Entertaining drama
I thought this was good. While it took a little while to pick up pace in the beginning, the romance added a sweet layer to the story. There were some moments that frustrated me – like the unjust treatment of the female lead – but I still appreciated the overall experience right to the end.The LoL graphics were a major draw for me. I’m not an avid player and don't closely follow e-sports, but I was captivated by the gaming scenes. Seeing the characters engage in 2D battles was so fun, even if the professional play depicted wasn't entirely realistic. I kind of overlook that small detail and thoroughly enjoyed the hilarious antics of the team during their games.
Overall, the drama may not have been deeply complex, but it was undeniably entertaining. I breezed through it quickly, watching it while I was doing chores (things I could do while reading subtitles lol).
Was this review helpful to you?
Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!
0 people found this review helpful
Didn’t do it for me
Having read the manga and enjoyed the anime, I was genuinely excited about the live-action drama. However, I experienced some disappointment.Before I dive into my thoughts, I want to emphasise how wonderful the manga and anime are – truly worth your time! When I first watched the anime, I found it incredibly sweet. It perfectly balanced moments of silliness with relatable themes, and I was wholeheartedly invested in Tsuge and Adachi's journeys to find love.
Unfortunately, the live-action adaptation didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I often found myself wishing the pacing would pick up, as there were many moments where I felt the urge to skip ahead. Additionally, some of the acting came across as overly dramatic, which took me out of the experience.
As for the supporting couple, I was genuinely perplexed. In the manga, their age difference is about 8 to 10 years, but the casting made it appear to be a 20-year gap, which was quite jarring. Minato’s youthful appearance, almost like a high schooler, paired with Tsuge’s more mature look and demeanour, shifted the dynamic into an uncomfortable territory, rather than the charming romance I had cherished in the manga.
Overall, I found myself not resonating with this adaptation as I had hoped. That said, I do believe the actors worked hard and did their best with the material they were given. So, even if it didn’t quite capture my heart as the original did, I’m glad I gave this a shot.
Was this review helpful to you?
Glittery gold on the outside, empty filling on the inside
I was excited for this drama, and while ZeeNuNew didn’t quite win me over with their previous work, Cutie Pie, I felt this plot had real potential.It started off really well; the beginning was engaging, and I enjoyed learning about the four kingdoms (regencies?), the intrigue surrounding the pursuit of the Assavadevathin lineage, and the different relationships between the princes/princesses and their guardians. It was all very interesting.
However, I lost some of that initial excitement when Khanin and Charan began their flirtation and ultimately got together. Their sweet and intimate moments often felt a bit cringeworthy, and I found myself wishing for a more compelling portrayal of their romance.
(Seriously, why would you dirty talk in English? Why?!)
I also wished the relationships between Ramil and Paytai, as well as Calvin and Jay, had been more developed. While there was a focus on the problematic nature of their relationships, there was no exploration of how they could be resolved. Their eventual unions felt rushed and shallow, which was disappointing.
Also, the resolution for Ramil's father left me wanting more justice. It felt unjust that the abused son ended up losing everything, while his father, who had significant issues, faced no real consequences.
All in all, I believe this drama had an excellent foundation that could have been developed further. The production value, costumes, and music were fantastic, but there was an opportunity missed in the chemistry and dynamics between the actors, as well as in weaving the plotlines together. And while it wasn't quite what I hoped for, I wouldn’t say it’s a bad drama at all.
If you appreciate stunning visuals, rich costumes, and an enchanting soundtrack – and can overlook some acting shortcomings – there’s definitely enjoyment to be found here!
Was this review helpful to you?
Overrated but definitely worth the watch
I understand why this drama appeals to many people. It features a classic university romance with a well-executed rivals/‘enemies’-to-lovers trope and the actors do an outstanding job portraying their characters. Additionally, the production quality is extremely high.However, I’m going to be completely honest here: to me, this drama did not resonate as strongly as it did for others. The plot is overly used and repetitive, the setting gives nothing new or exciting, and the pacing was off to me – sometimes it dragged, while at other times it felt rushed.
The two main leads do an incredible job of carrying this drama on their backs. But their chemistry was okay (not exceptional), and their relationship felt somewhat forced to me. I didn’t find some of their interactions particularly romantic, and I’m not a fan of the "hurt him to save him" plotline, so the conflict in the third act was frustrating for me.
So, overall, even if I didn’t think this was a masterpiece, I still think it’s worth watching – it’s also only eight episodes long so it’s easy to get through it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Promising premise, bad execution?
This drama left me feeling quite conflicted. I really wanted to enjoy it because the premise is interesting, unique, and somewhat beautiful, with its undertones around the red string of fate.However, the execution lacked the depth and cohesion I needed to be fully invested.
The romance didn't move me as I expected. The transition from being little more than roommates out of necessity to being fully in love felt abrupt and off-putting. Additionally, the presence of the grandson's soul made the situation even weirder for me.
Ultimately, I believe that with a few more episodes, the show could have explored the dynamics between Hai Yuan and Ze Fang more thoroughly, potentially enhancing the emotional impact of their relationship.
So, overall, I think this drama had great potential, but it left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.
Was this review helpful to you?
Too short?
I was on a short YouTube series roll after enjoying “A Sketchy Job!”.However, I fear this series left me with many unanswered questions. I knew what to expect, as it consists of four episodes, each lasting about 10 minutes. There's simply not enough time to explore complex plotlines.
While the premise is interesting, I didn't like how they teased some backstories and subplots only to leave us hanging. The acting was impressive; the cast had great chemistry and delivered their lines naturally, even in scenes where they weren't directly interacting. And, although the production budget seemed low, some of the shots were visually stunning and kept me engaged.
Overall, it’s a decent short viewing experience, but if you prefer stories with closure, you might find this one frustrating, just as I did.
Was this review helpful to you?
A masterpiece in short form?
I decided to watch this series on a whim because it was short and highly recommended, and I was not disappointed.This is a very brief YouTube series that gets straight to the point without unnecessary dramatics. Given the limited number of episodes and the time available for production, both the actors and the production team did a commendable job. The storyline flows consistently, and the pacing is well-balanced – neither too fast nor too slow.
I enjoyed it as a quick watch while having lunch, making it the perfect choice for a brief viewing experience.
Was this review helpful to you?
Short but sweet
Overall, this is a solid university K-BL, and I would recommend it if you're looking for a short, easy-going romance to watch.The plot isn't very complex, but it does address some serious subjects, such as trauma responses, verbal and physical abuse, bullying, and internalized homophobia. The actors deliver an impressive performance; their interactions feel natural, and the chemistry between them is brilliant.
And, while I wasn't a fan of the open ending, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the drama.
Was this review helpful to you?
4 silly vampires and their human roommate
This is really silly. It lacks sufficient background on the vampires, their setting, their relationships, and even their vampirism. You get brief flashbacks, but they don't really clarify much of the actual story; instead, they present snippets of information that only loosely connect together.However, I genuinely enjoyed it! I appreciated the chemistry between the main leads, and the love triangle was handled remarkably well for a K-drama, with minimal dramatic effect.
If you watch this for the fun and romance – which is surprisingly engaging – you can have a good time with it. Some parts felt rushed, especially towards the end, but if you’re already invested in the story, you should be fine. It’s only 8 episodes long, so you can easily binge-watch it in one sitting. No fuss, no problem.
Was this review helpful to you?
Loveable in so many ways!
I believe this drama deserves more appreciation, showcasing a truly beautiful dynamic that demonstrates that actions often speak louder than words.The relationship between Taichi (a hearing and extroverted boy) and Kohei (a deaf and introverted boy) is genuinely sweet. They experience ups and downs, particularly in terms of communication, understanding, and patience, which adds to the charm of the drama. The fact that their relationship isn't easy from the start makes it even more engaging.
To me, the actors delivered an outstanding performance, effectively portraying the awkwardness that comes with coming of age, falling in love for the first time, and having feelings for a friend. Additionally, the production quality of this drama is impressive. The opening shots are stunning and beautifully set the scenes for each episode.
I wasn't particularly fond of the ending or the way Maya's character was introduced and somewhat villainised simply because she emerged as a love rival. She had the potential to be a strong secondary character; there was no need to make her the "bad guy" for her to be relevant.
Overall, this drama is worth watching. It presents a relatable romance that encourages reflection and opens viewers up to perspectives they may not have considered before.
Was this review helpful to you?
It’s only secret because they’re stupid about it (for the most part)
This was a good series. As my first Taiwanese drama, it made a solid first impression.Many might think it’s a cheap version of the childhood friends-to-lovers trope due to its pacing and somewhat clunky start. However, that’s what I liked about it – some friendships are just unique!
A Tuo has been in love with his best friend since, like, the first grade, so it’s understandable that he would be so intense about it. I appreciated the fast-paced nature of the series, even amidst the chaos, because sometimes life is just like that. Were A Tuo’s actions a bit questionable? 100%! But we can forgive him, especially since Jun Xi does.
The storyline involving Lu Yu Shu and the rest of the Lu family was a strong point in the plot. Family dynamics can be complicated, and I enjoyed the opportunity to explore the challenges they faced.
Lin Xiao Yang and He You Mei were the absolute highlights! I loved their romance (ish) and their general personalities.
Overall, it’s a good series and definitely worth watching; even if just for the romance, as there isn’t much in terms of complex plotlines.
Was this review helpful to you?
Misguided revenge turned into love
Revenged Love was a pleasant surprise. This is my first C-drama, and to be completely honest, I didn’t have many expectations as I tried to stay away from the hype when it came out because I wasn’t sure it would be my cup of tea. In the end, I think I was wholly unprepared for how much I ended up loving this drama and its characters.The first couple of episodes felt a bit slow, and the action was clunky at the beginning. However, once the chemistry between Wu Suo Wei and Chi Cheng started to spark, that’s when it really got good!
The relationship between the main leads develops at a nice pace; even if it felt a bit rushed due to the whole ‘revenge’ aspect of the plot, Chi Cheng doesn’t take any of Wu Suo Wei’s nonsense. He gives as much as he takes, which made their relationship feel genuinely gradual and well-paced.
I also appreciated that most characters had depth and struggles. There were enough episodes to explore all of them properly. The bromance between Chi Cheng and Guo Cheng Yu (yes, I will call it a bromance because it definitely is!), Jiang Xiao Shuai’s previous relationship trauma, and Wang Shuo and Wang Zhen’s family issues were all strong plotlines that kept me engaged even after the couples got together.
The only character that really annoyed me was Yue Yue. I want to say she was crucial to the plot, but she genuinely wasn’t. Yue Yue was just there to be entitled, a gold digger, and the supposed reason for Wu Suo Wei’s revenge. However, once that was resolved, she just disappeared. Unfortunately, her character felt irrelevant, and I’m annoyed because they could have given her more personality and complexity.
Overall, I’m glad I continued watching and waited for the story to develop. This drama is truly enjoyable and engaging, and in some parts, really wholesome.
Was this review helpful to you?
Really valuable messages about inner beauty
I had a few issues with this series, mainly because the beauty standards I grew up with were, like, non-existent compared to those depicted in the show. As a result, I couldn’t connect with the storyline most of the time.However, I believe it brings to light some very important subjects that are relevant to young adults – such as peer pressure, body shaming, bullying, teen suicide, abuse, and eating disorders. I was glad they didn’t shy away from addressing these issues in the drama.
The romance between Kang Mi Rae and Do Gyeong Seok was sweet, particularly since it centred around him knowing her before she underwent her surgery, and in that, teaching her that she is beautiful inside and out. And watching Cha Eun Woo is always a pleasure, so I was engaged throughout.
Hyun Su A was actually my favourite character. I disliked her for about 70% of the drama, but she ultimately had the most depth out of all characters. Not only did she struggle with her own issues regarding beauty, but she also dealt with her feelings about other people's beauty. The fact that she learned her lesson, albeit in one of the worst ways, was a strong and positive point of the drama.
Overall, this series is worth watching, even if just to remind ourselves that everyone is beautiful in their own way and that changing our image for others won’t lead to long-term happiness.
Was this review helpful to you?
Lots of romance, with no danger
When I added this series to my list, I thought it sounded interesting. I also really liked Perth and Chimon in "Never Let Me Go," so I was excited to see a series with them as the main leads.My main problem with this was the expectation I had. This wasn’t dangerous at all, in fact there's no real danger whatsoever. The show does depict some realistic instances of school bullying, which I suppose could be considered the "danger" mentioned in the title, but other than that, there’s no actual peril for these characters. Even the debt collectors in the story are portrayed quite gently. So, in a way, I think this series was trying to be something it was not.
The pacing was also slow, much slower than what I would even classify as slow burn.
In the end, I ended up losing interest after the characters got together, as it felt like the story didn’t develop much afterward. Kanghan makes a mistake, Sailom gets upset, and then they make up – it felt like a repetitive cycle.
In contrast, the secondary couple, Nawa and Guy, were very entertaining. I found myself scrambling to be invested so I could stay for their storyline. Because of that, I was very pleased with their happy ending.
Overall, I was somewhat disappointed with this series. But should you watch it? Sure! It’s slow but cute in some ways and can be easy to enjoy if you don’t scrutinise the details too closely. If that’s your style, go for it!
Was this review helpful to you?
The three musketeers – part 2
I don't really understand the point of dividing this into two parts; one whole season would have sufficed. It's important to watch the first part before diving into this one, as you won't understand the context otherwise. Hopefully, there are places available where you can watch it in one-go!That said, I really enjoyed Part 2! The action picked up significantly, and the fighting scenes were particularly exciting to see. Although the revelations were somewhat predictable, they still made me gasp and kept me engaged throughout.
As for the ending, I appreciated what they did with it. There’s real value in ending a story openly, as it’s what’s best for the characters. This was the best possible ending for Van and the remaining musketeers, even if it made me sad.
Was this review helpful to you?
