I'll Turn Back This Time (2025)

lackluster worldbuilding and a disappointing ending (watch suggestions)

Overall: Feb 22nd 2025 update - after the special episode I bumped up to 6.5. I can't bump it up more because the special had even more completely nonsense worldbuilding. However, I'm happy we did get the special https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIcdgalcMUE&feature=youtu.be

I gave this series a 7.5 up until the final episode where I dropped it to a 6. 6 episodes about 40 minutes long. Aired on YoYo English Channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTB73Ibi_X3FNNIaLL1ZThNGuT0l-fFOL (not available in Japan or South Korea); GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5066/i-will-turn-back-this-time-2025 (not available in Japan, South Korea or Thailand) and Heavenly (I believe it's available in South Korea/language is Korean) https://heavenly.tv/en/detail/839

Content Warnings: past intimate partner abuse/violence, blood, fight, death (it's complicated), slap, homophobia, near suicide, punch

Watch Suggestions (to skip a ton of angst, moping, terrible parent, etc)
- watch episodes 1-3
- in episode 4 skip 12-21 and 22:15-38:30
- in episode 5 watch 29-31:45 (stop at 31:45, trust me on this)
- skip episode 6, there are some sweet flashbacks starting at 23 minutes but I didn't enjoy them knowing how it ended
- watch the special episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIcdgalcMUE&feature=youtu.be

What I Liked
- relationship progression felt realistic
- supportive friends
- sweet/caring moments
- production value

Room For Improvements
- the cliche running scene and what happened at the end of episode 1
- 2 sponge baths in episode 1 was one too many
- a character didn't have a reason not to reciprocate in episode 3 because the "warning" came much later in the episode
- stereotype of handsy effeminate man
- toilet humor
- cliche saw something, made assumption and didn't communicate (luckily it didn't last long)
- convenient/nonsense worldbuilding: the mysterious guy refused to answer the question but left vague threats, didn't clearly established if the 2nd time was a different situation/world with the parents
- depressing parental stuff
- cliche noble idiot when that was more painful than telling him the truth (which would sound a bit crazy but he could have tried to explain the situation)
- nonsense stuff: everyone was very trusting in episode 2, why wouldn't he spend the whole day with him at the end of episode 3
- terrible ending: especially because it's from China the sad ending where 1 guy will be sad his entire life and they will never end up together felt homophobic, even the final phrase "if we are destined to part, then what is the meaning of our meeting" made me think "if this series was destined to have a homophobic sad ending, what is the point of watching it"

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what's it like objectively +the end

The drama is off to an enjoyable and interesting start with fresh elements, a blend of emotional and funny scenes with a time-travel concept it might confuse you but it's very simple.

Plot & Characters:
The second main lead Gu Shiwen is a stubborn character but portrayed in a good way—he fights back but accepts kindness from Shennan once things are explained to him without dragging, avoiding the usual tsundere trope that constantly fights back. Shennan and Shiwen have a natural chemistry and they shared soft heartwarming moments.

Production Quality:
The cinematography has that classic Chinese drama charm, with beautiful shots of rain and fields. The OST adds to the emotional moments it's my favourite part in this series too.

The Ending:
(no spoiler)
Some may see this as a sad ending, but to me, it feels more like an open ending one that could be interpreted as somewhat happy. I’d say the writing in the last episode left me wanting some explanations (not necessarily needing them). It was a bit disappointing, but not surprising-we can roll with it. Chinese drama endings are often unpredictable and, in many cases, can be sad, so this isn’t unusual.
(⚠️👇SPOILER)
The gem breaking at the end signified, to me, that the cycle of fate and time travel was over, finally freeing them from its grasp. which is the only reason I wouldn't consider this as a sad ending.

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