Jojo

Across every lifetime, my soul will always find yours!

It has been a while since I watched a xianxia, and this was a perfect choice to take me out my costume drama slump. I was entertained from start to finish. It had all the elements of a typical xianxia, but instead of repeating it note by note, it somehow exceeded my expectations with the usual setup. A grumpy immortal cursed by fate, sealed on top of the mountain, meets a modern-day office worker who accidentally gatecrashes into a mystical realm. This is equal parts romantic, tragic and humorous.

✨ Character Sketch :

🔥 Sima Jiao: At first glance, he is this powerful, cold and revenge-hungry being who was buried alive for 500 years. He is called "Lord of Mercy", which I thought was a cruel joke, looking at his terrifying exterior, but then, as we went on, I started to sympathise and ultimately understand him and his actions. I don't blame his rage because imagine being trapped and isolated for so long, that is bound to mess anyone up.
For him, trust is dangerous, but once our frost fish navigated through that icy mask, we are introduced to a very soft, tired and lonely Sima Jiao.
What I really liked about his journey was how we were able to witness the growth step by step. It wasn't some 180 overnight turn. He was still slightly grumpy, sarcastic and broody guy we saw at the start, but also Sima Jiao, who can now express care, jealousy and finally break out of his shell and trust people.

🐟 Coming to our Frost fish, Liao Tingyan: She healed what she didn't break. She isn't your typical female lead. She is a chill, go with the flow person with a great sense of humour who was thrown into this mystical world and all she does is try to stay alive without losing her mind. And she is lazy! She doesn't care about power, scheming or fighting. All she wanted was to go on a vacation and chill. I liked how her character was unbothered about the materialistic things like fate or power. And when I say unbothered, I don't mean careless. Initially, she did come as a damsel in distress at times, but if I put into perspective that this cultivation world, full of immortals and demons with deep-rooted grudges, must be so new to her, it kind of softens that feeling.
Her relationship with Sima Jiao was definitely the highlight of this drama. I loved how she treated him as "human" and not some terrifying beast people portrayed him as. Sometimes she was an annoying roommate, sometimes the boss and eventually someone who calms him down. To understand that "normalness" is exactly what he needed. She was the sunshine in the storm and what our demon lord wanted and needed.

❤️ Chemistry between Tingyan and Jiao: Ohh, to be loved by Sima Jiao !! <3
The romance was absolutely top-tier here. I can find no flaws in it. I loved them together. It amazes me how Sima Jiao would scare everyone, but suddenly is such a soft and understanding person to Tingyan and would bend backwards to make her happy. And the passion...so intense. I liked how much balance they both bring together. She always kept him in check, and he somehow accepted her with all her quirks. The sweet banter, the tension and the unwavering devotion to each other made their romance so much better.
And the kisses...
In all the lifetimes, Jiao and Tingyan would never stop choosing each other.

✨ The drama has 3 arcs -

Immortal Realm Arc: Building it
Demon Realm Arc: Breaking it apart
Human Realm Arc: Rebuilding it

🤝 Immortal Realm Arc: The first arc where all the stage is set. This is the strongest and my favourite arc. The first 19 episodes had me in a chokehold. It had everything from humour to the ultimate journey of Sima Jiao being ruthless to lovesick.

🗯️ Demon Realm Arc: This is where all the real drama and angst began. We experience all the emotions here, from shock to grief to longing to vulnerability to some xianxia kind of action. This is where we see a new Tingyan who is now a part of this cultivation world. And a Sima Jiao who would go to any lengths to make her happy.

🥰 Human Realm Arc: This last arc of this drama, and somehow, the romance overpowered everything. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it, but I felt too much was happening in the last few episodes. Though all the ends are neatly tied, it felt a bit messy. We also got a very xianxia-coded ending, and I have no complaints.

✨ Supporting Characters :

🐍 Hei Nianju: My little loyal serpent companion was endearing from start to finish. I loved his bond with Sima Jiao, and I also liked how Sima Jiao treated him with respect. I really liked his character growth, except for his love line with Ruling.

🤷🏻‍♀️ Ye Ruling: She was a character I just couldn't like. In my opinion, she got off very easily. The whole lack of a redemption arc felt very partial. I kept waiting for little snake to bring that up, but as they say, love blinds people. She was okay in the second and third arc, but I couldn't bring myself to forgive her for the 1st arc.

💢 Shi Qianlu: Our main antagonist was truly despicable. He was every bit evil from start to finish and was definitely cunning. There are a few loopholes around how he gets things done (Eg: How did he find the FL before the ML, even after being injured to death). I also felt he overstayed his welcome. A little too much screen time was given to him.

😒 Fen Qi: He was the second male lead, and, except for bringing in the jealousy arc, he came off as stupid. What he called love was just a mere illusion of a person who doesn't exist. I didn't find him too compelling, but rather very obvious. I mean, I knew from the very start he would be swayed easily and cause unnecessary chaos.

😠 Sima Shi : I understand Sima Jiao's hostility towards me. I did understand him as leader but as a father , he failed big time. I really wished instead of him, we had interactions with Sima E instead. But the exchange with him brought a whole new development to the story, so I am not too mad about it but still...

✨ Acting: The leads were fabulous.
Arthur Chen was fabulous as Sima Jiao, especially in the emotional scenes where a lone tear stole all the show. He was the ultimate Sim Jioa. No ifs and buts. Wang Yin Lu as Tingyan was a refreshing and apt pick. She had great comic timing without making it feel too forced. The rest of the cast also brought their A-game. I have no major complaints in this department.

✨ Writing & Production: CGI definitely could have been better at times, but it wasn't distractingly bad. The costumes and make-up were beautiful throughout, except for the fish costume of Tingyan. I felt the makeup was a bit juvenile. Cinematography was beautiful, especially when they were in Soul Manor. The black and white costumes with vibrant background were definitely a bold and beautiful choice. The OSTs are beautiful too and complement the scenes so well.

Coming to writing, if you watch a lot of xianxia with a cultivation theme, you might find a few cliché tropes here. That being said, props to the writing for effortlessly blending the modern lingo. I loved this. (Touch the fish still makes me giggle.) The pacing does feel a bit slow in the middle, might frustrate you too, but I assure you it's all seemed worth it to me.

Overall, this drama isn't without flaws, but if you are someone who enjoys romance, this is a treat. It is chaotic but somehow very wholesome.
I would 100% recommend it. Not for the out-of-the-box premise because it isn't but for Sima Jiao's journey of choosing love when trauma has shaped you. For Liao Tingyan, to show you don't need to "fix" him but support and be there for them. And their beautiful relationship that surpasses the test of time and generations.

Thank you for reading my review! <3 I hope you enjoy the drama as much as I did.

Read More

The surgical squad: more than just stitches and jokes!!

This medical drama was such an entertaining watch. It totally nailed the balance between intense surgeries, humour and a little bit of action. It was light enough to keep things moving but still emotional enough to make me care about the characters' journeys.

The drama is centred around Baek Gang Hyeok, this larger-than-life trauma surgeon who has done it all, from fighting in a war zone to working in high-stakes surgeries. He is now leading a trauma team at a hospital where budget is an issue. At first, his unfiltered personality might seem a little too much but somehow it worked for me. He was loud, bold and
unapologetically daring. Despite his tough exterior, there was a certain depth to his character with a strong sense of loyalty to those he cared about.

His camaraderie with the team was another selling point of the drama for me. It was a mix of great teamwork, chaos and just enough confidence somehow to pull off a miracle even when things were going completely sideways.

Yang Jae Won was the ultimate underdog. For real, watching him face his fears head-on (even though forcefully xD) to standing up on his own when things got tough was everything. It was also funny to watch him break his shell with one hilarious misstep at a time.
Han Yu Rim was the kind of character who was more annoying than helpful at the start but over time he really grows a spine. He was the surprise source of comedic relief when things got too intense.
Cheon Jang Mi was the nurse who kept things running smoothly in the background while keeping everyone's spirits up. She was playful but her dedication was evident enough in everything she does for her patients.

Honestly, there are definitely some over-the-top moments and I am not really sure how realistic the medical stuff or surgeries were. It was kind of exaggerated at times but the humour and everything else going on made it up for me. Also, I wanted to see more focus on Baek Gang Hyeok’s past. They gave us a few glimpses here and there, but I felt like they could’ve gone into more detail. His backstory, especially with his experiences in war zones and his journey to becoming the trauma surgeon he is, could have added a lot more depth to his character.

Overall, this was a solid watch. Yes it has flaws and it's has the medical drama cliche tropes, it may not be the "perfect" but it fun from start to finish!
Recommended If you’re into fast-paced medical dramas with a good mix of humour, action and some emotional moments.

Read More

A sweet office romance, if you can ignore the pacing and some filler characters

This office romance ticks off many of the classic cliche rom-com tropes, yet still manages to maintain a certain charm and sweetness that makes it enjoyable overall.
The story features three couples working in the same office and with each other.

The main couple Kurosawa Tomonari & Morita Aoi was by far the highlight for me. Their relationship was simple, sweet and
I liked how they avoided the usual drama with those annoying prolonged misunderstandings. The ML was genuinely sweet from the start and the progression of their relationship felt organic. I was rooting for them from the get-go.

The second couple, Sakamoto Ryo and Ichikawa Ayaka, is a noona romance that had potential but sort of falters in execution. The pacing of their relationship felt rushed, particularly when it comes to the development of Ayaka’s feelings for Ryo. Her feelings came out of nowhere and left me wondering when that even started. They were sweet, but it felt rushed and a bit forced.

The third couple, Ozu Kei and Oshima Kei, just didn’t work for me. There was no real chemistry between them and their storyline felt like an unnecessary subplot. Their lack of connection made their presence feel more like filler than something important. I wish they could have spent more time on the other two couples to give a more fleshed out story.

One thing I did enjoy was the friendships between the boss group and their employee group. It added some warmth to the story and gave a good balance to the overall vibes.

If you are looking for a quick, light rom-com with minimal drama and you don’t mind the typical Japanese pacing, this is a good pick. The relationships could have been developed a bit better, but the main couple is cute enough to make it a fun one time watch.
7.8/10

Read More

From Mobsters to Meatballs : A story of change and found family!

My Sweet Mobster is a story of two childhood friends whose lives diverge dramatically: one becomes a 'charismatic' mobster, while the other becomes a content creator for kids.
The series begins with exaggerated comedy that might be off-putting to some . Still, if you manage to stick with it for a few episodes, it slowly evolves into this heartwarming and sweet story about a criminal gang trying to reform their lives and fit into the society. It's both endearing and surprisingly touching.
The drama raises the question: "Can people really change?" However, as we witness the efforts, I want to believe it. I cheered for their every success - big or small.

The characters are nearly well-written with their own quirks and flaws adding a unique entertainment value. The romance between the leads was enjoyable but the camaraderie between the ML and Thirsty Deer employees was the highlight for me! Also, the bond between FL and the employees was so natural, healthy and funny! I loved it. The concept of found family is beautifully portrayed! <3 A special mention must be made of the ML’s voice, which is absolutely delightful to my ears.
I enjoyed the second couple's limited interactions. The pace of their story was a bit fast but considering the less screen time they had it makes sense.

But the show stumbles towards the end. Like always, K-dramas can't be just romcoms. They will introduce an unnecessary thriller /murder as subplot. I would have appreciated it if it added intrigue or mystery, but it felt a bit forced. The whole 'my dad is a gangster and I can't do anything about it' was such a drag for me.

Another thing that detracted me from the story was Mr. Prosecutor! Did he not get the memo of him playing the second male lead and not the father or guardian of FL who decides everything right for her? His heart might be in the right place but Man doesn't know boundaries AT ALL and he is a person of law!
While the ML was endearing at most times, when it came to sad scenes or portraying being vulnerable, he felt a bit flat. I couldn't connect to him in those scenes. And I would have loved it if they delved into the backstories of all the members. Their backstories would have added a deeper layer to their characters rather than just being silly.

Overall, what started as a slapstick comedy quickly escalates to an engaging plot with somewhat of a unique premise. The story attempts to tackle deeper themes but only scratches the surface amidst the laughs.

Read More

Awkwardly Ever After!

The series beautifully portrays a shy woman in her 30s who is a virgin, alongside our ML who struggles with regrets of a lost dream and has serious self-esteem issues. They both have their own demons to face!
What's great to watch is how they motivate each other to be a better version of themselves (both directly and indirectly). The emotional connection between them provided the much necessary comfort they both needed to get out of their shell !

Despite some lack of communication, they don't drag it out unnecessarily. The story is genuinely sweet and their chemistry shines through.

There are side stories too tackling themes like loneliness and work-life balance but I felt too many sub plots were present considering the run time! Though they gave a happy ending to each!

The English translation of the title is terrible and the synopsis is way too vague and doesn't do justice to the depth of the story.
I would definitely recommend this drama for the characters and their awkward heartfelt journey!

Read More

A story of longing and yearning from the Days of Disapproval !

Though this movie was released in 2020, it's reminiscent of a classic 1900s film, portraying the struggles of a queer relationship amidst societal repression and how homosexuality was not to be accepted by family and the society in the social unrest period.

The story follows the intricate relationship between Birdy and Jia Han.
 It was complex and intriguing at the same time. The depth and vulnerability of both the characters were heartwrenching and was portrayed beautifully.

The story is set up in an 'All boy's school' with Jia-Han and Birdy meeting and bonding immediately. There are subtle hints of their intimacy at the start. Even with the obvious hints, I liked how the romance was not rushed delivering a believable chemistry.

Ji-Han's struggle in trying to come out in a homophobic society contrasts with Birdy's attempt to suppress his feelings and be accepted into societal norms. (The famous star-crossed romance).
The acting was phenomenal by both the leads. The craving, the yearning, the constant push and pull for each other. Holding each other and crying during the shower and the telephone conversation scene were the peak for me.
The editing of this drama is also noteworthy. I like how the narration is done by Jia Han and how the scene seamlessly goes into flashbacks so effortlessly to tell us the story.

The story felt more of Ji Han's point of view and I would have liked more context of Birdy's thoughts. I felt his character was bit under developed. His decisions here and there defied reasoning.

However,  the ending was too abrupt for me. Abrupt won't be the correct word- Unsettling maybe. It serves as a realistic, sad and overpowered portrayal of lingering feelings and effects of societal repression. You can feel the tension, suffocation and smell the regret.

It could be considered a sort of a happy ending in the grand scheme of things.  It does show and give a glimmer of hope for the future generations.

This movie is like a harsh reminder of all the struggles faced by queer community and I do recommend this despite its minor flaws

Read More

A Pleasant Surprise !!

I went into the series with no expectations, and I was surprised by how good it turned out to be!
It was such an easy, binge-worthy watch! The slow burn and tender moments hit differently, like finding a cozy corner in a bustling city - understated yet incredibly warm.

The heart of the series for me was Cake. Portrayed by Santa, he was nothing short of remarkable.
His outstretched arm to Eiw for hugs remains one of my favorite moments! <3 And when he spoke English- I shamelessly replayed that scene multiple times before reluctantly moving to the next episode.

The execution of the time skip was done well. Initially, I was a bit wary, but it was seamless, following the organic character development evident in Eiw's growth. I liked how Eiw considered Cake's advice and gradually came out of his shell.
Additionally, Cake's jealous phase adds depth to his character with those piercing glares and angry expressions. (LOVED IT!!)

While the series had my high points, the final few episodes felt a bit rushed, and the "cinematic death" scene was totally out of place and unnecessary.

Despite minor flaws, I would highly recommend this for its cute storyline, amazing chemistry, and standout performances, particularly from Santa.

Read More

Mixed feelings!

Well honestly I am not sure how I feel about this. When I read the synopsis and went to the drama I was expecting mystery and that amnesia plot but both of it lasted for few episodes.
The story kinda felt dragged to me like it could have ended 5-10 episodes before making it an interesting watch. The character of female lead went from independent strong headed individual to dependant and it did mess up the story for me.

The acting both of the leads are good. The romance is there , the kind of you expect from Luo Yunxi ( love is sweet , TTEOTM) was missing. Again their love story was sweet but it felt disconnecting at times when female lead decided to be ignorant most of the times.
I liked their past mountain experience and how they connected that to when she was buying the painting. A small moment but it did make me smile.

Antagonists were the suprise element for me in this story as to how FL'S sister and best friend were framed and it felt suprising but rushed and unnecessary.

I went into the drama with alot of expectations but was slightly disappointed.

Read More

Spooky enough to entertain but safe enough to sleep!

This has an interesting setup: a guy so committed to chasing fame that he voluntarily moves into places literally advertised as haunted. Not might be haunted, but guaranteed haunted.

Where the movie absolutely wins is the overall vibe. The settings are well chosen, the spaces feel eerie without being overdone and the aesthetics are genuinely good. The movie understands how to build atmosphere with silences and screams (when needed), empty rooms, unsettling framing. I did get startled a few times.

That said, I wouldn't say this is a pure horror watch, it’s… not that scary. Even with my very limited horror experience, the tension never fully crosses into "I regret watching this alone" territory. It’s spooky, yes, but more in a controlled, curated way. We have a bit of everything - horror, romance, comedy (very unintentional) and the classic Japanese slice of vibe too.

The ML Kuwata Yahiro is painfully oblivious though. Not in a subtle, endearing way. More in a 'sir, the ghost has announced itself three times already, please get scared' way. And honestly, it became unintentionally funny. At some point,l just accepted that common sense is not part of his skill set. But he does get better as we proceed.
Haruhara Karin was also an important character here. She felt like she was in the supportive role all along but then at the end it all tied up together.

I also liked how they navigated to different locations and each house has its own backstory. It prevented the movie to be repetitive and even though it was predictable at times, it wasn't boring.

The acting across the board was fine. No one was embarrassing. Though Watanabe Shota has improved quite a lot from the last time I saw him.

Overall, this was a decent and entertaining watch if you are looking for haunted settings, moody visuals, and not a  terrifying and nightmare inducing movie.

Read More

Almost blew me away!

This was a tense and fast-paced ride where train conductor Takaichi, the passengers and railway staff must work together to prevent the catastrophe.

The tension truly kicks in once the passengers find out what is happening. The way panic spreads felt way too believable. It also says a lot about how quickly things can turn ugly in a crisis. People start pointing fingers, paranoia sets in and suddenly it's a full-on witch hunt.

The way politics is shown during the crisis is... painfully realistic. Instead of stepping up, it feels like some people in power are more focused on saving face or pushing their own agendas. You really get that sense of decisions being delayed, emotions being brushed off and the situation being treated more like a PR problem than an actual emergency. It's a frustrating reminder of how, in real life too, how politics can sometimes end up milking a situation instead of solving it.

Visually, the production is top-notch considering Netflix backed it. The cinematography with those wide-angle shots of the train and its surroundings is simply stunning. Everything from the train interiors to the city backdrops was shot beautifully. You can tell a lot of effort went into making it visually engaging.

Acting was easily one of the strongest parts. Everyone brought their A-game and I genuinely couldn’t spot a weak link. If anything, the performances made up for where the story felt a bit thin. Especially when the motive behind the bombing felt a bit weak and under-explained. It didn’t ruin the film for me, but it did soften the impact a bit.

Overall, if you are in the mood for a high-stakes thriller with solid tension and top-tier acting, this one is definitely worth checking out!

Read More

Full of Cliché but somehow chemistry saves the day!

Monster Next Door started as classic BLs with an exploration of young love between two polar opposite characters. The story revolves around Diew, a shy introvert and his new extremely extroverted neighbour God.

The drama somehow does justice to portraying emotional growth and Diew's journey of self-acceptance. It skillfully depicts his struggles with his inability to trust someone and makes them relatable to anyone who has grappled with past traumas. God's respectful and understanding approach to Diew's boundaries created healthy dynamics.

While the narrative was engaging, it was filled with cliche subplots. Diew's character often felt one-dimensional as the series progressed. Diew's reluctance to open up to God even when he has been nothing but a supportive boyfriend frustrated me a bit. The prolonged misunderstanding due to his ex could have been handled better with more nuance.

The second couple, Wan and Beer honestly had a better chemistry than the leads but was often overshadowed due to less screen time. It's the same formula, polar opposites put together where Beer is open and expressive about his feelings and Wan, who struggles to confront his emotions. The push and pull between them and the tension was messy but somehow interesting and sweet.

Both the characters had feelings for each other but Wan's hesitation and reluctance to label their relationship even though after multiple kisses was frustrating.

Also , Khun Shy, needs to be free or to be kept in better and bigger surroundings. It was concerning to see him live in such a small box. Although Diew's affection is shown contionusly in the drama but the care doesn't seem genuine.
The MBTI introduced at the start of the episode, literally served no real purpose.

The finale wrapped up sweetly but I found the family dynamics rushed. I am still very unclear so Diew's relationship with his mother and how she has this sudden change of heart to become understanding from overbearing.

Overall, will recommend it as a one-time watch. Despite some clichés and pacing issues, the characters and their journeys toward self-acceptance and emotional growth are fun to watch.

Read More

Pretty, predictable and biteless!

This had the potential to be a proper vampire BL, but it clearly suffered from a small budget and limited runtime.

Starting with the positives, the cast totally carried the show. The story follows four vampire roommates who take in a human Dong Ha, as their new housemate. The four vampires had that chaotic sibling energy, constantly roasting each other and Dong Ha just slid right in like he had always been part of the group.
Their banter felt natural, funny and a little flirty when needed. The chemistry between the leads was genuinely adorable, making their interactions feel easy and I am happy we didn't get dead fish kisses.
I liked the second couple too though we barely saw the romantic aspect of their relationship, but they were cute. I like how comfortable they looked around each other and their interactions were very natural!

Now coming to the flaws, on the fantasy front, I was a bit disappointed. Somehow the setup turned into a cozy roommate sitcom instead of the broody vampire saga I was expecting. Honestly, we get maybe five seconds of actual vampirism before it’s all domestic chaos. If one chooses to not read the synopsis  and ignore the sprinkles of supernatural hints towards the end, the story would play out almost exactly the same...like just another cohabitation romcom.
Again, wasn't expecting much so didn't get too disappointed!

It’s not necessarily bad at all. It’s fluffy, watchable and even kind of charming in that "odd found family" way. But if you went in expecting bloodlust, moral dilemmas or brooding immortals with existential crisis like me… prepare to be met with playful bickering, lighthearted chaos and a suspicious lack of anyone actually drinking blood.

Acting wise, I feel all the actors did a good job. Production was low budget but the country side scenery and the beach scenes were beautifully short.

Overall, this was bite sized, light and easy to binge, though it doesn’t dig deep or deliver much tension. Fun while it lasts, but that's about it. This could have been so much more if they focused a little on the vampire lore and the world building around it.
Will I recommend? Yes, if you are looking for something cute and don't mind surface level storytelling.

7.75/10 (Rounded it higher because the entertainment factor was high, though I clearly understand, see and acknowledge the flaws)

Thank you for reading my review! <3

Read More

From Yazuka with love... Kinda, maybe, whatever!

The first half of this drama actually had me hooked. Messy breakup, moving in with the scary but sweet boss and a touch of suspense with its yakuza subplot...it was entertaining, light and felt easy to binge.

Then the second half rolled around and instead of turning the heat up, it decided to put the stove on simmer. We got extra plotlines that felt more like filler than substance.
We got introduced to Makoto's mother subplot and as expected, her mother was scheming, didn’t understand the concept of boundaries and somehow had the notion that everything is about her.
It was so over-the-top that it almost crosses into comedy. The ghostly background music during her first entrance didn’t help. Instead of giving us real insight into Makoto’s past or adding something that actually enhances her as a character or give her a personality, it becomes kind of repetitive, with the whole “damsel in distress where the yakuza will come to save her” vibe.

Similarly, the second male lead, while very charismatic and handsome, was just introduced to bring in more cliché tropes. His role as a childhood friend and police officer could have added genuine conflict, but it ultimately feels underutilized and somewhat predictable.

The romance in this drama was… polite. Don’t get me wrong, there are moments that are undeniably sweet, like the forehead kiss, but beyond that, it sparks but occasionally. And the kissing scenes… well, I thought we were over the dead fish kisses but apparently not.

I wish they had focused more on the couple than on unnecessary subplots and maybe a bit more focus on yakuza content other than ML just having that back tattoo. Too many if's and why's with no clear answer.
The hinted tension between the yakuza and police also remained underexplored, which is a missed opportunity given how the setup was given in silver platter.

Acting-wise, it was okay. I found Konno Ayaka as Sugawara Makoto a bit expressionless in some scene. I don't know if it was intended. Totsuka Shota was good. I liked the switch in the tsundere role. And him in glasses was such a pretty sight to behold. I am not even exaggerating!

Overall, this did start strong but lost its flavor halfway through. Somehow, the lack of personality of FL and too many personalities of ML clashed and with unnecessary subplots, the ship set sail... only to sink!
Again wasn't expecting much out of 8 episodes, but this could have been easily an office romance with some underworld/ local mafia linking and i might have rated it better.

Will I recommend it? No. I feel there are better Jdramas but if you want to try for ML, go for the gamble. It's pretty bite sized. Not much to lose.

6.25/10

Read More

Cliche but Enjoyable!

The story was a bit cliche and inspired from all the other supernatural dramas but it is definitely a enjoyable watch. The supernatural fantasy moments are good though. The editing and VFX does adds upto the pros for this drama

But I think the main selling point of this drama are the visual appeal of the leads !! OH MY GOD ! The chemistry between them is comfortable, natural and sizzling.
The cute interactions does make you smile.

SONG KANG was exceptional in this. I watched some behind the scenes of both Song Kang and Kim You Jung and loved it. I really liked how Kim You Jung was improvising while shooting and gently directly Song Kang as well.
The villian does give you creeps.

Though the story was nothing extraordinary but the acting and chemistry does make it a very enjoyable watch. I would definitely watch it again.

Read More

A dozen tears, a dozen hope, a dozen letters and reasons to piece yourself back together!

Twelve letters and I are definitely in a toxic relationship. It made me feel sad, mad, happy, and then mad again with ugly crying and somehow left me immensely happy at the end.

If I dissect the premise, it reads like those retro-time travel fanfiction. It all starts with Ye Hiatang from 1991, finding a mailbox and somehow connecting with Tang Yixun of 2026 (Thanks to the orange cat delivery system). Letters were exchanged and so was hope, exhaustion and pain! Somehow it was both cheesy and haunting.

It was more about vibes and feels rather than major plot twists because once you figure out the time travel /fantasy aspect of it, it becomes fairly predictable. But it didn't take anything away from the story because somehow I was able to predict actions but not the consequences.

This is the story of Haitang, who somehow makes her way till the very end despite all the harsh realities surrounding her. From the first frame, I never mistook her for being fragile. She was resilient but tired. Imagine living with an abusive father like that. She is a victim of adults failing her, but she isn't the one to give up. You will feel sorry for her at times, but then you will wipe your tears seeing her get up everytime and bounce back.

Tang Yixun isn't your "knight in shining armour" either. Our debt collector is messy, chaotic and has demons of his own to deal with. But I didn't like him because he was trying to fix things for Haitang, but he was just being there and treating her like she mattered.

I did feel it was very convenient for him to be there whenever Haitang was in trouble, and their connection initially felt fast-paced, but then their love wasn't built on grand gestures or cute things. It grew out of shared pain and trauma. Maybe it really is easier to open up about what breaks you when the company is right and they get it. They were just right for each other. Not perfect, but just right, and they need to be bubble wrapped and protected at all costs.
All they wanted was a family, and they did get one.

Coming to antagonists, forget scary monsters when you have a father like Ye Yibo. Cruel, controlling and violent. At one point, he felt like a cage that Haitang can't escape. But he was let go too easily and too many times. I know 1991 wasn't a progressive time but being free of assault charges that easily was kind of annoying.
We have another set of villains too, making life difficult for the Billiards gang. They went a little overboard with their involvement but I wasn't bored.

But not everyone around them was shady and selfish. The little found family that Yixun has with Li Cha Dong and Zhang Hao was adorable. It was the rainbow hiding in the storm's aftermath. Both their love stories were also tiny escape from the darkness. Both for them and us. I wouldn't mind a spin off for them specially Cha and Tan Xin.

What got me the most was how when the moment finally came, nobody even flinched. No second guessing... just pure instinct to step up and shield the ones they cared about. There was no big speeches or flashy heroics, it was the certainty that said "your life matters more than mine". And they didn't do it out of obligation but for love. Watching them stand there like a wall was both devastating and beautiful. Yixun and Haitang were lucky to have them as their found family!

The adults (children) in 2026 were also key players here. Both Yu Nian and Sheng Cheng
brought different things to the table. They both were in search of their parents and to find answers as to what happened but I feel both of them went a little too overboard with emotions at times. But again, the position they were in, the panic and frustration is understandable.
I think they grew on gradually. Somehow even with all the bickering and disagreements , they were there for each other.

Acting-wise, the leads Zhou Yiran and Wang Yinglu nailed their roles. Zhou Yiran was spot on with his "protective but never overbearing" portrayal of Yixun. I cried when he cried and I smiled when he did! Wan Yinglu, as Hiatang, also did a great job. What made her exceptional was the whole hollowed-out-of-life vibe in emotional scenes.
The supporting cast also did a great job because I hate some of the characters to the T, and like they say, if you hate a character, the actor did a good job.

Cinematography was the real MVP. It was just so Pinterest-y. The whole '90s vibe was spot on with those strong colour grading and nostalgia vibe. The clear contrast between the past and present kept everything visually distinct and easy to follow.

Lastly, the flaws… If I am being real, my eyes were way too glossy to list them all out, but here we go. The pacing in the last four episodes did feel a bit rushed. The coherence slipped here and there and at times it was hard to piece everything together. That said, it picked up almost immediately after. Maybe a couple more episodes would have helped the story breathe better but then again, the title is Twelve Letters, so twelve episodes it is.

Also, they did ended it pretty neatly but did leave with some questions. But it was more like an invitation to imagine.

Overall, I did love it from start to finish. It was like a heartbreak wrapped in hope. More than romance, it’s a reminder that love is not just about two people, it’s about the way it ripples outward and affects around, shaping families, friendships...even futures.

Will I recommend it? OF COURSE. But don't go in expecting the fantasy element to woo you or expecting this to be fluffy romance because it is everything but that. It will wreck you most beautifully. I also strongly recommend a box of tissues with it. (You will need it. Trust me)

♡ Favourite Quote ♡

I want to give you a sunny day but I only have an umbrella woven from storm clouds!

Thank you for reading my review! I know it feels more like an emotional blabber but this is exactly how I felt throughout. I hope you enjoy and suffer (lol) this drama as much as I did :))

Read More