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This review may contain spoilers
brace yourself
Overall: I'm trying my best to see this through a fictional lens and the actors are doing a fantastic job, but I can't support the romance aspect. Adapted from the web novel “Si Mian Fo” by Su Erliang which I haven't read and I am reviewing this series based on its own merits. 15 episodes about 40 minutes each. Airing on Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/41277c-to-my-shore (Americas, Europe, Oceania, India, Middle East, Japan and South Korea); GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/6027/to-my-shore-2025-e01 (not in the Americas, Europe, Oceania, India, Middle East, Japan and South Korea) and Heavenly in South KoreaContent Warnings: past (deaths, bullying, unwanted outing/homophobia); current (sexual assault, manipulation/intimate partner abuse, drugging, non con video recording, violence, self harm mentioned, PTSD/trauma, vomiting, self harm mentioned, intimate partner abuse, non con turned consensual)
Watch Suggestions (this will focus on sweet moments, but there are still visits to grave sites and might be other things)
- episode 5 watch 16:40-29:50
- episode 6 watch 3:30-15:35, 17:30-21:20, 21:35-27, 34:50-end
- episode 7 watch 6:10-10, 20-22
- episode 8 watch 7:40-15:30
- skip episode 9
What I Liked
- that they have a slightly more balanced power dynamic and one guy defends himself
- the obsessed chemistry vibe
- acting
Room For Improvement
- I cannot support a character in a romantic relationship, he basically emotionally tortured the supposed love of his life and is continuing to do so, he is putting his own happiness over the one he claims to love
- the crown was odd
- too much time spent on 1 character in the beginning
- odd music over a flashback
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This review may contain spoilers
a darker revenge short series
Overall: this was not a fluffy romance but I didn't judge it by fluffy romance standards. 6 episodes about 10 minutes each. Aired on Secret of Us YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7BSona1dmx4ez-PNNMmmFsAt8zwjDhsj&si=tbfb1Upl2OXvxJGaContent Warnings: sexual assault, violence, blood, non con recording, stalking, manhandling, blackmail, deaths/murders, non con kissing turned consensual, drugging, past bullying, threatened suicide
Notes:
- to skip most of the content warnings start episode 1 at 2:15 and episode 4 at 4:45, then end it at episode 5 9m30s
- the subtitles say half brother but it might mean step brothers (i.e. not biologically related)
What I Liked
- bath tub scene
- the BL manga
- when a character decided to change (in ep 4 after 4:45)
Room For Improvement
- flash forward/present and then went back to start
- seemed needlessly dark with the third guy
- no consequence shown for a terrible character
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First Impression: Air Moment
Overall: I don't know what is going on but I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. Airing on Viu in a few countries like Thailand, no other release.Content Warnings: (I'm keeping this spoiler free but there are some intense moments including blood)
What I Liked
- different premise (though not sure yet what that is)
- landscape/setting
Room For Improvement
- I have no idea what is going on
- the riddle thing was kind of lame
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This review may contain spoilers
wished for a better plot for these great actors (watch suggestions)
Overall: SUKFILM does some things really well such as chemistry/tension. However, the love triangles/cheating bog the series down. Aired 8 episodes about 10 minutes each https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYfaogVGCvwQ_32A8H9oWjdEtXVTWcrja&si=212BSBvITHARKx3G I am watched the cut version, the uncut has longer kissing scenes.Content Warning: dub con kissing turned consensual?, non con kiss, manipulation, unwanted public outing
Watch Suggestions (to avoid cheating. love triangles and an evil ex)
- watch episode 1 and end it at 9:55
- skip episode 2
- watch episode 3 beginning to 45s, 5:15-7:40, 9:35-end
- watch episode 4 beginning to 1m and 6:40-end
- stop episode 5 at 2 minutes
- skip episodes 6 & 7
- watch episode 8 7:40-end
What I Liked
- acting/chemistry/tension
- visuals
- sweet moment with the first aid
- music (except that the singing was too loud during scenes with dialog)
- a character actually had a decent plan in episode 8
Room For Improvement
- the cliched woman character (which I think has appeared in all 3 of their BLs)
- one character is kind of a jerk/cheater (this is also a running theme in their BLs)
- I can't really be happy with the couple because I don't trust that there won't be cheating in the future
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Terrible Ending In My Room
Overall: I watched the first 3 and half episodes and the last episode (cut version). Very disappointed at the ending.Content Warnings: kind of attempted self harm/suicide - it's complicated, character death, horror, watching someone without their permission
What I Liked
- there was some stunning cinematography for example in the beginning with the light behind the characters, nice color scheming, music contributes to the mood
- the intro drawing/animation sequence
- the kiss in the final episode was well done
Room For Improvement
- in the cut version, there is zero explanation why Phob didn't turn into an evil ghost?!?
- Phob was too gutless to say goodbye to Phat (but then they did say goodbye, I have no idea why/how that came about)
- time skip and 50ish year old Phat says he married a woman but it didn't work out, he's dying of cancer and his mom died...then Phat and Phob reunite after Phat's death
- free version cuts out parts and it felt choppy in many places
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Possible Serial Killer Next Door
Overall: though I like characters who are forthright, the ML felt almost serial killer-ish with his approach. 6 short episodes aired on SEEKMedia's YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwfmKArt9EtUxf12DcDxR84uY3gNmoDsl&si=hNYx3yI4kDo16Mo2Content Warning: non con touching
What I Liked
- opposite personalities
- visuals
Room For Improvement
- the stalkerish approach
- non con touching and then blamed him for it
- series was basically one guy writing, one guy playing the guitar and kissing
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better as it went on
Overall: I enjoyed seeing two people working thru their relationship and life challenges. 12 episodes about 23 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala (not in Japan, Korea or Thailand) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5473/stay-by-my-side-after-the-rain-2025-e01Content Warnings: past death, past abuse, vomiting, emotional abuse from a parent
Watch Suggestions from 3 on (will try to go back to episodes 1 & 2 later) focuses more on the main leads
- stop episode 3 at 12:10
- skip episode 4
- episode 5 watch 18:20-end
- episode 6 watch 6-10:15 (though I did chuckle at some of the jealousy afterwards) and 20-end
- stop episode 7 at 20:55
- episode 8 watch 6:30-7:45 and 14-end
- watch episode 9
- episode 10 watch beginning-9:10 and 12:20-19:45
- episode 11 watch 5-end
- watch episode 12
What I Liked
- clear premise
- a reserved worrier and an open fly by the seat of his pants dynamic
- communicated/were honest in several episodes, the check in
- sweet moments
- supportive co-workers*
- laughed a couple times
- a supportive grandma
- a supportive mom and sister
- production value
Room For Improvement
- voicing internal thoughts frequently
- threatening stalking/ignoring boundaries was not romantic
- cared nothing for the mom or the co-workers* (did not like how he was forced to come out and he was grateful that they didn't mind their own business)
- not reassuring if the talk was good news or bad news in episode 4
- dead fish lip presses
- (neutral) a character refused to communicate in the beginning but at least it didn't last too long
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3rd Time Is Not The Charm
Overall: I debated even starting this because of the production company (google Motive Village controversy and you can learn about it). But I wanted to support the actors.Content Warnings: flashback to non/dub con sex (drunk)
What I Liked
- the Forth/Beam kiss was decent
- (neutral) animations
Room For Improvement
- the reboot (season 2 aka season 1 plus extra plot line) ended on a major cliffhanger so I expected this to pick up where it left off but instead we have 2 new characters as the leads with a totally different plot
- the 6 of them sitting around and re-creating their stories was an exposition dump
- there are 3 established couples that didn't really do anything and don't have chemistry/they don't feel like established couples, i.e. an established couple who had a dead fish lip press kiss
- two seemingly straight guys starting as rivals who will eventually fall into the 'gay for you' trope
- production value (odd camerawork, goofy background music that didn't fit)
- effeminate guys stereotyped as boy obsessed/shrill
- boring, they even put a flashback in 27 min to earlier in that same episode
- a stupid competition
- what a weird thing for a person in an established relationship to do when someone asks for his phone number
- no official international release
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First Impression: Interminable
Overall: intrigued with the set up. 11 episodes about 45 min each. Airing on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/interminable-episode-1-15snedolols?lang=en_usContent Warnings (appear to be several major ones in the past but I'm keeping this spoiler free for now)
What I Liked
- historical eras (1912 past, 1947 present)
- styling
- mystery element
Room For Improvement
- nervous about pacing and the ending
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This review may contain spoilers
abuse
Overall: all I see is abuse. 18 episodes about 5 minutes each. Airing on 欧芝居 YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNYcOUpIAiIkfPSoVrxOT8YDD3V2rjs-m&si=MymiwAhc6uAAmY_XContent Warning: multiple slaps, held against will, sexual assault, past child abuse, coercion, repeated rape, drugging
Room For Improvement
- a main character is 17 years old and the other character destroyed something he loved on purpose and slapped the 17 year old, there will need to be a really well done redemption arc to make me ship them (update as of ep 6 I want the 17 year old to be single and get out of that house along with that guy wearing the maid outfit)
- are they biological brothers? step brothers? (hoping it's step brothers)
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School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To
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a feel good series
Overall: a sweet series that I could re-watch many times. Based on the book "Shugakuryoko de Nakayokunai Group ni Hairimashita" by Kakuregi Uzura which I haven't read and am reviewing the series on its own merits. 10 episodes about 20 minutes each. Airing on https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5924/school-trip-joined-a-group-im-not-close-to-2025 (not available in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong or Macau).What I Liked
- visuals
- clear set up
- how a character is laser-focused on another character but he isn't oppressive or creepy
- supportive friends
- honest communication, especially towards the end of episode 8
Room For Improvement
- the awkwardness/obliviousness was a bit too much at times in the beginning
- continuity error, they were supposed to be soaking wet and the next second they looked totally dry
- nonsense: I don't think women would be screaming and waiting in a long line to take a picture with non-celebrities, he couldn't see at all without his glasses and suddenly he could see fine, 1 sip is not going to make a person tipsy/want to throw up
- Watarai mostly respected Hioki's boundaries and didn't take his agency away, but I hope he gets over being jealous of Hioki talking with his friends because that is not romantic
- (neutral) voicing inner thoughts
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a mixed bag
Overall: the first story was adorable, though that vibe didn't last. Not sure why so many characters ignored boundaries, but it was not romantic. 8 different stories, each in 2 parts about 15 minutes total per storyline. Airing on Strongberry YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNd7BhdAz80ptzaxeYXbVCLVXH7JXtely&si=_AO3vgmNtpY2d-vI - later aired on Shortime, my invite link is https://playground.shortime.app/en/invite/NKNIWI - the code is NKNIWI (those are all capital letters, that's the capital letter i) and it should get you a bonus. Note each episode is 120 popcorn which is pretty expensive/will take a while to watch for free on Shortime.Story 1: Want To Grow It? rating 9 (strangers)
Super adorable, focuses on 2 characters with an easy to understand story. Good production value.
Story 2: Folding You, rating 8 (university students, 1 is quirky)
This was quirky, didn't feel the chemistry as much.
Story 3: Sweet Mischief, rating 7 (servant contract/blackmail)
The blackmail wasn't cute nor was seeing several uncomfortable kisses.
Story 4: Sleep Around Still Mine, rating 8.5 (friends with benefits)
Overall well done, though they could have cut the ghosting.
Story 5: Craving You, rating 8 (actor/manager)
Not a fan of the non/dub con kiss in the first part and the change seemed sudden.
Story 6: Not a BL, rating 7.5 (coworkers)
Bad that he didn't explain what the job would be. Not sure if the owner was helping?
Story 7: Sweet Mischief, rating 7 (trying to get into university)
Not a fan of repeatedly ignoring boundaries and the non con kiss.
Story 8: A Killer Recipe, rating 8.5 (former boyfriends)
I was a bit confused and needed a little more explanation. Note, likely murder off screen and blood shown.
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This review may contain spoilers
a soap opera (side BL couple)
Overall: I saw this on a BL list and decided to watch it although it doesn't have English subtitles. I watched the first 2 episodes and the last episode. Unfortunately the sweet established m/m couple breaks up in the final episode (at least they both seem to move on/be happy) but that made me not want to go back and watch all of the episodes especially because I didn't understand most of what they were saying. Watched (not subtitled) on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh45VQur4AvofKLgui5nvD9m96BiIlu8VContent Warnings: murder/death, held against will, attempted kidnapping, intimate partner abuse, violence, blood (likely more)
M/M couple scenes (from episodes that I watched)
- episode 1 part 5 4:15-end
- episode 2 beginning-2 min
- (they broke up at the beginning of episode 32)
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First Impression: Burnout Syndrome
Overall: I don't know where I'm going but I'm here for the ride. 10 episodes about 45 minutes each. Airing on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/burnout-syndrome-episode-1-y7b6i0dfws?lang=en_usWhat I Liked
- unique start
- styling
- production value
Room For Improvement
- seems to set up a love triangle
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dark supernatural series
Overall: if you do not enjoy scary movies, then I would recommend steering clear of this. I appreciate that the plot is different from most fluffy romance BL series. 13 episodes about 55 minutes each. Airing on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/1jlxfsemc40?sh_pltf=4&lang=en_us and the first episode was on Change2561 YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc3B9DM2kKP7Eh7SULRh_-5aKWFeCqVnx&si=uzVxyQ3ieerov9Hg (not in Japan or Korea)Content Warnings: there are a ton of them including past and current murders and repeated gruesome images
Note: I was going to try to do timings to focus on romance and take out the content warnings but it was impossible. Where they frequently meet at the police station you can see gruesome images on the wall behind them. Romance of the main pair kicks into high gear in episode 6.
What I Liked
- production value
- mystery/supernatural element
Room For Improvement
- there were several nonsense actions/because the writer said so things
- did not like how characters didn't believe their romantic partners
- unless I missed it, I'm not clear on why the 2nd CP broke up so I can't root for their relationship since it seems kind of doomed because I don't know that they fixed whatever sank it the first time
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