Sunshine17130522

The Confusing Myth

It's been a while since I’ve been so intrigued by a k-drama, especially one that stars Park Shin Hye. She does a lot of popular series, but I feel like there are some parts where she doesn’t show her full potential therefore, I pass on a lot of her drama. Surprisingly, this is one of the series that I think she did an awesome job on her role!! I like her as a badass strong female lead rather than a timid typical teenage girl in love. I would like to see her do more action roles.

What I like about the series:

The way how this was directed, written, and how it was edit was brilliant. It kept me watching from beginning to end. I typically skip “thriller/mystery” Korean series because they don’t give me the same excitement. To want to see this series to the end was kind of a shock to me.

The characters. Most typical Korean series has this tough acting man who can solve all problems with his fist, his looks, or his money. Han Tae Sul solved everything with his brains and well his money. I like to say he doesn’t have the typical eye candy that most Korean leads have but that is not a bad thing. He is super charming, and I adore his character! Plus, Park Shin Hye is a sassy female lead who knows she can win a (gun) fight with anyone.


The bad:
I still haven’t figure out what with the ending. The ending between the leads felt like a dream. Also, you get this glimpse of Sigma who is a better person but yet he still has a bit of crazy and plans to go after Han Tae Sul as a stalker??

One of the things that K-drama does well is dragging on plots causing confusion, cliffhangers, and excitements to get your peak interest. In Sisyphus, I was close to saying "forget about this" and read the recaps. This was a point in the series, you felt you were just being drag along and you still don’t have a clue about why this all started that it was starting to be upsetting but you kept watching. I’m glad I did because it was a change of pace and it was something that you just have to be patient about. Personally, I would have preferred a little snippet of the “why”.

Again this is personal preference but I don’t think there was a lot that leads to the romance of the lead characters. I know when you’re put into a situation where you’re fighting to survive and you only have each other to depend on, romance can develop but I was expecting a bit more than just that.

Overall I say 8/10 because of the excitement I got from watching a k-drama in a while.

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This was a project I had been waiting for from Yang Yang. I kind of missed seeing him over the last few years and was wondering why he hadn’t come out with anything new. I read somewhere that he felt like no one missed him, so he wasn’t active. Honestly, thanks to Yang Yang, I was reintroduced to C-dramas—and I’ve been in love ever since.

I was super excited when I saw the trailer for Immortal Ascension and found out it was airing this year. I thought I’d have time to watch the series, but sadly, that hasn't been the case. I'm going to share what I love about it first, and then explain why I’m putting it on hold for now.

First off, I love that he’s trying a new kind of role. I’m so used to seeing him as the powerful character who always wins. In this series, it’s the exact opposite—he uses all the tricks he knows just to survive. He suffers a lot and overcomes many challenges to get to where he is, and it’s refreshing to see that kind of growth.

I had to look up who directed this series because from episode one, I couldn’t help but think of Ever Night. Turns out the familiar scenery and storyline weren’t a coincidence—this was directed by the same person. No wonder the landscape and overall feel seemed so familiar.

So far, the series is moving at a slower pace than I expected. I know the story is far from over, but I was anticipating a different direction and pacing. Because of that, I’ve decided to put it on hold. This has nothing to do with Yang Yang’s amazing performance—I just wish I had read the synopsis beforehand. This is a cultivation-based xianxia drama, and I usually find those hard to binge-watch because of all the intricate details.

I’m putting this on hold, but I hope to come back to it one day.

Rating: 7/10

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I stayed up all night and woke up early anticipating the final release of the last episode, only to find that Netflix didn’t put it on right away. I probably wait till like midafternoon before I can finish it. I still have lingering thoughts of the what-ifs. There were a lot of sexual tensions to begin with but I enjoyed watching the cliché ending.

The Good:
I think this series did a pretty good job of portraying friends of benefits and the thin line of falling in love with them. I am probably one of the very few that was rooting for the bad-boy-falls-in-love-with-good-girl-leading-couple. Yes, I understand it was a toxic relationship with Jae Eon. He made our heart race, his intimate touches, he kept drawing the line but “nevertheless” Na Bi was still attracted to him. I have many theories as to why Jae Eon loves Na Bi, one being she called butterfly. We know where his obsession lies with it but as the series goes on you can’t help but think “cliché but oh dear, he is really falling for her”. Again, wondering theories and debates for another time.

I love this intimacy between them and I’m not talking about what they did every night. Their lingering looks and this burning passion they couldn’t hide were shown through a lot of non-gesture and both actor and actress brought it out very well. There was a lot of heart racing and exciting push-and-pull.

I also like how the writers incorporate Na Bi’s art as a reflection of what she felt during the emotional roller coaster ride. She did well on her projects when she got along with Jae Eon. But when her sculpture was smashed into pieces, it was like her world also shattered as she tried to end her feelings for him.

The cast, I didn’t know what to think with the innocent-looking Song Kang to begin with. I kept wondering how he was going to pull this “bad boy” character but he did it! It is different from what I usually am used to, but I like it! I also look forward to seeing more projects from Yang Hye Ji, Lee Ho Jung and Kim Min Gwi!

One of my favorite things to watch is character development. In this series, there were a lot of character developments between the leading couple and the side characters. I like how Na Bi narrated most of the series in the beginning and towards the end, Jae Eon started voicing his thoughts.

The Bad:
I had to skip some parts of the side characters, I felt like some of them were cliché and a lot of parts were cut out from Bit Na and Kyu Hyun. I didn’t realize the scandal with this until my sister told me. I was rooting and hoping to see more character development with Bit Na and Kyu Hyun. I think they were an adorable couple.

Personally, I was very bothered by that fake butterfly tattoo that looks like a stick on.

There were parts in the series where I had questions that were unanswered and probably will never be. Like who was that guy that randomly showed up and punch Jae Eon? And who was that girl he met at the café the following day? What about the story between him and his ex? I just found out this is based on a webtoon, maybe answers might be found there.

My rating: 8/10 Without watching this carefully I think there are a lot of symbolic things that could have been missed and I think that is what makes this series captivating to me. Even though it did have a typical storyline, each character was enjoyable to watch.

Re watch value: 4/10 – there were many things I love about this series, but I don’t know if I would be re-watching soon.

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Team Divorce or Team Marriage?

At first, I questioned the title. Ambition? For love?? That pairing felt odd to me — I’ve always thought of love as unconditional. But after watching the first few episodes, it all started to make sense. The title is actually perfect. There only a few episodes out, so this will be an ongoing review as I continue watching.

Let me start by saying: this series hooked me immediately. I ended up staying up late just to binge as many episodes as I could in one evening. Honestly, I started watching because of the beautiful Rosy Zhao Lusi and the handsome William Chan — they’re a stunning duo. Lately, I’ve been skipping reading synopses and just diving in, so I had no idea what to expect going in. But, as always, Lusi picked a strong role — her character is cunning, determined, and incredibly compelling.

The story starts with her fighting her way through life — without loving and doting parents, without a safety net — pursuing love and a career. And when she finally meets the man who makes her feel something, you can’t help but understand why she so determined to get married to Shen Hao Ming.

I’m up to episode 18, and honestly, I’m loving every moment. It feels like a classic scheming costume drama (which I love!) but set in modern times, making everything feel more relatable and grounded.
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What I’m Loving So Far:
• Her Style: From outfits to makeup to hairstyles, everything is coordinated and flawless. I read that in real life she graduated with a degree in fashion design – I’m sure she made use of those skills in this series!!!
• The Romance: There’s a dark, slow-burn romance with real push and pull. It keeps you guessing and waiting for the next twist.
• Her Integrity: Even though she has ambitious goals, I love that she’s genuine. She values the relationships she builds (the younger brother/son, the grandma who had Alzheimer, her in-laws who eventually she learn to love, etc.) and doesn’t take anything for granted. She’s methodical, strategic, but not cold. She owns up to what she did wrong.
• The Power Dynamic: I knew something was off — with a guy that rich, he had to know about her background. But I love that she didn’t use him in a manipulative way. She genuinely loved him and simply used the opportunity to better herself. She worked hard and deserves to be loved by an equally ambitious man.
• Subverting Tropes: This isn’t your typical “rich guy rescues poor girl” storyline. It’s deeper than that, and I’m here for it.
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So far, it’s a solid 8/10, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

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Twelve Letters has been on my watchlist since it first came out. I’d seen so many spoilers floating around that I already knew it was a drama I had to watch. Now that I’ve finally finished it, I can’t believe I waited this long. Just a bit of a warning, I was writing this review while still watching the last few episodes, so forgive me if my thoughts feel a little scattered—SO MUCH happens in this series!

The story revolves around Ye Hai Tang (A’Tang), Tang Yi Xun (A’Xun), and a mysterious time-traveling mailbox. A’Tang, living in 1991, begins receiving letters from the future—specifically from 2026. Although the two leads start off on the wrong foot and clash constantly, their backgrounds explain so much of their tension. Both grew up in poverty, faced difficult family situations, and carried wounds from abusive homes or abandonment. Their struggles put them on opposite sides at first, but slowly, through shared experiences, they develop mutual respect and quiet affection for each other.

I honestly wish their romance had been explored more directly. The love line is subtle—present, but never fully voiced. I would’ve loved a real confession instead of the implied promise to “grow together as a family.”

Early in the drama, each episode blends past and future seamlessly, giving us glimpses of two timelines side by side. Later, the focus shifts, and episodes begin to center either on the parents’ story or the children’s future. Even so, the story remains engaging and emotionally heavy.

Prepare to cry, because Twelve Letters does not hold back. As someone who has a soft spot for orphan stories, certain scenes were especially difficult to watch. The ending took me completely by surprise—I cried so much watching everything unfold. While I’m relieved A’Xun and A’Tang get their happy ending, it broke my heart that Shen Cheng and Yu Nian may never get to see them again. This drama leaves you with a heavy heart in the best way; it’s one I know I’ll be thinking about for days.

I also loved how the story gradually unfolded—from the familiar trope of an abusive, gambling parent to the two leads becoming classmates, all tied together by the magical time-traveling mailbox. Watching how both generations interacted with this mystery and eventually solved it was one of the most fascinating parts of the series. As the story progressed, I realized how little we truly know about our own parents’ lives. The more the characters dug into the past, the more they uncovered secrets that had never been spoken. It really drives home the idea that we often don’t know our parents as deeply as we think. These revelations made the story even more compelling, and honestly, that’s what kept me binge-watching the entire series in one day. And with its short length, it’s incredibly easy to get through.

One thing I wish had been explained better was the beginning of Episode 8. A murder occurs, A’Xun suddenly takes the blame, and it all happens so fast that it left my head spinning. At first I was frustrated, but looking back, that confusion kept me hooked because I needed to understand how everything connected.

On a lighter note, Zhou Yi Ran really impressed me. I’ve seen a bit of his work before and thought he was just another pretty face, but he proved me wrong here—his acting range truly surprised me. Zheng He Hui Zi was wonderful as well; I loved her in In Blossom, and I’m excited to see her take on more roles.

Overall, Twelve Letters is emotional, unique, and absolutely worth watching. It’s a heartfelt blend of mystery, family, and time travel that stays with you long after the final episode. I highly recommend it.

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This series isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re not familiar with screenwriter Kitagawa Eriko’s unique approach to love stories. Her writing often takes a slow-burn approach that some may find drawn-out, but for me, it adds depth and meaning to the relationships, making them all the more compelling.

What I love about this series:

Cinematography: The visual style is stunning, with warm, inviting colors that create a sense of comfort and familiarity. The aesthetic draws you into each scene, with personal favorites being the moments inspired by the theme “live in the moment, not the days.” I also loved the scenes where Oto and Soremame are in the yard, playing with bubbles or having a lighthearted run-in after his move.

The cast: Soremame is a standout. Her playfulness, creativity, and strong sense of self are incredibly charming. As for Oto, though I hadn’t seen much of his work before, his performance grew on me. Initially, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but he really settles into his role, and the chemistry between him and Soremame becomes undeniable. He plays an “average guy,” but in a way that makes you appreciate his quiet depth and sincerity.

The dialogue: Eriko’s writing always strikes a perfect emotional chord. The conversations between the characters are rich with meaning, and there’s one line from the first episode—“a person’s back is so warm”—that’s stuck with me since. Eriko has an uncanny ability to tug at your heart when you least expect it.

For fans of Kitagawa Eriko: If you love her work, you’ll find this series a treasure trove of tender moments and subtle details that are worth revisiting. There are so many small, beautiful scenes that I know I’ll be going back to watch again and again.

In conclusion, if you enjoy Kitagawa Eriko’s storytelling style, this series is a must-watch. It’s slow, thoughtful, and full of emotional depth, and it’s one that lingers long after you’ve finished it.

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Has potential

I don’t know how I feel about this series. It has potential, a strong and amazing cast, lots of beautiful cg, and a solid beginning storyline. But it leads on to these hints that underline the issue of reincarnation of immortals and how there this big bad guy, both main leads always injuring themselves and giving up their lives countless times for the three worlds. I don’t know how many times I was like again?? He going to give himself up and she going to do something stupid again and he going to save her. It got boring…very boring fast but I stayed for the second lead and second couple. I was rooting so hard for A Fu and Luo Ning. I knew it was going to be a sad tragic love story between the two of them and it was. I personally like their story way more than the main couples.

The other downside was the ending. Maybe I did skip too much but how many of you were just as confused about the ending and what was going on? Like did time rewind and skip what happened after He Na died after attempting to kill the moon god? Or were they stuck in a dream of a realm of another realm?? I don’t think I want to go back and find out.

This series had potential, it really did but the connection between the storyline and the characters just feel flat. I couldn’t bring myself to give it more than 5/10

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Too much into a small movie

This had potential. The cast is fantastic and I really wish this was a series rather than a movie. There were a lot of details as to what could have happened between the two main leads, but you can only fit so much into a film. As I am writing and deleting what I want to say about this review, I'm starting to understand why the short film. I think the impact of a short film with all the details that could have been expanded in a series was shortened here. But I was left unsatisfied and empty. The unknown as to why the ML died still doesn't make sense to me. Did I miss something? Did I overlook symbolic meaning? Was there a sentence that explained this but I skipped it? Also, what was the reason to film the sunrise? So many unanswered questions that I just didn't understand which is why my rating is low.

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What I like about it:

The fresh faces and the side characters. Often you get too many side characters that it drags away from the main story and causing the series to lose its main purpose and drag on. But the side characters added on to the story, surprisingly they made it work! The two stories that come to mind are the south sea emissary and Qian Mei and Huang Quan and Zi Mo. I think there is something going on with Bi Luo and poison girl but that is probably just my imagination.

Jessica Hsuan playing as the bad guy. The last time I watch any of her works was a long time ago and she was the main lead. So, it was interesting and refreshing to see her play as the bad guy.

The chemistry between the main leads. At first, when I saw who played the ML I was a bit disappointed, maybe it was because I just got done watching good-looking Xu Kai that I was expecting that same kind of wow factor. But he one I like to describe as good looks based on character. I always give characters a chance to “wow me” and boy I’m glad I did. I really enjoy his acting and his character. I know that the story really revolves around FL but I think ML kind of took the spotlight.

I love love LOVE the outfits! I adore the colors in here, especially the red that they had the FL in the entire time. This bright red made me focus so much more on the intensive action scenes. Talking about the action scenes, the cinematography, and the action….what a visual feast! What a wuxia without its awesome action scenes!! I’m a bit bias but I did get a tiny spark of excitement when I saw the ethnic minority outfits in here, mainly because it is close to my heart.

What I found annoying:

Of course, in every series, there has to be that annoying character you despise. I found Xiao Tai to be super annoying, her innocent, selfish, bratty attitude and thinking caused her to lead a rebellion and the guy who adores her to follow suit. It wasn’t until his death that she realized what she did. The only reason why I put up with her was because of Qing Yu or Meng Fei was super cute!

The poisoning, I should stop holding my breath each time ML or FL gets poison or injury. They were continuous injury/poison that I had to fast forward through some of these parts.

Everyone wants FL dead, first it was Moon sect leader and now the daughter wants her dead too because she wants to covet “senpai” to herself.

And I know this is just a pet peeve, but I often was upset at the choice that ML made even though it was thoroughly thought out and meant to be the well-being for everyone. As a leader, he shouldered a lot of the decision-making and burden. I had hoped they would have this selfish getaway, to blossom the romance between ML and FL. We only got a small taste of this when FL injury ML for a small getaway to heal him.

What makes me often think about this series after it ends:

The chemistry between the main leads. I like this mature feeling of mutual understanding of one another, making sacrifices for one another, and this natural love that doesn’t seem to be forced. I love just how simple their love is.

Re-watch value: as much as I love the characters in here, I probably won’t be re-watching it.

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Why is the rating so low?

So this is probably one of my current favorite series that I am rewatching. This reminds me a lot of the genre slice of life, something I haven't watch in a while. I am not usually into watching Korean drama because of the eye candy with bad acting but this blew me away!! Park Bo Gum do you have to drive me crazy each time you cry, smile, or just do what you do best! :D

I totally recommend this if you're looking for something that is different. It is not your typical k-drama. The stories between the characters felt so real. Their struggles, their weakness, their relationships, and how each individual portrayed them was probably one of the biggest reasons why I kept watching this series. I can't say enough about how much I love the chemistry between the characters, especially the female and male first lead. It is so beautiful and light-hearted, definitely reminds you of youthful love. I like that it wasn't "wow you're so beautiful and now I'm in love", it wasn't a shallow chemistry between characters. The development of understanding what you like and dislike, coming to understand and come to terms with why the relationship grew apart, I love everything about it.

Story-wise, I think it's a simple story of struggles youths have to go through. They're trying to find their next steps in life, either they're a momma boy living under the light and the protection she gives, or you're struggling to try to live your dream regardless if you young or old like grandpa. Most people probably hate the ending but I found it beautiful and different. The ending was open-ended, left a lot to your imagination. In my mind, it was still a happy ending!

Music I am pretty bias when it comes to this because I love Wheein from Mamamoo. Beautiful voice!

Overall, this is probably not for everyone but if you're looking for a good slice of life, family drama, great chemistry between leads, and acting give this a try!

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Can't wait for the new episodes!

It’s funny— I started 2025 watching Neo’s Fangs of Fortune, and it feels really fitting that I’m ending the year with another one of his series, The Unclouded Soul. I’m only 16 episodes in so far, and here’s what I’m loving:

The cast, especially Seven and Neo as the leads. I’ve always admired Seven’s work and completely fell in love with her in Go Ahead. She consistently has great chemistry with her male leads, which is why I enjoy following her projects. I’m also not surprised to see Neo playing another Demon King—he fits these roles incredibly well. At this point, he might just be the king of playing Demon Kings.

One thing I really love about iQIYI dramas is their consistent CG style. The cinematography and color palette are absolutely beautiful.

The story hooks you right away—a flashback to an unforgettable love story between the leads, paired with a puzzling moment from the past that leaves you questioning what really happened and what was left unresolved. So far, I’m enjoying the pacing and where the story seems to be heading. Maybe it’s the cast, or maybe it’s how lighthearted the drama feels. After watching so many intense historical dramas filled with heavy politics and intricate details, this was a refreshing change of pace for me.

I also love how this drama reminds me of classic wuxia. It gives me vibes similar to Ashes of Love, Fangs of Fortune, Love Between Fairy and Devil, and Back from the Brink.

This is one series I cannot wait for the new release!! I hope this continues till the end! Currently this is a 8/10 for me!

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Why is the rating so high?

I was super excited about another Jerry Yan series. I haven't watched anything recent of his so I was excited when this show was airing. Sadly, my excitement died down and I could not digest what I was watching. It's slow...like super slow. A story about a young girl falling in love with a mysterious man. I'm in 6 episodes and I'm sick of the long scenes of Jerry Yan looking hot. In my head, I'm playing behind the scenes of him crackling up as they film these.

I read an article that the directors were fans of his since Meteor Garden. I felt this was just a fan girl directing a fan service show. I had the impression that this was meant for them to reminisce about him during those years, especially his headband...he wore a lot of headbands during MG. And those slow supposedly sexy scenes of him... I was laughing the entire time. I think they were trying to make him look good but I couldn't help but shake my head.

The FL was very disappointing. For someone young and daring and wanting to fall in love I didn't sense that. Instead, I felt she was like a little girl just curious about a mysterious man. Another thing I was hard to endure, I tried hard not to keep rolling my eyes - the foreshadowing of her having cancer or some sickness and was going to die soon. It is SLOW and BORING. I wouldn't recommend it even if you like Jerry. Dropping this series.

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I’m stepping away from historical dramas to watch some modern C-dramas, and Shine on Me has already won me over compared to another series I was hoping to watch—Speed and Love. The drama has a familiar feel reminiscent of Hidden Love and Love O2O, starting off with a campus crush storyline. I’m only a few episodes in, but I’m already enjoying the pacing and how the story is unfolding.

What excites me most is the characters’ shared history. There’s some interesting foreshadowing involving her concussion and hospital stay in Episode 8, which has really piqued my curiosity.

So far, what I’m loving the most is the casting. Song Wei Long and Zhao Jin Mai work well as the leads. I honestly didn’t expect much from Song Wei Long, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by his acting here. I’ve also come across spoilers about their chemistry, and now I can’t wait to see their love story fully unfold.

After doing a bit of digging, I realized why this series gives me Love O2O vibes—it’s written by the same screenwriter.
At this point, I’d give Shine on Me an 8/10. The campus crush portion felt like it dragged on a little too long, but now that both leads have finally met, I’m excited to see the romance bloom. This will be an ongoing review.

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I really need to start reading the summary before jumping into a series. All I saw was Simon Gong in a historical drama and immediately said, “Yes!” It took me a while to get through the first 10 episodes—not because it was boring, but because there were so many details and new characters introduced that I struggled to keep up. I eventually went back to read the summary, and sure enough, it’s classic wuxia. It actually reminded me a bit of the darker tone in Bloody Romance, with its lethal elegance, shadowy atmosphere, and constant threat of assassination.

Instead of making this my priority watch, I found myself putting it on in between other shows while deciding what to watch next—and because of that, I kept losing track of the story. Maybe it’s just the mood I’m in, because I usually enjoy wuxia, especially when it centers around a loyal group of friends fighting for a common cause. At one point I considered dropping it, but with so many other dramas on my list, I didn’t want to put this one on hold and risk forgetting about it completely.
One thing I genuinely appreciate, though, is the visual style. Since the story involves assassins, the overall tone is quite dark, and the bold color palette really stands out. I really love the animation and CGI!!!

This review will be ongoing, since I’m not prioritizing this series and won’t be finishing it as quickly as the other dramas I’m currently watching.

Currently scoring at 7/10 for it beautiful color, a good plot and solid cast.

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Dropping the series

I came for Simon Gong but leaving because of Lu Fang Ning. I really want to enjoy this series, my sister enjoyed it so much because the FL was a strong independent woman. She gets want she wants. I was really expecting more but halfway through I find her action wasn’t one of an independent woman but rather it a childish, spoiled girl.

I'm at a point where I'm debating if I want to keep the series on hold or if it should be dropped. I love Simon Gong, have since Word of Honor, but even his charming smile and good looks won't save me from watching this. I'm planning to drop this.

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