39
162
6
1
1
1
6
1
5
4
2
6
1
1
1
1
3
5
7
This review may contain spoilers
A Hodgepodge of craziness but it's Entertaining
I wonder if I would like “When the Phone Rings” more if I had watched while it was airing and joined in the hype and obsession on the Feeds. I vaguely remember the hype of a hot red flag ML in the beginning, the sizzling chemistry, screenshots of hands and veins, and how everyone was quite obsessed with the drama.Unfortunately, since I binged this, what goes in my head might have been the exact opposite of the hype. I do still think the chemistry between Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin is pretty good, though the majority of the time that happened on the phone. But I don’t get the craze about the hot red flag ML nor the slow-motion supposedly romantic shots, or the hands. I felt that these elements gave the drama a very fake rom-com feel, especially when this is not a romantic comedy. But yet, does this drama know what it really wants to be?
It started out as a serious drama with a thriller/mysterious plot. The background of the Presidential Office, Presidential spokesperson, interpreter and Presidential candidate give this drama a more ‘serious’ vibe. But once you add on the ridiculousness of the phone calls, it becomes a makjang. Add on those slow-mo romantic shots, it became a romantic comedy with accidental trips and kisses.
Let’s talk about the phone calls. The first one or two, I could understand the frustration and the daringness of it. As time goes by, these daily phones happen so frequently that there is not way a smart ML couldn't decipher someone’s wrong and the tone has changed. From a threatening voice of a murderer and kidnapper, to a lonely housewife who wanted a divorce and then a lovesick girl who just wanted to be loved by her first love. The change is so drastic that it’s ridiculous it can go on for so long. Unfortunately, that’s why the drama is called “When the Phone Rings”.
But viewers and Feeds users are correct that the second half just went down the hill into pure makjang territory. I don’t even know what that ending was. It took 2.5 long episodes to wrap up the thriller part, when we already knew who the culprit was. I could also understand wanting to leave the world behind after all that happened, but to disappear like that and to a place so ridiculous? The sunset reason is just weak. The whole last episode is just a filler. What is up with the sudden wedding announcement? We skipped the whole relationship and I was waiting for it to happen.
Despite all my complaints, I am still giving “When the Phone Rings” a rounded up 8.0. You can’t deny it was entertaining with great acting by Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin. Big applause to Chae Soo Bin for all the sign language she needs to learn, and there’s quite a few. I am a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope and despite the whole phone calling unreasonable plot, I do like the transition of the leads relationship. Kisses are great, as well, and that is to be expected from Yoo Yeon Seok. Everyone looks good (nice clothes and suits) and sounds good.
If you go in knowing what to expect - that is - not a serious thriller/mystery drama, and enjoy a hodgepodge of craziness, “When the Phone Rings” can be very entertaining.
Completed: 2/2/2025 - Review #539
Was this review helpful to you?
Interesting and Intricate storylines from Generation to Generation but not perfectly executed
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25I’m interested in checking out “Generation to Generation” because there aren’t that many wuxia dramas out there that only focus on the martial arts world without the cultivation to immortality. And there are many more political, historical and xianxia dramas out there. Besides, I haven’t seen Zhou Yi Ran in a while and especially in a period drama. “Generation to Generation” has quite an intricate plot that has storylines that span two generations. It’s an ambitious novel adaptation that didn’t quite execute perfectly.
Likes:
Mu Qing Yan (ML) - You can say he’s a red flag or a gray character. He’s not a full-on red flag as in Xie Wei in “The Story of Kunning Palace” where he would manhandle FL. Instead, he’s intelligent and calculating, obsessed and lonely. What I love about him is that he is still pretty much the same Mu Qing Yan from beginning to the end (with the exception of the very last episode). You know he has some dirty tricks and schemes in his sleeves, and you know there must be an underlying reason for his actions, no matter how innocent it seems. Mu Qing Yan is a very interesting antihero.
Zhou Yi Ran (actor) - He is the star of the show. If you are his fan, you have got to check out this drama for him. He’s no longer the teenager I remember in “When I Fly Towards You” or “The Bond”. His acting has matured, especially the subtle emotional acting, a little side eye or smirk here and there. From acting to body posture, he exudes charisma and you cannot take your eyes off him.
Cai Zhao - Cai Zhao is the perfect match for Mu Qing Yan. She is not only intelligent and can see through Mu Qin Yan’s motives and schemes. She’s also street smart and knows how to use her quick wits to either avoid conflict or skirt past them. Additionally, she’s strong physically. Cai Zhao is no damsel in distress. Instead, she often scoops in to save the day or fight as an equal partner and warrior alongside Mu Qing Yan.
General Plot - I was entertained throughout the 37 episodes and was paying attention to the intricate events and characters. I really like the plot of both generations, and enjoy seeing how the characters and the action of the older generation affect the storylines of the younger generations. I can only imagine how much better the novel is compared to the drama.
Mixed feelings and Average:
Execution of the Plot - As much as I like the general plot, the execution could use some more work. Many characters are introduced within the first episodes, and these names keep on coming back throughout the drama. At times, the drama does show flashbacks to remind you of who these minor characters are. But sometimes when they don’t, a name would be thrown out here and there, and I would have to think really hard and recall who they are. Additionally, there’s not enough time to really show what happened before and now. The story of heroine Cai Ping Shu (FL’s aunt) really took up a lot of the screentime. Everything happened because of her. I wish a whole season was dedicated to the older generation’s love triangles and one-sided loves, hatred, betrayals, and schemes. It sounded more fun than what the younger generation is going through. If we can get 2 seasons, one per generation, that would be awesome.
Acting - Aside from Zhou Yi Ran, the rest of the cast did a fine job. I don’t think anyone really stands out, and this includes the veterans. Bao Shang En did a decent good job as the female lead, but there’s still room for improvement during emotional scenes. I feel that none of the actors has done a better job than Zhou Yi Ran in those subtle facial expressions. Having said that, no one also sticks out like a sore thumb. They are just fine.
Romance/Chemistry - I mentioned earlier, I love that Mu Qin Yan is obsessively in love yet never really hurts Cai Zhao in any way. He never physically chokes her (LOL) nor puts her in any dangerous situation. Their relationship is interesting. You can say Mu Qin Yan deceives Cai Zhao many times. You can say Cai Zhao abandons and never puts Mu Qin Yan above her family, friends and principles. But as you get to know the characters, you find their actions totally make sense. Cai Zhao is smart and she will see through Mu Qin Yan’s manipulation and schemes, and the funny thing is, Mu Qin Yan knows that, too. It doesn’t matter, she will choose to be ‘manipulated’ time and time again. However, I do find the chemistry between the two leads to be just OK. It’s not sizzling and it’s not fluffy. It’s…..OK. For that, I am slightly disappointed.
Disappointments:
Fight/Action scenes - Unfortunately for a wuxia drama, the action scenes are very average or slightly below average. There are not enough to begin with. The ones we do have are filled with slow motion moves, occasional posing and just not good hardcore sword fighting.
Production Value - It’s pretty clear that this is not a big budget production. You barely have 20 people when you start a rebellion or hostile takeover or going to battle. The CGI isn’t well done and I am really disappointed in the costumes. Some of them look like random cloth draped on the actors. There’s also ugly uniforms that look like aprons made out of blankets!
Main Villain - You can tell immediately who the main villain is. No question at all! The reason for them turning evil was so hilarious and delusional. They were mysterious for a while but once the reasons for everyone’s actions were revealed, I was laughing out loud at its ridiculousness. This is probably what caused many viewers to be super disappointed in the last few episodes.
Episode 37 (Ending) - I was expecting a different direction of the ending that could be much more memorable and realistic. But I also am not surprised that the drama went with a more popular direction. But the reason for ML’s sudden health change was quite ridiculous. However, I am most disappointed in the execution of the ending. It was so cheesy!!! The drama was quite serious from start to almost finish. Yet the last episode totally changes the vibe of the drama. I really do not need a song and dance.
Would I recommend this drama? I would, especially if you are a veteran wuxia drama watcher who is familiar and comfortable with the introduction of many characters. The plot is intricate yet not really very confusing but will require your full attention. However, it does take patience to sit through the whole drama to let the stories slowly unfold. If you are a fan of Zhou Yi Ran, definitely check it out. I debated rating this an 8 or 8.5, and I settled with 8.25 rounding up to 8.5 because I was having a hard time recently finding a drama to hold my attention from start to finish. “Generation to ‘Generation” was able to keep me interested during this time when I have a very short attention span.
Completed: 3/18/2026 Review #673
Was this review helpful to you?
I want to be part of their friend circle!
Let’s start with the ending (no spoiler). I personally really like the ending. It’s not one that is typical of a youth drama but one that feels so much more mature yet fun. The last episode is a big recap on all that happened in the past 29 episodes, but not in a super flashback-heavy way. The chemistry of the whole cast is evident throughout the drama but it’s especially heartwarming to see them all sit together chatting, making fun of each other, and reminiscing about the past. It makes me want to be part of their friend circle! As they face their past selves and reflect on past hopes and dreams, it’s great to see how far they have come and how much they have changed and matured.The acting of the cast is awesome. I really had no expectations when I started it but did know “Always Home” has great reviews. I just finished watching Daniel Zhou in “A Moment but Forever” and really liked his character there. He’s even better as Song Cong, the mature and quiet straight A student. Together with Jing Xi Chi (such a fun green flat) and Chen Huan Er (lovable and not annoying FL), these 3 best friends who live in the same neighborhood, provide us with a lot of laughter, tears and heartwarming moments. Their friendship, in addition to the closeness of their parents, are what C-dramas are famous for. The three families take care of each other through life’s ups and downs. As much as I love scenes of the three youngsters, I enjoy the parents' rowdiness just as much.
Romance is slow-burn and you need to be patient. And I don’t recall seeing SO many one-sided crushes in a high school drama. However, Jing Xi Chi and Chen Huan Er have so much chemistry together. Love, love, love this couple as well as them as individuals. Their frequent banters and jokes feel natural and real. They are open and honest with each other. They are indeed best friends-turned-lovers. I might have wanted the romance to start a little sooner because they are just so adorably shy and I want more fluffy scenes. Unfortunately, the secondary romance between Song Cong and Qi Qi is not as satisfying. I don’t feel their chemistry and really don’t think they’re a good pair (maybe that’s what the director is trying to convey). Without giving away too much, what these couples go through are part of their journey to become their mature present selves.
High school days took over more than half of the drama. I would have liked to see that shortened a little, even though the high school days are the most fun to watch. College life was not bad in the beginning (especially when the main romance finally develops) but then nothing much really happened to create excitement. Not many episodes are dedicated to the adult/professional days, but I do like the message that they are not protected and sheltered anymore by their school and families. Even though there are small and big crises/events happening throughout the drama, they are resolved pretty quickly within an episode or two.
China is really a pro in these coming-of-age dramas. “Always Home” is one of the better ones in recent memory. The acting is great all around from the main cast to the veteran supporting cast. The chemistry and friendship feel natural and realistic. Despite some challenges in life, this drama is a pretty easy watch. Because I like the last episode so much, it cements a solid 8.5 for me.
Completed: 4/25/2025 - Review #569
Was this review helpful to you?
Magnifying relationship concerns through Sex talks and issues.
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75I’m not going to lie, watching “Us Without Sex” is because I am craving for a mature drama that gives me some good sex scenes. I know Taiwan is not shy in that regard and not afraid to dive into some taboo and sensitive subjects. What I wasn’t expecting is how moved/touched I was. I thought this would be funny and sexy, but in the end, I cry so much that my eyes are swollen.
“Us Without Sex” magnifies underlying relationship problems by addressing sex concerns and problems. The drama does have a few sex scenes but nothing too explicit. It actually focuses more on the stories of the couples, some seek advice from our female lead sex therapist, Zhang Jia Chen. I applaud the drama in covering a variety of topics, and shedding light on different types of couples (straight, lesbian, gay).
The main plot focuses on another female lead, Song Qin Yu, and her inability to have sex with her husband. As she goes through therapy, us viewers get to know her experiences, thoughts and past mistakes. Her story with her husband, Lin Shu Zhe, brought me to tears. I was cheering for them, then I thought Lin Shu Zhe is too good for Song Qing Yu, and then I pity them both. I want them to live happily ever after. As a therapist, Zhang Jia Chen, also learns to discover herself and heal past wounds. Her personal story is not on display until the latter half of the drama, though we saw snippets of her experiences here and there.
Acting is phenomenal and that’s to be expected from a veteran cast. I first discovered Cheryl Yang in the drama series “Light the Night”. She was amazing in it! In this drama, she plays a cool and supposedly carefree therapist who is not afraid to have some sexy fun. But she also excels in some of the more controlled emotional scenes. This is my first drama with Ella Chen and she makes me want to love and hate Song Qing Yu at the same time. Each time I start to hate her, Ella makes me want to love her again by playing such a conflicted and flawed character. Oh, Tony Yang as Lin Shu Zhe is so lovable. He’s so cute when he’s a doting husband, but damn sexy when his shirt is off. I love him so much here! Jacob Wang is dashing in his suits and was introduced as a sexy leading man, but that charisma seems to have gone away when he’s officially introduced (it’s the acting but not the actor). The supporting cast of friends and colleagues, and all the patients make up a very, very solid group of actors.
There are some interesting sensitive topics being covered in this drama. So, if you are sensitive to sexual harrassment, attempted rape, S&M, sex dolls and sexual disorders, you might want to re-think watching this. For the most part, the therapy sessions are quite interesting, fun and educational, and they don’t dwell on the serious issue. There are no villains in this drama, just flawed people not knowing what to do and making mistakes.
Maintaining a happy and healthy relationship is hard, and “Us Without Sex” clearly reminded us of that. Only love is not enough, as life and people are complicated. I thoroughly enjoy this drama and will recommend this to those who like this genre. Because I came in with low/no expectations and was blown away by how it makes me feel emotionally, I am giving this a high rating of 8.75 (rounding up to 9.0), well, also to pull up the rating a little bit.
.
.
.
‘
Ending spoiler
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I hope that if there’s a drama special later on, the two couples will reunite and rekindle their romance (I am a big fan of second-chance romance). At this point in their lives, they are not ready to be together. There’s work that needs to be done in getting to know themselves, becoming braver and to grow individually. But I so wish Lin Shu Zhe and Song Qin Yu would meet in a few year’s time, still deeply in love with each other and what they want in the future aligns perfectly. This is my imaginary ending as a hopeless romantic.
Completed: 11/10/2024 - Review #511
Was this review helpful to you?
Great Leads chemistry but messy non-romance plots.
“Wandee Goodday” is a very binge-worthy and light-hearted romantic comedy. If you turn off your brain and don’t think too much about the unprofessionalism displayed in the hospital, I think you can enjoy it even more. I had a lot of fun watching the romance develop and there are many cute and fluffy scenes.I was initially concerned that “Wandee Goodday” would be a cringefest and not to the level I can tolerate. Luckily, it’s more cheesy than cringey. Yoryak (boxer ML) and Wandee (Doc ML) have great chemistry and have many cute and funny scenes. I enjoy how quick their fake relationship is developed and witness the growing affections for each other. Their banter is fun and quite flirty, and a little raunchier than I expected. However, what I was expecting are raunchier bed scenes. Yes, you see naked torsos, but they always have their underwear on. There are kisses on the cheeks, neck and body, but they never feel raw. In fact, I would argue most of the bed scenes weren’t shot very well. So, if you are worried that this might be “Bed Friend” or “Only Friends” level of spiciness, rest assured, you will be fine. In fact, the kisses the leads have are so super sweet and romantic. As much as I enjoy the main romance, I do not like how the story drags their official announcement as a couple for so long. They already act like a couple and they know they like each other, why can’t Wandee just say the words to make it official?
There is a love triangle, it might annoy some of you because of how insincere and clingy this third wheel was. He never bothered me too much, and I am OK with it. The secondary romance between Oye (Yoryak’s brother) and Cher is also cute. I like the contrasting romance of an established couple to the fake relationship of the main romance. There are a couple other mini romance side plots which I think are unnecessary. They feel like an afterthought and not enough screen time is given to fully develop them.
The last quarter of the drama has less romance but more of the other side plots. This is where the writing goes downhill a little. I don’t think Thai writers can write trauma and healing as well as Chinese or Korean writers. The creditors are written off easily. The family animosity was resolved in no time and then we’re a big happy family again. There’s so much standing and talking during a championship match. The scholarship presentation ceremony is over-the-top and super unprofessionally done. No way such a prestigious award announcement will happen with singing, cheering, and love confession. Fortunately the best part of the show is the main romance and it takes up a big portion of the drama. Because for the rest of it, you really need to turn off your brain to enjoy.
Nevertheless, I had a good time watching “Wandee Goodday”. Our main leads are adorable and fun, and they carry the show on their backs and run with it. Great (Yoryak) seems to have gone through training to be a boxer. His moves and punches look realistic. Oh, and I can’t stop admiring all the hot six-packs in this drama. So, enjoy this fun rom-com and don’t think too much about it.
Completed: 7/27/2024 - Review #466
Was this review helpful to you?
Women Unite to Blossom from Adversities by selling Dim Sum!
“Blossoms in Adversity” is not getting a lot of hype and it’s unfortunate as it’s a pretty good drama. Led by Zhang Jing Yi (of “Lighter and Princess”) as the main heroine, we follow her as she leads everyone to weather the storms thrown at her and the Hua family. This drama reminds me of “New LIfe Begins”, with a focus on the women of the family, though “Blossoms in Adversity” has more drama and less comedy.Plot/Pacing:
A lot happened to the Hua Family in these 40 episodes mainly due to a mean, dictatorial, jealous emperor who couldn’t stand being criticized or questioned. The pacing of the drama is pretty good. With a mix of politics, overcoming hardships, family relationships/dynamics, business dealings and royal family disputes, these 40 episodes go by pretty quickly. There might be slight slow pacing in the middle but the last quarter of the drama picks the pace back up. I am not a big fan of harem scheming, so I was initially worried that I might dislike all these women in the family, especially when the hard times come. Luckily, the fighting only happens for a few episodes and they are not too bad. None of them is evil at heart, and this drama really does emphasize on how these women of all ages and social statuses come together to create a new life for themselves and their loved ones.
Romance:
The main romance is like a calming, steady river stream. Hua Zhi (FL) and Gu Yan Xi (ML) are both intelligent, mature and rational adults. Their romance is developed slowly starting as strangers, to friends, and then to lovers. Although this romance does not give you severe heartbreaks or cute and fluffy sweetness, it brings a sense of satisfaction, companionship and comfort. Hua Zhi and Gu Yan Xi are very honest with each other, and will communicate when they are in doubt. I would not say Zhang Jing Yi and Hu Yi Tian have excellent chemistry and it’s probably because their romance is just so comforting. It lacks a sense of passion or yearning. The acting is not bad, but also not enough to move or excite me. There’s only really one kiss scene but there is plenty of hugging and hand holding. On the other hand, the secondary romance between Shao Yao and Shen Huan is a lot more adorable. They are just so fun together and I enjoy their chemistry. Their innocence shines through like the bright sunlight.
Acting:
As the protagonist, Zhang Jing Yi did an admirable job as Hua Zhi. She met my expectations but I would not say she’s excellent, because I think the large supporting cast of veteran actresses share her spotlight. Hu Yi Tian is not horrible, and definitely better than in his other ‘cold’ roles in “Go Go Squid” or “Handsome Siblings”. He’s OK but not great. He still lacks expressions in some of the more emotional scenes, especially when he’s angry (gotta do more than open your eyes wide). Lu Yu Xiao really is a very promising young actress. She has played so many different roles in recent dramas and she continues to impress me. “Blossoms in Adversity” has a very large cast from the youngest to the oldest. There isn’t anyone that is the weakest link and luckily, there aren't any annoying characters.
Production:
This might not be an S+ production, but nothing looks cheap. I love all of Zhang Jing Yi’s costumes and hairstyles. She looks beautiful in this drama. When the Hua family has money, all the women’s clothing look nice and ‘rich’, though they seem to always wear the same clothes. I enjoy the OST but do think the songs are overplayed. I am somewhat pleasantly surprised at the action/fight scenes. There aren’t too many fight scenes but the few that they had, I was quite impressed, and especially surprised to see Hu Yi Tian fight hard and seems to know what he’s doing. I don’t recall being impressed with his fight scenes in “Handsome Siblings”. The fights are well-choreographed and I would have loved them even more if we cut down on the slow-motion scenes. Lastly, I am so glad that most of the actors and actresses use their own voice even if it’s from studio/post-production and not live. Eddie Ko (Grandfather Hua) and Myolie Wu (third madame), both from Hong Kong, seem to be the only ones dubbed by someone else.
Lastly, I am not sure if this is considered a criticism, but I find our heroine Hua Zhi a little too perfect. The drama does not outright tell you she’s perfect. In fact, when she was introduced, no one really liked her or cared for her, except for her grandfather. But as the drama goes on, we are shown time and time again how intelligent she is. She is able to overcome Everything quite easily. Hua Zhi can react to challenges rationally, and she can anticipate and prevent future crises, while coming up with new ideas to make money. She’s able to grow her small little food stand business to having her own dim sum store in less than a year!
Having said that, there really isn’t any big flaw “Blossoms in Adversity”. It’s enjoyable, decently-paced with lovely characters. If you enjoy seeing women band together to support each other, this is the drama for you. If you enjoy seeing how one overcomes adversities and blossoms from them (see my pun here.. LOL), this is the drama for you. I’m giving this a solid 8.5. It’s just missing a little something for me emotionally, so I can’t give it a higher rating. Nevertheless, I heartily recommend this drama.
Completed: 6/2/2024 - Review #448
Was this review helpful to you?
Amazing Leads Chemistry, likable supporting cast but only OK plot
Overall Rating - 8.25Subjective Romance Rating - 8.5
Objective Drama Rating - 8.0
Giving this drama an 8.5 is mainly due to the chemistry between Zhang Bin Bin and Janice Wu. Zhang Bin Bin looks so handsome in this drama. If you are a romance lover or a fan of either actor, I strongly recommend this drama. Otherwise, this is a decent one with equal parts business and romance. Most characters are likable and no one is too annoying or irritating. The villains are tolerable.
I am a fan of the leads, and that’s what prompted me to watch the drama. Because honestly, the business plot isn’t that unique and quite predictable. The part about ML’s pursuit of his dreams in the end reminds me of Yang Yang’s storyline in “You Are My Glory” but not enough for me to be moved like in “You Are My Glory”.
However, what shines are the characters. Zhang Bin Bin and Janice Wu are so lovable, fun and awesome together. They are both smart and petty (in a funny way). I feel like I am prying into their private lives when they are looking into each other’s eyes, having those lovely and realistic hugs and kisses. I enjoy the earlier episodes of their flirting and smart banter. Those earlier episodes are definitely a lot more fun. But the skinship (kisses and hugs) come in the latter half of the drama. The kisses are realistic but the camera tends to pan away and not give me enough close-up shots. LOL. Some might not like the long distance relationship but I find that pretty ok. Many dramas get boring after the leads get together, but at least the long distance relationship keeps things a little more interesting for longer.
Aside from the main romance, I love the fun relationship between FL and her grandpa. I look forward to their sarcastic, funny and witty conversations. Grandpa is one of the best in C-dramaland. On the other hand, ML’s sweet relationship with his little brother is also a highlight of the drama. It’s too bad we don’t see the kid enough in the last few episodes. That storyline ended quite abruptly. The co-workers/team chemistry is pretty good as well. All the team members are likable.
I appreciate almost all actors using their own voices and not dubbed. It seems like there’s quite a lot of live recording as well. I also like many songs played. There are just two love songs that are overplayed and I got a little annoyed. But as a whole, I enjoy the OST.
But the drama is not without faults. My biggest pet peeve is FL’s understanding/knowledge of all things technology when she first joined the company, especially since she’s a communications major and not an engineer. I have to suspend reality to enjoy those early episodes. The secondary romance isn’t exciting at all and didn’t bring anything new or add to the drama. I wish the ending for this pair was different. I also did not like FL’s hairstyles. They need to fire the hairstylists who gave Janice Wu such childish styling. I don’t feel that the pace of the drama is slow or that it drags in the middle episodes. That’s probably because the drama tries to put many subplots and filler plots within these 32 episodes. The result is that not all subplots are fully explored. I wish the drama had focused more on certain storylines and then removed some of them. If you don’t like China’s national pride in their aerospace technology, you might find this very preachy. At least it’s less than “You Are My Glory”. Lastly, this drama has a LOT of product placements! I didn’t think it took that much money to film this drama as there aren’t many elaborate sets, but there are so many advertisements - bottled water, Yakult yogurt drink, makeup/face masks, noodles, toothbrushes, etc.
Overall, this is a fun, office romance drama. Watch it for the leads chemistry and not for the business plot. It’s quite an easy watch and very bingeable.
Completed: 6/11/2023 - Review #317
Was this review helpful to you?
Melo-Fantasy Drama with Singing - But not quite a real Musical
Completed - 5/7/2022I am a big fan of musicals, so when I heard that "The Sound of Magic" is a short Korean musical drama, I got to check it out. However, I think my expectations were too high, and the drama didn’t quite deliver. The premise of the story is good, and I enjoy the general theme of finding your true self and path, through the belief in magic. However, I felt that the execution is lacking a bit. I was expecting a more upbeat and hopeful drama, but this is sadder and darker than I thought.
If we’re talking about a musical, we can’t ignore its music. I was not very impressed with the first episode and found the songs and the singing to be just OK. However, I did enjoy a couple ballads throughout the drama, especially ‘Have a Good Night’ sung by the sisters. I do think the music is lacking in variety and there are only 2 group numbers. I would have liked to see more. Since the majority of the songs are slow ballads, I am missing the dancing/choreography of a musical. The singing is OK. I guess the actors are not really theater actors who can sing, and it shows. I have to remind myself not to compare “The Sound of Magic” to “The Sound of Music” or any of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s creations. That would be an unfair comparison, thus, I didn’t lower the rating despite my minor disappointment. I do plan to get the OST from Spotify, and I might enjoy the music more as I listen to them more.
I do enjoy the acting of our young leads, Choi Sung Eun and Hwang In Youp. I am not familiar with Choi Sung Eun but I think she was very expressive in all her sad and teary-eyed scenes. Hwang In Youp is not that cool bad boy in “True Beauty” anymore but a studious student searching for his own path. Of course, the top attraction to this drama is Ji Chang Wook. I think as a veteran actor, he did fine. He isn’t as charismatic as the Magician as I would have imagined. I want his personality to be bigger (not as crazy as Willy Wonka, but a little more oomph). His best performance is in Ep 6. I enjoy the young actress, Oh So Hyun, as the little sister, especially her singing in ‘Have a Good Night”. She has a beautiful, young and pure voice. It’s also a nice surprise to see every actor's younger self, Nam Da Reum, to play the teen Magician. There has got to be one annoying character in these Asia dramas, and the award goes to Baek Ha Na, the classmate. I guess that means Ji Hye Won did a great job portraying her. Also, what is up with all the parents in this drama? They piss me off!
I feel the cinematography is a little uneven. There are scenes that are beautifully shot, usually the magic and fireworks at the theme park. But all the other scenes don’t look anything special and somewhat dull. I was just expecting a Netflix production to give us a little more. I understand the theme park is abandoned, so I don’t expect glamor inside. But the scenes shot inside the Magician’s office or the stage do not look very nice.x
Overall, do not go in expecting a big musical drama production. Think of it as a Korean melo-fantasy drama with music and songs. Oh, also don’t miss the stage performance of all cast members at the end of Ep 6.
Was this review helpful to you?
Tearjerker + Amazing performance by Roy Chiu
Completed - 3/29/2022Subjective Rating - 9.0
Objective Rating - 7.5-8.5
Without really paying attention to the tags of this movie, I thought I was going to watch a romantic comedy. Little did I know I would be crying my eyes out. This is a definite tearjerker.
A Cheng is a kind-hearted debt collector who fell in love with Hao Ting at first sight. I have never been a fan of love-at-first sight, and I'm not going to lie, the way he pursues Hao Ting could be viewed as stalker-ish and problematic as well. But once I got past these 'hurdles', I am fully invested in their love story.
I love A Cheng. What he went through in this movie breaks my heart. I cried so much after things went downhill for him. He's always been so kind to everyone he encounters. I want him to live happily-ever-after with Hao Ting. Roy Chiu (who plays A Cheng) is fantastic in this movie. His acting range is in total display - silly, kind, violent, betrayed, in physical and emotional pain, and heartbroken.
It's really hard for me to put into words why my gut feeling tells me this movie is worth my 9.0 rating. Maybe I was caught off-guard by all the feels. Maybe I was too impressed with Roy Chiu's acting. Maybe I am just watching the right movie, at the right time, in the right mood.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Rare, Dark Wuxia Gem with supporting cast stories that touched my heart
“My Journey to You” dropped without much promotion and it appears to be a dark horse this late summer. I also succumbed to the hype and wanted to check out a dark wuxia drama, and I am so glad I did. You might not agree with me, but this drama reminded me of a combo of “Bloody Romance” (female assassins, gray characters and love stories) and “The Wind Blows from Longxi” (scheming and plot twists). I don’t have any major criticisms, just a few that are very subjective.What I Like:
1. Genre - A dark pure wuxia drama is hard to come by. No matter the tone, cinematography, or the theme, “My Journey to You” tells a story of secrets, scheming, plotting, and you don’t know the real truth until the very end when everything unfolds. I wish there are more wuxia dramas like this.
2. Main Cast Acting -
= Esther Yu - I applaud Esther Yu to finally branch out and not play another cute character. I’ve seen enough of her in that role in 3 of her previous dramas. I would not say she was excellent, but she definitely meets my expectations and more. I still find her serious face quite emotionless (I have the same criticism of her in the body swap portion of “Love Between Fairy and Devil”), but overall her sad scenes are much better than anticipated.
= Zhang Ling He - Quite a few criticisms of his acting and character when I read some comments. His character might not be as interesting in the beginning (more of that below) but I do find him decent in this role. He improves throughout the drama as his character grows.
= Ryan Cheng - Wow… this is the perfect role for him. He’s not my kind of handsome, but he’s definitely charismatic and attractive in his role as Gong Shang Jue. HIs side-eye looks are devilishly good. I went back to watch clips of him in “A Familiar Stranger” and he is definitely a lot better in this drama. I am glad to see him in a big production after so many smaller web dramas.
= Lu Yu Xiao - Is this really the cute teenage girl in “Time and HIm Are Just Right”? She’s only 23 years old and is so talented and beautiful. She captures the essence of Shangugan Qian beautifully and has excellent chemistry with Ryan Cheng.
3. Supporting Cast - Love all the characters, including the little annoying brother Gong Yuan Zhi. The acting of the supporting cast is great and I don’t have anyone to single out and pick on. I’ve only seen Jolin Jin in “Remembrance of Things Past” and I really did not recognize her as the hilariously crazy and obnoxious Gong Zi Shang. She really brings some comedic relief to this serious drama. At one point, I worry she’s a little too much, but her antics stop and we move on. I love the supporting cast stories (more so than the main romance) and I was worried how many would survive in the end. In C-dramaland, you know there will be plenty of deaths and I just pray they are not my favorites. Each of their stories touched me and I’m so glad this drama balances the main cast’s stories and the supporting cast’s stories very well.
4. Different Perspectives of the World - The four main characters have very different upbringing and they bring their own perspectives of the world they’re living in. One thing in common is that none of them had a very happy childhood. Actually, most of the characters seem to be missing some type of love & affection when growing up.
= Gong Zi Yu (ML) was criticized for being dumb and not as intelligent as the other leads. But I beg to differ. If you look at things from his point of view, he has intentionally ignored all that’s going on in his family and world. When he was pushed into the leadership role, of course he can’t have the same knowledge and wisdom as everyone around him. He needed time to learn, experience and grow. This drama really did focus on his growth.
= Gong Shang Jue (2ML) was the strongest and the smartest, yet he was not chosen to lead. He has got to be one of my favorite gray characters in a C-drama. His perspective has never wavered - to have the best person to lead, whether that’s him or someone else.
= Yun Wei Shan (F) is the unwilling assassin. She was forced into the world of assassins and longs for her freedom. In a way, she reminded me of the FL in “Bloody Romance” (but she actually kills and is a lot smarter and more experienced).
= Lu Yu Xiao (2FL) is such a beautiful little vixen. Without going into spoilers, her motive of causing trouble and her assassin instincts are fun to watch.
5. Gong Shan Jue/Sangugan Qian romance - I love these two intelligent characters trying to outsmart and out-scheme each other. Their interactions sizzle with chemistry. Their conversations are a game of chess. Did they really fall for each other despite all the mistrusts? Probably. Was I looking for a little more PDA and skinship? You betcha! But what we get is a game of cat and mouse and I am quite satisfied with their ending.
6. Production Value - I love all the elegant costumes. Simple hairstyles for men and women. Detailed patterns on their clothing with layers over layers. I also appreciate the use of natural lighting. Even though the drama appears a little dark (figuratively and literally), no fake bright light was used in many of the scenes. I enjoy the simple sets and rooms, which reflect the characters' lifestyle. Beautiful people and beautiful cinematography. Most importantly, almost all the main characters and supporting cast are using their own voice. I also like all the songs, especially the title song 云之羽 by 张杰 Jason Zhang and 远山如昨 (love the sound of a guitar). I am so glad the songs are not overplayed.
What I have Mixed Feelings (Minor Criticisms):
1. Main Romance - I hate to pick on a romance when this drama is a lot more than a love story. However, when the romance between Yun Wei Shan and Gong Zi Yu does play a big part in the big scheme of things, it does matter. Unfortunately, I am not feeling the chemistry between Esther Yu and Zhang Ling He. Compared to the secondary romance’s sizzling chemistry, this love at first sight is lacking in depth and feels. Is it because of the assassin’s personality/role, or Esther's emotionless acting? Or maybe It’s Zhang Ling He’s acting or the writing of the romance? I actually do feel the love from Zhang Ling He’s gaze but not much from Esther.
2. Action/Fight Scenes - I was going to put this in the positive category, but then the slow motion scenes are gnawing at me. “My Journey to You” has beautiful fight choreography and cinematography. I would say the use of slow-motion scenes are probably better than many other wuxia and xianxia dramas I’ve seen before. However, I still feel that there are too many. When it was a big fight, the excitement is halted when a slow motion scene comes into play. I also would have loved to see more fights throughout the drama, especially in the middle of the drama. This is a minor criticism because I do really think the fight choreography is excellent and the actors did a really good job as well.
3. Pace - I wonder if this drama is trying to make the episodes a lot longer (a little over an hour) to bypass the 40-episode guidelines. If you add the runtime, this equates to a regular 36-40 episode drama. There are a lot of dialogs because of the scheming, so it could feel slow if you don’t like the conversations. I find the pace to be OK, maybe a little slower in the middle. The last 5 episodes are my favorite because it’s action-packed. But, when it’s slow, it feels so much slower when everyone walks and talks slowly, especially with some slow-motion scenes.. Is it just me?
4. A few questionable things - The 3rd assessment, I was prepared to ball my eyes out but then ML sorta bypassed it so easily? The secret passage isn’t really very secretive when everyone uses it. Some characters I thought would never survive after getting hit and stabbed so many times, but they did. Others get stabbed once or twice and they die, or someone is still alive and body intact after a huge explosion.
Overall, I strongly recommend this drama if you are looking for a more serious and darker wuxia drama. There are comedic moments, but this is not a fun drama. Many criticized the ending but I am quite satisfied. I am not sure if there will be a season 2, but one should never expect a very happy ending with such a dark C-drama (not saying this is a sad ending either.. LOL)
Other Random Observations:
* These supposedly cold-blooded assassins are full of feelings and emotions.
* I love the first real kiss of the main leads after CPR. It was quite nice and romantic.
* This is a drama full of sad characters with no good childhood. Parents seem to be non-communicative with their love for their children.
* It’s so sad when the green jade turned to red 🙁
Completed: 9/17/2023 - Review #354
Was this review helpful to you?
Different Tone from Part 1 - Court Politics, Revenge, Romance and Angst
Completed - 8/21/2022Part 2 has a different tone and feels like a completely different drama. While Part 1 sets things up and gives us an introduction to all the characters, it has a focus on family and friendship with a dash of romance. Part 2 on the other hand focuses on court politics, revenge and our main romance. We have a more serious drama that’s full of angst and sadness with a dash of sweetness and comedy.
What I Like:
Cheng Shao Shang (FL) - I like that she is true to herself throughout the drama. Because of her childhood, she has abandonment issues. You can say that she has a lot to learn to be someone’s partner or wife, and has to learn how to love and trust ML. Yet, she is quite a feminist. She believes in her ability, and that she doesn’t have to follow the traditional footsteps of women to get married and be defined as someone’s wife. I like her revengeful attitude and her protectiveness of those who treat her well. I tend to like strong and badass female leads, but I have grown to like Cheng Shao Shang and she has become one of my favorite female leads.
Acting - I was not impressed with Leo Wu’s acting in Part 1, so I am very happy to see that his character is giving him more to showcase his ability in Part 2. He is excellent in all his emotional scenes, and he melts my heart when he smiles at FL. I really do feel his pain and internal struggles. This might be the best role I’ve seen Zhao LuSi in. She’s known for her cute and outgoing roles, and then she branches out to a more conservative role in “The Long Ballad”. But in “Love Like the Galaxy”, her role as CSS really allows her to flex her acting chops and to show how much she has grown as an actress. From being the naughty and petty 15 year-old, to becoming a mature and strong woman at the end of the drama, Zhao LuSi is the star of the show. Leo Wu and Zhao LuSi are still so young. They really have a bright future ahead of them. Supporting these two young leads is a very experienced supporting cast. I love the royal family - the emperor, empress and consort Yu.
Emperor/Empress/Consort Yu - What a lovely trio we have in this drama. Where else can you find a trio like this in a historical drama? The Emperor is hilarious and he’s the biggest fan of ML and doesn't hide his partiality. He also is the biggest cheerleader and matchmaker of the leads. I love all his funny moments, especially the last scene. I am so glad that CSS found the mother that she always wanted in the Empress. Under her love and care, CSS is able to grow and learn to love, and be the best person she could be. The sisterhood between the Empress and Consort Yu is lovely to see as well. This drama has a different type of harem, even if the princes and princesses do not always get along with each other, we also do have people killing each other for the throne. Maybe this has something to do with the awesome parents that they have. Lastly, my new favorite character, Consort Yu. I love her sassy retort. I look forward to all her scenes and want to hear what she has to say each time. No one dares mess with her and it’s fun to see her interaction with the Emperor. They are a match made in heaven. It would be interesting to get a side story of when they were younger.
What I have Mixed Feelings about:
Main Romance - I am very glad to finally see their romance begin in Part 2. However, the early development is what I have mixed feelings about. I feel that they have more chemistry when they are bickering and arguing with each other, than when they are speaking sweetly. I already know ML is deeply in love, but the way FL falls in love is quite a mystery. One episode she is still hesitating whether to marry or not, then in the next episode or two, she’s already very in love. I want to see the slow development as this feels pretty abrupt and unbelievable. However, once I got past this initial stage, I got what I wanted - the love, the sweetness, getting to know each other, angst, and understanding. I am also glad that the angst is not due to misunderstandings, but it’s actually because they understand each other too well due to their different upbringing and thoughts of the same situation.
Battle/Fight scenes - I applaud Leo Wu for his effort in all the fight scenes. You can see him and others are not just swinging their swords aimlessly. These are hard fought battles and the drama doesn’t shy away from some of the more torturous and bloody scenes. But what I don’t like is the slow motion. This is not a wuxia drama and doesn’t have continuous fight scenes. You really don’t need to slow down a slash or a jump. This makes the exciting fight sequence less exciting.
What I Don’t Like:
Uneven Pacing/Weird or underdeveloped plots:
I find it hard to follow all the characters involved in ML’s revenge plot. In the middle episodes of Part 2, I became quite confused about all the names mentioned. Some characters appeared in Part 1 and I sort of forgot their names or what happened. But the drama name drops all those involved, I had to pause and think who these people are. Eventually, I figured it all out, but those episodes have a lot of talking and court politics, thus, also slowing down the pacing of the drama. Some minor supporting characters disappeared for most of the drama, and then popped up again at the end to seek revenge. They seem to have come out of nowhere. So much happened in the last 5-7 episodes that it feels rushed. I am not sure if it’s because of the editing or the writing.
A few other weirdness:
1. What happened between Cheng Shao Shang and Yuan Shen after they visited CSS’s home?
2. When did FL’s 2nd brother and XiXi become so close that there are talks of marriage? Didn’t they only have one kiss?
3. I needed more scenes between 3rd Prince and ML to justify the behind-the-scenes happenings
4. Well, the rebel leader also seems to have come out of nowhere.
5. The way that our smart FL got in trouble in the end by falling into the schemes of the two female supporting characters is repetitive and underdeveloped.
Other Random Observations:
1. Leo Wu frowns a lot when he does his serious General face.
2. Impeccable hair even after fire/explosion/battles
3. Enjoy the background music and songs are not overplayed (actually I don’t notice them much).
4. So glad Yuan Shen is not an annoying high school boy anymore. He’s matured to be a good support for FL.
5. *SPOILER*
Waited this long and I didn't see the wedding???? It’s been talked about for 29 episodes.
Was this review helpful to you?
Inconsistent plot, acting and storytelling BUT definitely Sexy!
Completed: 7/10/2022"KinnPorsche" is such a hyped up mafia BL drama that I figured I would check it out to see what it's all about. I then realize this is not really a mafia drama, but a mafia slice-of-life drama with a good-looking cast and many sexy scenes. I was expecting an action-packed mafia drama with a side of romance. But it turns out to be a romance drama with a side of mafia action.
What I Like:
1. Sexy scenes - Not going to lie, if you are 18+ and enjoy sexy scenes, this is the drama for you. The scenes are shot beautifully and well-acted. You can feel the emotions and the sexual tension. The scenes are both sexual and sensual, and they definitely could make you blush. Kinn and Porsche's kisses are a treat and they really put in the effort.
2. Good-looking cast - Yes, this drama is full of good-looking guys. Isn't this one of the biggest attractions? Of course, we all have our preferences, but for me, Porsche and Kim are my kinda of handsome.
3. Production - I am not sure if this is considered a big budget production in Thailand, but I enjoy all the scenes in the Main family house. Beautiful rooms with sweeping views of the city, gorgeously decorated interiors with high end furniture/props/chandeliers, etc . Oh, can't forget the gardens, fountains, koi ponds and the swimming pool (both indoors and the one with city view). Great cinematography, nice tailored suits for all bodyguards and the leads. Some of the action scenes are well done and don't seem too fake.
What I don't like or have mixed feelings:
1. Plot - There is no central plot to the drama. It's very character-drive the majority of the time, and it seems like a slice-of-life drama about bodyguards. It's not until towards the last couple episodes that a certain family plot becomes more prominent. There isn't enough about the mafia, and the focus is on relationships/romance. Some scenes and episodes are great and interesting, others are cringey and give me that "What the heck did I just watch" feeling.
2. Comedy - The comedic moments in this drama are too over-the-top for my taste. I am sure many love it, but I don't think they fit the general feel of the drama. I can take small doses here and there, sprinkled throughout the drama. But when the comedy is concentrated on a certain episode, that's too much for me to take. Thus, I feel this drama is very inconsistent.
3. Romance - Yes, I like the sexual and sensual scenes. But on the other hand, some of the scenes are too cringey. Two adult men are acting like teenage girls in love for the very first time. I thought these guys are in their late 20s, or early 30s, and have already been in different relationships before. All the romantic relationships in this drama are quite toxic and unhealthy. These guys are walking red flags. Relationships full of lies, mistrust, dishonesty and not always consentual.
4. Inconsistent acting - I feel that all the actors are best with the more emotional scenes. I particularly enjoy Porsche and Vegas' acting. Kinn's acting doesn't always hit the mark. I do not particularly like Porchay (I know it's an unpopular opinion). I find him too awkward and I don't know why Kim would be interested in a little kid like him.
5. Illogical plots holes- Let's just say there's no way we should still see Vegas after the final credits. All wounds heal ridiculously fast. No one needs to wear any bulletproof vest because even though you're showered with bullets, you won't die.
I will recommend this Thai BL drama if you want something with a mafia theme, sexy scenes, high production value and a good-looking cast. But don't expect an amazing drama with a good script and perfect execution. I enjoyed it for its entertainment value and WTH moments that make me laugh, thus a rating of 8.0. There are better Thai BL dramas out there, e.g. "A Tale of a Thousand Stars", "Not Me", and "I told Sunset About You".
Was this review helpful to you?
Then I thought, maybe this is the drama's way of repaying me for sticking around for the slow burn romance. The drama is compensating me for putting me through the emotional roller coaster of their relationship. It's giving me the cute fluffiness that I didn't get enough in the full-length drama.
In the end, it comes in full circle. The monologue of Han Ting describing his definition of love. The montages in reverse motion on the TV screen as we witness their love story again.
And last but not the least, Han Ting using his very last special boyfriend card. It's the perfect ending to a love story that I love so much.
Was this review helpful to you?
See a different side of Takeuchi Ryoma after he shook his hips sexily in "10 Dance"
Takeuchi Ryoma is definitely the main reason I am checking out “Then You Try Making It”. After watching him so sexily shook his hips in “10 Dance”, it is quite eye-opening to see him in a completely different role here. Playing the role of the egoistic, chauvinistic Katsuo, Ryoma is really showing his diverse acting skills. It’s really hard not to want to punch Katsuo in the face in the first episode. His words and actions make my blood boil. Luckily, Ryoma is so adorable and good-looking, that makes his initial introduction somewhat tolerable. Of course, knowing the fact that this drama is about his and the female lead’s character growth helps as well.Ryoma really is great here, even if I take away how good-looking he is. Katsuo can be so insufferable, yet cluelessly adorable. He’s not mean, but actually quite sweet and adorable. Seeing Katsuo slowly realize his embarrassing actions, accepting his faults and wanting to change is the best part of the show.
Kaho plays the female lead Ayumi. I think she has a slightly tougher and more subtle character growth than Katsuo. But it’s no less important and amazing to witness her growing from a girlfriend who wants to be chosen and perfect, to someone who finally is able to express herself and finds out who she really is, and gains the independence that she wants.
Other areas that make “Then You Try Making It" enjoyable are all the cooking of delicious food, and the group of really supportive and amazing friends and co-workers. There are no bad and irritating antagonists in this drama. It’s a slice-of-life of two individuals' character development, supported by really great people who help and cheer them on along the way.
This drama is adapted from a manga, so I was initially concerned about the comedy and possibility of overdramatic acting. Luckily, I worry for no reason. There are so many funny bits - the older TV show, dating reality tv, Ryoma dancing samba as if his hips couldn’t move, etc. Some comedic moments are sarcastically funny and subtle, others are just plain making fun of themselves.
Despite these glowing reviews, there are areas I’m not quite sure of. I think 10 episodes for this drama is a little too long, and I lose steam in the last few episodes. 8 episodes might be enough. Nothing much really happens, since it’s quite slice-of-life. If you are looking for romance, then you might be disappointed. There’s slight romance, but not really any romantic, fluffy, angsty or cute moments, kisses or skinship. Additionally, the acting of the cast isn’t bad, but I wouldn’t call them excellent or fantastic. I think Ryoma just shines so brightly and others pale in comparison.
I did have a decent time watching “Then You Try Making It” and I definitely cannot try making it! 🤣 LOL. I like the ending and think it's realistic. I wouldn’t say the plot is revolutionary and you’ve probably seen many similar dramas. But if you are a fan of Takeuchi Ryoma, you should definitely check it out.
Completed: 3/20/2026 Review #674
Was this review helpful to you?
Well-written and acted, Engaging political drama with a small but impactful Romance
Wow…What a fantastic drama! Let me just say, I don’t usually watch politics-focused drama as I am a romance lover. But I was browsing and came across “Mandate” that has great reviews. I finally found myself in the right mood and sat down to watch it. I am so glad I did. I hope my review does this drama justice and entices you enough to give it a chance.Plot:
Every country probably has a politician like Dr. Nong. He’s the one who sees injustices and inequality, and wants to fight for the people. But Dr. Nong is not an idealist or typical perfect ML. He’s flawed and makes poor decisions. Throughout the drama, we see him swim though the dark and dangerous waters of corruption and run into roadblocks to achieving what he originally sets out to do. Is he able to stay true to himself? Or did he get polluted along the way? “Mandate” packs in a lot within 8 one-hour long episodes. It was able to keep me focused and engaged. Each character is layered and plays a role in the grand scheme of things. There are no fillers here. As I was reading other reviews, I learned that the drama mirrored the political landscape in Thailand. I believe many countries probably have similar issues with backdoor deals and scheming within and between political parties. Selfish and corrupted officials who claim they work for the people but are filling their own pockets. Gathering secrets, forging documents, setting traps and collecting intel on your enemies are all tactics that happen everywhere. “Mandate” is able to tell a story that feels very realistic, even though I have no way of knowing what’s actually happening behind the scenes in the real world. I don’t see any glaring plot holes either.
Acting/Characters:
Excellent acting all around! From the veterans to the younger actors. I have no one to pick on and is genuinely happy to find a drama without overdramatic lakorn acting, or cheesy and cringey BL acting. This is only Ben’s second drama after "Step by Step” and I am so impressed with his acting. “Mandate” came 2 years after “Step by Step” and I wonder if he intentionally tried to find the perfect script, thus, waited a little bit. He still has room for improvement, especially in scenes when he’s angry. Wi (Ben’s character) is smart, professional and very mature for his age. He’s born into a political family and knows all the dirty little secrets. He’s not the perfect, idealistic angel but also uses dirty tactics to get what he wants. Working alongside veteran Boy, and other veterans probably helps elevate his acting. Boy plays the main lead, Dr. Nong and he’s fantastic. Dr. Nong is rough around the edges, stubborn and quite the opposite of Wi. I also love the other two members of Team Dr. Nong, the intelligent and cool-headed social media guru Ni, and the young and enthusiastic Jump. I even love the ‘villains’, Wi’s ex + political rival, and the sassy and tenacious reporter Gale. No one is perfect in this drama, yet I like every single one of them.
Romance:
Don’t expect this to be a BL romance. The romance between Dr. Nong and Wi is slow burn and not the main focus. Even though Ben and Boy have a large age-gap in real life, you don’t feel that in the drama since Dr. Nong can be playful, and Wi is so mature. The two of them have excellent chemistry, right from the beginning when they are just political colleagues and comrades. As feelings develop, the relationship develops naturally. I was not expecting the romance to be impactful in a way that leaves a deep impression on me in the last few episodes. Romantic moments are few but scenes of the leads together are plenty. For romance lovers, we are treated to maybe 15-20 minutes of kisses, fluffiness, and intimate scenes total in the whole drama. But those moments are precious and a nice palette cleanser. They do have some emotional conversations and you can see how they support each other throughout this journey together. But with a drama that focuses on politics, romance is not immune from lies, secrets and behind-the-scenes deals.
Do I recommend “Mandate”? ABSOLUTELY, especially if you are a fan of political dramas or any of the actors. Even though the episodes are an hour-long, it goes by really fast. It’s rare for me to come across a Thai drama that has an engaging plot with great execution, characters that are interesting and well-portrayed by every actor, and a romance that is not the main focus yet delivers an impactful punch. After finishing this drama, I have to immediately tell my friends I LOVE IT! This gut reaction warrants "Mandate" at least a 9.0 rating from me. Why not a 10? Because of the ending 'spoiler' below.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ending (may or may not be spoilers)
I want to share, not about the events of the last episode, but how it ended. The final scene wraps up the first year of Dr. Nong’s political life, after barely survived. However, it’s very obvious that there should be a season 2. But will we have one? I sure hope so because I look forward to a reunion and happy ending. Because it doesn't totally wrap up the whole story, I am docking 1 point from my rating (for now).
Completed: 2/23/2026 Review #669
Was this review helpful to you?
