Mademoiselle Noir

Stupid . . . But also stupid fun!

My rating is generous, admittedly, but it's my honest rating. Hear me out!

Was this drama well thought out? No. Did the finale make any damn sense on paper or on the screen? No. Did the side couple's romantic storyline develop naturally? Not really.

But was it fun? Did I have fun?

Hell yeah, I did! It was STUPID FUN! From Plawan sniffing Chef Oab like a damn dog at every opportunity and both of them getting off on the scent of "oh-so-erotic" basil/each other constantly, to millionaire, tycoon-suit-wearing Methas becoming JJ's all-too-willing sugar daddy in like the span of a week though JJ doth protest but he really protests too much.

I recommend between your high-quality romances and thoughtful titles, you partake in this non-serious, turn-your-brain-off drama.

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Gritty Realism

This was an epic cinematic blast of a drama. I'm going to recommend this to everyone I know, whether they watch Asian dramas or not! If they like action, I'm forcing their ass down on the couch next to me and prying their eyelids open with my fingers. So what if it has subtitles? You will fucking love it!

I loved how realistic they took this. They didn't make her unbelievably badass, completely cold, or even fully determined right away. She quickly wants to get revenge but doesn't process exactly what that means. And she's also scared. But bit by bit, in just the first episode, she builds some courage.

In particular, I found the training and fight scenes well done as Yoon Ji Woo is shown to have weaknesses in that she is not as large or muscular as the other men, but she has grit, a bit of talent, and she's not afraid to hurt others and understands what it will cost her.

This was one of the best strong female leads I've seen.

I highly highly recommend watching this if you haven't already.

How I wish I could watch this on a massive theater screen *sigh*

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Had potential to make a statement, but didn't have the guts to do it

The acting and music is great. And it does hit you with a lot of emotions. However, I was unable to sympathize with the FL after the threat she made and carried out. I couldn't see her in a positive light after that and that affected the rest of my experience with the movie constantly trying to get me to like her and feel for her and framing her as a good and sympathetic person. I just couldn't.

The actually in love couple (the two ML's) could have ended up easily and happily together if she had just done the right thing. And the ending we did get didn't satisfy or clarify anything. It's clear who Jon Wae was actually in love with. He said and constantly showed who he loved and valued more. See all the dates where he immediately went running to Dong Hwa afterward, etc, etc, etc.

I felt like this movie chickened out of the two ML's being together because of the year this was made in. I have no proof of this, I just suspect it. They couldn't actually have them clarified to be together, just the two of them, in the end because South Korean audiences wouldn't have been able to handle that. So, over half-way through the movie they made it a three-way relationship, but not really. And at the end they suggested that maybe all three were together in the end or just single and friends. This way things can be passed off as Jon Wae still having been in love with Ho Jeong (FL) the entire time and Dong Hwa (ML) was just an "experiment" that he wasn't serious about.

This wasn't like 3 Will Be Free which was a legitimate polyamorous relationship with a Bi ML at the center of it. Nowhere near its level. Not at all.

Basically, the movie should have ended about halfway through.

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A mixed bag that I enjoyed but you might not

Don't let my ratings fool you up above. I still have a lot of criticism.

The stories varied wildly, so I don't have much to say about the drama as a whole. Rather, I'm going to be talking about each of the different couples and their two episodes centered around them.

I like this concept for a drama with a lot of couples, and I was excited to see where it would go.

First Couple (Ep 1 & 2):

The first couple (Tue & Ake) started things off very well for this drama. Having just two episodes wasn't a problem in telling their story and the actors did a great job in developing believable chemistry. There were some plots holes about the Muay Thai boxing aspect, but I still enjoyed their episodes a lot. They make you forget about the plot holes and inconsistencies really.

I would rate them a 8.5/10, with the added .5 just because the tension was insanely palpable. I really enjoyed this couple.

Second Couple (Ep 3 & 4):

The second couple (Sun & Nuea) was a disappointment. At first, it seemed like there was some pretty good humor with their story and they had good chemistry. However, the direction the actors were given made some scenes annoying or just too cheesy. The second episode contained the majority of these problems along with Sun & Nuea acting very out of character by the end.

I would rate them a decent 7/10. I almost want to give them a 6.5/10 but I feel that would be a little too harsh as I still generally enjoyed my time watching them. Unfortunately, I would have to label this as the weakest couple in Y-Destiny.

I will say that Nuea is just a fashion icon who seems to be able to rock anything. My goodness! He is far too attractive for his own good.

Third Couple (Ep 5 & 6):

The third couple (Mon & Team) was pretty good. They were definitely better than the second couple. I found their cheesiness and shyness charming instead of cringey like I did for Sun & Nuea. Plus, their chemistry was much better. I thought they had believable chemistry, were cute together, and had a great kissing scene. I would call them the averagely good couple in Y-Destiny though.

I would rate them a 7.5/10-8/10. I think they deserve AT LEAST a 7/10 rating.

Fourth Couple (Ep 7 & 8):

The fourth couple (Pao & Thurs) was one of my favorites. I got emotionally attached to them and found both Pao and Thurs interesting and enjoyable on their own and together. We didn't get to see quite as much of their interaction as I would have liked in their first episode though, as the beginning didn't start with them right off the bat. However, this problem was easily and quickly resolved in their second episode with them having much more time together. I loved their chemistry and they were really sweet and funny together. It wasn't the masterpiece that is He's Coming to Me, but it was a very fun, charming, and emotional watch all the same.

Compared to the other couples I mentioned I would say they are leagues above the second and third couple for sure. And also the first couple, though with not as big a gap in quality/enjoyment.

They are definitely a 9/10 in my book. Definitely an 8.5/10.

Fifth Couple (Ep 9 & 10): Welcome to my Favorite Couple!

The fifth couple (Puth & Kaeng) was a huge surprise for me. I found myself adoring them and their unique story. I want them to have their own miniseries or something. Please! I don't want this ship to die yet!

Puth and Kaeng are THE most intriguing couple in Y-Destiny. Fight me. I realized that before I even saw the sixth and seventh couple. But, I knew it and called it early. And, I was right I felt so bad for Kaeng. He tried to change himself to make Puth interested in staying with him, even if it was only for sex. He just wanted to be around him, even if he couldn't date him. He must have caught feelings long ago but had been holding back his confession. And the fact that all he wanted before their "relationship" was about to end was for Puth to act like he loved him during their last night together just destroyed me.

My only criticism is that I wish we got to see a couple short scenes from Puth's point of view to see more how he felt about Kaeng. But, I was very happy with what I did get to see.

This was one of the most adult and intensely human stories we got to see in Y-Destiny (the other being the seventh couple). Loving someone so much that you will change/adapt yourself for them, no matter how it hurts. Seeing that pained me, in the best way possible.

Also, their chemistry and "scenes" are absolute fire! Good grief!

9.5/10. I'm not kidding. Damn this was so good.

Sixth Couple (Ep 11 & 12):

The sixth couple (Sat & Choke) was looking to be a favorite of mine. The fact that it was basically a remake of 13 Going on 30 had me intrigued from the start. And the first episode was very well done and didn't shy away from the more down-hearted/upsetting aspects of it's story. Especially regarding the lifestyle Sat realized he was living in the future and the toxic "friends" he had. Sat & Choke had great chemistry, maybe too great. Lol.

However, episode 12's plot twist of Choke already having a boyfriend was absolutely unnecessary and made his actions toward Sat seem really weird and not as sweet as they were before. I mean, what was with that kiss then?!

Other than that I also wanted to say that I liked their use of animation and I enjoyed the fact that English was incorporated. Also, the actor who played Sat did an amazing job capturing the behavior of a young boy in a grown-up's body, and Choke was insanely flirty, in the best way possible.

I WANT to give them a 8/10. But, because of the plot twist not making sense or working, I feel forced to give them a 7.5/10.

Seventh Couple (Ep 13 & 14):

The seventh couple, well really it's like two separate couples. There is Masuk & Tir, and Masuk & Jia. But, Masuk ends up with Jia so they're technically THE couple. I was continuously heartbroken in the best way possible during these episodes. Masuk & Tir's love story is truly tragic. I understood how Masuk would value Tir more than anyone else as he is the one he loves and therefore would want him to leave the theatre, but at the same time I understood how Tir was the type of person to do anything he could to help/save others because he has a lot of love for everyone and values their happiness above his own and therefore would stay to help the kid (who turned out to be Jia's nephew which was actually a pretty nice plot twist).

I liked how Jia wasn't trying to take advantage of Masuk's grief, but gave him all the time and respect in the world. He valued any affection Masuk felt he was able to give, respected that he would always love Tir and he would never/should never replace Tir, and was willing to wait for him to be comfortable.

Jia wasn't very present in the episodes, but that was the point. He was willing to leave space for Masuk to be with Tir. He was meant to be a patient, loving, and calming presence in Masuk's life. And, I felt they got that across very well.

I would rate episodes 13 & 14, and the combined couples and their story a 9.5/10.

Couples 5, 7, 4, and 1 were the ones I enjoyed the most, in that order. My least favorite couple was the 2nd one. Couples 6, 3, and 2 I still enjoyed. Just, not as much as the others.

As far as the final episode. I'm not going to lie: I thought it was major cringe for almost half of it and showed some of the couples' partners being controlling of their SO (which I was not happy to see). There were some cute scenes though and I liked the conclusion with each of them making a short speech. The last episode was basically filler, but at least I got to see a few scenes with some of my favorite couples that were pretty nice.

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Magic sorcery going on here!

I started it because of the possible Bi rep I was told about. I did NOT expect to walk away from it SO amazed by this short Thai drama.

I don't like sports. Like, at all. In real life I detest whenever football season comes around and fans around me lose their shit. In school I couldn't for the life of me understand the appeal. I found basketball, football, tennis, etc, etc, etc, to be absolutely boring and pointless. "How could you enjoy this crap?"

So, when an anti-sports person like myself falls in love with a drama centered around/about sports, volleyball, you know it has done a damn good job. Seriously, by the end of it I was cheering and stamping my feet like I was one of those fans in the bleachers rooting for my team. I just have to note that the music is energetic as hell and only made me even more passionate.

This was intense, badass, subtle (I'll get to that), and engaging. And the comradery and bond between the teammates was so satisfying to watch. It's a 9/10 overall and an added .5 for making me become engaged in a sport. Because, how did they do that? Lol.

Regarding representation, it was everything I could have hoped for and so much more. Throughout the majority of the drama we get basically no clue as to Puen's sexuality (until near the end). He's focused on playing volleyball, and so are we. We don't think to stop and ask that question. We are given hints that Jern has feelings for him though. During one episode (6) she has a moment alone with him where they get talking about relationships. She asks him if he has a type and he says "All's okay." Then she proceeds to ask about height, weight, skin type, etc. And he just repeats what he said before. Then, she asks, "Girl or boy?" And he gives her the same simple smile, shrugs like it's as easy and inconsequential as the other questions she asked, and says "If it feels right, all's okay." So, Pansexual, not Bisexual. My jaw dropped from how easily and casually this was done.

This is a drama not centered around romance and yet they made the conscious decision to include this scene with these lines. They didn't have to do that, but they did it anyway. They included a Pansexual ML in a non-romance drama who doesn't have a kissing scene or a confirmed partner by the end. Am I happy? You bet I am!

Now, onto the subtlety I mentioned above. That would be Puen's feelings/potential romance. Because that is something where if you blink you miss it. So, don't blink! Whatever you do, don't blink! Blink and you're dead! If you get that reference I'll love you forever. Lol.

Singha and Puen are shown to be best friends who are incredibly close. Only during the last few episodes are we shown that, at least on Puen's part, there was something more there.

During Ep 7 there is a parallel shown between Jern's confession to Puen, she said her type was him, and a flashback scene with Puen and Singha where Puen seems to give a confession by saying, "You're the one whom I really wanna be with." Both of these characters make a confession that the other person doesn't understand because they don't see them as more than a friend. Like I said, if you weren't paying attention you wouldn't see this.

Then, during the finale we get a scene between Puen and Than that parallel's the scene I mentioned with Puen and Singha but specifically regarding their body language. Puen and Singha had been sitting on the court and when Singha leaned back a bit more their hands touched. Puen was the only one who acknowledged it. He looked down at their hands, back up at Singha, and then smiled and looked into the distance thoughtfully. During the finale, Puen and Than are sitting on the court and after talking they both lean back, smile at each other, and the angle widens to show their hands are quite close but not touching. Fade to black, roll credits, and the drama has ended.

Okay, enough of the parallels. Who do I think feels something for someone? Well, I think it's safe to safe Puen was in love with Singha, but it was one-sided. And, through many many subtle hints and moments from our main ML's and also from other characters, one specifically being Jern seeing Puen and Than interacting and her face/reaction being very telling and another being Singha's lines to Puen that felt very coded to put it lightly regarding Puen and Than's relationship, I think there is a romance brewing between Puen and Than. If we were to have a second season I would not be surprised if it would show they had just started dating.

Needless to say, there is a shit ton of subtlety regarding Puen's feelings/possible romance! And, I'm not even covering half of it really! I'd keep going with my observations but we'd be here forever. And, my wrists are starting to ache from typing. Lol.

So, in conclusion, this was fucking amazing. If you like romance and you don't mind extreme subtlety that keeps you on your toes, you'll like this. If you like dramas about strong friendships, you'll like this. If you like dramas about sports, you'll like this. Basically, just go watch this fucking drama and please come rant positively with me about how good it was and how you felt so amazing when you were able to put the pieces together from subtle moments! I have so much more I could say!

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Striving Alongside Your Lover

Sometimes, a surprise second season, while not being strictly necessary to wrap up anything story-wise, is a delight.

I considered this second season of Cosmetic Playlover to be a small step above the first in terms of consistency. Not only were the MLs consistently communicating and putting in effort to maintain their relationship, but even individual arcs in career/character growth were well-paced when stretched across more than one episode.

This season was all about tests of endurance and ingenuity. Mutually striving alongside/pushing your lover forward.

I'd not only call them a healthy couple but a realistic one that could be looked up to.

I'd even be ready to watch a third season!

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Incongruous

It had a good start—beautiful background for a first meeting that felt painfully sentimental. You could sense the love and longing in the space, in every corner of the house, and within both leads.

But as it progressed, that sentimentality started to feel unearned. The past was revealed to be more hot and fast rather than soft and lingering.

For a Queer historical romance, I found the buildup and danger to both be lacking. I craved real, profound yearning and stakes.

You already know what I'm going to recommend instead: I Feel You Linger in The Air and The Loyal Pin. Both tragic and painful, but centered around a hard-won love with moments of private joy throughout. Even "To Sir, with Love," beautifully ridiculous as it could get, made me believe in the couple gradually finding themselves impossibly in love with each other.

Or, if they REALLY wanted to be hot and fast, they could have taken a hard turn toward comedy and made it as non-serious and high-energy as "I'm the Most Beautiful Count."

But they didn't do that. I guess they wanted to have their cake and eat it, too?

I don't know.

All I know is that I'm disappointed.

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Just what the thoughtful doctor ordered

With honesty and kindness, this drama boldly works to destigmatize mental health. It doesn't just show you patients' scars and outbursts; it invites you to sit, listen, and get to know them. What brought them here. What they're scared of. What they hope for. These patients are just like you and me.

Healthy people can still have mental breaks. You can be functioning but be unwell. You can get better only to relapse. Treatments fail, and sometimes, in the end, there's nothing you can do. It's the nature of medicine and humans as the complex people we are.

I loved the FL's positive outlook on life and found the way they explained and portrayed mental illness quite illuminating. Not to mention treating the patients as people who can and should be able to set boundaries (something so many other dramas don't advocate for).

If you're in the right place and can walk through the dim morning for a little while, I think you'll find this bit of sunshine warm.

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The subtitles sucked but everything else was amazing!

What a silly premise! I had so much fun watching it. Right now, I'm rating this a 9.5/10. Though it could fluctuate from a 9/10 to a 10/10.

My only real criticism is that some jokes go on a little too long. But, there's generally a better joke made shortly after to make up for it. The many funny shenanigans that came as a result of the weird concept were truly a blast.

I grew to love this drama! They really show the importance food has with people as well how people can be devastatingly affected by loneliness/being alone. And not just that but what it's like to try and overcome something often debilitating due to past trauma. You can't suddenly get yourself to eat alone within a week. You may make progress one day and be right back where you started, or worse off, the next day. What matters is that you try. And you don't beat yourself up for failing.

Also, Diew is just a ray of sunshine, even without including his yellow clothes. His smile is addictive and his personality is warm and welcoming. And Mix is simply incredibly attentive, caring, and sweet.

I saw many in the comments section argue that this isn't Bl/doesn't have a "Gay Romance." It absolutely does. Now, if you ignore the constant quiet flirting, easy chemistry, deep connection, and sometimes obvious lines you may walk away from this with the impression that this was only baiting people and this was a story with simply straights. But, you would be wrong.

This drama was everything for me, and then some. It was wholesome, sweet, had amazing cooking shots and camerawork, symbolism through key colors, and an intense amount of subtlety in regards to romance (which I am a big big fan of).

To put it in one word, this drama was: Wonderful!

Regarding representation: I'm just going to say it. I think Diew is Pan. No, every part of my being screams he's Pan. I know my gut feeling is right with this. Though, I have no evidence for this other than that he seems to have great chemistry with everyone he meets (whether it may be something leaning more toward romantic, or just friendship). I could go into more detail, but we'd be here all day. In my opinion if there was EVER queer coding THIS is queer coding.

Side Note: The subtitles do get screwed up a lot in the later episodes, so that is something to keep in mind if you decide to watch it.

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"Stand by my side and fight together against the world that keeps placing expectations on us"

ThamePo Heart That Skips a Beat.

ThamePo.

ThamePo, ThamePo, ThamePo.

062 031 7745

5CM

A tear-stained love letter, a call to action, and an embrace.

More than I bargained for and what I didn't know I longed for.

My heart skipped so fast that it about beat out of my chest, tears filled my eyes, and my dreams were suddenly more simple and less out of my reach.

Trying to write this review . . . I'm stuck. Words escape me. Words aren't enough to express the experience I had, though. Words aren't enough to thank this drama, the actors, and all the people behind it. The work, thought, care, and passion put into it.

I will remember ThamePo forever.

Now, how to pick up the pieces?

I don't want to let go. Can you not let go of my hand, ThamePo?

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A mixed bag but a pretty enjoyable mixed bag

Almost every episode was touching in some way and often addressed topics not generally talked about or shown in dramas. Of course, there were episodes far better than others and all the episodes had their own problems that were either entirely obvious or just a bit noticeable.

If you were to ask me which ones you can skip?
-Honestly, it would probably just be Ep 7. I found the others beautiful in one way or another and was very glad to have seen them, and I rewatched them. I doubt I will for Ep 7 though as it was really just okay and the plot didn't feel new or highly emotional.

Which ones are a must watch?
-That's kind of tough. If you forced me to pick, I would say Ep 1, Ep 4, Ep 6, and Ep 2. It's really hard not to pick Ep 3 or Ep 5 as well though. Ep 3 is a difficult pill to swallow though which is why I wouldn't recommend it for most people. Ep 5 was basically on par with Ep 2 but didn't tackle the important subjects it did, but it had much more heart and realness than I expected it to.

Really, this is the kind of drama where you can pick which stories appeal to you the most. There are some characters that appear later in other episodes but there isn't really a running thread. The episodes that are the most connected and will leave you missing a part of the story if you skip either of them are Ep 1 and Ep 4. I'd say give at least one or two episodes a shot, I'm sure there's at least one you'll really like.

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Clinging to Love

This little miracle of a drama was a sweet and touching, albeit "blue" experience. Qi Lu and Qin Xiao's desperate desire to do what they want and love who they love in the face of forces outside of their control. They hold each other a little closer in the cold, cover bruises with longer sweaters, and push the other onto dry land even as they sink. But, eventually, there does come a day for them. Tan Yin uses his new voice to give one to LiuMing Yang as he puts his past in the past and comes to view Tan Yin as Tan Yin.

In particular, I must praise them for the harsh reality they brought to the table with the way Qi Lu quietly and almost apologetically endured abuse and the delicateness with which Qin Xiao tried to bring him some comfort by giving him a small sense of normalcy. "I know I cannot save you. But I can make you smile when you're with me and forget the hell at home."

I do think there were flaws in the finale as far as the small details of how they wrapped things up, but I don't feel it took away from my overall experience.

I'm so incredibly grateful the rest of this drama got to see the light of day.

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A Twist for the Win

This was one of the rare cases for me where a later twist not only worked but revived a drama. 

I had enjoyed it for the most part (particularly the leads' fire chemistry), but the cases and villains were too typical and, frankly, predictable. With constant and blatant police corruption that felt cartoonishly evil and the plot only going in circles, the relationship between Tul and Ran was just managing to get me through, things felt stagnant and frustrating.

And then, the twist happened. And everything turned around. Suddenly, the extent and weight of the coverup crashed down, and the past, emotions, and relationships had to be recontextualized and reevaluated. It was devastating and riveting.

I have to commend Engfa for being able to portray such a complex range of feelings on the part of her character, Tul. I felt her grief and admired her commitment to seeing things through, even when she just wanted to live in denial.

From being excited to disappointed to being invested more than ever before, Petrichor did what I thought to be impossible.

I'd recommend avoiding spoilers and going in with moderate expectations.

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