Shitsuren Chocolatier (The Finale)

First Impression

Episode 8

Episode 9-10

So the roller coaster ride of emotion has finally reached its finale which I thought is the start of more good things to come for Souta (Matsumoto Jun). I liked the concept of the ending. Souta became properly heartbroken, Saeko decided to face her reality which she has long ignored by running away and by indulging herself in chocolates. I’m happy for the characters, and overall, I had the realization as well that instead of wishing to see them change from being immature to a responsible adult, it’s better for the drama to show first the instances that made the characters who they are. Basically, I have so much good things to say probably because I liked how it ended.

Shitsuren Chocolatier Episode 9-10

I don't know how the drama does this to me. Despite the given stupidity of the characters in their own ways, I have a deep sense of appreciation whenever they reflect on their actions and their thinking like a normal person would. Souta became aware of the mistakes he's done and is even confused if the love he has for Saeko is wrong or bad. Nonetheless, he knows the obvious thing that is they are committing adultery but he's just crazy about her, he doesn't know how to justify his actions other than his long due love for Saeko. On the other hand, Kaoruko-san has realized how unpleasant she comes out in front of others, most especially to men. Saeko has become instrumental in that process for Kaoruko-san to attain that self awareness. She was stunned by how Saeko would guess the personality of the person she's talking about, but the most exciting and the most surprising part is that she's affected by Sekiya's cold shoulders in his text reply "in detail". Though I also want to know the point of view of his, he really doesn't show interest on her or maybe I misunderstood him as well. Sekiya is somewhat a passive personality who would be sensitive and he wouldn't exert himself to people who doesn't show concern to him. Thus, he distanced himself from Kaoruko-san. Given in the first few encounters, she talked so much about Souta and her displeasure on him, who wouldn't be pushed away? However, the fact that he agreed to an invitation by Kaoruko means something. Seeing how complicated the characters are, it makes them more human in-spite of all the crazy attributes they got.

Review: MIMI

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I finished this mini series last night and I found a great motivation to make a review about it today. So after finishing the film, I kind of felt withdrawals which is bizarre because I thought it's an average story, and the acting was lacking immensely despite how they look amazing onscreen. I thought Changmin was cute, handsome, passionate but in most of his acting moments, stiff and dull. On the other hand, Moon Ga Young is satisfactory though, there is still so much to improve in her acting. I found the supporting casts commendable though, like the creepy guy in front of Min Woo's apartment and the death angel or something like that. I was happy by the performances of the supporting casts and that includes the girl who has the ability to guess apartment's passwords that trespass on Min Woo's place but for a good cause - which is perhaps, concern? Maybe the withdrawals was because of the excellent execution of the reunion scene at the last episode in the latter minutes by Mimi and Min Woo. It was the only time that I saw Min Woo come to life through the expressive eyes of Changmin. To be honest, I didn't expect him to deliver the scene that well so at the same time, I was proud of him because I felt him and his emotion coming together so I was like, finally this is what made it worth watching. I had that kind of reassurance that I made the right choice to watch despite not being my instant favorite from the start.

Shitsuren Chocolatier Episode 8

I wanted to update what has been going on in this drama so I'll take advantage of my mood to do this. For the past three days, I managed to catch up from episode 3-8 so I was feeling happy and accomplished because I have so many reaction regarding the characters and the development of the story. Obviously, if you're exposed to the Shitsuren fandom, you would notice that a lot of people have mixed emotions regarding this drama - which I don't question why because it's as good as it is bad. So let me talk about the good as well as the bad points in this series which are influential on how you see it in totality. Let's do this!


The pathway of romance in this drama is introduced early and is pretty much all about this series. It all started with a heartbroken guy, Souta who studied in Paris to be a Chocolatier, inspired by his ex girlfriend or lover Saeko, who was passionate towards chocolates. When they broke up, he wanted her to regret her decision of not choosing him. So he was driven by such thought to be successful. Basically, it's where his inspiration in making chocolate comes from. That premise is very clear, right? However in this drama, a series of  events or should I say foolishness happens in every single episode because of unrequited love by Souta. So now, I'm at episode 8 which I hoped would finally make him - the heartbroken chocolatier - break free from his first love. But that was too much for my expectation. I should have known better by now that he has a very wide range of imagination, it's ridiculous! I wonder when will he get better for himself. I was really disappointed, so I vented out a portion of that on twitter but isn't enough to suffice my emotion. Hence, I'm here.

In A Good Way Episode 16

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I haven't found any In A Good Way episode as fascinating as this one. The peers of both Jia En and Liu Chuan were both really curious about the progress of their relationship at this early stage. Hence, they talked about the "bases" to which Jia En responded blankly and Xiao Wei as a "baseball game?". Then Bai Xue is discovered to haven't been kissed in her life while Tracy is really the liberated or shall I say the perverted friend. Anyhow, I love the diversity of everyone's characters because it means that they could provide something into the group that is special and supplementary to others. Meanwhile, the boys, A Qing and Ri Qi are naughty talking about the bases with Liu Chuan wherein he responded "love is not a baseball game" which was smart. The principle of "LiuChuanism" is something that I really admire and that will never wither. Not just because it's a responsible foundation for any relationship but because it's rational and thinking independently. Him saying that when a situation comes, he's confident to act according to his own judgment. Anyhow, I find the whole execution part of the scenes amusing because it is still considered as innocent and a childlike one compared to the real thing. But another thing is given to this drama, it's hilarious!

In A Good Way Episode 15

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I still need to catch up with In A Good Way which I never imagined to be doing because I love this drama, however it has occurred to me that I have to marathon 3-4 episodes for a week. Hopefully, I'd catch up with episode 16 so I could finally be back on track. I wish.

So going back to this episode, aside from the obvious that is Liu Chuan and Jia En finally together, Ren Wei has been really strange which we all know the reason why - he has finally seen the worth of Jia En in his life. But what could be done when Jia En now belongs to someone else? As a good friend, the least yet also the best thing he could do for her is to be happy and adapt the attitude that Bai Xue has towards the relationship of two which is positive. If I were to advise Ren Wei, that is to hang out more with Bai Xue so his crush could be by his side and that there would still be rainbows and sunshine upon him no matter how its hard. But instance just shows the difference between the two feelings - love and admiration. Because there is a different approach between them and heck, you could be attracted to anyone you see around but you could feel something that is special to the person you love. I feel sorry for Ren Wei but I'm also happy for Jia En and Liu Chuan so I guess I could start talking about them endearingly.

Halftime Review: Road No. 1

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This drama is seriously one of the best K-dramas I've watched technically speaking. When I say that, my criteria in using my judgment would include execution of the scenes, editing, casting, cinematography, script and a heartfelt story about war, romance, and brotherhood. I can also say that perhaps, I've never heard of this Kdrama before until one night, I came across a video and started watching it; hence it was a total surprise to me having without any expectation. The first episode really got me hooked into watching as I could sense the quality it has comparing to other Kdramas I've seen. So I did some research also, went to google because I wanted to read few reviews about it but I didn't find any from drama bloggers. I can't imagine how an excellent Kdrama like this could be missed out in the midst of Kdrama wave going on. It really talks about how much popularity gets the credit for everyone to watch a Korean drama. I was sad learning about it.

In A Good Way Episode 14

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Episode 14 is a disappointing episode to me because I didn't expect the consequences after consequences that happened. Though it is possible, I feel that it was an act to finally force the development of the OTP. I'm happy for those two and those fans who were pleased in this episode. But I'm indifferent in my thoughts because I simply did not want this kind of romantic confession to be overdone which you will be seeing in the latter part of this episode. To be honest, I wasn't paying attention because everything was just so cheesy and it goes against the subtleness of this series. However, I know it's about time but I believe that they could have done a better job in letting Liu Chuan know what Jia En really feels. Furthermore, I felt kind of irritated at Liu Chuan in this episode because he was just really stupid - for leaving the treasure hunt club with no explanation in the midst of chaos. Because of that, I wanted to join Bai Xue and Ren Wei in cursing him from behind. Do you believe that love really makes you irrational? This is proven to be the same case to Liu Chuan because he wanted to save Jia En but at the same time, turned his back to his friends. He's annoying, isn't he?

In A Good Way Episode 13

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I’m a huge fan of this episode despite reading few negative comments about it because the momentum of the long and electrifying hug shared by Liu Chuan and Jia En was basically not followed up in this episode. But we all know how this drama works right? It’s a work in progress and I’m sure the cliffhanger in the end of episode 12 won’t be put to waste in the future. Patience is indeed a virtue to achieve the pleasure of having Liu Chuan and Jia En to finally express their love for one another. If you’re going to seek for the development of the OTP in this episode, you won’t be able to enjoy it as much as I did. I’m glad I wasn’t floored in anticipation because it would be disappointing to me as well like what happened to others. There were more plenty amazing shots than a one lacking element so to me, it was still a great episode. Furthermore, the supporting casts were once again highlighted so I have no problem even if Liu Chuan and Jia En were being pushed aside.

First Impression: MIMI

Synopsis: 

It's a suspense thrill drama about a web toon artist, Han Min Woo (28) who temporarily lost his memory of the past 10 years. He started to feel symptoms of headache since he saw a calendar from 2003, 8th of December. Since then, he never knew how to continue the story of December 8 to move forward. Because of that, he decided to meet the person who would help him solve his problem - that is his blank memory of the past 10 years of his life.

In 2003, when he was 18 years old, he's had his first love named Mimi. But then they were separated when Min Woo and his mom moved out of the town to live elsewhere due to financial problem and he had to quit school as well because of that.

Thoughts:

The writing, cinematography and the story exceeds an average Kdrama but I can't say it's a perfect one. I love Changmin but he was a bit stiff with his facial expressions and his lack of acting experience was still apparent. Also, since he's a singer who isn't very good with lip sync, he had a hard time channeling raw emotions in acting unless the emotion is on his nature and character. Nonetheless, I would give him a passing grade because of his mysterious aura and good visuals as Min Woo. Somehow, I could see his character in him but sometimes I was hoping he'd unleash more of his facial point. Even so, he's good at acting pissed or mad. Haha, I don't think it's a talent but a nature in him.

Review: Pasta (2010)

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Synopsis: Chef Choi Hyuk came from Italy upon a request for him to lead La Sferra's kitchen as the head Chef, an Italian Restaurant in Seoul. The reason why he was called will be revealed shortly after few scenarios. His presence in the kitchen of La Sferra has brought a revamped of the cooks in the kitchen because of him deliberately wanting to fire all women who are part of it. It has become a part of his working principle to not allow women interfere his daily course of work and even worse, to meddle with their activities. For this cause, Seo Yoo Kyung who happens to be the "maknae" - the most recent worker in the kitchen to be hired who's now on her third year might lose her job and her dream to hold a pan and cook pasta. These are all possible because of the authoritative and strict head, Chef Choi.