Noctis

A Drama to Be Savored and Remembered..

There are many female centric dramas that explore themes of women's freedom and feminism but few have achieved what FP has in terms of depth, execution, impact and the sheer quality of acting and production.. Everything about this drama is exceptional.. The cinematography and costumes, the intelligent main leads with undeniable chemistry and a slow burn romance.. Even the supporting characters were stellar.. Well written and not over dramatic not too slow.. This is how a drama should be done.. The acting, pacing and background score are all perfectly balanced.. Yang Zi’s acting was pure brilliance.. Effortless, heartfelt and completely immersive.. She was simply outstanding.. Li Xian complimented her perfectly.. Effortlessly matching her energy and helping her carry the show.. His nonchalant attitude and performance were nothing short of brilliant..

I loved Li Xian's characted Jiang Chang Yang.. He wasn’t the typical ' I will protect you from everything ' hero.. Instead he recognized Mu Dan’s strength and character and treated her accordingly.. He only stepped in when she absolutely needed it.. But more importantly he rooted for her like no one else.. What truly set him apart was the way he treated her as an equal.. He never underestimated her.. Respected her decisions and stood by her as a true partner.. Never forcing his own ' This is what I think is right for you ' mantra onto her..

It was sad to see Miles in his role.. Pathetic and whiny.. But he got exactly what he deserved.. You can’t blame others for your own spinelessness.. That said its not the end of the road for him.. He might return as one of the antagonists next season.. But the real question is how impactful will he be??

When the drama was airing it faced attacks from another actress’s fans.. Rating it low and trying to bring it down.. But in the end haters can only do so much.. A good script, strong performances and quality storytelling will always win..

Now I have high hopes for Season 2.. I really hope they finally share their true feelings and get together in the first half of the show instead of making us wait another 20+ episodes.. It would be great to see more of their moments rather than just the buildup because we had more that enough of that in the first season..

Overall FP delivered an exceptional story with brilliant performances and compelling themes.. Despite the challenges it faced the drama won.. With Season 2 coming soon the expectations are high.. And hopefully it will give us the satisfying moments we are waiting for.. I read somewhere that this drama is truly a tribute to women and I couldn’t agree more..

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Ding Yu Xi to the rescue

I will start off by saying this.. The FL would have ended up dead in a ditch somewhere in the name of investigation if she hadn't been married to the ML.. The characters in the drama are not well developed.. The ML literally carried the entire show.. Should have been a 30 ep drama at the max.. The cases and investigations in the second half were just plain stupid.. And she was getting promoted in every few episodes while all she managed to do was almost getting herself killed or her husband.. Lu Chui Chui was miserable.. Apart from Jing Lin every other side characters were just meh.. And as always there is a pathetic pervert hitting on a married woman in this one as well.. I dont understand why such characters are glorified..

The first half of the drama was good.. It had a good pace and made me wanna watch.. But the second half just went downhill.. Losing its momentum and falling flat compared to the beginning.. The pacing in the second half dragged and it felt like the drama was stretching beyond its limit.. There were no plot twists in the last few episodes.. Just some stupid power moves which actually was pretty stupid.. It was just a poorly thought out conclusion..

Still you cant expect every drama to be Blossoms in Adversity or Who Rules the World.. The biggest disappointment for me was how the ML's character completely failed to do himself justice.. He started off as this badass intimidating figure feared by everyone.. But by the end he was reduced to someone who was being taunted by the FL’s friends and even a random kid.. It felt like all his strength and presence just disappeared.. Overall its just a one time watch.. It’s not something I’d rewatch..

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12 More Episodes Of This Family Please..

Family Matters?? No.. It’s Bloody Matters..

Family Matters follows a hilariously mismatched family with superpowers/abilities trying to blend into society.. They are unhinged, chaotic and utterly unpredictable.. But somehow they are perfect for each other.. Literally the most unhinged family ever.. It is an action mystery thriller with a unique concept and dark comedy that really hits the spot.. They were so funny without even trying.. And the cast?? they were absolutely perfect..

The twins?? They absolutely nailed their roles.. The way they casually walked into their grandpa dragging a body and gave no absolute care about it.. It was an oddly brilliant scene..

Even the climax.. All of them sitting in one frame.. The mother with a hole in her hand.. Father with multiple holes in his stomach and a missing ear.. Grandpa with a hole in his leg.. And the twins?? Bloody after beating up a couple of punks.. Perfection..

My only gripe?? The background score.. This show deserved way better music..

The ending made it clear that season 2 is a must.. With that revelation and all it is obvious that we barely scratched the surface.. But since its a COUPANG TV original I dont know what to expect..

With all the theories going around.. My view is that its true that Family Matters is Yeong Su's plan.. It is clear that she manipulated her husband and planted the idea of " Chulsu will do anything to protect Yeong Su " in his mind.. This was revealed after the fight with the pastor.. So yeah she might have started it all but got too much involved and forgot her actual purpose.. There is plenty to explore and another season is definitely needed..

Overall.. Family Matters is a wild ride.. Gripping storyline and standout performances left me craving for more.. Here’s hoping season 2 delivers even bigger surprises..

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Romance?? Action?? Logic?? This Drama Said No Thanks..

Disclaimer: This might sound like a rant.. Because it is one.. If you somehow enjoyed this drama.. Good for you..

Script?? Bad.. Acting?? Bad.. Action?? Bad.. Romance?? Bad.. Character Development?? None.. VFX?? Worst.. Not one scene had good CGI.. I sat through this drama for SWL and what a disappointment.. It felt like the entire production team lazily put this together.. Apart from the costumes everything else felt completely half assed.. Like the team just threw things together and hoped for the best..

Angela Baby.. I hope you take some acting classes because seriously, what happened?? This was painful to watch..

The ML was supposed to be the next Wolf Lord or something but instead he spent the first half of the drama getting hurt, stabbed, hurt again, stabbed again by the FL and her minion.. And he still wagged his tail like a lovesick puppy while she kept taking advantage of him.. Where was his brain?? His dignity?? His revenge for his parents?? At one point he even got stabbed on purpose just to stop her from leaving.. That’s not devotion, that’s a suicide attempt you fool.. And then, after all that, he goes and gets shot with an arrow to protect her..

The script was all over the place.. Like the writer forgot what they wrote five minutes earlier.. The ML gets stabbed with a sword and yet wakes up the next morning like he is ready to go and win the La Liga.. And man he was so happy becase he saw the FL sitting by his bed.. Dude, she was literally applying medicine and touching another Guy's leg in the previous episode while she didnt even bother to prepare medicine for you.. That didn’t tell you anything?? And to top it off she was shamelessly ready to give away the locket or whatever that was that you gave her.. And you still didn’t realize you meant nothing to her?? At least not at that moment??

And the princess?? Dumb as a rock.. Another infuriating character..

Ep 13 was actually decent and I thought maybe things were turning around.. Then Ep14 happened.. The FL, in her infinite wisdom decided to protect her minion who literally tried to kill the ML by threatening to kill herself if anyone harmed him.. And the ML?? He had to tell his soldiers who had just watched their comrades die, to lower their weapons because his love interest was having a meltdown over the guy who tried to murder him.. What kind of joke is this??
Then somehow in the next scene the ML and FL end up in bed together.. She just threatened to kill herself over another man who tried to kill him and now they are suddenly sleeping together?? So all those soldiers died Just so he could end up in bed with her?? Unbelievable..

Even if she did love him which is questionable, she manipulated him the entire way.. She never once did anything for him.. Yet he kept crawling back like a fool.. She faked her death, ran back to her hometown, and started living her life while he was left depressed thinking she was gone.. She never once made an effort for him.. Not.. One.. Thing.. Meanwhile he spent the entire drama begging for her love..

What a complete waste of time.. Even the conclusion was unsatisfactory.. After everything it didn’t feel meaningful.. Just another half baked ending that failed to justify the mess before it.. I don’t know, maybe I had high expectations.. But for me this was just another drama with a mediocre storyline and wasted potential..

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"The Best Love Is The Kind That Awakens The Soul And Makes Us Reach For More" – The Notebook..

The Best Thing as the title suggests was truly the best in terms of acting, visuals, story pacing, romance development and chemistry.. No doubt about it.. Zhang Ling he and Xu Ruohan were obviously the heart of this drama.. Not just their characters but also them.. Their chemistry was electric and seriously it was that good.. Their relationship felt natural, built on meaningful gestures and honestly they didnt need anything grand.. Every interaction felt real.. Like watching two people genuinely fall in love.. It is truly a gem for its take on romance.. No over the top drama.. Just two people finding solace in each other.. Visually The Best Thing is a feast with the flowers, beautiful scenery and all the beauty you could ask for, including the actors..

The premise might feel trope heavy but it was unique in its own way and the actors brought it to life in a way that was so natural.. I loved how he peeled Shen Xi Fan's layers.. Her indecisiveness, her blaming herself for everything that happens.. Its messy, its human, and it grabbed me right in the feels..

The Chinese medicine backdrop isnt just pretty window dressing.. I was surprised by how much it mattered.. It underscores the theme of healing, both physical and emotional..

The first 12 eps were a solid 10 for me.. But eps 12-16 were a bit irritating.. They added cliche scenes that didn’t quite fit the drama I had been enjoying until then.. Problems were bound to arise obviously.. But her indecisiveness and how it felt like she was leading him on despite knowing she shouldn’t, was not what I expected.. But whatever irritation I felt just vanished after that phase.. And honestly even when it was frustrating, ZLH made his character so good that I didn’t even care about anything else..

That being said, she totally deserved the ML.. After everything she endured.. The love she received wasn’t just a reward, it was something she had rightfully earned.. Her struggles, growth and the emotional toll she carried made her deserving of a love that was unwavering and pure.. Despite her flaws and mistakes, she never stopped trying in her own way.. In the end their love felt justified,earned rather than simply given..

“No matter what happened in the past, good or bad its part of who you are..
Accept the past, and focus on the present and the future.. ”

“In my eyes, every day you get better and more deserving of love than the last..
So from now on just focus on loving yourself.. As for the rest, leave it to me.. ”

Her friends and the rest of the supporting cast were too good not to be mentioned. However the second couple's story felt underdeveloped and lacked a strong sense of fulfillment.. I suppose that’s because the ep count was shortened.. Causing some of their scenes to be lost along the way..

The parents deserve their own spotlight.. They were truly outstanding.. Man they were really good.. Ep 25, with all the nervousness, anxiety, fear and pain felt so raw.. They were too convincing and natural.. Truly commendable performances..

The director deserves praise as well.. Each episode was beautifully executed.. They completely made up for any shortcomings the script had..

The FL’s mother having breast cancer felt like a story arc designed to give the ML closure for the pain he endured from his own mother’s death.. Back then he had to face that pain alone.. Watching helplessly as she withered away.. But now he had the chance to do for the FL’s mother what he had long wished he could do for his own.. Help her face it, fight it and bring her out of it safely.. At the same time, it was also for the FL.. To make her realize that she wasn’t alone.. No matter how bad things got, she had people who would stand by her.. Unwavering and ready to support her through anything..

" But In my heart, you are the most beautiful scenery in this world..
Xifan, Falling in love with you is the luckiest thing l have ever done..
Loving you is the best thing I have ever done.. "

Overall The Best Thing is such a lighthearted drama.. No complicated stories.. Just two people falling for each other and finding their way together.. Slowly but steadily, in a way that proves no distance is too far for them.. Its neither rushed nor dragged out.. It takes its time.. Allowing you to feel every step of their journey.. By the end you can’t help but feel happy because they made it.. And it feels truly earned.. The Best Thing isn’t just a title.. Its a promise.. There’s a reason everyone is obsessed and the drama more than justifies it..

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Greenlight the Second Season ASAP

Blood Free is such a refreshing and thrilling experience.. It’s a drama that feels new and keeps you hooked the whole way through.. And I honestly couldn’t get enough of it.. It offers a captivating mix of innovative storytelling and standout performances.. That said the pacing could have been better.. It really needed more episodes to reach a logical conclusion and wrap things up in a satisfying way.. I genuinely hope this gets a second season because Blood Free and its characters absolutely deserve one.. And while its not a romance drama the chemistry between the main leads was just incredible.. Truly something special..

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Friends to Forever.. A Heartfelt Journey in You Are My Lover Friend..

In a genre filled with familiar tropes and cliched romances.. You Are My Lover Friend tries to set itself apart by taking a more heartfelt approach.. Exploring the slow burn of friendship evolving into love.. With genuine emotion and subtle moments You Are My Lover Friend captures the beauty and complexity of realising your love for someone who’s been by your side all along..

Really loved all the characters in the drama especially Cheng Hui.. He was really fun to watch.. Feng Wei Ran and Jiang Yan An's relationship was another strong point in the drama.. And I also enjoyed the dynamic between the ML and his mother.. It added a lighthearted enjoyable touch..

However.. Honestly.. The drama would have been better received if it was just 20 or 24 eps.. The main couple could have gotten together sooner.. As there was no real reason to delay it.. There were quite a few unnecessary subplots that didn’t add much to the story.. And the whole 'Brother Yang' thing became repetitive.. It was honestly annoying hearing them call her that so many times..

One of the positives of You Are My Lover Friend is that it doesn’t rely on a complicated story arc.. For me that’s refreshing.. There are plenty of dramas that overuse angst and tension.. But luckily this one didnt follow the same path..

Overall.. You Are My Lover Friend offers a refreshing take on the friends to lovers trope.. Even though the drama feels unnecessarily stretched, It still remains an enjoyable watch for anyone craving heartfelt romance..

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From Promising Beginnings to Disappointing Endings..

I rated this drama 8.5 based on the first 7-8 episodes.. It started of really well with spot on comedy.. Great acting and steady story development.. However after those initial 7 episodes the characters became bland.. And the forced humor felt out of place.. Even thats understandable conisdering this is a romcom.. But Some of the choices the characters made were really nonsense..

Constantly being let down by the Korean writers who struggle to deliver satisfying endings.. They Often resort to forced breakups.. Unnecessary time skips.. And last minute reconciliations.. As if thats the only way they know to end a story..

I honestly didnt understand the need for Cha Hui Seong's story.. She is in an open relationship and the couple sleeps around with other people.. Then she gets pregnant but she doesnt know whose baby it is?? What sort of dilemma is that?? What lesson is the writer trying to convey?? Modern relationships have no morals??

The second couple was interesting.. With Lee Sang Yi delivering a solid performance like in his other dramas.. Han Ji Hyun had her moments but her cuteness felt forced at times.. And her acting was all over the place.. She is a good actress but i hope she doesnt follow the ' i need to do smut to get the recognition i deserve ' mantra.. Spice up Our Love was an unnecessary spinoff filled with cringe and cliche romance.. I am looking forward to her next drama with Lee Min Ki..

The main couple's story started off really good.. The first seven episodes were genuinely hilarious.. But unfortunately took a fall afterward.. The ML supported the FL through her struggles and was always there for her.. Yet she broke up with him right after her mother’s funeral.. She clearly lacked empathy there and it was just a dumb thing to do.. He loved her mother as if she were his own and she didn’t allow him the time to grieve.. Son Hae Yeong was a mature character.. But her decisions felt childish and selfish.. Instead of facing the hard times together.. She cruelly cut him off.. Leaving him alone when he needed her most.. How is that love?? Kdrama FLs often take love for granted.. I wished they wouldnt get back together..

The conclusion felt rushed.. With a last minute reconciliation that didnt do any justice to the way the story developed.. The FL didn’t even try to stop the ML AGAIN.. He had to chase after her to make amends..

" I never regretted letting you go " Thats what she said..

In conclusion.. While the drama faltered after the first seven episodes.. It still delivered memorable moments and strong performances..

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Edge of Your Seat Suspense.. Thriller That Keeps You Hooked..

Undeniably the best thriller drama of 2024..

The drama boasts top notch production quality and excellent cinematography.. Though the beginning can be frustrating.. As the ML is gaslighted into a confession and his family suffers manipulation and helplessness.. It effectively sets the stage for a gripping and intense thriller..

It gets even more frustrating.. How they mistreat the ML's mother and how they try to protect the person who tried to Kill her.. How helpless the ML is.. Yeah it gets on your nerves..

The story progresses too slow at the beginning.. But that makes the eventual twists even more impactful and makes it even more interesting.. A proper thriller that slowly unravels and pulls you deeper into its web of suspense with each twist and turn... That's how it is.. I am glad I waited to binge watch it.. Because there’s no way I could have handled waiting a week between episodes.. Watching the ML spend more time in the ER than his house after getting out of prison was a bit much..

Besides the ML and SML and Ha Seol.. The rest of the characters were truly awful.. Most weren’t just bad they were outright evil.. Manipulating and feasting on others pain.. Even the detective who forced the ML’s confession was being gaslighted by the chief.. It’s a story packed with evil people.. I mean nobody felt a hint of remorse of regret for what they did..

Initially, I felt bad for Choi Na Gyeom. She stood by the ML for 10 years, visiting him in prison when even his mother didn’t. That devotion was admirable. That was quite something.. But how he kept pushing her away.. Ignoring her.. That felt bad.. But well.. She turned out to be a psychopath.. A total psychopath.. But Go Bo Gyeol nailed her role..


Around episode six the story starts coming together... Everything starts to make sense and just when you think you’ve figured it out.. Another twist drops and then another.. It keeps you hooked till the very end.

There were a few flaws though.. Like the unrealistically clear footage from a foldable keypad mobile phone.. Seriously.. how was it not grainy??

Anyhow.. Black Out delivered a satisfying conclusion.. Though I would have loved to see the ML’s friends suffer more for their actions.. They lost what they valued most and ended up in jail but they deserved even worse.. They deserved more pain.. More and more and more pain..

For the first time in a long time.. I was fully immersed in a Korean drama.. It was one hell of a rollercoaster ride..

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A Journey Through Night and Day..

Miss Night and Day offers a refreshing twist on the classic curse trope.. Jung Eun Ji was really good in her role.. She had a magical yet challenging double life.. Which she potrayed very well.. The fantasy part was straight forward nothing complicated and nothing extraordinary.. Mystery part was okayish i would say..

The drama was going very well until ep 8.. It was funny, interesting, and had a refreshing vibe that I genuinely enjoyed.. But then the writer decided to give the annoying SML more screentime.. Even though his screentime was considerably less than the support characters his behaviour was very annoying.. I dont know why he is included as main role when he actually had a minor role..

The SML quickly turned into a borderline stalker.. He started crossing boundaries in ways that were uncomfortable to watch.. Curiosity is one thing but his behavior went far beyond that.. It was invasive and showed a complete disregard for others privacy.. He kept touching her ignored her clear discomfort.. I dont know how anyone would like such a charatcer..

The romance part was lacking.. They took too long to get together.. Lot of misunderstandings which could have been avoided.. And she should have told him the truth about her double identity when they both started their relationship.. Its a huge mistake on her part.. And she broke up with him once the case was solved and her curse was revealed.. That was completely avoidable.. I really liked the MLs character.. He would have supported her if she had told him the truth about herself..

A standout element of the drama for me was the role of the FL’s parents.. Her friend and the investigator too were fun to watch.. I liked that they didnt try to overly complicate the storyline..

The subtle hint that she started studying again so that she could go to Seoul and be with the ML was a nice touch.. It was a thoughtful choice by the writers.. Infusing the romance with a sense of quiet determination and growth which it clearly lacked..

One aspect where Korean writers often fall short is in crafting satisfying endings.. They honestly need a crash course on how to write truly fulfilling conclusions.. Especially when it comes to happy endings..

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All the Tropes and All the Charm..

Skipping Love Your Enemy means missing out on some pretty solid writing and acting.. You might have seen losers in love before.. But this drama takes silliness to an entirely new level.. That said.. I have to admit I genuinely enjoyed their relationship.. There were a lot of unexpected heartfelt moments in the drama..

I started watching for JJH.. But the cast surprised me.. I really loved the supporting characters... They delivered great performances.. And the story has its moments.. The comedy was on point.. No unnecessary side plots or gimmicks.. Even the second male lead was well written.. Which is rare in kdramas.. He wasnt annoying at all.. Well not until his last scene..

One of the standout elements in Love Your Enemy is Seok Jiwon’s character design.. Particularly his integrity.. It adds so much depth to his character.. He was truly admirable throughout the drama..

For me the highlight of the drama was their younger version.. Their teenage relationship.. It was so well written.. And the actors really portrayed it with such authenticity.. Honestly they deserved a couple of episodes just for themselves..

Overall.. Love Your Enemy is a refreshing drama.. It has all the tropes.. Childhood friends, Childhood sweethearts, Enemies to lovers, Workplace romance and Second chance romance.. It delivers great humor and a no nonsense storyline.. Easily one of the best romcoms of 2024..

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Legend of Zang Hai isn’t the kind of drama you say you enjoyed, it’s more of an experience.. A story about revenge, it follows our ML who after witnessing the brutal slaughter of his parents, friends and family at the age of ten sets out for vengeance with the help of a mysterious group of people..

The script, direction and screenplay are just impeccable.. And the performances?? Absolutely out of this world.. Xiao Zhan’s portrayal of Zang Hai is unforgettable.. He fully embodies a boy shaped by trauma and driven by revenge, yet unable to let go of the softness he was born with.. There were so many scenes where he proves just how good his acting really is..

This drama might not be for everyone.. It doesn’t have your typical ML who goes around killing and beating people up in the name of revenge.. LOZH proves that not every hero needs to be a martial artist.. Instead, it dives deep into the emotional cost of vengeance and how destructive it can be.. The story makes us care about the characters so much that we are forced to question whether what Zang Hai is striving so hard for is truly worth it..

I absolutely love it when we have two main leads who can actually act and not just serve visuals.. And also the FL being the one with the physical strength and martial arts skills?? Always a treat.. There’s just something so fun about watching a badass FL protecting her man..

Zhang Jing Yi was extraordinary as usual.. Loved her chemistry with Xiao Zhan.. Even though this wasn’t a romance centered plot, it still gave us one of the best matched couples.. It was heartwarming to watch them fall in love and heal their broken hearts.. After he meets and falls for Antu, the story becomes more interesting.. Because now suddenly he wants to think about a life after revenge..

Absolutely loved the cinematography.. It was artistic and beautiful.. Zhen tower was just magnificent.. Scenes like the Empress Dowager’s funeral, the boat scene in ep 15, the Prince’s residence, the dinner fight at the Marquis’s home, and the rain fight, just to name a few were all stunning to watch..

Overall, Legend of Zang Hai is truly worthy of being called one of the if not the best CDrama of the year..

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Love Song In Winter Indeed..

"If you want rainbow.. You have to deal with the rain.."
- Augustus

This quote came to mind as I finished the drama.. The ML and FL are each other's rainbow.. And Wen Peng is undoubtedly the rain they must endure.. The first 10 episodes were top notch.. We even got the first kiss in ep 2.. Unlike many dramas this one avoided the usual angst and misunderstandings we often have to endure in the first half.. And the ML?? He crushed the SML every chance he got.. Firmly put him in his place with such nonchalance that it made it even more satisfying.. Little did I know though that this was nothing compared to what was about to unfold.. Compared to the first 10 episodes the next 10 were just good and nothing great.. Once the killings and investigations kicked in the plot began to lag.. The investigation plot initially was poorly crafted.. And the cops they were made to look completely ineffective.. They were literally overpowered by a girl half their size and not just once..

We got a proper villain in LSIW.. WTC was truly outstanding in his role.. I dont know if the villain was overpowered and too smart or if the others were just naive.. He outsmarted them at every turn.. He was a psychopath, A maniac, A madman, Callous and Machiavellian.. I liked how they revealed that the SML could be the villain.. He was initially portrayed as this perfect guy with a troubled childhood but slowly his dangerous side was revealed.. By the end of episode 21 it was clear he was the antagonist.. There were hints from the beginning like the butterfly and other subtle hints..

The FL treated the ML coldly after her friend's death?? Well.. Yes she did.. I felt sorry for him but I dont blame her.. Her behavior might seem immature but it was as mature as it could be.. Both in the past and in the present.. Even the ML realizes this and tells her "Now I understand why you had to do that 8 years ago".. And I honestly think the FLs from both Cdramas and Kdramas could learn a lot from the FL here on how to draw a clear line with the SML.. There are very few characters like her..
That devil of an SML made the FLs life miserable.. He killed two of her friends.. She had to break up with her love.. He tried to kill her mother and soon her boyfriend also almost got killed.. Even amidst all that she stood strong.. Her mental resilience is truly commendable..

Wen Pang’s mother’s identity was a real surprise.. I wasnt expecting that.. Or did I miss the hints?? I liked the mother's character in the first half but by the end she became someone I really disliked..

There is a scene in ep 32 where the ML breaks down.. It felt like a genuine emotional breakdown.. Natural not overdramatic and it fit perfectly within the sequence of events..

" Jiang Chengyi.. Don't get hurt again.. I can't live without you.. "

Everything about the couple felt special..

Read a few comments asking why the villain didnt propose to her in those 8 years.. I think the answer is simple.. He knew she would never love anyone else and that she was waiting for the ML to come back because she believed he would.. Or perhaps because she never truly let him go.. So he had to make her come to him on her own..

The last 6 episodes were good but they were way too slow... Though I didnt mind.. By the end Wen Peng had completely lost touch with reality.. Consumed by his own delusions and obsessions.. He literally killed and hurt everyone close to her and still had the audacity to say "No one will ever love you the way I do"

The interaction between the ML and the antagonist in the last episode didnt make sense.. Was that really necessary after everything he did?? He is being treated as a human being?? And then the ML asks him to meet their mother?? How could he even think about letting her see a psychotic psychopath who manipulates and gaslights people so easily?? As for the mother’s character.. I dont even know what to say.. It felt completely illogical.. Yes she loved her son.. But her psychopath son tried to kill her stepson and Kidnapped his girlfriend.. Killed two of their friends, murdered several others.. And tried to kill at least three cops.. And she keeps saying its her fault?? While her love for her son is clear her willingness to overlook his crimes makes her actions seem more baffling than emotional.. This choice by the writers underplays the cruelties of the SML.. I really wish they hadnt included that scene.. It felt totally unnecessary and probably hurt the show’s ratings..

While the final episode had some unnecessary scenes, it was really good overall.. I mean an entire episode of them being happy after overcoming all their problems?? Kdrama writers, take notes..

Overall.. Despite some slow moments and unnecessary lengthy scenes the drama really pulled me in.. The performances were solid and the chemistry between the leads was undeniable.. The FL was such a standout character and the villain?? He was terrifying.. The ending had its flaws.. Sure but it still gave them the happy ending they deserved.. Is the drama perfect?? No.. Flaws?? Plenty.. But its definitely worth the time and its one i will not easily forget.. Be sure to watch the bts scenes as well.. They were fun..

P.S.. The subtitles are never getting better are they??

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No Way Out: The Letdown..

The drama had a slow start.. With the production quality being average right from the beginning.. The first four episodes were particularly disappointing and didn't hold my interest.. It wasn't the pacing that was the issue.. But rather the lack of any real engaging content.. Honestly the only reason I continued watching was for Greg Hsu and his character.. Who should have made his appearance sooner..

One of the most frustrating parts of the storyline was how unrealistic it was for the wife to wait 13 years to file for divorce.. He was a convicted serial rapist and murderer.. No court would have denied her divorce petition in such a case.. And she would have obviously got the child's custody as well.. This plot point was not only illogical but also stupid..

Despite his limited screentime.. Greg Hsu a.k.a Mr. Smile was the highlight of the entire show for me.. His undeniable charm and compelling presence stood out.. I was glad to finally see him at the end again.. Hinting that he will have a significant role if there’s another season.. He absolutely deserves his own drama.. And with rumors that he might be getting one.. I am hopeful we will see more of him.. Especially since his character's still alive..

One another major disappointment was the music.. None of the scenes had good bgm.. Which was disappointing..

Overall.. There really weren’t many good things to talk about.. Just an average drama with a half baked story and poor execution..

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Echoes of Emotion..

5 Friends.. 2 Love Stories.. Both as good as the other in their own way.. Beautiful friendship.. Well written story and executed even better.. From the beginning to end there's absolutely no nonsense in this one.. Just pure love and friendship.. This is what you get when the writers/directors/producers dont force include an annoying SML/SFL, Annoying misunderstandings, forced feminism, Unnecessary breakups for absolutely stupid reasons.. The ending was well paced and I think that this is one of the most acceptable happy endings.. I hope other producers and everyone watch this and take notes..

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