Tag: live-action

Is The Live-Action of ‘Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku’ Worth A Watch?

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku, also known as It’s Difficult to Love an Otaku, is a 2020 Japanese live-action film based on a manga written and illustrated by Fujita. The manga’s name is Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii.

Synopsis: Momose Narumi is a 26-year-old otaku who enjoys reading boys’ love manga but hides it from others. She begins work at a new company and meets her old childhood friend Nifuji Hirotaka. Hirotaka is handsome and good at his job, but he is also an otaku. After work, Narumi and Hirotaka talk about their otaku interests. Hirotaka asks her if they can date, telling her it will be nice. They begin their relationship but face many hardships and difficulties. (source – MyDramaList)

Expectations: I remember ranting about this movie late last year. It was a detailed post explaining my love for the source material and how I felt about the upcoming film 👉🏼 My Excitement Is Real – WOTAKOI: LOVE IS HARD FOR OTAKU is getting a live-action film. YESSS🎊🎊🎊.

(warning – spoilers ahead)

Review:

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku released in February, and I just saw it last week. It took me a while to watch it mainly because I was waiting for subtitles and HD quality. It’s interesting to see one of my favourite manga/anime come to life. I think Saito Takumi and Takahata Mitsuki did okay considering how the director/scriptwriter crafted things.

Alright, there goes my sweet intro. Belt up people because things are about to get sour. I have seen the anime, bought and read the manga, which proves my commitment. Therefore, I am fully authorized to comment.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t bring myself to partake in or even slightly enjoy the musical aspect introduced in this live-action. I’m probably mistaken about the target audience, but the musical scenes felt random, cringe and lasted way too long. I enjoyed Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii since it had a certain maturity level due to the office setting and the characters’ age group. I also loved the weird/witty comedy. Thankfully, that was left intact.

Nonetheless, this film completely threw out the source material’s fire and left me watching what I couldn’t exactly wrap my head around. Ladies and Gentlemen, I must admit that I could not bring myself to sit through the entire movie at this juncture. The frustration and utter disappointment were too real. Actually, throughout this week, I have been contemplating whether to write this review. I’m only giving myself the go-ahead to break down some significant elements that ultimately caused this film to go left –

  1. The replacement/partial removal of essential characters like Koyanagi Hanako and Kabakura Taro – In my opinion, the director didn’t showcase enough of them. Instead, he gave us two other support roles that took all their lines/screen time from the manga. Also, these newly found second leads weren’t essential to the story’s development.
  2. The director did a lot of tossing around with the story – It felt like he placed the source material on a chopping board and failed to puzzle it back correctly. The storyline was oddly out of place and felt too rushed. Don’t get me wrong, I know the manga was fast-paced, but at least the story flowed. By taking away specific essential roles in the live-action and mix-matching the timeline of specific events, everything else came off quite sloppy, in my opinion.
  3. Odd story progression leads to missed opportunities for good character development – Take, for example, The No-Otaku date that Narumi and Hirotaka had. I think it came too early in the film. Hence, it failed to accomplish the same understanding and growth brought to their relationship in the manga/anime version.

I could go on, but I’m going to end things here. Overall, Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku did not do its source material justice in any shape or form. I highly doubt that anyone would watch this film and become intrigued enough to pick up the manga. Maybe I’m too picky, and some people enjoyed this live-action. WHO KNOWS? Still, for me, this film gets a 4.5/10. To better understand how I rate each drama or movie, click 👉🏼 Drama|Movie Rating Guide.

If anyone is still interested in watching this movie and forming their own opinion, it is available on Dramanice with English subtitles.

On By chtajuIn Anime | Manga, Drama | Movie14 Comments

Unsung Cinderella: Byoin Yakuzaishi no Shoboshi: Japanese Drama Review – Episode 4 – 7

Alright, I am back to give my review on episodes 4 – 7 of Unsung Cinderella: Byoin Yakuzaishi no Shoboshi. If you haven’t read my previous review, use this link 👉🏼 Unsung Cinderella: Byoin Yakuzaishi no Shoboshi: Drama Review – Episode 1 – 3

(warning – spoilers ahead)

Review:  

Episodes four to seven showcased how Aoi Midori’s approach to being a pharmacist influences her closest co-workers and patients. Everyone learns something new after meeting her. That is why we got into the stories of side characters like Hakura and Aihara.

Hakura’s issue with his dad was an excellent way to stress that every individual should be independent of other people’s negative stigma on their profession or lifestyle in general. Being a doctor would have probably given Hakura more prestige, but a hospital doesn’t need only doctors. Therefore no matter the medical line you fall into, you are still fully involved in saving a life. Thankfully, Hakura gained confidence in his profession through Aoi Midori’s help, and his father also learnt some well-deserved lessons.

In Aihara’s case, she’s finally intrigued to pursue pharmacy with more passion after seeing Aoi interact with numerous patients. Plus, she now wants to focus on anti-cancer medication. At first, Aihara had difficulty connecting with patients or being discreet with her facial expressions. However, after paying more attention and heeding to great advice, she’s gotten better. Aihara’s growth is still a working progress, and I want to see how far the writer develops this character before the drama wraps up.

I am genuinely enjoying the presence of almost every character in this drama. Everyone (lead, supporting cast & patients) plays a vital role in bringing this heartwarming series to life. The stories of each patient are always lesson filled and so touching. Minoshima Koharu’s battle with leukemia and the cancer patient’s family was the most memorable aspect of episodes four to seven.

Now the only character that I do not appreciate so far is Dr. Nanao. He seems to be all about personal achievement rather than caring for patients. The fact that there might be doctors like him in real life irks me. In these episodes, he steadfastly tried to push a trial drug on a patient that didn’t want the treatment. All new medicines get tested at some point, but his intentions weren’t pure. Plus, the way he nitpicks at every little thing is quite annoying.

Before I round, am I the only one that feels Seno likes Aoi? I don’t care much for a love connection in this drama, but he sends signals that I can’t overlook. Also, the preview was scary. I hope Seno doesn’t have a terminal disease🙏🏽. However, no matter what the writer decides to do, I will still be watching because I am enjoying Unsung Cinderella: Byoin Yakuzaishi no Shoboshi.

That’s is all for this review. If you’re currently watching this drama, what do you think of the story so far? Let me know in the comment section.

Remember, this drama is available with subtitles on Dramanice or Kissasian.

On By chtajuIn Drama | MovieLeave a comment

Unsung Cinderella: Byoin Yakuzaishi no Shoboshi: Japanese Drama Review – Episode 1 – 3

Unsung Cinderella: Byoin Yakuzaishi no Shoboshi is an ongoing Japanese drama that stars Ishihara Satomi as the lead. It started airing on July 16th and will run for eleven episodes. This show is adapted from a manga series written by Mamare Arai, which is also titled Unsung Cinderella. 

Synopsis: Aoi Midori has been working as a pharmacist at Tatsuya General Hospital for 8 years. She believes that pharmacists need to know about the patient’s daily life to ensure the proper medication is prescribed to them. She faces a lot of criticism, especially from the doctors, but she stays true to her beliefs and continues to help the patients. (Source – MyDramaList)

Expectations: I have been looking forward to this drama for a while, mainly because of Ishihara Satomi. Its premiere date was also postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus. So I had to rush in once a good number of episodes were released. Plus, this is my first time seeing a medical drama that focuses on pharmacists, hence why I was intrigued.

(warning – spoilers ahead)

Review:  

The premise of this show is promising. I absolutely adore watching medical dramas because I get to learn new things all the time. I think they did an okay job with the execution of this drama, but I will admit that some aspects are quite unrealistic. I honestly do not need any pharmaceutical knowledge to tell that most scenes in this drama are over-exaggerated or out of line for a pharmacist. If I was a medical professional, it would be quite hard not to nitpick on every wrong detail, but since I’m not, I have been dwelling more on the overall sentiment of the show.

Before watching this series, I had the assumption that nurses were the ones who dealt with all medication-related matters. Although I don’t think pharmacists get invested as Aoi Midori, it has been educative to see the roles they play behind the scenes. Like assisting the doctors during emergencies and instructing patients on how to take each medicine. They are indeed part of the unsung heroes in hospitals. This is what I genuinely appreciate about Japanese dramas. They have a unique and raw way of providing viewers with very heartwarming stories. Therefore even though I do not agree with how Aoi Midori tastes new medicines or her attachment with every patient, I do acknowledge and value the emotional aspects of each patient’s story. Since this is based on a manga, a lot of cliches and exaggerations are expected.

From episode one to three, I appreciate how the writer used Hakura Ryunosuke as the layman information giver. This character was used to break down the medical terms to ensure viewers’ understanding. I also love how they tackled the difference between Aoi and her senior Kariya. These two proved that people in the workplace can have different valid opinions or personal approach but still work well together as partners. Kariya Naoko is practical and strict with separating the job from her emotions. She still cares for her patients but doesn’t go the extra mile like Aoi Midori. Aoi, on the other hand, familiarizes with each patient to be the best pharmacist for them. Both have their ways that work, respectively. Basically, they ‘agree to disagree.’ Another great touch of this drama is how we get to see each patient’s possible future after leaving the hospital. I think that aspect is remarkably exciting and beautiful.

Now here are a few lessons I got from Unsung Cinderella: Byoin Yakuzaishi no Shoboshi –

  • Be careful with the amount of unprescribed medication that you take, and this includes off counter vitamins. Once you notice something odd, talk to a professional.
  • A lot of individuals depend on daily medications or regular medical procedures to survive. So every day you wake up, be grateful because you can do a lot of things generally without any assistance.

To round up, here is one of my favourite scenes –

The way they all kept working and even clapped with their feet. Plus, the pure distress on Aihara Kurumi’s face was funny to see.

If you’ve started watching Unsung Cinderella: Byoin Yakuzaishi no Shoboshi, what do you think of the story so far? Let me know in the comment section.

This drama can be found on sites like Dramanice or Kissasian.

 

On By chtajuIn Drama | Movie1 Comment

Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo: Japanese Drama Review – Episode 4 – 10|FINALE

I was able to complete Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo yesterday. So in this post, I will be reviewing episodes four to ten and also giving my final thoughts on the drama.

If you haven’t read my review for episodes one to three, use this link 👉🏼 Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo: Drama Review – Episode 1 – 3

(warning – spoilers ahead)

Review:

In my first review, I mentioned that this drama’s atmosphere slightly reminds me of Code Blue. Now, after watching all the episodes, I don’t get that same feeling because this series didn’t focus much on medical procedures. It was more about the stories of each patient and their impact on the lead characters’ growth and development. Of course, this difference doesn’t affect the quality, but I felt the need to address it since I touched on it previously.

Okay, that is out of the way. So let’s discuss episodes four to ten –

Right from the start, this drama showed great potential, and things only got better as the story progressed. Sakura’s character continued to impress me with her growth. She was able to balance her job as a nurse and her love for Tendo Kairi. As for Tendo, he proved himself as a severe Tsundere. He pretends to ignore things or act like he doesn’t care when he actually does care. This attitude made it so fun for me to watch him being jealous. All the same, Tendo also experienced some character development. He opened up more to Sakura, and we got to see him smile and even laugh. By the way, Satoh Takeru’s smile is so cute and sexy💘💘. Okay, Tendo became more proactive in their relationship. He was an excellent mentor to Sakura and also a very supportive boyfriend. I love that he encouraged her to go study abroad.

The way Sakura and Tendo started dating was adorable and funny, but quite abrupt. The confession in the ambulance showed how desperate Tendo felt at that moment. He really loves her, so I don’t know why he was playing hard to get all this while. He is such a cute tsundere😂😂😂. Plus, I love how he went from telling Sakura to keep their relationship a secret from their colleagues in the hospital to then making a public announcement himself. 

Honestly, the chemistry from our leads was insane. I felt like I was intruding into their private space whenever they had intimate scenes. I love them, and I am going to miss them so much. What do I do with my Wednesdays now???😢😢 I am going to miss hearing Tendo say – Baka!!!

Moving on to the side characters and their relationships. Even though I was not too invested in everyone’s story, I still appreciated their presence. My favourite side roles were that of Sakai and Dr. Kisugi / Ryuko and Nishi. I was seriously rooting for Ryuko to get with Nishi, and I love how the writer developed her character. She got more serious by taking over her family’s hospital but still kept her right by refusing to go along with the arranged marriage. In the case of Sakai, she became the next “Warrior-Chick” after Sakura with she way the followed Dr. Kisugi until he took notice of her.

Another thing I didn’t care much for was the love rivals, and I am so glad that this drama did not drag things out. Both leads were sure of their feelings and never allowed any secondary party to interfere. So Miori and Kamijo failed to create unnecessary misunderstandings. At some point, I was really annoyed with Kamijo because of his ridiculous entitlement, but when they gave him some back story, I tried to understand him. Still, that didn’t excuse his wrong deeds from my book until he apologized to Tendo. In Miori’s case, I was genuinely baffled about how she came to fall in love with her dead sister’s boyfriend. Plus, the fact that she was so bold about it pissed me off even more. All the same, I came up with a theory that she might still be grieving; hence she was looking for a piece of her sister in Tendo. This theory was later confirmed. I really appreciate how both love rivals were resolved.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Ari-chan is another side character that I really loved. I am glad that she was able to get her surgery and go back to school.

Now, the only aspect of this drama that threw me off till the end was how Sakura never stopped calling Tendo, sensei. I really wanted her to try calling him by his name. Since it was not a big deal, I just rolled with her calling him sensei till the end.

There were a lot of moments throughout this show that made my heart flutter. So let’s discuss a few.

– Ryuko’s Constant Interruptions: Somehow, whenever Sakura and Tendo tried to get intimate, Ryuko always came in to interrupt. This became an ongoing joke for me because it happened quite a lot😂😂😂. One of my favourite scenes of such an occurrence was in episode seven. She came in, saw that they were kissing and just started heading back out like nothing happened😂😂😂😂 –

 

– Sakura Vs. Tendo Tease Battle: These two enjoyed teasing each other with their constant staring battles. Sakura is also an adorable and mischievous character, so she messed with Tendo a lot. A good example was when she made him kiss her after smearing ice cream on her face. My heart always went doki-doki during such moments – 

 

– Tendo meeting Sakura’s family Vs. Sakura meeting Tendo’s family: Tendo’s meeting with Sakura’s family was really hilarious. Her family asked him the right questions, and that actually made Sakura realize that he had not said “I love you” to her yet. My favourite scene was when they caught her family peeping at them. In the case of Sakura’s meeting with Tendo’s parents, it was awkward but still quite funny. I loved her reaction when he declared that she’s the woman he plans to marry – 

 

– Wedding Kiss: The final kiss was by far my favourite from Sakura and Kairi. It was such a sweet scene, and I caught myself replaying it a good number of times. They are so cute. Also, they looked so good. Sakura looked very beautiful in her wedding gown, and Tendo was rocking that three-piece suit – 

Another moment I loved was when Tendo listed out all the things he loves about Sakura and finally said: “I love you.” I’m not going to include that clip, so go watch it yourself. It is in episode nine. That was a very emotional scene, and I died when Sakura said she was hungry after hearing him pour out his heart to her. Like what???… BAKA!!

Final Thoughts:

Overall, this was an excellent series from start to finish. I will really miss it. Satoh Takeru and Kamishiraishi Mone are fantastic actors. They truly owned their craft. The supporting actors also brought their A-game, so we as the viewers were able to get such a perfect production.

I loved everything. Starting from the main couple’s chemistry to how well developed the story was. The pacing was also impeccable. There was never a time when the story felt like a drag, and the ending was solid. The original soundtrack was also very catchy. I love how the drama used different instrumental versions of “I LOVE” by Official HIGE DANdism. I already have a post about this OST, it can be accessed with this link 👉🏼 Official HIGE DANdism – I LOVE: Song Of The Week

I honestly wouldn’t mind if this show has a second season, but for now, I am satisfied. Therefore, my rating for Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo is  10/10. To get a better understanding of how I rate each drama, read this post 👉🏼 Drama|Movie Rating Guide

Also, all episodes of this drama are available with English subs on this site, 👉🏼 Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo on BLITZ FANSUB

If you have completed Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo, please let me know what your thoughts are, and if you haven’t seen it yet, go check it out. It is definitely worth it.

 

 

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My Pictorial|Poster Faves: Liu Yifei’s Exclusive

Although the premiere date for Mulan has been postponed until further notice due to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, I still wanted to share some shots of the Disney warrior Liu Yifei with you all.

Before we get into the pictures, here is a video of Liu Yifei singing “Reflection” – She might not have a powerful voice, but I love the sentimental and soothing feeling of this version.

(Please note: none of these images are mine, I got them from official websites and social media sites.)

Let’s begin with Mulan’s official posters. 

img_4080

I love that they made an exact replica of the original animation’s poster. I am now feeling the nostalgia of watching Mulan as a child. She is one of my Disney faves, so I can’t wait to see this live-action.

 

Next up are her red carpet premiere looks from London and Los Angeles. img_3897img_3898img_4061

I love her selection of gowns. She looks exquisite, very much like a princess.

 

Aside from posters and premiere looks, Liu Yifei has been doing a lot of magazine photoshoots, and I am sure that there are a lot more coming. Here are the recent ones that caught my attention –

First off is her athletic shot for Adidas. 

 

These next set of pictures are for the cover of Vogue China – April 2020 Issue. She was photographed by Kai Z Feng.

img_4068img_3973I think this simple and elegant look always flatters Liu Yifei. Honestly, she is beautiful.

 

img_4063img_4064img_4048img_4049Liu Yifei for Emporio Armani’s new S/S 2020 campaign. I love the city lights concept.

 

Next up is one of my favourites from her recent shoots. These pictures were captured by Chen Man for the cover of a Venezuela magazine called Ocean Drive. It is for their February/March 2020 issues. img_3831img_3830-1img_3978img_3977I also found some gorgeous fan art for this set of pictures. I got them from this twitter account 👉🏼 @June_crystal618 

 

Last on this list and also my second favourite from Liu Yifei’s recent shots is a photo for ILOOK Magazine. img_3940She is full of grace and poise in this qipao look.

I really want to see the live-action for Mulan soon. So I hope that there is some progress with vaccination or even a cure for COVID-19. To all the doctors, nurses and scientists on the front line, thank you and FIGHTING!!!.

Please stay safe everyone. Try to stay away from crowded areas and wash your hands properly. Cover your nose or mouth when coughing and sneezing. I pray for good health for everyone🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼.

 

 

 

On By chtajuIn Pictorial|Poster FavesLeave a comment

Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo: Japanese Drama Review – Episode 1 – 3

Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo, also known as Love Will Last Forever, is an ongoing Japanese TV series set for ten episodes. It airs every Tuesday, which means we get one episode each week. It started on January 14th.

Sypnosis: Nanase Sakura met Dr. Kairi Tendo several years ago and fell in love with him. To meet her dream man again, she studied hard to become a nurse. Fast forward to five years later, Nanase Sakura is now a 23-year-old rookie nurse starting her career at the same hospital where Tendo works. After meeting him, she realizes that he has a different personality from what she imagined. Kairi Tendo is 31 years old and, his nickname at work is “Devil.” He often makes biting remarks to other doctors and nurses. Nanase Sakura works hard to receive his recognition and also confesses her feelings to him. Due to her persistence, she gains the nickname ” Warrior”  from her co-workers.

Expectations: I saw a clip of this drama on Instagram, and I decided to check it out. Usually, I stay away from such storylines, but it’s Satoh Takeru. How could I resist? He is one of my favourite Japanese actors. Also, I have been searching for a current Japanese series to watch, and none caught my attention except this.

(warning – spoilers ahead)

Review: 

Overall, I think this is a good drama, and it has the potential to get better with the current progress. I approve of how they showcased the past encounter and quickly rushed things to the present time. They have only ten episodes, so there is no time to waste. Although, I was quite baffled when they showed Tendo slowly wrapping her scarf while the ambulance was waiting for him. I don’t think any doctor would do that.

My primary concern was for Sakura to discover a better drive for her career. I believe that the encounter from five years ago inspired her, but she was also star-struck by Tendo’s good looks. This means, from the get-go, her desire to become a nurse wasn’t just based on her crush for Tendo. Sakura’s situation reminded me of Park Shin Hye’s character in Doctors. She admires Tendo’s skills. So once the series started, I was praying for her to come to that realization. I am very grateful she did because now I can continue watching with ease. Sakura knows that her actual dream is to help others, even though she likes Dr. Kairi Tendo. Kudos to the writer for giving her a personality outside of her crush.

This drama’s atmosphere slightly reminds me of Code Blue. Mainly because it’s been a while since I watched a Japanese medical series. I enjoy how we get to see their interactions with the patients. Their time in the hospital impacts the doctors and nurses. So far, Arin and Kanda are the patients that caught my attention. Kanda’s death made me cry. Honestly, human life is so fragile. One minute someone is here, and the next minute they’re gone forever. Death has taken so many young and bright souls, and as a doctor or nurse, you have to deal with loss regularly. I couldn’t imagine. I’m glad that Tendo was there to comfort Sakura, and I sincerely hope that Arin gets better. She is such a brilliant and nice little girl.

Now let’s talk about some characters,

– Kamishiraishi Mone as Nanase Sakura – The actress is doing a great job. Her expressions are not forced. Nanase Sakura is slow, but that does not mean she isn’t smart. Also, to get through nursing school, you must be extremely hardworking. Therefore, she already has potential. All she simply needs to do now is focus on improving her skills and being more careful. At first, she came off naive and unprepared. Her confession scene gave me major second-hand embarrassment.

Nevertheless, I can tell that Sakura sincerely cares for her patients, and she is willing to take advice. Just like Tendo mentioned, one of her best qualities is that she is quick to take action. She is also hilarious with her vivid daydreams. Plus, the way she beamed up after Tendo called her real name, and her sweet promise to make him smile again is quite adorable. I am sincerely looking forward to her growth throughout the series.

– Satoh Takeru as Tendo Kairi – He killed me when he said that he only has enough kindness for the patients. Like his boss asked – are you an internet bundle?😂😂😂 Also, when he wrote his insult on the paper instead of saying it out, I died. Can’t you let it go?🤣🤣🤣 Right from the start, Tendo seemed like a pineapple to me. He is full of thorns on the outside but sweet once you get past his cold demeanour. There is always a reason for such behaviour. His girlfriend’s death had a significant impact on him, so he needs time to heal. I am a bit confused about the timeline they gave us. If his girlfriend died eight years ago, and Sakura met him five years ago. How come he was kind to her then? Was it just a spur of the moment, or were my subtitles wrong? I can see that Tendo is already getting jealous, and he is beginning to open up. I am excited to see his healing process and how he mentors Sakura.

– Yoshikawa Ai as Sakai Yuika – I examined her character with an open mind. She is pissed at Sakura for not taking their profession seriously. What I do not appreciate is her looking down on Sakura. You might be excellent at the technical stuff, but that does not mean you are perfect. If you feel she isn’t going about things the right way, say it to her directly instead of being shady. Or lend a helping hand if you have enough time. Sakura does have some strengths that Sakai lacks. Thankfully by the end of episode three, she realizes that. She also needs to work hard.

Japanese dramas tend not to disappoint me. Hence I have high hopes that this will remain a solid one till the end. Here is a link to the English subbed episodes of this series 👉🏼 Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo on BLITZ FANSUB.

If you have started Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo, what do you think of the story so far?

On By chtajuIn Drama | Movie1 Comment

KINGDOM: Korean Drama Review

Finally, I have woken up from my long slumber. I am back with my review for the 2019 zombie-themed Korean series, Kingdom. I know that this is a late review, but I really wanted to take my time to do this properly.

kingdom-netflix[1]Kingdom is a 2019 Netflix Original Series set in the Joseon period.

Synopsis: The king has fallen ill, and rumours start to spread that he has actually died. Crown Prince Lee Chang is labelled a traitor by the Haewon Cho clan, which is the clan of the current Queen. Due to the political plot against him, he embarks upon a mission to investigate the spread of the mysterious undead plague that has beset the king and the country’s southern provinces.

Honestly, the main reason why I kept stalling on this drama was because of the zombie theme. I am not the biggest fan of the undead. So, going into this series, I expected some horrid scenes. I knew that I would be getting a well-written plot and delivery from start to finish. I hoped that since the series had only six episodes had to have been well planned out because of the short time provided to develop the story.

(Warning – spoilers ahead)

My review on this is going to be very short and precise. Because the drama only has six episodes and ended with a cliffhanger. So there is not much to conclude on for now. I need the second season to be released as soon as possible because they cannot just leave me hanging with such an epic plot twist.

With that said, I have one word for this drama, INTENSE. This was such an action-packed series. A big thumbs up to all the actors for the fantastic range they showed throughout this drama. Their acting was very believable, most notably from the zombies. From the way they ran to their reactions, every move was made to look as real as possible. Their acting really sold this story for me because I usually do not enjoy zombie movies, but I was glued to my screen throughout the six episodes.

I noticed immediately from the start that there was a shift from the usual Korean drama series style of storytelling. Typically with Korean dramas, the audience is provided with some sort of back story to better understand the characters, but this drama did not have much of that. So my initial reaction halfway through the series was that the characters lacked depth. This caused me to be unclear on why precisely the Crown prince decided to rebel against his father for the throne. I know that he had enemies and therefore needed to do anything within his power to survive, but I still want to know more about the relationship between him and the king. Even with that lack of depth, I have nothing against the writer for not providing a backstory for the characters. This is because, as I watched to the end of the series, I realized that the main focus was on the zombie epidemic itself and not necessarily the characters. So on that note, I concluded that this drama was not too concerned with character development and in-depth storylines. It had a definite plot, which was Zombie apocalypse, and it was well executed.

As already mentioned, I expected a good number of horrid scenes, and from the very first episode, I got it. Not even ten minutes into episode one and someone’s head was already on the floor. Now since we are discussing horrid scenes, let us look into how the epidemic began to spread in the first place. I get that the people were starving, and the need to stay alive can make anyone take drastic measures, but did Young Shin really have to cook a dead person as meat for sick people to eat. I was so grossed out by that. Did he not think about how unhealthy that will be. He started the entire zombie apocalypse. If he did not serve them that meat, they would not have been infected. I still want to know what his story is because, as of now, I am not his biggest fan. He might have helped keep people alive, but I just cannot seem to overlook the fact that he escalated the situation due to his rash decision.

That aside, I enjoyed the comedic scenes that we got to see in the first half of the series. Especially the bickering between Crown prince Lee Chang and his royal guard. But by the end of the series, I began to suspect his guard. I hope to be proven wrong in season two because if he is really a spy, it will be a big blow to the prince. In episode six, it was revealed that the Haewon Cho clan had planted a mole on the crown prince’s side, and the only person who had been with Lee Chang from the beginning was the guard. So who could this mole be?

Now a little talk about the Queen, I had a strong feeling from the start that she was not pregnant, and I was right. I also feel like she cares about the crown prince. As of now, her character seems quite mysterious and complicated to me. So I really want to see more of her story in season two in hopes of understanding her better. My radar might be wrong about her feelings towards Lee Chang, but one thing I know for sure is that she does not enjoy being controlled by her father. I feel like she might even betray him to keep her position and power intact.

Finally, I would like to discuss the cinematography for this series. It was simple, detailed and fitting to the Joseon period. The landscape shots throughout the series were breathtaking. I also noticed in episode one that the lighting indoors at night was executed perfectly. It was actually portrayed like they had only lamps and candles on set. My reason for mentioning this is because most historical kdramas tend to fail in the lighting department. They make it so evident that they are using electricity to film, but this drama was an exception, so props to the director for that. Also, the background scores really helped in creating the right effect for each scene. I believe that each instrumental piece helped the audience stay more intuned with the intensity of the show.

To wrap up my review, my rating for this series is 8.5/10. I am willing to give the remaining 1.5 points once I see the definite ending for this drama and some character depth. Overall, Kingdom was perfect. I did not find much fault with it because it was so well produced. I really hope that the second season provides answers to the few questions that remain unanswered for me. Also, I am praying that season two lives up to the hype of its predecessor. If you have not seen this TV series yet, you need to go check it out. If you have seen it, please let me know in the comment section if we share any similar opinions and what you noticed that I might have missed. That is it for this review.

I know I did not do my usual character analysis and notable scenes for this review. Here is my reason – I currently do not have enough information on each character to do that. Hopefully, by the end of the second season, I should be able to do my character analysis. As for the notable scenes, I simply could not decide. It was such a short drama, and almost every scene was essential and captivating.

To understand my rating, click 👉🏼 Drama|Movie Rating Guide

So until my next post, take everyone.

 

On By chtajuIn Drama | Movie4 Comments