School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To
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Wholesome Story!
I really liked this JBL, honestly JBL's do it very well when it comes to making a good series that is perfectly balance and most of the times it has a lot of chemistry and slow burn which I love overall! This one had it as well, its a very cute slow burn, to the point they don't kiss until the last episode, and that's one of my favorite things a show can do, only reason why I didn't rate it higher was because regardless of me loving the slow burn and all, I wish I had seen a bit more to them and them being a couple, and also slightly more chemistry, like it was there it was just lacking a bit and it was a bit of a noticeable thing. At least for me, regardless it's a solid BL and it's super wholesome and cute! I really love seeing coming of age series, those are so pure. And I'm glad I got to see more of them with the 2 special episode or after story. We got to get a glimpse of them in a relationship, though I wish it was a bit longer, I was still satisfied with everything overall! Decent watch!Overall 7.5/10
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I'm At Lost For Words
This is such an amazing movie, I felt so much during these 2 hours, and at first I thought I wouldn't like it too much because a lot of things in this plot weren't my cup of tea, but it all balanced itself out and it became a perfect mix of a rollercoaster of emotions, even though this doesn't have a happy ending like how I usually like or wish it had, it was still very well done, and it had its good moments and good chemistry, this is a devastating story but its beautiful regardless, it just shows so much emotion and so much realistic views on real life problems, marriage inequality, and economic issues. It depicts greed and the yearning of money so much, the actors do an amazing job expressing each character individually and being able to show across a screen how these characters were feeling. I am at loss for words so theres nothing else I can say, but in very short, I loved this movie, its been a while since I've watched something this good, I honestly recommend it with every part of me, but be warned about the rollercoaster of emotions and sadness you will experience. It's a tragic story, to say the least.Was this review helpful to you?
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Cringe & All Over The Place
I watched the Korean remake first and wasn’t planning on watching this one since I heard it wasn’t good but I liked the Korean remake so I wanted to watch more. Therefore I gave this one a try, at first it was okay, I was able to watch it pretty decently, sometimes it was hard to continue because of how cringe the characters were (mainly Zon) and just how boring the whole storyline was in general. The only reason I kept going was because of the relationship between Tutor and Fighter but after they went on their beach vacation that was enough for me to fully get bored, because there was nothing for me to be excited for anymore and since I’ve watched many BL’s I can guess what’s gonna happen in the last 3 episodes I skipped and decided to drop. Therefore I didn’t even finish the show because I won’t sit for 1 hour and 5 min to just watch some cringe content and arguments form. I don’t want to compare this one to the Korean one because at the end of the day this is the OG, but I think the main reason why I liked the Korean one better was because it was short and simple. The story was told fast and with the perfect amount of information we needed for context and that’s it. I really hate long shows and BL’s but some are worth watching every minute of it. This one on the other hand. Wasn’t the best. Was it the worst? No. But could’ve been better. Also I watched “Peach Of Time” before this show and seeing Zafiah and Zon together as a couple just seems wrong to me since I saw them having more of a friendship/brotherly bond rather than a relationship bond. But they’re actors so ofc they’re gonna have different roles and I’m sure they’ve acted in multiple shows together. But I just wasn’t used to it. Anyway, if you like lengthy quirky shows with some cringe in it, then this is for you, if not then I wouldn’t reccomend.Was this review helpful to you?
Disappointed
Honestly I'm disappointed but not shocked, I didn't love the "Love In The Air" plot, honestly I never understood the hype for it, yes the NC scenes were good for both "Love In The Air" and "Love Sea" but both also lack plot imo, "Love In The Air" has a bit of a better plot than this one but God this one got boring fast, it took me a while to finish and honestly I just couldn't go through with it all and skipped the last 2 episodes and the special episode, all seemed boring as hell. After episode 1-2 everything goes downhill, I hate when characters have these backstories that are so annoying and the story just never goes well with it, it was just so so so so so so boring. The NC can't save this one. I'm rating it a 7 cause honestly even after episode 2 I was kind of hooked with the idea we would get something from the WLW story, but even that one was boring and weird. Also the quality was good, and other aspects of it were good so I'll make my rating higher but if it was just according to the plot, I would rate this a solid 6-6.5. Hoping for better, shorter BL series from them in the future.Was this review helpful to you?
I'd Rather Quit Than Die, Director!: Uncut Version
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Not A Strong Short Series
Maybe the fact that this series is very limited in time makes it lack so much, but it’s not the best. This story is about someone who gets in an accident, passes away and gets revived but now is a year in the past. This character with the knowledge he now has from his future self, he tries to do things differently and finds his little lover. While I’m not the biggest fan of this plot alone, it wasn’t really interpreted well, a lot felt rushed and like there wasn’t any sort of build up in the relationship, ever since the ML met the second ML, the second ML was extremely kind and interested in the first ML. Therefore it didn’t feel like anything was actually built, in the sense of their relationship and what led to it. But regardless it’s not the worst thing ever, not really my cup of tea, but not horrible. I wouldn’t 100% recommend, just because there’s better out there. But anyway I rate this 7/10.Was this review helpful to you?
Controversial, But Hear Me Out
Well don’t know where to start with this one, but I will say this BL is a little controversial since it can be viewed in different ways depending on the person. I have a very “in the middle” opinion with this show so I will state what I think like if I’m writing an informative essay… kinda lol.Some may state that this BL is considered incest while others will state otherwise. But as of now let’s focus on the first opinion.
Is this incest?
Well considering they’re not blood related, no it’s not incest but other factors play a major part into why this could be seen as incest. Other people have mentioned how the fact that since Qian raised Yuan since a very young age that he should not have those sorts of feelings towards Yuan. I read a review saying that it’s understandable that Yuan had those feelings considering his rough past and also him being young and taken care of by Qian could possibly confuse him and make him have feelings for Qian. But Qian reciprocating those feelings is just plainly wrong because for one he’s old enough to understand what’s right and wrong. And two he basically saw Yuan grow so you would guess they would only have a family relationship and feelings towards eachother. Now, this is something that I am confused about, though liking an adopted or non-blood-related person is very possible mostly if they’re adopted already while you’re in your teens or so. But if you’re growing up with them since little I would assume you would only see them as a family member. Like this is what I would see it as but if my family adopted someone when I was very young and I grew up with them I would never have such romantic feelings towards them since once again, I grew up with them and will only see them as a sibling. I’ve also never understood how in some shows best friends that grew up together also start having feelings with eachother because to me if we grow up together I will see you more as a family rather than a friend that could possibly turn into something romantic. You know? Now having a best friend that you grew up with since very young and having an adopted person that you grew up with are very different things because, one is adopted lol so that automatically makes you related to them. But it’s still something that seems to play a similar role to me because once again, if we grow up together, you’re family to me and I will see you as such. It’s not the same as meeting someone who was adopted by your family when you’re, let’s say 15 and they’re 15 too, and by the time you’re a bit older you realize you have feelings for that person because once again you met that person at a pretty mature age and didn’t technically grow up together.
Anyway, that’s all I have to say about that opinion. I side with both opinions being stated for this show. Because once again it’s controversial. But let’s talk about the second opinion and come to a conclusion.
Is it not incest?
Morally speaking it is, realistically speaking from DNA and so on. No, it’s not. No matter what anyone thinks they’re not blood related. So is it not incest? Before I keep going let’s search up what incest is. And from a quick search it states “ Incest is human sexual activity between family members or close relatives. This typically includes sexual activity between people in consanguinity, and sometimes those related by affinity, adoption, or lineage”. Therefore based on this definition what they did is incest since he’s adopted by Qian. But once again they’re not blood related. Since I can remember the word incest has mainly been used when actual blood related members of a family have a romantic relationship between themselves. Though when someone dates their stepbrother or stepsister it’s a little bit more normalized but by some it’s also considered incest. There’s a lot of shows/movies about stepsiblings catching feelings for eachother, but back to the age thing most of the times this is portrayed, the stepsiblings meet when they’re in their late teens and don’t necessarily grow up together. So it’s not as controversial. Cause it’s like a friend of yours or your crush suddenly becoming your stepsibling cause your parent and their parent decided to be together.
Ok that’s all I can think of to say for both sides, ngl trying to write out about this not being incest was a little hard because the way this BL is portrayed is very much incest coded.
But to conclude, this BL is gonna be seen differently by many different people depending on their own personal views and opinions. I myself will admit that I’m in the middle about this show, although I do see why it’s seen as incest I can also accept why it’s not. Yes, it’s more to the incest side because of different factors such as age gap, the fact Yuan was adopted by Qian, the fact that he was very young when he was adopted by Qian, and the fact that Qian played a father, mother and older brother role for both Lili and Yuan throughout the years, and not only until Yuan confessed his feelings did Qian suddenly start having those feelings for him as well which leads me to think that before Yuan showed signs of liking Qian and also confessed, Qian had no such feelings for Yuan. And that thought makes it a bit weird but also not? Once again, controversial as fuck. Very complex to actually put a label on it as either incest or not incest. At the end of the day, they were both kids when they met eachother, there was an age gap but possibly no bigger than 7 years, but still they were kids when they met. They both had hard lives and tough pasts. A lot of trauma and no therapy or anything that could’ve emotionally helped them. Even Qian would have nightmares about his mother, therefore he isn’t mentally stable to make more mature reasonable decisions such as not dating your adopted brother. Both need therapy and need help mentally, and the fact that they liked eachother isn’t 100% their fault, most likely not their fault at all. For one you can’t control your feelings, and second they’re both not mentally stable to possibly understand how weird it actually is. And the fact that everyone else accepted it so easy didn’t help this case either. Because in reality this probably wouldn’t have been so easily accepted by people mostly coming from a gay relationship. But that’s just how this show turned out to be and we must accept it as it is. Overall I will admit it was a good show, the acting was good, the story was decent, and everything else was good too. It’s just a little controversial but that shouldn’t be something you let ruin your watching experience, mostly when you consider the other factors as to why things turned out the way they were. Was it a little unrealistic in some parts? Yes. But this whole show is a little unrealistic and controversial all over. But also realistic and relatable in certain parts.
Final thoughts
Have an open mind when you watch this show, your opinion is valid whether you think this is incest or not, or both. It’s up to you to let this show be a certain experience for you wether that be a bad, good or both. But let’s not lie, the chemistry was good, and so was the acting, casting, and directing.
Overall: 8.8/10
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Educational, Sentimental, Intriguing
This show shows you the perspective of different kinds of relationships varying in ages and sexualities. Showing the ups and downs of each relationship and how they solve them throughout the series. It educates people on different topics such as sex, family, relationships, marriage and more. I really enjoyed this series because it kept me entertained but also seemed educational in different aspects. It gave you the perspective of all the characters and how some things can be misunderstandings and could be minor issues that with miscommunication it becomes a bigger problem but with time, patience, cooperation, communication and involvement it could be fixed. It showed the struggles of what a married couple could experience at a specific moment in their marriage and how it affects them overall, this show does an amazing job at showing how sexual attraction can be affected once you’ve been with someone for a long time and how issues with sexual intercourse could arise due to lack of time, lack of interest, and just not enough communication and also making plans to switch things up here and there. It showed conflict, sentimental, happy and confusing moments and more with family and how it all evolved through the series. The tension, connection, and intimate moments shared in this series speak for themselves, while some sex scenes scream out love and affection others scream out as a cry for help in the relationship because the bond is just not there during it causing conflict and confusion in the relationships. This show does a great job as being realistic on multiple subjects and how it affects multiple people in either a positive or negative way. While this show is mainly targeted as a sex show, focusing on only sex is not the main plot, there’s more to it and it takes you for a ride so expect yourself to cry, laugh, and have your heart pounding throughout the spicy scenes and passionate kisses. Overall a beautiful show with realistic scenes and many characters stories being shown to keep you extra entertained. Really recommend this show!Was this review helpful to you?
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So Much Happened… And Somehow Nothing Made Sense
Wow… there’s honestly a lot to unpack here, and I don’t even know where to start. I guess I’ll begin by saying I do applaud them for trying their best with the budget and resources they had. Looking at it from that perspective, the production isn’t terrible. But at the same time, there are so many issues that make this series really hard to watch and, at times, just straight-up unpleasant.Plot-wise, it’s not horrible, but it’s very typical, especially for Chinese BL. You’ve got the whole stepbrother/half-brother dynamic, which is something they tend to do a lot. It always feels like they’re trying to sit right on that line between taboo and “technically okay.” On top of that, you get all the usual elements: heavy toxicity between characters, tons of trauma, and the whole rich family/mafia/gang situation mixed with drugs, gambling, and debt. None of that surprised me.
What did disappoint me is how poorly everything was executed. I get that it’s low budget and the actors are still pretty new, but between the script and the overall direction, it just doesn’t come together in a satisfying way.
Every single character has trauma...like, everyone. The cousin is probably the worst of them all, genuinely the most abusive character. The other male lead is also toxic, but he barely gets enough screen time for us to even fully understand him. Honestly, I’m still confused about who the actual main couple is supposed to be. The half-brother kind of just… exists? He goes along with everything like it’s normal, even in situations that are clearly not okay, like kidnapping and assault. It just feels like a lot of emotions weren’t expressed properly, or weren’t developed enough to feel real. Everything ends up feeling exaggerated and unrealistic.
The production itself is… okay for what it is. You can tell the budget is low, but it’s not the worst I’ve seen. With better resources, this could’ve been so much better. The music was actually one of the stronger points, it stood out more than I expected.
I really wish we got more of the second couple, the half-brothers. It honestly felt like they were supposed to be the main focus, but somewhere along the way, the story shifted toward the cousin and the kidnapped guy instead.
And the story as a whole? It’s a mess. It feels like a puzzle with missing pieces. There’s just so much going on, especially toward the end, and a lot of it is left unexplained.
Even the ending confused me. Like… isn’t Su Bei the kidnapped guy? And if so, isn’t he… gone? Wouldn’t the others recognize him? And why did it feel like no one really cared about what happened to him? He literally ends his life, and it’s just brushed off like nothing, his eyes get donated, and then everyone just moves on. That part really didn’t sit right with me.
I’ve seen people say there might be a season 2, and honestly, I kind of need that at this point because I’m so lost and I want answers. But if this is really how it ends, then I don’t think it’s worth getting into.
Overall, it’s a very low-quality series that lacks a lot of what makes a show actually enjoyable to watch. At the same time, I can appreciate the effort, they clearly tried, and in a way, that’s kind of admirable. But from a viewer’s perspective, the flaws are hard to ignore.
Also… I have to say, the bodyguard was lowkey the main character. The loyalty? Unmatched. That man carried.
Final rating: 6.5/10
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A Whole Lot Of NOTHING!
God it actually felt like I was watching a 5 filler episodes that included 20 song breaks, 30 cinematography breaks and a whole lot of yapping. This series just isn't it, it shouldn't even be considered a series, it was mainly a lot of talking as kind of like narration, and a lot of cinematography scenes which I will admit were stunning and thats why my rating isn't lower, and a lot of singing and just music being played, there was barely any action or acting going on, it just felt like a 1 hour long music video. Some of the songs were good, I will admit that. But I just don't see what the point of this was... like theres nothing really. And to top it off the ending... I wont spoil but lets be fr... And also the story just made 0 sense, like at all. And maybe it's the subtitles ruining this even more for me, maybe not. But this series is just lacking a lot. Don't recommend.Overall: 5.5/10
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Before The Confession: The World Behind "Love Reset"
I went into "First Page" already feeling confident about my interpretation of "Love Reset", and I have to say, I was pretty spot on. The dynamic unfolded almost exactly as I had imagined when I reviewed "Love Reset". What "First Page" does particularly well is clarify the interpersonal tensions that were only subtly implied before. I remember seeing a comment on YouTube of the video "Love Reset" suggesting that the friends of each male lead secretly liked them but chose not to interfere out of respect. Even at the time, that interpretation didn’t fully convince me. It felt like a reach, more projection than textual evidence. Watching "First Page" confirmed that instinct. The narrative makes it much clearer that the supposed “unrequited longing” from the friend group isn’t actually directed at the male leads at all. Instead, the friends’ dynamics make far more sense romantically when paired with each other.Within this shared universe, that alternate theory simply doesn’t hold up. In "Love Reset", Cha Jae Hyeon is shown to be friends with Alt (who is a coworker figure in that series rather than same friend depicted in "First Page"). If you expand outward into "Connect", the shared-universe continuity becomes even more obvious: Alt is canonically dating Ian there. So the idea of lingering romantic tension toward the main leads doesn’t align with the established relationships. This universe is surprisingly consistent about its pairings, if there were a love triangle (or square), it would not be subtle. It would be narratively central.
That’s something I appreciate about this franchise as a whole. Across Connect, Cross Link, First Page, Love Reset, and Laundry Romance, there’s a shared-universe structure that rewards attentive viewers. The recurring actors and interconnected relationships give the impression of a living world rather than isolated romances. If someone asked me for an ideal viewing order to better understand the emotional and narrative flow, I’d suggest:
1) Connect
2) Cross Link
3) First Page
4) Love Reset
5) Laundry Romance
That order allows the relational groundwork to build naturally before the emotional payoff in "Love Reset".
That said, I do wish we had seen more from the side couples. I’m almost certain there’s additional footage available through the membership version, which is fine in theory, bonus content is a valid incentive model. However, extra material should enhance the experience rather than fill narrative gaps. The transition from confession to “we’re officially dating now” (for both couples) felt slightly abrupt. It wasn’t damaging to the story, but it did feel like we skipped over emotionally significant development. I suspect there were moments in between that would have strengthened the pacing.
Still, I appreciate the simplicity of "First Page". There’s no excessive melodrama, no unnecessary conflict manufactured purely for tension. It functions as a necessary prelude, clarifying motivations and relationships that enrich "Love Reset" in retrospect. Whether someone watches "First Page" before or after "Love Reset" ultimately doesn’t matter, but I would personally recommend starting with "First Page" for a more layered understanding.
Overall, I’d rate it a 7.5/10. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s thoughtful, cohesive within its universe, and effective in providing context that deepens the emotional logic of what comes after.
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They warned us twice...
They warned us twice and I believed them instantly, it wasn't just an exaggeration it was the plain truth, that this movie was gonna be sad. Honestly don't have much to say, I truly loved this masterpiece of a movie, I'm not really the type to watch much sad movies but this was a perfect balance, it make me cry, laugh, made me feel so many emotions. And I truly felt it all, all the love and care they all had for each other, everything. This is truly beautiful. Amazing movie, a must watch. 100% recommend. But have your tissues nearby. You'll need them.Overall 10/10
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Thunder, Rain, And A Love Caught In The Storm
This series really was something. I understand why many viewers say it lacks consistency. In my opinion, it feels like a slightly organized mess. There are strong elements, but they do not always work together smoothly. So let’s break it down.{Pros}
First, the acting was genuinely good. The emotions felt real and were expressed well. The yearning, the begging, the desperation, all of it felt raw rather than forced. The actors carried the emotional weight of the story in a convincing way.
The cinematography was another strong point. The countryside scenes were warm, soft, and visually stunning. In contrast, the scenes set in Seoul felt darker and more suffocating, which matched the tone of the story. Both settings were beautiful in their own ways and helped reinforce the emotional atmosphere.
The chemistry between the leads was also solid. The tension was well done, and the kiss scenes were strong and believable. Visually, the series was very pleasing overall.
Some parts of the story were decent and had interesting ideas, but they could have been developed more carefully.
And that is mostly where the positives end.
{Cons}
This story had so much potential. Unfortunately, I began losing hope as early as episodes 1 and 2. That is always disappointing, especially for a BL with a premise that could have delivered something powerful.
The biggest missed opportunity, in my opinion, was the pacing of the relationship. The series had the potential for a strong enemies-to-lovers arc, possibly stretching the tension until at least episodes 5 to 7. Instead, the emotional and physical connection happened very quickly. The kiss and the mutual feelings felt rushed, especially considering the standards and hostility set in the first episode. Because of that, the yearning and slow emotional buildup, which are essential for this trope, were weakened.
The storytelling also feels inconsistent. In the first episode, we are given background information about the characters and their history, but later the narrative does not fully commit to that foundation. It leaves several confusing questions, how close were Seo Jeong Han and Lee Il Jo before everything happened? Were they on good terms? Did Seo Jeong Han have hidden feelings before everything began? What was their real dynamic in the past? The lack of clarity makes it difficult to fully understand their emotional connection.
Another issue is the surgery subplot. In the first 2 episodes, Lee Il Jo’s surgery seems serious and significant, but after a brief mention, it is almost forgotten. Considering it appeared to be a major procedure that would require recovery, the lack of follow-through feels unrealistic.
Overall, the series maintains a very depressing tone. There are barely any light or genuinely happy moments. The family dynamics are already toxic, driven by money and status instead of love, and this negativity carries into the central relationship. While darker stories can be powerful and meaningful, they need balance to avoid becoming repetitive. Unfortunately, this series becomes emotionally exhausting rather than engaging.
Seo Jeong Han spends much of the series chasing Lee Il Jo. I did appreciate that he was not emotionally detached or trying to be nonchalant, he begged, he embarrassed himself, and he showed vulnerability. That felt real. However, Lee Il Jo’s constant attempts to leave, combined with his emotionally distant behavior, became frustrating. At times, it genuinely felt like he did not care, even though it was clear he was also hurting. Eventually, it became tiring to watch the same cycle repeat.
The series mainly consists of sadness, chasing, and family drama. There is nothing wrong with that kind of plot, but it needs stronger execution and better pacing to remain compelling.
And I'm still wondering why they didn't just let the same actors play as their younger selves, I kept wondering who those 2 kids were, I thought it was some random side couple with no information (which at that point I wouldn't have been surprised if they did that)
{Final Thoughts}
I truly grieve the potential this story had. A slower burn and a stronger enemies-to-lovers development could have made a huge difference. Instead, the relationship progression felt rushed and uneven.
I would not strongly recommend it, but I would not call it terrible either. It has good acting, strong visuals, and emotional intensity, but it lacks consistency and narrative depth.
Overall rating: 7/10
And I am still waiting for the perfect enemies-to-lovers BL that checks all my boxes.
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Little Snack
I consider this series as a little snack, if you don't really wanna commit to a whole 12 episode 1-2 hours long series which would be a whole meal plus side dishes and dessert then this could be for you. In my opinion this is a perfect bite size for every story, it doesn't go too into depth but enough for you to understand what's going on and also enjoy it, the acting is good, not the best but its good, I liked some of the songs in some episodes, I liked the visuals, the chemistry, the kisses, the cuteness and wholesomeness of literally majority of the episodes, I liked how short they were and I also got to see many different couples with different dynamics and some couples shared the same universe too, and lastly I liked how each episode was a representation of mental health, ED, autism, etc. So yeah overall I think it was a solid series, just a little bit of this and that. I kept smiling every time an episode ended cause of how cute they all were and I'm glad none had a sad ending or a story too devastating, just very cute stories with happy little endings. Also I feel like with the name I expected this series to be very hyper-sexual and I think that comes from how similar the name is to "Kiss X Kiss X Kiss" and I haven't watched that series cause I honestly cant find it anywhere but I've seen clips and they're lowkey wild. But also this series has "SXX" at the end so yeah, there was only one story that involved "sex" and it wasn't even graphic or anything like nothing showed at all, it was left to our imagination, and I honestly love that, I like the innocence in this series. But yeah!Overall a good 8/10
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When Words Fall Silent, Dance Speaks
10Dance is one of those rare films that feels less like something you simply watch and more like something you experience. I am genuinely astonished by how beautifully this movie was made, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Everything about it is executed with such care and intention, from the cinematography to the acting, from the music to the chemistry, from the tension to the yearning, to absolutely everything in between. It is easily the best thing I’ve seen in a good while, and I am more than happy to have rated it a 9, a number I don’t give lightly these days. Modern entertainment often forgets how to truly entertain, but this film had my full attention for the entire two hours, never once letting go. What made this experience even more special for me was the mention and representation of Cuba. Being born there, it genuinely moved me to see it acknowledged so naturally and respectfully, adding a deeply personal layer to an already powerful film. The elegance of 10Dance is undeniable. It is sophisticated, graceful, and breathtakingly beautiful. Every dance scene felt like poetry in motion, like swans gliding across water or flowers swaying gently in the breeze. Even without words, the dances spoke volumes.The acting was phenomenal. I felt everything. The chemistry between the leads was intense yet restrained, built almost entirely on silent yearning. Even without overt physicality, the desire between them was loud, conveyed through lingering eye contact, subtle expressions, and, of course, dance itself. Their connection felt raw and genuine, and the tension was exquisite.
And the cinematography, truly outstanding. I haven’t seen lighting and shot composition this good in quite some time. Every scene felt intentional, almost painterly, as if each frame could stand on its own as a work of art. Visually, this film is a feast.
The only reason I didn’t give it a 9.5 or a perfect 10 is the ending. I wanted more. I wanted to see what came next, to explore their future, their relationship, and how love would coexist with their careers. It left me craving a sequel, or even an entire series, just to stay in their world a little longer. Still, that longing almost feels intentional, fitting for a story built on yearning.
At its core, 10Dance is more art piece than conventional film. Some viewers criticize its quiet nature or its lack of dialogue, claiming the dances exist to cover what isn’t said. But that is precisely the point. In this story, words are secondary. Dance is the language. It is how these characters communicate, connect, and reveal themselves. If you can’t understand that, then perhaps this film simply isn’t for you. But I understood it, and I loved it. This movie is a true masterpiece, and it reminds me of "You Make Me Dance", though elevated to an entirely different level. I recommend both wholeheartedly. There isn’t much else to say, because when I say this film is pure gold, I truly mean it. Go watch it.
Overall 9/10
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Not Great, Not Terrible, Just Complicated
Sweetheart Service is one of those BLs where I completely understand why the ratings aren’t glowing, and why it’s hovering around a 7, but I also don’t think it deserves to drop much lower than that. Is it the best BL out there? No. Is it the worst thing ever made? Absolutely not. It’s very much a “has potential, execution questionable” kind of series. Let’s start with what I liked, because there are things worth appreciating. First of all, the slow burn. And when I say slow burn, I mean painfully slow, the kind where you start wondering if the romance is stuck in buffering mode. But honestly? I didn’t hate it. The pacing worked for me emotionally, especially when it came to the kisses. When they finally happened, they were good, like actually worth the wait. Visually, the show was doing the most, in a good way. The bar scenes in particular? Immaculate vibes. Peak atmosphere. Everyone looked great, the lighting was on point, and Min U specifically, yeah, I get it. No notes. The little drawing animation storytelling moments were also a highlight for me. They pulled me into the story way more than standard dialogue scenes would have, assuming those drawings were done by humans and not AI, because if not, we need to talk. Now, unfortunately, this is where the cracks start showing, because the story is messy. Like, genuinely confusing at times. The conflict kept building up as if something big was about to happen, and then suddenly, it’s resolved. No payoff, no emotional explosion, just blink and you miss it. It felt anticlimactic in the worst way. Character relationships also weren’t handled well. Tae Ha and Yu Ha, for example, tell me why I genuinely thought Tae Ha liked Yu Ha as more than a “brother.” The jealousy, the behavior, the tension, it read romantic. So when nothing ever comes of that, I honestly felt gaslit. Like, did I imagine all of that? Was I projecting? Because it really felt like the show was hinting at something it never intended to address. The main couple, meanwhile, suffered from lack of development. Yes, they had moments, but once the conflict started, the relationship felt distant and weirdly empty. We’re told they care about each other, but we’re not really shown enough growth to feel it deeply. And Ha Su Yeon, yeah, no. She should have faced actual consequences. At first, I thought she was just going to be a diva. Instead, she turned out immature, manipulative, and annoying. The fact that she and Tae Ha teamed up to mess with Yu Ha’s life was wild, and not in a fun way. That’s not “miscommunication,” that’s just being awful to someone you supposedly care about. The second couple also did absolutely nothing for me. From the start, I felt zero chemistry. Every time the screen cut to them, I sighed. And somehow, despite barely having any development, they ended up together? When they kissed, my genuine reaction was, Did I miss an episode? Or ten? It felt random, rushed, and honestly like a mood killer. Now, I did enjoy the chaotic one minute makeout session in the final episode, no complaints there. But if the story had been stronger, that kiss would’ve felt way more impactful. The slow burn plus good kiss combo was perfect on paper, the writing just didn’t support it enough to make it hit emotionally. There’s also a laundry list of unanswered questions. What’s going on with Min U’s parents, did his mom ever accept Yu Ha? What about Min U’s friends? Why is Yu Ha suddenly working at the same company, and why are the coworkers magically okay with the relationship after gossiping the entire series? What happened to Ha Su Yeon’s boyfriend? Did he finally leave her alone? None of this gets addressed, and while I know time constraints are a thing, it still makes the ending feel incomplete. Originally, I thought about giving this an 8 because I really enjoyed the first half, but it definitely went downhill. Still, despite all its flaws, I don’t think it deserves to dip below a 7. It has three things I personally love, slow burn, solid kisses, and Min U being ridiculously attractive.Flawed, frustrating, but not unwatchable, and definitely not the disaster some people make it out to be.
Overall: 7/10
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