhua, but the story and characters were pretty comical or originated from a manga. The three members of "goddess" were particularly looking like straight out of a comic book.

There were few characters whose actors I appreciate but a lot were meh. For one, I think Guo has downgraded his portrayal in the latter episodes. As he's an idol in this drama, I find it quite disturbing how his lip sync was out of synch. Another character was bland. It's a waste of potential.

Accidentally in Love reminded me of Love O2O, another Chinese drama that was heavy on endorsements, at least this one was not as overloaded as the latter. The product incorporation was not as hard-selling as those I've seen in Love O2O.

I started this one good but I "dragged" watching the middle episodes as I've began to lose interest, because it wasn't my cup of tea. I only decided to watch Accidentally in Love because I was looking for a light rom-com series. It met my criteria but I realized I prefer those with actions and adventures nowadays. I'm also watching The Lost Tomb but it doesn't count for my preferred adventure-filled drama so I haven't even watched past 5 episodes.

Now Playing: L'Arc~en~Ciel - Finale

Mo Dao Zu Shi pilot episode

Mo Dao Zu Shi is the second donghua I am watching, also the second one from Tencent Penguin Pictures. I was looking for another donghua to watch and I couldn't make up my mind so I decided to look for one from Tencent works. I had the feeling such criteria will not disappoint me.

My intuition was right. The "cinematography" (I don't know what it's supposed to be called in animation) is superb. I haven't even completed the first episode but I was already impressed. I haven't watched any new Anime recently but the quality of this donghua is definitely at par, if not even about to surpass, with Japanese animation. Japan should thrive for innovation and catch up with the times.

There were many names mentioned at the beginning of the pilot episode that I almost thought of not continuing until my brain gets enough rest. There's just a lot swimming inside my head lately. Thankfully it was only for the introduction, like a pre-pilot part. After the introduction or the recalling of the past, things seemed to have become interesting. I think it's going to be a fast paced donghua.

I also noticed something, which wasn't surprising at all as Mo Dao Zhu Shi is a Tencent Penguin Pictures work. The protagonist Mo Xuanyu sounds familiar, very familiar.

Been re-watching the live action drama The King's Avatar and I just finished Quanzhi Gaoshou both season 1 and the OVA. Of course Mo Xuanyu would sound familiar. He and Ye Xiu have the same seiyuu, Zhang Jie.

Now Playing: Kina Grannis - Iris