Jojo

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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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A soft love story!

This was a short and sweet exploration of love and self-discovery, as two unlikely individuals find comfort and love in each other’s company amidst the challenges of their respective lives.

Tomoko, a shy office worker is trapped in a toxic job with a terrible boss, starts off super shy but gradually breaks out of her shell and stands up for herself. Ryohei, who seemed like "a classic bad boy" with blonde hair works at a bicycle repair shop. After meeting with Tomoko , we actually see his real softer and thoughtful side. He shows kindness through small gestures and listening attentively to her concerns. His tough exterior gradually fades as he reveals a caring and sensitive nature, especially when he's around her.

What makes this a comfort watch is how the communication part was handled! There were misunderstandings but it wasn't dragged.

There were a few plot points that felt a bit random, just there to push the story forward without much explanation like ML's relationship with his father or grandfather. But honestly, with the short run time, it’s sort of excusable. Still, a couple more episodes could’ve tied everything together better.

Overall, this was a gentle love story where the chemistry felt genuine and organic! Recommended if you are looking for an easy, romantic watch!

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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 :))

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A drama that flatlined and somehow never came back to life!

This drama is categorized under the medical and slice of life genres, two of my favorite genres. Unfortunately, it somehow managed to miss on both fronts and by quite a lot.

Starting with the medical aspect, since the poster has people dressed in scrubs, I thought it was safe to assume that this tag would dominate the rest.
My personal preference when it comes to medical dramas leans towards bustling hospital corridors, tense surgeries or a team coming together when lives are at stake under pressure. Unfortunately, the drama lacked that urgency and adrenaline rush. The cases felt very underwhelming. It moved neither the characters on screen as well as me as the viewer. I felt a lot of potential wasted since I am usually an easy crier.

Now, onto the "Slice of life" angle, I was waiting for moments and scenes to sneak up on me and hit me hard, but instead, all I got was boredom. I barely felt a nick. After 12 episodes, I wasn't attached to any of the characters and honestly didn't look forward to their story. It felt more like background noise in hospital aesthetics.

I feel the root cause of this imbalance is the drama heavily centered around FL and making everyone and everything orbit around her like they were all supporting characters. While I appreciate a strong woman with struggles and a learning curve, it came here at the expense of team dynamics which is very necessary when it comes to medical dramas. I found other interns more interesting than her story. Somehow her antics and stubbornness, even when she is in the wrong, may have rubbed me in in a certain way.

The romance, which isn't even listed as one of the genres, was ironically the only thing that kept me somehow (barely) invested. Just when I feel the drama has drained me completely, a soft romantic moment here and there would gently resuscitate me and bring me back to life.
It wasn't exactly sweeping or unforgettable to cover all the flaws, but it did have its moments. I enjoyed the subtle tension between Do Won and I Yeong.

Another thing that made this harder to get through was the length of each episode being more than an hour, and the finale being literally 1 hour and 40 minutes, which kind of seems ridiculous to me. Somebody needs to convey to the kdrama gods that we can't be getting movies in the name of episodes.

Coming to acting, I am not particularly impressed by the FL's acting. It may be because of how her character is written but somehow it didn't do anything for me. Han Ye Ji as Kim Sa Bi was impressive, and I found her adorable, and the way she portrayed her character seemed genuine, considering this is her first acting project. Kang You Seok was in his element as well, but I didn't get connected to any of the characters.
Taking the whole experience in consideration, the acting felt rather ordinary to me.

Overall, this was more of a missed opportunity. The combination of medical and (in/with) slice of life didn't work for me.
Will I recommend this? Maybe after playing 20 questions to see if the genres align with your taste and you have got an unusual amount of time on your hands to binge 12 movies.

P.S.- This review is my personal experience with this drama. By no means does it mean that it is the most terrible drama out there or that one shouldn't watch it. My review might be a bit harsher than I intended, but considering I spent over 14+ hours on this (blame my NDD) and that’s a lot of time to invest and when it doesn’t pay off, well... you get the picture. So, take my review with a grain of salt.

Thank you for reading my review! I sincerely hope you enjoy this drama more than I did if you pick it up! <3

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Who rules the world ? CURLS !!

The movie captures how the little things feel so big when you are a teenager...from fighting with frizzy curly hair to building up the courage to confess to your crush.

The movie is about Park Seri's journey to confess her crush with her ride or die friends and new transfer student Han yun seok. It's endearing, humorous, chaotic at times but surprisingly a touching story about first love and insecurities.

It was all warm sunshine and rainbows. That is how I felt watching this. It somehow
brought back all the memories of having a teenage crush. The butterflies...the messy confusing feelings that comes with it...the anticipation and the occasional tears too. I also appreciated how the insecurities were subtly depicted and how it was worked through. Nothing felt forced or too over dramatic.

That said, my only gripe was Yun Seok’s mother’s storyline. It felt like it came from nowhere and felt a bit underdeveloped for the impact it had on the movie. More like shock than substance.

Acting wise, Shin Eun Soo was spot on. She was bright, awkward and very teenager-y (if that's a word). Gong Myung did well too, though it was a stretch to see him as a teenager sometimes. Cha woon min in short supportive role was charming as always.

Overall, this was a feel good movie with the message of self acceptance in the most subtle and teenage way! It is nothing out of the box but a comforting watch!
I would definitely recommend it!

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Cliche served on the plate! A bit stale here and there but makes a good one time meal.

This was entertaining but not unique!
The story and characters both were pretty much predictable and lacked depth. Although it wasn’t a complete letdown, I was maybe expecting more.

The chemistry between Oab and Plawan was the highlight for me! However, their flirting over the "basil scent" brought me second-hand embarrassment. Also I was expecting more actual food on the table, instead it was them making out on it more. *Not complaining though. Those two can kiss*

Watching them together was fun but as individual characters, they felt pretty weak.
Plawan starts off as an enthusiastic but amateur cook who tries to impress and trick the chef into becoming his successor. His journey was engaging at the start but loses its charm along the way. He was all over the place and started doing everything almost 'so perfectly'. On the other hand, we have Chef Oab who is a culinary genius with a terrifying stern demeanour who becomes surprisingly soft in just a couple of episodes.

The story of all the side characters was interesting but undercooked. You are left to imagine a lot more than what is presented. JJ and Methas had such a promising and interesting storyline but it was rushed and so unconvincing. Kluea's character arc was disappointing. I don't get why they do that to good characters. He was positive and supportive from the very beginning. Honestly, if this sudden shift was for shock value, it didn't work. I was more annoyed rather than shocked. And Khaosuay, another female character in a BL series with selfish motives! I would like to retire this trope. I was hoping for more nuanced female characters.
The final episode was okay but bit rushed with too many unresolved issues to address.

Overall, it is a decent one-time watch if you’re in the mood for something cliche and entertaining!

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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.

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Can soulmates survive shaky writing ? Here they did but barely!

The premise and the whole idea of fate, reincarnation and love across generations was fresh and bold, but the execution was messy. The plot starts with 69-year-old Xia Cha waking up in the body of his grandson Xia Zefang. And somehow, he becomes the love interest of Ye Haiyuan (Zefang's love(?) interest too)

If I have to describe my experience of this drama, it would be -
Episodes 1-3: Awkward doesn't even begin to cover it.
Ep 4-9: Okay... we are heading somewhere.
EP 10-12: What… okay then. Not exactly good, not exactly bad...just kind of there.

The starting episodes are chaotic and a whole lot of awkward. I kept questioning myself as to what I was even watching. But then the randomness became entertaining. Xia Chia's adjustment as a teenager was the most fun part. He was dramatic, contradictory and a total hypocrite. One moment, he is protesting and reminding Haiyuan of boundaries, and the next moment cuddling. He was genuinely funny and without trying too hard.

Ye Haiyuan's character development wasn’t exactly great. The more we see of him, the more he just seems immature and have temper issues. I get that he is only 20, so I am not expecting him to be wise, but come on, he could at least try to read the situation better. Honestly, his relationship with Xia Cha was already pretty complicated and fragile from the get-go and his choices just made everything more chaotic. It felt like he had way too many expectations all the time without taking everything into account, especially Xia Cha's emotions. I kind of want to cut him some slack since his intentions were good, but he could be really annoying to watch at times.

Their love story somehow elevated the middle portion of the drama. I enjoyed their chemistry and their bickering. But to me, it doesn't seem like a healthy romance. There was tension and passion but also a whole lot of sudden possessiveness and impulsive outbursts. But once they settle down, it was pretty evident that care and concern was mutual.

Coming to the last arc, I think they missed an opportunity by not explicitly showing Haiyuan tied to Xia Cha's past. I mean, it's really hard to ignore the whole "grandfather in grandson's body" thing, it would have been easier to buy into the romance if Haiyuan was shown as a reincarnation too. That extra layer would have softened the absurdity and made the premise land better.
And the whole red thread theory kind of diluted the romance because at times, it felt like Xia Cha was only with him because of that.

Another thing that bothered me was Xia Zefang's arc. It just felt incomplete and the whole thing about growth, healing and closure felt rushed because we didn't witness majority of it on screen. Riqing as his love interest surprised me and kind of grew on me. I really feel for him because he actually liked Zefang for who he was. Maybe a spin-off for them? I would definitely watch it.

Last, the second couple was cute, but that's about it. I don't think they got enough screentime to have a fleshed-out story. I wouldn't have minded if they were friends with the main leads.

Acting-wise, Martin Wong as Xia Cha / Zenfang was really good. I found his portrait convincing both as a 69-year-old man and as a college-going brat. Also, his hair colour was iconic. The rest of them were decent. Not bad, but no one else stood out. Visually, all the cast were good-looking looking especially the leads.

Overall, it was definitely entertaining but with too many missed opportunities. I mean, if you have fate, reincarnation as a primary plot device, the storytelling was pretty weak. And also, the realisations could have a better impact. It felt very superficial with the whole past life connection not properly explained and used.
Will I recommend it? For the entertainment... maybe. But for the actual plot and storytelling, no.
The review may look like a rant, but I surprisingly don't dislike it.
7.25/10

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