Completed Dramas / Movies (2026)

I was feeling low and this movie made me feel even more depressed and tired. The director beautifully captured the quieter and more real side of Singapore which media doesn’t show much of. I don’t know if it’s because I lived in Singapore and attended school there or because I had to look after my grandparents and do the chores she did or because I’m just lonely, this really hit home.
Sighhhhh.
It’s a simple, and quiet film but it’s also slow-paced, mundane and sad. Don’t bother if you’re looking for a forbidden passionate romance or anything dramatic. Watch with caution if you’re depressed, lonely or sad.

All in all, a very well-made and well-acted slice of life film.

Completed: 14 January 2026

There was barely any plot to this, but what I liked and appreciated was that the tone was set from the very beginning and all the characters were fleshed out well (a rarity nowadays). 

Completed: 15 January 2026

Hot couple with tons of steamy kisses, hypnotic BGM (probably the best I've heard in a C-drama), fast cars, and lack of annoying characters - what more could one want in a drama? It took a while to grow on me as the story wasn't without its flaws and clearly lost steam in the last quarter but it was an enjoyable drama through and through.

Completed: 17 January 2026

I don't think it was a bad drama per se, it just needed to be longer, and to end better; the first half could have focused on the past (like the drama did) and the second half or last quarter on the present. Unfortunately, the present was never quite addressed, and that killed the potential this had to be a thought-provoking and moving drama. Overall, it was a flawed premise with a flawed execution that focused too much on showing the same flashbacks from different perspectives, albeit that didn't actually add anything substantial to the story or our understanding of the characters. I won't question the ML's obsession or fascination with the FL but his research was rather flawed. Why the fixation on the 'witch' label? Just because others said so? Why did he not even consider other possibilities right from the start or even when it was becoming clear that she had to do with the injuries or deaths. He also did not have to face the danger to prove his point. For instance, why did he not try to run away knowing very well he will be injured. Why did he not let the FL on, on his plan? The FL had zero agency and was shown to simply accept her fate, and never do anything to question why or to try to fix things. She simply hid all the way till the end. For a show called 'The Witch' I found out nothing about the FL or her personality other than her daily routine. Don't get me started on the 'love' between the leads in the last episode  was too abrupt. Inserting himself as the last variable & having her find him wasn't testament to her love, it was obligation or curiousity. To be honest, I doubted his love for her too because he never knew her. He simply stalked her and she peaked his fantasy. His sacrifice came from his hero complex. The worst part, till the end - the question as to why was never even answered.
It is an incomplete story and I don't recommend it, but then it's one-of-a-kind and doesn't deserve all the hate either.

Completed: 18 January 2026

Barring the first 2 cringey episodes, this was a decent one-time watch. Nothing too memorable, but not a bad drama at all. Those who enjoy smut dramas would probably enjoy the kisses / love making scenes in this.

Completed: 18 January 2026

This started off so strong with the Wuthering Heights re-telling and then few episodes in, it's as though they changed writers with subplots sidelining the agency of the leads' characters and development only to make the tragedy greater. Not to mention, the FL was absolutely bland and badly-casted with no purpose other than looking pretty and shuttling between both male leads. Where was her personality and agency? Can someone please enlighten me why they were both obsessed with her? Lee Soo Hyuk's character was also largely underdeveloped. Jang Ki Young did his best but midway, his character, too, became confusing.
All in all, what began as a tale of passionate love, longing and rivalry between 3 leads (pre-reincarnation) was watered down to a story of weak characters wrought by tragedy with little agency.

Completed: 20 January 2026

The plot cannot be any more simpler than this. FL loves ML enough to be happy with his shadow, while ML wants more than that. Finally in the last episode, they have sex and they live happily ever after. I don't recommend this if you're actually looking for a proper love story to watch. There are better romance mini-dramas out there to watch. ML was an eye candy though XD

Completed: 21 January 2026

I dislike generalizing but in the recent years I've realised that it's not a South Korean drama if there isn't idiocacy or unnecessary plot twist added to the last / last few episodes. This was decent and the last 2 episodes happened. I'd rather they have ended it in the 15th episode then the stupidity and drag that was the finale.
Last episode aside, this was an addictive rollercoaster of all that is marriage. The lies, the deception, the love, the companionship, the trust, the ups-and-downs; so well-acted and so natural. Their love story was beautiful without being overtly dramatic or cheesy. On the thriller / suspense front, I appreciated how the central players were introduced from the start and while the plot twists were believable to an extent, there were clear plotholes and omissions that were not well explained and crafted.
All in all, I enjoyed this for for the leads and their marriage which was the main focus. The acting was stellar, as expected. Of course if I have to factor in the 9.1 rating on this site, I don't think the drama is worthy of that high a rating because it disappointed on other aspects.

Completed: 21 January 2026

Set in pre-war Japan, this was a charming, feel-good and wholesome romantic story with two couples; awkward leads who grew into companions slowly through communication and supporting one another, and witty, bantering leads who were able to drop their defences and find acceptance with each other. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful underrated gem. Time well spent :)

Highly recommended for all!

Completed: 22 January 2026

Like most people commented, this caught me by surprise with how weirdly wholesome it was. The leads were truly couple goals. Loved it from start to the end, though i wish this was longer.
Special mention for the way they filmed the sex scenes - so unique, and fun.
P.S I really want to know what her scent was that made him so crazy LOL  

Completed: 22 January 2026

Firstly, welcome back Narimiya Hiroki. You were missed. I am glad you still have it in you.
Second, there is some amount of gore in this, so stay away if you can't see stuff like someone's eyes being stabbed, or toenails being bitten off etc.
Third, WTF WAS THE FIRST PART OF THE LAST EPISODE?! Great action scenes and acting but I had to suspend disbelief with the way certain characters just wouldn't die despite all the injuries. Was the writer high?! Great way to ruin an otherwise decent drama.

All in all, the potential was definitely there but it fell short of being great. I found the story and concept compelling; 'loving' (if that's even the right word) someone to the end of the world, regardless of everything. The title is pretty apt. Both leads were clearly mentally ill. I understood her surrender, and his control but his feelings towards her wasn't fleshed out well enough and that made the amazing ending less impactful than the writer probably intended. I wish it was an episode or 2 longer. It was an enjoyable dark romance cum thriller, but it isn't for everyone, especially not for a moral audience or an audience used to watching perfect love stories.

Completed: 23 January 2026

Probelmatic age-gap aside, it was a well-made manga adaptation with leads who had chemistry. Time well spent :)

Completed: 25 January 2026

The leads were really cute and there was nothing unlikeable about the movie BUT it tried to pack too much to the point that I didn't get why some characters were there. At some point, it just felt a gathering of all the younger A-list actors from Japan, and I zoned out.

Completed: 27 January 2026

While this isn't Kurosawa's best work, it is definitely one of the better adaptations of Dostoyevsky's 'The Idiot' put to film. It's a pity the studio trimmed this beautiful film from a 4hr+ length down to 2h45mins. I would have loved to watch the whole thing as Kurosawa intended.. too bad it's lost.
It's a great watch nonetheless (without any spoiler) for the beautiful cinematography set against snowy Hokkaido, the powerful dialogues, Kurosawa's use of frame in contrasting Kadema's innocence with the twisted morals and meanness of the society. The actors were great, and I particularly loved the way Kurosawa used their eyes.
A very underrated gem that should not be missed. 

Completed: 27 January 2026

It's a pity this drama is so underrated because it's a well-crafted, well-acted, and well-made story that kept me hooked throughout. The use of the classical score and Galileo as the ending song, the ominous atomsphere, the plot twists, and Matsumoto Marika's fantastic performance as a scorned wife; it was all so humane and presented with such vulnerability and yet it managed to be satisfying and entertaining. I also love that it wasn't just a revenge story, but a psychological one where we went through the emotional journey and transformation of all the characters involved to the aftermath of it all (including the romance) making it well-rounded. It got a little draggy in the last 1-2 episodes, but they never derailed from the core story, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. 

Completed: 28 January 2026

I just keep falling into bad South Korean dramas, one after the next. Or maybe they're all just not as good as they once used to be? This drama had an interesting premise and actors who can act, and it's a pity, the writer failed it on all fronts. The murder mystery was badly crafted with too many loopholes and hardly any shock value or thrill, the investigation and legal procedural was done with little semblance to reality, characters were one-note and written with little depth, and the plot that went in circles for 11 freaking episodes. The finale appeared pleasant but it was all too neatly tied with a bow. I don't recommend this.

Completed: 28 January 2026

This is neither a conventional revenge story nor a thriller, so please manage your expectations accordingly. The revenge comes a little more in an emotional form rather than the I-destroy-you kinda way. If you have some experience with family therapy work or therapy in general, it will probably be easier to draw that connection.
At it's core, this is an emotional and psychological drama depicting a girl yearning for her father's love; the father who abandoned her and her mother for Shogi. What she terms as revenge is in fact, her entanglement, and her way of interacting with her father through the game of Shogi. It's a character-driven story that doesn't waste its time on endless flashbacks or digging deeper and deeper into the trauma or the characters' decisions, rather it goes straight for the emotional punch and let's the viewer sit with the characters' plight and decisions, and lets them form their own learnings and hypothesis.
Needless to say, I loved this.

More in review, with some discussion on the psychological aspect of this show: https://kisskh.at/profile/chillingindoors/review/535952 

Completed: 29 January 2026

This is another South Korean drama that could have been half its length. The documentary-style narrative, the willingness to have certain conversations on topics like sex, the reversal of gender role with the females being more dominant was really refreshing initially, but in the end, the show never moved beyond these surface level characterisations to explore more about these characters and what drove them to be the way they were. I liked this but it left me wanting so much more. Till the end, the question of 'who she was' and why she was so obsessed with defining her identity was never quite addressed, and in the end it came across merely as a plot device to build angst between the leads. The other characters and their relationships were also not explored adequately either and the show wasted time on filler scenes with random cameos that added nothing to the drama. There was also pacing issues, with too much time spent on the flashbacks, and the leads going back-and-forth while dragging out their meeting to the 9th episode, which gave the main arc (the present) very little time and focus.
All in all, a very half-baked attempt at what could possibly have been a classic contemporary romance drama.

Completed: 30 January 2026

I am surprised two male screenwriters wrote this because a lot of male screenwriters tend to get female characters wrong, and they got it so right in this one.
I can see why some people may not warm up to the FL initially but I think the writers depicted her with care, never tipping her over the fine line to that of someone despicable. Yes, she lied to various men who courted her in the hope of finding the richest, most suitable man to marry. But that's where both the beauty and contradiction of her character lied. She may go on a lot of mixers, but the moment she marries, you know she will be very loyal. She may enjoy his money, but she doesn't believe in merely taking, without working and earning her own money. She was a woman with principles, shaped by hunger and poverty at an earlier age, despite her ways that a highly moral audience may see as questionable. She didn't lie to her fiancee to manipulate him. She lied to protect herself. She lied because she couldn't trust that he would accept her the way she truly is. This was quite a contrast to her relationship with the ML; there was an instant attraction, and then there was a fallout because he wasn't rich. She judged him, and hurt him, but she never stopped caring for him through it all, and I loved watching her mask slip as the episodes went by. I liked the ML as well. While he never stopped caring for her and helping her, he wasn't a pushover or a doormat letting her toss him around. He had a silent, grounded presence in contrast to her glittering, prideful presence, making them complement each other perfectly. All in all, I enjoyed the FL's character development and her journey from a woman who wore a fake smile and a tough exterior to one with a soul, with vulnerability and a heart.
Highly recommended for those who want an authentic character-driven story.

Completed: 31 January 2026

Absolutely fantastic; an underrated gem in the psychological + horror + fantasy genre. More in review here: https://kisskh.at/profile/chillingindoors/review/536574

Completed: 31 January 2026

Shakespeare would be proud of this adaptation of King Lear.
The film takes us through the journey of a father blinded by his arrogance that he couldn't see the truth of his sons' greed and how the blood in his hands would come full circle to haunt him and kill him eventually. In the end, his whole lineage was destroyed. I didn't feel bad for them because they reaped what they sowed. Maybe I did pity Saburo a little for he was the only son who held his father dear and didn't use his banishment as an ego trip. But I guess he, too, had to pay for his father's sins in the end.
The writing was top tier in fleshing out all the characters' intentions and development with the actors doing full justice to the script. Nakadai Tatsuya and Harada Mieko deserve a special mention / standout for their performances. But but but more than just the performances, it is the scale and grandeur of the movie, the way Kurosawa used colours, the frames he used to enrich the characters' plights that was absolutely spectacular both for its time and even when as I re-watch this film a good 40 years later. I am in awe of what he was able to achieve back then and I always wonder what film-makers like him, Satyajit Ray, Bergman, Godard etc would have achieved in this day and age with all the technology.
All in all, this film deserves every bit of praise, appreciation and acclaim it received. Highly highly recommended for all.

Completed: 1 February 2026

As always, chaos and social commentary go hand-in-hand with Kudo Kankuro's works.
What I love and it never fails to amaze me about his work is his ability to talk about hard-hitting social and cultural issues in Japan and make a personal comment on them using humour, but without ever belittling them and without ever failing to see various perspectives, while also keeping it accessible. He's been screen-writing and directing for over 30 years now, and yet he's managed to keep up with time and create work that is constantly different, relevant, hilarious and heartwarming (while keeping his style and flair). There is also an inherent sexism in his work and while he embraces it, he never justifies it or tries to make it right. Rather at its core, he shows us how human we all are. No matter how different, how immoral we are, we are at our core, just HUMAN, and we should root for humanity always.

Completed: 1 March 2026

I enjoyed this as a standalone season, but if I have to factor in the fact that this is the 3rd season and Yumi's endgame after those 2 failed relationships, this one really felt subpar in terms of writing and execution. I couldn't understand why Yumi would prefer this guy over Woong (S1) which felt like the most real relationship Yumi had, even with its flaws. Also, they didn't really show them date proper, like in other seasons, which was a big let down. Nonetheless, I enjoyed watching the cells. They were the best thing about this show, and I'll miss them.

Completed: 12 May 2026

This had little exploration of the leads' feelings though I saw the potential for a deeper story to be told... they only knew one way to communicate and that was through sex. Whether happy, angry, or sad, I just wanna have sex with you. And that resulted in the inevitable heartbreak at the end, but it wouldn't have hurt to flesh out more of their expectations and motivations around the relationship and their lives.
Hats off to the actors though, it musn't have been easy to film this.

Completed: 25 May 2026

One of those rare lakorns that deserved to be longer to flesh out the character complexities. Great production value, steamy kisses, engaging and addictive plot despite the emotional torture / violence characters had to endure... this had everything going for it. Thoroughly enjoyed this novel-like drama.

Completed: 20 June 2026

Either the leads could have acknowledged the power imbalance, the toxicity and decide to stay together despite it all because they had their reasons (unknown to me) OR the leads could have been shown to work through their fears and insecurities to become better. But the writer did neither, resulting in a very superficially written drama that was acted by 2 gorgeous actors who had chemistry together. I would have given this a really high score if they ended it with the leads not ending up together.

More in review here: https://kisskh.at/profile/chillingindoors/review/608356

Completed: 17 September 2026

It is slow and the screenplay ought to have been tighter with lesser episodes, but what stood out was the way the leads had such love, understanding and respect for each other. Silences spoke volumes, and one look was enough. One of the very few genuinely healthy and sensitive romances from dramaland that felt real despite being conflict-free.

Completed: 22 September 2026

This drama amazed me with how thought-provoking, heartwarming and romantic it felt while being creepy and provocative at the same time. The writing and direction had such a novel-like quality, like a book with thrilling twists and turns that you can't put down. Need I say that I loved our leads so so much.
Highly recommend this unique mystery-thriller-romance for all :)

Completed: 3 October 2026

I am surprised I managed to finish this. It wasn't a bad drama per se but it left a lot to be desired, both with the direction the writer took in the 2nd half of the drama and the leads' chemistry / acting. The fish-out-of-water situation could have been infused into the plot better to create more fun moments.. The drama ventured into the family politics of the ML to the point that I forgot we're supposed to be watching a romcom. Im Ji Yeon, despite being a good actress, felt miscast in this role. Heo Nam Jun, despite fitting the role of the cold chaebol well, wasn't given enough to explore more shades of his character. I don't think the leads had chemistry either. I never felt the high stakes the ML was feeling because the story was too simplistic and thin, like it could easily have been solved in an episode or two, with his grandfather stepping in or the ML exposing the bad guy like he did so easily in the last episode. I laughed at the expose. Similarly with the FL, she adjusted to the modern world a little too quickly, and the premise around her transporting to the future / reincarnating wasn't well-explored and explained. How did the grandma never sense that this wasn't her grand-daughter especially since it was implied that Dan Shim and Seol Ri had different personalities? The villain wasn't fleshed out well either and was one-note. All the characters were largely under-utilized. Too many questions left unexplored / unexplained.
If you're looking for a romcom, this is not it. Overall, I don't recommend this drama.

Completed: 7 October 2026

This drama hit all the right spots be it in the romance and yearning between the leads, the friendship between the core 5 to their journey from young hopeful individuals to middle aged individuals. All in all, an underrated gem that deserves more acclaim and love. Highly recommended for everyone.

More in review here: https://kisskh.at/profile/chillingindoors/review/614304

Completed: 10 October 2026

It's been a while since I watched a movie this fun and entertaining. I loved every single character in this. Classic Fukuda Yuichi style without any dull moment. Comedy, fantasy and action done right, with a mix of heartless moments (though I wish there was a little more of those emotional moments in the second half). Nonetheless, this was a gem that I highly recommend. Kudos to the cast and crew for pulling this off.
Time well spent :)

Completed: 11 October 2026

It's a bittersweet film about two very real different individuals. I love how the ML didn't easily check the box of being nice, plesant and handsome, but he wasn't exactly toxic either. He was prejudiced, he had temper, he had vices like gambling but he also had dreams and was fun. The FL, too, wasn't overtly ambitious or pleasant. She was trying to find herself, like the ML. There wasn't much of a story and neither was it a full-fledged romance. What really stayed with me was the mood, the authenticity of New York - the beautiful autumn, the expenses, the dirty streets, the prejudices and the way the movie wasn't trying to tell a clear conclusive story with a beginning and an ending. It felt like reading a chapter out of the leads lives, and I quite liked that.
It's really sad that the vibe and mood of older films are long gone.. and we'll never see that again. All in all, a very relevant and watchable HK classic from the 80s.

Completed: 11 October 2026

This was a cute, positive, and feel-good drama with leads who communicated, and side characters who were used appropriately . It wasn't particularly memorable or deep, but it left me feeling warm and happy. Nothing to dislike about this. Time well spent :)

Completed: 13 October 2026

Forgettable drama, with a thin plot and forgettable characters. There was no unrequited love, and I didn't understand why they even loved each other.

Completed: 13 October 2026

The mood, the cinematography, and the minimal score was exquisite. It drew me in from the first episode. Great job with whoever that chose the locations for the various realities.. This managed to feel creepy, dark, romantic, uncomfortable and sad all at once.. I don't even know how to put the experience into words. It was a unique drama.
While I enjoyed this drama, I wish it was at least 10 episodes or more instead of 7 to flesh out more of the various worlds / realities the ML found himself in. The writers clearly tried packing too much into this short drama, resulting in the depth of his suffering, aversion, and dilemma contrasted with the FL's love and yearning for him to be inadequately explored.. we didn't stay with each reality long enough to connect to it. Nonetheless, I appreciated the attempt at presenting a very different, and deep story of trauma, guilt, redemption, and love. I could see the inspiration / re-telling of Apollo and Daphne's tale.
Akari as the FL was such a fantastic choice; she could look at him so intensely and passionately in one world, and yet look at him with completely dead eyes devoid of any feeling in another. Shori as the ML wasn't bad but I think the writing let him down in not giving him the space to explore more than the dissociation and gried he felt. I haven't read the manga but I'm sure the character was meant to be a lot more complex and averse (maybe violent) to love due to his psychological trauma with his mum.
All in all, it isn't a drama for everybody, especially not the conventional audience.. and it isn't a perfect drama either. I'd recommend it to people who want to watch something different.. something humane yet otherwordly that gets you thinking without giving you all the answers..

Completed: 14 October 2026

Even though it was cliched, it hit all the right spots and made me root for the leads. They were so soft, beautiful and endearing. I could see why they fell in love with each other. Great chemistry and acting. Despite being a short drama, the writing was well-paced, concise and pulled me in instantly.. it didn't need to be any longer, and that's a feat. The mood and cinematography was on point too.
I liked it, and I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys this genre.

Completed: 15 October 2026

WHAT A HORRENDOUS FINALE. WTF!
In the first 9-10 episodes, the leads were flawed characters having conversations that you don't typically see. The writing was really strong and impressive. The chemistry, yearning and angst between them was on point as well. And then between E10-E13, the plot started going in circles, with repetitive scenarios played out and leads were barely given much screen space together. Just when I was about to give up, it picked up again in E14, only to crash in E15-E16. Instead of nurturing the leads relationship and showing them bridge the gap between their worlds, the show chose to focus on annoying side characters who were clingy, and refused to grow up. Their chemistry also remained largely under-utilized. In the end, I was wondering what the story really was, and whether the leads would even last?
Overall, it's not the worst lakorn but it had the potential to be great.

Completed: 17 October 2026

That rating is a joke. I can't even remember the last full-length drama that brought me so much joy, and satisfaction. The first 8 episodes were PERFECTION. In the last 2 episodes, however, questionable choices regarding the company was made, which did affect my rating.
All that aside, this was a top-tier drama throughout. I loved all the characters, their side-stories, the constant comedy, the heart behind the cute designs, their passion for what they did, the colourful and vibrant sets and costumes, and the general message the drama was conveying.. in essence, it checked all the boxes, which is a rarity in dramaland these days - especially this genre. Highly recommend this endearing and feel-good drama. It deserves so much more love.
NOTE: The 'romance' tag is misleading because it is 'slight' and I wish there was more. They were so so cute, and I wish that cuteness wasn't left to our imagination. NOT AFTER THAT UBER CUTE CONFESSION SCENE - I MEAN COME ON WRITERS. I had the biggest chuckle.
Can we please have a special episode on the leads, pretty please?!!!! I NEED MORE OF THEIR BANTER, THEIR HUGS, THEIR KISSES, PLAYING WITH TUESLA TOGETHER

Completed: 18 October 2026

The FL was as bland as watching paint dry, and she seems to have this energy in every drama she's a part of. And the ML was said to be part of the yakuza, but nothing substantial was shown... erm OKAY. Then why call this 'Yakuza Boss's Beloved'? This was such a waste of my time. Luckily, it was short. Even if you have nothing better to watch, I don't recommend this.

Completed: 19 October 2026

This was so good I wish it was longer. I enjoyed this dark romance for the thrill it gave me; ML's obsession with the FL had me fear for her and wonder how much darker he would go? Same for the FL.. her shift from naive and sweet to controlling and possessive was so subtlly and gradually done. When the drama ended, I questioned who was the more dominant one in the relationship? Match made in heaven, indeed. Highly highly recommended for people who enjoy these kind of stories.

P.S That gothic ending was EVERYTHING.

Completed: 19 October 2026

I quite liked this drama. The leads and second leads - all 4 of them - were equally flawed individuals who were in the various relationships for their own reasons. Do I feel bad for the heartbreak all 4 of them had to go through? YES. But would I blame it all on the leads or one party? NO. All of them had an equal part to play, and I love how this drama kept it real. I am not sure if I rooted for any of them, but I was able to appreciate how it played out and ended. Surprisingly, I didn't hate any of them.

Completed: 19 October 2026

The leads were so pure, innocent, respectful and cute that I couldn't hate on this depsite her being 17 / 18 and him being 23. The ML was very gentle, and kind. The FL was very mature and nurturing. The casting and chemistry was on point. They made the perfect match and family together. The writer also deserves a mention for being mindful of their age difference, and never tipping their interactions over a line that would be inappropriate.
Overall, this was a very sweet, endearing, fluffy and feel-good romcom. I didn't dislike anything about it beyond the fact that she was a high-school student. I don't understand why she couldn't have been a college student instead.

Completed: 20 October 2026

Fiery chemistry, unsaid words and feelings hidden under the garb of sex, miscommunication, tears and tension.. I loved how flawed and real the leads were in the original, even though the ML's demons could have been fleshed out more. I enjoyed it overall.

Can't help but compare; this was a more compact, real version of The Early Spring (C-drama) without any suger-coating and romanticising of the problematic nature of the leads relationship. Or the other way round, since this obviously released years before TES.

Completed: 20 October 2026

A sequel / continuation of the original drama. In contrast to the original drama which was character-driven with leads who felt real and flawed, this sequel took a turn in being more plot-driven and melodramatic with the annoying father's interference and pregnancy. I still liked the leads and rooted for them, but I dislike the direction the story took. The second leads, too, were cute and deserved a happy ending. But not only were they robbed off that, they didn't even get any closure.. WTF?!
Overall, I disliked the sequel. Clearly, the director was different, but did they change screenwriters as well?

Completed: 21 October 2026

This drama is a criminally underrated gem for a mature audience.
The synopsis makes it sound like like a shallow love triangle of a FL shuttling between two brothers; one who is her ex, and the other who she falls for in the present, and who she will choose in the end. But this drama flips that unreliable narrative we've formed in our head to present such a meaningful coming-of-age story with cues to sustaining a healthy sense of self and relationship with others via communication.
I don't think any drama has come close to this in using the love triangle so effectively to flesh out a deep and introspective story.
Hats off. I am truly amazed.
More in review here: https://kisskh.at/profile/chillingindoors/review/616900

Completed: 21 October 2026

Since this is based on a novel (which I haven't read), I am pretty sure the source material is a lot more complex, deeper and darker than what this film presented. The film attempts a discussion on the rules, expectations, and pressure surrounding this arranged marriage concept that is still largely prevalent in Asia, especially Japan. I empathized with the FL as we got to know how she grew up feeling stifled, and how that shaped her ability to truly develop a core sense of self when she had been confined for the longest time. Having said that, I don't think the film truly helped me understand her choices and the conclusions she was drawing from those choices (more in spoiler). Same for the ML - as a character central to the story, his narrative was largely left out, and centred around gaining a perspective on the FL, rather than giving us clarity on his feelings about the FL and / or the concept of arranged marriage.
All in all, the film left me confused with questions about what the leads even wanted from each other, and what did they even achieve at the end. The concepts of arrogance and virtue were fleshed out, but I didn't understand how they fit into the ending for the leads. Pity, because this had the potential, both in terms of an interesting concept and good actors. I guess the short length let it down to some extent, and this would have been so much better as a drama instead.

Completed: 21 October 2026

The tension, the unspoken emotions, the realisation, the heartbreak, the frustration, the yearning- such fantastic acting, writing and direction all around.
How cruel is the world that two harmless, innocent individuals can't love freely without being judged for their gender or their race or their financial status amongst the many many more reasons one can find to divide humanity and tear people apart..

Completed: 22 October 2026

I loved this! What a fantastic psychological 'romance' drama.
It reminded me of 'Tell Me Lies' on Hulu. If you liked the toxic nature of the leads' relationship in that, you'll love this. Of course, this one is toned down, less darker, and told from the FL's perspective, but in essence, the leads' relationship is similar. ML is narcissistic, avoidant and uses his charisma to pull the FL in through sex. FL isn't a perfect victim, given her own moral compass, but is a victim nonetheless. Overall, it's an uncomfortable watch with flawed people who don't make the best decisions, and it's clearly for a mature audience.
More in-depth review here: https://kisskh.at/profile/chillingindoors/review/617304

Completed: 22 October 2026

The film excelled in casting 2 fantastic actors who had effortless charm, screen presence and electric chemistry together. I rooted for them instantly. The direction / cinematography of Beijing at night with both fast/jumpy and slow shots really complimented the fast, yet fleeting nature of the characters relationship, sucking me into their world and their conversations which hinted at something fun, and exciting yet emotional and deep.
Overall, I liked the leads a lot but it doesn't measure up to the Before Trilogy in being as relatable or 'romantic'.

What let the film down -
How difficult is it for them to meet again given they're both in China? We're no longer in the 90s - how difficult is it for them to text, call, video call each other that they found the separation so finite and heartbreaking? I love ambigous, open endings but this was weird.. even more ironic given the leads were talking about creating and writing an ending?
That ex of hers- what was the point of that whole exchange? I didn't expect her to be a virgin but it threw me off that she didn't even know the guy's name. While I appreciated her free-spiritedness and charm, it did make me feel that she's very reckless.. so I wonder how much of what she was feeling for the ML was like putting on a mask in real time, psyching yourself up to feel the high but once the night is over and they part, it's like another memory for her that she can just move on from.. They brushed their teeth but why was the sex point avoided when the film constantly hinted at it?
The ML's dilemma of why he was hesitating between leaving / not leaving wasn't clear? Even more so when both of them pretty much said it loud and clear that they liked each other.. it's almost like the writer / director wanted to replicate some form of a sad or bittersweet ending to make an impact, not realising it fell flat when the characters feelings are not vague.

Completed: 23 October 2026

Why does society continue to break broken people further, rather than help them heal... All the men in this movie were absolute trash. At least, she grew stronger by the end of the movie but at what cost.. sigh.

Completed: 23 October 2026

It was pretty cute the first 6 episodes, and then it took an unncessary turn in E7, pushing that development out of the window. That aside, it was cute enough. The FL was funny, and the ML was pleasant. Decent time pass if you're not expecting anything too deep or romantic :)

Completed: 23 October 2026

"To cherish something that you love as best as you can, if you had to sacrifice it all and leave everything on earth behind just so you could cherish what you love, you would. I still remember what you used to say. Thank you, Mom."
Yup I cried in Episode 9.
This drama focused largely on events of the past, and side charactes like Sam the star who showed interest in the FL, the 2FL who insulted the FL all the time and asserted her control over the ML right until the last episode. Instead of giving these characters so much time, the writer could have given the leads more scenes together to flesh out their present and give us a picture of their future together. The whole narrative of them reconnecting, forgiving, letting go of the past and re-starting in the present was not given the emphasis and time it needed. They barely even had 10 scenes together as adults in the entire drama. Their happy ending in the last episode. thus, felt earned, yet half-baked.
Overall, it really wasn't bad, and I really liked it. The last 2 episodes, especially, hit the right spots on so many fronts. But I wish the adult leads were given happy moments to balance the heartbreak of everything they lost. Their chemistry remained untapped. To those planning to watch, manage your expectations accordingly because this isn't a 'romance' drama in the conventional sense.

Completed: 24 October 2026

That title doesn't do this justice.
It was short, cute, and sweet without annoying characters but it also managed to pack some depth with a gentle highlight on issues such as body weight/image and self-worth, consent and communication, and supporting one another's dreams even if it conflicts with your own. Time well spent :)

Completed: 25 October 2026

Completed: 25 October 2026

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Dropped at E15.

I wanted to like this, but I couldn't -

(1) The ML looked way too AI-generated for my taste.. maybe it's the filters or the makeup (I don't know)

(2) The ML had zero identity and contribution to the story beyond his love for the FL

(3) It was a story of the FL's trauma but it was centered around the ML being there for her and 'saving' her rather than letting her be the one to shine in her own story

(4) the FL's trauma was used very conveniently - for eg. the sleepwalking - as and when to build the relationship between the leads - but what about other aspects to the trauma, for eg. spaces/objects that trigger her PTSD / interacting with male colleagues / the idea of space or distance with people / her general mental health

(5) the dynamic between the leads felt very one-sided; I barely saw her reach out to the ML to reciprocate. She is an empathetic character who notices things in others so it was very incongruent when she purposely chose to ignore everything the ML did for her. I understand that she's withdrawn and wants to keep the distance but they could have found a way - for instance, her feeling thankful that he always cooks extra so making him a cup of coffee to thank him for all the help so far etc. But not once has she done something or even thought of doing anything

(6) The 2nd leads' story is not well-infused into the drama; it felt like another drama

Dropped at E14.

Dropped at E10.

Their connection from childhood to teenage (after such a long distance) wasn't fleshed out well for me to connect with it. Even after they met again as teenagers, I don't understand why they felt so strongly for each other, to the exclusion of her other friends who were there with her through thick and thin, and the harsh conditioning he went through thanks to his mother. Found myself also occassionally dozing off over the exaggeration of the implications of two teens meeting up after school.

Dropped at E9.

I stopped rooting for the leads to be together after this episode. Pity, because they were cute. Happy to know they got married in real life :)

Dropped at E6.

It was too superficial for me to take it seriously. The concept IMO deserved a much more serious approach to make it impactful.

Dropped.

Annoying leads, bad acting.