Hindsight Reviews will be written after the conclusion of a series, mostly for Korean or Filipino dramas. Or at the conclusion of a season, mainly for Power Rangers and the Toku series Super Sentai and Kamen Rider. Hindsight Reviews will only apply if I had originally written a “First Impression” review when the series first started. They’ll either be reviews of appreciation, living up to my ridiculous standards of quality or they’ll be reviews regretting all the time I spent and harping on about all that wasted potential I saw but the writers and producers did not. There will also be Hindsight Reviews in between, I suppose.
I wrote my “First Impression” Review after already watching nine episodes of GMMTV’s ThamePo: Heart That Skips a Beat. But the four episodes since essentially reinforced my not-so first impressions from then. A talented young cast, engaging romance, and an unexpectedly deep portrayal of the entertainment industry and fan culture have made ThamePo‘s 13 episodes thoroughly satisfying.
Deliverers in every sense of the word. The Boonboomgers were deliverers in the heroic sense, saving and rescuing those in danger and helping people in need. The Boonboomgers also made literal deliveries, whether special moments for schoolkids or curry lessons to a friend or even sketchy government secret missions.
But the Boonboomgers’ biggest and best delivery was probably being able to deliver to us, the fans and viewers, an excellent season this past year.
GMA Network’s Pulang Araw may not be the definitive screen depiction of wartime Philippines we all deserve. But that does not take away from the many positive achievements of the ambitious series. Even if its execution leaves a bit to be desired.
GMMTV’s Thai adaptation of the popular manga Cherry Magic (30 ยังซิง) has been a sweet, romantic and thoroughly enjoyable treat. Tay Tawan and New Thitipoom showed they’ve still got it as the experienced actors and popular pairing led a strong cast through entertaining and relatable stories. With a bit of slice of life feels, sincere emotions and a lot of fun, Cherry Magic is an all-around success.
To put how I feel about the season in the simplest terms: I feel bad I don’t like it more than I do.
Another season of sexy singles finding love on a deserted island has come and gone. It’s now become an annual event for Netflix’s Single’s Inferno to become a reliably buzzed-about series during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. And season three delivered the same not-so-guilty pleasure that can be so fun and frustrating at the same time.
When Big Bet devolved into some of the typical facets of the genre, it turned the series from being a refreshingly bold take on familiar themes into “just another one of those” in the end. The talented cast and the unique setting deserved much better material.
GMA Network’s Magandang Dilag has come to an end. And its 99 episodes have been a fun, enjoyable ride. Though the series featured some familiar themes and scenarios as many Filipino teleseryes, it was able to set itself apart in many ways. It was able to blend in comedy and humor with the heavy drama. And as a revenge story, Magandang Dilag was unrelenting in dishing out sweet karma to the series’ antagonists. But perhaps the biggest outcome from the series is how it was able to showcase Herlene Budol as a lead actress.
Overall, a fine, easy watch of a series. And again, wonderful to see Perth and Chimon in lead roles. But Dangerous Romance definitely leaves a lot of potential sadly on the table.
Overall, Only Friends has been a fun ride. The kind of great, soapy drama that makes you come back for more. And the great cast and satisfying conclusion are just cherries on top of the delicious, juicy soap cake! Lol