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".
Sweet Romance can't save Below Average acting and Annoying Childish character
Looking for a drama full of fluffy moments? Look no further because “Your Sky” will give you cavities, especially if you like the cute and adorable leads who are always happy and smiley. The main romance is practically smooth-sailing from start to finish and the drama won’t give you angst. There’s an episode towards the end that might give you a momentarily pause on the sugar, but it only lasted an episode and it’s for an understandable reason.However, I have two main criticisms of “My Sky”
Acting - The acting is overall below average. I understand the leads are not that experienced but it’s really hard to see them either act exaggeratedly or emotionlessly. There are flashes of decent acting but not enough. I would not say they are horrible but their acting did bug me from start to finish. I can’t deny Thomas (as Muenfah) is a handsome fellow and when he’s not so wooden and flashes a shy little smile, I have a silly grin on my face. On the other hand, Kong’s happy Teerak is harder to tolerate. Both main leads’ line delivery also seem robotic. It seems like they are thinking really hard to remember the lines and carefully deliver them.
Teerak’s childish character - Teerak is supposed to be a 20-year college student. But he behaves like a 15-year old high school kid. You can be happy and sunshiney without whining and acting like a child. What’s worse is his whole family treating him like a kid. It’s no wonder he acts like one. Just the regular family interaction gives me the shivers. Teerak’s friends also treat him like this naive little boy. Muenfah definitely dotes on his little boyfriend. He’s the perfect green flag boyfriend that does everything for you, cares for you and lovingly pats your head. It was just a little too much. And because the drama builds Teerak’s character to be such a child, it was a little weird watching his first NC/intimate scene.
Despite listing two major pain points, this is an easy-to-watch drama. Like I said, it’s full of sweet moments. The friends group are lovable and supportive. Even the annoying ‘villain’ isn’t that bad. I especially like the first half of the drama when the leads are trying to learn to act like a couple in a pretend relationship. I’m also a big fan of fake/contract relationships, so as they are pretending and falling in love, that’s my favorite part of the show. Muenfah is such a sweetheart. He asks for permission and checks in the next morning to make sure Teerak is fine. Consent in a Thai BL? No forced kisses? No wrist grab? Wow!
After they got together, we got some really sweet and cute moments. But the plot is not moving and not much happened, except for the family drama. The last few episodes are over an hour long each, and the drama feels like it’s dragging towards the finish line. The secondary best-friends-to-lovers couple and the last-minute boring couple are not given sufficient time to develop their storyline. What a waste of a potential good best-friend-to-lovers romance. They should have scraped that boring last-minute couple completely.
But to end on a good note, the kisses are great. I spotted a little tongue action from Thomas. Their kisses are sweet and romantic, yet passionate and not eating each other’s faces. Their last intimate scene shows growth in the characters and in their love story. There’s visibly more passion and a little lust, yet still done in a tasty manner. Thomas looks really good in his non-school uniform and he is quite handsome. They actually show these students in school, and working on class projects and not just hanging out in the cafeteria and causing problems. Muenfah’s family is super sweet and adorable, though unrealistic.
I am not sure if I will recommend this drama because I am not a fan of the acting (it’s not horrible but it’s a personal taste). However, if you are looking for something sweet and cute, and are more forgiving about the acting performance of these young and inexperienced actors than me, then this is a good watch for a quick sugar rush.
Completed: 1/6/2026 Review #659
Looking for Fun and don't mind over-the-top humor? This is the drama for you!
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75Before you watch “I’m the Most Beautiful Count”, you need to know that this is a period comedy with a lot of over-the-top humor, raunchy and sexual jokes, overdramatic acting and a male lead character that is feminine, sassy, flamboyant and super flirty. If you are OK with this, then you can try watching it. Otherwise, you will find this cringey and hard to digest.
This is usually not my type of drama and I avoided it when it first came out. But right now, I am in search of a happy drama that will de-stress and let me laugh my head off. “I’m the Most Beautiful Count” fits the bill.
Nut is the star of the show playing the main lead Prince/Woradet. This is my first time watching him and I really want to check out his other dramas where he’s acting more serious’. Nut plays this role so well. You cannot not keep your eyes on him from start to finish. It’s hard to be so overdramatic and not make me dislike him. I do feel that his exaggerated facial expressions could tone down a little. Prince/Woradet is a confident, self-assured trailblazer who is not afraid to be himself and speaks his mind. He stands up for injustices and bullying, and uses Prince’s modern day knowledge to help Woradet and Kosol achieve their dreams.
Ping, on the other hand, is not a very convincing Kosol. His acting compared to Nut is night and day. This is also my first time watching him, and I question whether his acting is due to playing a brute and aggressive warrior, or his acting is just not good. His character is already hard to love in the beginning, and his acting doesn’t help. Luckily Kosol is a character with growth. He is not afraid to apologize and learn from his mistakes, even getting into many hilarious and embarrassing moments, stepping out of his comfort zone in order to be a better man for Woradet.
Unfortunately, the romance between Nut and Kosol is lacking. Oh, the kisses are delicious and the sexy scenes are good. I just don’t feel much chemistry when they are not being intimate. I don’t see how Woradet falls in love with Kosol when he mistreats him in the beginning. On the other hand, I can totally see how Woradet might fall in love with the sweet and kind Banjong instead. Although the romance does take center stage in the drama, it is not a satisfying one for me.
When it comes to the political plot, it’s not executed very well either. I wish the villains were more comical, so that their characters could fit in this comedy. But having over-the-top comedy pairs with rebellions with boring villains don’t quite sit well with me.
On a positive note, the drama isn't shy in showing us nice muscular abs. I quite enjoy seeing Ping and Lee showing off their muscles quite regularly. I also like the period setting, costumes and traditional dwellings. It’s one of the Thai period dramas that doesn’t have the lakorn-style annoying slaves. All the characters are actually quite likable.
I would only recommend this drama if you are looking for something fun and not serious. Just enjoy, laugh with them and laugh at them. Even though this drama tries to have a more serious message of love and marriage equality, I feel that the message is not delivered/executed well.
Completed: 12/16/2025 Review #652
Started off strong with a Cute romance before a few frustrating episodes towards the end
Many compared “10 Things I Want to do before I Turn 40” to the other very popular drama, “Old Fashion Cupcake”. They are similar, yet not the same. I think “10 Things” has a simpler, younger-at-heart and lighter storyline. It’s more slice-of-life. On the other hand, “Cupcake” delivers a more mature romance with a similar premise of self-discovery and change. I personally like “Cupcake” more, but “10 Things” is also very enjoyable.Change has to come from within, and you have to be the one to take the first step. Suzume was lucky to have found Keishi, who walked beside him as he tried to check off his To-Do list before he turned 40. Taking this first step already takes a lot of courage. Eventually, he realizes it takes more than that first initial step and more than having someone to lead him and push him.
Suzume and Keishi are cute together. I enjoy all of their dates to check off the To-Do list. It’s nice to see Suzume open up a little, and show Keishi his love of cuteness and fluffiness. But what matters most is his feelings and he has a hard time opening up. Keishi is the one that took 99 steps forward and Suzume just took 1. But that doesn’t mean Keishi is ready to openly date Suzume. Technically, this is Keishi’s first relationship, yet Suzume acted like he’s a 40-year old virgin with no experience. Afterall, he’s had a boyfriend before, though it’s been a while. The last few episodes were heartbreaking when the reality of dating really dawns on them. Both chose to run away, before eventually resolving the conflict in the end.
I am not going to lie, it was quite frustrating watching those two in the last few episodes. It’s like they forgot they have been honest and communicative for most of the drama. They obviously like each other very much. Did they forget they can actually use words and talk to each other?
“10 Things I Want to Do before I Turn 40” is still a cute and enjoyable drama for the most part. It might not have delivered the same mature romance, chemistry and emotional impact that “Old Fashion Cupcake” has, but Suzume and Keishi are adorable together. Hey, at least they end with a nice kiss, not like THAT other popular JBL that ended with the elevator door closed in our face. LOL
Completed: 10/3/2025 Review #630
A Fantasy Romance that romances for a little too long.....but there's Ryan Cheng x 3
Another day, another female general paired up with Ryan Cheng. At the heels of “Legend of the Female General” (LOTFG), “Shadow Love” fights for the attention of viewers, and hopes to do better than the other drama. I also finished LOTFG not too long ago, and it’s hard not to compare the two.LOTFG is a political war drama first, and then romance takes over. “Shadow Love” is without a doubt a fantasy romance, and then politics. Aside from having Ryan as the ML and having a female general, these two dramas are quite different. If you want more romance, then “Shadow Love” should be your option.
PLOT & PACING
As a fantasy drama, the plot is interesting. Love plays a central role in this drama, whether it’s about our leads, or the villains. If you don’t treat this as a serious historical drama, some of the unrealistic aspects of the plot or actions could be forgiven (if you are the forgiving type). But it’s hard for me to look at FL shooting arrows in battles instead of using a sword. How could you carry so many arrows in a war? In that sense, LOTFG did a much better job with strong fight choreography and close combat battles with different weapons. Well, unfortunately, in both dramas, the FL seem to need saving from ML quite a bit. I may not be the biggest fan of the amnesia trope but I like this amnesia + forbidden romance + enemies-to-lovers. Having said that, and being a lover of romance, the Jin An plot and amnesia lasted way too long. The drama could have cut down 3-5 episodes in the first half, and then focus more on Prince Annan, the angst between the leads and the politics in both kingdoms. I also would have liked to see a little more of Prince Annan before the amnesia. I want to get to know him better, so that I can compare his re-emergence in the latter half. If you are not a romance lover, you would have hated this drama. I am glad the drama wraps everything nicely in the end, and does give us a proper closure for all parties.
ROMANCE
Song Yi and Ryan Cheng have great chemistry. We don’t see a lot of the ‘enemies’ part, but the blossoming love is cute to witness. It brews slowly in the first 10+ episodes. Not sizzling with passion, but slow and steady, calm and reassuring until the sweetness overloads with a very smitten Jin An. As I mentioned earlier, some of these episodes could be reduced. But who doesn’t want a handsome ML who is your loverboy, your secret weapon and protector, and then your arch enemies who can’t forget about you? If you are a Ryan fan, this is perfect for you. Lots of skin and muscles. The kisses are not bad either. The leads are communicative, trusting and supportive. They are intelligent and observant of each other’s needs. It’s lovely to see. The love triangle is there, and not super annoying compared to others I’ve seen. The secondary romance doesn’t take up too much screen time and only happens towards the second half of the drama. They are cute but I think it could have developed more. Oh, I forgot how pretty Darren Chen is. His eyes sparkle like jewels!
ACTING
Song Yi and Ryan Cheng are both excellent in this drama. Both have emotional scenes that make me teared up. Yet their playful and serious moments are just as believable. I have to say, Ryan shows his range in this drama playing 3 different roles. This is probably his best acting yet, even though I also like him in LOTFG. But I do think that Ryan’s eyes are better suited at shooting arrows than hearts. Song Yi’s acting is generally good. But one might question if she’s casted well as the female general when she’s so skinny. It also doesn’t help when she has a naturally high-pitched voice, and her shouting commands are not entirely pleasant. I haven’t seen Bi Wen Jun in a while and I was excited to see him play a different character than his previous roles. I never thought he was a bad actor before, but when acting alongside Song Yi and Ryan Cheng, he was at a disadvantage. It’s also lovely to see Darren Chen again and his beautiful eyes can convey so much. There are also many guest stars in this drama. They never show up for long and eventually they all get killed off. LOL
PRODUCTION QUALITY
The first thing I noticed is the beautiful costumes, hair design and accessories. I was not anticipating that but I really love Song Yi’s long pony tail when she’s in her armour. The look is not too girly, and she does not need to fit in the male soldier look, like in LOTFG. Her other more feminine costumes are just as beautiful. Ryan looks dashing as Prince Annan, and the cool superhero look. But his Jin An look is not the best, and he’s has that look for the longest. What a shame! The Queen and Emperor’s robes are gorgeous and elaborate. Cinematography is OK, not the best nor the worst. A few fight scenes are well done, but they are not as good as those in LOTFG. There are also fewer big war battles in “Shadow Love” than in LOTFG. The OST is not bad and I don’t feel that the songs are overplayed. As mentioned earlier, Song Yi’s voice might have put off many. I can tolerate that because I’ve heard of her real voice and I appreciate her dubbing herself. I also like listening to Song Yi’s Chinese. I feel that she enunciates her words very well. I just wish Ryan was not dubbed, and Bi Wen Jun spoke his lines as well as Song Yi.
Overall, I had a pretty good time watching this. I did not have very high expectations, especially after finishing the other female general drama 3 weeks ago. I would only recommend this if you are a Ryan fan or a romance lover who can look past some unrealistic plot holes. Remember, this is a fantasy romance first and foremost.
Completed: 9/16/2025 Review #625
My review of “Legend of the Female General” if you are interested:
https://kisskh.at/profile/virgievirgie/review/488124
A Roller Coaster Ride of Love, Hate and everything in between.
I went into “Kill to Love” with no expectations at all. All I wish for is that it is better and not as cheesy as “Meet You at the Blossom” and that’s a pretty low bar. Ok, I didn’t really watch MYATB, but I watched clips of the drama and it’s not my cup of tea.Having said that, I was so happy that it’s not similar at all and definitely better for my taste. “Kill to Love” is very political and angsty, full of schemes and lies and 1.5 toxic relationships. Though listed as a drama from Singapore, it’s actually another forbidden Chinese BL licensed to be broadcasted and distributed in another country.
With a somewhat inexperienced cast, the acting is OK. I’ve definitely seen worse but none of the actors performed horribly. The early episodes are rougher but the actors improved throughout the drama. I found Zhang Zhe Xu improved the most from the 1st episode to the 12th episode, even though I think Mi Jin started off stronger. Maybe being in the role of Duan Zi Ang, Zhang Zhe Xu has more to work with as his character has gone through the most and requires him to act out various emotions.
The plot itself is a roller coaster ride. In fact, I think the drama might have tried to do a little too much and should pull back just a little. It gets a little repetitive when you are expecting lies over lies with some guilt of true emotions mixed with it. The pacing is not bad but did slow down in the second half of the drama, until the final couple episodes.
How’s the BL romance? It’s good, if that’s what you are coming for. I enjoy the enemies-to-lovers development a lot. Even from early on, you can see the director intentionally show the unintentional (or maybe intentional) touches here and there. Linger around the waist to try to fish out something from the belt, the intimacy of applying medicine, don't forget the handwashing! That’s why this drama can never go past Chinese censorship. The chemistry and tension are there from the start with our two main leads. There are a few kisses, though not fish kisses, they could have been better (from Mi Jin’s part). A few cute and fluffy scenes before the angst starts. I wasn’t expecting the turn of events but I do enjoy the love/hate relationship. I actually like their ending and thought it was realistic given the lead's history of struggles, love and hate.
What was disappointing was the half-baked toxic relationship between Xiao Shu Qian and Huo Ying. It started off so strong with all the abuse, and I thought it’s going to develop into something more. But no, it just got dropped in the middle and left me hanging and wanting more.
We all know this is not a big budget production, but I do think the director did a good job in making everything look decent. The costumes are nice and the actors look pretty good, especially for Mi Jin/Xiao Shu He. The makeup is better than other bigger budget productions. But the fight scenes aren’t that great and I wish they got rid of the slow motion.
If you are looking for a historical BL from China, this is probably one of the better ones out there. I would recommend it if that’s what you are looking for. Be prepared for a roller coaster ride as you follow the development of the main romance and everything they need to weigh between feelings and responsibilities.
Completed: 9/11/2025 Review #624
A lovely journey of self-discovery and not a cheesy rom-com (don't trust the ugly poster).
I would never have watched “Kururi 〜Who’s in Love with me〜” if not for my trusted friend’s recommendation, because 1) I am not a super big fan of amnesia, and 2) look at the ugly dated poster! LOLHowever, to my very pleasant surprise, the amnesia was done really well and the three men are lovely in their own way. Looking at the drama’s poster, you might have thought this is a cheesy romantic comedy about the guys. Actually, this drama focuses more on the female lead, Ogata’s journey of rediscovering her old self, accepting who she is right now, and balancing the old and the new her.
We follow Ogata’s journey and find out who she was through her monochrome wardrobe, minimalistic apartment, testimonials of those who know her (co-workers and supposedly friends). Ogata was perplexed why she lived such an understated life when the Ogata with amnesia is full of personality and colors. Along the way, she discovered her real passion in life and is able to use her amnesia to jump start a new life.
On top of that, she found a mysterious ring in her possession and was trying to find the owner. She discovered she had this ring specially made for someone she loves, but who is this guy? No one has come forward to claim it or contacted her after her accident that he is her man. Instead, 3 other guys show who have shown an interest in her - the self-proclaimed ex-boyfriend, the self-proclaimed best friend from work and the self-proclaimed love-at-first-sight loverboy. But, are they who they said they are? Who is Ogata going to end up with? Or is she not going to end up with any of these three guys? You will have to watch to find out! I was happy I got the ending I wanted, but it took a while. I do think the drama can benefit from cutting 1 episode.
The cinematography is beautiful and I love the use of flowers. That little flower shop is my favorite place for a variety of reasons. The drama is able to slowly integrate flowers and colors into Ogata’s journey without force feeding you. The supporting cast is small but lovely. Aside from the 3 men, Mio, the little girl, is adorable and always has words of wisdom for Ogata. Kae is the best neighbor and supportive friend you could have when you have amnesia. Anri is a great mentor at work and in life, and Rui adds to the handsomeness in the drama. The older couple adds to the sweetness and sadness to amnesia and offers Ogata another perspective for those we were left behind.
I would recommend “Kururi〜Who’s in Love with me〜” for you if you are interested in the amnesia trope and how it affects the person and those around them. Actually, I think instead of asking who is in love with Ogata, the question should be, who is SHE in love with. This drama does not have over-the-top acting or an innocent and submissive female lead. Ogata is lovely and I am happy to cheer her on throughout her journey.
Completed: 9/1/2025 Review #619
Pond is worth watching and Wang deserves more
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25When “180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us’ was aired, it created a little stir on the feeds due to his melodramatic storyline and the age gap. The age gap was what gave me pause and not watching it.
Despite a sea of BLs, 180 Degree is a unique drama that I think is worth watching and I am in the mood for something more melo. That is not to say this is a pleasant watch because I was so mad at Uncle In in the end, so much more than the Drama Queen Mother.
There’s a lot to like in this drama:
1. Pond/Wang - He is the star of the show and makes this drama worth watching. Because Wang is such a mature 20-year old, it makes the age gap feel a little less yucky. Pond exudes that young playfulness in earlier episodes especially during the fun mother-son interaction and banter. As he falls in love, you can see the feelings and longing coming out of his eyes. The last episode when he let it all out and told everyone off, I was cheering for him. Wang deserves so much more than what Uncle In can give him. I want him to go out and find someone as brave as he is, someone who can be by his side for good and bad.
2. Feel of the drama - I’m searching for something melodramatic and I get that here. Despite some yelling and screaming, the drama has all the elements that I am searching for - cinematography, the general slowness (for the most part), philosophical conversations all and especially Pond’s beautiful voice when the theme song is played. They all work very well together that makes 180 Degree a very unique drama.
3. Chemistry - The chemistry is definitely there when Wang and In first laid eyes on each other. They haven’t even talked much at that point, but I can see tension in their gazes. All of their interactions and conversations up to ep 6 feel so intimate. This is the In that I like as well - thoughtful, caring and understanding mentor for Wang. The one that validates Wang’s feelings and encourages him to pursue what he wants in life. Whenever the mother shows up in the first 6 episodes, she feels like a third wheel!
What I don’t like or have mixed feelings:
1. Mother - Gosh, she is so over-the-top. Mom is a drama queen and the center of all the attention. She’s loud and bossy. What is up with that birthday party celebration? I was so embarrassed for Wang. She should have known that’s not what her son wants. I don’t question her love for her son, but she needs to find more appropriate ways of showing it. She always blames others and it’s never her fault. But in the end, Mom is right in pointing out and asking Wang whether Uncle In has directly expressed his feelings.
2. Uncle In - He does not deserve Wang. This coward makes my blood boil in the last couple episodes. After all that he has gone through in the past and knowing pushing people away may not bring them happiness, he still doesn’t change. He doesn’t flat out tell you how he feels but his inaction speaks louder than words. It feels like the mature, thoughtful and caring In that Wang fell in love with in the first 6 episodes disappears in the last 2. I wonder if that bar-like divider screen in his bedroom is a symbolism of how he imprisons himself and stay away from the world, and be the lonely 52-Hertz whale.
3. Slowness - For the most part, I enjoy the slow pacing of the drama as it complements well with everything. But the only part I dislike is how the drama unveils the dead father’s story. It took forever! I feel like Uncle In took 3 steps forward and then 2 steps back, and all I want is for him to just tell me what happened (even though it’s not hard to guess).
If you are looking for a different kind of BL, I would recommend this. It’s not fluffy with tons of passionate kisses, but angsty in a way that you want to punch a couple of the characters in the face. But Pond is worth it.
Completed: 5/24/2025 - Review #581
I came in with low expectations because I am not a fan of over-the-top comedy. I heard about some of the second-hand embarrassment and seen posts about them. However, I like Landy Li and also want to see Tan Jian Ci in a comedy, so I am giving this a try. Despite what I worried about did come true a little, I had a good time watching the drama, especially in the second half (minus a few episodes).
Comedy
I might drop this drama if I came in blind and knew nothing about it. The second-hand embarrassment comedy really isn’t my cup of tea. Luckily, it tones down after episode 6 or 7. There are actually many funny moments and dialogues that I enjoy and the drama does not need to resort to the overdramatic and crazy stuff. The cast has great comedic timing, the drama has a great message, and the plot despite it being a ‘fantasy’ is sincere. But this is all very subjective. I recognize there are others who enjoy this type of humor or are in need of it at the moment.
Pacing/Plot
As I mentioned, I actually liked the second half of the drama more. I think the arc with Su Miao lasts too long. I was getting impatient and wanted to know when the truth is going to come up and when the leads can start developing their relationship. Fang Jin and Quan Sheng Tang’s arc is a little shorter and I believe when the real Fang Jin showed up that I started to really enjoy the drama. It was during her arc when the message of loving and respecting oneself first truly shines. I also feel back for our poor ML. Not only was he lied to many times, he had 3 traumatic experiences because of the Filter. It was just too much for anyone to endure. I thought he should be angry for longer! I also wish the drama didn’t spend so much time on Gu Yu and Lin Yuan in the last 3 episodes.
Main Leads -Tang Qi (ML) and Su Cheng Cheng (FL) are both flawed by very likable characters.
Tang Qi (Tan Jian Ci) - It’s nice to see Tan Jian Ci play a nerdy scientist/researcher who has never been in love, yet questions his own character when he falls in love twice within a short period of time. Tang Qi has some ‘red flags’ as well. Maybe due to his profession, he is persistent and won’t give up until he gets his answers. His stalkerish and overbearing behavior towards Su Miao and Fang Jin could be alarming. They clearly wanted to avoid him, yet he won’t give up. But you can’t deny he is sweet, caring, considerate and thoughtful. When he’s with Su Cheng Cheng finally, he’s the perfect boyfriend. He is nerdy shy yet assertive, caring and thoughtful, and supportive in the most calming and mature way.
Su Cheng Cheng (Landy Li) - I applaud Landy for wearing minimal makeup for most of the drama with pimples here and there. But it’s quite a stretch to say Su Cheng Cheng and Landy Li are unattractive. She’s so pretty! Poor girl has gone through a lot her whole life despite trying to work hard and be the best that she could be. Who could have faulted her for falling into the slippery slope or opening the Pandora box of the Filter. Su Cheng Cheng is a female lead that I root for from beginning to the end. She’s hardworking, smart and observant, who when given the chance, excels in her work and doesn’t have to rely on any guy.
Romance
Tang Qi and Su Cheng Cheng really tested my patience. It took a very long time for the truth to be revealed and a chance for them to be together. I would have liked another episode or two of the courting, and then another episode of them being cute together. But once they are together, the drama rewards my patience with their sweet interactions. I love an adorkable nerdy ML, and Tan Jian Ci delivers big time. Whenever I see them together, I grinned like an idiot with a big smile on my face. It doesn’t hurt that their kisses are spaced out well (not feeling forced or like fan service) and they are not dead fish kisses.
Gu Yu and Lin Yuan are also very cute together. I enjoy the development of their romance from enemies to lovers. They have great chemistry and just take up enough screen time for me to care about their storyline without taking too much time away from the main leads. However, when the reason why Lin Yuan was hesitant to date Gu Yu was revealed, I have a feeling that reason is going to cause some trouble in the future. And I was right. They took up the last 3 episodes of the drama, and I wish that time was devoted to our leads instead. That little bit also doesn’t jive with the general theme of the drama, but it’s more about them. But they have great chemistry and it doesn’t hurt to see another green flag boyfriend on my screen.
Acting + Supporting Cast
The four main leads did not disappoint. I’ve seen them in many other dramas before and know that they can act. Tan Jian Ci was excellent playing this nerdy and adorkable male lead. It’s a big contrast when he’s the professional developing the next big item, and when he’s in love and acting all inexperienced. Landy Li’s role also demands her to have a range of emotions, and she delivers. The rest of the supporting cast did well with a mix of veterans (FL’s super supportive parents) and child actors (younger versions of the leads).
Production
I find it interesting that I don’t like the makeup in this drama, especially the men” Tan Jian Ci, Gao Han Yu and Wang Hong Yi. Compared to when I saw Gao Han Yu in “Dine with Love” he looks less handsome with a pale and gaunt look. Is it just me thinking that? Landy Li with her minimal makeup looks so much prettier than some with the white cakey foundation. On the other hand, “Filter” has an interesting and eclectic OST. I don’t think we can find another song in any other drama that’s about an alpaca. Too bad I can’t find the full OST on Spotify. It is always lovely to hear Tan Jian Ci sing in his drama.
Overall, I had a good time watching this drama. I would recommend this if you are looking for something lighthearted and funny, and don’t like some over-the-top comedy. Fans of Tan Jian Ci and Landy Li should check this out as well. “Filter” has a good message and it’s more than loving and respecting oneself. In the last episode, when the 'final touch' product was introduced, the leads spoke of a very important message to convey. I believe that’s the main moral of the story/drama. I don’t want to spoil it, but will put that in the comment section. Because this was a slow start for me, I can't give this a solid 8.5+. But it's on par to how I feel about "The First Frost" and "The Best Thing" - an 8.25
Completed: 4/6/2025 - Review #564
Perfect Lines = Cringey Lines?
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.25I don’t even know where to begin in writing this review. I have so many thoughts of this drama, both positives and negatives (mainly negatives).
I would recommend this drama if you are:
1. Die hard fans of the actors
2. So heartbroken and lonely that you NEED to see couples acting lovey-dovey and cringey ALL THE TIME
3. You enjoy hate-watching and like to laugh out loud at ridiculousness
4. You just want to watch something light and have a good time, and don’t care about anything else
But if you are #3, heartbroken and lonely, but want to wallow in your sorrow for a while, do NOT watch this drama. You will hate everyone in it and curse them to be as lonely as you are.
Couples:
Arc (Force) + Arm (Book) Episodes 1-8
Just those names confused me. LOL. I am not a fan of ForceBook and watching them was not fun for me. Arc is acting like a kid trying to be the meanie, but actually is a lovesick boy. Being possessive, aggressive and won’t take “no” for an answer is not sweet or sexy. Arm letting him do all that isn’t healthy either. But this is not the drama to judge them, just be aware. I am also annoyed and frustrated with their repetitive back-and-forth, and it’s not a good kind of push-and-pull. And after they got together, the amount of annoying and loud moments from Arm goes up exponentially. Thank goodness, Arc remains the same character in his aloof way through the end.
Yotha (Perth) + Gun (Santa) Episodes 9-16
The initial reason for me to watch this show is Perth. I find him the most attractive of the bunch after seeing him in “Love by Chance”. When I finally suffered through ForceBook to get him, I was so disappointed in his pairing with Gun (Santa). I couldn’t get past how over-the-top annoying and cringey Gun’s character is. He’s acting like a child all the time. I ended skipping their whole storyline and went to the next. But then went back and skip-watch their scenes. It’s unfortunate because their story actually has some depth and touching moments, but I was so put off that those moments were buried.
Faifa (Junior) + Wine (Mark) Episodes 17-23
Faifa and Wine single-handedly saves this show for me. I wonder how many viewers drop the show and miss their arc. I am most unfamiliar with the actors, and they ended up to be my favorites out of them all. I think they have the best acting, a coherent enough storyline for me to find them sweet and caring. There are so many heartfelt conversations without over-the-top cringe. Faifa/Junior surprises me with his outgoing personality without feeling over-the-top. When he quiets down and really shares with Wine, Junior is able to show sincerity in his eyes and deliver his lines believingly. This couple is shy and cute, but they are honest and communicative.
Side Couples = With 3 main couples, I don’t really need 3 more with half-baked stories. If I want more, I would love the drama to dive more into Klao and Warit’s romance and maybe switch out Arc/Arm and forget the rest of the 2 side couples.
Conclusion:
It’s really unfortunate that there are some really touching moments and great conversations between the lead couples, and their family members. But because of the overdramatic acting and the overdose of cringe in this drama, these precious moments can be overlooked. The family drama in Faifa and Yotha’s family, and their brotherly love are great storylines, but they were not being explored in a way that can be truly meaningful and impactful. Yotha’s past and insecurity and his relationship with Klao and Wa are worth diving in deeper as well. But in the end, all I can think of is how cringey this show is. I don’t need a full episode of fillers and everyone confessing their love for each other over and over again. I’m fine with a wedding in the end, but almost every single line out of the actors mouth makes me shiver. But you know what, if you want great kisses, every single couple delivers and there are no dead fish kiss. I don’t think I can honest recommend this drama unless you were one of those people I listed above. Having said all that, I understand this is my very subjective opinion and I am just probably too old and not the targeted audience. My tolerance of cringe is also a little on the low end.
Completed: 4/6/2025 - Review #563
Decent short Vertical drama with Good Romance and Chemistry
Saw a fellow MDL friend recommended “Evening Star for You” as a pretty good vertical drama. I was in need of a quick romance fix. Here we are, 100 episodes later (which is only about 3.5 hours long), I got my fix.It’s true that it’s pretty good for a low budget production. I watched the compiled version on YouTube with muted music and sound. It was a little annoying, but it’s to be expected. The romance is developed nicely and quite sweet. The acting of the leads is solid and they have good chemistry together. I am a fan of contract marriage, and their relationship is healthy with good communication. Even if there’s some misunderstanding, the issue is resolved quickly and just helps to build a more solid foundation of their love. If you need a quick romance fix, this is a good one.
But of course, there are still some plot holes here and there. We have a couple irritating ‘villains’ but no one so despicable that ruined my viewing pleasure. You’ll see characters recycling their outfits and some are super cliche and laughable. But it’s all in good fun and I guess part of vertical dramas’ charms?
Completed: 11/23/2024 - Review #519
Decently-produced mini drama with Good Acting and Chemistry
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25“The Love Duel” is a short and very enjoyable transmigration mini drama. Despite its lower budget, the production quality is pretty good. It doesn’t feel cheap.
Although the cast is not A-listers, they are quite experienced, especially in the mini dramas. If you are a fan of the genre, you have probably seen female lead Smile Hu, male lead Wang Xuan and second male lead Leo Yang before. Hong Wu (2FL) is the newcomer of the bunch. I am actually quite impressed with the acting of this cast. I might have developed a minor crush on Wang Xuan. He has nice, big, expressive eyes. He looks a little bit like Xu Kai and Xiao Zhan, doesn’t he?
It’s nice to see a female lead who is the bosslady. She takes charge and is smart and fun (maybe a tad bit overdramatic). The personality contrast between the leads is nice and we don’t see this dynamic in bigger productions often enough. The chemistry between the 4 leads is good. I enjoy the development of the main romance. The secondary romance is simpler and more predictable. However, both confession scenes are a little anticlimactic for my taste.
You can say this drama has quite a few plot twists to keep things interesting and the plot moving along. However, I think my biggest criticism is that the plot is too busy. The political side plot isn’t written well. It seems like an afterthought and just put together half-heartedly. It could have a simpler political background story but focuses more on the assassin organization.
“The Love Duel” is binge-worthy and enjoyable. There’s a lot of humor in making fun of dramas that are self-deprecatingly funny. It’s not to kill a couple hours or as a quick palate cleanser in between some serious dramas.
Completed: 7/24/2024 - Review #465
More Political than I anticipated - It's tough be be born into the royal family
I have resisted watching “Goodbye My Princess” for the longest time because I’ve heard how sad and angsty it is. Due to a watch challenge, I am finally watching this classic. I have previously watched clips of the drama and have definitely adjusted my expectations. I believe due to a combination of a few factors: 1) I watch this in 2024 and not 2019, 2) I’ve adjusted my expectations, 3) I’ve seen clips of the drama, 4) I am somewhat of a C-drama veteran, “Goodbye My Princess” did not hit me hard emotionally. I was moved at certain points of the drama, mainly due to the passing of a supporting character and not due to our leads’ story. Nevertheless, I had an enjoyable time.Main Romance:
My main criticism of this supposedly heartbreaking romance is the lack of screen time of Li Cheng Yin (ML) and Xiao Feng (FL) together in the long middle part of the drama. The palace politics took up a very large portion of the plot, and the lack of happy and fun times did not give me a solid foundation of the continuation of their romance. Without the contrast of super happy times, the sad times just didn’t give me a big gut punch, one that I was expecting and have heard so much about. The beginning of their romance is lovely though. ML and FL look so innocent and happy together. They really do have great chemistry.
Other Romances:
No one is happy in the romance department. This drama is full of one-sided loves that really do break your heart. I almost had second lead syndrome. But I think a big part is because Shawn Wei plays such a beautiful/handsome Gu Jian. Gu Jian as a character is quite common in the C-drama 2ML world, but Shawn has such expressive eyes. One look and he conveys the unspoken and subtle emotions so well. I was quite attracted to his role as Gu Jian, well, up to the part where he started to lie to FL again. Zhao Se Se is another pitiful character. Her love for ML saddens me but I’m glad she’s not the typical evil 2FL. For the most part, her actions stem from her love for ML and jealousy towards FL.
Plot:
Before I watched the drama, I was under the impression that romance is the main plot. After the initial 10 or so episodes, the drama took us to the capital, and I realized I was wrong. The central plot is about palace politics - fighting for the crown/power, harem cat fights, wars/battles, government officials scheming and plotting against each other. Romance is actually a subplot. It’s my fault that I was expecting something different.
Acting:
Great acting all around. I’m quite impressed with Peng Xiao Ran and Chen Xing Xu. This is their first drama as the main leads and they did a great job. PXR is especially great as the innocent but not naive, happy-go-lucky princess. Her emotional and crying scenes do break my heart. She is such a beautiful actress. CXX did pretty well too but might have overact just a little in the earlier episodes. I’ve already praised Shawn Wei’s emotive eyes. This drama has a solid young supporting cast and a very impressive veteran cast.
Production:
I love all the costumes in this drama. All the women look beautiful with elaborate and layered, good quality-looking costumes and hair accessories. Actually, some of the costumes seem quite sexy and revealing for a historical drama. The men look handsome and dashing. There’s a white outfit that Gu Jian wore that I really like. It was layered and fashionable for a costume drama martial artist. The different sets look nice with beautiful cinematography in the desert. I would have liked to see the use of natural lighting in some of the indoor scenes and not big bright lights. There are a couple OK fight scenes, but for the most part, they are not very good. The songs from the OST sound fine to me, but nothing stands out and I like enough to add to my Spotify playlist.
Overall, I had a great time watching this. If you are a veteran C-historical drama watcher, you might not find this as heartbreaking. I think I was hurt more badly when watching “One and Only”. This is a beautiful drama with interesting leads and supporting characters. This version has 55 episodes and it doesn’t feel too long and draggy.
Other Random Observations:
1. I do not like the dubbed voices for Xiao Feng and A Du at all. I find Xiao Feng’s innocent and happy-go-lucky voice a little annoying. A Du’s voice sounds too young and naive when she’s such a tough character.
2. Peng Xiao Ran is BEAUTIFUL!!!
3. I like Chen Xing Xu with his hair down as Gu Xiao Wu more than his look as the prince.
4. I don’t hate Li Cheng Yin (ML) at all. I found his actions understandable given his identity and what he has to do. I pity him.
5. Thank goodness for no annoying character.
Completed: 5/20/2024 - Review #440
It's all about Lies, Lies and More Lies!!!!
Watching this Taiwanese classic in 2024 is definitely interesting and my expectations are high (maybe too high). I can look past the fashion and ML’s ugly hairstyle, but “Autumn Concerto” has so many different tropes and illogical things. I also feel that I need to stop my critical thinking and enjoy the ride on a more emotional level. That way, the drama is more enjoyable.I love the mature Aidy An in “Legend of Dugu”. She’s the best part of that show. But a younger Aidy An is somewhat annoying in this drama. Her acting is not quite there yet and gave me this bland expression. But I think what’s worse is I don’t like her character, Mu Cheng. She is definitely pretty in this drama, but Mu Cheng keeps a secret for way too long. She should and could have spoken up many times in various situations, instead of acting like a victim. I also do not like her voice, which is supposed to be gentle and soothing. I just find it annoying, unfortunately.
Despite not liking Mu Cheng as a girlfriend, I like her as a mother. Her relationship with her son Xiao Le is the highlight of the show. This little kid is adorable but I don’t think there’s any other 5-year old who speaks like him out there. I am going to look past that and just enjoy how kind-hearted, sweet, adorable and smart he is. Xiao Le’s interaction with every single adult brings me so much joy. Yes, even the little kid bully.
Vanness Wu is another draw to watch this drama. But I find his acting very inconsistent. There are scenes I think he did fine and was natural, but not when it comes to more emotional (angry or sad) scenes. I really feel for his character. Poor Guang Xi suffered so much and is being lied to by everyone. I was rooting for him and actually wanted him to not end up with FL. I think he deserves better.
When it comes to acting, Chris Wu is the best out of the main characters, only second to ML’s mother. I cannot believe “Autumn’s Concerto” is his very first drama (He did have a few movies under his belt). But compared to Aidy An and Vanness Wu, he’s the less experienced one but I love his acting the most. If it’s in any other drama, his character would be the male lead. His confession to Mu cheng is so touching and sincere. I want to marry him! Chris Wu is the best part of the show and he doesn’t seem to have aged.
The pacing of the drama is a little uneven as well. I found the first arc when they were all in college went by pretty fast. A lot of things happened but each mini subplot or misunderstanding is resolved rather quickly. But once we switch to the present-day timeline, the pace slows down. They spend a lot of time in the village with those loud villagers. I am not surprised they are loud but at least they’re not too nosy. Towards the end of the drama, the pace picked back up a little with the court cases. But also felt that the editing and storytelling are choppy. I also think that the drama waited too long for the shit to hit the fan (the big secret to out).
For a melodrama with a focus on romance, it’s really hard for me to enjoy when 1) I don’t like the female lead, 2) I don’t think the leads should end up together, 3) I think the secondary leads should just go and date each other and forget about the leads who don’t deserve them. For a romance-lover like me, if I am not rooting for the leads to be together, there’s no way I would end up enjoying the drama. I also need to shut down my brain because there are too many ridiculous things that happened. I don’t want to list them all as they could be spoilers.
But luckily, we have an adorable kid, a handsome Chris Wu, nice secondary leads who are not evil and Vanness Wu showing off his abs. This is enough to keep this at an 8.0 for me. Even though I like the songs, they are WAY overplayed. I wonder if I would have loved “Autumn’s Concerto” more if I were watching this in 2008 and not in 2024.
Completed: 1/25/2024 - Review #398
Finally a drama and role for a more mature and experienced Xu Kai
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25“Wonderland of Love” features two intelligent leads who always try to outsmart each other. That should be a pretty attractive premise to attract a wide audience. However, it doesn’t seem to be as popular as “The Story of Kunning Palace” which was broadcasted at about the same time. I guess a vampire gege is more attractive than a war hero Mr. Green flag. LOL There are many things I liked about this drama, but I do agree with many reviewers that the last arc wasn’t quite as exciting.
What I Like:
1. Xu Kai - I’m so glad I finally get to see Xu Kai in another drama worthy of his popularity and star power. His last few projects have been duds. I have liked him best as the more animated lead in “Arsenal Military Academy” and also his more subtle emotional acting in “Ancient Love Poetry”. But here in “Wonderland of Love”, I see the best of both worlds. I am thankful that he’s not another emotionless cold-on-the-outside character, but one that is mature and gives him the ability to showcase his acting range. If you are a Xu Kai fan, this is a must-watch.
2. Li Ni (ML) - Li Ni is a historical Mr. Green flag. He’s loyal, respectful, communicative, honest, courageous, selfless, can fight, can scheme (but not wicked and cunning). He’s a good son, a good brother, a good comrade, a good lover. He’s almost Mr. Perfect. His one flaw (if you can call it a flaw), is that he’s so in love with A Ying (FL) that it might have clouded his judgment and conceding to A Ying. He just can’t say No. But, as a romance-lover, he’s the perfect boyfriend.
3. Cui Lin/A Ying (FL) - On paper as a female character in a historical war and political drama, it’s nice to see a smart female lead who can fight and can think. She is as smart as Li Ni, and sometimes actually outsmarts him. She is independent, stubborn, and loyal to the Cui Army. She also has strong beliefs in bringing peace to all.
4. Fight and Battle Choreography - First of all, I am going to criticize the occasional slow-motion fights, and spinning/twirling to create a romantic effect. Having said that, “Wonderland of Love” has some of the more impressive fight choreography for close-combat fight and war/battle scenes. The drama started off with the leads fighting each other. There are a few sword fighting scenes throughout the drama that are pretty good, especially when this is a historical, political drama, and not a wuxia/xianxia drama. As other reviewers mentioned, the battle in episode 30 was well shot and hardcore. It was a bloody battle and many died in different ways. When the Laolan song is played, it breaks my heart. There are only a few other dramas (e.g. The Rebel Princess and Love Like the Galaxy) that I can think of with similar impressive battle scenes.
5. OST - There are several songs in the soundtrack and they all sound lovely and complementary to the scenes.
6. Acting - Xu Kai and Jian Tian both acted well and did not disappoint. The veteran supporting cast definitely outshines the younger supporting cast. I don’t think the younger cast is horrible, but no one shines through either.
7. Ending - No rush ending, in a way. The last episode is dedicated to show how everyone’s doing.
What I have Mixed Feelings:
1. Lead Romance - As I mentioned, I like Xu Kai and Jiang Tian’s acting. But for whatever reason, I am not feeling their chemistry as a couple, especially during the cute and fluffy scenes. I can’t get it out of my head that Jiang Tian is 7 years older than Xu Kai. I don’t feel this way when Jiang Tian is paired up with Timmy Xu or Vin Zhan. It’s probably because Xu Kai has somewhat of a baby face. I don’t think this is supposed to be an older sis/younger bro romance either. A Ying is a strong female lead, but not necessarily an easy-to-like female lead in a romance. There are plenty of kisses in the drama, yet none of them seems passionate to me. I also think the directing of the kisses is a little off. But if you look at the romance objectively, it’s a good one. They are both smart, have the same goal in mind, courageous and for the most part when there are issues, they communicate with each other. They might not take the same road to achieve their goals and disagree on principle, but they understand each other’s circumstances. I love their love letter correspondence during war time. All the good elements of a great romance, but I am just not feeling it.
2. Secondary Romance - I don’t particularly like or dislike it. It’s like every other secondary romance in many dramas. They’re cute and all, but don’t add much to the drama itself. I much rather learn more of Consort Xiao and the General love story.
3. Liu Cheng Feng (2ML) - I don’t believe his love and obsession for FL justify his actions. The way he seeks revenge seems way over-the-top when it comes to a country’s safety. I pity him when he was weak and then I just didn't care for him much when he turned to the dark side.
4. Final Arc (last 9 episodes) - I have to agree with others that the last arc of the drama isn’t written well. This part of the drama was draggy and anti-climatic after the big battle in episode 30. All that could be told in half the time. With the initial cold war between the leads, I find it somewhat annoying that our supposedly smart FL hasn’t thought of the consequence of the Cui army when she tried to push ML to be the crown prince. She should have calculated all of that politics, and not been surprised by the king’s decision to disband them. We wasted a couple episodes on this cold war. The villain tried to scheme and set up the general as a traitor. It was brought up without much info, and was resolved without much fanfare either. I thought it would be some elaborate plan but in the end it was just he said she said. The invasion was done half-heartedly. These foreigners were used by others for most of the drama. And when it came down to business, they were taken out easily and anti-climatically.
5. Production Quality - I don’t believe this is a big budget production. The green screen used during the leads’ horseback riding was hilariously fake. The wonderland scenery also seems fake to me. The set design, costumes and props seem OK. I am disappointed that almost everyone is dubbed. I find the dubbed voice for A Ying doesn’t quite match the face of Jiang Tian. And what is up with the pale faces of Xu Kai and Jiang Tian when they are soldiers, living under the sun and dust all the time. I think they could have darkened their skin tone a little. They definitely look too white, clean and pretty to be general/commander.
6. The King - He’s annoying as heck! I know he’s not the smartest cookie, but I can’t believe we need to tolerate his dumbness and ignorance for 40 episodes.
Overall, this is a decent drama to watch. I will recommend this if you are a fan of Xu Kai and Jiang Tan. I am rounding my rating up for Xu Kai, as I think this is his best role yet. I realize my criticisms are very personal and somewhat petty. LOL.
Other Random Observations:
1. The band of brothers are fun but way too loud.
2. I love the scene of the grass dragonflies when ML was sad.
3. I am glad Gu Wang Niang is not the typical evil 2FL. She technically didn’t do anything too evil, but this actress portrayed the character so well that I really dislike her! She gives off this cunning aura, without doing anything evil. Is it good acting?
Completed: 12/17/2023 - Review #383

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