Oh, I'm sorry for the delay, but I've had a busy week! As far as this series goes, imagine getting lost inside of a tormented, guilt ridden queer philosopher's mind while he's tripping on some shrooms! It's like grabbing a petri dish and mixing together all the big issues and questions of mythology, religion, science, human nature in it, and sprinkle it with some sex , shake it well and inject it into your brain! If I say, that this series is disturbing in so many levels, it's like stating that the ocean is wet! Just do yourself a favor and run the opposite direction from this psychedelic abomination as fast as you can!
(commenting this everywhere) i feel like I've watched every good BL that exists and now I'm actually stuck...…
I would like to recommend a few, but I need some parameters, like how far back you've searched (3 yrs? 5 yrs or more?), any triggers or dislikes that you want to avoid, are intense NC scenes would be problematic? For example, if you already watched 'Between Us' you'll know that it's aired 4 years ago, it's complex with elements of both sweet/fluffy/tender moments and dark/intense/serious/angsty moments plus, the NC scenes are pretty hot thanks the awesome chemistry of BounPrem! Is this the type of BL that you would prefer?
Ok, I confess, I'm extremely bias about this series! No matter what's the plot, no matter who's the director/writer(s)/producer as long as FirstKhaotung are the main pairing! The cats are just the cherry on top of this BL cake, that I'll be gobbling up like a bona fide chocoholic who finds herself face planted into a chocolate mousse cake! FirstKhaotung and cats!!!!! I don't know which BL deity heard my prayer and decided to grant my wish, but I'm eternally grateful for it! Honestly, even if the only thing that happens in this BL is that FirstKhaotung sitting on the floor surrounded by kitties that they are silently petting while gazing lovingly into each other's eyes, I'll be content just to stare at them for hours! So, there will be no honest, cool-headed and subjective review/rating from me! It's already a perfect 10 unseen, so pass the popcorn and do not disturb this delulu woman with rational input for the duration of this series!🤣
I'm a sucker for JBL and this plot with this particular pairing already hits me in the feels just the way I like it! The director of 'My Personal Weatherman' and the screenwriter of 'Our Youth' working together in this project so, I'm ready for all the fireworks that they'll create for us!
Yummy toxic relationship trope! This is right up in my alley and the acting is absolutely superb! If that rage-room scene was placed in a regular hetero drama, Dew would be nominated for Outstanding Male Supporting Role in a Drama series at the Golden Globes and at the Emmys for that raw, powerful performance! Only 3 episodes left and I'm already lamenting the upcoming departure of this great BL from my calendar!
I'm only staying with this series for the second couple! The "plot" of this BL is absolutely nonsensical from the get go, but the development between the second couple. Their sizzling chemistry grabbed my attention, so I'm basically skipping most of the episodes just to watch the unfolding story between Pond and Phat.
So, I think I'm ready for the new season of my fav, mind-numbing, IQ-dropping, eye candy-trap filled, non-dating reality show-ish disaster!🤣 In a few days the circus will be back in town (I mean on the island) and I'm absolutely looking forward to every cringe-worthy, clueless and idiotic moves and schemes that some of these so called love-seekers will dish out for us! Naturally, I'll be rooting for those few who actually went there to find a true connection with someone, but I won't hold my breath! Nevertheless, every season there's a tiny voice whispering in my head that maybe, just maybe this time there will be magic in the air and we'll witness real love this time.... or I shouldn't forget my meds, so when reality smacks me on the face once again I won't act surprised! 🤣
Oh boy, I can hardly wait for this! I wish every cast member a happy experience during they time on the show, and I really hope that some of them will catch deep feelings for someone that could be carried to the outside world and could blossom into true love!
I'm absolutely on pins and needles waiting for this show! In a perfect world, everyone would be born with the correct parts that match what feels right deep inside, and able to naturally fall in love with anyone regardless of gender!
Honestly, I'm so disappointed about this series, not because it's bad or anything, but because I was really hoping for something different! I'm not going to rate this show, because I cannot be objective about it and it would be unfair and dishonest to do so! Just once, I would love to watch a series where the supernatural creature could stay true to it's nature and isn't compelled/forced to become a puny human! She is exactly how I always imagined a gumiho should be, and even if they make her fall for a human, I would rather watch her scheming along until her love interest could be turned into a gumiho and they would merrily get into all kinds of mischief together for all eternity! Alas, it's obvious that this is not the direction this drama will go, so I'm exiting the playground once again, leaving another trampled sand castle of hope behind and wishing you all happy viewing for the rest of the series!
Although, Woo Young Woo is a fictional character, she will stay with me for the rest of my life! I don't know how many times did I rewatch this series since 2022, but Park Eun Bin was absolutely iconic, flawlessly portraying a person with an exceptionally complex and very challenging disability! Also, both Kang Tae Oh and Kang Ki Young executed their roles with such mastery that it sets the benchmark for ML and SML as far as I'm concerned! Every supporting actor/actress in this series were on top of their game and created the perfect ensemble cast! There is not a single moment in this drama that was wasted by any unnecessary/useless scenes or plotlines! This series is a true masterpiece from start to finish, and I hope season 2 will be coming very soon!
Although, Woo Young Woo is a fictional character, she will stay with me for the rest of my life! I don't know how many times did I rewatch this series since 2022, but Park Eun-bin was beyond iconic, flawlessly portraying a person with an exceptionally complex and very challenging disability! Every actor in the series was on top of his/her game and the series had not a single wasted moment nor an unnecessary/useless/filler scene! This is a true, all around masterpiece from start to finish and I'm hoping that season 2 will be coming soon!
thanks for the review, I'll give this one a chance.
Thank you for reading my post, and I hope that you'll enjoy the drama just like I did regardless of it's flaws! Honestly, if we only watch near perfect dramas, we'll end up missing out on so much more that makes this little fantasy land that we love so magical
Well, ladies and gents, hold on to your undies if you dare to venture in here to read the comments, because MDL K-DRAMA netizens are all up in arms, split between trashing and/or low-rating it vs defending and liking and/or high-grading the series! Lets try to be rational here, so I'll try to point out a few important things without any spoilers for those who are not sure about watching it, because of all the contradictory posts here. Lets deal with the undisputed facts first: 1. Very high budget project, that was shot in multiple countries and 3 different continents by a master cinematographer, creating a visual masterpiece! 2. The lead couple played by Kim Seon Ho and Go Youn Jung were beyond any reproach as always, giving their all to the characters and had great chemistry throughout the drama. 3. The script had many great elements, but in the end it missed out on being worthy of such high caliber production with some of the greatest actors in the industry on board! By the last few episodes, they were dragging this drama to the finish line kicking and screaming on their backs instead of soaring high on it's wings. 4, In the grand scheme of things, should you spend some of your precious time watching this series? Absolutely! Why? Because, the acting and the cinematography alone worth all the frustration that you may or may not feel after the final scene is faded! With all the fails that this script has (and there are many to be endured), watching KSH and GYJ work their magic on screen is absolutely rewarding, and with all the beautiful scenery all around them to match their mastery of the craft will make you forget and forgive for the highly questionable end result! Just my IMHO of course, but I hope, some of you won't turn your back on this drama just because even though it was given many advantages, it still fallen short of becoming a great series!
So, I'm back again, rewatching it for the 3rd time! Xianxia is a tricky genre, because people come to watch them for various reasons. Some wants lots of action, others into it for world creating aspects, some wants to drool over the visuals and many of us, including myself are watching it for all the story, the drama, angst and romance interwoven within a fantasy world that we wish we could be a part of! My absolute bias within Xianxia is a Demon Male Lead! The darker the protagonist is the better for me! I love to watch the type of character development when the light, the warmth, the softness and the love sneaks upon the shattered soul and begins to work it's magic! It takes a very skilled actor to pull off such a complex transformation that is believable, relatable and won't turn the protagonist into some cheesy, cliche-ridden snooze fest! Arthur Chen absolutely nailed the role and that is the big part of why am I watching this series for the 3rd time! Also, the chemistry between the leads was electrifying! The storyline was a perfect blend of dark and funny scenes to keep you chuckling in one moment than reaching for a hankie 60 seconds later. Wang Ying Lu never overplays her comic elements, nor cheapens the dark parts of the drama with fake affection! She was the perfect choice for this role! Every supporting role is adds to the plot and have their place and purpose. There was very minimal filler throughout the drama, so for me it flowed naturally 95% of the time. Honestly, I really, really like this series! Finally, let me address one particular issue that some of the viewers complained about, namely, they found the story boring or at some parts too slow for their taste. I'm no spring chicken, so I've been watching Asian dramas of many genres for decades now! Which means, that I'm the kind of person, who values character development and storyline progression above all else. Slowing down a plot makes me enjoy more the visual effects and lets me notice the little things that in a fast paced drama I would've missed. In this series there are plenty things to admire from the awesome CGI to the costume designs and the splendid cinematography! I assume, that those of you who got bored during this drama are more interested in the CGI and action part of Xianxia, so your attention span probably took more hits than you were prepared for! I hope my personal take on 'When Destiny Brings the Demon' may add some points one way or another to those who are on the fence about watching this series! Of course this is just IMHO!
Oh, dear! Am I the only one who feels underwhelmed and frustrated after the first 6 episodes? This season got a magical location, more and longer episodes and a diverse cast, still I'm not feeling the warm vibes and heart fluttering moments that was so dominant in season one! Half of the people here are already having a history with one another which makes me feel like I'm watching a home improvement show of past romance fixer uppers, full of disjointed doors of insecurity, hazy and obscure views of a new horizon, featuring a big, dark closet filled with the remnants of emotional constipation! Instead of feeling excited, I feel angst and frustration about all the baggage that's been already brought in from the get go! This is not a dating show, it's a triage where the patients trying to patch up themselves! The choppy editing doesn't do them any favors either and the ominous soundbite at every tense /awkward/somber moment is highly irritating and unnecessary! The lowest part of the show so far was the ridiculous discussion about what counts as cheating! Both the cast and the panelists tried to come up with excuses and "understanding the situation" nonsense about an issue that should be clear to most of us! When you are exclusively dating someone, any kind of intimate act with others is forbidden a.k.a. it is cheating! I've never heard of "Oh, I just let him lubricate my mouth with his tongue for a minute or two babe, so we are still OK, right?" scenario before, but maybe I'm just getting too old! How about, getting heart emojis now and then from a random ex(s) in the middle of a dating show where you showed up allegedly, for finding true love, then trying to explain the situation with a guilty look plastered all over your face? I mean, what could go wrong starting a relationship like that? Just like building a sand castle at the edge of the water in low tide and hoping to see it intact 6 hours later! There are so many red flag mental problems in this season, that would make Hannibal Lechter cry himself to sleep! One gay virgin, one with sever trust issues, one with death associated love attachment disorder, one with midlife crisis induced by a monumental break up of a long term relationship, one with bad boy fetish coupled with a how to come out anxiety, one with juggling academic advancement, pro-athlete expectations and a confusing love life at the same time. As I've said before, this is not a dating show, this is a BL drama writer's wet dream! Messy, complicated and causes temporary brain damage! At the end of the 6th episode I was just staring at the screen, desperately trying to relocate some of my marbles that went into witness protection to keep my sanity intact!
I see you haven't watched many Thai bl shows then. I mean the concerns you raised are considered features of thai…
Thanks for the link! The Chinese BLs of 2025 broke barriers especially in the toxic relationship trope! Here are a few dramas that you might want to check out if you haven't seen them and in need of the kind of toxic BL that would make you feel like your intestines are all twisted and your heart is shredded into a gimbap-filler. From Japan here are 2 gems that aren't popular for obvious reasons, but both ranks high on my toxic JBL list: 'The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese' is a movie, available on VIKI 'Happy of the End' 8 episodes, available on gagaOOlala, I think From Thailand 2 series that didn't win any popularity contest either, but I liked them regardless of their faults. My first pick might surprise you for 2 reasons: One, it's a remake of a popular and beloved fluffy JBL. Two, it's an adult virgin trope which I loathe with a passion as you know, but this one is a unicorn in my collection. 'Cherry Magic' Thai version, 12 episodes, available on GMM Oh, don't mind the outraged screaming from fans of the original series, they're just jealous!🤣Kidding....maybe... (dodging incoming rotten vegetables) Second pick is one of my favorite Thai BL that received mixed reviews across the board, but it stole my heart and made me a BounPrem shipper! 'Between Us' 12 episodes, available on iQiyi Finally, 2 more gems, first one is from Taiwan, second one is from S.Korea. 'Kiseki:Dear To Me' 13 episodes, available on VIKI. This Taiwanese BL is a masterpiece! 'The Eighth Sense' 10 episodes, available on VIKI. One of the greatest Korean BL I've evet seen!
I think I’m getting your point but to be sure, are there complainers about the age gap? Sorry i just started…
When the original series aired back in 2018 some of the debates were pretty heated. Now, eight years later, I'm seeing some signs of unnecessary tension in a couple of posts. So, I thought, I'll point out a few things and put them into perspective, trying to nip things in the bud to keep all netizens happy😄
As far as this series goes, imagine getting lost inside of a tormented, guilt ridden queer philosopher's mind while he's tripping on some shrooms!
It's like grabbing a petri dish and mixing together all the big issues and questions of mythology, religion, science, human nature in it, and sprinkle it with some sex , shake it well and inject it into your brain!
If I say, that this series is disturbing in so many levels, it's like stating that the ocean is wet!
Just do yourself a favor and run the opposite direction from this psychedelic abomination as fast as you can!
For example, if you already watched 'Between Us' you'll know that it's aired 4 years ago, it's complex with elements of both sweet/fluffy/tender moments and dark/intense/serious/angsty moments plus, the NC scenes are pretty hot thanks the awesome chemistry of BounPrem!
Is this the type of BL that you would prefer?
No matter what's the plot, no matter who's the director/writer(s)/producer as long as FirstKhaotung are the main pairing!
The cats are just the cherry on top of this BL cake, that I'll be gobbling up like a bona fide chocoholic who finds herself face planted into a chocolate mousse cake!
FirstKhaotung and cats!!!!! I don't know which BL deity heard my prayer and decided to grant my wish, but I'm eternally grateful for it!
Honestly, even if the only thing that happens in this BL is that FirstKhaotung sitting on the floor surrounded by kitties that they are silently petting while gazing lovingly into each other's eyes, I'll be content just to stare at them for hours!
So, there will be no honest, cool-headed and subjective review/rating from me!
It's already a perfect 10 unseen, so pass the popcorn and do not disturb this delulu woman with rational input for the duration of this series!🤣
The director of 'My Personal Weatherman' and the screenwriter of 'Our Youth' working together in this project so, I'm ready for all the fireworks that they'll create for us!
This is right up in my alley and the acting is absolutely superb!
If that rage-room scene was placed in a regular hetero drama, Dew would be nominated for Outstanding Male Supporting Role in a Drama series at the Golden Globes and at the Emmys for that raw, powerful performance!
Only 3 episodes left and I'm already lamenting the upcoming departure of this great BL from my calendar!
The "plot" of this BL is absolutely nonsensical from the get go, but the development between the second couple.
Their sizzling chemistry grabbed my attention, so I'm basically skipping most of the episodes just to watch the unfolding story between Pond and Phat.
In a few days the circus will be back in town (I mean on the island) and I'm absolutely looking forward to every cringe-worthy, clueless and idiotic moves and schemes that some of these so called love-seekers will dish out for us!
Naturally, I'll be rooting for those few who actually went there to find a true connection with someone, but I won't hold my breath!
Nevertheless, every season there's a tiny voice whispering in my head that maybe, just maybe this time there will be magic in the air and we'll witness real love this time.... or I shouldn't forget my meds, so when reality smacks me on the face once again I won't act surprised! 🤣
I wish every cast member a happy experience during they time on the show, and I really hope that some of them will catch deep feelings for someone that could be carried to the outside world and could blossom into true love!
In a perfect world, everyone would be born with the correct parts that match what feels right deep inside, and able to naturally fall in love with anyone regardless of gender!
I'm not going to rate this show, because I cannot be objective about it and it would be unfair and dishonest to do so!
Just once, I would love to watch a series where the supernatural creature could stay true to it's nature and isn't compelled/forced to become a puny human!
She is exactly how I always imagined a gumiho should be, and even if they make her fall for a human, I would rather watch her scheming along until her love interest could be turned into a gumiho and they would merrily get into all kinds of mischief together for all eternity!
Alas, it's obvious that this is not the direction this drama will go, so I'm exiting the playground once again, leaving another trampled sand castle of hope behind and wishing you all happy viewing for the rest of the series!
I don't know how many times did I rewatch this series since 2022, but Park Eun Bin was absolutely iconic, flawlessly portraying a person with an exceptionally complex and very challenging disability!
Also, both Kang Tae Oh and Kang Ki Young executed their roles with such mastery that it sets the benchmark for ML and SML as far as I'm concerned!
Every supporting actor/actress in this series were on top of their game and created the perfect ensemble cast!
There is not a single moment in this drama that was wasted by any unnecessary/useless scenes or plotlines!
This series is a true masterpiece from start to finish, and I hope season 2 will be coming very soon!
I don't know how many times did I rewatch this series since 2022, but Park Eun-bin was beyond iconic, flawlessly portraying a person with an exceptionally complex and very challenging disability!
Every actor in the series was on top of his/her game and the series had not a single wasted moment nor an unnecessary/useless/filler scene!
This is a true, all around masterpiece from start to finish and I'm hoping that season 2 will be coming soon!
Honestly, if we only watch near perfect dramas, we'll end up missing out on so much more that makes this little fantasy land that we love so magical
Lets try to be rational here, so I'll try to point out a few important things without any spoilers for those who are not sure about watching it, because of all the contradictory posts here.
Lets deal with the undisputed facts first:
1. Very high budget project, that was shot in multiple countries and 3 different continents by a master cinematographer, creating a visual masterpiece!
2. The lead couple played by Kim Seon Ho and Go Youn Jung were beyond any reproach as always, giving their all to the characters and had great chemistry throughout the drama.
3. The script had many great elements, but in the end it missed out on being worthy of such high caliber production with some of the greatest actors in the industry on board!
By the last few episodes, they were dragging this drama to the finish line kicking and screaming on their backs instead of soaring high on it's wings.
4, In the grand scheme of things, should you spend some of your precious time watching this series?
Absolutely!
Why?
Because, the acting and the cinematography alone worth all the frustration that you may or may not feel after the final scene is faded! With all the fails that this script has (and there are many to be endured), watching KSH and GYJ work their magic on screen is absolutely rewarding, and with all the beautiful scenery all around them to match their mastery of the craft will make you forget and forgive for the highly questionable end result!
Just my IMHO of course, but I hope, some of you won't turn your back on this drama just because even though it was given many advantages, it still fallen short of becoming a great series!
Xianxia is a tricky genre, because people come to watch them for various reasons. Some wants lots of action, others into it for world creating aspects, some wants to drool over the visuals and many of us, including myself are watching it for all the story, the drama, angst and romance interwoven within a fantasy world that we wish we could be a part of!
My absolute bias within Xianxia is a Demon Male Lead!
The darker the protagonist is the better for me! I love to watch the type of character development when the light, the warmth, the softness and the love sneaks upon the shattered soul and begins to work it's magic!
It takes a very skilled actor to pull off such a complex transformation that is believable, relatable and won't turn the protagonist into some cheesy, cliche-ridden snooze fest!
Arthur Chen absolutely nailed the role and that is the big part of why am I watching this series for the 3rd time!
Also, the chemistry between the leads was electrifying!
The storyline was a perfect blend of dark and funny scenes to keep you chuckling in one moment than reaching for a hankie 60 seconds later.
Wang Ying Lu never overplays her comic elements, nor cheapens the dark parts of the drama with fake affection! She was the perfect choice for this role!
Every supporting role is adds to the plot and have their place and purpose. There was very minimal filler throughout the drama, so for me it flowed naturally 95% of the time.
Honestly, I really, really like this series!
Finally, let me address one particular issue that some of the viewers complained about, namely, they found the story boring or at some parts too slow for their taste.
I'm no spring chicken, so I've been watching Asian dramas of many genres for decades now!
Which means, that I'm the kind of person, who values character development and storyline progression above all else.
Slowing down a plot makes me enjoy more the visual effects and lets me notice the little things that in a fast paced drama I would've missed.
In this series there are plenty things to admire from the awesome CGI to the costume designs and the splendid cinematography!
I assume, that those of you who got bored during this drama are more interested in the CGI and action part of Xianxia, so your attention span probably took more hits than you were prepared for!
I hope my personal take on 'When Destiny Brings the Demon' may add some points one way or another to those who are on the fence about watching this series!
Of course this is just IMHO!
This season got a magical location, more and longer episodes and a diverse cast, still I'm not feeling the warm vibes and heart fluttering moments that was so dominant in season one!
Half of the people here are already having a history with one another which makes me feel like I'm watching a home improvement show of past romance fixer uppers, full of disjointed doors of insecurity, hazy and obscure views of a new horizon, featuring a big, dark closet filled with the remnants of emotional constipation!
Instead of feeling excited, I feel angst and frustration about all the baggage that's been already brought in from the get go!
This is not a dating show, it's a triage where the patients trying to patch up themselves!
The choppy editing doesn't do them any favors either and the ominous soundbite at every tense /awkward/somber moment is highly irritating and unnecessary!
The lowest part of the show so far was the ridiculous discussion about what counts as cheating!
Both the cast and the panelists tried to come up with excuses and "understanding the situation" nonsense about an issue that should be clear to most of us!
When you are exclusively dating someone, any kind of intimate act with others is forbidden a.k.a. it is cheating!
I've never heard of "Oh, I just let him lubricate my mouth with his tongue for a minute or two babe, so we are still OK, right?" scenario before, but maybe I'm just getting too old!
How about, getting heart emojis now and then from a random ex(s) in the middle of a dating show where you showed up allegedly, for finding true love, then trying to explain the situation with a guilty look plastered all over your face?
I mean, what could go wrong starting a relationship like that?
Just like building a sand castle at the edge of the water in low tide and hoping to see it intact 6 hours later!
There are so many red flag mental problems in this season, that would make Hannibal Lechter cry himself to sleep!
One gay virgin, one with sever trust issues, one with death associated love attachment disorder, one with midlife crisis induced by a monumental break up of a long term relationship, one with bad boy fetish coupled with a how to come out anxiety, one with juggling academic advancement, pro-athlete expectations and a confusing love life at the same time.
As I've said before, this is not a dating show, this is a BL drama writer's wet dream!
Messy, complicated and causes temporary brain damage!
At the end of the 6th episode I was just staring at the screen, desperately trying to relocate some of my marbles that went into witness protection to keep my sanity intact!
The Chinese BLs of 2025 broke barriers especially in the toxic relationship trope!
Here are a few dramas that you might want to check out if you haven't seen them and in need of the kind of toxic BL that would make you feel like your intestines are all twisted and your heart is shredded into a gimbap-filler.
From Japan here are 2 gems that aren't popular for obvious reasons, but both ranks high on my toxic JBL list:
'The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese' is a movie, available on VIKI
'Happy of the End' 8 episodes, available on gagaOOlala, I think
From Thailand 2 series that didn't win any popularity contest either, but I liked them regardless of their faults.
My first pick might surprise you for 2 reasons: One, it's a remake of a popular and beloved fluffy JBL. Two, it's an adult virgin trope which I loathe with a passion as you know, but this one is a unicorn in my collection.
'Cherry Magic' Thai version, 12 episodes, available on GMM Oh, don't mind the outraged screaming from fans of the original series, they're just jealous!🤣Kidding....maybe... (dodging incoming rotten vegetables)
Second pick is one of my favorite Thai BL that received mixed reviews across the board, but it stole my heart and made me a BounPrem shipper!
'Between Us' 12 episodes, available on iQiyi
Finally, 2 more gems, first one is from Taiwan, second one is from S.Korea.
'Kiseki:Dear To Me' 13 episodes, available on VIKI. This Taiwanese BL is a masterpiece!
'The Eighth Sense' 10 episodes, available on VIKI. One of the greatest Korean BL I've evet seen!
Now, eight years later, I'm seeing some signs of unnecessary tension in a couple of posts.
So, I thought, I'll point out a few things and put them into perspective, trying to nip things in the bud to keep all netizens happy😄