To Bee or Not To Bee: A Reaction to VA Repertory Theatre's 'Akeelah and the Bee'

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I recently had the opportunity to see a live production of the play based on the 2006 film Akeelah and the Bee. The theater articles on The Fangirl Initiative usually consist of videos or recordings of shows that are or have been on Broadway. I think it's time for a review of an actual production that isn't Broadway or a Broadway tour. So here you are!

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There is a common saying suggesting that a person should never work with children or animals on stage. But this opinion is misleading. Something special breaks into the world when a truly talented child actor shines on stage or screen for the first time. When raw, unmarred talent bursts forth to stop even the most grizzled of humans in their tracks, it is a great thing. Of course, not every child actor is blessed with the compelling power to hold attention. Some merely have an ability that can be mined to produce something great. Some try, but fizzle out before they shine, lacking the quality so many in the performing world strive for.

In Virginia Repertory Theatre’s production of Akeelah and the Bee, I saw many young actors. Some offered a future of potential, others left much to be desired. To my surprise, the lead actress and title character gave what I considered the weakest performance. I am sure others took away different thoughts from her performance. Another young actor, playing opposite her as Dylan Chiu, gave a good performance, through his movements and other characterization choices. The other child actors also produced a valiant effort, and the adults were all talented, including actress Alana Smith, who was extremely convincing as the desperate mother she played. Overall, I enjoyed the performances presented, though some performers did massively affect scenes they were a part of, not always in a good way.

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The scenic design was pretty simple. A sky drop was placed behind two small apartment fronts, serving as the main character and her neighbor’s homes. The buildings were not constructed to realistic standards. The lack of detail in this design may have had to do with the fact that the play is based on a film of the same name, and the director may have wanted to convey a sense of childish whimsy, though the inclusion of gunshots over the sound system at the beginning of the show makes me doubt that. More likely, the set was simple because it was a repertory production, and other shows would have to move into the theater later.

The use of sound was interesting in this production. As I mentioned above, near the beginning of the show there were gunshots, though these sounded rather tinny to me, instead of frightening. I suppose the director may have wanted to avoid scaring children, who are this show's target audience. Sound was also used to portray the spelling bee judges in voiceover. No actors appeared on the stage in these parts, but the child actors interacted with the voices as if they were on a spelling stage, staring into the audience as if the judges were sitting among them. I thought this was a nice usage of sound.

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Lastly, I want to make mention of direction. I think the director did an all right job, but I have to wonder if the lead actress might have been more natural if the director had worked with her more. I know that sometimes people ignore notes, but the fast and hard-to-understand speech she gave could have been at least partially remedied with some careful coaching. One element that may have been a directorial decision, or may have been written in the script itself, was the inclusion of various children of the cast writing out the important events throughout the show on the stage itself, in large enough letters to be read by the audience. This was a fun addition to the show. At different points during the show, cast members took seats in the audience, as if watching the other actors really participate in different spelling bees. Most notably, this occurred when Akeelah took part in the national spelling bee, and her mother called out in aggravation about her daughter’s word being more difficult than another student's. I feel this was possibly a directorial decision that added an extra element to the spelling bee on stage.

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Overall, Akeelah and the Bee was an enjoyable, heartfelt show. I only wish that all of the actors in the production had matched each other more closely to make the most heart-wrenching elements, such as Akeelah’s fear of gunfire, resonate more with the audience. Still, the rest of the viewers seemed to enjoy the show, and overall, I found it to be a genuine production full of hope and possibility. All people have weaknesses, but like this show, they can become more than what is not perfect, and strive to be better.

Have you seen any theater shows lately?

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An Honest Review of Disney's Live-Action Beauty and the Beast

Mild spoilers for Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast included.

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Let me start by saying this is one of the prettiest films I’ve seen in a long while. Everything about it was pretty. When it was gold, it glittered. When it was drab and grey, you could see every speck of floating dust. The architecture of the castle was breathtaking, the props were intricate and beautiful, and the character, costume, and set design was phenomenal. It was a pretty world filled with pretty people. Even the Beast was pretty. But more on that later.

Let’s start at the beginning with the David Bowie tribute. At least, I can only assume that’s what it was because otherwise it’s fairly laughable. A blonde prince getting dolled up in Bowie-colored makeup to go to a fancy ball? Hmm. Well, whatever it was supposed to be, suffice to say he reminds of the babe.

The babe with the power. (source)

Otherwise the movie goes on like the cartoon… Exactly like the cartoon.

I’m not criticizing. I don’t think, anyway. It was amazing to see a beloved cartoon literally come to life. Everything was the same. The songs, the movements, the sets, the dialogue. There were a few changes, sure, mostly to give characters backstory. Which was awesome. Belle and her father got a backstory, and Maurice was actually a complex, interesting, loving character as opposed to the buffoon he was in the cartoon. The castle staff had a backstory, a reason that they were cursed as well. The sorceress had a backstory. Even Gaston and LeFou had a bit of a backstory.

I did a post, recently, on the Myers-Briggs types of the Beauty and the Beast characters. I can now tell you that they all stayed exactly the same. Were reinforced, even. Which, in my book, counts as a good thing.

There were a few new songs, which I could take or leave, though the new score was wonderful. Very Phantom of the Opera, which I’m totally okay with. They were both set in France and featured lots of gold and a moody, emotional main character. Also, Phantom of the Opera is just phenomenal. Bonus points for that, Disney.

So pretty. So moody. (source)

The actual songs of Beauty and the Beast have never been my favorite, and these new ones fit right in. So, I suppose, if you loved the music, you might love these, too. The singing wasn’t different enough from the cartoon to comment on; some parts were slightly better, others slightly worse. Nothing of note.

The voice actors, on the other hand, were incredible. I mean, you’ve seen the cast list, right? Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen… Wow. Just wow. The other actors did well, too; though, to be honest, they were nothing compared with the set. Emma Watson surprised me with how well she fit the part. I wasn’t sure if she could handle it, since she plays nearly the same part in most of her films, but she did a very respectable job as a fairly flat princess, bringing a little life to the character. Luke Evans and Josh Gad were perfection. (How bad is it that I was almost rooting for Gaston? Because come on. Luke Evans.)

*sighs and faints like the silly French girls* (source)

Lumière and Cogsworth were inspiringly designed. So complex, so beautiful. Plumette and Mrs. Potts, however, left something to be desired. A flying feather duster? Eh. But Mrs. Potts was possibly the most disappointing part of this film. They just painted a face on a teapot. I’ve seen prettier teapot designs at Teavana. You’re telling me, after putting all that intricate detail into a candelabra that can move like a man but still function as a candelabra, you can’t come up with a more intricate design for a teapot?

But those are all small, nitpicky things. The downside of having the live action film follow the cartoon so closely was that it was boring. With the exception of two, maybe three scenes, there was nothing new. There were real people doing the exact same things, singing the exact same words, feeling the exact same emotions. After Maleficent, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland, I was expecting a little something more.

The other major downside, and I think this is the more important one, is that this film made the cartoon completely obsolete. It’s the exact same thing, but prettier, richer, more detailed and nuanced. And, most of all, newer. It’s like Orlando Bloom and Luke Evans.

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Who would want to watch the old, flat, garish cartoon after this gorgeous piece of cinematic brilliance?

It was, in the truest sense of the word, a fairy tale. I left the theater reeling, absorbed in all the gold filigree and rich voices. It left me much like I imagine a fairy revelry would--a little beauty drunk and overwhelmed, the details growing hazier the farther I walked from the theater.

That being said, my fears about this movie were confirmed. Everyone’s heard the, “oh haha Beauty and the Beast is about Stockholm Syndrome and bestiality.” But, in making the characters real, Disney managed to make the problems real, too.

As a friend of mine put it, “They have a problem with that gay scene but no problem with her dating a buffalo??”

(The gay scene was… underwhelming, for all the hype it got. I’ve seen kids do gayer things in church. I can see why people have a problem with it, but that’s another thing for another day. The hype things get is obnoxious. If you let your kids watch any kind of modern entertainment, I don’t think you’ll have a problem with them seeing this. But that’s just me. Anyway.)

This movie manages to blur the lines between moral depravity and moral uprightness, all while being a pleasant romp through an enchanted castle. It’s great that Belle is able to see past the Beast’s exterior to love him. Right? But therein lies the catch. The premise of the movie hinges on the fact that Belle cannot love him as a prince, she has to learn to love him as a beast. One with the legs and tail of a lion and the horns of a ram, completely covered in animal hair.

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That, to me, begs the question, “What’s the difference between man and beast?” I’m sure you have a great answer for this. But riddle me this: What if a man falls in love with a gorilla fluent in sign language with a higher IQ than someone with a severe mental illness? Why can’t he marry her? Where’s the line? Does Koko the gorilla have a soul?

I don’t have answers to these questions, if you’re expecting that.

I can get over the Stockholm Syndrome vibes of Belle falling in love with the captor who gives her a library. (I’d fall in love with someone for that library, too. Dramatic sigh.) I can even get over all the peer pressure the castle staff puts on her. Oh, if you don’t come back and love him, we’re just going to become inanimate objects, nbd. But I can’t get over the Beast.

They made him pretty to gloss over those issues--his facial structure is pretty close to flawless. He’s witty, sarcastic, and he has perfect hair. But. He has a very Phantom of the Opera-esque solo at one point, and seeing him sing made me physically uncomfortable. The face of a beast isn’t supposed to move like that. Disney made it even worse with their little, “How do you feel about growing a beard?” comment at the end. So weird.

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I like that we’re teaching our kids that appearances aren’t everything, that it’s cool to read and to be different. But are we taking it too far? At some point society has to function. And if we lived like Disney movies told us to, well, I’m not sure that it would be able to.

All that to say, this movie was incredibly pretty and very well done, and if you liked the cartoon, you’ll probably love this. It’s magical. But I do wonder what it’s doing for society. I guess only time will tell.

      

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Have you seen this film yet? What did you think?

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The Final Fantasy XV Phenomenon

It's been a long road...

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Just as Noctis has had to wait many years to reunite with Luna, we too have had to wait many years for the release of the long awaited Final Fantasy XV. Though a lot has changed (like its title, since it was previously marketed as Final Fantasy Versus XIII), I can’t say I’m disappointed. Since Tuesday, I’ve been playing the game non-stop.

Here are just a few reasons why I can’t put it down.

A Beautiful Bromance 

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I can’t help but smile every time one of these guys strikes up a casual conversation or saves each other from battle. From the start of the game, you realize that these crazy kids would die for one another (quite literally). They definitely have an unshakable bond.

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The group is well-rounded and everyone is important to Noctis in various ways: Gladio is definitely a father figure; Ignis is the mommy of the group; and Promto can't help but be the little brother. Their friendship is extremely important, and they never fail to support one another. I mean, when the game's theme song is Stand By Me, friendship HAS to an important aspect.

Look and Listen 

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*starts sobbing uncontrollably* It’s so darn beautiful, both graphically and musically. Square Enix has always excelled in aesthetically pleasing the player, but man is this game drop dead gorgeous. You can tell they put their heart and soul into every detail. When it rains, the characters' hair flattens, when they're running around all day, they get dirty and gross (and even comment on it). The transitions from cut scenes to gameplay is so seamless you'll constantly wonder if it's time to play or time to watch. 

The music is magical too. I mean, it’s Yoko Shimomura (same composer for the Kingdom Hearts soundtrack), so it's no wonder every song moves the player. Each track captures the moment you’re in and fully immerses you in the world.

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Even the first piece of music we hear during the menu screen is telling, hinting at sadness and a glimmer of hope. In game, the battle music has so much badassery to it, it should be criminal. Beyond that, themes for places and people are just as breathtaking. It's also an added bonus that the player is able to listen to the game's soundtrack (plus other Final Fantasy music) while cruising in the car. 

Attack! Attack! Attack!

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Wow. Just...wow. There's so much I want to say about the battle system. Warping alone is fantastically fun and addicting (watch your MP!), but there are countless things to say about the gameplay. I won't have room to touch on all of it, but I will mention a few things.

There is a tremendous amount of customization. You can even customize what you're wearing, which alters your HP, strength, and more. Then there is magic, of course, but the magic actually affects your surroundings! If you throw a thunder spell out and you're standing too close, expect to get electrocuted (then see burn marks on your clothes afterwards).   

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The weapons are astounding too!! Some of the most powerful ones have a catch to them and end up depleting your health but deal heavy damage to opponents. 

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You can even call your friends to aid you in a fight, and either one or all will jump in and complete a cinematic fight scene with Noctis. There's so much to the battle system and I won't get too much into it, but if you play the game, you'll find out for yourself.

Boys and Their Toys

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There are so many hobbies you can have fun with! 

Noctis loves fishing, so as the player, you're able to participate in (basically) a mini game to catch fish for either eating or rewards. 

Promoto is the photographer of the group and captures bro moments that you can post on social media. 

*drools*

Gladio sets up camp, which the party can then use to rest in order to level up and eat. 

And Ignis enjoys cooking, which gives your characters certain attributes or boosts depending on the ingredients and recipes.  

The Story 

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Final Fantasy XV follows Prince Noctis on his quest to find his fiancée Lady Lunafreya so that together they can save the kingdom from the Empire. On his journey, Noct is accompanied by his best friends and guardians Gladiolus, Promto, and Ignis. 

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The story that this Final Fantasy has to tell is extensive. In fact, besides the main game, there are a multitude of stories on various media that accompany it, from an anime to a feature length movie to even a side scrolling retro game.

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The world is lush and inviting. The developers really took time on every detail of this world. Although, I have a bad feeling (just from Kingsglaive's story alone) that the ending is going to be a real tearjerker...

Bonus: The Chocobos. Just look at 'em!!! So cute.  

The Fast and the Furious XV: Chocobo Drift

Though I still have quite a ways before I beat the game, I’m looking forward to seeing more from Noct & company and the world of Eos. Congrats, Final Fantasy, you’ve overcome the odds once again. Here's to fifteen more installments. 

Have you played Final Fantasy XV?

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Review of BBC America's Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

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“There is no point in using the word 'impossible' to describe something that has clearly happened.”
--Douglas Adams

After the disaster that was The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy movie, I had absolutely no hope in ever enjoying a Douglas Adams adaptation ever again. I didn't think it was possible to transfer his wit and weirdness to the screen.

My thoughts while watching the movie. (source / source)

So when I saw the trailer for BBC America's Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, I was understandably wary. But I couldn't help from being just a little bit excited, too. I mean, it's the BBC. And, fun fact, I learned that BBC America is owned by the same company that owns IFC Films--my favorite film production company--so that was promising. If you haven't yet heard anything about this show, here's the trailer:

I was curious. Morbidly so, but curious nonetheless. So I watched it. And I was impressed.

Let me start by saying that the only things this show shares in common with the books are Dirk Gently, the idea of a holistic detective, and a general sense of weird. The plot is different, the characters are different, the setting is different. So it's an adaptation in the sense that it keeps a character and a feeling and tells a different story, rather than in the sense of a straight page-to-screen adaptation. Which is really, really good for us.

The beauty of Douglas Adams lies in his metaphors, his descriptions, and his turns of phrases. His plots aren't really that great, as much as it pains me to say it. He's unfailingly original, of course, but the pieces of ideas he brings together don't make for a great movie plot. See: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. 

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So, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency the show follows a completely new story. The story looks promising, though this early in the series, who can tell? There's a holistic assassin who's kidnapped a hacker, some kind of animal who killed a missing heiress's father and left bite marks in the ceiling, a team of havoc-wreakers in a painted van, a government agency or three, a gorilla mask, a corgi, and a really important black kitten. It has all the weirdness of Adams with what looks like a pretty solid television plot, so bravo there, BBC America. Keep up the good work.

Even more important than the plot, however, are the characters. The show follows Todd Brotzman, an aimless, ambitionless hotel worker whose life takes a turn for the weird. He's played by Elijah Wood, so there's a point in his favor right there. Wood does a wonderful job making Todd an endearing everyman, and I'm quite pleased with his reactions to the unbelievable situations happening around him.

Quite the improvement over Frodo's constipated confusion. (source)

Todd's sister, Amanda, a sufferer of the fictional disease pararibulitis and played by Hannah Marks, seems like she'll be a fairly big character throughout the season. She's interesting and likable, but that's about it so far. Nothing too special.

Bart Curlish, a holistic assassin (serial killer) with a vendetta against Dirk Gently (whom she's never met), played by Fiona Dourif, did not thrill me. They tried to make her interesting and vaguely endearing, but I was tired of her before the end of her first scene. I can only hope she gets more interesting. The hacker she kidnaps, Ken, played by Mpho Koaho, is endearing, the male damsel in distress in this series. The rest of the minor characters haven't had a big enough part yet for me to get a read on any of them or to really care enough to like or dislike them. If you want a more in-depth rundown of the characters, check out this article.

Now, to the most important character: Dirk Gently.

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Dirk Gently is quirky, lovable, charmingly odd, and not at all what I imagined when I read the books. The Dirk in the books is much more curmudgeonly, lazy, and malleable. He gives into temptation, he's frequently late to things, his apartment is a mess. And yet, I'm not mad at this interpretation of the character. Samuel Barnett plays what I consider to be a younger, more upbeat version of the character--like Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock Holmes. Accurate, but different.

He stays true enough to the gist of the character--the belief in the interconnectedness of all things to the point of insanity, the irritation he brings to everyone around him, and the tendency to be the accidental harbinger of weird things. Like the book version, you love his optimism and oddity, but unlike the book, you have a feeling that you would follow him to the ends of the earth just because he told you to, despite the fact that you really, really don't want to. It's a change, but it's a good one. This show isn't trying to be the book, it's paying homage to it and becoming its own thing.

With corgis. (source)

The only thing I really didn't like about this show was the excessive amount of gore. In the book, sure, people die, but one, you don't see it, and two, they mention it and move on. This show seemed to take joy in the gratuitous violence. I don't know exactly how many people died, but it was at least seven. All with blood splatters and slow motion bullets/knives/etc. In the first episode alone. 

I'm not sure what the point of all the violence was, and it was fairly disturbing. I can only hope that it was a gimmick to get people interested in the show and that the following episodes will calm down a bit. But with a holistic assassin, three people who appear to have been kidnapped, and a van full of guys with baseball bats who destroy things just for fun, I'm not counting on anything.

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At the end of things, there was enough intrigue and whimsy to bring me back next week, and I'd consider this a successful adaptation, paying enough tribute to the original but also being something completely new and interesting of its own accord. So bravo, BBC America. Keep up the good work. Please don't let us down.

If you want to watch the premiere, check it out here. (It expires in about three months, so watch it while you can.)

Did you watch Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency? 

What did you think?

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Fandom of the Month Club Unboxing: September 2016

Hello, everyone! I'm Victoria, and this is the first post of the new monthly segment Fandom of the Month Club Unboxing! Fandom of the Month Club is a mailing service where you pay a monthly subscription fee to receive a box full of geeky goodies. I've been subscribed since May, and I have received Sherlock, Lord of the Rings, Wizard of Oz, and Harry Potter jewelry. All of it is exclusive to Fandom of the Month and a surprise every time! This is a geek girl's dream.

This month's box is Pokémon GO themed and it includes:

• The Quote Pouch 
• A Team Rocket Magnet
• The Pikachu Earrings
• The Poké Ball Compact Mirror
• The Four Pokémon Barrettes
• The Gym Car Decal 

The Quote Pouch:

The quote pouch has been a standard item in the boxes. It features an iron-on quote from the Pokémon show. This pouch is made of linen and is the perfect size to contain your Fandom goodies, and it cinches shut to keep anything from falling out. 

The Team Rocket Magnet:

This is a 3 1/2" by 2" magnet. It's thin and has creative artwork of Jessie, James, and Meowth. This is perfect for hanging pictures or important notes on your fridge or whiteboard. It has a glossy finish which will protect it from water and stains.

The Pikachu Earrings:

This set of earrings is made of polymer clay. The cool thing about them is they can actually be both dangling and stud earrings. Simply remove the tail part and you have studs!

I actually thought the earrings were broken when the tail and body fell off, but it turns out they're made this way. The only qualms I have with these is that the earrings are a bit thick. I could see people with thicker lobes having trouble getting these on with the tail and body attachment. Also, Pikachu's face is a bit derpy, and I think that takes away from some of the cuteness. As someone who works with polymer clay, I'm a bit critical of the facial design.

The Poké Ball Compact Mirror:

This is the perfect size to keep in your purse, and I love the cute Poké Ball design. The mirror has both a regular and a magnified side. 

The mirror overall is very high quality. It snaps shut firmly and can be opened easily with the push of a button.

The Four Pokémon Barrettes:

These barrettes/bobby pins feature Bulbasaur, Charmander, Pikachu, and Squirtle. They are glass charms welded to the bobby pins. These could be super cute to keep your hair back or to stick out a bit in a bun.

The Gym Car Decal:

This is a 6x4" vehicle decal for your bumper! This is a great way to show the world your Pokémon pride. It's high quality and glossy to keep it weather resistant. I love how they used the Poké Ball for the O.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Overall, I give this box a 6 out of 10 rating, only because I can't use these items as much as I could past boxes. I'm not as much of a Pokémon fan as I am of other things. However, all of the items are super cute and very creative. If you want to subscribe to Fandom of the Month Club, you can on their website for $13 a month not including shipping (it costs me about $17 total including shipping). It's a worthwhile investment, and if you don't like the fandom, it's a great present!

Are you part of this fandom? Which of these items is your favorite?

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Descendants of the Sun: A Review

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When I first heard about Descendants of the Sun, Song Joong Ki's first drama since his release from the military, I wasn't terribly excited. Sure, I love Joong Ki, but the promos didn't interest me much. Then it began airing, and became so popular that I wondered if maybe it was too 'Western.' Then my fellow dramaphile watched it and told me I needed to see it as soon as possible so we could discuss it. I wasn't disappointed. It was far from flawless, but what it did well, it did very well. However I'm going to start with what I didn't like, to move that out of the way and get to the fun stuff.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

The first two episodes attempt to be emotionally impactful, but they don't have enough to work with. They treat a budding romance like a tragic love story, even though the main couple has known each other a grand total of three days. The drama continues to rush itself here and there, but the first two episodes are the worst culprits. Also, there is a huge amount of bad English in this drama, as the majority of it takes place in the fictional country of Urk, and not South Korea. I blame Kim Eun-Sook, the writer behind the disaster that was The Heirs (2013). It seems she has a thing for making people speak English - even if they can't. Also, the drama does not follow one solid, backbone plotline - unless you count the romance between Captain Yoo Shi-Jin (Song Joong-Ki) and Kang Mo-Yeon (Song Hye-Kyo). Rather the drama is a series of events - not my favorite way to tell a story, but by the end of the drama, I didn't mind. Also, while I adore the Alpha Special Forces Team, I wish the writers had given some more love to the three soldiers who weren't the main characters. They deserved more screen time. Also, many of the scenes between Seo Dae-Young (Jin-Goo) and his 'it's complicated' girlfriend, Lieutenant Yoon Myung-Joo, (Kim Ji-Won) were cut, even though their relationship was a focal point of the drama.

WHAT I DID LIKE

There's a lot to love here. My personal favorite element of the drama is the relationships - particularly between the Alpha Special Forces team. Shi-Jin (Joong Ki) and Sergeant Seo Dae-Young (Jin-Goo) have one of the best on-screen friendships I've ever seen, providing the perfect balance of quiet understanding and humor. I also have to give an enormous shout-out to the little-known Hoon Park, who played Staff Sergeant Choi Woo-Geum. Against all odds, he rose to the rank of My Favorite Character - even surpassing Dae-Young and Shi-Jin. He's a complete gem.

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The emotions in this drama are extremely well-written - by which I mean, even if you know somebody isn't dead, you'll cry because everyone else thinks they are. When the characters go through trauma, you go through trauma. When characters laugh or cry, you laugh or cry. Also, in spite of the serious subject matter and the gut-wrenching emotions, there are many hilarious moments to be had, and several times I laughed so hard I cried.

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The male leads are unique in that the usual Lead/Second Lead position is reversed, and the wisecracking, cheerful one is the First Lead, and the stoic, more enigmatic one is the Second Lead. Shi-Jin's character is also the most honest male lead I've ever seen - in spite of the fact he lies out of necessity as a special forces captain, he is totally honest whenever he can be.

Also, it's important to watch Jin-Goo's ears when he smiles. It's the best medicine.

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The OST for the drama is also my favorite since… well, it might be my favorite. It features artists like Xiah Junsu, Chen (EXO), Gummy, and K.Will, and I guarantee the songs will get stuck in your head for a very long time. Also this was Onew's (SHINee) first solid drama role, and while I expected him to be good, he surpassed my expectations and proved his acting chops. I look forward to seeing him in more dramas. The romantic relationships (after the rushed-ness of the first two episodes) drew me in and had me wishing they would "JUST KISS" for the better part of the drama. Also, and I'm going to spoil things a little for you, the drama has a surprisingly happy ending. I honestly expected more heartbreak before the credits rolled, but no - if you want a heartbreaking, emotional roller-coaster of a drama with a happy ending, this is the one for you. 

ARE YOU READY TO CATCH ALPHA FEVER?

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