Please give Melody of Secrets a chance.
The Bad: A weird plot and poor storytelling initially.The Good: Beautiful cinematography, fantastic soundtrack, and stellar acting by ForceBook.
The first half of the first episode was terrible, and I can honestly see why so many people dropped it. However, the latter half saved the show for me, and I think those who gave up on Melody of Secrets made a huge mistake. The chemistry between Force and Book was absolutely sizzling.
The story wasn't actually that bad in hindsight; it’s just that there’s a plot twist that makes the first few episodes difficult to follow. Once everything is cleared up, it all makes sense in the end. In my opinion, the best part of this drama is the romance between Tankhun and Botpleng; ForceBook owned every single scene they shared.
While I didn’t care much for the other characters, my eyes were glued to the screen every time Book appeared. My heart ached whenever a tear fell from his eyes. Book did so well, I’m so proud of him. Force deserves just as much credit—he was the hot criminologist I never knew I needed! He usually plays stoic characters, and while Tankhun is somewhat similar, Force showed great improvement in his acting. He did so well during the emotional scenes, that I want to get a hug from him as well. And the kisses! EVERY. SINGLE. EPISODE. Oh my god, totally not complaining, keep it coming, ig?!?
Each scene featuring the two of them was shot beautifully. Between the visuals and the overall vibes, the production was incredible, I even found myself taking screenshots throughout the episodes.
It’s great to see a couple like ForceBook branch out. The genre shift definitely added a layer of intrigue that set it apart from the typical BL formula.
I have to give it to them for taking on such challenging roles. While Enchanté, A Boss and a Babe, and Perfect 10 Liners felt somewhat similar in tone, they really showed their potential in Only Friends and Peaceful Property. Now, with Melody of Secrets and their upcoming show Lovers and Gangsters, they are proving they can handle much darker, more complex material. It’s been an impressive evolution to watch. ForceBook’s filmograply is impressive, which can’t be said for many other CPs. I truly think people are sleeping on them, which is a shame. They choose their projects carefully, and they always deliver.
Overall, I think Melody of Secrets deserves to be given a chance. It’s unique, intriguing, and different from the usual BL stories. I didn’t expect it, but it’s now one of my all-time favorites.
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Romanticized Abuse Disguised as Fluff
I can’t believe this is my first review ever, but I need to get this off my chest. A hot guy (Segasaki) tells a broke, low–self-esteem guy (Yoh) to move in with him, promising food and shelter in exchange for complete obedience—anything he wants. Yoh is desperate, so he agrees.This is such a dangerous deal to make. What exactly does Segasaki want? How far is Yoh supposed to go? How could he say yes without knowing? Segasaki is manipulative to the core. He preys on Yoh when he’s at his lowest just to own him. His “love” is possession and control. He needs Yoh to depend on him, and Yoh accepts it, willingly, like so many trapped in abusive relationships.
Neither of them should be anywhere near a relationship, and together they’re a disaster. What frustrates me even more is the number of people who genuinely enjoy this dynamic. Being someone’s slave is not cute. It’s not romantic, it’s not sweet—no matter how many head pats Segasaki gives Yoh.
And Yoh? He’s painfully naive. He could leave, but he chooses to stay because he thinks he loves Segasaki. Honey, that’s not love. Even in fiction, an abusive relationship is still abusive. Romanticizing it doesn’t make it any less harmful.
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What kind of heart beats a person’s name?Khun Thee’s heart: Lookpeach. Lookpeach. Lookpeaccchhh
Me and Thee is so cheesy and stupid and I LOVE IT SO MUCH.Khun Thee is such a hilarious character. He can be cringey, especially with his "soap opera" lines, but Peach’s gentle and kind nature balances him out perfectly. Every time Khun Thee acts like a mafia boss in his fancy suit (and that one funny strand of hair on his forehead!)—using that deep voice and threatening tone—the background music and dramatic zooms crack me up. I enjoyed seeing how meeting Peach made Thee realize he wasn't living a "normal" life and that there is more to the world than just being rich.
Mok is equally funny; his judgy expressions, his tendency to get fed up with Thee, and his sassy clapbacks are so entertaining to watch.
Peach is a fantastic character; I always love characters who are genuinely kind. Even though he was scared and intimidated by Thee in the beginning, he was still really nice to him.
The episode where Peach took Thee on as his assistant to show him "normal" life was lovely. For the first time, Thee got to experience a regular existence, and it was heartwarming to see how Peach made him happy with the little things and took great care of him. The part where Thee wrote his name on Peach’s arm because everything that’s his has his name marked on it was adorable, as was him adoring the wind chime he got from Peach. I enjoyed the flight ticket tantrum scene, it was over the top and PondPhuwin delivered their lines well.
I’m a huge fan of PondPhuwin, they are so cute as a pair, and I’m glad to see them back in a rom-com series. I love how Pond’s characters are obsessed with Phuwin’s in every universe. Also, what I love about PondPhuwin’s shows is that they don’t necessarily need a lot of kissing or intimate scenes; the chemistry and the spark are always there. I am in awe of how Pond managed to deliver Khun Thee’s lines so shamelessly and endeared at how Phuwin managed not to laugh at Pond. Pond killed it as Khun Thee, but the one who had me kicking my legs and biting my pillow and driving me insane was Phuwin, oh my god, Phuwin! Wtf. When did he get this hot? Damn he’s so fine, we both need to get a grip Khun Thee!!
Est was a total scene-stealer with his hilarious expressions and that cunty wardrobe! the glasses, the vest, the gun holster, the tiny waist! He looked incredible. William was also cute as Rome; he looked so tiny standing next to Est. Their part was so short though. I didn’t really enjoy PerthSanta’s storyline.
Overall, I really, really enjoyed this show, I’ll add this to the list of my comfort shows.
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Not therapeutic at all…
Why would Minato get so angry at Shizuma for not remembering their one drunken night together? Not remembering is fairly common and certainly not unforgivable, so it makes no sense for Minato to go to such lengths to make Shizuma fall in love just to break his heart over something so trivial.Don’t even get me started on the lead actors' nonexistent chemistry. The first thirty seconds were enough for me to want to drop the drama, but I stayed for Minato’s pretty face, hoping it would improve. It didn't. Instead, it became more ridiculous as it progressed.
I understand why Minato is afraid of falling in love, and I certainly wouldn't entrust my heart to a guy who just got out of a relationship, is obviously still hung up on his ex, and wasn't even into guys until he met me. Honestly, I have zero sympathy for Shizuma.
Even more insane was the second couple, who managed to have even less chemistry than the main leads. How is that even possible?
Overall, this drama was not enjoyable at all.
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Perfectly Captured the Fluttering Feeling of First Love
We first have to thank Hashimoto for lending Aoki that eraser, the legendary eraser that started it all.While Aoki is the kindest soul, Ida must have been a saint in a past life; there isn't an ounce of malice in that man. I love that he didn't just reject Aoki’s "confession" right away; he sincerely considered his feelings before responding. The only thing I find hard to believe is that this was Ida's first time being confessed to. Seriously? With a face like that (Meguro Ren is a total hottie!), I would’ve been first in line!
Akkun initially infuriated me when he meddled and forced Aoki to the rooftop to come clean. He definitely deserved the slap Hashimoto gave him! However, his heart was in the right place, and he eventually made up for his mistake by being a true friend.
Aoki’s journey was a roller coaster ride of feelings, from the depression of realizing he had fallen for Ida for real, to the heartbreak of thinking he had lost him after coming clean. That scene where he sadly stares at Ida from a distance absolutely broke my heart.
The camping trip was such a fun episode. I loved seeing Hashimoto and Aoki’s bond, and even Ida and Akkun managed to bond for once.
My favorite moment has to be after the pretty manager left. Aoki was dribbling the ball while Ida watched from above. Seeing Ida finally become honest with his feelings while Aoki was already "in too deep" was beautiful to watch.
Credit where credit is due, Ida’s friend, Toyoda, is the real hero of this series. I love how he helped a clueless, "stupid-when-it-comes-to-love" Ida realize his feelings and gave him the push he needed to run to Aoki.
My Love Mix-Up! perfectly captured the butterflies of falling in love for the first time. It beautifully illustrated that you can’t choose who you love and that honest feelings always deserve to be heard.
This show is definitely my top comfort watch! Michieda Shunsuke perfectly captured Aoki’s chaotic energy, and Meguro Ren played Ida’s stoic-but-sincere nature so well.
The OST really is the cherry on top, having both Snow Man’s "Secret Touch" and Naniwa Danshi’s "Ubu LOVE" play at the end of different episodes made the vibes even more magical.
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Visually Stunning, Emotionally Empty and Terribly Boring
I was really looking forward to this drama because I like Riko, so when I learned it was finally on Viki, I watched it instantly. Honestly? It was so boring.I don't understand how Ninako fell in love with Ren when they barely spent any time together. It felt like a simple crush, yet in the girl's internal monologue, he’s treated like the love of her life. When she learned he was taken, I thought it was so strange that she still chose to confess. No matter how strong a relationship is, a partner is bound to get shaken by a confession, and she certainly drove a wedge between Ren and his girlfriend by continuing to hang around him.
The relationships in this show felt shallow; it seemed like no one truly liked anyone back, and everyone entered their relationships half-heartedly. Everyone was so focused on their love lives that the moment things didn't go their way, they acted like it was the end of the world!
Overall, it’s bad, the story, the dialogue, the cast, and the acting. The only redeeming factor is the cinematography; the show looked visually great, even if the content wasn't.
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A Quiet, Tender Love Story
At 25:00 in Akasaka may not have the most original premise, fake dating that slowly becomes real, but what truly leaves a mark aren’t the plot beats, it’s the way the characters carry them. Especially Asami.Asami is one of the gentlest leads I’ve seen in a drama. From the beginning, the way he treats Shirasaki feels thoughtful and sincere. He never forces his feelings, never backs Shirasaki into a corner. Instead, he stays close in quiet, steady ways, supporting him without ever taking away his space. His love feels patient, not demanding.
One moment that stuck with me is when Asami asks, “What do you like?”
Shirasaki lists the things he likes—
cinema, acting, strawberry shortcake, hamburg,
Asami’s curry rice,
Asami’s hand while drying his hair,
Asami’s child-like sleeping face,
and finally… Asami himself.
Later, during the confession scene in the show they’re filming, it becomes clear that Asami now belongs on that list just as naturally as everything else Shirasaki loves. I really enjoyed the quiet shift from acting to honesty, where pretending stops and real feelings take over.
I love how Asami’s affection isn’t loud, but it’s deep. The actor playing him captures that sense of longing without overdoing it. I know some viewers say there’s no chemistry or that the kisses lack intensity, but for me, the emotion was there beneath every look and small gesture. The kiss in episode 5 is my favorite. The phrase ‘drunk in love’… this must be exactly what it means.
The music also adds so much to the atmosphere, especially the moments when a certain background music is playing, I thought we can hear Shirasaki’s heartbeat. Those scenes made the emotions feel real, like we were sitting with them in the silence between words.
The actor who plays Shirasaki has some of the most expressive eyes I’ve ever seen on screen, it’s genuinely beautiful to watch. I’ve rewatched this series many times, and I still can’t get over the atmosphere of the show. It’s filmed so simply, yet it feels incredibly tender. It made my heart flutter.
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If Only Every Guy Were Like Hikaru
Hikaru is the ultimate "green flag." I love how he fell for Haruka long before she did; even while she was in love with someone else, Hikaru remained by her side, supporting her in every possible way. I could never be like him, staying beside the person you love while watching them fall for someone else takes incredible strength. (The same could be said about Shu; that guy is way too cool!)Haruka is such a pure soul, and I love how she accepted Hikaru from the moment she learned he’s a cross-dresser. They are constantly there for one another, and their friendship was beautiful to witness. Watching that bond bloom into something more felt truly profound. While Haruka can be a bit naive at times, her kindness always shines through. I never quite understood what she saw in Kurotaki, or why she and Miorin became friends in the end, but her heart is clearly in the right place.
The aquarium date has to be one of the best J-drama episodes I’ve ever seen. The combination of sweetness and quirkiness was a joy to watch, and I especially loved seeing Haruka find the courage to confess just as Hikaru lost his nerve. Love won in the end.
I wish the drama hadn’t ended at episode 12. The five-year time jump felt too rushed for a single episode, which made the finale feel a bit unsatisfying. A wedding scene would have been a lovely way to close the story.
Overall, I enjoyed Cinderella Closet immensely. The story is simple, lighthearted, and incredibly comforting.
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