3
5
1
This review may contain spoilers
The Wicked Game Has Me in a Chokehold. Dark, Emotional, and Addictive
Story
Is it just me, or is anyone else completely drained after watching these siblings tear each other apart for ten episodes straight? The nonstop fighting, betrayals, and attempts to kill one another felt endless. When they all died at the end, the only thing I felt was relief. The silence that followed the chaos almost felt peaceful.
This drama shows how greed can consume a family from the inside. It reminded me of tragic historical stories where princes and princesses shed their own blood for power, losing everything that once mattered. I have eight siblings myself, and even though we argue, the idea of harming them is unimaginable. Watching this family destroy itself felt painfully personal, like witnessing the darkest possible version of how money and spite can twist human hearts.
Pheem’s backstory is the emotional core. A young boy forced to watch his stepmother run over and kill his mother. Then pushed down the stairs so her own son could inherit the hospital. Abandoned by the father who should have protected him. Deported. Unloved. Broken. That night carved itself deep into his soul. He later covered the scar with a tattoo, but the pain never left. His return is not a reunion, but a reckoning.
Every episode hits harder than the last. The story is dark, emotional, and layered with revenge, heartbreak, and passion. It is rare to see a BL that balances action and emotion with such intensity.
Still, some parts held it back from being a perfect ten. The endless sibling violence becomes draining. The constant shootings feel unrealistic, with characters getting shot and somehow healing instantly. The police feel useless, adding nothing to the plot.
Acting and Cast
Offroad delivers one of the strongest performances of his career. His portrayal of Pheem is raw, wounded, and deeply human. Every expression reflects years of trauma. Every quiet moment holds a lifetime of pain. Daou brings a warm, steady presence as Than, the perfect counterbalance to Pheem’s chaos. Their chemistry simmers slowly before burning into something powerful and magnetic. Seeing this pair again after Century of Love and Love in Translation felt like a small light inside a very dark story.
Music
The music elevates the drama beautifully. Soft, lingering themes bring out the loneliness and grief in Pheem’s journey, while the tense tracks heighten every confrontation. The soundtrack blends seamlessly with the cinematography, pulling you into the emotional weight of each scene.
Rewatch Value
This is not an easy drama to revisit because of the heavy themes and family cruelty. But Offroad and Daou’s performances, along with the powerful emotional storytelling, make certain scenes worth rewatching. The intensity and depth of the characters leave a lasting impact.
Overall
I began this series thinking it would be a perfect ten, but after everything, I settled on a strong nine out of ten. Despite its flaws and overwhelming chaos, the emotional depth, acting quality, and tragic beauty of Pheem’s story carried it through. It left me drained, heartbroken, and deeply moved. And in the end, I can honestly say I truly enjoyed this drama.
Is it just me, or is anyone else completely drained after watching these siblings tear each other apart for ten episodes straight? The nonstop fighting, betrayals, and attempts to kill one another felt endless. When they all died at the end, the only thing I felt was relief. The silence that followed the chaos almost felt peaceful.
This drama shows how greed can consume a family from the inside. It reminded me of tragic historical stories where princes and princesses shed their own blood for power, losing everything that once mattered. I have eight siblings myself, and even though we argue, the idea of harming them is unimaginable. Watching this family destroy itself felt painfully personal, like witnessing the darkest possible version of how money and spite can twist human hearts.
Pheem’s backstory is the emotional core. A young boy forced to watch his stepmother run over and kill his mother. Then pushed down the stairs so her own son could inherit the hospital. Abandoned by the father who should have protected him. Deported. Unloved. Broken. That night carved itself deep into his soul. He later covered the scar with a tattoo, but the pain never left. His return is not a reunion, but a reckoning.
Every episode hits harder than the last. The story is dark, emotional, and layered with revenge, heartbreak, and passion. It is rare to see a BL that balances action and emotion with such intensity.
Still, some parts held it back from being a perfect ten. The endless sibling violence becomes draining. The constant shootings feel unrealistic, with characters getting shot and somehow healing instantly. The police feel useless, adding nothing to the plot.
Acting and Cast
Offroad delivers one of the strongest performances of his career. His portrayal of Pheem is raw, wounded, and deeply human. Every expression reflects years of trauma. Every quiet moment holds a lifetime of pain. Daou brings a warm, steady presence as Than, the perfect counterbalance to Pheem’s chaos. Their chemistry simmers slowly before burning into something powerful and magnetic. Seeing this pair again after Century of Love and Love in Translation felt like a small light inside a very dark story.
Music
The music elevates the drama beautifully. Soft, lingering themes bring out the loneliness and grief in Pheem’s journey, while the tense tracks heighten every confrontation. The soundtrack blends seamlessly with the cinematography, pulling you into the emotional weight of each scene.
Rewatch Value
This is not an easy drama to revisit because of the heavy themes and family cruelty. But Offroad and Daou’s performances, along with the powerful emotional storytelling, make certain scenes worth rewatching. The intensity and depth of the characters leave a lasting impact.
Overall
I began this series thinking it would be a perfect ten, but after everything, I settled on a strong nine out of ten. Despite its flaws and overwhelming chaos, the emotional depth, acting quality, and tragic beauty of Pheem’s story carried it through. It left me drained, heartbroken, and deeply moved. And in the end, I can honestly say I truly enjoyed this drama.
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