Ah, YouTube algorithm, you know me so well. Thank you for repeatedly suggesting this drama special to me, because I ended up clicking on it – and loving it.
Honestly, this feels like a cute rom-com, condensed into just 1 hour and 8 minutes. I actually wish this were longer, coz I enjoyed it so much. ❤️
If you like your rom-coms a little earthy, and have an hour and 8 minutes to spare, I highly recommend checking out this one.
After Prashil recommended this little web drama to me, I looked it up, and was surprised to find that this has one of the highest number of views ever, for a web drama.
We’re talking 50 million(!!!) views as of 30 December 2016. Considering that this drama aired on 31 October 2016, that’s mind-bogglingly impressive.
Those are some king-sized numbers, for a diminutive little show that clocks in at about an hour, with 6 episodes of approximately 10 minutes each.
The question is, did I like it – and would you?
They say that sometimes, the journey is more important than the destination. I’d say that this is true, of this show.
The Rise of Phoenixes is (apparently) quite well-known for its less than ideal ending. That’s why I was reluctant to start this one, too. I mean, who in their right minds would watch a 70-episode show, knowing that it’s unlikely to end well, right?
But bittt assured me that I would fall in love with Chen Kun after watching this show, and that made me quite curious. I’m always ready to be a swooned-out fangirl, eh? Ha.
So I dipped my toes into episode 1, became intrigued quite quickly, and then I got properly sucked in. By the time I hit narrative rough spots, I was attached enough to Show’s positives, to keep on going.
In this review, I’m going to attempt to lay it all out for you, so that you can decide whether this one would be worthwhile for you, too.
If you’re on the market for a quick spot of drama without more than a one-hour commitment, and if you enjoy the more realistic modern take on love and romance (vs. the popular Oppa-Candy kdrama tales that lean more urban legend), this little drama special could work for you.
Character vibe-wise, this also reminds me of 2018 Drama Special You Drive Me Crazy, so if you enjoyed that, I think there’s a good chance you’d like this one too.
PS: At MC‘s suggestion, I’ve also created a handy-dandy index of short drama things that I’ve reviewed, which you can check out here.
This basically covers web dramas, drama specials, movies, and short dramas (which I’ve decided to define as dramas which are 10 episodes or less). I hope you guys find it useful! ❤️
If you’d like a quick spot of drama that’s warm, fuzzy and doesn’t require a big investment of drama hours, but still provides that sense of continuity that dramas offer, this charming little J-drama might just do the trick.
At just 10 episodes of less than 25 minutes each, this show is perfect for squeezing in an episode or two, when you have only a small pocket of time to spare, but still want to indulge in some drama feels.
Quite perfect for the festive season, yes?
As promised, I’ve been poking around a little more in short-form dramas, to bring you guys quick reviews on some of your drama options, when you don’t have a lot of time to spare.
Beyond web dramas, I’ve found myself gravitating towards drama specials for my quick drama fixes.
The great thing about drama specials is that they tend to offer more emotional resonance and narrative heft than the average web drama, despite also have shorter running times than regular dramas.
At least part of the reason, I think, is that web dramas tend to cast mostly rookie actors, while drama specials often boast a cast that’s made up of more experienced actors.
I ended up really liking this particular drama special, and I’d say if you have an hour and 4 minutes to spare, this one is well worth a look.
It’s been 5 years since I became inspired by Chinese epic Nirvana In Fire, to put more C-dramas on my drama plate, and I think I’m finally coming to terms with the fact that modern C-dramas require their own specific lens.
My current conclusion is that a lot – not all, but most – of the C-dramas with modern settings (vs. period dramas) aren’t actually designed to be taken seriously.
At least, I find that this perspective helps me the most, when it comes to maximizing my enjoyment of a C-romcom.
And this particular C-romcom is.. more palatable than average, I think.
If you’re looking for a quick drama snack that’s big on wholesome, heartwarming feels – for the Thanksgiving holidays, perhaps? – and have just 1 hour and 8 minutes to spare, this little drama special might do the trick nicely.
By the way, this is not to be confused with KBS’s 2016 drama special of the same title, or with upcoming drama Sweet Home.
(I know, what is up with all the similar drama titles, right? So confusing!)
Let me be the first to say that I’m not sure I “get” this show, so this review will only be my best attempt at understanding this show.
I just.. was too curious about this one, after seeing the quirky trailers and posters, to pass it up.
To help us gain more insight and understanding into this show, Dame Holly, metaphor whisperer extraordinaire, who recently brought us a guest review of Greasy Melo, will be back to give us her take on this very different snowflake of a drama, probably in the next week or two. Stay tuned for that!
(Update: Dame Holly’s guest post is here!)
In the meantime, allow me to share my (probably mostly) half-baked thoughts on this show with you guys. 😅
Thanks to all of you who recommended this short little drama special to me. It really is as endearing as you said it was, and I do like it as much as you said I would.
This is one of those times that I wish this story had a little more time to explore and tell its story.
Instead of the 2 one-hour episodes we got, I think 4 to maybe 6 one-hour episodes would’ve done this story and its characters more justice – as well as given me more satisfaction.
Yes, I’m being greedy, heh. 😉