jamyotcs

I'm not usually one for fantasy C-dramas but. Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact really took me by surprise with how much I enjoyed watching it. The plot is very fast-paced, the characters are all really colourful, there's never a dull moment with them around, and the special effects in the show are really impressive. The storytelling also gives me very old-school wuxia vibes, especially with the main character's tragic background story and him growing up trying to find his place in that world. There's friendship, romance, revenge, and a shared desire to protect the world that they live in -- basically everything needed for a great story and a really fun watch! Definitely one of the best fantasy C-dramas I've watched in awhile.

This might be the first drama I've watched with aromantic and/or asexual representation in it, and it's surprisingly addressed really well in the show. It explores the struggles of the aroace community without the story being too heavy, and the characters generally remain quite upbeat throughout the show. As the leads gradually figure things out and gain support from those around them, the show also shows us the varying opinions people have on love and their reasons for romantic relationships. I liked how in the end, for all the characters, it's really about understanding yourself and making peace with yourself. A healing and heartwarming drama, I really enjoyed this one a lot.

This film took me by surprise quite a bit actually. On the surface, it seemed like a simple heartwarming story about a Japanese family struggling to deal with the hardships of life but still managing to find happiness and love in the little moments. But halfway through the story starts to take a turn, it peels back and starts to reveal with each layer a darker truth beneath. The cinematography is beautiful; the storytelling, with its twists and turns, very clever and interesting. The acting is really nuanced and realistic, even the children delivered a great performance. A great watch, very refreshing in its subtlety and depth.