Jojo

Despite its lackluster execution, a one time watch if you are too intrigued with the premise!

This drama left me with mixed feelings. The series revolves around the relationship between an anti-social man named Yi Ping and a robot/AI gifted to him by his uncle, Ever 9. The premise had promise, yet I found myself somewhat disappointed.
The robot/AI portrayal struck me as overly 'human'. It seemed too emotionally aware from ep 1.
I kind of anticipated Yi Ping's growth in overcoming his anti-social tendencies intertwined with the AI's exploration of human emotions which unfortunately didn't fully happen.

The series had lighter, more romantic first half and angst-ridden second half. While both leads delivered decent acting performances, some emotional scenes fell short and lacking (for me). Also, I am not a fan of time skips especially 7 years, but I do understand its necessity for technological advancements.
Uncle's character was such a sore point for me. He felt downright cruel toward Yi Ping and his abrupt change of heart after seven years seemed so unconvincing but did give us a happy ending.

Despite its flaws, it wasn't all bad!! It had its moments of charm in the chemistry between the leads especially the eye contacts and the music also complemented the scenes nicely.

Overall, a one-time watch but with some missed opportunities and uneven execution.

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Amazing script and execution!!

This drama had ticked all the right boxes for me.

Story - I think this is the strongest point of this drama. It is well written and it isn't a cliche. The depth in each character just uncovers episode by episode and keeps you hooked as to what will happen next.

Acting - All the actors portrayed their part beautifully. You will go from hating FL's mother to admiring her. You will realise how one action's affects the life of all the others around.
The chemistry between ML and FL was comforting to watch.

But the main catch of this drama is it's title. You kind of have to watch it to understand it.

Honestly, this drama's uniqueness makes me it stand out!

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Comedy, Chaos, and Consent! Suprisingly good and entertaining!

The series begins as a light hearted cohabitation-themed BL with very silly and chaotic comedy. However, it does get better and more substantial as we proceed.  To me ,it felt like this is more a character driven drama.  Although the plot was familiar, the character development felt very rich and made me invested !

The camaraderie among the four boys is what kept me interested till the very end! All of them were different and unique in their own ways. Watching their paths crossed and their journeys intertwined together was enjoyable. Latte stole the show for me with his bright smile and maturity. I was expecting his character to be a bit 'playboy-ish' and immature, but surprise! surprise! I was very wrong! Almond’s story of his first experience leaving home and becoming independent was a fun ride. Watching him navigate his issues , both seriously and un-seriously was such a different journey in itself. Thanwa and Peak’s characters were  confusing and aggravating most time but they finally grew a spine at the end and came around. Jane's character didn't add much value to the story for me! Almond's mom being supportive was a refreshing change from the overbearing parents troupe.

Another positive thing that struck out for me was asking for consent and stopping whenever the opposite felt uncomfortable or uncertain!

Overall, Yes it is far from being "perfect" but very entertaining! Recommended if you are into chaotic comedy and don't mind a few cliched BL troupes. Honestly, the synopsis doesn’t really do the story justice. It is way better! In fact, I found this better than some high-budget GMMTV BLs.

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The system eats everyone including the plot and capitalism is the main character again!

Just like humans, Netflix tend to be greedy as well. 

My hopes for this were low after season 2, but it managed to disappoint me even more than I first thought.

The focus of the drama from the start was based around the despair one felt economically. It had the biting message of how a system beats someone down to the point where they would try and play with death rather than deal with debt collectors. Though that core message was still present this season, it feels buried beneath a pile of unnecessary flashy chaos and twists. 

At first, it seemed like the drama was getting back on track. The early episodes here started with the tense plotting, brutal games and cunning survival instincts and gave season 1 vibes.
But personal trauma and over-the-top twists that attempted to shock but ultimately felt strangely flat were what came next. Ironically, despite the drama's strong emphasis on unpredictability, the majority of it felt painfully predictable. Though there was no emotional impact as it should have been, the games were undoubtedly more emotionally manipulative.

A few character backstories were included, but they lacked depth or were simply not compelling. I felt too much time was spent on individual characters. Unlike the predecessor , where even a small cast left a strong impact, this time it felt like they tried to spread focus across too many people and ended up saying very little about any of them. Instead of making me root for a bigger group, it made it harder to care about anyone in particular.

Addressing the elephant in the room, let’s talk about the ending (no spoilers).
You could tell they were really trying to give us something deep and meaningful like a full circle kind of moment. But that didn't work for me. In my eyes, it neither gave any proper closure to characters, not it was giving any symbolism, it was just… there. Not in a cool or mysterious way, but more like "Wait, that’s it???!!!" I checked twice to see if that was the actual ending.

I understand the intention behind the ending and the idea that in a world built on greed and survival, there are no true victors and life simply continues, indifferent and unresolved. It’s a powerful message on paper but a message only resonates when it’s fully realized in the storytelling and here, it felt more like a concept than a conclusion. It was a thoughtful idea, but one that never fully translated on screen.
For a show that’s all emotional stakes and intensity, the finale felt very anticlimactic and unfinished, like someone forgot to write the last episode.

The acting was really good throughout except the VIPs. They weren't convincing for a second.
And since it's a netflix production, everything was grand and polished. Looked like they spent all on visuals and writing was just put aside!

All in all, season 3 tried but in trying to go bigger, it somehow forgot what made season 1 hit. It's not unwatchable or outright bad but compared to the previous season. I am talking about season 1 here. I still believe this could have been better if they released season 2+3 together, like how they were supposed to be before they got a bit greedy. At this point, it feels more like Netflix is trying too hard to milk its golden goose.

Recommend only if curiosity gets you. But I wouldn't recommend it. The story ends at season 1 and that's it!

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A killer setup that retired too early !

From the synopsis alone, I thought this was going to be a twisted little story because one character is literally a killer and the other has been saving his targets while fully knowing the guy is a murderer. That sounds like tension, angst, maybe even bit of a dilemma, right? Well… the drama apparently forgot its own premise about five minutes in.

The whole “killing” part was abandoned almost instantly. What we got instead was a soft, slightly awkward love story between an early retired baseball star and one of his fans who took that retirement very personally. It was cute but it wasn’t what was advertised. The killing /muder mystery was awkwardly crammed back in during the last 5–10 minutes with NO consequences. I still have so many questions as to what and why's...

Now, I am not usually into vertical dramas, but even with that format, 1.5+ hours is plenty of time to tell a coherent story. If they had just leaned into a cliché romance properly or fully committed to the killer plot, this could have worked.

On the acting side, it was fine. Just passable and pretty enough to keep me watching without cringing.

Overall, it was an okay watch. I had literally no expectations so I wasn't disappointed but it wasn't impressive either.
Would I recommend it? I won't bother. There are better mini-dramas and short films out there that use the same runtime better.

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Uncomplicated and Light watch!

I'm pleasantly surprised with this mini-drama and its quality.
Despite being a two-episode drama, it isn't flawless, with some logical inconsistencies (like her bottomless pit bag) and plot holes here and there. But the inclusion of historical references, humorous moments and fun chemistry between the leads made it a delightful watch.

Both ML and FL did a fantastic job, with FL stealing the show for me!
- I loved how the FL thought jumping in the puddle was better than writing exams!
- All the math and science learning moments between the leads were easy on the eyes and fun!
- A special mention of the female lead's reluctance to not leave her damn world for the male lead. (You go girl! Come back, suffer and learn Maths and Science). I really liked how ML was also a rational being.
- Oh, and the final Kiss! It was perfect and a bit heartbreaking!

Overall, the simplicity was refreshing, although I wished it was longer.
Recommended if you are looking for an uncomplicated and light watch!

My actual rating was 8.8/10. Honestly, 9 felt too high and 8.5 felt too low. But with all the rounding system Math that I have learnt - 9 it is here.

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A mixed bag!

Okay so I did read the negative reviews before watching this but honestly I don't think it is as bad as people claim it to be.

The story is pretty cliche and weak but kinda realistic ( atleast for me). The first half started very strong with romance and hesitation but towards the end it was just same old jealous ML drama all together.

I wish we could got more depth into ML character. His connection to butterflies was poetically portrayed but the depth in his character development was missing.

The acting by both the leads were phenomenal. The frustration, the romance ,the pain of loosing someone was portrayed by both of them exceptionally.

The OST was amazing ! Like it just enhanced the watching experience.

Overall a mixed bag for me. I definitely don't dislike it though.

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This drama reminded me that world isn't as hopeless as I thought!

“Tham Luang is a monster. Water is the enemy.”
But water wasn't the only enemy here. Because when it rains, it pours.

In a world where every other headline makes you lose faith in people, this felt different. This isn’t a story of corruption, greed or selfishness but what humanity is supposed to look like when we put aside ego and just do what we are supposed to. Watching it honestly felt like a reminder that, despite everything awful we see daily, humans are still capable of being extraordinary.

The series doesn’t just highlight the rescue mission , but also the collective efforts of everyone involved. I loved how the boys weren't just shown as victims and the rescuers as heros. Everyone and everything felt humane. From the governor refusing to give up even when the odds were impossible. Parents waiting with a patience that feels almost unreal, holding onto that hope. I can't even imagine the fear. The Navy SEALs and cave divers who put their lives on the line every single time they went into those tunnels. Doctors who flew in from across the world. Hydraulic engineers rerouting water systems. Even random Reddit engineers and people on social media throwing in ideas to help. Farmers not hesitating even once but about their livelihood. And those kids who had every reason to panic, but instead held onto their calm and their strength.

The cinematography ties all of this together beautifully. The caves don’t feel like props. At times they felt alive and suffocating. The water dripping through narrow tunnels, the claustrophobic walls pressing in...everything just felt so real.
I am sure the drama might have taken some creative liberty but I feel they did a good job in making me feel things.

This is one of those rare series where nitpicking feels pointless. The story itself is larger than any flaw.

For me, this is an easy 10/10 not only because it’s well made, but because it restores something we forget too often "Hope". Hope that when we have to, we can move mountains, drain caves and pull miracles straight out of the impossible. It left me a little bit shaken but very hopeful!

I would definitely recommend it 100% ! And will also recommend to keep a box of tissues on the side.

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Distractingly handsome leads,yet couldn't distract me from the plot holes and weak writing

High school students involved in running a mafia??!! It was very difficult to connect and engage with the story, as certain actions just felt like unnecessary plot devices and fillers.
Profusing love and promising to stay together, then vanishing by writing a mere note seemed too lame and underwhelming, especially when repeated throughout the story. While portraying them as confused teenagers might have worked, their involvement in the adult mafia business made their behaviour less believable.
The editing and colour scheme of the drama leaned towards melancholy, even during supposed happy scenes like those at the beach.

Although the leads were stunning, their acting felt somewhat lacking at times, lacking depth and coming across as one-dimensional. They did have their cute little moments but it was a hit-and-miss for me throughout.
Additionally, the choice of OST was confusing and sometimes too loud, making it difficult to hear the dialogue clearly.

Overall a big miss for me. If I have to summarise- A BL with distractingly handsome leads who couldn't distract me from the plot holes and weak writing of the story! Had this been my initial BL, I would have rated it higher.

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The Trainee : Needed more attention and less mess!

I had high expectations with this drama but perhaps that was a mistake.
Honestly, this drama was a mixed bag for me. I wanted to enjoy it, but the questionable character developments didn't quite work for me.

The first half was carried out by the friendship between the interns and them adjusting to the office culture with their respective mentors. That was the highlight for me. Those office struggles, the mishaps due to nervousness and the mistakes felt so relatable. The genuine challenges of starting a new job and those moments of vulnerability and growth were showcased very appropriately and with humour.
But the second half failed to carry that momentum.

Ryan and Jane had great chemistry and moreover, a good mentor-mentee relationship where they openly voiced their concerns about each other and their work. However, the last 2 episodes felt like a very dramatic shift, where we were seeing different characters. The sudden time jump in their relationship felt completely unnecessary. Jane, who had been portrayed as a tough but responsible mentor with clear communication, vanished into thin air without any proper explanation. It felt abrupt and so out of character. Also, their screen time as the main couple felt minimal. I wanted them together to see how they would handle their relationship after Ryan's internship was over but all I got was an inconsistent romance with ambiguous decisions.

Coming to other characters, the holy trinity: Tae, Ba-Mhee and Judy.
I struggled to understand the dynamics between them until the very end. I am so confused as to why the cheating storyline was introduced. There are plenty of other ways to make Tae realise his flaws as a boyfriend and the need for communication and Ba-Mhee to figure out to obsess less over someone. Judy as a mentor, was such a problematic character for me. She was wrong on so many levels and I was frustrated that she wasn't held responsible for her actions. The series might have worked out better for me without them. Pah and Pie were fun to watch but they couldn't quite make up for the issues I had with the rest of the drama.

Overall, what started as an engaging good office drama fell apart by abrupt shifts in character development and unnecessary plot twists.
7.3/10

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Too Many Cooks/Troupes Spoil The Broth!!

For me, this drama "almost" lived up to its hype. The premise was strong and beautifully executed. The visuals in the drama were so scenic and beautiful making me want to visit Germany! The characters in the story had flaws and it was reasoned well.

But from episode 13, the messy and lazy writing sank the ship. Too many unnecessary troupes were introduced in the later stage of drama where we should have been resolving issues from the previous episodes. Hyun Woo getting into an accident in the penultimate episode and the antagonist arc stretched till the last episode was nail in the coffin for people like me who have been religiously following the drama from its teaser and were waiting for the "Rom" in the said Romcom!!
For the last episode, too many questions and drama were left to unfold leading to a rushed and unsatisfactory ending. It was sort of bittersweet for me. I understand death is a natural phenomenon but showing in the last few minutes instead of them living a healthy life together is a grudge I am willing to hold with the writer for a long long time.

Acting was exceptional. Even If I nitpick I can't find faults. Despite how shambled the writing was, their acting made it convincing. All the aegyos made me laugh. Hyun Woo crying and breaking down when Hae In was hurt made my hurt heart. Hae In from being cold-hearted and emotionless at times made me angry but once her story was out you couldn't help but sympathize. The one kiss (Germany) gave me butterflies.
I wish they work together again in a drama where the script does them justice to their commitment till the very end! The other supporting characters also did a great job!

The OST's are one of the best that I have heard. It matched the story and theme perfectly! The placement of the OST in the drama is done well making them more enjoyable and memorable.

Overall this was a 8.5-9 for me from episodes 1-12 but so many NEEDLESS twists/turns in the last few episodes led it to 7. If it wasn't for the extraordinary acting of leads and the great and intriguing premise I would have rated this somewhere between 6-6.5!

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Heart Killers: The show that stabbed its own potential!

The drama centers around two hitman brothers, Bison and Fadel, which had a promising premise with plenty of potential for intense actions, some unhinged and unpredictable characters with some good cat-and-mouse deception.

However as the episode progressed, I felt the drama got a bit off track. Instead of diving deep into the high-stakes world of their jobs and the consequences of their actions and tricks, it leaned more towards the predictable love story angle a bit too much.
While the love stories were interesting considering how both the couple had such good chemistry, it ultimately overshadowed the core concept we started with. As a result, the pace of the drama slowed, leaving the tension and excitement feeling undercooked.

I also felt that the hitmen aspect of the drama wasn’t explored much. Instead of delving into the complexity and moral dilemmas of their work, it was used more as a convenient plot device to fuel clichéd subplots.

Characters & Acting-
Bison & Kant: Kant, a tattoo artist working undercover for the police is drawn into the world of Bison, a one-night stand. From the start, it was obvious how Kant was deceiving Bison and how well he was pulling it off. You could tell Bison genuinely liked Kant. What bothered me, though, was that by the end, I just couldn’t buy that Kant actually loved Bison. It felt too rushed and kind of out of place.

Though Fadel & Style were a better couple, hands down First and Khao's acting was exceptional! The emotional breakdowns and manipulation were so solid, it felt so real and believable.

Fadel & Style: Style, the best friend of Kant was introduced to Fadel as a distraction so Kant can pursue Bison. They were ridiculously fun and somehow the progress of their relationship made sense. From the playful moments to the deeper connections, their chemistry was natural, and you could really see their bond evolve in a way that felt earned.

However, Dunk’s acting, especially in emotional and vulnerable scenes, felt a bit over the top. I haven’t seen his other work but clearly, there is a scope for improvement. Some moments came across as just overacting. On the other hand, Joong did a good job portraying the distant character, his performance was convincing enough to like them as a couple together.

Overall, what could have been the drama of the year for me from GMMTV considering such a unique narrative turned into a melodramatic fiasco. While it’s definitely not the worst thing I’ve seen, this is more of a disappointing review because the first half was really strong and the last few episodes crashed.

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A love story with familiar chords, strumming through clichés!

The drama follows the journey of Neil, a former popular singer grappling with personal trauma and Sea, a fan who aspires to become a musician like his idol. While the series does try to delve deep into themes of love, healing and the transformative power of music, the over-reliance on clichés made the story very predictable.

The premise is interesting - Neil's journey from grief to rediscovery of his passion again after meeting Sea. The chemistry between the leads is palpable and there’s a certain comforting dynamic when they are together on screen.
While the romance between them was nice , the story was pretty forgettable and the development of their relationship feels rushed, lacking a gradual build-up. However Michael’s performance as Sea shines through. He was so expressive especially with his eyes! This is a classic case of poor writing saved by decent acting.

Also Neil's wig at the start of the episode!!!! It was HORRENDOUS and I am glad it didn't stick around for long and they got rid of it.

The second couple, Reese and Orca had an engaging story but their storyline was overshadowed by the main couple and hence was left underdeveloped. Their chemistry was solid and the bilingual dialogue flowed surprisingly well. I wish they had focused a little more on them, it could have added real weight to the story instead of just being mere background figures.

Musically, the series does have some nice OSTs, yet I found the characters struggling to play genuine musicians especially when they were playing instruments. This story was about the transformative journey through and with music and honestly, the lack of authenticity sort of diminished the impact for me.
Also, several times I felt the key scenes intended to be climatic or emotional just fell flat. It made it difficult to connect with the characters's pain or joy. The artistic touch to pull this through was missing or was more like touch and go.

Overall, this attempted to be an exploration of love and music together but was hindered by clichés and uneven character development. Recommended as a one-time watch for the chemistry between the leads, but be prepared for predictability along the way.

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A melt in your mouth romance… served with a side of questionable therapy!

Japan just gets food dramas in a way no one else does. Romantic Anonymous is one of them, revolving around Artisanal chocolates. It is a story of Sosuke, a germaphobe, who takes over Le Sauveur (a chocolate shop) and meets Lee He Na, who battles her own fear of social anxiety. If I look at it with a rose coloured lens, it does scratch that itch, but the psychological part of phobia/ trauma and how it was dealt with was highly unrealistic, especially the character of the therapist Irene.

Starting with the positives, I enjoyed the journey of leads- both individually and romantically. Even though their phobias are different- one is a germaphobe and the other can't make eye contact. Yet somehow they became a safe space for each other, growing softly as they each broke out of their shells.The main strength of their bond lies in the fact that they understand each other's silence better than most couples understand words. I loved how tender and careful their relationship felt.
I did feel the pacing dipped in between, but it did pick up in the later episodes. Also, having only eight episodes really helped cut out the fillers and kept the story from feeling stretched.

Another thing that worked in favour of the drama was the beautiful cinematography and the atmospheric setting. It was very scenic, especially all the wide outdoor shots of nature, plus the chocolate making process was filmed and portrayed beautifully. The overall aesthetics felt very warm.

What didn't work for me or should I say who didn't work for me, was Miss psychologist Irene. She was definitely the weakest link out of all 4 main characters. She is a professional yet rarely she behaves like one. I was astonished at her lack of boundaries and how somehow she had this tendency to insert herself into situations where she should be standing 500 m apart, observing from a safe distance from a professional standpoint. I am not saying she is malicious, just poorly written.

And her love line with Hiro was controversial as well. There wasn't enough organic tension between them. It felt forced or like an afterthought. Maybe it was because I couldn't get the conflict of roles out of my head, because Hiro was connected to both the leads and she was their therapist, muddying boundaries.
This could have worked better with her being a just a friend or anything other than a therapist.

Acting wise, this was my first time seeing Oguri Shun and he definitely has left a good impression on me. Han Hyo Joo also did a decent job. This was a Japanese-Korean collaboration and somehow I didn't feel she was out of place or anything. Akanishi Jin came with an insane face card, and though I didn't enjoy his character as much as I thought I would, his acting was nice too. I share the same thought for Nakamura Yuri as Irene.

Overall, this was a good one-time sweet treat from a romance perspective. I would recommend it if you enjoy gentle and slow-burn romance with some fine-dining chocolate aesthetics. It's not perfect but far better than romcoms I have watched recently.

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