Tag: blogging

Review: ‘When the Phone Rings’ K-drama (2024)

“The world won’t fall apart if you speak up. Everything you want to say, the things you’ve held back say whatever you want.” – Baek Sa-eon.

The last official K-drama that I followed in 2024 was ‘When the Phone Rings’ and let me tell you after the release of its first two episodes the next day I was hooked when my social media was filled with their edits and I decided to give it a go and loved it. So it follows the story of Baek Sa-eon, a rising politician and his mute wife, Hong Hee-joo. A tense marriage begins to unravel after a call from a kidnapper and their life turns upside down.

I loved this drama so much, especially the beginning. The vibe, the characters, the cinematography, the dialogues, the suspense, the music, everything was top-notch. It was the drama that sucked me in so fast that from the first episode, I was hooked. The plot was plotting and the chemistry was electrifying. I love how everything was very well balanced and the way each episode just sucked you in with its climax scenes.

Talking about Baek Sa-eon, I loved him from the beginning, especially the first 6 episodes. His aura makes him look so powerful and it increases the quality of drama as well. He is the green flag in disguise, he legit arranged his marriage with his wife and showed to the world and his wife that it was a contract marriage. When the revelation started to begin everything made sense and I was in awe. I think his character was written spectacularly and he has suffered a lot even though it was not his mistake.

“I lived because of you. I endured because of you.” – Baek Sa-eon.

Then we have Hong Hee-Joo. In the beginning, I thought she would be a weak character, but I was so shocked to see how she was one of the strongest characters. Her phone call version is my favourite personality of hers in the show. She deserves all the love she gets. The girl goes through a lot but in the end, gets what she always wanted. Her eyes speak so much, and her sign language makes her character beautiful.

Their chemistry was the reason I watched this show. They paired with each other so well and the actors actually looked like they were the characters in real life. I love that there is no misunderstanding between them. Baek Sa-eon when gets to know about Hee Joo understands without misunderstanding her, I liked that they focused on the main plot rather than adding unnecessary problems between the couple. I loved that in the later episodes they understood each other so much, their childhood story was just beautiful. I think they as a couple fit way too well and made the drama excellent. Their love for each other was so strong that they were ready to die for each other. This drama also had some of the best kisses in the whole K-drama trajectory.

“Why was I born? I always thought about it. If I have to live someone else’s life against my will, why was I born? But I think I found the answer to why I was born and why I had to leave as Baek Sa-eon. It was to meet you.” – Baek Sa-eon.

Talking about the plot, it was something different and thrilling. I loved the concept of phone calls, I also love that they let the thriller flow rather than adding too much. I loved the dark vibe at the beginning of the drama, the intense music and Baek Sa-eon’s expression made the drama quality more elegant and watchworthy. Also, the timing was perfect for everything, from revelation to the last episode. I loved that they did not add much family drama but focused on the leads. But then the last episode happened, if you are familiar with K-dramas ending you might know that they drag too much till the end and give only few minutes of happiness, this drama was the same. The last episode was like I watching a new drama’s first episode because it was such an out of the box happening but then they added the political issue and lost me.

Overall the drama is a must-watch, I highly recommend it.

“For once, I want to protect you. So that you never suffer or get hurt again.” – Hong Hee-Joo.

My Rating: 8/10

Total Episodes: 12

Genre: Melodrama, Mystery, Thriller, Romance

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

Pinterest Instagram Twitter Tumblr Blogging

0

Live in the Present.

“Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life.”

It is diabolical to think that we are all so busy thinking about the future that we forget to live in the present. The world has made it very clear that everyone has to work for the future, even if we have to give up our present or be sad. But why do we have to sacrifice our present for a time that has not even arrived? I always tell myself that everything in life is meant to be unpredictable, there are situations I can’t ignore and I need to accept the inevitable. I think the older I get the more I understand how much the present and its moments mean to me and it will only take a second to become the memories so I tell myself to enjoy it to the fullest. Because of overthinking, and fear about the future we miss out on the chances to live life in the present. The future is going to be okay but it has yet to arrive. But the present is in front of you, waiting for you to savour it, take the opportunity and live in the present moments. When the future arrives when things get tough to deal with at least you will have great memories and strength to fight. If you focus on the present, the future will unfold automatically. I have learned the hard way that crying over the past that is gone and being afraid of the future that is yet to arrive makes life more complicated and we try to ruin the present that is infront of us. Remember we can’t control our future no matter what, however, we have our present that is in our hands so why not take the opportunity to live in the present and make it beautiful? I have deeply realised that present moments are what I truly have, if I have to make my life beautiful and worth living then I need to live in the present.

Be present, be now, be here.

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write

Pinterest Instagram Twitter Tumblr Blogging

1

Book Review: Before We Say Goodbye (#4) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Writing the first post of 2025 through a book review and it was not planned but accidentally. I hope this year will fulfill all your desires. Wishing you a healthy and happy year.

The fourth book in the series Before We Say Goodbye is another great book written by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. I read this series continuously and the four stories in this one were the most challenging because it has a story about a dog. In this book, we meet again at the magical Cafe Funiculi Funicula known for its famous legend and extraordinary time-travel offering. The customer gets the chance to go back in time but with every journey, there is a risk and here the customer has to obey certain rules otherwise the punishment is brutal. We will be introduced to four new sets of visitors; the husband with something important left to say; the woman who couldn’t bid her dog farewell; the woman who couldn’t answer a proposal; and the daughter who drove her father away.

The vibe of the book is comforting and familiar, the only thing is that the rules are explained very much which makes it repetitive but becomes less in the later part of the novel. The timeline of this book was also a little different than others and I wished there was more of Kazu and Nagare mentioned but because of the timeline, it couldn’t happen. The stories were heart-wrenching, especially of the dog and its owner, I bawled my eyes out. Honestly, this book and this series are like a comfort you can read in a day or savour chapter by chapter. It is a short book, however it makes you empathetic towards others and see how people are going through so much in this world.

I recommend this book.

Rating: 4/5

Check out the review for the first, second, and third books by clicking here.

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

Pinterest Instagram Twitter Tumblr Blog

0

24 Things I Learned in 2024!

  1. Appreciate yourself for whatever you do.
  2. Protect your peace even if it makes you give up on things or someone.
  3. It’s okay to do whatever you want, you have the right to live a life that most don’t understand.
  4. Take the decision and ask everyone if you want to make the wrong decision.
  5. Fear will stop you from living but life is all about living so take the risk.
  6. You can do anything you want if only you have focus.
  7. Keep your feelings private to yourself.
  8. It’s okay if life made a turn you didn’t expect, maybe it’s for your own good.
  9. It’s okay to cry, you are only human.
  10. Be grateful as much as you can.
  11. People question you about your decision but never see what choices you have.
  12. Don’t impress anyone but only yourself.
  13. No matter what you do, people will never be happy.
  14. What matters is that you showed up, you tried, and you tried hard. It’s okay if something didn’t happen the way you wanted.
  15. It’s okay to prioritize yourself, don’t let the guilt consume you for that.
  16. Things that you are avoiding have the magic that you are looking for.
  17. Take the first step—just do it. If you won’t do it now, you won’t do it ever.
  18. Life is not perfect and any decision you take will come with hardships at an unexpected time.
  19. Don’t be a people pleaser and too kind.
  20. Say NO if necessary and it’s a complete sentence you don’t need to justify yourself.
  21. Live in the present if you start caring too much about the future, you won’t be able to create memories and fully enjoy yourself.
  22. It’s okay sometimes to take a break and just do what makes you happy.
  23. Work on yourself, for yourself, you know yourself better than anyone else.
  24. And the most important one, if you can’t avoid the situation just put your airpods in and live like there is no one other than you.

This is officially my last post of 2024 and I am so grateful for this year. There were a lot of ups and downs however it was the year where I could feel happy from inside. In this year, I was consistent with my posts and that is one of my biggest achievements that I am proud of. I learned a lot but shed a lot of tears as well but it’s okay I survived. It’s okay if your dream has yet not been achieved, I know you tried hard and did not give up. I am so proud of you, leave 2024 year behind and let’s work hard for 2025.

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write

Pinterest Instagram Twitter Tumblr Blogging

1

Shattered Dreams…

“Shattered dreams still have sharp edges.”

Imagine yourself at 80 sitting on the rocking chair and seeing the young generation at the place where you were once and suddenly someone questions you, what was your dream and did you fulfil it? How lucky will you be if you can answer yes but if it’s the opposite, it’s the heart-shattering voice you hear repeatedly. Having a dream is a privilege but this world is filled with inevitable things that stand between you and your dream. There are many regrets a person feels but not being able to fulfil the dreams because of others is the regret that will never let you go. It hurts my heart to write that maybe if I fought more I could be living my dream at the moment but here I am living someone else’s dreams. It will never let me go ever, be it at any age I will always come back at the moment where I knew I lost my dream and shattered heart that can’t be whole again. Once the dream is broken you move on there is nothing you can do except allow yourself to curse that is why it’s me who has to leave my dream, how much difference would my life be if I fought more, maybe I would have less regret to carry in my heart. What has shattered can’t be fixed, its pieces break into so many sharp edges and when you just breathe it pokes you so bad and at that moment you realize how life is so much of a failure, that you are unable to forget and forgive yourself of the dream you once had that shattered. The dreams never stop you are a dreamer you will keep on dreaming but the fear of reliving the moments of your shattered dreams comes like a wind in front of you. There is no going back from regret, you just need to learn to live with it and accept that maybe life would be so different if the dreams remain dreams, not shattered dreams…

“Not all dreams are meant to be fulfilled.” – M A

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write

Pinterest Instagram Twitter Tumblr Blogging

0

Review: ‘High School Frenemy’ Thai Drama (2024)

“The most important thing that I’m giving up.

It’s not school.

It’s you, Shin.” – Saint.

After seeing so many reels of this drama, I decided to give it a try and I went blind into it without knowing anything was it the best decision? Hell yeah! I am someone who hardly has dramas that are stuck in my mind otherwise I just watch it for fun. But if I watch a drama and it touches my heart and soul then it is game over for me, it will become my personality and I will never recover from that hangover ever. And this is what happened when I watched ‘High School Frenemy’ and OMG what a masterpiece. It is about Saint and Shin who used to be best friends in the past, however, an incident broke their friendship. Both belong to two different campuses but the administrator decides to combine both campuses which for many years hated each other. But now they will be sharing the same roof for the next school year. I didn’t know that it was a remake of School 2013, the Korean drama.

For me, friendship is the most important and valuable thing in my life. I think no love can top the friendship relationship. And this drama made me more empathetic and grateful towards my friends. The plot, the friendship, and the pure relationship between teacher and student were just beautiful to watch in this drama. I love the male lead when they are quiet and mysterious but actually, a beast inside that is what Saint is. Even though it is kind of a plot twist the second I saw him in the first episode I knew he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Saint, what can I say about him, he is such a character who would do anything for his friends, but he is also a flawed character who has made mistakes as a teenager. Sky who played the character of Saint, OMG has done such incredible acting, the way his eyes are always filled with guilt and regret. The way he acted so helpless because he wanted forgiveness, the way he delivered the dialogues, and the way he acted through his eyes made the drama and character more special.

Then we have Shin, he is just a pure character. In the beginning, you will meet Shin, you might not like him but his best friend, Saint did to him making his action totally understandable. Nani, who has played the character of Shin, what can I say about it? He has done such marvellous acting, and his eyes are the star of his character. He is just a pure character, so kind, and so forgivable. He went through so much pain but he was so selfless. I loved his character the most because being selfless is not easy and only strong people can do it like him.

“You must have changed for real.

But one’s true nature is unlikely to change.” – Shin.

Let’s talk about the friendship between them, OMG that is the star of the drama. The dialogue, the staring, and the longing between them were so powerful that they made me breathless. It is a bromance but there was something more powerful between them, and the chemistry was just off the chart. Having a friend who can do anything for each other, even die is what they were to each other. Saint taking a beating for Shin and telling him, he will protect him forever was just beautiful to watch. Shin making sure to be with Saint forever, their friendship is just amazing and pure. The conversation between them was a chef kiss. Did I sob when they mend their friendship? Did I not stop giggling? Did I want everyone to have a friend as their safe zone? A big yes. And let me tell you the secret, I have a best friend who is my personal diary, my trauma relief, and the friendship that I ever wanted, and I will be forever thankful for that girl.

Another star of the show is Chadjen. He was the cupid for Saint and Shin to recover their friendship. I adored him so much. Then we have the teacher Jan. She was the moment and the character of the drama. If only in real life we had teachers who understood us rather than judged us, this world would be so much better. Jan is so beautiful from inside and outside. Because of her, all the classmates became friends, and the war ended.

This drama will forever be in my mind and I will always have a wish to erase it again so that I can watch this drama again for the first time. The chemistry, the friendship, the lessons, and the understanding between teacher and student were top-notch. Everything in this drama was a chef kiss.

If you can take any one recommendation from me, please be it this one and thank me later.

“You don’t need to understand us if you already judge us.” – Saint.

My Rating: 10/10

Total Episodes: 16

Genre: Friendship, youth, drama

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

Pinterest Instagram Twitter Tumblr Blogging

2

One of a Kind.

Each one of us is special… what you are capable of might be unimaginable for someone else.

As long as I remember, I have always compared myself to others, I have always told myself, “Why can’t I do things others can?” “Why can’t I be like them?” Because there was nothing I could do as a child, I never did things that I would be proud of, I did not have skills so that made me think I could not do anything. Looking back, I realize I was a child filled with mischievous traits of just playing around and living life to the fullest. I hate the comparison, I hate that I have to be compared with someone to increase my capabilities. Why can’t I be one of a kind? Why they can’t be one of a kind? The world has put everyone in a race, to move forward but is it right? Why does everything have to be about winning and losing? Why is it not that they can be good at something and I can’t and vice versa? Is it shameful for the world? But Alas! I have reached that stage of my life, where I have found the skill that I am proud of, the skill that makes me happy that makes me one of a kind. I am a girl who is proud of what she is doing, I am a girl who has proved to herself that she has a talent that she can be proud of, and I just love being one of a kind. Remember everyone, you are one of a kind, no one in the world can be you except yourself, and that itself makes you unique and powerful. There is no one like you out there, so don’t try to be like someone else, be yourself, the person you always want to be, I am rooting for you. All my life, I have always scolded myself to do better and always doubted why I can’t do things. But I was just ignoring what I actually could do to fit in society. I wanted to do what others can do and ignored that just like them I also have skills that I can do and they can’t and maybe I am one of a kind.

Never forget that you are one of a kind.

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

Pinterest Instagram Twitter Tumblr Blogging

0

Book Review: Before Your Memory Fades (#3) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

‘Well, I read that when you give a gift to someone who is striving to achieve their dreams, you have to give them the most cherished thing you have. Some days, that person who is chasing their dreams will not be able to find the strength to keep going. It will be bitter and painful, and they will have to weigh up their dreams and reality to make a choice. When that happens, the person gifted with the most precious thing will be able to fight on a little more. It apparently helps them to feel they are not alone. So, I’m giving you this book because I want you to fight for your dream.’

Let me continue with the review of Before the Coffee Gets Cold series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and today it’s time for the third book in the series. Before Your Memory Fades is my favourite book in the series, it has touched my heart with its beautiful stories. Again we met on the hillside of Mount Hakodate in northern Japan in Cafe Donna Donna. The cafe is back serving delicious coffee as well as giving its customers the chance to go back in time by following certain rules. In this book we meet four customers; a daughter who resents her deceased parents for leaving her orphaned, the comedian who aches for his beloved and their shared dreams, the sister whose grief has become all-consuming, and the man who realized his love for his childhood friend.

I connected with this book so much, all the stories were heart-wrenching and inspiring. The four characters who went back in time were filled with angst and guilt, and because of that, the conversation was filled with words that my heart started sobbing. This book truly allows us to see how much every person is suffering from something, how each person is carrying guilt, how they have regretted what they have done in the past, and how they want to just forget the past and make things right. This book also teaches that if you ever get the chance to meet the person again maybe life could get a little better.

‘If it was just a matter of travelling back to the past, anyone could do it. But this cafe chooses people…By its rules…And some people hear those rules and give up. But those people who are resolved to go back, despite the rules, have a reason for doing so. It doesn’t matter what the reason is. If there is someone they must see, or someone they should see… even if the present reality won’t change…then, that’s all that matters.’

However, it also teaches that reality can’t be changed and maybe this is for the better of one being. The thing about me is that when I read stories about people who went through life in a hard way, it makes me want to appreciate life and be more grateful.

That is why I highly recommend this book.

Rating: 4.5/5

‘Something I strongly believe is that we mustn’t allow the death of a person to be the cause of unhappiness. The reason for that is simple: if you let everyone who dies be a cause for unhappiness, that would mean people are being born to become unhappy. But the opposite in fact is true. People are always born for the sake of happiness.’ – Yukari Tokita, Author

Check out the review for the first and second books by clicking here.

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

Pinterest Instagram Twitter Tumblr Blog

1

Passion.

Seek what sets your soul on fire.

I love to hear when people talk about things they love with passion in their eyes. I never knew that having things you love is a luxury in this world. People are lucky when they see what they love and continue to do it. It is so funny that when we are children we decide we want to become something just like that. But when we grow up when actual responsibility falls on us we realize it is so important to choose what we truly love because we are going to be stuck so it is better to figure out which direction is for us. In my life, I never really had a passion for things until blogging. I just knew I loved writing and had to do it and here I am, proud of my passion. I love to hear when people tell the work they are doing, and the hobbies they are engaged in are something they love. I love to see how they are so passionate about it and it can be seen in their eyes the way they talk. And I want to be that person as well, when I talk about my passion I want my heart to burst out of energy, my eyes to sparkle, my stomach to be filled with butterflies and my mind waiting to get back to what I love. I feel like a lucky person because I have found what I love. When I told you for the longest time in my life, I had no clue what I love and what my heart desires. And it hurts seeing others have something they love while I am stuck to the ground unable to find my passion. But now I know, I love writing, I love telling people what writing means to me and how grateful I am to find something that sets my soul on fire. If you are still stuck to the ground, don’t worry you will find something that will set your soul on fire, take it from me, I spent years finding something I love and I know you will also find your passion.

People with great passion can make the impossible happen.

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

Pinterest Instagram Twitter Tumblr Blogging

0

Review: ‘The Judge from Hell’ K-drama (2024)

“Having a pulse does not mean she is alive. Her mental state’s all messed up, and she has no will to live. Breathing isn’t living.” – Kang Bitna

I love revenge dramas, I love the feeling of satisfaction however many dramas that I have watched don’t do a good justice, they just felt muh. But this drama The Judge from Hell exceeds every expectation of mine. OMG! You guys, the punishments are soooooo satisfying, I just love it. This is a story about a devil, Justitia who gets a mission to live in Judge Bit-na’s body and drag criminals back to hell.

Kang Bit-na, what to say about her, every word defining her would not be enough. I love how evil she is I mean come on she is a demon, she is supposed to be wicked and I love that they showed her evil aspect really well. She is so funny and unserious, I love that they did not make her serious but a maniac with every bit of unseriousness filled in her. The thing that I loved the most in this drama was that Bitna was the one giving the punishment, she was the one hitting and unalive the criminal. I love the whole thing where the criminal is living the victim’s life, the criminals are getting the taste of their own medicine. Park Shin-Hye has nailed this role, her eyes are the main character, her clothes, her style, her attitude and her walk, everything about her screams she is a demon from hell. I think Kang Bit-na will be one of my favourite female characters; she is someone I would love to get inspired by.

“The hell you’ll go to after death is scary. But it’s not as bad as the hell you face while living. This place you all live in is the real hell filled with demon-like humans.” – Kang Bitna

Han Da-on, this character, at first, I did not vibe with him because he was annoying as he kept telling Bitna how bad she was and I mean what to expect from her. She is a demon, she is supposed to be like that but later, I loved him. He is funny, especially when he gets confused about Bit-na when he gets to know she is a demon. I loved his techniques in capturing Bita-in in action, but he fails every time. But then he uses his brain. I was not expecting that. I thought they were having a romantic moment, but then PLOT TWIST, I loved it. I think Han Do-on become hotter and capable of being with Kang Bit-na after the 7th episode.

Talking about chemistry, nowadays a lot of K-dramas focus on cute and unserious couples just as Kang Bit-na and Han Da-on. At first, they are like a cat and mouse, Han Da-on trying to catch her while she wants to complete her mission so badly that she even unalive him but makes the situation worse. When they joined hands, it was so much fun to see them being comfortable around each other. Their hugs are so beautiful and so is their chemistry.

The plot was remarkable, I love that there were many stories included and every story ended in a perfect punishment. I loved every second of Park Shin-hye’s action moments. She did her action scenes so well, I was legit sucked in watching her fight. I loved that this show really focused on the demon aspect and it was filled with the grey vibe. At every end of the episode, there is a plot twist and wants us to just keep watching. I was afraid that they would add a plot where they would make Kang Bit-na weak and the same plot but throughout the drama, she proved that she is a demon.

I highly recommend this drama, it’s very unique and very satisfying to watch. I binge-watched it.

“Have you experienced stress lately?”

“Leaving among people is stressful in itself” – Kang Bitna

My Rating: 10/10 (Please check trigger warnings)

Total Episodes: 14

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Thriller, Romance

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

Pinterest Instagram Twitter Tumblr Blogging

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑