Die Sterntaler: Episode 1 - 4

This show is, at its core, a story about two brothers falling in love with one girl (now that I think about it, the brothers' personalities are not unlike The Vampire Diaries' - one self-destructive while the other is... oh yunno. Everybody watches TVD - I'm on Team Stefan btw). The two leading actors, when asked on what they'll do if they ever find themselves in a love triangle, Ryhdian Vaughan replies that he'll probably give up the girl, while second lead Sphinx (funky name eh) Ding begs to differ: "If I really love that woman, it won't matter whose girlfriend she is." Ooh. Now that is what I call spot-on casting.

Characters and the plot aside (more on that later), my, the quality really shows. I think this is a great joint effort by Japan and Taiwan, because the snowy scenes took my breath away, and I really appreciated the Japanese culture they've subtly incorporated into the everyday lives of the characters. I wished the OTP could just stay in Japan forever, safe from the crazy-up-the-wazoo shiz in Taiwan. Alas, as this is a remake, one cannot defy the original jdorama. But nothing is going to stop me from madly crossing my fingers and hope the ending will be different this time around.

Love, Now: Episode 1

If the pilot is anything to go by, we are in deep trouble. Another one to add to our long list of shows to watch, people. Abscenes, no *cough* I meant ABSENCE of second-hand embarrassment is always something I'm grateful for, especially when it comes to twdramas. The dialogue feels natural, no yelling OTPs (yet), another plus. 

My only complain is the BG music (yes, again), and at this point I guess I have to hand in the towel and accept this as part and parcel of a twdrama. Do Taiwanese dig those sounds that much, I wonder. Maybe if I search Baidu hard enough, there'd be a study that reveals "Chinese people: Prone to fall asleep when watching romcoms without wonky noises in the background." Or something.

Ex-Boyfriend: Episode 1

Ooh ooh ooh! I am happy to report that I'm following a twdrama, Ex-Boyfriend (Qian Nan You), a show on which its central conflict seems to be present in almost all twdramas, ever: Do you take a leap of faith with an old flame or go for the shiny new thing?

First impressions-wise, if you look past the annoying in-your-face sound effects (WHY do they always include those in twdramas, sigh) and OTT acting from the office sidekicks, this show has got potential to be... finishable. 

LMAO. I know it doesn't sound like much, but given my history with twdramas - I complete 4 shows a year, tops - this is a BIG commitment, okay. Best case scenario: show being so cracktastic I finish the whole thing in a week. Woo, imagine that? I have my fingers crossed.

Their teenage counterparts was a pleasant surprise (since in twdramas leads usually take it upon themselves to play their high school selves). Though the appearance was short (it's a flashback) but it totally sets the tone of the series, giving us a glimpse to the character's psyche, lest you think she is being too severe on him now. 

My heart went out to the teenage girl, her heart set on her sleeve - you can practically see all the love in the world shining in her eyes - and what did this guy do? He crushed her heart into a million pieces and fed it to the wild animals in Kaohsiung Zoo.

I have no pity on your future self, you heartbreaker. You had it coming.