Jojo

Lost in the Monologue Mayhem !?

The plot started strong but unfortunately *a long sigh* it lost its way in the second half and picked up in the finale. But a little too late!
The concept of two BL actors starring together and falling in love - This isn't new. Feels like the ongoing trend in J-drama BLs. But this series didn't quite live up to expectations, at least for me.

The characters, Shirasaki Yuki and Hayama Asami struggled with a FRUSTRATING lack of communication throughout. The fact that they both pinned on each other as they sipped coffee in the penultimate episode just pissed me off.
There were many times when I found myself shouting, "JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER !!" While I do under this can be a cultural nuance, stretching it to the finale was a bit much.

They relied 'too much' on internal monologues, that after a certain point felt distant and unclear especially Shirasaki's reflections on his self-esteem and feelings for Hayama. I expected a good/some character development where I could see his confidence building slowly and gradually but I got none.
Hayama's reserved nature, despite publicly expressing his affection for Shirasaki, was equally frustrating and confusing at times.
Honestly, individually both characters were well-acted and had potential, but together they seemed "too similar", creating a somewhat repelling dynamic.

The finale was sweet. I was glad finally one of them decided to break the ice and be brave!
The intimate scene was shot to utter perfection! *_*
I liked how Shirasaki became a bit too bold and brave after the confession. Honestly, it was a treat to watch him happy. Lol.
I wish this could have happened in one or two episodes prior so that the ending wouldn't feel rushed (They didn't even sit for the coffee! That rushed xD) and we at least could get a deeper exploration of them being in a relationship for more than 10 minutes!!
Talking about the standout scenes, The Gnocchi-making scene tops the hall of fame!! It was sensual and kept PG-13. (WOW!)

The acting by both the leads was another positive for this drama. I found it simple and sincere. They did their best with what was given to them!

In conclusion, If you ride and thrive on angst, frustration and introspective inner monologues, I would recommend this!
I could have rated it higher if I had binge-watched it!

Overall, 7.7/10!

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Started strong with good chemistry then came the self sabotage trope!

This drama started with a charming setup and two leads who carried it effortlessly, only to fumble halfway by squeezing in unnecessary melodrama like it’s a full-length series. It has 5 bite-sized episodes, we are talking 8 to 10 minutes each, you would think every second would be used wisely right !!? But no, apparently not!

The premise here is familiar with the "classic fake dating" trope where Zai Rong is desperate to avoid an arranged marriage and Lu Xiao is a broke uni student trying to get by.
But what starts as a transactional setup quickly shifts into something deeper. From the second these two share a screen, the chemistry is fire with those looks, the body language, the quiet tension! Nothing feels forced and it felt like they don’t need big dramatic moments to sell it. Their vibe was lowkey sweet, a little awkward and just right.

Then the second half rolls in and suddenly someone decided this was the moment to throw in a dramatic ex and waste precious time on a classic meddling third-wheel plotline that added absolutely nothing

Even though the production is bare-bones, it uses its limited space well. Everything feels too intimate when the leads are on the screen.

Overall, the pacing is fast and with such a short runtime, everything from plot to characters stays surface level.
I have watched another BL "Trapped in Osaka" from this production house and loved it. The difference (not talking about the actual plot) was that they concentrated on the main characters and their stories. There were backstories and other characters mentioned, but they never took away from the screentime.

I would recommend it if you are here just for the chemistry (which is solid) but don't expect much. It's more charm over substance but since it's a mini series, there is not much to lose.

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Cute but uninspiring and forgettable! Same old, same old!

This is cute and everything, but it’s pretty much the same stuff I have seen before. It follows all the typical tropes, so while it's fun to watch, there is nothing to run home about.

Park DoHa and Woohyun had chemistry but it felt very fragmented and lacking in depth.
While they did tried to capture the essence of first-love jitters and the youthful charm that often accompanies the first teenage crushes, it didn’t feel convincing or genuine enough. There wasn't just enough chemistry on the table for me to ignore the plot holes.

As for Woohyun’s crush on his homeroom teacher, it came across more as a plot device than a meaningful subplot. There was little to no emotional depth in that storyline, making it hard for me to care about.
Also, I'm still not sure how or when Woohyun fell for DoHa. The pacing felt off and it seemed like they needed to be together just because there were only two episodes left. The pacing felt all over the place especially in the last 2 episodes.
Honestly all the connections felt very surface-level and superficial.

That said, I did enjoy the friendship between Woohyun and Sori even though their friendship wasn't explored much. The banters were cute.

This is my first time seeing the actors and with what is given, I think they did a decent job. The problem for me was more on how the characters were written than acting here.

Overall, this was enjoyable for a one time watch, but it doesn’t really bring anything fresh or stand out in any way. It's cute but ultimately forgettable in the end.

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Fake It Till We Make it !!

First off, major props for the ace representation! The inclusiveness and legitimate valid portrayal deserves praise!! They nailed it, though would have liked it if they had more screen time.

Chemistry? Chemistry-ing so hard! It was on fire from ep 1 to 12 ! Great and Inn were such a good choice, really hope they team up again in another series.
The supporting characters were amazing ! Their love stories had their own flair and drama and I was all in for it!

The comedy was a bit cringey (in a good way, if that makes sense). Lots of second-hand embarrassment, but somehow it worked for me.

But the way they dragged out finally admitting and committing to the relationship was kind of annoying and unnecessarily stretched, especially when they were always so domestic ALL THE TIME . It just felt way too over-the-top sometimes! They could've cut to the chase sooner!

Overall , If you're into sizzling chemistry, drama, with a touch of cringe-worthy comedy, I would recommend this. It's not perfect, but it's definitely entertaining!

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Recipe of Only Boo: Sugar, spice and Everything nice!

The story is simple - Cute and endearing one meets the stoic and cool. They fall in love. Fluff...fluff..issues..fluff.
But in this case, it is executed VERY well.

It is sweet, heartwarming and a drama you watch when you want to snuggle up on rainy gloomy days to cheer yourself up!!

Moo and Kang are both green-est flags with adorable and entertaining chemistry.

Moo's conviction towards his goal was really cool to watch. I liked how his journey was portrayed. From him being naive and an irresponsible kid toward his studies to meeting Kang and falling in love and still not giving up on his lifelong dream for the sake of love !! *slow claps*
Kang was the opposite. Given up on his dream (sort of) but then him meeting Moo and falling in love gave him a much-needed push to start chasing his own dreams. And he does!!
He is the epitome of being understanding.

I loved how the motto of their relationship was - "WE GROW INDIVIDUALLY AND TOGETHER!"

The interruptions caused by the constraints of Moo's idol life and their separation later actually made sense (Though I did cry with Moo). It didn't feel out of place and was not an unnecessary plot device. The time skip was manageable and wasn't ridiculously dragged.

As for the acting by the leads, it is done well considering it is Keen and Sea's first main role. Looking forward to seeing them in more! The other side actors also delivered well. Though I was a bit confused at first for the 2nd couple's story but glad it worked out in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed the friendship and bond between Potae and Moo in the last few episodes.

While the ending did feel somewhat rushed and the story could have better connected it's loose ends but it didn't diminish the enjoyment it brought !

Overall, RECOMMENDED if you want to watch something light-hearted with overflowing cuteness and green flags!

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If you're a fan of slow-burning romance, you'll love this!!

This drama beautifully captures the essence of love amidst social expectations and personal conflicts. I loved how the drama depicted the challenges faced by individuals pursuing their happiness and the effect of social class differences one faces while doing so.

The chemistry between the leads was intense and felt very authentic. Park Bo-gum's acting was phenomenal - his warmth, sincerity, and positivity made his character impossible not to root for, especially with that adorable smile. FL's acting was also realistic - you could see how she was battling her inner conflicts and vulnerability.
While the pacing may feel slow at times, especially in the early episodes, the gradual development of their love story is worth it. All the heartwarming moments intertwined with realistic reflections and struggles of life with its hopeful message about the power of love to overcome all, stand out for me.
The cinematography especially in the initial episodes set in Cuba, was breathtaking. I wished they had spent more time in there.

Overall, a must-watch if you love slow-burn romance.

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Lessons in Listening and Life!

The drama focuses on the experience of a college student Kohei, who is hard of hearing and his classmate Taichi. While the plot may not be ground-breaking, it somehow excels in character development. It also respectfully handled the topic of disability.

The heart of this drama for me lies in the individual development of Kohei and Taichi after meeting each other.
It sensitively portrays Kohei's struggle due to hearing impairment and how this impacts his interactions with others and his sense of self. I liked how he socialized and made friends, finally coming out of his shell after meeting Taichi. It was absolutely a delight to see him smile.
Taichi, whom I would call a sunflower in human form is one the most precious characters I have seen on-screen. His vibrant and compassionate nature breaks through Kohei's defences and yet somehow managed to find his own path and a sense of purpose in life. Although he needed some lessons in self-worth along the way, he managed to make it through. I enjoyed his interactions with his two friends and the way they both were supportive of his decisions without undermining him.

The dynamics between him and Kohei were portrayed with nuance and authenticity. Their relationship/friendship evolves organically. Taichi doesn't only sympathise and support Kohei but also challenges him in certain ways that encourage personal growth. On the other hand, the way Kohei slowly learns to trust and engage with Taichi reflected a touching journey of self-acceptance.
The way those two interacted - whether laughing, having deep conversations or sitting quietly beside each other for support felt so genuine and unforced.

What (sort of) disappointed me was the last episode or how they handled the 'love' in the love story. As a slice-of-life drama, this was 10/10 for me, but the confession from Taichi felt completely unrealistic and rushed considering how obtuse and oblivious he had been to Kohei's feelings and his own. Seemed pretty out of character.
Another character who felt completely unnecessary was Maya. Her heart might be in the right place, but she still needs to learn about respecting boundaries and some manners. I do acknowledge her struggles, her care and protectiveness towards Kohei but I feel almost all the time her character was saying things which were/are uncalled for! I was hoping she would be a positive catalyst in the story but to my surprise, I don't think she contributed anything substantial other than some jealousy here and there. 

Overall, it is a compelling watch if you consider it as more of a slice-of-life narrative rather than a love story where empathy and understanding are the driving force.

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Forbidden Love and it's realistic lessons!

The drama tackles the taboo issue where a student falls for his teacher. It was very delicately handled and was surprisingly well executed (almost).
It doesn't shy away from showing that actions have consequences which actually helped me sail through this and added depth to the narrative.

The pacing was slow but it didn't bother me much. The chemistry between the leads was present (Where it counted). The acting was good especially by the ML as a 15-year-old troublemaker who effectively made my blood boil with his decisions. The ML's mother's character maintained the balance throughout. Though I found her lies to her son questionable but her actions towards the relationship were justified!

While few scenes did take me out like the beach scene. They balanced it in the next episode with moments of regret and facing up to the facts! It added that realistic tone as it should.

One thing I found surprising was ML Akira not looking like a teenager, which oddly enough worked in my favour. It increased the viewing experience without the constant visual distractions of a typical teenager!

The ending was a happy one but I expected a bit more. It was too lackluster!

I would only recommend this drama to those who can approach it with an open mind. I do understand the concerns some may have with the overall theme, but it never glorified the issue and respected boundaries.

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Flirting with Morality in Decent and Clever Way!!

Alright, so this show- It's a fluffy, weirdly heartwarming rom-com with a twist of suicidal comedy. Yes! you read it right.
The portrayal of some very sensitive topic in the most amusing and clever way possible!

Haiba Jin, a morally grey teacher (but lovely human being) who is a bit out of line and a rebel stops a student Mikoto, a depressed soul who has lost interest in almost everything from committing suicide by offering a relationship as the last lifeline. His quirky and 'inappropriate' humor as he tries to cheer her up and sometimes distract her from her distressing life-ending thoughts is honestly an entertaining watch.

The chemistry between them is perfection *chef's kiss*. Even the intro song vibes with it. I really liked how Mikoto stood her ground against Haiba Jin's constant flirting. His charm game is on point! It totally worked on Mikoto (gradually) and on me too! *_*

I appreciated how they both were so self-aware that the relationship wasn't exactly kosher. They did roll with it but cautiously and delicately navigating the boundaries. The narrative was handled with thoughtful consideration.

The pace was surprisingly fast which is uncommon for J-Dramas known for a slower pace and inner monologues. However, I wish they should have spent a little more time developing the character's relations and individual personalities. It seemed hasty at times and the editing seemed a bit choppy with scenes abruptly starting and ending, which confused me here and there. But overall, these are issues that can be overlooked. Though the flashback scenes were done well to tie everything back together in a full circle!

This is my new comfort show and I would definitely recommend giving it a watch and a re-watch, too!

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Finding Solace in Art!!

Art Heals! Art liberates! That's the whole review!

The movie beautifully portrays this idea through the journey of Sousuke Aoyama. Despite suffering an incomparable loss, Aoyama finds solace and purpose in art, in this case painting.

While the story may feel familiar, the execution is done pretty well.
The movie doesn't shy away from depicting the raw and real nature of loss, whether big or small. It emphasizes that how we deal with them defines and shapes our identity.
One of the movie's most poignant messages is about individuality in artistic expression. It reminds us that being an artist doesn't mean mimicking others; our perceived flaws may be beautiful to the world.

Aoyama's journey is heart-wrenching at times yet uplifting. As an apprentice, his struggles with self-doubt are tangible and relatable. However, the moment he receives encouragement from people around him and begins painting, his smile becomes a beacon of hope. Aoyama's determination to paint every day, even when exhausted, serves as a powerful reminder that giving up isn't an option. The supporting cast also delivered remarkable performances overall adding authenticity and warmth to the overall experience.

The film beautifully exemplifies the importance of confronting emotions and persevering through misfortunes and hardship.

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From Clueless to Treasure : A warm romance! <3

The drama starts with Taishin's quest to thank someone whom he feels indebted to for past comfort. What began as an ordinary journey soon developed into a heartfelt and engaging narrative.

The two characters - Takara and Taishin were poles apart but fit together perfectly. Taishin genuine openness and persistence contracts with Takara's initial aloofness. Yes, Taishin was slow, shy and more often than not clueless about most things but he really stepped up to reassure his senpai when it mattered the most. Also the way Country Mouse stood up against everything that might hurt Takara was surprising and heartwarming to see.
Takara started off with a brusque, aloof demeanour often masking his feelings with a tough exterior. He is the classic green-flag tsundere. He had a deeply caring side that revealed itself through small and thoughtful gestures. When he confessed about his traumas, he was open to self-improvement and recognised his behaviour might be problematic.

Together they were far from perfect but each other's treasure. Also both their smiles were one of my favorite things about this drama! *_*

The pace of the story was slow but it didn't feel lagging or boring. The focus on the characters and small details about what they find comfort in drives the narrative.

But what I found underwhelming was the last episode as compared to the penultimate episode. It felt a bit random but the realisations that followed through were both precious and necessary.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this if you don't mind slow-burn romance and like your man Tsundere.

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Flames, Fumbles, and Fierce Chemistry!!

Kill Me Love Me unfolds like a vibrant tapestry, with themes of love, revenge and shadows of past tragedies. Set against the backdrop of the Yan Dynasty, the story introduces Murong Jinghe, a proud general whose victory over the lost territory of Qingzhou spirals into a nightmare as a catastrophic fire burns the city to waste. And Mei Lin, a young woman whose dreams are reduced to ashes in the aftermath of that fire , gives birth to a fierce assassin. Once a vibrant-spirited Mei Lin now wears the cloak of vengeance.

The chemistry between Jing He and Mei Lin was the driving force for me here. It was electric and so palpable. The constant push and pull were filled with tension that simultaneously exuded animosity and attraction. The emotional complexity of their relationship was portrayed well - the conflicting desires, and the weight of their both past and present choices. Each interaction revealed layers of vulnerability showing how their shared pain both drew them together and kept them apart.

Visually, this was a feast for the eyes. The cinematography was beautiful with ethereal landscapes and rich costumes. The attention to detail in the setting made the experience both grandeur and tragic when needed.

But this wasn't without flaws. The show started on a very high note with a revenge plot (enemies to lovers trope) but it felt like they revealed everything too quickly and anti-climatically diluting the initial tension. I was glad they didn't stretch the misunderstanding part for half of the drama, but I was expecting the duality of ML to be maintained for a few more episodes to do justice to that arc.

All the antagonists in the story felt weak to me. The crown prince acted as a jealous angsty teenager wielding immense power wreaking havoc and burning cities knowing that his father wouldn't intervene. And the emperor was just blind eye to everything and for so many years, sort of came as foolish to me.
The second FL was too stoic for me. Some nuanced deep plot arcs didn't come across effectively due to her flat expressions. I didn’t feel she contributed much to the story. It would have been almost the same without her.
Also, I found the romance between the emperor and Zigu quite problematic, to the point where I almost skipped all their scenes. While I understand that the period depicted in the drama had its own cultural norms as it was a common practice back then, I couldn't bring myself to watch it.
As for the ending, I have a hard time accepting it. (Will talk about it at last as it will contain spoilers.)

Overall, this was a drama with an intriguing premise and strong acting performances especially from the leads. While it falters in pacing and character development, the chemistry and visuals save the day. Recommended if you are looking for a mix of romance and a bit of vengeance and power struggle, though be prepared for a story that might not meet all the expectations.
Ghost General will remembered , even though vaguely ! :(
** SPOILER: ABOUT THE ENDING** (Please don't read it if you haven't watched the drama)

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To be completely honest, I was shocked with the sad ending. From what I have read, the novel that the drama is inspired by has a happy ending. It felt like the writers prioritised shock value over a meaningful conclusion, sacrificing character development and emotional payoff for the sake of surprise.
It felt abrupt, disconnected and honestly MeiLin & Jinghe after such a tragic and intense journey DESERVED to be together. I could convince myself that they would be united in the afterlife but this ending just felt like lazy writing where the attempt at shock was simply very disappointing.

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The real prophecy was fluff all along!

Some dramas want to challenge the world, and some just want to make you smile after a long day. My magic prophecy belongs to the 2nd camp.
It's light and happy to live in the land of fluff.

The premise uses tarot card-inspired themes. Each episode is named after a card, hinting at what is coming, which is unique in my opinion, but the drama doesn't focus much on fantasy. In my head, I thought they would lean into a puzzle box narrative with heavy mythology of tarot cards, but they settled for a simpler story. Again, which wasn't bad, but I feel they missed on this.

The story is also pretty straightforward. It follows the journey of Thap, a skeptical ICU doctor who doesn't believe in fortune-telling, and Inthu, a tarot card reader. When Inthu predicts a streak of bad luck for Thap that could lead to his death, he begrudgingly decides to believe him and they seek shelter in Inthu's hometown.
The chemistry between the leads is the biggest strength here. It is warm, cosy and healing. I enjoyed their initial banter and gentle arguments. But since no BL is complete without one of the leads having a traumatic past, this was no different. Inthu had demons of his own to deal with, and what I loved the most was how Thap broke those walls slowly and gently. Somehow, everything clicked naturally and every tiny moment built up to something emotional.

It was very sweet and comforting but it was also very safe. This is where my disappointment comes. When I see a fantasy element mentioned as the primary plot device, I expect it to be present and used to actually make a difference in the story and not just episode titles. While the tarot gimmick adds a unique wrapper to the story, it was underdeveloped. I kept waiting for the fantasy to sweep me away, but it ended up buried beneath all the romance and fluff.

Coming to the second couple, while I do like the pairing, they felt more like an afterthought. They were sweet and we did have cute moments, but they didn't get much development.

Also, there’s an attempted murder mystery plot lurking around, but honestly… I called the antagonist by episode 3. Even if I give myself a slow clap for that and move on, the story barely cared about the subplot anyway.

Acting-wise, Sea wins the award for me. All the emotional scenes of him breaking down had me in near tears too. It felt messy and painfully real. Jimmy also complimented him well though I found him a bit stiff at times...nothing really too distracting though. I liked Save's acting here, even though his character as the Inspector was a bit foolish at times. I am looking forward to seeing him more. Franc was also decent, though whenever he had a scene with Save just bantering around, he always had this smile on his face which was awkward. I am not sure if it was intended that way. Also, I loved Junior's performance here even though it was very brief.

Production and cinematography are bright and easy on the eyes. I liked the whole countryside setting and the hospital scenes did feel real. It's a GMM TV production, I don't think budget is an issue for them.

Overall, for the fluff, it absolutely delivered...I had fun, I smiled and I even teared up a little. I rated it for what it actually gave me. But beyond that, it doesn’t bring much new or fresh to the table. The story plays it safe, the fantasy elements never fully bloom and the subplots feel undercooked. It’s sweet and satisfying in the moment, but not something that will stand out among the more memorable BLs.
I would recommend it if you enjoy fluff with healing vibes. Just don't go in expecting complex plotlines or mind-blowing twists.

Thank you for reading my review! <3

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He came... he haunted and he healed!

I genuinely thought this was going to be another campy adaptation but I am pleasantly surprised by the good execution.

Menn is a grumpy ex-thief turned undercover informant, who somehow ends up getting married to Titi, who is dramatic, clingy and very much dead. They embark on a journey of 'who killed Titi' and what could have been a paranormal disaster somehow morphed into this weirdly wholesome and emotional movie.

Their character dynamics felt very genuine. The evolving connection was handled with emotional depth, wit and a certain level of chaotic charm. It was a little cliche and slapstick at times but it never mocked or reduced their individual journeys. The humor never came from character's pain points. Their partnership is what drive the movie for me.

The movie juggles with too many threads at one time, from action (police investigating drug lord) to relationships to grief and finally some self-discovery. While it does justice to almost all the sub plots, it did feel a little chaotic at times. The pacing also suffered especially during the last closing scene between Menn ,Titi and his dad. It definitely had emotions, but it didn’t hit as hard as it could have. It felt like it was almost there, just needed a bit more weight. That scene had a better impact on me in the OG version. ( When I say better, it means I full on cried)
Comedy was hit and miss for me, but mostly hit. Action scenes were less but was decently done. Since I already saw the OG version, I knew what twists were coming, the reduced the shock value of key moments.

The cast delivers solid performances, especially the leads. They breathe life (and afterlife xD) into the characters that could have easily fallen into caricature territory. It's been a while since I saw Billkin and PP Krit on screen and honestly I missed them. Even though romance wasn't a focus here, but they had very comfortable and visible chemistry.

Overall, this was fun, chaotic and far more thoughtful than it looks on paper. The humor is loud but it sneaks up on you. It is not perfect by any means but a good one time watch!
I would definitely recommend it!

Side note : I wanted to title the review as 'Boo-hemian Rhapsody' but decided otherwise! 😂

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A shoulder to lean on!

This is the type of drama you watch when you are on a 30-minute cab ride home, wanting to unwind after a tiring day , shut your brains off and just vibe. It’s light, sweet, and honestly kinda funny in a lowkey way.

The story is super simple, but it’s the kind of simplicity that is oddly satisfying. Natsumi, a quirky girl meets Haruto, this eccentric guy who’s obsessed with celebrating random, silly days and they end up getting closer every Wednesday with one shoulder nap at a time.
There’s no forced drama, no love triangles , just these two figuring each other out while casually sharing a shoulder.

Since the series is too short, there is no real character development and the pace is fast , but it makes you feel warm!

Overall, a simple, cozy feel good story. Perfect for when you need a little break or a pallet cleanser.

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