Bao

thoughts from an autistic viewer

I watched Extraordinary Attorney Woo, and honestly, I’m really frustrated. At first, I was excited. An autistic lead, a legal drama with heart, a soft romance. It felt like something made for people like me. There were moments I liked. Young-woo is smart and kind, and Jun-ho? He was honestly the best part of the show. He never tried to “fix” her, he just loved her for who she is. That was beautiful. But honestly, that’s where the good ends.

The autism representation was disappointing. They kept saying it’s a spectrum, but then they wrote Young-woo as a one-dimensional stereotype, a genius with quirky behaviors and a fixation on whales. That was it. I wondered why she couldn’t be more functional or just different in her way. So many autistic people are social, emotional, and empathetic. Not all of us are savants or awkward in the same way. It felt like the show was ticking boxes for a neurotypical audience that wants to be inspired, not showing a real person.

And that’s the thing. I missed seeing Young-woo as a full person. She was just “the autistic genius lawyer,” nothing more. No messy layers, no real growth beyond her quirks. I wanted to see her struggle, make mistakes, and grow, not just be a walking stereotype. That absence made me sad.

Then there was the Tae Su-mi subplot, which felt unnecessary and distracting. The secret mom drama, corporate chaos, and hacking scandals pulled attention away from Young-woo’s story and shoved her into someone else’s messy plot. It made the show feel shallow, like the writers didn’t trust their main character to carry it. It was frustrating and honestly made me want to stop watching.

And Kwon Min-woo? Ugh. He was annoying and mean, constantly undermining Young-woo with ableist comments. The show tried to give him a half-hearted redemption, but no thanks. He was just toxic, and I hated watching him.

About the breakup. The reason made sense. Young-woo was scared of judgment and didn’t want Jun-ho to suffer because of her. Jun-ho was lonely because she was pulling away. That felt painful and relatable. But the show never followed through. There was no real conversation, no working it out—just a half-assed smile at the end like “Everything’s fine now.” That’s not closure. It felt like a cop-out. Their relationship was the best part of the show, and they deserved more.

I also really hated how Jun-ho’s friends, family, and colleagues acted like he was doing charity just by being with Young-woo or helping her. Seriously? She’s not some fragile charity case. Jun-ho wasn’t a hero doing favors; he was simply a decent person treating her like an equal. That patronizing attitude was exhausting and made me want to scream. It reduces autistic people to helpless objects instead of real humans who deserve respect. The fact that people close to him couldn’t see that was so frustrating.

I honestly don’t get most of the positive reviews this show gets. Where’s the criteria? What standards are people using? From where I’m sitting, as someone who actually relates to the main character, the representation feels shallow and frustrating. The writing misses the mark on what autism is, and the story just feels messy and half-baked in parts. I wanted to love this show, but in the end, it felt like it was made for people who want to “understand” autism without actually seeing it. It talked about the spectrum but showed only one narrow stereotype. It made Young-woo a type, not a person. Honestly, that’s just not good enough anymore.

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A Soft, Healing Drama That Stays With You

When Life Gives You Tangerines is honestly one of the most touching K-dramas I’ve ever seen. It’s not loud or flashy—no huge twists or wild cliffhangers—but that’s exactly what makes it so special. The story feels real. It’s slow and quiet in the best way, like sitting under the sun with your eyes closed, feeling every little breeze.

The setting alone had me hooked. The drama takes place on Jeju Island, and the way it’s filmed is just breathtaking. The sea, the wind, the endless rows of tangerine trees—it creates such a calm, nostalgic feeling. It really felt like I was living there with the characters. The cinematography makes every small moment feel meaningful and poetic.

IU plays Ae-sun with so much honesty and heart. She’s such a strong, curious, and stubborn character, and I admired how she kept dreaming even when the world around her tried to hold her back. And Park Bo-gum as Gwan-sik… oh my god. He’s the type of male lead that just makes your heart ache—in a soft, quiet way. He’s not the typical romantic hero, but that’s what makes him feel so real. Their connection is full of tension and unspoken emotion. It’s not a romance filled with big declarations—it’s slow, complicated, and so deeply human.

Now, I have to mention Yang Geum-yeon, Ae-sun’s daughter. I’m going to be honest—she was annoying sometimes. There were moments when I just wanted to shake her and ask, “Why are you like this?!” She acted selfish or distant at times, and it made it hard to connect with her. But I also understand that she’s a product of her own time and pain, and her character still adds a lot of weight to the story. Not everyone is meant to be likeable all the time—and that’s real life too. By the end, I appreciated her more.

What really stuck with me about this drama was how deeply it explores the quiet pain and strength of everyday life. It shows how people love, wait, lose, grow, and keep going. It’s about ordinary moments and how those small things build the story of a lifetime. I cried more than once—not just because it was sad, but because it felt so true. Sometimes it hit a little too close to home.

If you’ve ever felt like you were waiting for something or someone, if you’ve ever had dreams that felt too far away, or if you just want to feel seen and comforted, watch this drama. It’s gentle, thoughtful, and full of heart. When Life Gives You Tangerines gave me so much. It made me reflect, feel, and just breathe. I’m really grateful I watched it.

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Left Me in Tears and Full of Admiration

I honestly don’t even know where to start. Watching Daily Dose of Sunshine was like a punch to the gut in the most emotional, real way. As someone who deals with depression, this show hit so close to home, it was almost too much to handle at times. I’m not kidding when I say I cried a lot—like, I was sobbing at points, and I had to pause just to catch my breath. If you’re looking for a show that really makes you feel something deep, this one is it.

Jung Da-eun (Park Bo-young) is honestly one of my favorite characters ever. I fell in love with her so hard. She’s such a selfless person, and the way she treats her patients with so much empathy is just incredible. Watching her give so much of herself to help others, even when she’s struggling with her own issues, made me admire her so much. She’s not just a nurse; she’s a true healer, and it was so inspiring to see her care for each person she meets with such kindness and compassion. I think that’s why this show hit me so hard—it shows the impact of true empathy in a world that often feels cold.

It’s not all just sadness, though. What I loved about Daily Dose of Sunshine is that it never lets you forget there’s hope, even when things seem dark. It’s like, the healing process isn’t some big, dramatic thing, but rather slow, quiet, and messy. You know, like life is. It’s about taking one step at a time, even when you feel like you’re stuck. That’s honestly one of the things that resonated with me the most.

And the cinematography? Wow. The show looks gorgeous. It’s soft and dreamy, with these little details that really make you feel what the characters are feeling. Like when someone’s sitting alone in silence or staring out a window, the camera lingers just long enough for you to feel the weight of their emotions. I felt like I was right there with them, feeling everything they were going through.

Then there’s Park Bo-young. She completely nailed her role. You could see all the pain, hope, and uncertainty in her eyes. She didn’t just act the part; she made me feel it. I honestly haven’t seen a performance this raw in a long time. It made me connect to her character so deeply.

All in all, Daily Dose of Sunshine is one of those shows that just sticks with you. It’s emotional, raw, and real, but it’s also full of hope. If you’re struggling with your mental health or just looking for a show that makes you feel something deep, this is the one. It may make you cry, but in the best way possible.

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Go Ahead Will Always Make Me Cry No Matter How Many Times I Watch

I’m just going to say it—Go Ahead is hands down my favorite C-drama of all time. And honestly, I don’t think anything will ever top it. No matter how many times I rewatch it, I always end up crying like it’s the first time. There’s something about this drama that just hits every time. It’s like no matter how many times I know what’s coming, the emotional impact never fades.

The story is so beautifully crafted. It follows three main characters who, though not related by blood, form this incredible bond and become a family of their own. What makes this drama so special to me is how it captures the complexities of familial love, both the pain and the joy that come with it. I don’t think there’s ever been a drama that made me feel more deeply about the idea of chosen family. Watching these three characters support each other through everything, from their personal struggles to their relationship with their parents, just broke me in the best way.

Li Jianjian (played by Eleanor Lee) is such a relatable character, and her growth throughout the drama is so beautiful. She starts off with so much uncertainty about her place in the world, especially after growing up in a broken family, but watching her find her confidence and her own sense of family is a ride that will leave you in tears. And He Ziqiu (played by Zhao Zhiwei) and Ling Xiao (played by Song Weilong)? Their bond with Jianjian is something so rare to see. I love how their friendship evolves into something so much more, and you feel every moment of their emotional journey together.

But honestly, the one character that really struck me the most was the father, Mr. Li. His relationship with Jianjian is everything I’ve ever wanted in a parent-child bond. It’s so filled with love, care, and patience, and watching their relationship grow made me realize how much I long for that kind of connection with my own father. The way he always puts her first, how he encourages her to find her own way while constantly being there for her—it made me rethink the kind of relationship I hope to have with my dad. I think Mr. Li’s love for Jianjian is so pure and genuine, and it honestly made me wish my own relationship with my dad were more like that. His character is a reminder of how important emotional availability and unconditional love are in family, and it left a lasting impact on me.

The performances in this drama are just phenomenal. Every single actor gives their heart and soul into their roles, making the characters feel so real. You can really feel the pain, the joy, the heartbreak, and the healing through every scene. The chemistry between the leads is so strong, it’s impossible not to get emotionally invested in their relationships. And the way the drama handles the dynamics of the family—whether it’s the pain of parental love or the joy of chosen family—it's so honest and raw. It’s one of those dramas where you’re watching the characters grow, and you grow with them.

I can’t not mention the soundtrack—chef’s kiss. The music in this drama is so fitting and enhances the emotional beats in such a subtle way. There were so many times when a song would play, and it would just pull me deeper into the feelings of the scene. The music isn’t just background noise; it becomes part of the experience.

If you haven’t seen Go Ahead, please do yourself a favor and watch it. Even if you’re not usually a fan of crying while watching a drama, trust me, you’ll want to experience the emotional rollercoaster this show takes you on. I know it’s my all-time favorite, and I will keep rewatching it no matter how many tears it brings. It’s the kind of drama that stays with you long after it’s over, and I’m forever grateful I found it.

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Queerbaiting and Frustration All the Way

I was SO hyped to watch Friendly Rivalry. As a queer girl who’s always been starved for authentic GL stories, I was beyond excited when I saw that a K-pop idol like Hyeri was in the lead. It's so rare to see a K-pop idol kiss another girl on screen—let alone be involved in a queer storyline. In a world where even K-dramas with male leads often struggle to let their characters fully express themselves, the thought of finally seeing something bold, something meaningful, made my heart race. I wanted this to be a breakthrough moment for K-drama and queer representation.

But I got queerbaited instead. I feel betrayed.

There was tension between Hyeri’s character, Jae-yi, and Seul-gi. It was palpable. You could feel that slow-burn build-up, and I thought, finally, here it is. The chemistry was undeniable, and for a moment, I thought they would do it. But then… nothing. Absolutely nothing. The show teases a romantic arc, but there’s no payoff, no acknowledgment of what could’ve been. Instead, I got vague looks and implied moments that never actually go anywhere. All that tension? It was just a tool to keep me watching, waiting for something that was never going to happen.

I’m a queer girl, and I’ve seen my fair share of frustrating queerbaiting in TV shows, but this one hit differently. It felt even more painful because it had so much potential. Seeing a K-pop idol in this type of role could’ve been a huge step forward for queer representation, but instead, we got an over-complicated mess of secret plots, hidden motives, and shock value that just made everything worse. It’s like they knew what the audience wanted, and instead of giving us something real, they dangled the idea of a queer romance in front of us without ever intending to make it happen.

The plot is so all over the place—drug deals, blackmail, secret plans within secret plans—that it’s honestly hard to keep up. None of it made sense. It was just chaos for the sake of chaos. I kept thinking, why do we need all this? It just felt like unnecessary extremes, and it left me feeling disconnected from the characters. Where was the heart of the story? It was buried under all the plot twists.

And the cinematography? Gorgeous, honestly. Every scene is beautiful, the atmosphere is tense, and the visuals alone kept me invested. But it’s just not enough when the core of the show falls apart.

I was so excited for this. As someone who loves innovative GLs, I thought this could be a rare gem. Instead, it was a letdown. I’ll keep hoping for better representation in the future, but this wasn’t it. If you’re looking for a real queer romance, keep looking. This isn’t going to give you what you want.

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