Birdie

I'm always wary when they go and try to remake a drama that's already perfect (and with such a timeless soundtrack too). It's like the rumoured American Squid Game universe project. Just turn on the subtitles and enjoy the ride.

People who don't watch J-dramas are missing out on a lot of great stuff. Ironically, Netflix has a great Japanese drama catalogue, including Unnatural.

This is sooo much fun. Im Ji-yeon is such a great actress. She can transition between drama and comedy effortlessly.

This drama may seem ordinary at first glance, but I don’t think there’s anything else quite like it. It’s as if a uniquely warm light surrounds every scene. I’ve rewatched it many times (it’s my go-to whenever I’m sick and need some bed rest), and it never gets old. I’m glad it exists.

I burst into tears when all the cells appeared. I hadn’t realized how fond I’d grown of this story. It was both such an entertaining and heartwarming journey, and I loved this final season the most.

Yumi, be happy!!! 😭♥️

I can't believe this is ending so soon, why couldn't we have at least 10 episodes? I'm watching more airing K-dramas now than I have in years, and this is one I don't want to let go of.

This drama is like a cup of warm tea, a must-watch for the romance/slice of life enjoyer. Excited to see more of Natsumi and Takimasa-sama and Fukami and Fumiko this fall season.

What a gripping start. Park Bo-young is back with a bang after last year's great (also my personal favorite) Our Unwritten Seoul.

Deng Enxi has a bright future, such a talented actress and with a unique presence to boot.

I've always felt Kwak Dong-yeon was underrated, he's a very versatile and charming actor who has been around for quite some time without getting a big break. He also has a distinctive look, which I think is always an advantage for an actor.

I think this might turn out to be my favorite season...? It's such a breezy comfort watch. The actors are good, the cells are funny. There is also a sense of comfort in knowing we won't get a breakup arc this time lol

I can relate to Shin PD a lot as a fellow homebody, and it was cool to see his cells. People always act so surprised when they get to know an introvert better 😭 I've had people tell me they didn't expect me to be so nice and I'm like... is that a compliment or an insult...? It's just that keeping a smiling face and trying to make small talk are such draining tasks.

I felt so tense watching episode 5.

I miss you, B.

Lovely show. It was my winter season comfort watch this year.

I really tried, but this is just so dreadfully tedious (even for someone like me who enjoys a lot of “boring” slice of life stuff). The characters are dull and I couldn't find it in myself to care about them. There are literally hundreds of better works about the dating lives of women in their 30s that are just as realistic, but far more engaging.

6 out of 12 episodes watched, dropped.

I don't know… maybe this really is their first connection, and there isn't some greater explanation for it? Somehow, that would make their story even sadder. He's mortal, she's not. He finally makes her feel alive, while he is inevitably bound to die, as we all are. In a way, the finiteness of life is what makes it meaningful and precious. It would be a nice xianxia/xuanhuan reversal. (I'm not a novel reader, so I'm only speculating.)

First of all, it’s so cool to have a genuinely deranged female lead. I’ll admit I’m not the biggest connoisseur of xianxia and xuanhuan dramas (I’m still working my way through a big backlog), but it feels like we more often get supremely powerful male leads rather than the alternative.

My favorite thing about Love Beyond the Grave so far is just how rich the world and the characters are. Not the best CGI of all time, but still beautiful visual storytelling. The music is great too. That scene at the end of episode 4, when Duan Xu passes through He Simu and the song drops, was SO good.

"I used to be sand. I will be sand. For one moment, I'm a sandcastle. And I only live for this moment." Such a great line. It evokes beautiful imagery and tells us (and He Simu) so much about Duan Xu’s character. She is the sovereign of spirits, existing above, through, and beyond it all, devoid of empathy and the five senses, while he is bound to the fleeting present.

Wow, the first six episodes flew by. I really like it, and this might be Zhou Ye's best role yet.

This is a FUN drama. An actual freaking romcom with good pacing. It's like a unicorn these days! I watched the first five episodes with some non-K-drama viewers, and we had a great time. I was baffled by Mi-rae and the whole AI boyfriend thing, but I was also rooting for her to sort herself out lol

Zhou Yiran and Bao Shangen have potential. They both emote well and have good line delivery. I know traffic is king or whatever, but these kinds of actors deserve good projects. It really is an unfair, unforgiving business, but a single hit is enough to change the trajectory of your career.

That said, the acting is pretty much the only thing I can really compliment this drama on. The overall pacing, directing, and storytelling leave a lot to be desired. It’s a strong plot with messy execution. It feels like they’re trying to rush everything, never letting a scene linger long enough to make a real impression. Directing and pacing are 100% the most important things in a costume drama!