Jojo

A river that whispered depth, but politely kept me afloat!

This drama had a beautiful idea. The Gyeonggang River, which was once pure, now thick with silt and sorrow, is a reflection of a nation sinking under corruption and decay. On paper, they got everything right. The whole premise had beautiful imagery-a river that mirrors its people, a mirror that refuses to flatter. Yet in the execution, all the ambition and artistry become too heavy to carry. Somehow, the weight of the premise is what sank this ship.

At its core, we have Siyul, Choi Eun and Jeong Cheon, each with their own demons to deal with. Siyul is caught between the guilt and survival of his brutal past and trapped in a cycle of choices that blur between justice and vengeance. Opposite him stands Choi Eun, the merchant whose integrity becomes her curse. I liked how she refused to let the corrupt system dictate her but I feel the writing didn't do her justice at all. The lack of screen time just made her seem like a haughty noblewoman but we see glimpses of so much from her towards the end. Somewhere in the middle stands Jeong-cheon, the official who dreams of power without corruption, a dream that steadily unravels.

The three are meant to represent different moral shores of the same river but the current never quite pulls them together. The 3 leads somehow felt like supporting characters in their own story. The first three episodes did a great job at setting up the story but the middle four (4-7) kind of lost their way. We wasted too much time on Mu Deok's story in the middle. I get they wanted us to show why he is here, but it could have been shortened and utilised to make the present plot better. The drama was about the 3 leads but somehow became "Mudeok's show".

Again, the idea of moral decay, corruption of people sitting at the top came through, but a bit heavy-handed and very convenient. Arrests and deaths happened too easily without letting the subplot fully bloom.

Too many characters felt underdeveloped as they simultaneously opened too many threads at the setup. By the time we were moving somewhere, it was already time to wrap up.

However, not everything was lost. The performances and acting across the board were solid. Roowan dominated the drama with his excellent acting performance. This is the first time I am seeing him in a non-polished, raw role. Seo Ham also looked very different here, and while the script didn't offer him much, he still left quite a good impression on me. With Ye Eun, the lack of screentime makes it harder to review her performance, but with what was given to her, she did well. The supporting cast had some good seasoned actors and no one disappointed.

Another thing I enjoyed was the bond between the bandits. I won't lie, I despised them at the start and was annoyed by their very presence, but they grew on me and on Siyul. They provided the comedic relief and brotherhood. It was like a mini break of happiness amidst the bleak and tragic premise.

Visually, the drama aced the setup. The outdoor locations, the grainy texture, the constant haze of dust and water...all of it feels lived in. It captures a world that’s both dying and alive, heavy with the smell of labour and loss. But sometimes the set-up was draining. I don't say it in a bad way, but on the front, it was too realistic.

Overall, Murky Stream definitely dared to ask uncomfortable questions about power, corruption and limits of conscience but somehow failed to answer them on the screen. I expected a deep dive into those murky waters, exploring the characters in that morally grey light, but I was never allowed to swim deeper. This quickly escalated into the case of over-ambitiousness.

Will I recommend it? No, I guess. The weekly experience was draining. But maybe binge-watching it can offer a different perspective.

Thank you for reading my review! <3 I hope you enjoy this drama more than I.

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Drama that speaks to the soul!

Finally, a Chinese BL that doesn’t end in tragedy and where we don't have to rely on scrutinizing micro-expressions to hint at romance. It’s right there, clear and unapologetic and I am here for it.

This drama had that charming indie vibe, short episodes, yes, but the emotional impact is massive. It proves that we don’t need a massive budget or big name studios to tell a good story. In fact, this one outshines a lot of mainstream BLs by a mile.

From the acting to the cinematography to the storytelling, everything feels intentional and intimate. There was heart in every frame and not once did it feel like it was holding back. I came in with cautious expectations, but I walked away genuinely impressed and honestly, a little moved.

The storyline itself isn’t anything particularly new. We have seen similar concepts before. But the way it was told here made all the difference. There was a quiet honesty in the execution that made it feel fresh, even if the idea wasn’t original. Sure, it could have been a bit more coherent in parts and maybe longer episodes would have helped the pacing and clarity. But given the production scale, it still managed to deliver something heartfelt. It knew what it wanted to say AND IT SAID IT WELL.

The cinematography is a quiet masterpiece on its own. It's deeply connected to nature, painting the drama in soft greens and in those warm earthy tones. The countryside setting is more than just a backdrop here, it feels like a character in itself. Tall green trees, birds chirping in the background, piles of fallen leaves on the ground, winding little roads, and calm water bodies with unexpected rains, it all felt like a breath of fresh air.
It’s the kind of visual storytelling that doesn't scream for attention but they get stuck with you in the best way.

On the acting part, everything felt natural, sometimes even a little chaotic, but in a way that fit their characters perfectly. It didn’t feel overly rehearsed or forced, which made the emotions hit even harder. You can tell it probably took a lot of courage from the actors to bring these roles to life and I am not here to nitpick because honestly, what they delivered on screen felt real and more than enough to carry the story.

Overall, this is the kind of BL I have been waiting for and asking for, real and refreshingly sincere. It may not be perfect but somehow it is!

I would 100% recommend this. The full series is on YouTube, so please watch it there and support the team directly. I will be sharing the channel link in the comments of my review.

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Twilight called and it wants its dignity back!!

I am no Stephenie Meyer, but compared to Golden Blood, Twilight did a pretty solid job, seemed more coherent than this and that alone should tell you everything you need to know about this drama.

Let’s start from the beginning. I was genuinely excited for this series. I waited eagerly for GMMTV to announce the slot, and the first few episodes didn’t disappoint. They were campy and kitschy in a fun, entertaining way, you know the kind of over-the-top storytelling that didn’t take itself too seriously and had great chemistry to carry it.

But here is the thing, we have come a long way with fantasy genre. Even supernatural world need logic (atleast some), some basic rules that make sense within the world they have built. Vampires don’t follow human logic, sure I agree, but their world should still have some kind of structure.
For example : when a human discovers vampires exist, the natural reaction should be fear, suspicion, or at the very least curiosity. You run, you hide, you maybe go home and do a little research. What you don’t do is fratenize with them five minutes later. I missed the whole chase and run aspect of a forbidden romance.

The whole "vampire lore" felt dull and dry. I am a sucker for supernatural romances but this went from campy to sometimes uncomfortable to watch real quick!

As the drama went on, the characters just started acting... weird. Their decisions didn’t make much sense and their emotions seemed to flip on and off like a switch. One minute they are scared, the next they are head over heels, with zero explanation. One moment one tries to kill the other and the next moment they are hot and heavy for each other.

The twists didn’t feel justified and they just kind of happened, like the writers were tossing in drama for the sake of it. It all started to feel really random and by the end, none of it came together in a way that made sense. Whatever logic the show had in the beginning clearly checked out halfway through and what was left was just an unintentionally cringey mess.

Coming to the romance, I could definitely see the chemistry between Joss and Gavin. Their NC scenes were a standout, just the right amount of spice and visually on point. But was that enough to save this sinking ship? Sadly No. Hot leads can't save a cold script.

And I am all for unique character quirks, but Mark’s obsession with Tong’s sweat (!?) was borderline gross. I get it, everyone has got their "thing", but maybe let’s stick to “you smell nice” instead of “your post workout musk drives me wild.”

The supporting character arcs (especially Nakan and Tonkla) had such a strong start. But somewhere along the way, in an attempt to make their journeys feel more “unpredictable” or shocking, the writing took a sharp 180°.
What we ended up with felt less like organic growth and more like a complete rewrite. It was jarring, almost as if we were suddenly watching entirely different characters. The emotional consistency and depth that made them compelling in the beginning got lost in the twist for the sake of surprise.

As for the acting, I’ve seen Gavin’s work before and I know he can act very well, but this script gave him nothing to work with. If anything, it dragged him down. Joss, on the other hand was a mixed bag. I haven’t seen him in anything else, so I want to give him the benefit of the doubt here. Maybe with a tighter script and better direction, he could show some range.

Also, I never knew budget could be a problem for GMMTV. Those golden lenses looked like they came straight from the bargain bin, you know buy 1 get 1 free thing. And the special effects just looked childish at times. I know Joss and Gavin are very easy on the eyes but this was a supernatural series, that is not the only visual we needed. They could have just polished that a bit.

Overall, this was the classic example of writing being the weakest link and everything had to suffer because of it. This show made me miss the sparkly vampires. I will not recommend this unless you want to watch it for the leads. But I would rather recommend watching YouTube shorts or instagram reels of them, things would make more sense there.

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Revamp : The Dead Story!

This had everything it needed to be a guilty pleasure masterpiece, from vampires to forbidden love to century-old curses to a tragic painting, and most importantly Boun Prem. And yet, somehow, it manages to take all that potential and throw it down the drain.

The premise opens dramatically with a vampire sealed inside a painting, freed by a modern man who is calm about meeting a vampire that he even offered to make tea. To be very honest, I wasn't expecting much from a vampire drama, but then it never lived up to the lore it built.

Coming to logic, or what I call the abstract art here, interpret it however you want. Now, starting from the start, Ramil being trapped for a century should make him disoriented, right? This man adjusts to the 21st century faster than most of us figure out new trends. Again, not asking for ironclad things, just basic stuff.

The drama till the very end couldn't decide what it wanted to be. Was it supposed to be a bit dark? A romance? A parody of its own genre? It felt like this project was directed by different people. One wanted it to be slapstick comedy, the other just wanted to see Boun shirtless but there must be someone who actually wanted the vampire drama with angst, so we also see sprinkles of that. I respect all three visions, but maybe not in the same hour. Somehow, the tonal whiplash weighed down the drama completely and made it boring.

They also introduced a hunter's subplot, and I thought this would bring back some life and excitement in this domesticated tale of a vampire, but I was again proven wrong. They totally underused it to the point that it just started looking funny. Imagine a secret organisation taking on supernatural beings and declaring war, but all of their plans lacked any preparedness. I will not even question logic here.

The only aspect that I enjoyed was the bond between Ramil and the vampire brothers (Methas, Ciar and Mekhin). It wasn't the central plot but I wished it was. They had each other's backs and it was fun where they shared the screen. Again, they totally wasted potential to actually explore the 3 characters and bring in some actual plot. Ciar might come off as rude and presumptuous, but he was the only one who acted like an actual vampire.

Coming to chemistry between the leads, the romance is what sank the ship. It was just too much and everywhere. I like the leads and their chemistry but here all the focus was on their love story, leaving everything else (the actual plot, pacing, character depth) adrift.

Acting-wise, Mark as Methas captured my attention and it was good seeing Barcode on screen. Rest, everyone was forgettable. Again, not bad but nothing to run home about.
The production itself wasn't terrible. The manor was gorgeous, and the opening OST was good. There were inconsistencies in editing, but at one point, I stopped caring.

Overall, this isn't unwatchable but boring. Things kept happening, but nothing held my interest. Everything was half-baked. Again, I understand the main plot is vampires and it is expected to be a bit campy. In fact, I welcome that trope, but this wasn't even a fun camp.
So yes, Revamp tried to suck blood but ended up sucking energy instead.

Will I recommend it? No. I am definitely not their target audience for this.
Will I recommend GMM TV to stop attempting vampire dramas? YES. PLEASE !

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Why seek therapy and help when you can just fall in love with your best friend!

The drama runs on the premise of the childhood friends x lovers trope. And when I see this trope, the first thing that comes to my mind is slow-burning romance where two people who grew up together with embarrassing memories and inside jokes, slowly come to the realisation that they are in love with each other all along. The yearning...the pinning.... the subtle hints...The holy grail of slow burn romance.

But what I got was anything but that. Instead of character development, gradual tension and those push-and-pull monologues, what I got was fast-forward confessions with abrupt mood swings and no subtlety.
There was barely any tension or emotional build up. Just a series of "Oh, I guess I love you now" in a very reckless way.

Character Descriptions-

Han Tuo: In the BL world, we are familiar with a lead having a tragic past or a childhood trauma. A'Tuo was no different. This man didn't need a relationship, but a therapist. Despite having a backstory, none of it translates into actual depth. His internal conflicts existed but briefly and for name's sake. I wanted to sympathise with him, considering how emotionally distant his mother was and his abandonment issues by his mother, but somehow how it was portrayed and how he dealt with it as a character annoyed me.

His way out was to trauma dump Junxi with an invisible PowerPoint presentation with two slides - "I am sad" and "I love you". With his backstory came possessiveness on another level. If we remove the romance angle, it is controlling and manipulative. And let's not forget his communication skills, or lack thereof.

At best, he was an overgrown child desperately trying to prove that he is the centre of Jun Xi's universe and that being together is the ultimate solution to all his problems.

Lu Junxi: He was a third wheel in his own relationship and not in a cute way. He was always reactive to A'Tuo's mood swings and possessiveness, and somehow I wondered if he even liked him, or was it just the pressure and the anxiety that came with not having your childhood friend around that you mistake it for love. He makes all his decisions with the legendary stone, paper, scissors game and loses more often than you think.

Romance between them wasn't healthy, but if I remove the problematic lens, it was cute in fragments. It thrived on the notion that one partner constantly crosses boundaries because "that is how they show love", while the other passively accepts as if that's what love is supposed to be like.

There were many aww factors, especially when they were being absolutely sweet and domestic to each other. The way they bickered over the smallest things with silly arguments and small acts of care did entertain me, and I did enjoy their boyfriend era.
They had decent chemistry overall with some good kissing scenes, but honestly, the red flags were raised so high that there is no way to sugar coat them.

Lin Xiao Yang: She was such a breath of fresh air. She was understanding, supportive and out of the trio, the most sensible. I have many issues with how characters are written in the drama, but I am glad writers didn't turn her into the cliche female lead in a BL drama that we usually see, who only causes chaos and is irrationally protective. I wish they had explored her character more or in general, her friendship with the duo.

The other side character, He You Mei, was a hit and a miss for me. I liked her for her quirkiness, but sometimes her behaviour was abrupt. The emotional scene of hers came out of nowhere, and with much context.

I liked Junxi's parents for not being the stereotypical asian parent we see. Them being supportive and treating A'Tuo with so much love was heartwarming to see!

Acting-wise, I found both the leads passable. I mean, the emotional scenes could have been way better, but it wasn't unwatchable. The rest of the cast also did decently based on what the script had to offer, but nothing outstanding.

Writing & Production: I think writing was the weakest link here. The character arcs were painfully uneven. I kept expecting meaningful emotional growth both for the individuals and their relationship, but it rarely appeared. At times, we seemed on the brink of progress, only for the story to backtrack and reset us near square one. On top of that, there were far too many flashbacks to their teenage years, most of which didn’t add much to the present-day story. It felt unnecessarily redundant. Production seemed decent as well. The sets were clean, and the locations felt believable. (The college had students and everything).

Overall, this isn't a masterpiece by any stretch, but it's oddly entertaining in its own way. I reviewed it very critically but if I keep my brain aside, it has a weird charm to its flaws.

Will I recommend it? Maybe, but with a giant asterisk. If you are in the mood for some low-stakes entertainment but a clumsy attempt at romance and a hint of sweetness... then yes. Also, their height difference was really cute.
But if you are here for a deep, healthy relationship with a well-developed character arc, please look elsewhere.

Thank you for reading my review! I hope you have a good day! <3

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A sweet summer ride with a dash of drama!

7.7/10

Positives :
✅ All the cast members were sweet, supportive and adorable. There wasn’t a single "extremely problem child" in the bunch, which made the overall atmosphere and vibe genuinely heartwarming.

✅ For me this was a unique and refreshing concept. The idea of living together to find a BL partner for a drama role was completely new to me and I really enjoyed it. It felt like a fresh twist on the usual reality show format.

✅ The panelists "The Aunty Squad" were over-the-top in the best way. They were funny, dramatic and very engaging throughout. Their silly commentary here and there added an extra layer of entertainment to the episodes.

Negatives:
❌ I did not enjoy over-the-Top drama towards the end. While the first 10 episodes felt genuine, the drama and sudden twists in the final two episodes came off as a bit too much. It somewhat disrupted the otherwise vibe of the show.

❌ I think I would have enjoyed this more if it had been an 8 or 10-episode series. Some parts felt a bit slow and dragged on.

❌ Now this might just be my problem but Poom deserved more panel love. It often felt like the panel forgot about Poom, especially when he was waiting for translations in the early 5-6 episodes. I wish they had given him a few extra seconds to catch up. It occasionally felt like he was watching the show alone. That said, it was nice to see him interact more with the squad by the end.

Overall, this was a creative and enjoyable ride for the most parts with likable casts and a fresh concept. Despite a slightly rocky finish, the journey was full of warm moments and making it worth a one time watch.

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Unspoken but felt !!

The drama left a bittersweet taste in my mouth. Some episodes lingered with a sense of ache and some with quiet warmth and a certain kind of comfort that felt familiar.

It follows the story of Sakura who lost his hearing in high school and then had to take a step back from all the relationships in his life.
The drama beautifully portrayed how disability doesn’t only affect the person who is suffering but causes a rippling effect impacting everyone who cares and lives with and around them.
It also tries to touch the topic of comparing the experiences of individuals born deaf with those who lose their hearing later in life and how they deal with it differently. The emotional journey is very different and both have their own challenges to deal with it.

Each character here navigated their own storm, finding different ways to cope, adapt and survive amidst whatever curveball life threw at them. Their journeys are messy and far from perfect but felt raw and real.
The drama does lean into melodrama and some decisions might feel illogical and frustrating. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that life is messy and sometimes we get it right, sometimes we don’t and that’s what makes us humane. But don't worry it's not the kind of frustration that makes you want to quit watching, but enough to keep a tissue box at your side.

The cinematography was stunning and the transition between past and present was beautifully done and each shift felt like a haunting reminder of how much is lost but also a hopeful reminder of what’s still possible.

Overall, this is an emotional journey that beautifully portrays that you don't always need words to communicate. Highly recommended.

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Romance was the cameo in this romcom!

The drama had all the perfect ingredients for
a sweet love story with enemies x lovers trope, but dragged on with 72 extra and totally unnecessary plotlines , making romance scarce. The plots centers around Yotin,  a spoiled city kid exiled to the countryside for some good old-fashioned character development and Jom, the responsible village chief appointed to babysit him.

Now, If I am being honest, I probably would have rated this higher if it hadn’t been sold as a romcom. This was more about Yo’s growth than anything else. His slow (and I mean slooow) journey from spoiled city menace to someone who finally gets that actions have consequences. And yeah, seeing that shift was enjoyable but that didn't come without a price. While everything worked for his journey, it definitely made the “rom” part of romcom feel like an afterthought.

The romance finally showed up but it was fashionably late (almost like it forgot it was invited). But when it appeared, it was gentle and adorable. Yo’s effort to show how much he cared about Jom felt genuine and their little honeymoon phase was really cute… just wish it had happened like a few episodes earlier. While their bond does develop over time but for the most part, it felt more like mentorship than romance. Still, there was an underlying tenderness in how they navigated their connection.

Now coming to what actually didn't work for me was the number of detours the drama took from romance. Almost every single side character had a story line with no major payoff. Most of it felt like background noise. They had a bit of everything from drug busts, mysterious exes, feuding uncles, that one female character who can't a hint, secret family drama, high school crushes, you name it, they threw it in. And while some of it was mildly interesting, most of it honestly didn’t serve the main couple’s arc at all. Like, I was here for the soft, slow-burn romance between Yo and Jom and their romance felt sidelined amidst all this.

Also the run time of the episodes bothered me. One of them was almost 2 hours. I guess if the writers trimmed down the filler, this could have been a standout. Maybe I am not acquainted with this particular style of storytelling.
Comedy was also more of a hit and miss for me.

Acting wise, both the leads did a good job. I hope to see them in better projects.
The cinematography was also pretty decent with all those beautiful country side setting shots.

Overall, this was decent, one time watch feel-good show with a wholesome vibe.
Would I recommend this? Hmm… if you are in the mood for a very slow burn, don’t mind a plot sprinkled with cliches and happen to have a whole lot of time (and patience) on your hands then sure. It’s not groundbreaking, but it is cozy.

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The chemistry and acting was Top! Writing was out of form!

When the plot wobbles and writing trips over its own clichés, chemistry between the leads saves the day! In this drama, that is exactly what happened. Despite the source material containing eyebrow-raising and rage-inducing content, the tension between Jin and Akin was everything right. The tension was high, sometimes I felt the air between them crackle. They single-handedly carried the show on their backs with their chemistry and acting with nothing but smirks, glances and an insane amount of tension.

Acting: If I had to rate this drama based on just the chemistry between the leads and their acting, this was 10/10 for me. Whoever decided to cast Smart and Boom together deserves a bonus because the chemistry is off the charts between them, both onscreen and offscreen. Boom has a very cute smile (It may sound silly, but it made a lot of difference to me xD). Surprisingly, both of them can deliver well and they ate in emotional scenes with no crumbs left. They overshadowed all the plot holes and questionable writing.
Also, all the NC scenes were done really very tastefully and emotionally loaded. And honestly, the emotional depth in those scenes outweighed the rest of the drama combined which is kind of amazing when we think in terms of acting but also sort of tragic when writing is put into perspective.

I hope they get more projects together where the quality of writing matches their superior acting.

Story: The source material of this drama is titled "Dakaichi: I'm Being Harassed by the Sexiest Man of the Year", and since I have watched the anime, I knew exactly what kind of chaos I signed up for.
I feel that since the foundation itself was flawed and problematic, the overall adaptation somehow felt weak in terms of storytelling.

One of the things that bothered me the most was the pacing. Even though the drama was very true to the source material, it was too fast for my liking. I wanted to see our leads gradually fall in love, allowing a more meaningful and deeper connection between them. Instead, it just jumped from one plot line to another without properly addressing the issues. Some pivotal scenes were just glossed over or happened to be handled off-screen entirely.

Also, too much was pushed under the rug. There were very questionable elements in the source and while I am happy that the drama didn't pick them all, the conflict resolution at times was just absurd, sometimes pathetic and laughable at its best. While I don't necessarily blame the actors ad production because of the source, but the writing would have benefited from a slower approach and it would have ultimately increased the real emotional payoff.

Another thing that wore me thin was Akin suffering repeatedly through all the pain, trauma, becoming more like a passive damsel in distress, and Jin becoming his saviour. While I wouldn't have minded once or twice, it was just repetitive. From how Akin's character was portrayed, he just reduced to someone who needed saving. He suffered like it was a personality trait and just couldn't catch a break!

Music & miscellaneous: Music-wise, it was a mixed bag for me. I was honestly surprised when the Korean OST played. Sometimes, the music added to the overall vibes, but other times, it made me question the taste of the people who picked it because it was clearly distracting me from the scenes.

Cinematography in a few scenes was exceptional. The production didn't seem cheap. And personally, I love the "drama in drama" trope, so I enjoyed the whole 'Legend of Gemini' phase.

Though I feel the blush on the actors could have been toned down because they are very attractive and didn't need it that much, in my opinion. And the hairstyle, the urge to pop onto the screen and remove the hair out of their eyes so they both can see, was on top and overwhelming. I could blame some of their bad decisions on the flawed hairstyling because clearly, the vision was compromised.

Overall, while I could see red flags and flaws from miles away even with a neon green sign, this was still a very enjoyable ride for me. The pacing is all over the place but strong acting and chemistry made it work. The Leads understood the assignment, but the script didn’t.
I will recommend this, not for the plot, but more for the vibes. I would advise reading the trigger warnings or researching it in general before picking it up because it does have triggering content.

If you pick it up, I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for reading my review! <3

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A Century of Cold Hearts and Warm Acceptance.

This is San's story of his century-long quest to find his love or 'reincarnated' love, Wat. The narrative was compelling, heart-wrenching and full of lakron-ish vibes.
It had melodramatic elements like the famous characters often finding themselves in very dramatic situations, accidental kisses or the main character fighting 10 men together and winning. Though overall it added an entertainment value (at least for me).

San is portrayed with a mix of coldness and vulnerability. I could sympathise with him and his cold demeanour because living for a century and seeing people close to him dying is a hard thing. I loved the dynamics of his found family with him! And Tao as his friend/advisor was such a support for him.
San’s initial reluctance to accept his feelings for a man and his disbelief about Vee’s true identity did spice things up and brought an intriguing dynamic to their overall relationship. To be honest San’s behaviour was a point of concern at the start, but this was somewhat understandable given his century-long lifespan. His outdated views did make sense but at last he did come around!

The fantasy and mystery elements of the drama were engaging but nothing groundbreaking or new but executed well enough to keep you hooked for the next episodes.
What I found disappointing was the undeveloped antagonist's role. The motivation and backstory weren't clear enough and felt underwhelming . Their presence seemed more like a villain requirement than a substantial threat. I missed the overall tight tension of a good villain in the story.

Coming to acting, Daou and Offroad's chemistry was very evident and so palpable. Their acting was so much better than Love in translation, especially Daou's. Honestly, their acting made me believe Vee was made for San. Them being around each other made everything more alive for San. The performances of the supporting characters especially Ju’s added a positive and entertaining aspect to the story.
I felt Third's character in the story was very insignificant. If he contributed more to the story ,it could have added an extra layer of drama and more cohesiveness to the reincarnation angle.

Overall, I’d recommend this if you enjoy soap opera-style dramas with strong chemistry to drive the story forward.

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A summer drama that looks better than it feels with paper-thin plot!

This is one of those dramas that walks in looking like a vibrant summer postcard and then quietly hands you… a plot that feels like it’s still on vacation. The set-up was promising. Lava, a moody teenager with emotional turbulence, is shipped off to an island to “reform” while living with his uncle. He meets Wave, a mysterious nan who was washed up on the shore and is memoryless.
Honestly, the drama has all the right ingredients. From identity secrecy to trauma and a prince in disguise, everything that you need for a good romance but somehow it lacks any depth and the emotional payoff is scant at its best.

Lava as a character, was one of the stronger elements, at least initially. He was prickly, resentful and lonely without fully admitting it. His moments with Wave were nice. But once the novelty of their connection settles, Lava’s characterisation hits a plateau. He reacts, he broods, he protects but he doesn’t evolve in any meaningful way. The script seems afraid to let him feel anything sharper than mild irritation or vague affection, which is a shame because his backstory had real potential for emotional bite.

On the other hand, Wave is introduced as this gentle enigma...vulnerable, soft-spoken and tender in a way that contrasts nicely with Lava’s volatility. But somehow the shallow writing doesn't give him anything. He feels like he was written to be more pretty than complex. And when I say complex, I don't mean complication, but to have a personality. Somehow, his entire personality revolved around being Lava's boyfriend. Remove that from the equation, and we barely know him. A prince stripped of memory should have been an emotional goldmine that could have been banked, but he was the least developed character of them all.

Their chemistry is… fine. But it lacks the intensity that would make their relationship compelling. Because the writing doesn’t challenge them enough, their bond feels like it’s floating instead of anchoring the drama. The drama seemed to be content with stolen glances, soft touches, and scenic silences. They were definitely beautiful but not necessarily meaningful. It’s the kind of romance that looks great in screenshots but feels lighter than expected when actually watching.

Another thing after the one-dimensional character was the pacing and conflict resolution. Some dramas try to reach for depth but this felt like it didn't even try. Every time the story tries to approach something heavy, it quickly backs away, scared and cuts to another scenic shot of the ocean hoping the view will distract us. The amnesia angle is treated similarly. It could have offered emotional depth, intense internal conflict and even moral dilemmas, but it’s used more for cute moments than meaningful character exploration. It almost works too, because the drama is visually stunning, just not enough to mask how hollow the narrative can feel.
There is a difference between calm storytelling and lethargic repetitive storytelling and this often tips into the latter. Conflicts appear out of nowhere and resolve themselves even faster.

Another missed opportunity was Wave’s royal background. This could have easily added layers of conflict with power dynamics or social pressure or the weight of public expectations, but we never truly delved into any of that. It did come but very late and seemed a little too convenient and last minute.

As for the second couple… I did enjoy their love story. The closeted uncle Pheng and Doc Wut. I loved how gentle and understanding Doc was of Pheng and his circumstances. Their relationship had real ups and downs that actually made sense for who they are and it all felt genuinely real instead of forced.

Acting-wise, I have mixed feelings about the leads. I have seen them in their previous dramas, but somehow the charm was missing. I don't know if writing was the problem. I hope we get to see more of Winny and Satang but with a better script. Mond and Ryu were a nice surprise. Neo was also very "himself" here. Never a dull moment when he was on screen.

Production and cinematography were the biggest strengths of this drama. It was visually gorgeous. The beach scenes, the atmosphere, the warm colour grading just matched the overall vibe and elevated in what ways it could...everything was crafted with such aesthetic care that it’s almost frustrating how little emotional weight the story carries.

Overall, while this is an easy watch where you can keep your brain aside and just watch, it doesn't stick. It gets cute, sometimes comforting but it feels hollow. I know the review sounds harsh but that's how my watching experience was. I binged the first 8 episodes, so I can't even recommend binging. Maybe weekly watchers might have a different experience. Not terrible, just underdeveloped.

Thank you for reading my review!<3 I hope you enjoy/enjoyed it more than me.

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This wasn't a proper way to write love!

The whole drama struggled with an identity crisis just as much as both the lead characters did. I was confused from the very beginning about whether it wanted to be a revenge love story or settle for a soft slice of life romance. What we got was a confused mix of half-baked angst and very shallow storytelling with the strangest attempt at romantic justice.

The premise is shaky. The whole "change your hairstyle, you are a whole new person" was asking a bit too much of our suspension of disbelief. And worse than that, both the leads are dating without Natsuo asking for as basic as the real/government name. What century are we in?

The romance felt like a chore. The infamous "he likes me, so he pulls my pigtails" trope didn't help either. There was a constant seesaw of self-esteem struggles of both the leads, some awkward glances here and there and monologues that seemed a little insincere. The chemistry and passion felt very mechanical... You blink and you will miss it.

Natsuo appears very full of life and spontaneous character and has this unwavering interest/love towards Hiro and I fail to understand why. The plot didn't give me enough reasons or scenes to convince me of the idea that “love at first sight” could be this intense, especially when he is unaware of Hiro’s true identity.
On the other hand, Hiro was completely opposite. To put it mildly, very plain Jane and a wallpaper personality. On paper, he was meant to be this intense, witty love interest harbouring revenge when he first meets Natsuo, but in truth, he seemed frustratingly boring. There was a significant contrast between how he thinks and how he acts.

The last episode was definitely better than the rest but the story left too many loose ends to tie for the finale. Their intimate sequence was nicely choregraphed and I could finally see the chemistry but it was little too late.

Hiro's workplace arc was another point which brought the drama down. It was both overdeveloped and underdeveloped at the same time. The focus should have been on the leads and their love story instead of wasting a little too time on competitions, which barely added anything significant to the story.

They really tried hard to convince this wasn't superficial with selling gardening and hair dressing as some big metaphor for life and love, but to me it felt like filler. A few of the garden scenes felt very abrupt and out of place. Why are we searching for who is plucking flowers in a garden rather than sitting and talking about each other, that too on a date ??!!

Acting-wise, it just felt fine. Not cringeworthy but nothing to run home about. I wasn't attached to both characters, so overall it felt very superficial. I do think the script also didn't give them enough to work with.

Overall, this was a miss for me. What could have been a simple and emotional story felt bland, and the pacing dragged in all the wrong places. It's definitely not unwatchable but it also never gave me any reason to care. The drama's whole focus was on aesthetic fluff rather than a meaningful romance.
Will I recommend it? Honestly, no or maybe. It didn't work for me, maybe it will for you. So if you are curious, the short runtime makes it an easy gamble.

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Sometimes slice of life, sometimes slice of why ! A drama that forgot its own starter pack/list.

On paper, this drama had a lot of potential with the premise of Tojo Suzume turning 40, staring down his uneventful life and deciding to tick things off a personal "before it's too late" list with his younger colleague Tanaka Keishi, who slowly becomes more than just a friend. Sounds charming, right? Unfortunately, that charm didn't last long. Somehow, what started all this, "the list", was forgotten completely, and too many fillers were in the second half.

The first half of the drama had a light, slice-of-life feel. The height difference between them was adorable, and they had this awkward yet endearing kind of bond. It is simple and digestible, almost convincing me that we are crawling towards a warm, slow burn romance with character growth.
But then the second half arrived and there was a tonal shift that was somehow very contrasting with the first half. The list that started all this conveniently became a forgotten prop. And instead of focusing on their relationship or individual growth, we were served with irrelevant subplots.

Tojo Suzume gave me the vibes of someone who buys a lot of self-help books but abandons each after skimming through the introduction. I felt like he was never evolved in 11 episodes (excluding the finale, because everyone gains wisdom here). He was adorable with his awkwardness in early episodes, but somehow still timid and hesitant till the end.
I get the self-doubt, really I do. Midlife crises are messy, and the feeling of being stuck just doesn't easily go away. But I was expecting sprinkles of self-acceptance here and there in the latter half but what we got was a man eating rameyon, assuring himself that he is better off alone rather than actually talking about it to Keishi or even to himself.
And even if you choose to stay alone because there is nothing wrong with that, I expected him to communicate better.

Tanaka Keishi, on the other hand, brought a very different energy. Even though he was almost 10 years younger than Tojo, he was very accommodating, calm and understanding. Initially, it looked like he brought colour to Tojo's life but that thought was challenged too.
The main conflict between the couple was due to Keishi's blurting out the denial to his friend in front of Tojo. While it was harsh and somehow uncalled for or could have been worded better, he isn't the villain here in my eyes. There was regret on his face as soon as he said it. Considering how Tojo was reserved and shy, plus Keishi was also paralysed by panic in the moment. Again, not justifying the line, but Tojo cutting all the contact with him rather than hearing him out was the main reason for angst.
"This is for the best! " This is one of my least favourite character traits, where one of them makes decisions for both without considering the feelings of the opposite considering both were involved equally.

The chemistry between them was sadly not convincing enough for me. They had all it takes to be good teammates and friends, but as lovers... those sparks from the initial episode didn't last, and I am not talking about the over-sanitised physical intimacy. They did come around at the end on that, and it was indeed sweet and surprising.

Acting-wise, both the leads performed decently. Though emotional/confrontational scenes of Shoji Kohei as Tanaka Keishi could have been better, especially in episode 11.

Totally unrelated things that I liked and don't know how to categorise-
^ I love the plushies and the little pep talks it gave.
^ The editing in the last episode was smooth, and the list finally made an appearance.
^ A running reunion scene. Japanese BLs would be incomplete without it.

Overall, this was a decent one-time watch. It could have saved itself if it were a bit shorter, maybe 8 or max 10 episodes. Someone said this gave "Old fashioned cupcake" drama vibe, until it suddenly… didn’t.
It's not unwatchable, but compared to how it started, it felt very average towards the end.

Will I recommend it? That's a tough one. I love J-BLs for their slice of life, cosy vibe and unique storytelling and if you are out of J-BLs, maybe give it a try with tempered expectations.
But if you are looking for sparks, chemistry or good development, look elsewhere.

Thank you for reading my review! <3

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The mighty rise, the ruthless middle and the underwhelming fall !

This is one of those dramas that walks into your life, kicks the door open with an insane amount of flair and then tests every bit of patience you have in you. Once in a while, in drama land, we meet characters like Ah Jin, the femme fatale. What frustrated me here was that her deranged, iconic journey was thrilling to watch, yet the downfall she faced barely scratched the surface of what she deserved.

Let's start with Ah Jin. She has razor-sharp intelligence, survival instincts honed by manipulation and borderline cruelty and a personality carved out of neglect and trashy parenting. The drama tells us from the start that she doesn't have or feel emotions from the very first scene when little Ah Jin climbs that staircase in that rain soaked scene. Every episode peeled a layer of her and every layer was worse and shocking than the last.
I made my peace that she isn't your typical damsel in distress FL but she is the reason everyone else is distressed and I am weirdly okay with that. I have issues with how the writing went in the second half. They wanted her to be everything. From a tragic figure to a ruthless mastermind and also a victim but a perpetrator too.

I agree that all the adults in her life failed her by a big margin, and her dad had it coming, and she was able to get my narrative sympathy because of that, until there weren't outsiders involved who had nothing to do with her trauma. Acknowledging her backstory doesn't make her actions neutral. Her actions were just a trauma response or self-defence. She manipulates, calculates and then strikes. Indifference to one's emotions doesn't make anyone morally superior to malice. They both are equally dangerous.

The real flaw wasn’t that she lacked guilt or remorse because we are shown she is foreign to those emotions but the fact that even story never created an atmosphere where accountability truly existed was a bummer. No one I repeat no one...not the adults or not the system or not even the narrative tone, stepped up to challenge her choices. That missing pressure made the entire world around her feel oddly weightless and very convenient. It took the edge off for me.

Coming to the second half, where I was waiting for her downfall, damn it was disappointing. When it was her turn to reap what she sowed, I felt the universe was biased because the writing acted like society was the one being unreasonable. Initially, the flag of methodical psychotic chaos waved right over her head, and suddenly everyone bends itself into pretzels to validate her perspective?
I can go on and on about her writing 100 when she got 10, excluding her father, but moving on...

Ah Jin's biggest victims were Jae Oh and Jun Seo, the Mercury and Venus orbiting her blazing sun. A perfect example of how different kinds of brokennes attract the same sun.
Jun Seo was someone who mistakenly misunderstood devotion as the purpose of his life and destruction as destiny. We get to see his moments of conflict, where we know who Ah Jin is and what she is capable of but chooses to be blind when it comes to her. I am not surprised by his character arc in the latter half as I predicted it.
Out of all her pieces, Jae Oh's dedication was the only one whose kindness feels unmanufactured. He had a soft side to him and I feel he was one of the two who brought Ah Jin's soft side out even though it was for a second or maybe I over-analysed the scene.

Ah Jin's greatest strength is how well she knows people around her and her weakness is that she doesn't value them a bit. I do feel a little sad for the boys but it wasn't something that was unexpected. They knew it! We knew it!
Also, this was Ah Jin's world and somehow everyone just accommodated according to her wishes and plans. Sometimes by how she hatches a plan and manipulated them and sometimes because it had to that way because writing.

That said, the performance by everyone was outstanding. Especially Kim Yoo Jung. That dead-eyed stare with that smile is iconic! The shift between vulnerability and menace was done so consistently well. The child actor who played Ah-Jin was another gem. Kim Young Dae as Jun Seo was another hit. His cold demeanour and that nonchalance did the work here. Kim Do Hoon as Jae Oh was a fitting find too. We had some star-studded guest performances too.

The cinematography and production just elevated the drama. The shots were intentional and very poetically presented. Though the editing in the later half seemed a bit choppy but it is very ignorable. Money was spent on sets and costumes and it showed.

Overall, while the first half charmed me left and right, the second half was underwhelming or maybe I had a different kind of expectations. The ending didn't sit right with me plus the lack of narrative justice disappointed me.
Still, it was one of a kind ride. Messy, chaotic and addictive to an extent.
Will I recommend it? Depends on if you enjoy characters like Ah Jin and don't mind heavy dramas.

Everything said, I have to acknowledge that every character here, especially Ah Jin is open to multiple interpretations and maybe all of them are neither black nor white. I can see why someone would rate this drama high but also low ratings are as justified as the high ones.

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Still together, still chaotic and still not talking!

This season carried the same chaos from season 1. Dramatic reactions, peak non-communication and emotional mess as Hajime and Akafuji navigate their way through figuring out their new relationship.

The comedy is filled with awkward pauses, dramatic zoom ins and over the top absurdity as expected. The non communication trope is stronger than ever but it didn't annoy me as much because I expected that, considering how much Akafuji worships Hajime and how difficult it is to convey your real feelings to your idol turned boyfriend.

But as much as I enjoyed the chaos, I was expecting a bit more growth. The emotional development of the leads felt kind of stuck, like they were still circling the same issues from Season 1 without really moving forward with the same reluctance to communicate. And while that works for comedy, it started to feel repetitive after a point. I wanted to see more emotional or vulnerable moments, something that showed how they understand each other or atleast try to convey their feelings but the drama sadly kept things on the surface level.
The pacing was somehow off too. Some episodes in the middle felt like they were stalling for time

Also, let’s talk about the kisses. Or well… whatever those were. I get it...if it had happened earlier in the season, I would have let it slide because of how the characters were at that point. But even the final kiss, after they had talked things out was honestly a bit disappointing. By then, I was just hoping they would rather hug it out and call it a day because watching that was more awkward than sweet.

Coming to supporting characters, the second couple was a pleasant surprise. They had good chemistry despite having limited on-screen time and the little backstory they gave us was enough for me to root for their relationship. I just wish they had gotten a bit more time to make their relationship more real. Hoping for maybe a little spinoff of their own in the future.
Haibara's character ended up being used mostly as a plot device to stir jealousy. I did like the little found family trope that they tried portraying but as a character he didn't get the depth he deserved.

Overall, while it didn't reinvent anything and fix all it's flaws from previous season, it stayed true to what made it fun to begin with. It was had that chaotic BL parody vibe.
I would recommend it if you enjoy the classic Japanese humor and overall chaotic vibes.

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