TheodoraEh Reviews

Unnatural (2018)

Very good

[9/10 · 19 May 2024]

Even though I'm not a fan of series involving death, corpses, etc I had nothing else to watch so I decided to give it a shot. And after reading some reviews about how heart warming it was. Well it's true, I wasn't expecting not to freak out by dead bodies and constant talk about dying but it happened. This series manages to make the grotesque less unsettling by how it portrays it, and I wish more series were like that.

I was also amazed by some story details, like "how did the writers come up with that!?" went through my mind a lot. Maybe because I don't normally watch shows like that, I found the story very intriguing and engaging.

All the actors were good, a guest actor in one of the cases is one of my favorites, and the female lead even though drop dead gorgeous was very convincing as a coroner and as emotional as needed.

A second season would be nice but part of what makes Japanese shows great is that they're only one season!

Military Prosecutor Do Bae Man (2022)

Wow what a ride!

[9/10 · 9 May 2024]

First of all, each episode was like a separate movie, kept my interest for all 16 episodes which rarely happens! Even though there was some violence etc, there was always some comedic relief by some of the side characters. All actors were great, but especially Ahn Bo-hyun was perfect for this part!!

I hadn't seen Kim Woo-seok before but he was great in portraying the process of his character change and all the emotions it involved.

Korean Ensemble shows like this one are great when they're good. Even though the theme is different, it reminded me of other successful ensemble series like Diary Of A Prosecutor, Hyena, Good Manager, and many more I won't list right now, which are classics and all time favorites. And I'm glad I decided to give this one a try!

Just a note, even though I loved it I watched it at 1.25 speed, but I do that with most dramas. So if you find it a bit slow that's no reason to give up on it, just speed it up a bit!

Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut (2024)

Important info

[7/10 · 28 April 2024]

The information shared in this doc is very important and it's stuff that should be known by everyone. Personally I wasn't that crazy about the delivery, with a million different kinds of cartoons and animations, I don't know why this specific mode was chosen. As if it has to be super cute otherwise people won't want to sit through a gut doc? I found that unnecessary and distracting but I tried to bypass it and focus on the info shared.

My one major thing though, is a conversation with one of the participants and the researchers at some point half way through. She expresses worry about maybe never eating bacon again and one of the researchers says something like "omg that's horrible, don't say that" and then laughs. Considering the whole process of making bacon is horrible, plus the actual effects it has on our health, I found that comment insensitive and off-putting. And then the same conversation continues by suggesting she microdoses chips, just to make sure she keeps eating chips in her life and not miss out on that extremely valuable food (sarcasm). Seriously, I wish this whole conversation was ommited, I feel like these two comments will undo a lot of the good that the rest of the doc tries to do. Eating bacon or chips is literally the last thing anyone who cares about their gut should he eating, so it's really OK never having either agsin, not horrible, and not something you should be "easing into". I'd have given it a 10 otherwise.

Queen of Tears (2024– )

Disappointment

[3/10 · 24 April 2024]

Ugh I had high hopes for this and I couldn't even finish the 3rd episode.

I loved the male lead in My Love From The Star, and I loved the female lead in Fight For My Way. Two of my favorite Kdramas of all time!! Unfortunately this one is nothing like either one of them. It's very soapy, like an actual soap opera with the whole rich family and the whole deal. I don't know who can relate to any of the characters, especially since I saw somewhere that this series beat Reply 1988!? Another one of my all time faves. That's just insane, clearly the metrics are different now, there's no relation whatsoever and there shouldn't even be a comparison.

If it wasn't for the two leads' pretty faces, and the fact that we've been waiting a long time to see them, I don't think anyone would be interested. That's what it seems like to me at least.

Extremely Inappropriate! (2024)

This was so much fun!

[9/10 · 23 April 2024]

I started this reluctantly but it turned out so good! The first review before mine says it all basically.

I admire the Japanese so much for how crazy and funny they can be, like seriously surreal and hilarious. Plus they always add a humanity and morality factor, and there's always a deeper meaning behind even the wackiest scripts.

All the actors were really good, especially the least experienced younger ones, the random bursting into song was funny, the cultural references were very accurate universally not just in the Japanese context. There were parts I literally laughed out loud and there were even a couple parts I teared up a bit, which I was really not expecting. All in all, very entertaining!!

Ready, Set, Love (2024– )

Oh wow

[8/10 · 9 April 2024]

I was not expecting this to be good, and it was really good! I've been pleasantly surprised with Thai productions these days and I'm so happy about it! I've finished everything Korean and Japanese and I only started this because I had nothing to watch but I really enjoyed it!

Overall the whole production was great, I don't know what the budget was but it looks very well made, like people actually made an effort to make this as perfect as possible. I particularly loved some details in the games, settings, sound effects etc that made it really fun and unique. I also found the story quite unique and engaging. And all the actors did a great job, especially the very handsome male lead who shares the same birthday as me lol.

From the movie poster/trailer it looked pretty cringey/cheesy to me but it turns out that was minimal to none, which was a huge surprise. It was actually fun and interesting, with not much room for boredom, especially since it's just 6 episodes (better than dragging 16).

Unlock My Boss (2022–2023)

Unexpectedly good

[7/10 · 7 April 2024]

The premise was too crazy for me and I wasn't planning on watching this but I thought I'd give it a shot since I had nothing else to watch. Plus I had just finished Eye Love You and Castaway Diva and wanted to see Chae Jong Hyeop again.

He was really good as well as the rest of the cast, so this is probably what made this series so engaging and entertaining. Everyone from the main cast to the supporting characters were great. The direction was really good too.

As far as the premise I just went along with it, just like in other AI/robot dramas and I thought it was interesting and fun, not too sentimental or preachy and the action scenes were not too overwhelming. So overall, good fun!

The Believers (2024– )

Great Thai production

[9/10 · 1 April 2024]

I'm not giving this a 10 because I realized on the last episode that it doesn't end after the initial 9 episodes released on Netflix. I never start a series unless all episodes are out so I was a bit frustrated at the end.

Anyway, now that we're here, I loved watching this. The fact that it's set in Thailand in a temple etc, I loved watching temples rather than a big city. So colorful and interesting. I also liked the fact that they tackle that whole mess that is religion, especially in a country where it looks to be pretty dominant.

I found the pacing to be good in all episodes except the last one, where it went really slow and now I see why. Because we weren't getting to any resolution, just a cliffhanger for the next season. Personally I wish it'd have ended, cause I feel like it's gonna get a lot more complicated from now on.

In any case, great Thai production, I usually only watch Korean and Japanese series but I ran out and thought I'd give this a go and I was surprised by how good a production it is, I'll be looking forward to more Thai productions in the future. The settings, actors, script, music, all great. Maybe just how dark some scenes were at some instances would be my only complaint, but nothing major. And the fact they didn't translate what that piece of paper said at the end, ugh!

Good job everyone!

Doctor Slump (2024)

Good overall

[7/10 · 21 March 2024]

I've seen too many Kdramas so two things are happening : 1. I'm always hoping the next one I watch will be as good as the ones I've loved in the past. And 2. I'm so used to some things that kind of suck that I ignore them or just fast forward, and try to focus on the overall picture.

So in this case I was hoping it'd be great and I'd love it and become one of my all time faves. It didn't happen but I managed to ignore the parts that sucked and focus on the good parts.

For example, yes it's ridiculous for two adults to act like children when it comes to relationships and skinship, but that shocked me on the first kdrama I ever watched. Now I consider it normal. Overall I found this pair realistic as to how the build their bond, and cute.

I'm also a bit sick of scenes where they yell and scream a lot either for comedic purposes or for dramatic ones like crying etc but I just fast forward through those.

And the excessive drinking. It's a staple in Kdramas but I think they overdid it in this one. And I couldn't help thinking they're also on psych meds, and that's a pretty bad combo to be showing.

One thing that a lot of comments here mention is the ML and how he seemed to act ridiculous as a doctor etc. Well I found him ridiculous too but I liked it, personally I've never seen him act like that before and I thought it was good to see this side of him as an actor, rather than the serious poker face heartthrob closeups of handsome K actors these days.

And lastly, I liked the show's take on mental health, even though I didn't like that it relied so much on meds as the solution.

Eye Love You (2024)

Super kawaii

[8/10 · 18 March 2024]

This is super cute, so definitely not everyone's cup of tea. I wasn't expecting it but personally I loved the first five episodes, the rest are coming in later.

The reason why I enjoyed it so much is that basically I took it as an anime with human actors. It feels very cartoonish, how everyone's character is so exaggerated, and they all seem like cartoon characters. As well as the whole premise of being telepathic of course.

So anyways, the cuteness is exaggerated too, they have literally made the sweetest, cutest, nicest ML to ever have existed in any series, which reminds me of stuff I used to watch when I was a kid, and right now I don't mind it.

Bonus points, my two favorite languages in one series! My ears are in bliss.

My Name Is Loh Kiwan (2024)

No idea why

[5/10 · 2 March 2024]

I have no idea why they chose to go down this route, but this movie could have been so impactful. If they had focused on the whole process of being a deported North Korean defector. I was prepared to be sad by the tragedy of that situation even though I'm not into sad movies, thinking at least it'd give us some knowledge of what it means to defect North Korea etc. On the contrary though, this movie seems to focus more on the Belgium underground criminal scene. Personally I found that storyline ridiculous and uninteresting. Sorry!

As in many Korean movies, the number of tragedies one must face seem to be the indicator of how good a movie will be. So we get plenty here too, literally for every character, there's no escape.

The romance, we could all see it coming from the start, but it happened literally in a blink of an eye. I wasn't expecting it to turn romantic so fast and then remain till the end. I thought it'd be a political movie, but granted this was just me.

I had to fast forward and skip many parts without losing much of the plot. However, the last scene was very cute.

My Holo Love (2020)

Underappreciated

[7/10 · 28 January 2024]

I started this very reluctantly, thinking the overall theme was very corny, but it turned out very enjoyable and I'm glad. Granted, you have to suspend belief in every scene, and I'm not even talking about the AI.

Some of the things that annoyed me: -The whole "childhood trauma" trope is always overblown in Kdramas. I can't remember which one it was, but someone even had a thing that happened to them as a child while it was raining, so they had a fear of rain as an adult. In this one let's say it's more logical, with his mom dying and all, but still the fact that as adults they haven't managed or even tried to get over childhood traumas and they talk about them like they're facts rather than a process they have to go through, annoys me. But I guess they whole series is something happening that makes them get over it so we're basically watching it happen to them, rather than them doing anything about it.

• Any scene where it wasn't the AI but the actual person impersonating the AI. There weren't that many but as viewers we really had to force ourselves to believe it's possible for someone to breathe and talk and stand next to you and not get they're human. And not think the person isn't a complete idiot for not getting it.

• The whole "know each other since childhood" trope is also very common in Kdramas, and again as viewers we have to just go along with it. Someone pls explain to me why this is so common. Anyway, in this one it added some nice interactions with the mother.

What I liked: -I liked the pacing and that it was 12 episodes instead of 16. The last couple episodes are very action packed and fun, where in other series they usually drag. I loved the running scene in the airport for some reason.

• The overall aesthetic was great, very well made both in the case of the AI and the rest.

• The male lead was great in acting different as an AI and as a human. The female lead showed great emotionality and she was gorgeous without being overwhelming.

• Some scenes were unexpectedly emotional and very well made.

Overall, I fast forwarded this one only a bit compared to others and that's a win for me. I'd never even heard of it or knew any of the actors but I really enjoyed it.

Welcome to Samdalri (2023– )

Why so much yelling!?

[4/10 · 18 January 2024]

The whole series is giving Cha Cha Cha and Uri Blues vibes and I was hoping to enjoy it. I've only watched the first two episodes but I probably won't go on because of the constant yelling. Maybe it's just me, or maybe it's bad sound editing, I don't know. But it feels like in every single scene, people either yell, or cry, or cry-yell. And I keep turning the sound down and then back up again. It's like no one can have a conversation in normal level volume.

I never write reviews without finishing a series and I was really looking forward to this one. The FL is one of my favorite actresses and she's been in some of my all time favorite dramas. I remember the ML from Empress Ki and I was looking forward to seeing him in something good again but unfortunately it hasn't happened yet.

Orange Days (2004)

A timeless gem

[10/10 · 16 January 2024]

I'm glad others were moved by this series as much as I was. I've been watching a lot of Jdramas for the past few years and they always have an emotionality and heartwarming humanity that's unique.

I watched this gem 20 years after its' release, but honestly it didn't feel like it's 20 years old. I mean, obviously the haircuts, clothes etc look like they're from 20 years ago, but for me they looked perfectly fine and hip for college graduates because that's what I was back then! And I looked a lot like that and still do lol. Personally I still prefer that style so not only did I not mind it, but it made the series more fun and pleasing to watch too.

I'm pretty sure this show was huge back when it was broadcast in Japan, and rightly so. All the actors are great, the classical music and the sign language elements are very interesting, and the ways disability, friendship, family, and the transition to adult life are portrayed are so well made. And of course the main love story. Nothing cringe or cheesy, just a pure bond that you can't help but root for. The writers and the director did an amazing job in every single element they included, offering us an amazing viewing and emotional experience. Arigato gozaimasu!!

Edit: It's been a couple of weeks since I finished watching this and I miss it!! I can't find anything to replace it, I keep starting different Kdramas and Jdramas and dropping them.

Also, I find my fellow Greek's comment below hilarious and awesome at the same time, because it sounds exactly like me when I first started watching Jdramas!

Saitama no hosuto (2023)

Fun and weird

[8/10 · 22 December 2023]

I've watched plenty of Japanese series with even weirder story lines, but this one in particular was probably the weirdest one. Not a moment went by without me thinking "who even thought of this!?". And maybe that was the point because I loved it.

Japanese host culture is strange enough on its own for me, and I'm glad someone decided to show it in a funny and lighthearted way (because it can be sad and kind of dark too). I guess since it's something that's happening there anyway, might as well do a comedy about it. The clothes, locations, and hairstyles were all kind of crazy, adding to the comedic element.

The story and dialogue weren't deep in any way, but they were cute and humane, with the Japanese style of respect and humbleness which I personally enjoy.

All in all, fun and weird, and I really enjoyed it!

Castaway Diva (2023)

Good but could have been better

[7/10 · 17 December 2023]

I was not expecting this to take the direction it eventually took. I wish it had stuck with the "singer from deserted island makes it" story rather than add all the violence on the side. I have no idea why someone would want to mix these two themes together but anyway, I watched it all the way to the end, just fast forwarding the dark/sad parts.

I liked Park Eun-bin more than in any other role, she wasn't acting all quirky/nervous/character except her accent, she looked great with long hair, and her singing is amazing.

I particularly enjoyed her relationship with her Idol, whom I'd never seen before and thought she was great too. As well as her mom. Both these two Korean actresses have interesting backgrounds and I think they really delivered in this project.

Strong Girl Nam-soon (2023)

A lot to like but also dislike

[5/10 · 5 December 2023]

I was about to write a review while watching the first few episodes and it would have been an 8. It was funny, weird and cute. I didn't mind all the irrelevant side characters and it showed great promise. But by episode 9 it went downhill fast for me. It got dark and violent for my taste. Same reason why I stopped watching Strong Woman DBS. And I thought I could finally like something from this two part series, apparently not. I'm surprised so many people liked SWDBS, but I never finished it to have a proper opinion. Unfortunately, same thing happened with this one.

I like the premise of a female with extraordinary power etc but when it turns to crime solving I guess it's a bit boring for me.

Full House (2004)

I tried

[6/10 · 17 November 2023]

Well, I tried. It's a famous classic so I figured I owe it to Kdramas to watch it. Plus, some old classics are still amazing.

Well this one unfortunately wasn't for me. I didn't mind that it looked old etc but I think and hope I wouldn't have liked it back in the day either. Because the trope of "mean guy with a heart of gold" is one of the reasons women get into abusive relationships, or just plain fall for the wrong guy. And in this one it is constant.

I don't know who enjoys watching couples fight literally all the time, but not me. Maybe the few seconds they make up and show their "true colors" make it worth it for some people, and yes it can be cute but then going back to constant bickering, yelling and mean comments, I have no idea how people enjoy it.

I watched it on higher speed up to ep 10 so I really tried, until I thought "Why am I doing this to myself". The main reason was how cute Rain is but most importantly how it's the first time ever I enjoyed Song Hye-kyo's acting. She was lively and expressive, a whole different picture to what I've seen in her most recent work, and which I really don't like. But at least now I can see why she got so famous, when she wants to she can be great.

Also, she's the cutest thing I've ever seen in this drama, breathtakingly beautiful!! Not that she's not right now too of course but I'd never seen her this young.

The Master's Sun (2013)

Love it!!

[9/10 · 12 November 2023]

I was avoiding watching this, I thought the ghosts etc would be scary but I'm so glad I watched it!! I loved it, didn't want it to end, even though the second half was mental! Honestly I have no idea what the writers are on, but I seriously couldn't believe how they came up with everything. I don't watch soap operas generally but I'd say at some points it felt kind of soapy but still it was entertaining and interesting. And above all very, very romantic.

Gong Hyo-Jin has officially starred in all the best scripts if you ask me, all the dramas she has chosen (or was chosen for) have been the most fun I've watched, from Pasta, to Don't Dare to Dream, and now this. I really enjoy watching her, she's very down to earth and pleasant.

So Ji-Sub was also great at his part, I'd only seen him in Venus before this one and I enjoyed both series a lot, he's very handsome haha!

All the side characters were great and hilarious in many cases which was a lot of fun. Seo In-Guk is one of the prettiest side characters ever and Kim Yoo-Ri is adorable.

Really happy I finally watched this classic! Note, I watched it at 1:25, Kdramas tend to be slow but higher speed doesn't ruin anything imho and this wasn't as bad as more recent ones.

Trillion Game (2023)

Super fun

[9/10 · 29 October 2023]

The first review here on imdb has spoilers and I was pretty annoyed I read it before watching. And even more so after I started watching and enjoying it so much. So here's a reminder, choose YES at the bottom of the review box after the question "Does this review contain spoilers?" if you're talking about things that happen/not happen in the movie/series reviewed!!

Moving on, this was a lot of fun. It reminded me a bit of movies like The Italian Job and Now You See Me in terms of action, pacing, etc. It was thrilling and cute, the actors were all good, great costumes/sets, music very fitting, even the graphics were good. And I didn't watch it at a higher speed like usual, all the characters spoke at a normal human speed rather than slower to fill in time. Overall, perfect fun!

Doona! (2023– )

Beautiful and complex

[10/10 · 23 October 2023]

I'm giving this a 10 because I didn't watch this on higher speed, and that never happens. I don't know if it was because of the fact that it wasn't the usual 16 episodes but the dialogues were a normal human speed with normal human words rather than sedated and repeating the same words constantly. Even the slow, artistic shots were normal and not too slow or too long and most of all beautiful. Of course it helps that the two main leads are gorgeous. The pacing in general was great, making me wonder why Kdramas aren't always less than 10 episodes.

As far as the overall subject, personally I loved it. It shows how complex humans and human relationships can be. They can be logical or illogical, predictable or unpredictable, nice or mean. I thought the actors did great in delivering that.

Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You (2009–2011)

Rating for season 1 only

[8/10 · 12 October 2023]

Ok at least I'm not the only one who couldn't watch season 2. My rating is for season 1 so the overall rating remains high and people get to watch it. It might be slow as other comments mentioned but that can be fixed by using 1.5 speed. Personally I loved season 1.

Season 2, the first episode I totally skipped and the second annoyed me so much I decided to quit the show altogether, so as to not ruin how good season 1 was. Even the animation looked different to me, and not as good.

To anyone interested in watching this show, treat it like it's just one season and you'll enjoy it more. And use higher speed if you have to! These days everything needs to be sped up.

A Time Called You (2023– )

Rollercoaster

[8/10 · 12 September 2023]

A rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish. Personally I really enjoyed it even though I was about to give up at first, thinking it'd be very melodramatic. It is at times but it switches. If you go with it and suspend all disbelief, it keeps you engaged constantly.

I didn't know it's a remake, I just read it here after having finished it. I didn't read any reviews beforehand to avoid spoilers, I didn't even know it was a time travel series, I thought it'd be a cheesy romance. I'm glad there's a supposedly better version out there cause I like the time travel theme. And some of us would have never seen it if it hadn't been made in Korean.

Ahn Hyo Seop looks different than what I remember from Still 17, and maybe a bit more stiff. Could be all the major expectations everyone has of him, I think there's a lot of emphasis put on his looks when he's more than that. I can't wait to see his progress in the future.

Ainori Love Wagon: Asian Journey (2017– )

One of the best shows I've ever seen

[9/10 · 22 August 2023]

Really, one of the best shows I've ever seen. Even though Depparin almost ruined the first season and I couldn't believe they brought her back and almost stopped watching. But the countries were so beautiful, and the educational part of the show was really interesting. It's also a funny and heartwarming show. I skipped through the upsetting parts, and they also have a way of moving on fast or simply making it lighthearted rather than take it seriously.

It was a patience test for me I guess, to see if I'm up for watching something I enjoy while having to endure someone I'd rather not. It made me think that the Japanese are really patient with people and can tolerate anything and anyone. Or expect them to change on their own? Or assume there's a kind heart within everyone no matter how they behave? It's hard to be too hard on her cause she's so young, plus I guess the production team wanted the drama, but I preferred African Journey even though the countries shown in Asian Journey were much more interesting and prettier.

Ainori Love Wagon: African Journey (2019– )

One of the best shows I've ever seen

[9/10 · 19 August 2023]

This is really one of the best shows I've ever seen in terms of how funny, heartwarming and educational/informative it is. Even though I preferred the countries shown in Asian Journey, I enjoyed not having dramatic/angry individuals, so I really appreciated the humor and the educational aspect of the show. I'm glad the couples worked out too.

What I didn't like was how often the people got sick, I felt very bad for them, I wish they were better prepared on what/how to eat, drink, etc, plus have better living conditions. Same as how they couldn't check the weather forecast and plan accordingly, rather than going to a deserted island in the middle of nowhere or up to Kilimanjaro during thunderstorms. I feel like they could have protected the cast and the staff better.