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Don't read All 10s reviews
Most of these "all-10s" reviews are clearly written by fans of the main couple. Do me a favor and go to their profiles. Their accounts are only created to hype up the drama. Unless you're one of them, you're likely to end up disappointed by this much-anticipated series. I'm just a regular BL watcher, always on the lookout for a good story, regardless of who's starring in it, so my review is unbiased.I do appreciate the production value, the sets, and the effort to make everything look visually grand. However, sometimes it feels overly controlled and artificial. For example, the club scene, the protest scene, and the market scene all came off as staged rather than organic or lively.
The actors are almost always dressed impeccably, but it often feels like they're just reciting lines rather than truly acting. I'm not saying they’re bad actors, but the script is poorly written and gives them little room to showcase their talents. There was one scene where NuNew had to cry after his adopted father died, and that was genuinely moving. On the other hand, Zee’s character supposedly has childhood trauma related to rain, but that emotion never really came through in his performance.
The rest of the time, it felt like the actors were just wearing expensive outfits, delivering stiff lines, and doing forced NC scenes, simply because that's what the majority of fans want to see.
Overall, this was a poorly written drama with a massive budget for set design and wardrobe, but very little depth. The actors delivered their lines with maybe 25% of the emotional weight they could have, and the result is a series that looks good on the surface but lacks real substance.
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Just another timetravel story
Overall Thoughts:Not a bad drama, but not one I’ll be thinking about two months from now. The pacing felt a bit sluggish at times, and I wasn’t fully engaged with the storytelling throughout. This could have been tighter and more impactful as an 8-episode series. While there were twists and turns, most of them were quite predictable. Still, that didn’t stop me from continuing to watch.
What I Liked:
The chemistry between the main couple was genuinely enjoyable and carried a lot of emotional weight.
The lead actors gave solid performances that made their relationship believable and compelling.
The bodyguard/assistant character was a standout, adding charm and balance to the overall tone.
What I Didn’t Like:
Armin’s hairstyle in the early episodes was distracting and oddly styled.
The creators leaned too much into lakorn-style melodrama, including exaggerated acting, outdated tropes, and overly dramatic scenes.
For instance, Armin repeatedly "accidentally" reveals information from the future to people in the past. This happens multiple times and starts to feel repetitive.
When Armin was shot on set, with real or empty bullet, no one would realistically aim directly close range at the heart and fire directly. a blank (or empty) bullet can still be dangerous and even deadly at close range.
The villains were particularly cliché, behaving like stereotypical bad guys from old movies, with theatrical tone, facial expressions, and gestures. The main villian ends up going insane in prison, a trope that felt tired and unnecessary.
Final Verdict:
A watchable drama with strong performances and great chemistry between the leads, but weakened by predictable storytelling and an overreliance on outdated dramatic devices. Enjoyable while it lasts, but not something that leaves a lasting impression.
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Not Your Typical Historical Drama, and That’s a Good Thing
I can understand why some viewers might struggle with this drama at first. I almost dropped it myself after the opening episode. Coming straight from The Prisoner of Beauty, I needed a moment to recalibrate and get used to the idea of transmigrating into a scripted fictional world where FL is playing a scripted character. (But I stayed because I really enjoyed "Extraordinary You" and the synopsis sorta reminds me of that)I am glad I stayed with it, because what followed was an unexpectedly rewarding experience. The writing stood out as carefully constructed, with intrigue layered throughout and clever use of chaos and misunderstanding, particularly around the masked hero, Li Shi Liu. That storyline alone kept me invested, showing how well the narrative was planned from the very beginning.
It would not be fair to compare this drama directly with TPOB. Although the two may appear to belong to the same genre, they operate on very different aesthetics and tones. Where TPOB has a certain grandeur, this series succeeds through sharp storytelling, playful twists, and its distinctive thematic approach.
I would encourage viewers to approach it with an open mind, rather than holding on to rigid expectations of what a historical drama should look like. If you do, you will discover a work of striking creativity. For me, it was thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. Oh and dont forget to watch extra scenes after the end credits on the last episode.
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Not your typical BL...BUT it is a proper Men's Love
I rarely grant a series a perfect score, yet this one earns it without hesitation.If you are expecting your usual lovey dovey BL, this is not for you. This is far better than any series that Thailand had produced so far.
At its core is Trin, a young and educated professor recently returned to Thailand after studying abroad. Set against the politically charged landscape of 1970s Thailand, his story is one of self-discovery; both in terms of sexuality and personal conviction. Determined to contribute to his country without resorting to violence, Trin strives to support the working class while navigating a society deeply divided between entrenched wealth and a rising generation demanding change.
The series captures this political tension with remarkable nuance, portraying the push and pull between power, privilege, and resistance. What elevates it further is its parallel exploration of love, particularly through its second couple: a military spokesperson and a young journalist who find themselves drawn together despite standing on opposite sides of the political spectrum. Their relationship is complicated as one man is married, the other engaged but it is precisely this complexity that grounds their romance in reality and lends it emotional weight.
This is not a conventional boys’ love drama. Instead, it belongs in the company of prestige television, a production that could easily stand alongside HBO’s finest. BoC Productions delivers once again with exceptional craftsmanship: striking cinematography, seamless editing, carefully curated music, and meticulous costuming. Each element contributes to a work that is not only visually compelling but narratively sophisticated.
It is a bold, uncompromising series that avoids sentimentality, choosing instead to weave politics, romance, and personal awakening into something extraordinary. Every moment feels intentional, every scene carries weight. Simply put, it is flawless. I recommend it without reservation.
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This is not your typical BL. THIS IS Men's Love
I rarely grant a series a perfect score, yet this one earns it without hesitation.At its core is Trin, a young and educated professor recently returned to Thailand after studying abroad. Set against the politically charged landscape of 1970s Thailand, his story is one of self-discovery; both in terms of sexuality and personal conviction. Determined to contribute to his country without resorting to violence, Trin strives to support the working class while navigating a society deeply divided between entrenched wealth and a rising generation demanding change.
The series captures this political tension with remarkable nuance, portraying the push and pull between power, privilege, and resistance. What elevates it further is its parallel exploration of love, particularly through its second couple: a military spokesperson and a young journalist who find themselves drawn together despite standing on opposite sides of the political spectrum. Their relationship is complicated as one man is married, the other engaged but it is precisely this complexity that grounds their romance in reality and lends it emotional weight.
This is not a conventional boys’ love drama. Instead, it belongs in the company of prestige television, a production that could easily stand alongside HBO’s finest. BoC Productions delivers once again with exceptional craftsmanship: striking cinematography, seamless editing, carefully curated music, and meticulous costuming. Each element contributes to a work that is not only visually compelling but narratively sophisticated.
It is a bold, uncompromising series that avoids sentimentality, choosing instead to weave politics, romance, and personal awakening into something extraordinary. Every moment feels intentional, every scene carries weight. Simply put, it is flawless. I recommend it without reservation.
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Reset...BUT x5 Complicated
Time travel stories have always held a particular fascination for me, so I’ll admit my bias upfront. That said, this series distinguishes itself with a refreshing premise and remarkably disciplined storytelling.Unlike Reset, which revolved around a single repeating event, this drama introduces a five-loop structure where the fifth run is final, leaving no room for further resets. The rules are established with clarity in the opening episodes, setting the stage for a layered narrative that gradually unfolds through two mysterious murders and a high-profile case tied to the CEO of an emerging biotech company.
What makes the loops especially engaging is the element of uncertainty each time one begins. With so many variables in play, even a small change can ripple through the narrative to produce a drastically different outcome. The result is that nothing feels absolute, keeping the audience guessing and on their toes for the entire series: a stimulating experience that truly feels like vitamins for your brain.
At sixteen episodes, the series wastes no time. Each character is carefully fleshed out, their pasts and relationships interwoven into the larger narrative, adding emotional weight as the countdown to the final loop approaches. The meticulous attention to detail in both plotting and execution elevates the story well beyond genre conventions.
For those wary of romance overshadowing the central conflict, rest assured: while romance is present, it remains subtle, never derailing the suspense or the cerebral tension. The production also delivers some beautifully staged action sequences that are as stylish as they are impactful.
In the end, this drama offers more than just entertainment. It challenges the viewer to think, to piece together its intricacies, while still delivering the thrills of a polished sci-fi mystery. For fans of time travel narratives, this is not just a recommendation...IT IS A MUST WATCH!!!
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It was all in his head
If you don’t recognize my profile picture, Ms. Minutes, you should know I have a deep appreciation for time-travel narratives and the intricate storytelling they can achieve. This series certainly set out to explore those complexities, but in execution, the timeline is poorly conveyed and often frustratingly incoherent.Episodes 1 - 4 leave the audience in the dark about a crucial narrative device: Great’s dual timelines. In one, he saves people using his four-minute vision; in the other, he does not. The reveal comes far too late, and by that point I was more mentally exhausted than intrigued. To make matters worse, the show frequently shuffles scenes that take place before Dome’s death and after, a disorienting choice that dilutes emotional impact. And then, in episode 7, we learn that none of it “actually” happened. It was all in Great’s head. It happened when he was coding during 4 minutes lack of oxygen. There was no seeing the future 4 minutes ahead...NOTHING! That revelation undermines the tension built up across the earlier episodes.
There are also narrative threads that feel like they don't belong to neither timeline. For example, the woman at the temple who shakes a fortune-telling bowl before inexplicably hiring a hitman. Or the hooded figure who stoned to death someone with no identity revealed. Or the unseen character who secretly records Title and Great disposing of Dome’s body, only to discard the evidence in the mud rather than hand it to police. Even more glaring is the disappearance of Title’s supposed girlfriend, who is introduced only to be erased from the story as if she never existed. Aslo, we do not know who killed Title's Dad, the Police Chief.
Most troubling is Tyme’s storyline. His parents and grandmother were brutally murdered, yet there is no real closure. The man who killed them ends up bedridden and incapacitated (NOT by Tyme but by his occupational hazard. he was badly beaten by some random guy and ended up in ICU), but Great’s parents who were deeply complicit in the killings escape accountability entirely. This lack of resolution is disappointing, especially when Tyme’s grief and quest for justice were positioned as the emotional backbone of the series.
When you consider it, more than half of the series’ events never “happened.” That choice robs the story of consequence and leaves major arcs unresolved. I will give credit where it is due: the cinematography, lighting, editing, and performances were consistently strong. The production design deserves recognition as well. But in the end, I walked away unsatisfied. The series promised a layered time-travel narrative, yet delivered a disjointed and incomplete experience.
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Season 2: One Case, Too Many Problems
Season 2 feels like a completely different show from Season 1, and not in a good way. The atmosphere, pacing, and writing all take a noticeable dip. Where Season 1 had its flaws but still managed to keep things tight and engaging, Season 2 feels sloppy, riddled with questionable decisions, and lacking in attention to detail.The biggest disappointment is Shiki-kun. His presence is almost nonexistent, reduced to a side role behind Natsuki. His ability, which was a highlight in Season 1, is sidelined in favor of the new villain Yakumo, also known as the “Eye of Darkness.” Yakumo gets far more screentime than Shiki, and while his hypnotic powers make for an intriguing concept, the writing around him often collapses under its own weight.
Unlike the episodic mysteries of Season 1, Season 2 stretches one single case across eight episodes. This could have worked, but the execution is shaky. Natsuki’s signature “I found you” moments lose their charm, and the crime-solving logic is full of glaring holes. For example:
-CCTV and eyewitnesses put Natsuki’s father at the scene, but Yakumo is never even checked as a suspect, despite Ryuzaki knowing he was there.
-Natsuki’s dad is quickly made a suspect, yet basic forensic checks that would have cleared him: no fingerprints on the knife, blood spatter pointing to self-infliction. They are completely ignored.
-Yakumo, who is built up as a meticulous manipulator who lets others do the dirty work, suddenly shows up in a parking lot shooting at targets like a common thug. Remember, he's been planning the assassination for over two years. He likes to make smart plans before he takes action.
-Natsuki knows the whistling has a psychological effect on victims, but still allows Yakumo to complete the entire Nutcracker tune while cuffing him.
-In the finale, the Special Investigation chief has to show credentials just to enter the building, yet Shiki somehow waltzes in wearing his school uniform without explanation.
-also, there was no explanation of how Yakumo, the eye of darkness, became the chief's puppet. He has no motive. There was no money involved.
Season 2 does manage to sell a somewhat convincing story if you turn your brain off. It can serve as background noise while folding laundry, but if you’re expecting the sharpness of Season 1, you’ll be disappointed.
Overall, Season 1 had flaws, but Season 2 is a step down. If you’re out of crime dramas and need something to pass the time, it might be watchable, but it’s far from must-see.
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