Saturday 25 September 2021

Belle by Syu Ariani

September 25, 2021 5 Comments
Assalamualaikum, good day dearest! Happy weekend. Just a quick update on book review. Since aku tengah on hold segala tbr sampailah aku habis review buku-buku yang aku dah baca ni. So, gigihla kita hehe.





Tajuk : Belle
Penulis : Syu Ariani
Mukasurat : 621 pages
Penerbit : BLEU Fantasy Publication
Terbitan : April 2021
ISBN : 9789671910924
Related : Anastasia, Ursula
Blurb : 

ADELINE JAMEELA.

Maksud namanya, noble. Cantik. Tapi kenapa dia rasa kehidupannya tak secantik mana? Hidupnya kabur-kabur sebab dia tak ingat apa-apa langsung! Namun dengan kehadiran Ayaaz, hati dijentik satu rasa. 

"Tolong percayakan saya."

Kala satu demi satu penipuan tersingkap, Adeline nekad. Akan dia buka kotak Pandora itu dan bongkarkan segalanya.

"Pandora box is a source of great, unforeseen troubles. Think you can handle the consequences?"
"Try me."

Namun setelah kotak Pandora terbuka, dia terngadah. Kerana hakikatnya... Hidupnya tak seindah nama yang dimiliki.

AYAAZ.

Menjadi pengawal peribadi Adeline Jameela, tak mudah. Menguji mental dan fizikal. Menguji perasaanya. Dia yang berjanji untuk sentiasa ada buat wanita itu akhirnya dia sendiri yang berkata...

"Saya tak pernah ada hubungan dengan Adeline Jameela. Sampai bila-bila."

Satu garisan jelas dicipta Ayaaz. Meski dia tahu ada hati yang berantakan, Ayaaz terpaksa. Kerana haikatnya... Dia yang membawa kelam ke dalam dunia wanita itu.

"Awak tahu tak, Beauty and the Beast ada twisted version?"
"Twisted version?"
"Haah. Dalam twisted version, sebenarnya..."

Jika di dalam dongeng Beauty and the Beast, Belle tetap setia bersama Beast mengharungi segala dugaan. Bagaimana dengan mereka? Apa kesudahan kisah mereka?

Buku ketiga dalam siri 'Twisted Tales: Princess Series' karya Syu Ariani ni merupakan antara buku yang aku sangat nantikan 'kelahirannya'. Berbeza dengan dua buku sebelumnya yang menceritakan tentang kisah si villain, buku ketiga merupakan satu kejutan. Tidak seperti buku pertama yang menampilkan kisah si kakak tiri Cinderella - Anastasia dan buku kedua pula mencerikan kisah Ursula daripada The Little Mermaid, buku ketiga ni menceritakan kisah Belle daripada Beauty and the Beast. Kalau ikutkan, sepatutnya watak Gastonlah yang sepatutnya diceritakan.

Aku ada satu habit bila baca buku iaitu aku akan baca lebih kurang 20% daripada ketebalan buku kemudian aku akan skim through. Secara tak langsung, aku akan dapat spoil sikit-sikit apa yang akan jadi. Tapi, aku langsung tak dapat nak buat  perkaitan masa baca novel ni. Bahagian depan fokus  pada watak Adel (Adeline Jameela) dan jugak Ayaaz. Tapi bila aku skim, tiba-tiba fokus beralih pada Beast dan juga Belle. Kalau identity si Beast memanglah dapat kita teka siapa tapi untuk Belle, apa pulak perkaitannya dengan si Adel? Misteri... Sedikit demi sedikit, identiti sebenar Belle dan Adel terbuka. Mulanya, aku memang dapat agak siapa Belle. Cuma yang aku tak faham, how? Aku suka cara kaksyu tease pembaca. Sikit-sikit dia bagi hint... Pandai-pandailah fahamkan.

Adel yang sedar daripada sebulan koma, hilang ingatannya. Dato Sri Akma memperkenalkan diri sebagai mama kepada Adel. Tapi, dia sedikitpun tak ingat apa-apa memori yang berkaitan dengan mama, banglo itu, atau sesiapa. Namun, sejak kemunculan Ayaaz yang menyelamatkannya daripada diculik, dan seterusnya diambil sebagai bodyguard, Adel dapat rasakan memorinya kembali. Tapi... betulakah itu memorinya atau sekadar ilusi?

Kalau aku katakan Ursula merupakan satu novel yang agak main emosi, Belle ni lebih lagi. Setelah kotak Pandora terbuka, segala yang kabur menjadi jelas, segala yang terhijab kembali terungkai, membuatkan aku sukar untuk menahan emosi. Kisah kehidupan sebenar seorang Belle, sangat terseksa. Kisah kehidupan Adel yang penuh dengan pendustaan, pengorbanan si Beast melindungi Bellenya. Kebanyakkan babak berjaya membuatkan aku mengalir air mata. 

Walaupun babak aksi agak limited berbanding dua novel sebelumnya, tapi tetap menyengat bila dibaca. Ditambah lagi dengan kemunculan favourite couple aku, Tengku Hadi-Asyfa, makin gamat aku rasakan. Kedua-duanya masih lagi tangkas mengalahkan musuh. Dan Beast... Janjinya untuk melindungi Belle dipegang teguh, tak sekali pun dia menyerah kalah walaupun cedera parah. Watak Beast, memang buas apabila nyawa Belle menjadi ancaman tapi bila bersama Belle, comel sungguh!

Bagi aku, perjalanan cerita novel ni sangat menarik. Cukup rasa gula, garamnya. Disebalik rahsia yang tertutup, disetiap  kebenaran yang tak terungkap, disetiap babak yang dinaratif, semuanya memuaskan hati aku. Satu pengorbanan menjadi menoktahkan kisah, memberi ruang kepada Beauty and the Beast meneruskan pengembaraan. Tahniah kepada penulis untuk satu lagi naskah hebat. I loikeee!

-thes

Tuesday 21 September 2021

Hanya Kamu Johanna by Dilla Ahmad

September 21, 2021 15 Comments
Assalamualaikum, good day dearest! Lama dah aku tak blogwalk. Ada masalah sikit dengan laptop. Ni pun update guna phone. Tapi itulah aku tak berapa gemar sangat nak guna phone. Tapi sebab dah lama tak jengah blog, aku gagahkan jugakla.





Tajuk : Hanya Kamu Johanna
Penulis : Dilla Ahmad
Mukasurat : 480 pages
Penerbit : Anaasa Publication
Terbitan : November 2015
ISBN : 9789670870083
Blurb : 

"Pasti ada sesuatu perkara yang awak buat sampai umi hantar awak ke mari, kan??" - SYED HARRAZ
"Saya dah bunuh seseorang!" - JOHANNA

Pertama kali bertentang mata dengan Johanna, Syed Harraz tidak suka dengan imej gadis itu. Dari atas sampai ke bawah, semuanya hitam. Gothic. Itulah gaya yang dibawa oleh Johanna.

Tak pernah ada perempuan yang tak menggedik bila bersama dengannya. Semua akan menempel apabila melihat wajah kacak Syed Harraz. Tapi yang ini, sedikit pun tidak menunjukkan minat kepadanya. Namun, bila adanya Johanna, hidupnya tidak lagi sunyi. Gadis itu merubah rutinnya. Bagi Johanna pula, hadirnya bukan untuk memikat sesiapa. Jauh sekali Syed Harraz Hussain. Siapa sangka, dia boleh berkawan baik dengan lelaki senyum senget itu.

"Nak ke mana tu?" -  SYED HARRAZ
"Nak sambung kerja gualah, bro!" - JOHANNA
"Aik? Layanlah aku makan dulu. Aku sorang-sorang aje makan ni." - SYED HARRAZ
"Lu tu bukan  suami gua, bro... Nake kena layan bagai!" - JOHANNA

Setiap kali panahan mata bundar itu tepat memandangnya, jantung Syed Harraz berdegup laju. Hati mula memainkan tempo.  Dunia ini ana yang punya!

Tapi, apabila si abang suarakan rasa suka pada Johanna, jantung pula berhenti berdetak. Nafas seakan sudah tersekat. Senyuman si abang meluluhkan perasaan. Syed Harraz hanya mampu berdiam. Dia hanya mampu melihat. Kepada Johanna disampaikan pesan. Kerana cinta ini tidak memandang siapa aku dan siapa kamu!

Pertama kali aku baca karya daripada penulis ni. Permulaanya not bad. Syed Harraz yang sentiasa dengan perempuan keliling pinggang kena tangkap basah dengan perempuan Cina! Nasib baiklah ada kawan baiknya si Remy dengan Kevin dalam rumah tu, dan pembantu rumah pun ada jadi kes digugurkan. Malangnya, disebabkan kes tu, bapanya menjatuhkan hukum mencari calon dalam masa setahun. Kalau tidak akan dijodohkan dengan pilihan mak tirinya.

Perkenalan Johanna dengan Syed Harraz bermula bilamana Johanna dihantar ke rumah Syed Harraz untuk bantu pembantu rumah Syed Harraz. Mulanya aku ingatkan umi yang disebut dalam blurb umi kepada Syed Harraz tapi rupanya umi tu merupakan penjaga rumah pemulihan akhlak, tempat Johanna tinggal. Sehari ditugaskan di rumah  Syed Harraz, Johanna dah buat hal. Dengan bahasa panggilan dia punya rock, Lu-Gua nyahh! Dengan Syed Harraz yang tuan rumah tu pun dia main taram aje. Maklumlah, dia dihantar pun sebab hukuman umi dan dia tak dibayar gaji.

Penceritaan novel ni santai aje. Dengan bahasa pasar yang Johanna guna. Tambah pulak dengan babak-babak gila-gila antara Syed Harraz dengan Johanna memang meriah aku ketawa. Part Syed Harraz bawak Johanna ke makan malam keluarga kononnya nak jadikan fake girlfriend upahan tapi bila dah sampai boleh pulak dia tergoda dengan si Naomi yang seksi, calon pilihan mak tirinya. Bebal sungguh Pak Syed yang satu ni! Nasib baiklah ada si abang, Syed Haziq yang layankan Johanna.

Hubungan Johanna dengan Syed Harraz makin rapat lepas  Syed Harraz berjaya pujuk Johanna yang merajuk sebab buat dia macam orang bodoh masa makan malam tu. Konflik mula bila Syed Haziq mula tunjukkan minat dekat Johanna. Hah, tak tentu arah  Syed Harraz dibuatnya! Nak merelakan si abang yang dah dua tahun menyendiri bahagia tapi hati sendiri sakit. Johanna pula, mulutnya memuji lebih ke Syed Haziq tapi hatinya menyebut Syed Harraz. Haihlahh.

Konflik ni, taklah berat pun. Biasa je sebenarnya and boleh resolve kalau bincang baik-baik. Tapi, sebabkan Syed Harraz ni ingatkan Johanna suka dengan abang dia, dia pun let go aje. Malangnya, niat baik Syed Haziq nak memeperisterikan Johanna tak kesampaian bila nyawa terpisah dari jasad. Wasiat yang ditinggalkan menyatukan Johanna dan Syed Harraz demi anak-anaknya. Nasib baiklah pihak Johanna dengan  Syed Harraz ni takde halangan sangat. Cuma si Naomi tu ajelah yang acah nak malukan Johanna dekat majlis dia tapi dia pulak yang dimalukan balik. Lol.

Dalam rumah tangga dorang ni takde konflik pun. Cuma part jealous sikit, merajuk sikit tu biasalah. Dapat pulak anak-anak express. Memang meriah la perkahwinan mereka. Rancangan si mak tiri pulak menjadi fokus.  Syed Harraz yang dah tahu mak tiri dia ni nakkan kuasa dalam syarikat teruskan siasatan and  akhirnya berjaya selamatkan ayah dia daripada terus jadi mangsa si perempuan tamak.

Bagi aku, flow penceritaan cantik tersusun. Semuanya berlaku sedang elok and fit perfectly. Dengan permulaan yang gila-gila, buatkan aku terhibur membaca. Part konflik, macam yang aku cakap taklah buatkan aku stress nak tolong cari solution. Konfliknya tak berat hatta part si mak tiri merancang nak dapatkan syarikat keluarga Syed Harraz. Overall, simple but enjoyable read. Insya-Allah in future, boleh check novel daripada penulis ni lagi.
-thes

Sunday 12 September 2021

Sweet Home

September 12, 2021 12 Comments
Assalamualaikum, good day dearest! Happy weekend~

not mine; credited to the rightful owner



Title : Sweet Home
Episodes : 10 
Genre : Fantasy, Thriller, Horror, Mystery
Director : Lee Eung Bok
Writer : Kim Kan-Bi (webcomic), Hwang Young-Chan (webcomic), Heung So-Ri, Kim Hyung-Min, Park So-Ri
Network : Netflix
Cast : Song Kang, Lee Si Young, Lee Do Hyun, Lee Jin Wook
Plot : 

After losing his whole family in a car accident,  a high school student, Cha Hyun Soo, moved to an one room apartment. The next day, when the residents of the apartment wanted to get out they find out that their apartment was locked. Once they opened the shutter gate, they discovered a mysterious monster waiting in front of the gate. With the lead of Lee Eun Hyuk, a med-school student, they bring the shutter down and stay inside the building. The residents then discovered that there is a mysterious phenomenon where human turns into monsters hit the world. Those with the symptoms of nose bleed, fainting, sudden aggression was advice to be isolated. The phenomenon however is not infectious. 

Based on a webcomic of the same name written by Kim Kan Bi and Hwang Young Chan published in 2017.

SPOILER ALERT

I was actually debating whether or not I should watch this drama. All because I read all those reviews that said it kind of left hanging (after Partner For Justice, I don't think I can stomach another drama left with questionable ending) but here I am taking my chance. Also, when the cast appeared in Running Man, I am really convinced, especially when Lee Jin Wook starred in this drama too.

First few episodes was so thrilling, nerve-wrecking and definitely scary. Especially when Hyun Soo went out his room to save the kids. I am so scared for him to go fetch the kids and went back up. Plus the monsters, oh the monsters. Each of them are so scary for me to look at. And some are just plain disgusting like the one that waited in front of their building. One thing I am sure is, don't you ever watch this drama while eating. I am not sure about you, but all those bloods, monsters and images made me gagged several times.

I finished this drama in less than one day because it was so intriguing and it keeps me wondering what happens next. With a very fast pace setting, 10 episodes is nothing. I loves each and every character. And that is a big problem when you watch this type of drama. You became attached to them and then you lose them.

I also loves how they gave a tiny bit of four main characters' past. Like how Seo Yi Kyung's fiance  (should I say ex-fiance because he died or may have became a monster?) was actually involved with this crazy monster-ization experiment and how Pyeon Sang Wook is not just a crazy gangster. Their pasts definitely gave justification on why they acted they way they did.

It was so emotional and sad and heartbreaking to watch the few last episodes. Especially the sword man, Jung Jae Hoon died. He almost died the first time but then survived but he really dies in order to save the other residents. The moment when he actually confessed that he like Ji Soo nearly had me bawling (exaggeration but you got it). And then more and more of them dying. Oh gosh, I really can't.

At first, Lee Eun Hyuk, the med-student came off like a selfish person. But then his character just grew warmer and his ending was just so hurt to see. Here I am, hanging off the tiny thread that he is alive for next season (I hope there is next one or else). Also, this drama really did not gave any chance for romance. Lee Eun Yu who likes Hyun Su  was forced to be separated from him, Yoon Ji Yoo lost Jung Jae Hoon in a fight with monster, Pyeon Sang Wook lost Yu Ri while trying to save her. Gosh, it was so heart breaking to see them.

The ending as they said, it was questionable. Especially how Pyeon Sang Wook was able to get on a military car with Hyun Su. Why ? Did he actually is not a gangster or what? It was a relieve to see that some of them able to escape the building through the tunnel but I am sure that the battle is not over. Especially when Seo Yi Kyung told them to survive. Also, all the monsters were just miraculously disappear when the soldiers surrounded their apartment building. Really weird but I'll take it they are inferior to the snow. Hence, I am very much hoping for the next season soon to truly end this drama. 



Bonus point, the OSTs were all so great! I love them and they definitely fit the mood of this drama. So, all, watch this drama, no regret.


For more k-drama reviews, please visit 'K-drama review' on the menu tab !

-thes

Wednesday 8 September 2021

Jagakan Aku by Syu Ariani

September 08, 2021 2 Comments
Assalamualaikum, good day dearest! 



Tajuk : Jagakan Aku
Penulis : Syu Ariani
Mukasurat : 668 pages
Penerbit : Karyaseni
Terbitan : September 2019
ISBN : 9789674691394
Blurb : 

"Cuma Doktor Ana Zahirah yang boleh tentukan kematian saya."

Bergegar dunia Zahirah apabila seseorang datang menemuinya dan mengatakan itu. Semuanya bermula selepas dia menjadi saksi kepada satu babak percubaan membunuh secara tidak sengaja. Kini, tak semena-mena dia terheret sama dalam permainan nyawa Devil Angel.

"Kadang-kadang tak ada niat membunuh, tapi keadaan mendesak." - AINA NATASHA

"Dia membunuh sebab dia seronok membunuh. Itu aje." - MUZAFFAR

Di antara kedua-dua sebab itu, yang mana satu menjadi punca Devil Angel membunuh? Atau ada sebab lain, yang membuatkan Devil Angel 'menghantar' mangsa-mangsanya kepada Zahirah? Sungguh, Zahirah penasaran!

"Ana Zahirah. Kau... Mengecewakan aku." - DEVIL ANGEL

Insan-insan terdekat Zahirah mulai menjadi mangsa. Emosi Zahirah bertambah kacau-bilau apabila ASP Aydin mengesyaki dia ialah Devil Angel, atau sekurang-kurangnya dia bersubahat dengan Devil Angel. Tetapi suatu hari...

"Jangan takut. Aku akan jagakan kau." - ASP AYDIN

Entah mengapa, jiwa wanita Zahirah telah meresap masuk janji Aydin. Diam-diam, dia mempercayai lelaki itu dan janjinya. Satu insiden di Kuala Lumpur membuka peluang untuk Zahirah mengetahui kisah silam Aydin dan tak dapat tidak, hati wanitanya terus terbuka untuk lelaki itu.

Namun, bisakah Aydin kotakan janjinya bilamana Zahirah sudah menjadi obsesi Devil Angel? Pada saat Zahirah sendiri berubah menjadi wanita tidak berjiwa, mampukah dia menghalang Devil Angel daripada terus-terusan membunuh? Atau Zahirah sendiri akan jatuh ke lembah gelap, dan menjadi serupa Devil Angel?

"Whoever fights the monster should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And when you look into the abyss, the abyss looks into you." - FRIEDRICH NIETSZCHE, GERMAN PHILOSOPHER

Last time I read a psycho-thriller was 'Aku Lelakimu' by Sara Aisha and I really looks forward to read this book. Dan aku tersangat puas hati dengan novel ni.

Dari permulaan bab lagi dah buat aku berdebar-debar. Lepastu, ditinggalkan pulak dengan pertanyaan, kenapa dan apa. Dan, permainan nyawa dari Devil Angel pun bermula. Asalnya, agak susah untuk aku make sense of the situation, mungkin sebab aku dah lama tak baca and tengok drama yang bergenre psiko thriller so aku struggle sikit nak ikut perubahan masa.

Watak Ana Zahirah bagi aku sangat cekal. Hilang orang tersayang dari usia muda, bila hidupnya dah mula nak stabil tiba-tiba terjebak dalam permainan si gila Devil Angel. Semuanya sebab dia nampak  dan halang Devil Angel daripada terus menikam mangsanya. Dia yang mulanya teguh berdiri walaupun berkali-kali Devil Angel permainkan dengan hantar mangsa yang dah parah ditikam ke hospital tempat dia bekerja tapi akhirnya mangsa-mangsa tu tetap akan mati semakin lemah. Hampir Zahirah tersungkur bilamana Devil Angel persembahkan di hadapan dia, seorang musuh lama. Dan... Di depan Ana Zahirah, kenalannya itu dikelar. Hilang semangat seorang Ana Zahirah. Dan cara penulis bercerita, aku sendiri dapat rasakan betapa terseksanya watak Zahirah ni.

Watak Aydin, seorang yang tegas pendirian, tak campur aduk urusan peribadi dan kerja. Dan dia... letakkan Zahirah sebagai suspect dalam kes Devil Angel. Nak bandingkan Aydin dengan watak Muzaffar, aku akan kata Muzaffar lebih nampak sayangnya pada Zahirah. Itu yang aku mula-mula fikir. Tapi, Aydin sebenarnya sayangkan Zahirah dan dia juga berjanji untuk menjadi penjaga kepada Ana Zahirah. Aydin... sangat gentleman, seriously. Mulanya dia digambarkan macam a bit cold, mean person tapi makin lama watak Aydin ni makin warm, makin memahami. It's hard not love him. And, the way dia ajak Zahirah kahwin, macam ajak lepak mamak tahu tak. Straightforward betul. Takde nak kiasan apa semua. Haih, comel betul.

Devil Angel. Seorang pembunuh, yang menikam mangsa berkali-kali like a devil. Kemudian hantar mangsa ke hospital, like an angel. Dari situlah datangnya nama Devil Angel. Dan dia, adalah syaitan dan tak mungkin malaikat sebab akhirnya, semua mangsa dia tetap akan mati, one way or another. Identiti Devil Angel ni memang aku tak boleh nak agak siapa. Mulanya aku ingatkan Muzaffar sebab dia mula kenal dengan Zahirah masa Zahirah jadi saksi cubaan bunuh Devil Angel. And semua kebetulan (tinggal apartment yang sama, kebetulan lalu kawasan gelap tu sekaligus jumpa Zahirah untuk pertama kali, kebetulan buat volunteer work dekat hospital tempat Zahirah bekerja) terasa staged. Tapi aku salah sebab Muzaffar ni informant kepada Aydin. He's V.

Once again, aku lost. Entah siapa identiti sebenar Devil Angel ni. Like, 65% into the book, aku boleh agak dah siapa Devil Angel. Hint yang penulis tinggalkan sangat-sangat subtle and kau kena berfikir lebih untuk tahu siapa dia. Kalau baca perwatakan yang ditunjukkan memang kau takkan sangka yang dialah Devil Angel but babe, ingat novel ni novel psiko, so, pembunuh dia mestilah seorang yang psiko. 

Novel ni is a very well-written. Sangat-sangat informatif. Lagi-lagi gambaran kerja seorang pegawai polis, juga seorang doktor. Aku sukakan cara setiap babak digarap dan diolah. Serius kata, aku boleh bayangkan macam mana ianya terjadi. Penulis pulak gunakan third pov jadi lebih senang untuk aku tahu dan faham perasaan setiap watak. Lepastu, ada pulak cameo dari Aina Natasha and Arhan from 'Anastasia' hah memang lagi syok la aku baca. Especially masa Aina become the heroin that saves Zahirah. Girl crush sangat kau! Oh, aku perasan jugak ada mention nama Lyssa and Ameer from 'Aku Ada' tapi aku tak berapa ingat pasal apa. Hehe.

Pengakhiran cerita... Ni susah untuk aku gambarkan perasaan aku. Aku harap Devil Angel akan diadili mahkamah atas semua kesalahan dia. Tapi, just like White Killer in 'Aku Lelakimu', Devil Angel pun tak sempat jejak mahkamah. Cuma aku rasa hukuman kepada Devil Angel ni memang padanlah lepas apa yang dia buat dekat mangsa-mangsa dia. And untuk watak utama, seharusnya happy ending. And the epilogues, aduhai comel sungguh. As a conclusion, novel ni, bagi aku one of the best read. 





A deep quote from Muzaffar, kan? And kalau tak salah aku, akan ada novel untuk dia, soon. Yes, after everything, aku memang naaaaak sangat kisah Muzaffar pulak. So, I'm looking forward for this. Sangat. Sangat. Itupun kalau aku tak salah tafsir la dengan mms V yang penulis pernah share dekat IG story. Harapnya kisah dia la. Hehe.


-thes

Monday 6 September 2021

18 Again

September 06, 2021 2 Comments
Assalamualaikum, good day dearest! This drama was so loved when it first released. I found so many comments of it on Twitter like wow.

not mine; credited to the rightful owner


Title : 18 Again
Episodes : 16
Genre : Romance, Fantasy, Drama, Comedy
Director : Ha Byung Hoon
Writer : Kim Do Yeon, Ahn Eun Bin, Choi Yi Ryun
Network : JTBC
Cast : Lee Do Hyun, Kim Ha Neul, Yoon Sang Hyun
Plot : 

Jung Da Jung and Hong Dae Young had been together since they were in high school. After accidentally got pregnant, Hong Dae Young sacrifed his dream of becoming a professional basketball player to take responsibility of Da Jung and his unborn child. 18 years later, they had a pair of twin, Si Ah and Si Woo who is now in high school. Da Jung is pursuing her dream to be an announcer meanwhile Dae Young works as washing machine repairman. One day, Da Jung gave Dae Young's a divorce documents. Dae Young who couldn't understand why she gave him the divorce paper, think that she might change her mind if he got the promotion for that year. His planned goes in vain after that when his junior got promoted. Dae Young then went to basket ball court and wished to go back after he scored a goal. On the way home, he saw his daughter working at a convenient store. Furious, he marched to her and began to scold her. His daughter however did not recognized him and threaten  to call the police. Dae Young was shocked to discover his physical appearance had changed to his 18 years old. With this new chance, Dae Young asked for his friend, Go Deok Jin to be his father.  Hong Dae Young then enrolled to his former high school under the name Go Woo Young to pursue his dream of becoming a basketball player.

This drama is a remake of USA film '17 Again' released in 2009.

SPOILER ALERT

Another light rom-com with a flare of fantasy drama here! This drama honestly have been in my waiting list for so long and I finally got to watch and finish it. Honestly, I watch this drama solely because of Lee Do Hyun. Ever since he appeared in Running Man, I kind of got hooked with his character and that led me to this drama. 

The fantasy part of this drama was just how Hong Dae Young can looked like his old 18 years old self in a blink of an eye - literally as it happened after he scored a goal. And all of the other elements are very much like the reality of our society. How a woman was criticized in her workplace because she is a mother, her background education is not on par of her co-workers, how a father's sacrifice for his family and yet 'he is never there for them during their hardship', and how a woman can never live in peace without people judging her personal life.

I love the way they constantly gives us scenes of younger days of main characters. It really helps with the storyline. How they went from a very loving couple to distant and cold couple. All the unsaid words, the unseen deeds leads them to the untangled vines of misunderstanding. While Dae Young went to school playing pretend as Woo Young, he learnt so many things that he doesn't know when he lived as Dae Young. From tiny things about his wife to little things about his twins. His initial resolve to take the second chance to chase his dream slowly faded and all he wanted to do is to be there for his family.

The chemistry between casts were really great, especially between the boys, Gu Ja Sung and Seo Ji Ho. I loves it when they tried to be 'hero' for Si Ah but failed when Woo Young swooped in. The bromance between Woo Young and Si Woo was also one of my favorite. Sadly, Woo Young was just a figment created by Hong Dae Young. While it was great to see Dae Young getting flustered, protective over his family when he is Woo Young, it is a teensy teeny tiny bit awkward and weird for me to see the romance between Woo Young and Da Jung. I was actually hoping to see Da Jung with Ye Ji Hoon because they actually looked great together. But okay, at least Dae Young went back to his older appearance.

I loves how this drama have the constant humor make it more enjoyable. Seriously, those two workers of Deok Jin had the worst timing ever. They always overheard Deok Jin and Woo Young arguing with each other. It was so hilarious. Also, the occasional angst that got me teared up and even cry especially those scenes when Dae Young's father help Da Jung during their hard time and Da Jung's mother help Dae Young. They were so against them keeping the pregnancy so when they came around and help their in-law without the knowledge of their respective child was so heartwarming.

The ending was very satisfying with the Dae Young and Da Jung found each other again, the twins got to do what they loves and them becoming a family again. I also loves how they highlighted that even after the second marriage, Da Jung and Dae Young still found themselves arguing, fighting and all those bad moments. It shows that even if it was their second shot in marriage, they will still do it wrong, but as they realize that life a is lifelong lesson, they will came around to fix their mistakes.

Also, I loves the OSTs. And here is some of my personal favorite;

hello by so hyang

one person by solji

moments make memories by juk jae

somebody by clara c

if we love again by yoon sang hyun




For more k-drama reviews, please visit 'K-drama review' on the menu tab !

-thes

Thursday 2 September 2021

Giveaway #busyrakongsirezeki Wang Tunai RM100

September 02, 2021 14 Comments

 Assalamualaikum, good day dearest! I'm joining another giveaway today and this time from blogger Busyra.


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Since aku baru tahu dan follow tentang blogger Busyra ni, aku tak tahulah content apa yang selalu beliau kongsikan. Tengah-tengah belek layout blog sis busyra ni, terperasan pulak tab 'Puisi' hah terus tekan. Scroll punya scroll tajuk puisi ternampak satu tajuk yang aku rasakan unik.


"Pelangi Hitam"


Puisi yang sis Busyra garap pada tahun 2017 ni basically (eh dah macam presentation dekat sekolah besikeli besikeli) bercerita tentang manusia. Walaupun kita pandang pada benda yang sama, in this case, pelangi tapi belum tentu kita 'pandang' benda yang sama. Faham tak apa aku maksudkan?


Well, one person might say pelangi tu satu keindahan selepas hujan but for another pelangi mungkin cuma satu ilusi. Mungkin juga kehadiran pelangi menyeksa bagi sesetengah orang. We never know. Seperti juga dalam puisi, "Kisah hidup manusia takkan sama, seperti aku dan dia,". Puisi garapan sis Busyra ni nampak macam straightforward tapi aku rasa agak mendalam juga maknanya.


Aku perasan banyak juga sis Busyra share resepi. Aku ni pengumpul resepi tegar (cubanya belum tentu) Insya-Allah rajinlah aku nyinggah blog sis.


-thes

SUPRISE GIVEAWAY BY AIENIENKA

September 02, 2021 11 Comments

 Assalamualaikum, good day dearest! Sesupriseeeee~ Terkejut tak? Hehe, moh le join giveaway kak Aien ni.


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Since seorang suraya jarang dapat surprise (kasi hint mana tahu ada yg baik hati nak kasi hadiah hehe) so kisah surprise ni cuma satu event je yang terlintas dekat kepala. Well, masatu diploma first year so standard la duk asrama kan. Malam before my birthday, dah siap-siap nak tidur sebab kelas esoknya awal pagi, memang masa tu dah gosok gigi semua, selimut pun dah tarik tinggal nak lelap je. Baru je tutup mata sekali pintu bilik terbukak dari luar.


Cuak jugakla en sebab siapa pulak nak datang bertandang bilik tengah malam centu. Sekali dengar orang nyanyi lagu happy birthday HAHAHA masatu terharu jugaklah. Yang buat surprise tu dua kawan dari sekolah menengah, Hajar, Atie, Piqa, Aisyah, roommate Piqa dengan Lin, roommate aku.


Master planner confirm dah si Hajar sebab dia yang tahu and ingat birthday aku (partly sebab dia lahir few days after aku hahahha) pastu yang lain confirm la follow je. Habis je dorang nyanyi, aku pun cakap la happy birthday dekat Lin, roommate aku. Pastu yang lain blur. HAHAHHA. Well, aku dengan Lin punya birthday, tarikh yang sama and aku penah bagitahu Hajar tapi dia lupa agaknya hahha. Kelakar je bila ingat balik. Kesian dekat Lin yang plan surprise birthday aku padahal time tu birthday dia jugak. Kenangan betul.


Tu jelah kenangan surprise yang memang tak boleh lupa.


-thes

Wednesday 1 September 2021

Watcher

September 01, 2021 6 Comments
Assalamualaikum, good day dearest! Welcome, September~ Wow, time really fly fast. We are now in September and just few months away from 2022. 

not mine; credited to the rightful owner



Title : Watcher
Episodes : 16
Genre : Investigation, Crime, Action
Director : Ahn Gil Ho
Writer : Ahn Sang Woon
Network : OCN
Cast : Seo Kang Joon, Han Suk Gyu, Kim Hyun Joo
Plot : 

Kim Young Goon, a young traffic police officer was under investigation after he fired his gun to a suspect. He was taken by the Crime Squad under the lead of Jang Hae Ryung. However, after Do Chi Gwang, the chief of internal affair investigation team looked at the case, he called for Kim Young Goon to be investigated under his team. Do Chi Gwang recognized Kim Young Goon as the son of his corrupted police team member who was prison after found guilty killing his wife. After solving the case involving the traffic violator, Deputy Commissioner Yeom asked Do Chi Gwang to lead an internal affair investigation team to apprehend all of the corrupted police officer with Lawyer Han Tae Joo who used to be a prosecutor, as the advisor for the team. Do Chi Gwang then asked Kim Young Goon to be part of the team. 


SPOILER ALERT


The drama starts off with the Young Goon who was a traffic police officer following a traffic violator and fired his gun towards the violator despite him not attacking. That is how he was put under investigation. Do Chi Gwang, the chief of internal affair investigation team who was on his mission to prove Jang Hye Ryung, a thriving special crime unit captain is corrupt heard about Kim Young Goon's case. Do Chi Gwang then took Kim Young Goon's case from Hye Ryung.

It was made clear from the start that Do Chi Gwang is targeting Jang Hye Ryung and wanted him punished. The question was why? Jang Hye Ryung was an actual headache for me. Why? Because I could not put him on good nor bad side. He came off strong when he shot his own teammate right across his head when that person tried to kill Young Goon. But all of his scenes doesn't really show either he is good or not. Plus, he is too expressionless.

After Deputy Commissioner Yeom gave permission to Chi Gwang to investigate whoever he wanted and put Lawyer Han Tae Jo as the legal advisor of his team, they begin to investigate Jang Hye Ryung. Or... trying to. Lawyer Han only wanted to get her revenge on the person who cut off her and her husband thumb. Meanwhile Chi Gwang just wanted to catch the bad guys in the police association. And Young Goon, he need to know either his memory is right or not. Did he really witness his father killed his mother. All three of them had different mission and they worker together to satisfy their mission.

This drama seriously confuses me so much. I am really interested in knowing who is the killer of Young Goon's mother because that case is tied to all three of them. Kim Young Goon's father used to be a detective and was in the same team as Do Chi Gwang and Jang Hye Ryung while Lawyer Han was the prosecutor for the case. Because Lawyer Han just wanted to get revenge to the one who ruin her thumb, I never know which side she will stand. One second she will be on Do Chi Gwang side but when she saw an opportunity to get the identity of that person, she will immediately switch side. 

The identity of Young Goon's mother killer was so hard to guess. They really keep it until two lasts episode before revealing him. Before that, I was so convinced that Chi Gwang is the killer due to the way he acts.  When they found dead bodies at the abandon area, I believe there was only one killer but then I was proven wrong when the plot twist came. It was really unexpected and honestly, doesn't really fit into the case. And that was where this drama loss it appeal to me. 

Honestly, this drama had so much potential to be one of my favorite. But then, the resolution towards the ending feels like an anti-climatic but not really. And it actually baffled me. The existence of that society and the plot twist feels really out of place. Even the ledger that Young Goon's father left for him doesn't seems to fit into the timeline. I was so disappointed. It will be so much better without the plot twist.

I really enjoy this drama up before the plot twist. It was fast paced and the action scenes were sooo great. Plus, the occasional comedy in the drama balanced out the serious-ness. Anyway, give it a try if you are up for it. 


For more k-drama reviews, please visit 'K-drama review' on the menu tab !

-thes