Home run

I'm someone who picked up the drama and dropped it around the first episode, picked it up a few months later, dropped it around episode 5, and then picked it up two days ago, and now can't stop thinking about it. I'm the type that binges a drama. Yet while watching this, I had to pause because I kept on getting chills. After each episode, I had to take a break to appreciate how unique each episode was. While describing a series, I use interesting, thrilling, funny, etc.; however, I think the closest word that comes to mind when I think of this drama is "memorable."

I'm not into baseball. I couldn't care less about it. However, this drama overcomes the sport. More than the sport. The drama centers around the people who work in the industry. It chose to focus on the athletes, the teams supporting the industry, and the bonds formed and broken. Most importantly, it delivered valuable messages. In each episode, I learned something new, my perspectives changed, and the drama did all this while showing heart-wrenching, exciting and intriguing stories.

I'm not going to talk about the acting—the music, or what I disliked. I mean, I'm three years too late. There are more than 50 reviews that have done it. The drama has won baeksangs which shows how much this drama is liked. I think I'm just writing this so I can come back years later and read it to remind myself how much I love this drama. (MDL has become a precious diary that holds my thoughts, haha)

I loved everything, from the slow start to the actors, to the onscreen chemistry, to the plot to the ending. I loved the antagonist (as much as I hated him), the male and female lead, the secondary characters, the athletes, and the banter. I loved the small deadpan comedy moments, and I loved the connections that they portrayed. The script was a masterpiece, and the actors delivered a fantastic performance. The pace was perfect, and it wonderfully wrapped up towards the end.

It's a show for people who love baseball, for people who don't know a thing about it, for people looking for a satisfying and exciting sports drama, for people who want a slice-of-life drama, and for people who are looking for motivation. It's a show that will leave you feeling like you made the right choice. It's a show that you can trust to dedicate your time to.

"While trying to protect the things precious to you, do not stop others from trying to protect you. It's okay to stop and relax if it's too tiring, but if you cannot realize your worth, no one will either."

I will remember this drama fondly for as long as I can, and I hope more people will discover this gem when they need it the most.

Leer más

Not one to miss out on

I personally did not expect a lot from this drama and to be honest I was hesitant to watch this drama considering the fog of controversies this drama was surrounded by. I totally understand the sensitivities of the South Korean citizens and can see how problematic and insensitive this drama might come off for those that lived through this period of time however for what it's worth when it is viewed from an unbiased point this drama is absolutely edge-of-the-seat riveting.

I cannot even imagine the amount of thought and effort that the whole team would have put into creating this drama. We're in the 8th episode and I still have no idea where the story is going. The way the drama is unfolding is a perfect example of clever storytelling. I think we're still too early to pass on whether the plot is a success or not but it has got me thinking about it more than I want to.

In terms of acting, Jung Hae-in stole my heart since he had side character roles and he is the king of melodramas so to see him take up challenging roles like in D.P. and Snowdrop fills me with pride. I see this guy and think "he's one to look out for." He rose up my list so fast so it's fair to say that 90 percent of the reason I am watching this is for him lol.

Now, I read a lot of comments on the net saying Jisoo needs to improve her acting but I can assure y'all that Jisoo has done a stellar job so far so if you're afraid of being disappointed by her don't be because she has done amazing. This isn't to say that she's delivered a performance that is at a veteran level, don't get me wrong but for a rookie actor (literally her first drama) she's done absolutely amazing.
At times her expressions are a little stiff and in terms of micro-expressions and body language she could do better but I'm proud of her for taking up such a difficult role and giving her all.

All in all, the casting is perfect. Shoutout to Kim Hye-yoon and Kim Min-kyu for being so freaking good at portraying their characters.

The OSTs
The intro is so soothing (unlike the drama itself damnit). The track list so far is good. There isn't any I'm particularly obsessed with presently but the soundtrack is really good. Jehwi, one of my favourites, did absolutely amazing as always.

Re-watch value
I cant help but go back and re-watch clips of the drama but maybe that's because I have to compensate for waiting for each episode so for now, a 10.

Overall
Don't skip it. DO NOT. It's so good trust me.

Also R.I.P Kim Mi-soo. you will be remembered and I hope you are at peace now.

Leer más

Stream it.

I’m glad I listened to myself. This drama drew me in and I have no regrets in choosing to watch “My Liberation notes”.

The recurring theme of the drama is love. Simple love. The love that any person craves or has craved at one point in their life. I am no different and hence found myself relating to the characters of this drama in more ways than one. The drama is about a group of people from different walks of life trying to find love but most importantly trying to learn how to love their lives.

Liberation: to break free.

Although the theme remains simple, the story is complex and the characters carry depth and each and every relationship, be it family, lovers, friends, or colleagues, have very realistically set. To put it simply, after each episode I think each person will have a different view of the characters.

Even though the drama is very heavy, there is (IMO) the perfect balance of humor. I’m especially in love with Lee Min Ki and how he has managed to play his character so well without taking away any of his depth. The story also offers a certain amount of suspense into who Mr. Gu actually is and I can’t wait to see it play out.
Hearts will be broken but more will be healed. Of that, I am sure.

Watching this drama is like watching myself mirrored back to me. I used to constantly voice out to my friends that if the world ended right then and there, I would die with no regrets. Hearing these again warmed my heart a little. “Ah I’m not alone”, I thought. It made me feel a little less lonely.

The cast consists of seasoned actors that no doubt will deliver till the very end. I cannot find a single thing that has put me off in this drama.

I especially loved the end of episode 3 with the music, it gave me literal goosebumps.

Summer is coming, and I think this is the one you want to be watching during those sweaty afternoons when you want to be swept away into something that will comfort you.

Leer más

refreshing and cute

Do you hear that scream? yes, that was me screaming and squealing and it has been only 3 episodes. Am I overreacting? NO. It is THAT good. I have watched my fair share of Japanese live-action BLs and I have always admired them as they just have a different atmosphere from other BLs. They don't overuse sound effects and the camerawork is commendable.
I have really high hopes for this series.
Story:
The theme is really unique and easy to follow. The story is about a 30-year-old virgin who can hear other people's thoughts by touch and one day discovers that his co-worker has a crush on him.
I like how the thoughts of the co-worker are all so appropriate and humble. He sounds so whipped for the main lead but yet so respectful. I am looking forward to learning how he exactly fell in love and what will happen if he finds out that the main lead can hear his thoughts.
So much avenue for story development. I am really excited for the coming episodes.
Acting:
Honestly, each scene, each dialogue is so well executed. The microexpressions of the main leads, the chemistry, the pacing, the visuals, I have yet to find anything lacking.
Even the second leads seem to be getting their own side story and I look forward to how both the stories will develop. I am a little skeptical about the side story as it revolves around the same theme, Hopefully, it will stand out and not just become filler material.
The actors are just all stunning. The dynamics, the portrayal of their characters, I have seen the manga and they could not have chosen a better cast for this BL.
Music:
There are 2 songs(intro and outro) till now and both are really good. Already added to my playlist.
Rewatch value:
3 episodes and I have rewatched them around 2 times already.
Overall:
I'm gonna go wait in the corner and cry until the next episode comes out.


*****UPDATE*****
okay, so I finished it today. I am a little disappointed, hence I changed my rating from a 9.5 to 9. I think the ending episodes just became a little bland, to put it more clearly, it was like really good food but not a lot of salt so I would still eat it but its not something that I will remember the next day. This is only the last few episodes though.

THE CONS:
I know there are a few Japanese BLs and I'm really happy that they are starting to produce more BLs, and I LOVED IT DON'T GET ME WRONG ...BUT.. we didn't even get one kiss..just the subtle hint that they kissed. The drama was less: there was the cliche break up then get back together scene; the second leads all but disappeared during the last few episodes. Except for this, I think they did a solid job. Maybe I'm just thirsty lol.

side note: I wish they did more with the whole 'reading minds' thing.

THE PROS:
I stand by what I said in my previous(above) review. I still enjoyed the series. Both the characters were loveable, and as a couple, they had great chemistry. A very mature and adorable slice of life series with a hint of magic. The character development is admirable and the relationship is healthy with no toxicity at all. The actors did such a great job and they are sooo gorgeous to look at too.

side note: one of the main cast is also in a new show called "Alice in borderland". He did such a great job there. Check it out if you want.

OVERALL
I would recommend watching it. Don't get your hopes up for a kiss scene or anything but the hugs are cute and the story is light and funny. The character development is satisfying and by the end, I assure you, you will find yourself smiling from ear to ear.

Leer más

It's worth every second (Slight Spoilers ahead)

***Final update***
I fell in love with every episode. I fell in love every time Woo Young Woo brought her hands together in excitement and every time she said, "wow." I fell in love with the whales and dolphins. I smiled from ear to ear when "deung to the go to the rami" and "sunshine" soo yeon picked young woo up. I loved the way she connected to them. I felt satisfied with the development "tactician" min woo went through. And yes, lee jun ho, the Kdrama community's favorite male lead right now, stole my heart every scene he was in.

A good drama makes you think, "I could write a 10000-word essay right now on how much I love this episode/scene/ character".
When I love a drama, writing a review is the toughest. How do I explain why I loved it so much? my feelings always seem silly when I put them into words. How do I explain how I felt when FL saw the picture of the blue whale? Or when she cried alone in that office? Watching this drama was like watching your favorite person grow up. You want to protect them, realize the world won't wait, and finally learn to make peace with the fact that letting go is the best way for them to be happy.
The Scene that cemented this was in ep 16 when young woo "ghum chak chak'ed" her way into her life and out of ours.
I think the best endings are those that come full circle, and the most magical scene to hit my screen was her dancing her way into things that were scary but inevitable.

If you think about it, each character in the series displayed so much courage.
Aside from young woo, lee jun jo was such a strong-minded and openly honest ML. he was a walking green flag. Lee jun ho's confession scene in ep 16 was one of the most beautifully executed dialogues. I teared up when he started listing the little things he loved about her. How he took the time to think about her every single step of the way and loved doing it. There's no other way to describe the love he has other than it being pure.

Attorney Jang showed that as long as you stand by your principles and learn to accept your mistakes and are willing to move past them, people will recognize your value and respect you.

Sunshine soo yeon who managed to overcome her judgments and learned how to step up when it was most needed.

Kown min woo who showed some real character development. He ultimately had his reasons. Agreed, a lot of his anger was based on his discriminatory prejudices, which made it hard actually to look at him in understanding light. However, he is on par with young woo regarding the complexity of how his character was written. "Walk a mile in someone's shoes" is the quote I can best use to describe him. We only get around 2 minutes of why he chose to make the decisions he did, but it was more than enough for me to soften my views of him. Sometimes the world doesn't give you a choice to be nice or not. If you grow up gentle regardless of your surroundings, I commend you, but if it hardens you, then I won't judge you.

I could go on and on, and I already have. I think from the plot itself, viewers will know that the drama will deliver a unique and worthwhile story. This drama managed to maintain the balance between reality and romanticism. The cases highlighted very interesting and sometimes moving struggles and societal issues that people face. My favorite has to be the episode of the Pied Piper. That episode is a guaranteed tear-jerker. Of course, every case had its own highlights, and the drama as a whole, managed to convey the ethical complications of being an attorney. I'm not in the law department, but I'm sure viewers who have watched this series will appreciate and be able to relate to the attorney woo and her dilemmas of working in law.

However, this drama isn't something that only a section of people can enjoy. This drama is about the law, but every step of the way, I felt the sincerity and emotions of the characters. I could feel the effort the writers put into each and every case they chose to tackle. And finally, I was amazed at how beautifully written attorney woo was. I knew from the first moment I watched ep1 that this drama would do justice to the character that I have come to admire.

The cast seems to be made in heaven. In this case, I can say that the actors managed to complement each other beautifully. While they all stood out, Park Eun bin stole every scene she was in. Watching her at work felt like an honor, from her body language to her microexpressions and speech. She's proved her skills, and I hope in the future she gets to work on projects that can bring out her best as this one did.

I'm glad that this drama has received so much attention. Watching the ratings of this series rise and seeing its increasing reels and shorts delighted me. I'm glad the drama has received such praise. I hope it wins as many awards in the coming ceremonies.

I look forward to adding this drama to my rewatch list.

***PREVIOUS UPDATE***
I am FLABBERGASTED by the lack of attention this series is receiving. I am simply IN LOVE with this drama. It's only been two episodes. I must be crazy. I usually wait for the 3 episode mark and then make judgments but my god this is such a good drama. Guys LISTEN, go watch it.

Attorney Woo is about Woo-young woo (an individual on the autism spectrum) played brilliantly by actress Park Eun Bin. Woo-young woo is the most adorable character written ever I think. The series has so many elements about it, apart from the main plot showcasing the struggles and experiences of an individual with ASD, it also has interesting cases that attorney Woo tackles. Throw in a potential dreamy love interest who supports and understands the FL, a comedic boss, a mystery parent, a supportive and loud team of friends and family, and you have a highly entertaining series.

The most satisfying part of this drama is the character development. By episode 2, Woo-young woo has already changed but not so much as it becomes unrealistic. Furthermore, I love how they show how capable she is. There is no maiden in distress here.

I also have to commend the absolute visuals of the drama. I love the shot of a Blue whale swimming in the sky while she's on the train. The VFX is simply outstanding. It's almost magical. Yep. I have faith that Park Eun Bin will play the role to perfection. I can't wait for the next episode.

I also love how they have lgbtqia+ representation!!! I don't want to say more but it seems SK is opening up more and I'm all for it.

For fans of "The Good Doctor", "Move to Heaven", and "It's okay to not be okay", this is definitely a drama you have to add to your watchlist.

This drama deserves more hype. All of y'all better get on this train before it's too late.

Leer más

On the fence

Cafe Minamdang intrigued me for two reasons: 1. The plot and 2. Seo In Guk.

I've sat through some questionable dramas during my time simply because of an actor I liked. I always have a principle of watching at least three episodes before giving up on the drama.

Cafe minamdang started okay and progressively became an effort to watch. When a drama becomes something you watch just for the background noise, it's better to drop it. However, since this drama has recently started and has one of my favorite actors, I've put it on hold and will decide whether to pick it up or drop it entirely once it has finished airing.

That being said, the plot had a lot of potential, and I think most of the drawback lies in the female lead. Many viewers have dropped the drama because she has a very dislikable presence on the screen, which isn't suitable for any drama. Additionally, there is little to no chemistry between her and Seo in guk. I have watched his dramas, and he's always been able to convey sizzling scenes when it was needed. If the drama is to survive, something needs to be done about the female detective.

It doesn't help that it is airing around the same time as two trending dramas: AoS and Attorney Woo. For people who don't have enough time to catch up with airing dramas and have to choose, Cafe minamdang would not make the cut. It promises flair but falls short severely.

Nonetheless, I hope it succeeds through some miracle. I'd recommend waiting and observing how well it does on air and then deciding whether to watch it.

Leer más

a road to nowhere

**Updated**
I held out as long as I could I swear, but I just could not finish this series. Every time I finished one episode, I just was not looking forward to what would happen next.

As a viewer who had to wait a week for one episode, the episode has to be captivating, should incite curiosity and excitement, and leave us wanting more but all it left me with was a bitter taste.
When it was time for the next episode, I just didn't have the energy to fool myself that I was enjoying the series.
To make it short, the story was boring, the acting was awkward, the dialogues were cringe and lacked any emotions.

Every scene looked like it was improv and the chemistry just fizzled out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for intense scenes or anything but even the kissing scenes were awkward and both the leads looked like they wish they were somewhere else but there. I don't understand?? their chemistry was so good in s1! I don't know what happened. maybe it was due to the lockdown or due to previous issues but I wish they took more time to think this out. I wish they attended more workshops and thought about their characters more.

The BL industry is growing by leaps and bounds. so many noteworthy BLs like tharntype, gameboys, gaya sa pelikula, cherry magic..the list could go on. they need to step up their game.
OVERALL: I would not recommend it. It's just not worth it.

**previous review**
I was excited about the second season. like legit hyped up. I was a TinCan shipper from s1 and the cliffhanger had me on the edge of my seat.
BUT THEN S2 HAPPENED.
My disappointment was immeasurable and my day was ruined.
Story: Warning: the timeline is different. So yeah, tin and can never meet, Can never knew Pete, Tin never got around to confessing his love and the shower scene never happened. We didn't get to see Can chase after Tin, also SPOILER ALERT: Pete and Ae ain't together anymore. This was necessary considering all those issues during the production of s2 but it's okay I guess since TinCan is the main couple this time.
I honestly think they should have stuck with the first timeline because the chemistry and interactions were so well acted in s1. Just continuing the story would have been so much better. They could have shown us how Tin deals with the rejection, maybe showed Can regretting his decision and there was so much avenue for character development. Instead, we are now stuck with the same storyline with tweaks here and there. The scenes are redundant and I can legit predict the next scene. It is tiring watching the same scenes but in a different lighting
Acting: Despite my dislike towards the story I was still eager to watch TinCan on the scene again. Their chemistry is no doubt there BUT the dialogues are awkward, cringy and delivery is just not what it was in s1. Maybe they want to slowly build up to the climax so I will reserve my judgment for now and hope it gets better as the episodes proceed.
Music: I like the music. BG music is the same as s1 and is fun albeit a little overused. The OSTs are really good.
Rewatch value: I mean it just started so I refrained from rating it too less or too much. I will come back to rate it after the season ends
Overall: if you haven't started it yet then maybe you should wait till it ends to see if it's worth it or not. The recently aired episodes don't give me much hope for the future so I would recommend putting it on hold, especially if you were expecting something of the same caliber as s1 then maybe you should wait.

Leer más