Jojo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A Pleasant Surprise !!

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

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

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

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

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

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Finally completed it ! But at what cost *sigh*

Well I started this drama with alot of expectations and sadly it just couldn't deliver for me. I dropped it after 21 episodes.

The main issue for me here was the story. The writing was extremely lazy - plot holes , slow pacing of the story and how the character arc went. I do love a slow burn romance but this seemed rushed and slow at the time like I know it doesn't make sense but from leads meeting to their interactions and their journey to love was just not organic.

The only thing I liked about this drama was the male lead and his acting. It is what made me push till 21 episodes ngl. That 8.0 in acting is just for him to be honest. The female lead kind of infuriated me at times. I just couldn't relate to her not being honest with male lead about something life threatening , assuming things and having the clueless same expression in almost every scene. The writing for her part was way worse than the whole story.

The chemistry between the leads looked a little forced to me. I kinda liked the story of second leads better than the main's.
Usually when stories don't work for me, its the acting / chemistry that saves the day! But this drama literally was 'NO' for me in both the departments.

Edit : 26 Dec 2024 : I finally managed to complete the show in mission to clean my dropped list and the rating remains the same. It did not get better on any fronts but I was glad it atleast didn't get any worse.
I WILL NOT recommend this!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Please "Anti-Reset" This!

I really had high hopes for this series, especially since I enjoyed the parent story Anti-Reset. Unfortunately, this spin-off or sequel was a miss. The central plot revolves around a robot/AI falling in love with a human but here it felt poorly executed and frankly, very unconvincing.

One of the major issues for me was the Ever 4's (robot character) emotional development. From the get-go, him as an AI seems to have an overwhelming amount of emotions, which felt unnatural and forced. I honestly thought the big reveal at the end would be that the "robot" was actually a human pretending to be one, and I think that would have made more sense for the storyline.
Instead, we were expected to accept that an AI is capable of such complex feelings from the start. It’s not that it is impossible, but the writing didn’t lay the groundwork for it in a convincing way.

Then there is the romance between Luo Bu Shi and Ever 4. While they had some cute and sweet moments here and there especially in the finale , their relationship felt shallow. The writers had a solid opportunity to dive into Luo Bu Shi's emotional burden and explore the complexities of an AI-human relationship, but instead, it was only briefly touched before shifting focus to the physical intimacy. This made the romance feel forced and underdeveloped. Their emotional connection never felt real enough to support the idea of an AI and human truly being in love. It felt more of a surface-level attraction than a deep, meaningful relationship.

The second couple didn’t do much to redeem the series either. Their chemistry was lackluster and the lack of emotional depth in their interactions made it hard to care about their relationship. I didn’t feel invested in them as a couple.

Visually, the drama looked like it had a decent budget but when it came to the sci-fi aspect, it totally fell flat. It felt cheap, almost like it was trying to cash in on a futuristic aesthetic without fully committing to it.

Overall, this was pretty disappointing. It wasn’t the worst thing I have watched but it definitely didn’t live up to expectations I had and if compared to Anti-reset, this was just dim !

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Was hoping for a full course feast, was only served starters!

Sugar Dog Life feels like a comforting bowl of porridge - light, stress-free and easy to digest. However, like porridge, it lacks depth and excitement, leaving you wanting something more flavorful. The story was enjoyable but it only skimmed through the surface without exploring the characters.

To me, this felt more like a one-sided love story. While Isumi clearly carries romantic feelings for Amasawa, we don't get Amasawa's POV till the very end. It felt like he treated Isumi as a friend rather than a lover or a partner. Their interactions felt very platonic. I am all here for a good slow burn but feelings should simmer on both the sides. It was frustrating at times.

I wanted a full-course meal to know more about the characters and their intentions but instead, I was served starters which left me craving for more. Both Isumi and Amasawa's characters hinted at complex flavours with fragmented glimpses of their backstories but ultimately couldn't make it to the table.

Despite this, it skips all the heavy drama to keep the narrative light and feel-good. The lead actor's performances are what carried the drama. It felt very authentic. Isumi's friends as supporting characters were such a delight. I enjoyed their warm camaraderie.

Overall, the pacing was a bit uneven here and there, and the romance felt undercooked, but I would still recommend this if you are looking for something simple and full of gentle moments and of course food.

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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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Awkwardly Ever After!

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

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

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

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

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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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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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A sweet love story if you squint, ignore all logic and pretend your brain is on vacation!

This is a drama I would have definitely enjoyed a few years back or when I was a teenager.

Teerak who is supposed to be on the cusp of "adulthood" , can't take the most basic steps without relying on others. The constant indecision and need for validation from others felt like an unnecessary plot device. Instead of exploring the genuine struggles and challenges that come with transitioning into adulthood, he ended up being reduced to mere caricatures of helplessness! Also, his sister's constant interference in his life wasn't helping the case. Though he does improve over time, the development feels too little, too late.

Muenfah on the other hand was the ultimate Tsundere, cold on the outside but warm underneath. I found his character rather endearing, driven by logic and reason, a contrast to Teerak's emotional turbulence.

Don't get me wrong, Teerak and Muenfah's relationship was sweet and they had good chemistry but it felt very surface level. I felt no real depth in both their characters.

The camaraderie between Teerak and his friends and Muenfah with his group, however was the highlight. Their interactions offered a welcome distraction and kept me invested in the story.

The second couple, Real & Hia provided somehow the comedic relief but somehow their love story wasn't convincing. The pace felt off and uneven. I wish they gave them more screentime to make their love more believable because they definitely had chemistry.

Acting : Thomas's acting was decent and believable, but Kong's performance in the emotional scenes felt somewhat underwhelming. The supporting cast also does a good job with what the script has to offer. Again, the characters are not written with enough emotional depth for me to see if they were really good or bad.

In the end, this drama missed more than it hit. While it's certainly light-hearted and digestible , a perfect palate cleanser, it lacked the substance and emotional depth that might have made it memorable. Recommended only if you're in the mood for something easy and don't mind characters who behave like toddlers.

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