Review: When a Snail Falls in Love

Hey all!

I don't usually watch Chinese dramas, but this one seemed a little shorter so I gave it a try when it was new and trending: When a Snail Falls in Love! 

Interesting story because of all the twists and turns, but it definitely felt... lacking.

The romance wasn't all that, sadly! I know that these are the actors in Ode to Joy and have chemistry, which is evident in this show. They seem subtly attracted to each other in a few cute scenes as the show progresses. But the romance isn't the focal point of the show (even though in my opinion it is advertised to be. I mean, A snail falls in love). The characters are all police officers. 

We get to the action pretty soon when someone I thought would be an important character romance-wise gets brutally murdered. 

But my problem was that even the whole murder action plot-line was relatively predictable and not as exciting. The action scenes were alright, but the overall story was not as exciting.

I will say, the story has a lot of twists and turns, and follows one large narrative of the murder plot and all the dirty business that a corporation is trying to cover up in its wake. One thing leads to another, which leads to another, and perhaps that audience is left hoping the whole thing will end.

And at the end it's hinted they want a sequel... On the bright side, watch it while you're bored and doing something else, it's decent if you watch it occasionally as it plays in the background. Harsh? Maybe... :') 

I commend the show for having rather strong female leads. The main character is a tiny cute sociopath who enjoys drawing, played by Wang Ziwen (who really is so small oh my gosh). She is the department's psychological investigator (think Holmes, but not as well played-out).

She acts well! It's a convincing role as XuXu. She's constantly protected by Ji Bai, though, who is this super macho tough "show no emotion" type of bad boy hero with a conscience, the head of that police squad(?). He's a charming guy played by Wang Kai, and I enjoyed looking at his jawline. However, beyond that slope, his character development was left off at high kicks, judo flips, and being the tough guy. 

There are times of the show when the main character and plot really does impress you. Xuxu is the only one who undergoes any character development, from her reserved shell to doing some pretty daring things that end up saving the day. She doesn't whine or cry a lot despite her "cute" archetype, which is a blessing. 

While the female characters are all strong and hold their own, the friendship between them really isn't developed well... I guess this brings me to a vice of this drama. Other than the female lead I didn't see much character development from anyone. The side relationship was a little forced too, even though it was cute as a crush in the beginning of the show. 

The show really advertises the cute drawings aspect of the show (omg it's like a comic book story of a snail falling in love with a lion!) - that's not the case. The romance can get a bit dry and sudden at the end because they don't really build up to a true romantic relationship. It's more of a mentor-mentee relationship, and that wouldn't have been such a bad thing either, but not what was promised, and not what it becomes. 

It's an interesting story, though! All in all, it's a relatively short drama (21 episodes, 30~ minutes each), so it's not a huge waste of time or anything. Can be a been-there-done-that drama. I've never watched Ode to Joy but it seems well-received, so I'd probably rather watch that. 

The action in this show really gets down in the second half, and I almost wish the whole thing was a nicely made movie. Would've been cute! The character relationships could have been better developed, the lead would have still had her spotlight, and the main pairing might have built more momentum and not been so sudden (or one-sided... we had no clue the guy liked her back for a long time there).

To summarize, it's not what it advertises, so you might be disappointed if you're expecting one thing but getting another. But yea! I'd give it a 2.5/5 rating, so watch it if you really just have that much time to spare :') 

Tell me what you thought about it - whether you agree or disagree! All opinions welcome.

Luv and Hugs,

Ritz

Review: Passengers

I finally watched the movie (I had wanted to for a while because of the cast), which I put off because of the poor reviews, and I can finally see why they were justified.

My dad watched the movie a while ago, and he has a nasty habit of spoiling movies. After watching the movie, I realized that there was nothing he really could have spoiled. It was predictable and bland. 

Me as I look out the window: "Where did the plot go?"

I'll spoil from the start - it's a love story of sorts. Or at least, it's supposed to be. Additionally, from what I saw in the trailer, I expected a high action, intense, fast-paced space thriller, all of which I only got about... 15 minutes? Romance is space is a big bang (as in it was a sad explosion of elements. Sorry.). And they did in fact... you know.

But it is unfortunate because I did not feel any emotion towards their relationship because it was so random and sudden, and it made no sense (especially the ending).

Such good actors, such bad chemistry

The themes that should have been presented include the sheer vastness of space, as well as the sheer LONELINESS of it. The loneliness that drove Pratt's character to making the decisions he did. Because the plot did not portray that struggle sufficiently at all. There was never a moment of just pure silence, pure lost-in-thought moments, and I think it might have been a better plot for him to stay alone and pang for someone he could never have or wake because of his moral reasoning - and that his love story was tragic. 

When the romance took hold of the plot, it was rather rushed, and our characters suddenly fell in love. There was little consideration of the fact that the two of them were alone, together. For the rest of their lives. That's daunting, and undesirable. I would not want to live in a world where the only person I know is my romantic partner. I thought there could have been a Huis Clos-esque plot in which "Hell is other people", but it did not take that path, and I am a bit disappointed with the direction it took.

The ending was ridiculous. One miracle after another, I was expecting everything to go wrong and stay wrong in order to nuance the plot more, but no - since this is a romance movie it has to end a certain way, right? Spoiler Alert: Them getting and staying together was as unfortunate as their sudden romance. Would you really give up everything you've worked for your whole life for a man you knew a bit too intimately for a year, who also happened to have screwed you over without your consent? Not a moral question, but a practical one. End Spoiler.

To conclude, I did not particularly like this movie (I do like the actors!), if that wasn't apparent yet. The plot was stale and could have been more creative, more refreshing. If you want to watch a cool space movie, I suggest Gravity or Interstellar. Passengers fell a little short of expectation on this. But hey, I look forward to the next X-Men and Guardians of the Galaxy! Marvel to the rescue! 😄

Review: Fight My Way/ Fight for My Way

What can I say? I'm very pleasantly surprised!

Right from the start, I ought to say it's rare that I see a non-main couple with a love story that is engaging enough for me to care (sadly, those in Boys Over Flowers, Coffee Prince, Secret Garden... sometimes got annoying and pulled away from our main pairs). But this drama, while not blowing anything to ridiculous proportions with romance, and keeping the secondary couple down to earth and relatable, did more than any possible romantic rivals/flashy playboys/bitter exes ever did. I'm impressed, and I found myself genuinely rooting for all four of the leads.

Anyway, the actors did a great job. I'll be honest. Hwarang (Seo-Joon's previous drama) bored me, and I thought Ji-Won's role in Descendants of the Sun was a little flat. I also have never seen Song Ha-Yoon before, and never seen Ahn Jae Hong in a serious role, and he was possibly the most serious in the friend group (he was hilarious and lovable in Reply 1988 though). So this group of actors was almost underdog just like their underdog roles in the show.

The beginning of the show made the characters pitiful, relatable to anybody who has had a bad day, and underdogs we definitely want to see winning in the future. What a setup! Ae Ra always dreamed of being an anchorwoman on TV, the mic is her dream. Dong Man was a promising taekwondo artist who quit the sport. Seol-Hee and Joo-Man have dated for 6 years, and now go through a period of turbulence. 

The romance in the show was very cute from all the characters involved, and even though they were a little frustrating at times (why is he so obsessed with his ex and thick-headed? Why does she cry so much?), there were plenty of cute moments for our two lead couples that the story was an exciting one. Potentially sequel-worthy (very few dramas are)!

A pervasive theme in this drama was that of "it's not too late to pursue your dreams", which was pretty striking, and spoiler alert, everybody more or less achieves what they dream of, and in a way mature to have a better understanding of both themselves and their dreams, which do take on new forms. The romance did overwhelm the dream part at times, which I did not like, but was not enough to put a damper on the drama's merits. Dong Man's character valued money, and for good reason. We are exposed to the sacrifices people make for money, not simply because they want to roll in green, but because they always strive for the better - a better life for themselves, their kids, their families. And I completely sympathize with the realness that this aspect of the drama brought out. 

It's a truly refreshing take on a modern world where our opportunities seem more boundless than ever, and yet we are still tied down in a society of dependencies, responsibilities, and fear. One of the lines I really liked was "If growing up means that I have to give up my dreams, then I don't want to grow up!" I relate 😅😆 And yeah - they were 30 year olds who embarked on a journey to be happy in life. 

Don't be timid! Have self-confidence!

My favorite theme in this drama was that surrounding Song Ha-Yoon's character, which was feminist and practical and fresh in its point of view. I, for one, have never "dreamed" of marrying and having kids. My dreams lie more on the "let's never settle and focus only on work" side. Seol-Hee (played by Song Ha-Yoon) was of the former. Her dream was to be part of a family, to be loved, to cherish and be cherished. And what's wrong with that dream? Absolutely nothing. Feminism is the idea that no matter what anybody wants to do, gender of all things shouldn't be a hindrance. But our Seol-Hee does become more independent, which is a necessity in today's world, regardless of how much you love the person you depend on entirely.

This drama had several points of tension and suspense that kept it interesting throughout. There was this one secret regarding the landlady of the four friends, and the journey to finding out the truth was really funny and exciting. However, the actual execution of it (in the very last episode) felt a little rushed (you don't have to tie up all loose ends that neatly, guys). Perhaps that was the greatest flaw of the show. It just progressed towards a situation in which everybody got exactly what they wanted (in a way very obvious for the audience) and there was a distinct lack of loose ends in the show. But if you like happy endings like that, then hey, this drama did damn good.

I would rate it a 7.5/10 because of how refreshing this drama was. Not the sappy type that would include an all-star cast and become crazy successful, but a nice drama telling us more about ourselves. While I feel that the self-discovery idea was a little overshadowed by the romance at times, this drama was still a sweet one to watch - I'd recommend it!

Review: Jab Harry Met Sejal

Watched the movie yesterday - couldn't miss a King Khan-focused movie for anything, after all. 

Though I was apprehensive, since I haven't been particularly impressed by his string of movies in recent years. I liked Fan, I thought Raees was passable. Dilwale? Please no. Plus, my dad taunted me with reviews of how poorly the movie was made. 
But! I got loyalty, boi. I wasn't gonna pass a judgement on the movie before actually watching it myself. So, I did - and I wasn't really disappointed. 

Have I ever cried about Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi to you before?
Once I start, I never stop; I will cry forever. 💓

Anushka Sharma and Shah Rukh Khan have a lot of onscreen chemistry (hah! With the king of romance, who doesn't... Sorry, I'll stop fangirling now). Did it all come out in the movie? Not quite, no.

At first I thought, why the heck would someone name the movie so similarly to a prior superhit and one of my faves, Jab We Met? And as I watched the movie, I realized... why would the director even include themes so similar to Jab We Met? And later I was awakened to the (apparently common knowledge) fact that they have the same director. So... Imtiaz Ali, you played yourself? On purpose, it seems? Oh well. I would have ranted more about that had the directors been different because of the seeming cheap imitation attempt made. Now I know that there was some attempt to reawaken former romance film glory. Anyways, on to the review. 

Okay, so the film starts off with SRK in a stylish outfit looking slick and chic - a surprisingly athletic and buff tour guide with a very edgy chest tattoo. I loved it. But, as the film progressed, I wanted to pull my buddy (and number one idol since childhood *sigh*) and chat with him about how he is not a slapstick humor guy. When he does humor, it's suave, it's sassy, (it's sexy) - but never just silliness. 

Do you know who can pull that serious but slapstick act off easily? Akshay Kumar. But unlike Dilwale and Happy New Year, Shah Rukh Khan did stray from the very few attempts at slapstick humor, and I had a few good laughs from his interactions with Anushka Sharma.

It's a typical "travel, escape, be free and find love" that was present in Jab We Met, but executed a lot less interestingly. There was a bit of suspense regarding Harry's past which was never addressed - the hype was there, the delivery was disappointing. 

Also, can I be honest? Unless your movie is literally Room - about two people in a goddamn room, why did these two actors get 99.99% of the screen time? This movie could definitely have benefited from the presence of a couple of supporting actors (anyone, I'll be honest) that helped establish that line drawn between reality and the dream world that the two characters were straddling at times.

"I love translated subtitles" said no one ever.

Regardless, the movie had some sass, some crazy (though not as believable or well-crafted as Jab We Met). The characters did not feel real enough for the movie to be "good". I blame the script and the lack of thought put into crafting a meaning. The attempt was present and implied, but it was not fleshed out enough. The themes most present were those of the freedom that Sejal was experiencing away from the direct influence of her parents and fiance. 

The conclusion we got to was - you should know who you are and what you want, and follow that. At least I got that. Also one of the main lines in the movie was "If you look for something hard enough, you'll find it", which needed a bit more oomph. Were the characters physically looking for something? Clearly. Emotionally? That was a little less present, but there nonetheless. I think those scenes lacked a little of the seriousness they warranted. Khan's gaze was plenty serious to make the romance scenes very nice, especially if you enjoy romance plots like I do.

Then, perhaps the problem was that this movie lacked the seriousness that made Jab We Met, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and others truly strike its audiences. The romance was believable, however, which was more than can be said for most onscreen chemistry attempts in film. Sometimes I wish Bollywood didn't shun its older actresses. Then perhaps SRK could have amazing onscreen chemistry without looking like a creepy uncle (please, Bollywood, wake up). 

At certain points in the movie I was a little bored because of how slow things were progressing. I grew to kind of like Harry, Sejal was never serious enough, and she never matured, beyond maybe her sexual desire for Harry. That being said, Anushka Sharma did a phenomenal job portraying the Gujurati character and her values and her decisions (however random they were), and I think she nailed her role more than Shah Rukh did (I keep coming back to the slapstick) - but which was also partially a problem with how much the actors were convinced with their roles, probably. I dislike the "save me" trope of tough, broken men and sweet non-slut women, but I suppose that's exactly what this was. Why SRK was broken? I will really never know. It was all pushed onto Harry being "lonely"... I don't buy it. His behavior warrants a darker past (SPOILER: seriously, who randomly breaks down and starts talking to/consoling themselves while crying and hugging a pillar? SRK, sure, but only when he's got cancer [Kal Ho Naa Ho]).

My least favorite part of the movie was the way it was wrapped up. Not necessarily ambiguous, but lacking any practicality or sustainability in their relationship. Any such relationship displayed in a movie ought to have ended more unconventionally. The two characters getting together was so impossible. And the pressure of others, society, family, was implied, hinted at, but honestly not present. I would once again venture to claim that a personification (by that, I mean a person) of this truth the characters had to return to would have been helpful. 

TL;DR, long story short - if you are a rom-com person, go ahead, watch this movie. If you're looking for freshness, you might get some. Hey, it's honestly not a bad rom-com. If you just want to stare into SRK's eyes and wish there were more SRKs in the world, go ahead; this is a good movie for that kind of stuff. If you have never understood Shah Rukh Khan's lover boy image, a) do you even exist? b) don't watch the movie - you'll be disappointed. 
I for one, enjoyed it - a decent way to spend 3 hours of my day. Is it worth paying movie theater money for? Nah. Does Shah Rukh Khan still got the ability to make hearts beat rapidly worldwide? Yes, I glimpsed it in this film, in the few lines that made me melt a little. So, SRK, pls, choose a better script for next time, or a better role, or something. Even if you do still do romance, please work with a script that'll enchant us all with your acting. (Heck, my fanfiction scripts are pretty good - can I write you a movie?) I'd rate the movie a 4/10.

Also, is this a good place to rant about SRK's body? Okay, seems like I Khan (HAH I'm hilarious). You work on your body, we get it. Thank GOD there were no unnecessary fighting scenes in this movie, but as has been the trend, while you want to show off your body subtly, it is not the be-all end-all make-or-break aspect of the film. I've been a fan from before you buffed up, and it is kinda cheapening to give up deeper aspects of your films for the sake of showing off your bod. The older ladies out there may be thirsty (I'm 17, so ew), but I think there's a separate category of film-making for that entirely. Or they'll stick to Salman Khan, so please, choose better!

This chick who wants to be cool like you so bad, 

Ritika 💜

P.S. Do tell me what you thought of the movie and/or the review below!

Review: Uncontrollably Fond

Okay, unfortunately... this wasn't a drama I could finish watching. So this review is going to go over exactly why I couldn't finish, and what I got from the few episodes I did watch. After all, with the length of dramas, not every drama is worth watching, even if it is a tearjerker.

To be perfectly honest - this drama should be renamed Uncomfortably Fond. The story started off in a somewhat refreshing way (though, really, is any archetype that refreshing these days? We find out, episode 1, that Kim Woo Bin's character Shin Joon Young, is diagnosed with cancer and won't live for very long. Very heartbreaking, especially when you toss in his relationship with his mother, whom he doesn't tell about the illness (he was so frustrating and pitiful... Woo Bin did such a good job with this. If only it wasn't poorly written). 

Suzy... now she's a renowned actress, and I did enjoy her portrayal of her character, No Eul- sassy, bold. But since this is the only work I've seen her in, I'm not so impressed. 😓 The real problem, then, might have been her character. Erratic and ridiculous at time, she was a representation of a broken human who hides her feelings with a "lol I'm a bad person" persona. Did it make sense? Not really, no. (At least not till she develops and becomes her true self, which does not come in for a while- and for me, was not worth the wait). Did I like it? Not really, no. 

The other principle characters were also a little ridiculous and shocking, and nobody in the show was a stereotypical "good-guy", which I enjoyed. Everybody was forced to face the consequences of their actions, which is not necessarily how real life works. But this is a drama, so to balance the story, of course that's how it works (thank goodness). 

She's so pretty though... wow

The story, long-winded and a little sudden, does not really pull the audience in enough in the beginning for us to watch it all, and the conflict seems stale. Regardless, it weaves in a plethora of pitiful characters with flaws and grudges (though we aren't sure how they all tie in for a bit). And when we are aware of how these grudges tie in, and how people have wronged each other, we're... bored. But also it all just seems like such an unresolved mess that I just didn't have the heart to watch it all play out, not to mention the multitude of factors that complicated and confused the story a little. Simplicity might have done the story some good. 

Character development does indeed take place, especially Woo Bin and his, um, kin. But the stereotypical conflicts still exist in the sphere - and the relationships between family members are as complicated as they are expected. Not much of an element of surprise in the show, mainly because of its slow pace. But I am glad that the characters weren't completely fake and unbelievably good or bad. It set the tone for the drama rather well, since it does deal with a more serious atmosphere that doesn't have a traditional love story and magical happenings. 

If there's another element that's so often used in a way I don't like (except Secret Garden. They did phenomenal), it would be the god damn ties to the past. The show trailers advertised a pair of classmates who meet after growing up. Great. But their past love story was just a little forced. I think the way they did finally get separated, and the way they meet again was super fresh. I really liked it. But, their sudden reawakening of love, and this undying love that has been festering for years? So random. There are flashbacks to the past in other parts of the drama that I think were well executed, as well as our main character's regression in memory (spoiler? But well done). 

The point of the story? Of course, since it's got the terminal illness trope, it's got to do with appreciating life. Our main character decides to set into motion his "bucket list" before he dies so that he can do what he always wanted to do (confess to his old love, make up with his mother, etc.). But at the end he appreciates what he had done in his life, and ended on a peaceful and happy note. It's kind of heartbreaking. But the story does delve into much more than that - which redeems to the extent that at least our characters and their connections were thought out. The drama explores how different characters deal with consequences to their actions, and whether or not people can be truly good or bad. We see themes of family develop, and how small actions can ruin everything. There is a call to a moral being inside us all to do what is right. 

So why didn't I like it? Well... it was boring and slow. Not to mention, the plot seemed all over the place, and while the ideas that were brought out in the drama were deep and fresh, their execution was poor. I could not form a bond with No Eul despite her sad backstory, mainly because of how strangely she was portrayed. Perhaps it was on purpose, to show her as a broken creature. But how this love story persisted despite all that? That's what made me stop. If you can overlook the improbability of their feelings and actions in any situation in the drama, you probably won't dislike the show as much as I did. 

Regardless of whether or not the show pained you (I mean mentally and emotionally - this was one sad show), the soundtrack is worth listening to. If there's one song I fell in love with, it would be A Little Braver by New Empire. Sweet, and well-timed within the drama. Would recommend it.

So in conclusion, watch it if you're desperate for a slow story and a good cry with little catharsis. Or, don't watch it. Appreciate your life and love freely regardless. Be grateful and show it to those around you, and oh, always do what you believe in your heart to be right. Be happy. Haha 😊

Review: Dunkirk

War movies... never get old? 

Well, I can't account for that; however, at least this movie had a fresh take and did not aim for total emotional breakdown of the audience. In fact, very little was explored regarding the principle characters' backstories. It was war. Everybody had someone to get back to. We know that. 

In that sense, it was very in-the-moment and edge-of-the-seat. 

Christopher Nolan of course had a great soundtrack to go with that had the audience excited, and we got close enough to the characters to care a little, despite the low dialogue and little we knew of the characters besides what their actions spoke.

The cast performed well, and all consist of British actors you've probably seen before, and confirmed the theory that there are only around 30 British actors in the world. I was completely not expecting to see friendly neighborhood Harry Styles, and it caught me completely off guard, which perhaps raises the theory that there are only about 50 British people in the world total? Perhaps? Tom Hardy, though - I didn't even know he was British. Honestly my favorite guy in the movie. 

A little bit of Google-ing finds that there was a previous Dunkirk from 1958, which I have not and probably will not watch. Also a 2004 BBC TV series (gotta love BBC), which I also will not watch. So much for a comparison. The movie made reference to Churchill's "We shall fight on the beaches" speech, and brings up the point that this movie had a lot of British patriotism (shocking) which also means that it probably cannot be as fully appreciated unless you feel a connection to World War II from a British perspective. But this also means the rosy view of the events that actually happened, be it the surrender of the french soldiers or the Ken doll rescuing soldiers in a red sweater on a boat (who are you and how single are you).

The movie, in a word, was artsy. Not everybody's cup of tea, but I definitely like it and think it's worth a watch. I did not watch it in IMAX 3D but the camerawork was great, and it was exciting, well-made. An iconic scene that represents what I mean is this somewhat long but nerve-wracking sequence a little after the movie starts as two principle characters attempt to catch a boat to cross the channel and leave Dunkirk (spoiler: it doesn't really work right off the bat. Kind of the point of the movie). There are several principle characters, and the plot shifts between timelines and points of view that all culminate to the climax of the film and paint a fuller picture of our Allied soldiers' story and the evacuation of Dunkirk. 

While the majority of the film is just one hurdle after the other, and paints a grim picture following any glint of hope that appears, the movie ends clearly and definitely on a hopeful note. Sure (spoiler), a certain character probably got captured and killed as a POW despite doing such a great job saving the others - damn did I root for him, but his scene on the beach was heartwarming and full of hope. What an actor. 

I don't want to say that World War movies are overdone, because it honestly wasn't that long ago, even if most of us are detached from it. But the emotion was still there. 

Now, for what I didn't like. The characters. Perhaps Nolan got caught up in great cinematic effects (never a bad thing), and neglected the connection the audience felt to the characters. I cared enough that the characters' actions and fates had me rooting for them, but the deaths (not a spoiler, it's a war movie) and getaways did not elicit more of a reaction than the occasional "lucky bastard" at Tommy. The movie, while it was a great one-time watch, did not draw a deep enough connection, enough for me to call it... well, forgettable. 

I wouldn't watch it again if I didn't have to. Mainly because there wasn't enough that I felt for it. And the attempts that were made to build our connections with characters sometimes felt forced, and involved more dialogue than perhaps necessary (nobody talked for most of the time; I think Harry Styles honestly had the most lines - for no real reason), and the sweetest moments involved us understanding and inferring their character through their actions.

Regardless, I enjoyed it. I think the movie is worth watching, especially if impressive camerawork excites you. Sure, this is no Interstellar, but I recommend it for at least one watch, even if only for the hype. If you adjust your expectations a little, it won't disappoint you (isn't that true for everything? Haha). 

- Ritika RC - 

Review: Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

"By any chance... Do you like Messi?"

  This line managed to capture hearts and smiles across the world as the saga of Kim Bok Joo and Jeong Joon Hyung ended in January this year (I know, I know, I'm late). 

Two Straws One Cup (I'm bad sorry)

And we learned last month that their onscreen chemistry materialized into something more off-screen as well (congrats my lovelies), which is partially what led me to finish this series and realize that yes, their chemistry and relationship was so natural and enviable that this show was bound to be a hit - and not to mention but the portrayal of friendships and families painted Bok Joo's life with vibrancy without neglecting our male lead.

My favorite 13th Prince
and Seohyun as his lover

An antagonist from Doctors

From the start, I was incredibly surprised when I learned that Lee Sung Kyung would be playing such a bubbly character considering her previous roles, and similarly that Nam Joo Hyuk, a previously silent, strong, hot guy would be playing an equally bubbly immature guy role, but I was excited, and not disappointed. If you've watched them in other dramas (Doctors and Scarlet Heart: Ryeo for me), throw any ideas you might have of typecasting away, because these two are convincing and good, fresh upcoming actors. 

First things first, Bok Joo is a 21 year old (in Korean age) weightlifting ace whose main goal in life is to consume chicken, hang out with her friends, and do well at the sports university she attends. Her life gets a little more than a little twisted up when she meets an old classmate at the university, swimmer Jeong Joon Hyung. The pair do not quite get along, as his favorite way to pass time is teasing her publicly (this character coined the nickname Chubs - or Fatty in the Viki translation, amusingly enough). The characters were well-developed, as we watch Bok Joo grow up and see herself as a woman who believes she can and deserves love, as she hilariously falls for someone she can't be with. Her eventual shift in romance is both a little gloomy and pitiful yet also anticipated and supremely cute. On the flip side of this coin, we see Bok Joo's eventual love interest (come on, that's not a spoiler; it's obvious) developed as a childish and immature character who hides part of his truth behind his always happy facade. With Joon Hyung, we begin to see a theme of mental health emerge as well, which I believe was aptly handled by the show's writers. But, more on that later. 

 The friendships between the characters was portrayed very purely and aroused a sense of nostalgia, mainly because of how trusting and loyal they were to each other. Jo Hye Jung stole the show as Nan Hee, in my opinion, as she stood out as the most animated and with the most screen-time among minor characters. Joon Hyung's loyal friend and comic relief, Tae Kwon, did a good job as well despite his low screen time, even though I found his hinted romantic interest a little questionable... (who? You'll find out, but it's not very stressed). That might be another one of my qualms in this drama. The relationships between the main characters' friends felt a little forced and thrown away when the drama went into its second half, which made me a little sad, considering that they played quite a role in the two main characters' development. The development of these minor characters was explored, but perhaps not as deep as it could have been, but there was no sense of incompleteness in their story lines (except perhaps Nan Hee's aspirations), which was a merit in this show that is not often reflected in many dramas.

Bok Chicken: The best hangout

Two other characters that played large roles as supporting and secondary characters, perhaps antagonistic to the plot at times as well, are Joon Hyung's ex-girlfriend, Song Si Ho, played by Kyung Soo-Jin, and Joon Hyung's older brother, Jae Yi, played by Lee Jae-Yoon. Si Ho is a rhythmic gymnast, who was introduced at the height of the comical conflict between the burly and strong weightlifting girls and the delicate and popular rhythmic gymnasts. She is introduced as an antagonist, but is revealed to be suffering from her own problems, once again bringing in the ongoing themes of mental health as well as family and support from one's family. The audience is not meant to hate Si Ho, and honestly, I didn't. Sure she thwarted Bok Joo out of petty jealousy, but was also portrayed as a maturing strong woman who eventually found what she wanted in life. 

Song Si Ho

Jeong Jae Yi

With Jae Yi, I'll discuss the themes of family in the show. Jae Yi represented not only a desire to grow up and be loved by Bok Joo, but also the bond that Joon Hyung held with his family (no spoilers, good luck folks 😜). Joon Hyung has a seemingly sweet relationship with his family, who support him through his hidden traumas that hinder his success. Similarly, Bok Joo overcomes her trials through support from her father and uncle, who hilariously adore her while constantly berating her. On the other hand, the characters with less support from their family, such as Si Ho and Soon Ok (Bok Joo's other friend), have a tougher time finding what they want, and Si Ho serves as Bok Joo's foil as someone who is living their parent's dreams. Except in Bok Joo's case, when it comes down to it, her father is willing to support her in her dreams, rather than viciously living through her vicariously while sacrificing her happiness and health. That is why Si Ho's cathartic moment of self-realization is so impressive in her character development. 

This perhaps leads to a different problem: one of the actual plot and antagonist. Sure, there was no person that served as the conflict during the last few episodes of the show, but to be honest, there was very little. I am sure that only die hard fans interested in seeing more of the two main characters' relationships watched all 16 episodes without skipping the last few, because of how lacking they were in any action: in a word, they were rather boring. With its plot, I believe the show could have been 12 episodes instead of a full 16, but at least fans of the relationship got to see uninterrupted fluff in the last few episodes. 

Now, to the last point I'm going to make: the importance of mental health, and finding yourself. Of course, as an art piece about growing up, our characters are faced with dilemmas that force them to decide who they want to be and what they want to do in life, which sometimes end positively, and other times completely contradictory to others' expectations, but never without hope. In this journey, our characters are met with obstacles that mark the psyche of so many in the real world that ask themselves these questions, such as signs of trauma, depression, and other disorders that are behind the veneer of comedy that Weightlifting Fairy is. The story is one of growing up and struggling in the process to find out what you truly want in life. Bok Joo, Joon Hyung, Si Ho, Jae Yi, and a couple of their friends find out this truth by the end of the show, without any loose ends or neglected characters. This may be a bit of a stylistic choice that I disagree with, since I do believe that the audience ought to stay guessing in some situations. I also perhaps disagree with the execution that ends the show on a note that is so full of sunshine and happiness, that it overshadows (hah, oxymoronic) certain themes developed in the show. 

Cuties <3

Yet, stylistic choices apart, this show was truly funny, and the very definition of feel-good, due to its light treatment of many issues, and the quick resolution of conflicts. The show had me thinking and sighing (with adoration) and nostalgic, and was well-executed. Not to mention, the cameos pleasantly surprised us all and were very anticipated as well (Seohyun, Jisoo, Lee Jong Suk) and are placed very comically. I would rate this show an 8.5/10, and recommend it if you're in the mood for some enviable romance and a belly full of laughs to go with it. 

I look forward to watching Lee Sung Kyung's next drama, as she was proven herself a versatile actress (perhaps in a very different role, to see her shine in a multitude of variety in roles), and am so excited to see Bride of the Water God (a manhwa I did not unfortunately like) with Nam Joo Hyuk in a seemingly much more silent, hot guy role (back to that, eh?). I applaud the show for being so sweet and cute, and recommend it if you're up for some light-hearted romance! Good job, Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk. You've solidified on my list of most liked and anticipated young actors. 

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