Finally, I finished The Romance of Tiger and Rose after 9 months and a lot of grumbling about having to finish it.
My rating: 4-6/10
(4 because I didn’t enjoy it at all but 6 for a less biased rating, probably)
Pros:
– Gorgeous cast with good to passable acting (except for Su Zi Ying’s actor whose terrible acting negatively stands out even among the young/rookie cast)
– Ding Yu Xi and Zhao Lu Si made a cute OTP
– Cute opening song
Cons:
Everything else
Best way to sum it up that this is a romcom(?) that should be a brainless watch but I unfortunately could not turn my brain off while watching it.
Don’t read if you love The Romance of Tiger and Rose!
SPOILERS
It’s a hard watch when you sympathize with a second female lead who eventually loses any humanity to become a plot device to move the script-story along, a suspenseless rivalry against a heroine who has too much plot armor, and a drama that pretends to switch gender roles but you realize it’s all for show and nothing really changes as the skill-less heroines gets saved over and over again by the male lead and other characters, and the only irredeemable character is the second female lead in a romcom where everyone else becomes good (second female leads can never catch a break even in gender-switch scenarios, unfortunately).
Despite the story making Chen Chu Chu an unforgiveable character, the only character I hate with a passion is the City Master, the mother. And I started off liking her! Maybe she is supposed to come across as a neutral character with growth to become good (acceptance of Han Shuo and undying love for Qian Qian), but for me she is the most hypocritical and to the end she never realizes her hand in Chu Chu’s downward spiral. She talks about being fair and wanting to give everything to Chu Chu but looking back from DAY 1 she actually gives everything to Qian Qian instead and never Chu Chu, unless Chu Chu actually works for it and even then the mother might withhold special privileges that she’d easily hand over to her youngest who just asks for it. She even gave Han Shuo to Qian Qian to wed, despite him initially wanting to wed Chu Chu, all because her most beloved daughter wanted him. And because Qian Qian survived and exists, the spoiling of Qian Qian just never stops. The mother is the biggest contributor to Qian Qian’s plot armor and having everything handed to her eventually. Being fair to all three daughters? You can say and believe it, but it never happened. Chu Chu’s complaints are valid.
Last episode, I could not help being exasperated when Qian Qian confronted Chu Chu in prison, and Qian Qian berated Chu Chu on losing everything because of her heart and attitude. Nope–actually Qian Qian, the only reason you got everything instead of Chu Chu is because you became heroine and so everything magically worked out for you as she got bumped down to side character. Any efforts she made would never beat your heroine plot armor, and her realization of her fruitless endeavors and the empty promises just completely broke her character (even though you made silly plans to put her in the forefront, second leads never win). Chu Chu was such an interesting heroine in the original script, talented and hardworking and very ambitious in this gender-switch world where she shouldn’t be judged for it, and eventually she even fought back against her beloved Han Shuo who betrayed her, and she won against him and moved on to succeed. Not coincidentally, it’s the real-world male star who has a problem with this original script where the ambitious heroine shines, and the excuse is love. Yet while the script-story changed to accommodate Qian Qian, Chu Chu’s strong qualities didn’t change but she always lost to an unskilled silly heroine. Apt for a love story, but a sad outcome for a premise set in a gender-switch world.
Ultimately, I’ve seen many generic isekai anime with an OverPowered MC who has a harem, and Tiger and Rose is just a shoujo isekai with a reverse harem (Qian Qian may be lacking in overpowered skills, but her MC power is the many coincidences that line up so neatly for her benefit). For the record, I wasn’t a fan of Miaka in Fushigi Yuugi and always sympathized with Yui better even through her misguided mistakes and selfishness.
Another ultimately, I recognize that my low enjoyment of this drama is myself and my problem as this isn’t the story I wanted to see versus the story this drama wanted to tell, which was much more straightforward and simple. That is–despite the script-story changing to accommodate Qian Qian’s heroine status, the bottom line is that nothing she does in the script-story will ever change the ending, and the twists to get to that ending is what should be interesting and engaging to viewers. By this process, I do understand how they laid out the path to get to that fatal battle between Chu Chu and Han Shuo. Chu Chu’s original heroine status switched to Han Shuo’s original villainous role to make the ending happen. A white to gray character became insensible and unbudgingly evil to the end (and honestly, this everlasting dark side doesn’t make too much sense thinking back to how much she doted on Qian Qian in the beginning). Unfortunately, I became too invested in Chu Chu’s character that couldn’t end strongly because any character development that could’ve happened in the several last episodes (after secrets revealed, fake deaths, etc.) was sacrificed for this bottom line. Each genre should be rated within its genre, objectives, and limitations, but I couldn’t do that here. I ended up wanting more out of the story and writing.
My biggest takeaway from this drama is that the actress who plays Chu Chu is beautiful and charismatic and I like her acting, and Zhao Lu Si shows her prowess as a rookie actress and is very cute–despite not liking her character, I like this actress.
The happy ending between the OTP is cute so at least I ended this drama on happier emotions.
I’m happy to check out Melancholia because of the leads but while I don’t mind teacher-student plots if it’s addressed properly within the drama (and I have been pretty open to it so far because we haven’t seen anything yet despite the obvious teasers), I do find the marketing and pre-interviews off-putting. Mainly I don’t get it when the leads and director talk about how viewers might find math uninteresting as the subject of a drama and gush about the beautiful relationship, and I’m thinking instead why it comes across as tone deaf(?) and avoiding the elephant in the room. The math focus isn’t what people are frustrated about. But I also get it, if the vague talk is to keep the mystery of the story that’s a far bigger picture than what people concluded, and hoping that people will discuss once it airs. Cross fingers there’s more to this story than the usual kdrama fare of “some occupation(topic) + a lot of leads dating angst”.
I was side-eying those interviews so hard. Every single person was obviously on script talking about how viewers might find math difficult, but oh there is a beautiful pure love story.
Those interviews were so tone-deaf. Ffs, nobody cares about these leads doing algebra together. I feel like they’re purposely treating their audience as idiots who just don’t get how genius and deep and beautiful their story is. I find that extremely off-putting as a (potential) viewer.
Also, if your central romance wasn’t immoral (and illegal, in many places), then you wouldn’t have had to keep calling it pure five hundred times to justify its existence.
My sister is getting me to watch after she fell in love with it and Ding Yuxi, but I guess dramas labelled as fluffy romcoms just aren’t it for me anymore.
I started off loving this female heroine but only got to midway episode 6 and putting it on temporary hold because I’ve come to dislike her and the male lead. I’m supposed to support them but I don’t. Female lead doesn’t care about her female characters or female empowered city, and is readily okay with messing up the play world to survive. She sees herself as the only living person and everyone else as in-play characters? I can’t put myself in her shoes when the drama itself makes her personality foolish and only as deep as the rest of the in-play characters.
I can’t agree with the direction of this show. The male lead is planning to invade this city ruled by women for greed, the female lead commits blunders and destroys city rules for his sake, and yet for some reason the drama is framing these other women as bad? I’m supposed to support the leads so the tragedy plays out? Nope.
The city master is a powerful woman that loves her daughters, has objective oversight with prior readiness to appoint the capable 2nd princess (her stepdaugher) as the next city master, and charisma and backbone. Much more likable than the female lead who turns out to be just as spoiled and selfish as the original character she wrote. I hope the drama doesn’t villanize her and 2nd princess to prop up these leads. I hope the story develops the leads better, instead of resorting to this trick.
Basically, I take romcoms too seriously and I can’t turn my brain off to enjoy. I hope to change my mind later about this drama and that I can actually enjoy watching our two leads again like I did at the beginning because right now I don’t.
It’s been too long since I’ve watched a pure romcom. It’ll take some effort to not look at it so critically but looking forward to enjoying it once I can just let it go.
Finally finished a few days ago after dragging my feet during the last several episodes. It’s a pretty average drama, not in a bad way, but that it fits its shoe and that’s basically it. I’m going to forget this drama in a few weeks, not that I want to, but that it’s one of those shows that happened and then life moves on. Towards the end after resolutions and redemption arcs, I found the drama very comforting. It wrapped up major conflicts early and gave viewers fluff, which theoretically I don’t mind and even like to see but strangely I found it hard to finish exactly because it was just ongoing fluff – but much preferred than a rushed ending or a final resolution in the last few minutes, so even if it gets tedious, I’ll drag myself through fluff.
Not many memorable moments, my highlight scenes being 1) the brother-sister reunion and to a lesser degree 2) Kyujin finding his missing mother – emotional impact and great acting, the story progression and character development built both reunions up to those moments and delivered. The camaraderie between the four Song siblings was also great and a strong contrast to the interactions between the Yoon brothers; I preferred watching the latter duo just because they are so crazy and funny but comfort-wise the understanding between the Song siblings was very much needed and appreciated.
Cont.
I started this drama for LSY because of his variety show appearances. He is good at acting, perhaps better than I even expected, and that’s exciting. On the other hand, not sure how I feel about LMJ’s acting. From beginning to end, I get blown away by how gorgeous she is and I can’t believe she’s in her late 30’s (noona romances is a trend now, so why isn’t anyone casting her?). She plays a stoic and stony character, that part gets done right, but otherwise I can’t really grasp her layered character is probably my issue. LMJ has tons of charisma but no chemistry with her costars here, just my feelings and thinking during the drama and after. But I’m still open to watching her.
Once Again ep 49/100
The secondary couple has more screentime together than lead couple; it’s basically a romcom when they’re on screen. They met (again), became friends, fell in love, etc. And then the female lead has more nice interactions with the hospital director than male lead, and is even showing interest and changing for him. They met (again), are still friends, dating, etc. LSY in these past episodes has been downgraded to side character. I am given ABSOLUTELY NO REASON to wish for this main couple to get back together. This is such bad writing that even when I favor LSY it’s absolutely bonkers why Na-Hee and her new bf is not end game. My feelings for this show is a rollercoaster and I’m back to disliking it. Eugh. I’m pleading for the second half of this show to change my mind or I’ll have to force myself through this.
I don’t know if its the acting between LSY-LMJ or directing, and piled on bad writing, Na-Hee throws side glances, watches with warm eyes, and has thoughtful considerate moments towards her new bf, she really looks like she’s in love with the director. Smiling when playing basketball, etc. It absolutely makes me no sense to disregard him later, from my present pov. These moments the lead couple doesn’t have since the drama started for viewers AT ALL and it hasn’t successfully shifted from the bickering and coldness towards each other, that part had been so dragged out. All we get are moments when other characters tells KJ he should be feeling something, and that’s just forcing it because writers don’t know what to do with KJ. So obvious. What even is this?
I had a dream that I was late to work but somehow I was able to squeeze in a whole kdrama during my morning prep. It was a sageuk with Moon in the title starring Kim Sohyun playing a noble lady rebellious tomboy warrior, second female lead Kim Yoojung playing a cute and loved by everyone sunshine noble lady, and tying up the love triangle is a refreshing princely courageous nobleman male lead (unrecognizable flower boy actor). My biggest takeaway from finishing this drama, as I was saying to my sister in the dream despite running late to work, was how great both female lead characters were and KSH and KYJ were the highlights. The writing was bad and they sidelined the female lead, the drama becoming too political and cutting down her screentime. So although I don’t remember anything else about the drama it’s definitely not one I would want to happen irl. A waste of both Kims.
Once Again: Only midway through episode 25 for now, don’t know if there will be developments later with supporting characters revealing ulterior motives or something similar, but interesting how viewers always support female lead to move on to the nice second guy while always hating any interaction between male lead and the nice second girl. Come on? Supporting female characters deserve better.
ha ha.. i am also watching it 🙂 started yesterday.. on ep 11 (1 hour ep count). The older gen folks are so funny..
However, i am surprised that this became bigger hit than the best of the weekend show hits in last few years (quite a standard weekend drama story flow… and the younger gen is not that impressive relatively speaking)
birth secret with a twist.. thnkfully its not dad-son, daugther-dad-mom setup this time
*******************
the FL irritates me though. In all her drama she plays similar roles (my mind has started to find it difficult to dissociate her from these crass personalities, although i get it how smart and smooth she actually must be in real life specially given the man she married and how she lives in that setup)
Oh! Nice! Someone watching it at the same time as me. I’m watching it on viki where they count the half episodes, total 100 instead of 50, so we’re probably around the same part generally. I saw the ratings but thought most weekend shows usually get a high amount of domestic attention, and didn’t think about it much. Am actually surprised it is considered a hit among other weekend shows. Not bad. It does seem pretty standard in terms of family drama and having irritable (but also relatable) characters. I guess its the cast or maybe an OTP that people were interested in. I saw that the secondary couple was pretty popular, although I’m in it for the main couple (no matter how toxic they might be). I’m annoyed by FL’s attitude most times, but it’s still tolerable for me and I’ve warmed up enough to her, and may even like her by the end *cross fingers*. (Plus, she’s so pretty!) I guess there’s a formula for smart but rude and low EQ lead characters that I give a pass. Particularly, I realized for me that formula works for both male leads and female leads. It really helps that I haven’t seen much of the actress Lee Minjung’s other works and Lee Sang Yeob has such warm puppy eyes that it balances her ice cold exterior.
I started Once Again for Lee Sang Yeob but I hate his pairing with Lee Min Jung. Hard to watch when both are together. No chemistry. I can’t believe they were ever in love. There should be some lingering feelings, right? Or at least one or two moments in the present where I think, Ah- they still care for each other so I should support this couple because endgame is obvious (this is a kdrama after all). BUT I DON’T LIKE THEM TOGETHER AT ALL.
I just want to FF their scenes and in that case, I’d rather just not watch since my reason for watching is gone and the story is not doing it for me.
And yet…I struggle on. I hope this gets better. T_T
I’m still watching! It helps that I’ve warmed up to their characters and I like them much better as a duo now that they aren’t bickering 24/7. Took some time to get there but I guess I have more patience if I like the actors.
These last few days, I allowed myself to fall for Lee Dohyun and it’s been spectacular.
I’d seen Sweet Home a while ago and initially I wouldn’t let myself warm to his character. In fact, I was so enamored with the other characters and gutted for them instead throughout (ie the sword guy, the gangster, the caretaker, the two gramps, and the male lead). But then the last episode happened and hit me like a truck and thus the 1st season concluded with LDH impacting me the most to my surprise. Of everyone, I carried his role as Eun Hyuk away. He lingered at the back of my mind but I wouldn’t let myself pursue it.
These past several days with Running Man/Knowing Brothers guest appearances, Hotel Del Luna cuts, and 18 Again later, I’m in love. I’m so glad he won a Baeksang Award for his role in 18 Again especially. This boy can act. His future is so bright. Just crossing my fingers that he chooses his projects wisely.
Also 18 Again is that drama that I put on for myself to watch and then while passing by my brother-in-law sat down, and then my sister, and then another sister, and they all ended up watching with me and requesting that I put it on pause whenever they left the room. It’s the perfect drama to recommend to family and friends of all ages.
Some thoughts on a bit of Start Up discussion I\’ve seen, from an outside perspective. I haven\’t started this drama yet but have been keeping an eye on comments/reviews from various sites as I prefer to marathon and don\’t mind spoilers, considering if a drama is worth to pick up after its run.
I\’m kind of surprised at how hung up a few people are on who is designated Male Lead or Second Lead, the kdrama formula that usually determines endgame OTP. Although the tropes and kdrama frame is still there, the refreshing character mold is most important to me. Like many people, I have preconceived notions of main lead status \”rights\” from my experience with kdramas, so it\’s nice to be surprised at which narratives this writer decided to develop, and which characters get an interesting story/quirks (as well be sad at which ones doesn\’t). If we take away the marketing and just blind dive into the drama, what\’s left? Strong writing, weak writing. And actors that fit (or do not fit) their role (whether its \”marketed\” as a main lead or not).
Flashbacks to discussions around Dream High and ICHYV.
Still keeping this drama on my must watch list and hopefully it ties up well enough.
Q: So, these zombies can detect humans through sounds?
A: YES. They have a 6th sense power.
Q: But there’s hundreds of zombies moving throughout the city and trapped within rooms. Grunting, stomping around, and bumping into things. How do they distinguish sounds made by humans?
A: Well, that’s why it’s a 6th sense. They just know. Except sometimes, like when a phone rings in the next room, they don’t know it’s not a human and it draws them away.
Q: To survive, our main leads just have to be quiet, right?
A: Well, except there’s this one zombie that sees a string tied around a ball and just knows a living human must be at the end of that string. Even when the male lead throws broken bottles and flies a toy at the zombie and draws its attention, the zombie wants the unconscious human at the end of the string that it can’t see or hear. It’s a new zombie power that detects through mere existence instead of sound.
Q: What’s this thing with closed doors?
A: Sometimes when zombies are chasing the main characters and they run behind a closed door, the zombies will go away eventually. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter and a zombie will come in. When a horde of zombies run to the female lead’s closed door, she’s frightened to tears, so the male lead has to lure the zombies away with another sound.
Q: At the end, when the female lead was screaming, why didn’t that attract the other zombies?
A: Just because. We need the gunshots that follow to attract the zombies instead. That’s louder.
Q: But the helicopter noise afterward is even more loud. The main characters hear it and so should the zombies. The zombies are lured away by the helicopter, right?
A: Not this time. The zombies stay inside the building because the plot needs them to attack the main characters as they run.
Q: I don’t get it. Is sound important or not?
A: Sometimes.
Q: Just tell me, do the main characters learn to use sound to their advantage?
A: Only once. After that, when they both run to the 8th floor, they don’t distract with sound. They fight through zombies and survive on main character power. When they both run to the rooftop, they also don’t distract with sound either. They bravely fight through zombies and is saved because of main character power.
Isn’t that just fantastic character growth and storytelling?
PS. Yoo Ah In was A++, even though I hated his character. Everything else was MEH.
I totally agree!! And Park Shin Hye’s char! I thought she was somewhat smart until she decided to just jump down in the middle of the crowd of zombies with just a ice pick thing to get to YooAhIn. How could you be sure that you wont get bitten along the way??? Why not zipline across and at least fricken let YooAhIn know what you were going to do!
A song that fits my current mood: God Tree composed & sung by Hua Chenyu, a prominent Chinese artist of the post-90’s generation. He chose to sing this on “Singer 2020” E6, a competitive music variety show.
A colossal song that brings a sense of doom and gloom, but also hope.
I fear the gloomy sky
Devastating waves sweeping, the land became human purgatory
All are terrified
I fear the bitter cold
Where all beings are not spared
All lose control
Crash and cold…
I fear lightning and thunder
Adults are banished while children are trapped
All huddle together
I fear darkness and pain
Step on the ruins and fall deeper and deeper
All are lost
I fear the gloomy sky
Devastating waves sweeping, the land became human purgatory
All are terrified
I fear the bitter cold
Where all beings are not spared
All lose control
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
I fear lightning and thunder
Adults are banished while children are trapped
All huddle together
I fear darkness and pain
Step on the ruins and fall deeper and deeper
All are lost
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
I drown in the sounds of thousands
Tears can no longer wash off my sorrow
Never give up! Never give up!
I feel the sad coldness of the tsunami
It tears down the prison of all sounds
Never give up! Never give up!
I drown in the sounds of thousands
Tears can no longer wash off my sorrow
Never give up! Never give up!
I feel the sad coldness of the tsunami
It tears down the prison of all sounds
Never give up! Never give up!
I fear the gloomy sky
Devastating waves sweeping, the land became human purgatory
All are terrified
I fear the bitter cold
Where all beings are not spared
All lose control
He did live and he made it to shore and was nursed back to health by a local fisherman. They fell in love, adopted three babies orphaned by the plague and died of old age.
Aw shucks. Thanks! Yes. Yes. You’re definitely right. Him and my other one, that toilet guy with zombies knocking on the door and he eyed the hell hole where he’d been squating. Both survived and found much happiness afterwards.
(LOL doubted myself because my sister and I rewatched and noticed a particularly important scene that we missed the first time for some reason, as if it never crossed our screen)
Supposedly there\’s no more toilet paper, but today my mom waltzed into Family Dollar and found a bunch. Priced the same as any other day. I guess some stores are just invisible to the mass.
Also, I told my sister that this toilet paper issue is only because majority of US Americans don\’t use a bidet. Maybe it\’ll finally become a thing people invest in after this coronavirus passes.
One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite Japanese bands. The message of this song is timeless.
SOS by Sekai No Owari
People needing to be saved
Scream out for help every day
But we grow numb to the sounds
And feelings slowly start to drown
The first time, we can hear a voice
But soon it all becomes noise
Fading to silence in the end
I know it doesn’t make sense…
When sound all ceases to exist
People think that means happiness
And all the sounds that used to be
Are all just noise to you and me
The cries of help disappear
The silence numbs all of our ears
And when we stop listening
Those screams stop meaning anything
Don’t you let your heart grow numb to everyone
Oh child, listen to the “sound of silence”
Saving someone else means saving yourself
It’s true, and I’m sure you know it too
Thank you for posting this! I’ve been wanting to check out more Sekai No Owari since I first heard their collaboration with Epik High, “Sleeping Beauty”, but I have no idea where to start. This is a lovely song and I can’t wait to explore more. (Suggestions welcome)
Yay! Happy to oblige! Thank you for your interest and for asking!
Some quick background info: They started as an indie band without a drummer, just a group of friends, thus why the 4th member is a DJ (the clown). In a way it’s helped them try a variety of things in their music. They have started to pursue a more mature concept, but they’re most known for their earlier whimsical fantasy concepts + abstract themes and lyrics.
Here’s a mix of songs that cover some of the various things they’ve done through the years:
I discovered Lost while going through all of Clean Bandit’s work but I dont know why I never bothered to hear more of them.
Thanks for sharing the song and the recommendations!
I AM MAD. I finally met one of those rude, unreasonable people from legends and that person is my neighbor just two houses down.
Our neighborhood have A LOT of dogs and owners who do not pick up after their dogs relieve on the lawns and \”road verges\” (that strip of grass between the sidewalk and road). I notice and I always make sure to pick up after my dog because it\’s respectful and responsible.
So I just took my dog walking and that neighbor got out of her car to yell at me for a few days ago letting my dog relieve himself on her road verge (I never let me dog go onto someone\’s front lawn itself). She immediately was hostile and said she will call the police. I told her I always pick up after my dog and she kept going on about not doing it on her lawn and again ended with threatening to call the police.
If you hate it, okay I get it. I\’ll drag my dog pass your house so he won\’t do it on your precious strip of grass, but don\’t start by being an asshole already. I wasn\’t aware of your preferences but I don\’t think I was doing anything illegal. I will respect your wishes if you just ask. Why can\’t people communicate without being so rude? Also don\’t blame the feces of other irresponsible dog owners on me.
I walk my dog daily but being that self-conscious and insecure person, I don\’t even want to anymore because I will pass by their house. Now I wonder if the other neighbors feel as hostile especially when they see me with my dog and it\’s bugging me.
Don’t feel like that.
If you’re picking after your dog, you’re doing right and you should not really care for what others are thinking.
I guess that neighbor just saw you once and decided it was your dog the one who annoys her.
There are people like that in the world, who are offended by everything and that will accuse you of being the reason to be offended, just like a bad baddie in a bad Kdrama.
Hua Chenyu is a Chinese singer-songwriter who does not write love songs and rarely sings it. But for the competitive music variety show Singer 2020 (E5) he chose to sing Eason Chan\’s \”Us\” as it resonates with him. He stated he will not sing this song again.
He specificially requested that this stage be shot in one front view, with no cuts or other angles. This highlighted his emotional performance and the feelings he brought to the surface to share with the audience.
Hua Chenyu is a Chinese singer-songwriter who does not write love songs and rarely sings it. But for the competitive music variety show Singer 2020 (E5) he chose to sing Eason Chan’s “Us” as it resonates with him. He stated he will not sing this song again.
He specifically requested that this stage be shot in one front view, with no cuts or other angles. This highlighted his emotional performance and the feelings he brought to the surface to share with the audience.
I don’t like to be dramatic. Trying not to get too worked up about the coronavirus but I also started fearing losing my job because of the impact. It’s going to be a hard year for my company. 2019 was already a hard year for our industry and getting worse. :'(
Anyway, a beautiful song from Hua Chenyu for patients of the coronavirus “You have to believe this is not the last day” with various Chinese dialects at the end.
All the messages to loved ones in the different dialects—especially the ones about meals and food… There’s something about preparing/expecting a meal with someone, yet not knowing if the other person will really come home 🥺🥺🥺🥺— is what got me riiiiiight here ❤️❤️❤️
kx
April 17, 2022 at 12:24 AM
Finally, I finished The Romance of Tiger and Rose after 9 months and a lot of grumbling about having to finish it.
My rating: 4-6/10
(4 because I didn’t enjoy it at all but 6 for a less biased rating, probably)
Pros:
– Gorgeous cast with good to passable acting (except for Su Zi Ying’s actor whose terrible acting negatively stands out even among the young/rookie cast)
– Ding Yu Xi and Zhao Lu Si made a cute OTP
– Cute opening song
Cons:
Everything else
Best way to sum it up that this is a romcom(?) that should be a brainless watch but I unfortunately could not turn my brain off while watching it.
More thoughts and opinions in comments.
kx
April 17, 2022 at 12:26 AM
Don’t read if you love The Romance of Tiger and Rose!
SPOILERS
It’s a hard watch when you sympathize with a second female lead who eventually loses any humanity to become a plot device to move the script-story along, a suspenseless rivalry against a heroine who has too much plot armor, and a drama that pretends to switch gender roles but you realize it’s all for show and nothing really changes as the skill-less heroines gets saved over and over again by the male lead and other characters, and the only irredeemable character is the second female lead in a romcom where everyone else becomes good (second female leads can never catch a break even in gender-switch scenarios, unfortunately).
Despite the story making Chen Chu Chu an unforgiveable character, the only character I hate with a passion is the City Master, the mother. And I started off liking her! Maybe she is supposed to come across as a neutral character with growth to become good (acceptance of Han Shuo and undying love for Qian Qian), but for me she is the most hypocritical and to the end she never realizes her hand in Chu Chu’s downward spiral. She talks about being fair and wanting to give everything to Chu Chu but looking back from DAY 1 she actually gives everything to Qian Qian instead and never Chu Chu, unless Chu Chu actually works for it and even then the mother might withhold special privileges that she’d easily hand over to her youngest who just asks for it. She even gave Han Shuo to Qian Qian to wed, despite him initially wanting to wed Chu Chu, all because her most beloved daughter wanted him. And because Qian Qian survived and exists, the spoiling of Qian Qian just never stops. The mother is the biggest contributor to Qian Qian’s plot armor and having everything handed to her eventually. Being fair to all three daughters? You can say and believe it, but it never happened. Chu Chu’s complaints are valid.
kx
April 17, 2022 at 12:26 AM
Last episode, I could not help being exasperated when Qian Qian confronted Chu Chu in prison, and Qian Qian berated Chu Chu on losing everything because of her heart and attitude. Nope–actually Qian Qian, the only reason you got everything instead of Chu Chu is because you became heroine and so everything magically worked out for you as she got bumped down to side character. Any efforts she made would never beat your heroine plot armor, and her realization of her fruitless endeavors and the empty promises just completely broke her character (even though you made silly plans to put her in the forefront, second leads never win). Chu Chu was such an interesting heroine in the original script, talented and hardworking and very ambitious in this gender-switch world where she shouldn’t be judged for it, and eventually she even fought back against her beloved Han Shuo who betrayed her, and she won against him and moved on to succeed. Not coincidentally, it’s the real-world male star who has a problem with this original script where the ambitious heroine shines, and the excuse is love. Yet while the script-story changed to accommodate Qian Qian, Chu Chu’s strong qualities didn’t change but she always lost to an unskilled silly heroine. Apt for a love story, but a sad outcome for a premise set in a gender-switch world.
Ultimately, I’ve seen many generic isekai anime with an OverPowered MC who has a harem, and Tiger and Rose is just a shoujo isekai with a reverse harem (Qian Qian may be lacking in overpowered skills, but her MC power is the many coincidences that line up so neatly for her benefit). For the record, I wasn’t a fan of Miaka in Fushigi Yuugi and always sympathized with Yui better even through her misguided mistakes and selfishness.
kx
April 17, 2022 at 12:26 AM
Another ultimately, I recognize that my low enjoyment of this drama is myself and my problem as this isn’t the story I wanted to see versus the story this drama wanted to tell, which was much more straightforward and simple. That is–despite the script-story changing to accommodate Qian Qian’s heroine status, the bottom line is that nothing she does in the script-story will ever change the ending, and the twists to get to that ending is what should be interesting and engaging to viewers. By this process, I do understand how they laid out the path to get to that fatal battle between Chu Chu and Han Shuo. Chu Chu’s original heroine status switched to Han Shuo’s original villainous role to make the ending happen. A white to gray character became insensible and unbudgingly evil to the end (and honestly, this everlasting dark side doesn’t make too much sense thinking back to how much she doted on Qian Qian in the beginning). Unfortunately, I became too invested in Chu Chu’s character that couldn’t end strongly because any character development that could’ve happened in the several last episodes (after secrets revealed, fake deaths, etc.) was sacrificed for this bottom line. Each genre should be rated within its genre, objectives, and limitations, but I couldn’t do that here. I ended up wanting more out of the story and writing.
My biggest takeaway from this drama is that the actress who plays Chu Chu is beautiful and charismatic and I like her acting, and Zhao Lu Si shows her prowess as a rookie actress and is very cute–despite not liking her character, I like this actress.
The happy ending between the OTP is cute so at least I ended this drama on happier emotions.
kx
November 3, 2021 at 9:37 AM
I’m happy to check out Melancholia because of the leads but while I don’t mind teacher-student plots if it’s addressed properly within the drama (and I have been pretty open to it so far because we haven’t seen anything yet despite the obvious teasers), I do find the marketing and pre-interviews off-putting. Mainly I don’t get it when the leads and director talk about how viewers might find math uninteresting as the subject of a drama and gush about the beautiful relationship, and I’m thinking instead why it comes across as tone deaf(?) and avoiding the elephant in the room. The math focus isn’t what people are frustrated about. But I also get it, if the vague talk is to keep the mystery of the story that’s a far bigger picture than what people concluded, and hoping that people will discuss once it airs. Cross fingers there’s more to this story than the usual kdrama fare of “some occupation(topic) + a lot of leads dating angst”.
miss h
November 3, 2021 at 3:58 PM
I was side-eying those interviews so hard. Every single person was obviously on script talking about how viewers might find math difficult, but oh there is a beautiful pure love story.
kx
November 3, 2021 at 7:31 PM
Exactly!
ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
November 5, 2021 at 12:14 PM
Those interviews were so tone-deaf. Ffs, nobody cares about these leads doing algebra together. I feel like they’re purposely treating their audience as idiots who just don’t get how genius and deep and beautiful their story is. I find that extremely off-putting as a (potential) viewer.
Also, if your central romance wasn’t immoral (and illegal, in many places), then you wouldn’t have had to keep calling it pure five hundred times to justify its existence.
kx
August 23, 2021 at 11:02 AM
First impression: The Romance of Tiger and Rose
My sister is getting me to watch after she fell in love with it and Ding Yuxi, but I guess dramas labelled as fluffy romcoms just aren’t it for me anymore.
I started off loving this female heroine but only got to midway episode 6 and putting it on temporary hold because I’ve come to dislike her and the male lead. I’m supposed to support them but I don’t. Female lead doesn’t care about her female characters or female empowered city, and is readily okay with messing up the play world to survive. She sees herself as the only living person and everyone else as in-play characters? I can’t put myself in her shoes when the drama itself makes her personality foolish and only as deep as the rest of the in-play characters.
I can’t agree with the direction of this show. The male lead is planning to invade this city ruled by women for greed, the female lead commits blunders and destroys city rules for his sake, and yet for some reason the drama is framing these other women as bad? I’m supposed to support the leads so the tragedy plays out? Nope.
The city master is a powerful woman that loves her daughters, has objective oversight with prior readiness to appoint the capable 2nd princess (her stepdaugher) as the next city master, and charisma and backbone. Much more likable than the female lead who turns out to be just as spoiled and selfish as the original character she wrote. I hope the drama doesn’t villanize her and 2nd princess to prop up these leads. I hope the story develops the leads better, instead of resorting to this trick.
Basically, I take romcoms too seriously and I can’t turn my brain off to enjoy. I hope to change my mind later about this drama and that I can actually enjoy watching our two leads again like I did at the beginning because right now I don’t.
Ally
August 23, 2021 at 2:59 PM
It’s adorable. Just enjoy the ride!
kx
August 23, 2021 at 4:21 PM
It’s been too long since I’ve watched a pure romcom. It’ll take some effort to not look at it so critically but looking forward to enjoying it once I can just let it go.
kx
August 8, 2021 at 6:55 AM
Once Again (my rating: 3/5) Final thoughts
Finally finished a few days ago after dragging my feet during the last several episodes. It’s a pretty average drama, not in a bad way, but that it fits its shoe and that’s basically it. I’m going to forget this drama in a few weeks, not that I want to, but that it’s one of those shows that happened and then life moves on. Towards the end after resolutions and redemption arcs, I found the drama very comforting. It wrapped up major conflicts early and gave viewers fluff, which theoretically I don’t mind and even like to see but strangely I found it hard to finish exactly because it was just ongoing fluff – but much preferred than a rushed ending or a final resolution in the last few minutes, so even if it gets tedious, I’ll drag myself through fluff.
Not many memorable moments, my highlight scenes being 1) the brother-sister reunion and to a lesser degree 2) Kyujin finding his missing mother – emotional impact and great acting, the story progression and character development built both reunions up to those moments and delivered. The camaraderie between the four Song siblings was also great and a strong contrast to the interactions between the Yoon brothers; I preferred watching the latter duo just because they are so crazy and funny but comfort-wise the understanding between the Song siblings was very much needed and appreciated.
kx
August 8, 2021 at 7:03 AM
Cont.
I started this drama for LSY because of his variety show appearances. He is good at acting, perhaps better than I even expected, and that’s exciting. On the other hand, not sure how I feel about LMJ’s acting. From beginning to end, I get blown away by how gorgeous she is and I can’t believe she’s in her late 30’s (noona romances is a trend now, so why isn’t anyone casting her?). She plays a stoic and stony character, that part gets done right, but otherwise I can’t really grasp her layered character is probably my issue. LMJ has tons of charisma but no chemistry with her costars here, just my feelings and thinking during the drama and after. But I’m still open to watching her.
kx
July 30, 2021 at 11:48 PM
Once Again ep 49/100
The secondary couple has more screentime together than lead couple; it’s basically a romcom when they’re on screen. They met (again), became friends, fell in love, etc. And then the female lead has more nice interactions with the hospital director than male lead, and is even showing interest and changing for him. They met (again), are still friends, dating, etc. LSY in these past episodes has been downgraded to side character. I am given ABSOLUTELY NO REASON to wish for this main couple to get back together. This is such bad writing that even when I favor LSY it’s absolutely bonkers why Na-Hee and her new bf is not end game. My feelings for this show is a rollercoaster and I’m back to disliking it. Eugh. I’m pleading for the second half of this show to change my mind or I’ll have to force myself through this.
kx
July 31, 2021 at 12:27 AM
I don’t know if its the acting between LSY-LMJ or directing, and piled on bad writing, Na-Hee throws side glances, watches with warm eyes, and has thoughtful considerate moments towards her new bf, she really looks like she’s in love with the director. Smiling when playing basketball, etc. It absolutely makes me no sense to disregard him later, from my present pov. These moments the lead couple doesn’t have since the drama started for viewers AT ALL and it hasn’t successfully shifted from the bickering and coldness towards each other, that part had been so dragged out. All we get are moments when other characters tells KJ he should be feeling something, and that’s just forcing it because writers don’t know what to do with KJ. So obvious. What even is this?
kx
July 29, 2021 at 5:35 AM
I had a dream that I was late to work but somehow I was able to squeeze in a whole kdrama during my morning prep. It was a sageuk with Moon in the title starring Kim Sohyun playing a noble lady rebellious tomboy warrior, second female lead Kim Yoojung playing a cute and loved by everyone sunshine noble lady, and tying up the love triangle is a refreshing princely courageous nobleman male lead (unrecognizable flower boy actor). My biggest takeaway from finishing this drama, as I was saying to my sister in the dream despite running late to work, was how great both female lead characters were and KSH and KYJ were the highlights. The writing was bad and they sidelined the female lead, the drama becoming too political and cutting down her screentime. So although I don’t remember anything else about the drama it’s definitely not one I would want to happen irl. A waste of both Kims.
kx
July 26, 2021 at 4:26 PM
Once Again: Only midway through episode 25 for now, don’t know if there will be developments later with supporting characters revealing ulterior motives or something similar, but interesting how viewers always support female lead to move on to the nice second guy while always hating any interaction between male lead and the nice second girl. Come on? Supporting female characters deserve better.
alasecond
July 26, 2021 at 5:50 PM
ha ha.. i am also watching it 🙂 started yesterday.. on ep 11 (1 hour ep count). The older gen folks are so funny..
However, i am surprised that this became bigger hit than the best of the weekend show hits in last few years (quite a standard weekend drama story flow… and the younger gen is not that impressive relatively speaking)
birth secret with a twist.. thnkfully its not dad-son, daugther-dad-mom setup this time
*******************
the FL irritates me though. In all her drama she plays similar roles (my mind has started to find it difficult to dissociate her from these crass personalities, although i get it how smart and smooth she actually must be in real life specially given the man she married and how she lives in that setup)
kx
July 26, 2021 at 8:05 PM
Oh! Nice! Someone watching it at the same time as me. I’m watching it on viki where they count the half episodes, total 100 instead of 50, so we’re probably around the same part generally. I saw the ratings but thought most weekend shows usually get a high amount of domestic attention, and didn’t think about it much. Am actually surprised it is considered a hit among other weekend shows. Not bad. It does seem pretty standard in terms of family drama and having irritable (but also relatable) characters. I guess its the cast or maybe an OTP that people were interested in. I saw that the secondary couple was pretty popular, although I’m in it for the main couple (no matter how toxic they might be). I’m annoyed by FL’s attitude most times, but it’s still tolerable for me and I’ve warmed up enough to her, and may even like her by the end *cross fingers*. (Plus, she’s so pretty!) I guess there’s a formula for smart but rude and low EQ lead characters that I give a pass. Particularly, I realized for me that formula works for both male leads and female leads. It really helps that I haven’t seen much of the actress Lee Minjung’s other works and Lee Sang Yeob has such warm puppy eyes that it balances her ice cold exterior.
PYC
July 27, 2021 at 6:14 AM
I share your view on LMJ. She has that vibe of too smart for anybody and her voice grating on my ear. My apologies to all the LMJ fans out there.
kx
July 24, 2021 at 6:18 PM
I started Once Again for Lee Sang Yeob but I hate his pairing with Lee Min Jung. Hard to watch when both are together. No chemistry. I can’t believe they were ever in love. There should be some lingering feelings, right? Or at least one or two moments in the present where I think, Ah- they still care for each other so I should support this couple because endgame is obvious (this is a kdrama after all). BUT I DON’T LIKE THEM TOGETHER AT ALL.
I just want to FF their scenes and in that case, I’d rather just not watch since my reason for watching is gone and the story is not doing it for me.
And yet…I struggle on. I hope this gets better. T_T
thatstp
July 26, 2021 at 7:55 PM
Did you keep watching or give up?
kx
July 26, 2021 at 8:16 PM
I’m still watching! It helps that I’ve warmed up to their characters and I like them much better as a duo now that they aren’t bickering 24/7. Took some time to get there but I guess I have more patience if I like the actors.
Have you watched or are you watching?
thatstp
July 26, 2021 at 10:29 PM
Yes, I live watched it. It was a good weekender.
kx
July 27, 2021 at 4:07 AM
Cool cool! I don’t think I would’ve been able to watch these weekend shows live weekly and wait. So much stress. 😄
kx
June 8, 2021 at 3:47 PM
Youth of May EP12
I ugly cried.
STILL SOBBING.
kx
June 8, 2021 at 3:49 PM
My head hurts from all the crying. But can’t stop crying. WAHHHHHHHHHH
kx
June 6, 2021 at 12:53 AM
Watching Youth of May. Why do I still even bother with Viki timed comments? Some shithead comments
kx
May 31, 2021 at 4:40 PM
These last few days, I allowed myself to fall for Lee Dohyun and it’s been spectacular.
I’d seen Sweet Home a while ago and initially I wouldn’t let myself warm to his character. In fact, I was so enamored with the other characters and gutted for them instead throughout (ie the sword guy, the gangster, the caretaker, the two gramps, and the male lead). But then the last episode happened and hit me like a truck and thus the 1st season concluded with LDH impacting me the most to my surprise. Of everyone, I carried his role as Eun Hyuk away. He lingered at the back of my mind but I wouldn’t let myself pursue it.
These past several days with Running Man/Knowing Brothers guest appearances, Hotel Del Luna cuts, and 18 Again later, I’m in love. I’m so glad he won a Baeksang Award for his role in 18 Again especially. This boy can act. His future is so bright. Just crossing my fingers that he chooses his projects wisely.
Also 18 Again is that drama that I put on for myself to watch and then while passing by my brother-in-law sat down, and then my sister, and then another sister, and they all ended up watching with me and requesting that I put it on pause whenever they left the room. It’s the perfect drama to recommend to family and friends of all ages.
purplesheesh
May 31, 2021 at 7:15 PM
He is!!! Loved all his stints on Running Man!!!
velvetstuff
May 31, 2021 at 7:41 PM
So far all of his drama choices have been unbelievably perfect!! Trusting him is not a risk at all!
Mani-chan
May 31, 2021 at 9:53 PM
18 Again is a gem of a show. I fell in love with LDH there. Also this song was amazing.
Eazal
June 1, 2021 at 7:52 AM
To me it all started with Sweet Home, and then 18 Again. Amazing actor!
And this song… my favourite of all the OST. Thanks for sharing 🥰
kx
November 24, 2020 at 10:36 AM
Some thoughts on a bit of Start Up discussion I\’ve seen, from an outside perspective. I haven\’t started this drama yet but have been keeping an eye on comments/reviews from various sites as I prefer to marathon and don\’t mind spoilers, considering if a drama is worth to pick up after its run.
I\’m kind of surprised at how hung up a few people are on who is designated Male Lead or Second Lead, the kdrama formula that usually determines endgame OTP. Although the tropes and kdrama frame is still there, the refreshing character mold is most important to me. Like many people, I have preconceived notions of main lead status \”rights\” from my experience with kdramas, so it\’s nice to be surprised at which narratives this writer decided to develop, and which characters get an interesting story/quirks (as well be sad at which ones doesn\’t). If we take away the marketing and just blind dive into the drama, what\’s left? Strong writing, weak writing. And actors that fit (or do not fit) their role (whether its \”marketed\” as a main lead or not).
Flashbacks to discussions around Dream High and ICHYV.
Still keeping this drama on my must watch list and hopefully it ties up well enough.
kx
September 17, 2020 at 3:35 PM
ALIVE (2020) Rating: 4/10
Inconsistent zombie sense. Strong plot armor for the leads.
Things happen in this movie with no logic because it just needs to happen.
*spoiler rant in comments*
Maybe I just didn’t understand? Or my suspension of disbelief wasn’t strong enough.
kx
September 17, 2020 at 3:35 PM
Q: So, these zombies can detect humans through sounds?
A: YES. They have a 6th sense power.
Q: But there’s hundreds of zombies moving throughout the city and trapped within rooms. Grunting, stomping around, and bumping into things. How do they distinguish sounds made by humans?
A: Well, that’s why it’s a 6th sense. They just know. Except sometimes, like when a phone rings in the next room, they don’t know it’s not a human and it draws them away.
Q: To survive, our main leads just have to be quiet, right?
A: Well, except there’s this one zombie that sees a string tied around a ball and just knows a living human must be at the end of that string. Even when the male lead throws broken bottles and flies a toy at the zombie and draws its attention, the zombie wants the unconscious human at the end of the string that it can’t see or hear. It’s a new zombie power that detects through mere existence instead of sound.
Q: What’s this thing with closed doors?
A: Sometimes when zombies are chasing the main characters and they run behind a closed door, the zombies will go away eventually. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter and a zombie will come in. When a horde of zombies run to the female lead’s closed door, she’s frightened to tears, so the male lead has to lure the zombies away with another sound.
Q: At the end, when the female lead was screaming, why didn’t that attract the other zombies?
A: Just because. We need the gunshots that follow to attract the zombies instead. That’s louder.
Q: But the helicopter noise afterward is even more loud. The main characters hear it and so should the zombies. The zombies are lured away by the helicopter, right?
A: Not this time. The zombies stay inside the building because the plot needs them to attack the main characters as they run.
Q: I don’t get it. Is sound important or not?
A: Sometimes.
Q: Just tell me, do the main characters learn to use sound to their advantage?
A: Only once. After that, when they both run to the 8th floor, they don’t distract with sound. They fight through zombies and survive on main character power. When they both run to the rooftop, they also don’t distract with sound either. They bravely fight through zombies and is saved because of main character power.
Isn’t that just fantastic character growth and storytelling?
PS. Yoo Ah In was A++, even though I hated his character. Everything else was MEH.
acacia
September 17, 2020 at 5:04 PM
I totally agree!! And Park Shin Hye’s char! I thought she was somewhat smart until she decided to just jump down in the middle of the crowd of zombies with just a ice pick thing to get to YooAhIn. How could you be sure that you wont get bitten along the way??? Why not zipline across and at least fricken let YooAhIn know what you were going to do!
KdramaAhjumma
September 17, 2020 at 5:36 PM
I’m loving the snark! I feel you, sometimes no matter how much leeway we want to give to a show, the suspension of disbelief is just too much
Fly Colours
September 18, 2020 at 1:10 AM
YAI is awesome in everything. Not a bit fan of zombies in general, but they were meh in this 🤣
Eagerly waiting for Voice of Silence!
booming system up up
September 18, 2020 at 3:06 AM
The movie is pretty average at best, I think it just gained traction because it is an easy time filler watch.
hazelnuts
September 18, 2020 at 1:27 AM
HAHAHA! I was about to post my review on #ALIVE when I saw this and DAYUM! MAAAAN, watching the movie was a mistake! 😀
For the 1st 10mins of the movie, I was like, “oh ok”, Mid-movie: “huh, okay?”, final scenes: “what the hell did I just watched??” HAHAHA
kx
March 17, 2020 at 9:04 PM
A song that fits my current mood: God Tree composed & sung by Hua Chenyu, a prominent Chinese artist of the post-90’s generation. He chose to sing this on “Singer 2020” E6, a competitive music variety show.
A colossal song that brings a sense of doom and gloom, but also hope.
I fear the gloomy sky
Devastating waves sweeping, the land became human purgatory
All are terrified
I fear the bitter cold
Where all beings are not spared
All lose control
Crash and cold…
I fear lightning and thunder
Adults are banished while children are trapped
All huddle together
I fear darkness and pain
Step on the ruins and fall deeper and deeper
All are lost
Crash and cold…
kx
March 17, 2020 at 9:05 PM
FULL
I fear the gloomy sky
Devastating waves sweeping, the land became human purgatory
All are terrified
I fear the bitter cold
Where all beings are not spared
All lose control
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
I fear lightning and thunder
Adults are banished while children are trapped
All huddle together
I fear darkness and pain
Step on the ruins and fall deeper and deeper
All are lost
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
Crash and cold
I drown in the sounds of thousands
Tears can no longer wash off my sorrow
Never give up! Never give up!
I feel the sad coldness of the tsunami
It tears down the prison of all sounds
Never give up! Never give up!
I drown in the sounds of thousands
Tears can no longer wash off my sorrow
Never give up! Never give up!
I feel the sad coldness of the tsunami
It tears down the prison of all sounds
Never give up! Never give up!
I fear the gloomy sky
Devastating waves sweeping, the land became human purgatory
All are terrified
I fear the bitter cold
Where all beings are not spared
All lose control
(translation by Hua Chenyu Mars Translation)
kx
March 15, 2020 at 2:01 AM
Kingdom Season 2 (Spoilers)
If you’ve seen the whole 2nd season, then you know why I feel bad for this guy from S2E1. After all that, he could’ve lived.
kx
March 15, 2020 at 2:02 AM
Because of the cure. He could’ve lived. If only for a while longer.
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 15, 2020 at 2:15 AM
He did live and he made it to shore and was nursed back to health by a local fisherman. They fell in love, adopted three babies orphaned by the plague and died of old age.
kx
March 15, 2020 at 2:27 AM
Wait. Did this really happen? Did I miss it?
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 15, 2020 at 2:31 AM
No it didn’t, it’s just my head canon.
But I mean… there was nothing in the show to say it *didn’t* happen so…
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 15, 2020 at 2:36 AM
You should hear my one about Lee Chang and Seo Bi’s passionate six-year love affair…
Blue (@mayhemf)
March 15, 2020 at 6:25 PM
LOL!! please write about this..
kx
March 15, 2020 at 2:42 AM
Aw shucks. Thanks! Yes. Yes. You’re definitely right. Him and my other one, that toilet guy with zombies knocking on the door and he eyed the hell hole where he’d been squating. Both survived and found much happiness afterwards.
(LOL doubted myself because my sister and I rewatched and noticed a particularly important scene that we missed the first time for some reason, as if it never crossed our screen)
KSKalways
March 16, 2020 at 7:02 AM
that toilet scene immediately reminded me of what happened in “That’s Okay, it’s Love” for Jo In-Sung’s character as a child (minus the zombies).
KSKalways
March 16, 2020 at 6:59 AM
I just just juuuust finished Season 2 last night and… yeah… poor guy.
kx
March 14, 2020 at 2:29 PM
Supposedly there\’s no more toilet paper, but today my mom waltzed into Family Dollar and found a bunch. Priced the same as any other day. I guess some stores are just invisible to the mass.
Also, I told my sister that this toilet paper issue is only because majority of US Americans don\’t use a bidet. Maybe it\’ll finally become a thing people invest in after this coronavirus passes.
kx
March 12, 2020 at 3:58 PM
One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite Japanese bands. The message of this song is timeless.
SOS by Sekai No Owari
People needing to be saved
Scream out for help every day
But we grow numb to the sounds
And feelings slowly start to drown
The first time, we can hear a voice
But soon it all becomes noise
Fading to silence in the end
I know it doesn’t make sense…
When sound all ceases to exist
People think that means happiness
And all the sounds that used to be
Are all just noise to you and me
The cries of help disappear
The silence numbs all of our ears
And when we stop listening
Those screams stop meaning anything
Don’t you let your heart grow numb to everyone
Oh child, listen to the “sound of silence”
Saving someone else means saving yourself
It’s true, and I’m sure you know it too
SnarkyJellyfish
March 12, 2020 at 7:11 PM
Thank you for posting this! I’ve been wanting to check out more Sekai No Owari since I first heard their collaboration with Epik High, “Sleeping Beauty”, but I have no idea where to start. This is a lovely song and I can’t wait to explore more. (Suggestions welcome)
kx
March 12, 2020 at 9:45 PM
Yay! Happy to oblige! Thank you for your interest and for asking!
Some quick background info: They started as an indie band without a drummer, just a group of friends, thus why the 4th member is a DJ (the clown). In a way it’s helped them try a variety of things in their music. They have started to pursue a more mature concept, but they’re most known for their earlier whimsical fantasy concepts + abstract themes and lyrics.
Here’s a mix of songs that cover some of the various things they’ve done through the years:
Angels and Demons CC English
Death Disco CC English
Dragon Night (English version)
Moonlight Station
Anti-Hero
Hey Ho
Lost (Acoustic version) ft Clean Bandit
My most favorite songs from them are actually from their first 2 albums but its not comprehensive enough and you might not enjoy it.
Edgar Pordwed
March 15, 2020 at 10:14 AM
I discovered Lost while going through all of Clean Bandit’s work but I dont know why I never bothered to hear more of them.
Thanks for sharing the song and the recommendations!
kx
March 7, 2020 at 5:06 PM
I AM MAD. I finally met one of those rude, unreasonable people from legends and that person is my neighbor just two houses down.
Our neighborhood have A LOT of dogs and owners who do not pick up after their dogs relieve on the lawns and \”road verges\” (that strip of grass between the sidewalk and road). I notice and I always make sure to pick up after my dog because it\’s respectful and responsible.
So I just took my dog walking and that neighbor got out of her car to yell at me for a few days ago letting my dog relieve himself on her road verge (I never let me dog go onto someone\’s front lawn itself). She immediately was hostile and said she will call the police. I told her I always pick up after my dog and she kept going on about not doing it on her lawn and again ended with threatening to call the police.
If you hate it, okay I get it. I\’ll drag my dog pass your house so he won\’t do it on your precious strip of grass, but don\’t start by being an asshole already. I wasn\’t aware of your preferences but I don\’t think I was doing anything illegal. I will respect your wishes if you just ask. Why can\’t people communicate without being so rude? Also don\’t blame the feces of other irresponsible dog owners on me.
I walk my dog daily but being that self-conscious and insecure person, I don\’t even want to anymore because I will pass by their house. Now I wonder if the other neighbors feel as hostile especially when they see me with my dog and it\’s bugging me.
Eazal
March 8, 2020 at 1:13 AM
Don’t feel like that.
If you’re picking after your dog, you’re doing right and you should not really care for what others are thinking.
I guess that neighbor just saw you once and decided it was your dog the one who annoys her.
There are people like that in the world, who are offended by everything and that will accuse you of being the reason to be offended, just like a bad baddie in a bad Kdrama.
kx
March 8, 2020 at 7:02 AM
Thank you for your kind words. I’ve been fuming but also sad and it really helped.
kx
March 6, 2020 at 11:50 AM
Hua Chenyu is a Chinese singer-songwriter who does not write love songs and rarely sings it. But for the competitive music variety show Singer 2020 (E5) he chose to sing Eason Chan\’s \”Us\” as it resonates with him. He stated he will not sing this song again.
He specificially requested that this stage be shot in one front view, with no cuts or other angles. This highlighted his emotional performance and the feelings he brought to the surface to share with the audience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Suy03n2ne0w
kx
March 7, 2020 at 7:19 PM
Comment was deleted
kx
March 8, 2020 at 7:46 AM
Hua Chenyu is a Chinese singer-songwriter who does not write love songs and rarely sings it. But for the competitive music variety show Singer 2020 (E5) he chose to sing Eason Chan’s “Us” as it resonates with him. He stated he will not sing this song again.
He specifically requested that this stage be shot in one front view, with no cuts or other angles. This highlighted his emotional performance and the feelings he brought to the surface to share with the audience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Suy03n2ne0w
kx
March 5, 2020 at 8:02 AM
I don’t like to be dramatic. Trying not to get too worked up about the coronavirus but I also started fearing losing my job because of the impact. It’s going to be a hard year for my company. 2019 was already a hard year for our industry and getting worse. :'(
Anyway, a beautiful song from Hua Chenyu for patients of the coronavirus “You have to believe this is not the last day” with various Chinese dialects at the end.
Nessa (Bebe) 🌹
March 5, 2020 at 8:29 AM
All the messages to loved ones in the different dialects—especially the ones about meals and food… There’s something about preparing/expecting a meal with someone, yet not knowing if the other person will really come home 🥺🥺🥺🥺— is what got me riiiiiight here ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing ☺️☺️☺️