One of my favorite J-BLs is finally back! That was my immediate reaction when the sequel was announced. Since the prequel was such a success, I was genuinely happy to see Natsume and Toma again. However, the outcome turned out to be somewhat disappointing.
At first, I was completely drawn in by their domestic, almost sophisticated life together. The kisses and cuddles were absolutely to die for. But as the episodes went on, it started to feel like the focus drifted too far toward the side characters rather than the main couple.
I understand that this season places Toma’s dream at the center of the story. But if I’m being honest, the addition of the new male BA as a rookie in Mamiya’s store felt unnecessarily prolonged. It dragged on to the point of being quite dull. I get that a new character was needed to help Mamiya grow into a stronger leader, highlighting his firmness despite his overwhelming kindness. But the pacing of this arc was simply too slow. Because of this, the sequel doesn’t come close to the level of the first season, and saying that genuinely saddens me as a fan of the prequel.
Thankfully, the onsen date felt like a turning point, as if the story was finally shifting its attention back to the main couple. It was such a breath of fresh air. Natsume was incredibly cute and endearing, as always. Then we get Tenma again, still the handsome and protective brother of Toma, somehow even more charming this season. And the introduction of Sahashi’s dad was a delight. He added a bit more spice to the dynamics of the main couple.
The selfies at the bridge looked so kawaii and genuinely beautiful. Toma stepping out of his comfort zone to pursue his dream was an interesting direction for the story. However, the drama seemed more focused on heightening emotional tension than on showcasing the couple’s chemistry. And that’s where it falls short. We wanted more romantic moments from Mamiya and Toma; that’s arguably the very reason a sequel exists in the first place.
Nevertheless, I still found moments to enjoy in this sequel. It just wasn’t enough to make me scream with happiness the way I did during the previous season.
I swear to all the Thai temples out there… I am in love
Short, but seriously impactful. I didn’t expect to fall this hard for SurfJava, but here I am, completely head over heels. Their portrayal of Tum and Oh fits them perfectly. I’m such a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope, especially when it comes with this level of tension and chemistry. Their performances? Electric. It was fun, romantic, and ridiculously addictive.
I love how the story creatively weaves through the adventures across nine temples, the legendary pants, and even the recurring motif of face scars from beginning to end. It all sounds quirky on paper, but it works, and it makes every TumOh moment feel big and incredibly meaningful.
And can we talk about Surf’s speaking voice? So soft, it’s honestly mesmerizing. Then there’s Java, whose tiny, adorable tattoos add so much personality to Oh. And that couple tattoo at the end? I lost it. The dynamic between Tum’s soft-hearted gang leader persona and Oh’s charismatic, slightly chaotic charm is just a chef’s kiss. Their constant bickering never misses; it’s playful, sharp, and full of chemistry.
Watching Tum stare at Oh had me melting like ice cream under the sun. Their dynamic, like a dog and a cat during the day, then suddenly intimate at night, felt like an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. And those scenes where Surf grabs Java’s waist were so great. But then Java hit me with those teary eyes after the betrayal, and suddenly, I am drowning in emotion. They can act with an insane range. And yes, Christopher Boonying is an icon because of that.
The temple fair scene was another highlight. It was fun, chaotic, and even funnier in hindsight when we realized Messi felt completely invisible in the couple’s clingy little world. I’m obsessed with the ending, probably just as obsessed as Tum is stealing kisses from Oh.
This drama feels like an indie film with a surprisingly high-quality finish. It made me fall so hard for SurfJava that now I desperately need them to headline another series together, the sooner the better.
Yun Jae bravely asking for Hyun Jun’s hand during their deep talk over the chessboard suddenly made me scream. I want a happy ending for my Yun Jae! That’s what’s keeping me watching this season.
I live for the cuteness, not just from the characters, but from the way the story is put together. They’re giving us such a beautiful, light romance with just the right amount of comedy woven in. I fall in love with this show more every single episode. My ray of sunshine!
The chemistry!! The tension is so high. I love it. And that kiss, I know they can execute better, but it still signifies how their first kiss is gentle because they still respect the boundaries that haven't been crossed yet. I'm obsessed with them
Oh my gosh! As expected, this is so adorable. I loved the first episode; it was delightful and fun from start to finish. Duang and his friends are such a bunch of sunshine. Teeteepor absolutely radiates cuteness and chemistry in this show. I already want more from them!
Omg, Wataru is so freaking cute!! I love this show. I love how it moves from their college days to adulthood, weaving in memories of their youth as they slowly let themselves fall in love with each other in the present.
One of my favorite J-BL is finally back! And they even became more domestic in this sequel. I love them so much, and that kissing scene is soooo goooood! super kawaii and they look even more handsome in this season. The cuddles, the words of affirmation, and everything about them are so beautiful
A dark romance that hit as hard as crashing waves, yet felt as gentle as a sea breeze
It is rare for me to enjoy a dark romance in my 20s. Maybe when I was younger, I would enjoy anything as long as it was BL. As time passed by, I began to value quality over quantity and gravitated toward stories that felt more life-affirming rather than villain-driven. Yet this drama has many of the negative aspects I usually avoid, and I still ended up loving it.
Fan Xiao and Shu Lang’s story is truly distinct. They are the embodiment of yin and yang. President Fan, the rich, cold-hearted, and obsessive man, meets the gentle and kind Director You. Cunning is Fan Xiao’s ultimate weapon, and his plans slowly begin to bear fruit when Shu Lang becomes addicted to his “matchstick,” eventually allowing Fan Xiao to take Shu Lang away from Lu Zhen. This is only the beginning of Fan Xiao’s madness.
One of the most beautiful aspects of this drama is its title, To My Shore. It reflects love, comfort, and Fan Xiao’s reason for living, having Shu Lang by his side. After Fan Xiao’s traumatic experience with a tsunami, which led to his mother’s death, he bumped into SHu Lang, who became his source of comfort. Ironically, Fan Xiao later becomes the storm that disrupts Shu Lang’s once-peaceful life.
Shu Lang has his own tragic backstory: being orphaned, adopted, bullied, losing his adoptive mother, raising an ungrateful stepbrother, and building his life and title from nothing with no one by his side. Despite all of this, Shu lang grows into a fine man with a heart of gold. I would do everything to protect him.
And then there’s the King of Manipulation himself, Fan Xiao. It was devastating when Shu Lang discovered that his boyfriend was the mastermind behind everything that had gone wrong in his life. The scene where Shu Lang cries alone in his bedroom while Fan Xiao and Lu Zhen stand outside was absolutely heartbreaking. From that point on, misfortunes keep crashing down on Shu Lang, all planned and planted by Fan Xiao.
But this is a dark romance. And for a dark romance to work, it must be carried by talented actors, and this one absolutely succeeds. I was deeply invested in every single episode, thanks to the powerful performances of Hao Yi Ran and Yun Qi. They truly brought Shu Lang and Fan Xiao to life. Their emotional delivery was always on point.
Fan Xiao’s redemption arc was a chef’s kiss. Watching him completely fall apart after Shu Lang left was painful yet satisfying. He paid the price for everything he did and genuinely regretted his actions. I’m glad I stayed until the end, because after witnessing all the evil he committed, forgiving him was not easy, especially from Shu Lang’s perspective. Still, the story’s progression made it feel earned.
This drama does not romanticize toxic relations. Instead, it explores giving someone a chance after genuine growth and change. That said, forgiveness is never easy, and it is also okay not to forgive. What matters most is choosing what brings peace, making decisions that align with both your heart and your mind.
One of my favorite J-BLs is finally back! That was my immediate reaction when the sequel was announced. Since the prequel was such a success, I was genuinely happy to see Natsume and Toma again. However, the outcome turned out to be somewhat disappointing.
At first, I was completely drawn in by their domestic, almost sophisticated life together. The kisses and cuddles were absolutely to die for. But as the episodes went on, it started to feel like the focus drifted too far toward the side characters rather than the main couple.
I understand that this season places Toma’s dream at the center of the story. But if I’m being honest, the addition of the new male BA as a rookie in Mamiya’s store felt unnecessarily prolonged. It dragged on to the point of being quite dull. I get that a new character was needed to help Mamiya grow into a stronger leader, highlighting his firmness despite his overwhelming kindness. But the pacing of this arc was simply too slow. Because of this, the sequel doesn’t come close to the level of the first season, and saying that genuinely saddens me as a fan of the prequel.
Thankfully, the onsen date felt like a turning point, as if the story was finally shifting its attention back to the main couple. It was such a breath of fresh air. Natsume was incredibly cute and endearing, as always. Then we get Tenma again, still the handsome and protective brother of Toma, somehow even more charming this season. And the introduction of Sahashi’s dad was a delight. He added a bit more spice to the dynamics of the main couple.
The selfies at the bridge looked so kawaii and genuinely beautiful. Toma stepping out of his comfort zone to pursue his dream was an interesting direction for the story. However, the drama seemed more focused on heightening emotional tension than on showcasing the couple’s chemistry. And that’s where it falls short. We wanted more romantic moments from Mamiya and Toma; that’s arguably the very reason a sequel exists in the first place.
Nevertheless, I still found moments to enjoy in this sequel. It just wasn’t enough to make me scream with happiness the way I did during the previous season.
Short, but seriously impactful. I didn’t expect to fall this hard for SurfJava, but here I am, completely head over heels. Their portrayal of Tum and Oh fits them perfectly. I’m such a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope, especially when it comes with this level of tension and chemistry. Their performances? Electric. It was fun, romantic, and ridiculously addictive.
I love how the story creatively weaves through the adventures across nine temples, the legendary pants, and even the recurring motif of face scars from beginning to end. It all sounds quirky on paper, but it works, and it makes every TumOh moment feel big and incredibly meaningful.
And can we talk about Surf’s speaking voice? So soft, it’s honestly mesmerizing. Then there’s Java, whose tiny, adorable tattoos add so much personality to Oh. And that couple tattoo at the end? I lost it. The dynamic between Tum’s soft-hearted gang leader persona and Oh’s charismatic, slightly chaotic charm is just a chef’s kiss. Their constant bickering never misses; it’s playful, sharp, and full of chemistry.
Watching Tum stare at Oh had me melting like ice cream under the sun. Their dynamic, like a dog and a cat during the day, then suddenly intimate at night, felt like an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. And those scenes where Surf grabs Java’s waist were so great. But then Java hit me with those teary eyes after the betrayal, and suddenly, I am drowning in emotion. They can act with an insane range. And yes, Christopher Boonying is an icon because of that.
The temple fair scene was another highlight. It was fun, chaotic, and even funnier in hindsight when we realized Messi felt completely invisible in the couple’s clingy little world. I’m obsessed with the ending, probably just as obsessed as Tum is stealing kisses from Oh.
This drama feels like an indie film with a surprisingly high-quality finish. It made me fall so hard for SurfJava that now I desperately need them to headline another series together, the sooner the better.
It is rare for me to enjoy a dark romance in my 20s. Maybe when I was younger, I would enjoy anything as long as it was BL. As time passed by, I began to value quality over quantity and gravitated toward stories that felt more life-affirming rather than villain-driven. Yet this drama has many of the negative aspects I usually avoid, and I still ended up loving it.
Fan Xiao and Shu Lang’s story is truly distinct. They are the embodiment of yin and yang. President Fan, the rich, cold-hearted, and obsessive man, meets the gentle and kind Director You. Cunning is Fan Xiao’s ultimate weapon, and his plans slowly begin to bear fruit when Shu Lang becomes addicted to his “matchstick,” eventually allowing Fan Xiao to take Shu Lang away from Lu Zhen. This is only the beginning of Fan Xiao’s madness.
One of the most beautiful aspects of this drama is its title, To My Shore. It reflects love, comfort, and Fan Xiao’s reason for living, having Shu Lang by his side. After Fan Xiao’s traumatic experience with a tsunami, which led to his mother’s death, he bumped into SHu Lang, who became his source of comfort. Ironically, Fan Xiao later becomes the storm that disrupts Shu Lang’s once-peaceful life.
Shu Lang has his own tragic backstory: being orphaned, adopted, bullied, losing his adoptive mother, raising an ungrateful stepbrother, and building his life and title from nothing with no one by his side. Despite all of this, Shu lang grows into a fine man with a heart of gold. I would do everything to protect him.
And then there’s the King of Manipulation himself, Fan Xiao. It was devastating when Shu Lang discovered that his boyfriend was the mastermind behind everything that had gone wrong in his life. The scene where Shu Lang cries alone in his bedroom while Fan Xiao and Lu Zhen stand outside was absolutely heartbreaking. From that point on, misfortunes keep crashing down on Shu Lang, all planned and planted by Fan Xiao.
But this is a dark romance. And for a dark romance to work, it must be carried by talented actors, and this one absolutely succeeds. I was deeply invested in every single episode, thanks to the powerful performances of Hao Yi Ran and Yun Qi. They truly brought Shu Lang and Fan Xiao to life. Their emotional delivery was always on point.
Fan Xiao’s redemption arc was a chef’s kiss. Watching him completely fall apart after Shu Lang left was painful yet satisfying. He paid the price for everything he did and genuinely regretted his actions. I’m glad I stayed until the end, because after witnessing all the evil he committed, forgiving him was not easy, especially from Shu Lang’s perspective. Still, the story’s progression made it feel earned.
This drama does not romanticize toxic relations. Instead, it explores giving someone a chance after genuine growth and change. That said, forgiveness is never easy, and it is also okay not to forgive. What matters most is choosing what brings peace, making decisions that align with both your heart and your mind.