sayratial

A Beautiful Lesbian Story

I only watched the first episode of the first season before giving up. Fuyu being married with a husband and daughter while trying to reconnect with her ex-girlfriend made me uncomfortable, and I didn’t really like her character at the time.

Still, I decided to give Season 2 a try after hearing it could be watched on its own, and I’m really glad I did. It was actually pretty good!

I really liked Fuyu and Itsuki together. They were so cute. I appreciated that Fuyu had an honest conversation with her husband and daughter, and that they supported her being into women.

Yeoreum was an interesting character too, though I didn’t like how she seemed to push herself onto Itsuki. I would’ve preferred if her story focused more on her coming out publicly as a lesbian artist, that alone could’ve been a powerful step toward creating a safer and more visible space for the LGBTQ+ community.

One of the strongest messages in the series was that people within the community deserve to be seen, not hidden, and that visibility is key to building a more accepting and safe society.

I also really liked Fuyu’s daughter, she was sweet, and I loved seeing her with both of her moms. I appreciated the small but meaningful moment that showed how kids aren’t naturally weirded out by same-sex couples — they’re taught to be.

All in all, this was really worth watching, and I liked how it ended too.

Coming out as Lesbians publicly is not easy and I'm proud of them!

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A Cute And Wholesome Continuation

This was just plain cute, that’s all I need to say. The tone stayed true to the original series, which made it all the more enjoyable. It was mostly fan service wrapped in cuteness, but I’m not complaining, I loved every bit of it.

The plot wasn’t too deep. Just some birthday/anniversary surprises and a bit of jealousy here and there. Fah is such an unrealistically perfect green flag, and I adore how cute he gets when he's jealous. Fah and Teerak make an absolutely adorable couple.

I did think Fah’s jealousy was a bit much, but then his brother Lee came in and completely outdid him, which was hilarious. I really liked the Klai and Lee pairing; they were the only couple that showed actual development from friends to lovers, while the others were already established. Lee’s reaction when Klai confessed he wanted more than friendship? Priceless. Totally fell in love with them.

The real Hia couple were cute too.

But there was a bit of drama with an ex-lover, but honestly, I never see exes as real love rivals, there’s a reason they’re in the past.

All in all, I have no complaints. It was a light, cute watch, and I enjoyed it a lot.

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Great Chemistry And Visuals, Terrible Plot

I’m kind of disappointed with the plot, even though I have to admit I had some fun watching the drama overall. I definitely skipped a few scenes that felt unnecessary or dragged out, but there were parts that were really entertaining too. The whole parallel world premiere idea had so much potential, and I was genuinely looking forward to where the story could go. It could have been something really great if it had been written better, but they just had to ruin it with that plot twist.

So here’s what happens. Cir gets into an accident and wakes up claiming he’s from another world. He says that in that world he’s Phu’s boyfriend. At first, this sounds interesting, even a bit romantic in a weird sci-fi way. He knows everything about Phu, his favorite food, his habits, tiny little details that would make sense if he really was his boyfriend in another universe. But then they decide to hit us with the twist: he’s not from another world at all. He’s just a stalker. All that knowledge about Phu? Not because of some deep soul connection across worlds. Just years of watching him. It honestly threw me off.

Are we supposed to root for Cir after that? Because I couldn’t. I tried, but that kind of manipulation just isn’t something I can overlook, especially in a romance. And Phu being so naive didn’t help either. He’s sweet and innocent and it felt like Cir was taking full advantage of that. The dynamic shifts from romantic to uncomfortable once you realize what’s actually going on. This kind of twist might have worked in a psychological thriller or even a crime drama. I would have loved it there. But in a love story? It just made me feel uneasy. Stalking isn’t romantic. It’s creepy. And trying to pass it off as passion or devotion just feels wrong.

I know Cir’s mom was terrible and did so many horrible things, but just because your mom is a bxtch doesn’t mean you’re justified to be one too. Traumatic upbringing doesn’t give anyone a free pass to manipulate others. That part of his character might’ve added depth if it had been handled with more nuance, but here it just felt like an excuse to excuse his behavior.

And I kind of didn’t care about the side characters. I’m pretty sure the writer didn’t either. The friends and second couple were clearly thrown in for comic relief, but they didn’t relieve any comedy. It all felt forced and flat. Also, can we talk about Ozone for a second? He’s Cir’s brother who just randomly appears so Cir can freely be weirdly obsessed with Phu , and then they leave him with the mom at the end like that’s totally fine? What was that?

That said, I’m not going to lie. The chemistry between Cir and Phu was undeniable. There were so many cute and spicy moments that really worked if you could forget about the whole manipulation thing for a second. Their interactions had a kind of natural spark to them, and I found myself enjoying a lot of their scenes together despite everything. It’s one of those rare cases where the actors manage to carry the emotional weight even when the writing doesn’t support it.

The one thing that really stood out, though, was the production value. The cinematography was beautiful. There were so many visually striking scenes that I kept noticing throughout the series. One of my favorites was the contrast between the warm orange and cold blue lighting in their apartments during episode three. It was such a pretty and subtle way of showing the differences between their lives and emotional states. The color grading was just really well done in general. And the camera work felt intentional, not just point and shoot. Even the song choices added a lot of emotion to the scenes. The NSFW moments were surprisingly well shot too. Not over the top, but still intimate and engaging.

Overall, I wouldn’t say it was a bad watch. I was entertained, and there were definitely elements that kept me engaged. But the story could have been so much better. There was so much potential in the parallel world setup and they wasted it on a twist that just made everything uncomfortable. If they had leaned into the sci-fi element or given us a real reason to root for Cir without making him a stalker, this could have been something special. But unfortunately, it just ended up being another story that almost got there but didn’t quite stick the landing.

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"Life Treats Men Better Than Women"

This was honestly such a great watch. I really enjoyed the script, the cinematography, the acting, and especially the relationship between You Yi and Yan Wei.

The story follows You Yi, a famous writer whose world falls apart when she’s betrayed by both her husband and her best friend. On top of that, she becomes entangled in a murder case. Amid the chaos, she meets Yan Wei, a cold and emotionally guarded woman who works in a photography shop. Slowly, the two grow close.

You Yi is portrayed as sweet and innocent, a little naive at times, but also deeply self-aware. I really admired how strong she was when facing betrayal. Despite her husband’s manipulative apologies and even discovering she’s pregnant, she chooses to leave him. She knows her worth and understands that a baby doesn’t fix a broken relationship. That was such a powerful moment, and I was proud of her.

Yan Wei, on the other hand, is hardened by a past where she was taught to survive alone. Emotions and trust were foreign to her until she stepped into a “normal life” that involved relationships and vulnerability.

Their dynamic was incredibly compelling, like sunshine and her protector. While this was marketed as a “sismance,” there were so many romantic undertones that I couldn’t help but read between the lines, and absolutely loved every second of it. Yan Wei, usually emotionless, would soften whenever You Yi called her “Wei Wei” or gently touched her hair. Her quiet blushes said it all. She protected You Yi at any cost, even risking her own safety and identity.

When You Yi was pregnant, Yan Wei cared for her as if she were her wife. There’s even a moment where Yan Wei says she could be the father of the child, and they took couple photos together while You Yi was expecting. Every scene with them made me smile. Their bond was deep, tender, and so genuine. As far as I’m concerned, they were wives. They raised a child together. No one can convince me otherwise.

But given the setting (Republic-era China) I suppose I should’ve expected that a happily-ever-after wasn’t in the cards, especially for two women. The ending felt more open than outright sad, but it definitely seemed like it was building toward a second season before getting canceled. Still, the ending didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. Life is messy, and their story reflected that.

As for the male characters… none of them really stood out to me. The detective was probably the most tolerable, but I wasn’t impressed. The husband? He can rot. Honestly, I didn’t care about any of the men. I just wanted more screentime for these two beautiful women in love! (Yes, I know the men served plot purposes—but still.)

Cinematography-wise, the series looked beautiful, and the music choices were spot-on. I do wish there had been a bit more variety in the wardrobe, especially for You Yi as a wealthy woman. Still, what they wore was elegant and suited their characters.

Overall, I loved this series. Whether for the plot or the nuanced relationship between You Yi and Yan Wei,or both. I highly recommend watching it. An easy 9/10.

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Me And The Merman In My Bathroom!

This was actually a really good and fun watch. It had humor, friendship, a good plot, and heart! This little gem is definitely worth watching.

Long Jie is a high school student who’s been living with his grandpa after his parents died. One day, after his grandpa passes away, Long Jie falls into the sea and gets saved by a merman. There's this saying that if a merman is saved by a human, he has to grant a wish. Turns out, this merman was saved by Long Jie's grandpa years ago, and the wish he made was for his grandson’s happiness. So now the merman, who Long Jie names Li Ren Yu, has 49 days to make him happy so he can return to the sea.

This was absolutely hilarious. I laughed at so many jokes. I think I’m getting used to Taiwanese humor and honestly, it’s so good. But then it also hits you in the feels by the end and yep... tears.

The friendships were amazing to watch. I loved the youthful energy of the group. Long Jie, Cong Jian, Bi Yu, even the bully guy Da Bao. All of them were so much fun. The bromance between Long Jie and Ren Yu was the highlight for me. I get why people wanted this to be a BL because the chemistry was there, like wow. But I actually really liked that it wasn’t. I’d even say it wouldn’t have been as powerful if it was a romance. Their platonic bond was deeper than any ocean. And sometimes that hits harder than any love story.

It starts off like “there’s a monster living in my bathroom” and slowly becomes something really beautiful. They care so much about each other. They go through so much. And it genuinely hurt when Ren Yu had to leave. I wasn’t ready to let go.

But like... be honest... this had every single BL-coded scene. I kept thinking “ok but kiss?” even while loving the whole deep friendship angle. They literally bathed together every night even though Ren Yu didn’t have “that thing” lol.

Also, I actually liked the soft romance between Bi Yu and Long Jie. Awkward boy meets confident, quiet girl is Kinda adorable.

Overall, do yourself a favor and watch this please!!!

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Not a bad watch for when you're bored

This was cute and sweet, but the writing wasn’t very strong. It wasn’t boring, but it didn’t really make me feel anything while watching.

The first couple was fine, but I definitely liked the second couple more. I even skipped scenes from the first to get to them, to be honest.

It’s a high school BL, with the cliche tropes. And just like the title, it was about youth. Some teenage boys with hard lives finding love.

There were way too many unnecessary characters. Why introduce them if they’re not important and just disappear? The show really should’ve focused more on the main plot and relationships.

That said, there were some nice caring moments, and the friendship and music/band elements were enjoyable. The OST was good too, though it got a bit overplayed.

Also, Ray was so pretty—like, seriously, what the heck?

All in all, it captured the essence of youth, so while it wasn’t great, it wasn’t bad either.

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A Really Great Watch!

This was such a great watch. The visuals were Gorgeous. The aesthetics on point. It fully gave the “old world” vibe they were clearly going for, and it pulled me in from the very beginning. The supernatural and mystery elements were solid too, kept me guessing all the way to the end.

There were twists everywhere, and the characters? Let's just say, you start off liking the wrong ones and hating the right ones. No one’s exactly likable at first, and that’s what made it fun.

The story follows Li Lan, an ordinary girl suddenly caught between real-life messes and ghost drama. She’s smart and sharp, not some strong female lead cliche, and I actually liked that. She wasn’t fearless, but she was brave. Weak in the way most of us would be, but still standing her ground. That made her strong in a way that felt real.

Then there’s Er Lang, a flirty, chaotic immortal who seems like he’s just here to cause trouble and charm every soul in sight (living or not). He’s a bit unhinged, in the best way. I loved how he went from messing with Li Lan to trying to protect her. Their banter is Gold. That spark of romance in an non-romance story was perfectly placed and it hit.

Tian Bai was your typical first love. Nice, polite, and honestly, I was suspicious of him from the start. Thought he’d be the villain. But no, he was just a little too trusting for someone that clever. Still, I didn’t mind him and Li Lan ending up married--it felt fitting in theory. But we know that that's not all that is needed.

Tian Ching, though... yeah, no. Terrible as a person, worse as a ghost. Not scary, just bitter and petty. But also, He was weirdly fun to watch. Like a villain who throws tantrums instead of fireballs. Still hated him. Still enjoyed his scenes. And loved him! ;)

The support characters deserve love too. I didn't expect to feel bad for Madam Lim or Yan Hong, but the story slowly chipped away at my judgment. Meanwhile, Amah, Mr. Pan, and Old Wang were consistently great. Just warm, solid presences through all the chaos. And i liked the mother-dauther meet again.

Also, I have to mention the comedic timing. It wasn’t trying too hard, which made it actually funny. Just the right amount of humor sprinkled between all the ghostly tension and serious moments.

Overall Taiwanese dramas has a charm to them that pulls you in, and this one was not lacking that.

If you're into supernatural mystery with rich visuals, plot twists, and characters who make you switch sides more than once—this is a ride worth taking. It's not just spooky and dramatic, it's unexpectedly emotional, with a touch of romance and humor that makes it all hit harder.

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When the sea and the sky finally meet!

Adorable, feel-good, cute, fluffy, and comforting are the words I’d use to describe this.

Literally: 💙💠📘🐳🌸🎀💕💓💗🍨🌱🍀🌿!

The story is simple and typical—cliché and probably told before in other fonts and shapes—but I loved it!
This was exactly what I was looking for: a cringy, feel-good watch.

It has its flaws, sure, but it was adorable enough for me to overlook them. I enjoyed it and had fun. I was smiling through the whole show!!

The first couple was just too cute—Teerak, the sweet child-like boy, and Muanfah, a green-flag boyfriend who takes care of him. ADORABLE.

The second couple RealHia were great too—bickering friends to lovers! I loved the energy they gave.

The third couple was just there, but I would've liked to see more of them too.

Teerak’s sister (babe) was so good! I liked her and her boyfriend too; that couple was cute and wholesome, even if no one talks about them (understandable, since they’re the straight couple in a BL).

I liked the whole friend group—they were all fun and supportive.

Punlee was my favorite character. I love him, haha. He was judging everyone with his face only for him to get a boyfriend at the end too.

And we applaud and appreciate a non-cliche ex-girlfriend!

Loved Muanfah’s family, and the sibling dynamics between Babe & Teerak and Muanfah & Punlee.

I would’ve preferred more screen time for the 2nd and 3rd couples rather than the family drama in the later episodes.

And yeah, judge me if you must for liking this—
my mistake for loving sweets that won’t give me diabetes!

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Getting Used To The New Normal

I usually avoid covid dramas as much as I can, but gave this one a go as it was a vampire comedy. I'm glad I did because this was fun, quirky and characters learned a lesson and so did us!

This is set in 2021 after the covid-19 pandemic, where people have to live with a "new normal" and get used to it. In this case vampires are affected too. The blood distribution has stopped and they have to get it from attacking humans.
We have our two baby vampires Sou and Aoi, who have never bite a human before—Will they survive this pandemic?
They run a nighttime coffee shop with some regular costumers. But with new rules, they try working for lunch too.
The two want to try blood right out of a bite and become a 'real vampire', but on this journey they end up helping their 'preys' accidently (or on purpose) instead of drinking blood.

I liked the whole conversations that went on in the coffee shop with the owners and the regulars, it was fun.
I like that we got happy endings for each costumer as well, the movie maker who finally succeeded, the guitarist who became a tutor and our Lesbian girl who turned out to be a vampire hunter!

I loved the friendship between the two baby vampires, they were not similar in a lot of aspects—yet similar in some ways.

I also appreciate that when Mia assumed and asked if the two were boyfriends, Sou didn't overreact nor deny in disgust (what they usually do in other dramas), instead he just said they were friends and not boyfriend. Because it's not wrong and it's okay if someone misunderstood. And the friendship was not dismissed as "just friends" because it's just as important as romantic love (if not more). And yes I'm sensitive about this topic!

I liked the the kind of feminist topics at the end too, with Mia and Ososno questioning why only men are allowed to be vampires and their obsession with "virgin blood". And Mia agreeing to helping Osono on her dream of becoming a vampire. Perhaps a vampire like her would change vampire community for the better!

And Sou and Aoi, finally got the idea that being a baby vampire is not as bad as they thought. They remained the same, but with better ideas, and growth in character.

Overall this was a fun and enjoyable vampire story. I would recommend watching when you've got the time to!

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Somthing Is Not Right!

Spoiler alert: the title was never lying. Not once. Not a single thing was right for 8 episodes and I LOVED it anyway.

The Plot (I Think?):
Ba U doesn’t want to be friends with Ji Hun anymore, because he’s in love with him. But he says none of that.
Ji Hun is confused, clueless, and adorable. He tries to win Ba U back like he lost a sock.

Enter Hamin, who sees this all and goes, “This is great webtoon material.” And you know what? It is.
They all stumble through layers of misunderstanding, emotional repression, and accidental stalking allegations.
The communication is so bad, I started rooting for inanimate objects to pass messages (looking at you, diary).
Eventually Ji Hun kisses Ba U. Ba U says “you pity me.” And I said, “THERAPY. NOW.”
Somehow Hamin becomes the glue of the whole thing, delivering letters like it’s a Jane Austen novel.
Finally: Confession accepted. Boys together. Lesbians bloom. Chaos quiets.

Characters:
Ba U
Emotionally constipated. Terminal case of “I’m not lovable.” Wears his trauma like a cozy hoodie and pushes everyone away for their own good (aka no one’s good). Did he sabotage his own happiness? Yes. Do I want to give him a blanket and therapy? Also yes.

Ji Hun
He means so well. He loves Ba U. He just doesn't know that's what it is for, like, 80% of the show. Most likely to say “I thought we were just really close friends who almost kissed, is that not normal?” Sir, please. Your guitar can’t save you from emotional awareness.

Hamin
Artist. Chaotic. Almost Emotionally fluent while everyone else is just grunting through feelings.
He reads a diary, thinks it’s fiction, finds out it’s real, and STILL decides to help instead of run.
Whether it’s platonic, queerplatonic, or romantic—he was love in action.

Da Eun + Ha Gyeong
2-minute sapphic side couple. Show-stealers.
Their arc was short, sweet, and gave me more serotonin than the entire main plot.

What I Loved:
The mess. This show isn’t neat, and it doesn’t pretend to be.
Hamin being an accidental fairy godmother of their romance.
The writing in Ba U’s diary. I will always like a diary in my drama.
The friend group. Although they share the same braincell.
The side couple.
Hamin. (yeah, lol)

What Drove Me to Yell Into a Pillow:
NO ONE TALKS. EVER. Every problem could be solved with one sentence.
Ba U’s self-worth is so low it made me cry.
They made Hamin fall into the “one-sided love” trope when he deserved to be the peaceful outsider!


Final Thoughts:
This show is like watching two people try to hug with blindfolds on, while a third guy yells instructions from across the street holding a novel he thought was fake.
It’s messy, frustrating, awkward—and weirdly beautiful.
It’s not perfect, but it hit something in me. That soft ache of being young and scared to speak.
And sometimes? That’s enough.
The cinematography and acting was great though!

Would I recommend it?
Yes, if you're okay yelling "JUST TALK!" every five minutes.

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Boys Be Brave! And Adorable All The Time!

Okay, this might seem like a simple story on the surface, but don’t let that fool you—this show had me giggling, squealing, and melting from start to finish. It’s the kind of rom-com that just wraps you up in a warm hug of chaotic charm and slow-burn sweetness. What made it so special? The characters. Oh my gosh, the characters.

First up, we have Jin Woo—a confident, no-nonsense nerd who’s not afraid to stand his ground. He knows what he wants, and even more impressively, he knows what he doesn’t want. (Or at leat that's what he thinks.) Watching a character so in control of his boundaries was honestly refreshing, but also hilarious when life (and Ki Sub) keeps testing those limits.

Then there’s the lovable disaster that is Ki Sub. Socially awkward “playboy” , and the literal definition of a golden retriever—he says yes to everything and everyone. At first, I was just amused by how clueless and naïve he was, but the more I got to know him, the more adorable he became. His efforts to change and mold himself to fit Jin Woo’s “ideal type list” (yes, he really moves in with him—chaos ensues) had me rolling, but also rooting for him so hard.

Their dynamic? Absolute gold. From Jin Woo trying to kick Ki Sub out, to the slow realization of their feelings, to the soft, clumsy confessions, to the actual dating era—it was everything. I loved watching Ki Sub, who once believed he couldn't love, learn to understand his feelings, speak up for himself, and start saying no to the things he didn’t want. His growth felt so real and earned.

And can we talk about Balg Eum? My hard-working little part-time worker! He’s zooming around delivering everyone’s mail and emotional support. I loved his bond with Ki Sub—it was such a wholesome friendship, full of teasing and loyalty.

Now, the second couple—Balg Eum and Ji In Ho—brought in the angst to balance all the fluff. Their relationship was more quiet and emotional, with those heartbreaking moments where Balg Eum opened up about his insecurities and why he had to step away. That scene where he asks Ji In Ho to wait for him until he becomes a better person? Yeah, I cried. A little.

And shoutout to Hye Jin! She’s Jin Woo’s ideal type, and he’s hers — but instead of romance, they build this amazing friendship. They’re basically the male and female versions of each other, and their mutual comfort and honesty made me love their platonic bond even more. They’re totally meant to be besties.

Also the OST tracks were great, would listen to them again!

Overall, Boys Be Brave! is a heart-fluttering, laugh-out-loud, healing ride. It’s cute, it’s chaotic, it’s full of silly moments and real emotions, and it honestly deserves all the rewatch love. If you’re looking for a show that feels like a cozy hug with a side of butterflies, this one’s for you.

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A short and sweet BL anthology

Close to You – a short and sweet BL anthology that's all soft winter vibes, warm cups of tea, and just enough feels to linger. No drama, no toxicity (well… mostly), just eight men across four bite-sized stories that all hit differently but flow together like a cozy snowfall.

1st story – The Bicycle Ride
Two just-out-of-high-school boys, a sleepover, and a peaceful morning bike ride. That’s it. That’s the magic. This one feels like a slice of life captured in soft light, no big declarations, just two adorable friends slowly leaning into something more. I loved all of the caring and sweet moments. The open ending left me smiling and kind of wanting to go bike riding myself.

2nd story – The Time Loop & the Bracelet
This was fun! Starts with a drunken on the phone confession (classic), and the next day, the regret hits hard. Cue: magical friendship bracelet and a wild loop of “what if I answer differently?” Seven tries later, honesty wins… but wait! Turns out both of them had been looping — the friend tried six times too?! That twist gave me chills in the best way. And the random laptop guy in the background, mirroring their convos like some chaos spirit? Gold. Quirky, funny, heartfelt — loved it.

3rd story – The Diary
This one hit me right in the gut. Starts like a chill forced cohabitation trope — his mom’s friend’s son is staying over — but then they bond, feelings quietly blossom… and then he’s gone. The twist? He was sick, and now he’s passed. And he gets to know it a year later.The diary entry that says he’ll come see him again? I was not okay. Beautiful, tragic, soft. I adored their dynamic. Possibly the strongest emotional pull of the four.

4th story – The Office Romance
Okay, this one was kind of messy. A senior and junior with a shared past, including a not-okay kiss that didn’t sit right with me. It leans more into tropey tension and miscommunication. That said, it was still fun in a quick-watch kind of way. Not something I’d want as a full series like the others, but the last scene — the kiss timed perfectly with the coworker walking out — was a mood.

Overall:
Short, satisfying, with one emotional punch and three shades of sweet and strange. It’s rare to find an anthology this balanced in tone, with each story holding its own voice and a wintry warmth that ties them together. Would recommend.

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A Cozy, Thoughtful Watch

Leap Day is actually my first Hong Kong drama, and I ended up really enjoying it. It had this calm, mellow vibe that I wasn’t expecting but totally loved. The snowy setting gave the whole show a unique and almost dreamy atmosphere, and the cinematography was really pretty—simple, but effective in setting the tone.

One thing I liked a lot was how the time travel wasn’t just random or "just because." It actually made sense and was tied to the female lead’s birthday on February 29, which was a cool touch. It felt like there was a reason for everything that happened.

What stood out most to me was how the story focused on the main character’s personal growth. The romance and love triangle were there (and yes, I liked the second male lead more too), but it didn’t take over the whole plot. I appreciated that it was more about her figuring out her life and learning to take control, especially since she started off feeling a bit lost and unsure of herself.

The friendship between the three girls was also super wholesome and one of my favorite parts. It felt real and supportive, and added a lot of warmth to the story.

I like the simple yet pretty poster picture, It rightfully gives what you have to expect from the drama.

Overall, Leap Day felt like a quiet, emotional journey with just the right touch of magic. If you like slice-of-life stories with a bit of fantasy and a focus on character development, it’s definitely worth a watch!

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I Don't Like Second Chance Romance—But This One Was So Good!

So I ended up enjoying this way more than I expected.

It’s about Gu Sheng Sheng and Pei Che, who get into this whole arranged/forced marriage situation. Sheng Sheng gives birth to twins, but gets lied to—told that her older twin died. Scared that Pei Che will take her only remaining son, she runs off abroad. Meanwhile, plot twist: the twin who was “dead” is actually stolen by Gu Qian and dumped on Pei Che, who thinks Sheng Sheng just peaced out and abandoned her kid. Years later, she comes back undercover as Ivvan, a super famous doctor. Yeah. It’s giving drama and I was here for it.

Now listen, I consider myself a hater of second chance romances and I’m usually not into the whole “separated at birth” trope—but somehow? It worked here and I was obsessed.

Gu Sheng Sheng easily secured a spot in my top FLs. She’s strong, a little cunning, won’t let anyone mess with her or her kid, and she’s killing it in her career too. Iconic behavior.

And the twins? Loved them.
An An is a literal 9-year-old genius, casually hacking systems and outsmarting adults. That scene where he accidentally sells his dad to a rich woman thinking he’s a child trafficker? Comedy gold.
Ali, the other twin, is sick and non-verbal for his age—Pei Che needs Ivvan to treat him, not knowing she’s actually his wife. The layers!

Also loved Sheng Sheng’s bestie. Total girlboss energy, great fashion, loyal to the bone, and always ready to throw down for her friend. We love a ride-or-die.

The constant bickering and misunderstandings between the leads? So well done. Both thinking the other moved on and had a kid with someone else? Peak chaotic married couple energy.

The villains were dramatic and evil to the max, but honestly, they had nothing on our girlie. She handled them like a pro.

I really liked how Pei Che tried to win her back too. The reveal scene was chef’s kiss—especially when she hit him with that “Who would you save if they were drowning, An An or Ali?” Oof. That hit.

And the proposal scene? Adorable. Them covering their sons eyes as they kissed? Yeah, my heart melted a little.

Also, for a vertical drama, the color palette was actually decent.

Overall: such a fun ride. Drama, romance, chaos, smart kids, boss women—it delivered on all fronts.

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A Comedy That Is Gold!

So, Gokusen turned out to be a surprisingly fun experience! As someone who usually sticks to newer dramas, I didn’t expect an older one like this to hook me so much, but it definitely did. It’s about a yakuza heiress who dreams of becoming a teacher. She ends up teaching a class of rebellious students, and what follows is her giving them life lessons while they all try to figure out their place in the world.

There are a lot of dramas with a similar premise, but what sets Gokusen apart is how it balances humor with heartfelt moments. Each episode is kind of its own mini story, which makes it easy to jump into any episode without feeling lost. That said, they all tie together well enough that you feel the growth and connections among the characters.

The comedy in this show is pure gold! I couldn’t stop laughing in some moments, and there were a few times where I genuinely got emotional, too. The characters are what really make the show shine, and the students’ development is so satisfying to watch.

I also really appreciated the camera work. It wasn’t anything too fancy, but there were some cool angles and shots that made it more visually engaging than I expected.

There’s no romance plotline, which I was super happy about (thank you, Gokusen!). It’s clear that Shin is the "love interest," but the focus stays mostly on the students and their growth, which is refreshing.

Overall, I had a great time watching all 12 episodes. It's one of those shows that hits all the right notes of comedy, drama, and a bit of emotional depth. Totally worth the watch if you’re into stories about personal growth and unlikely friendships.

Rating: 8/10

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