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Fear of loneliness, and Fear of what happened after Love is found

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.5
Objective Rating: 8.0

Disclaimer:
The high rating might be skewed and definitely subjective because I am looking for a happy, stress-free watching due to real life’s stress. “Boyfriend on Demand” gave me a dose of happiness in the virtual and drama worlds. Therefore, you may not agree with my rating or review, and that is A-OK 🙂

The general plot of “Boyfriend on Demand” is nothing special. There are many similar dramas already, with characters escaping reality’s struggles and addicted to an alternate reality. But of course, this will eventually blow up, but through the process, the main characters usually find their way of knowing who they really are, and as in rom-com fashion, find love at the end of the process. “Boyfriend on Demand” follows a very similar script. Whether this is a good or bad thing, depends on what you are looking for.

The first half of the drama focuses a lot on the different virtual boyfriends our female lead, Mi Rae, met in virtual reality. Guest stars Seo Kang Jun (eps 2-5), Lee Soo Hyuk (eps 1-2) and Choi Si Won (eps 9-10) have the most screen time, respectively. Seo Kang Jun, with his beautiful and sparkly eyes, is definitely the star of all the guest stars. He reminds me of his sweet character in “When The Weather is Fine”. His pink college heartthrob storyline and the perfect green flag captures the audience’s hearts. He is just so damn beautiful. Let’s not forget the mature second-chance romance boyfriend who is considerate and caring. Who wouldn’t want a VR boyfriend like him? We were actually first introduced to cold chaebol, played by the sexy Lee Soo Hyuk. You know, the cliche CEO is cold to everyone but doting on the female lead? Yup, that’s him. This is probably the closest to me watching a mature and sexy Lee Soo Hyuk in a romantic comedy. There are several other virtual boyfriends introduced (though limited screentime) that are also quite fun.

Some might complain that the drama focuses too much on these VR boyfriends early on, especially if you are a fan of Seo In Guk. He does have limited screen time but this is to set up the character development of FL for when their romance finally develops. Afterall, this is a story of Mi Rae, and all the other handsome guys are just part of her journey. But don’t worry, Seo In Guk has plenty of scenes later on. His dual roles are fun and I love seeing a shy guy open up. His cute flirting and courting of Mi Rae are endearing.

There are many reasons for women to sign up for “Boyfriend on Demand”. It could be accidental, or they are lonely, or they are stressed out in real life, or they just need a space where they could date around and not be judged by society’s eyes. This drama scratched the surface of some of these reasons, though not in detail. But no matter what, this ‘secret’ will eventually be revealed and these women will have to deal with the aftermath. I personally felt that the writer’s story arc didn’t quite receive the full closure in respect to the backlash, but it did close on a personal note.

Mi Rae’s journey with these boyfriends helped her grow. The revelation of her use, though predictable, was handled well. I shed a few tears in the last couple episodes, but not in a really sad and angsty way. I felt for her and also her boyfriend’s hesitancy. Of course, one could criticize that all you need is to talk to each other. Very true, but in reality, it isn’t that simple and the drama doesn’t drag that for long.

Despite mixed reviews, I really had a great time binge-watching “Boyfriend on Demand”. It might not have offered anything unique, but the colorfulness, the ridiculousness, the comedy (not too over-the-top), the cuteness and fluffiness, and the romance all work for me. As I said, I am intentionally seeking out dramas like this to satisfy my need. It worked out perfectly for me. Now I am recharged! Do I recommend it? It really depends on what you are looking for. For something fun, colorful and easy…of course! For something unique and not cheesy…probably not.



Completed: 3/22/2026 Review #676

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Interesting and Intricate storylines from Generation to Generation but not perfectly executed

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

I’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

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I came for Miles and Apo, but I stayed for Son and Euro.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

Even though I read the synopsis, I thought politics will be the backdrop of romance. In actuality, it’s the opposite. Politics is heavy and if you are not a fan, you might want to rethink unless you love the 1960s style and the actors.


My favorite: Krailer + Naran
The romance between Krailert (Colonel) and Naran (Reporter) is just WOW. Who would have thought I lived for their romance. It was fast and explosive in a good and bad way. It may not have been love-at-first-sight, but definitely some love-at-first-attraction before they officially met. Who knew flirting in a newspaper column would be so sexy. How about secret love letters through literature? A personal piano room in the library and a charming little rendezvous hideout? Add to that are some more tangible touching, kissing, hugging and getting the sexy on. I’m not just loving the lovey-dovey romance, but the clash in morals and their professionalism. The choice between standing up for what’s right and just, and following commands from your superiors. This forbidden romance has me in a chokehold (and I don’t use this term easily). Krailert and Nara gave me everything I want in a romance.


Miss the Mark: Tanwa + Trin
I thought Miles’ Tanwa and Apo’s Trin would be THE pair that sucks me in. But unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the mark. I was interested in how the two very different individuals are attracted to each other. We have an idealistic and upright Professor and a hippie, pot-smoking Singer. Their characters are much deeper than what meets the eye. But when it comes to romance, they pale in comparison to Krailert and Naran. I feel that the politics and student uprising do not integrate well into their storytelling. Yes, the kisses are great, but the chemistry was not as good as in “KinnPorsche”. All the other side plots seem to keep them away from each other. In contrast, the politics is what made Krailer and Naran’s love story more interesting.


Not My Favorite: Politics + Side plots
I don’t hate political stories. I think “Shine” tries to send a message about a very important time in Thailand. But I do think the drama did not make all this interesting enough for me to be invested, at least not until the last 2 episodes. Victor and his friends brought a little excitement in the early episodes but then they started to annoy me. Victor’s little crush is nice especially the way he looks at Trin and I appreciate him knowing when to stop. But then, you have Veera’s crush, Victor’s dad, Ms Moira, corruption, Tanwa and his family drama…. Just too many side stories for such a short drama.


Having said all that, the acting is amazing. Everyone delivers and each main character has to deliver quite a range of different emotions. Cinematography is great and I love the 1960’s feel in costume, sets and music. A lot of care is given to make this drama look good. I just wish there’s more to keep me excited throughout the drama.

But because I was so moved by Krailert and Naran, they make it hard for me to give this drama lower than an 8.0-8.25. “Shine” just doesn’t speak to me as much as I would have liked. But I am sure many viewers enjoy it tremendously.



Completed: 9/21/2025 Review #627

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Intricate and interesting storylines, beautiful cinematography and OST

Completed: 1/2/2021 - 8.75 rounding up to 9.0

"Rainless Love in Godless Land" is written by the same person who wrote the popular "Someday or One Day" and the less popular "Attention, Love'. The intricate and complicated storylines are reminiscent of "Someday or One Day", especially the last few episodes of both dramas. I find that you really need to stay focused throughout the whole episode. Otherwise, you will miss a detail and then be very confused. The drama was told through stories of the Taiwanese Aborigines, Ami Tribe, passed down by generations through stories told.

What I like:
1. The Amis' animated story - At the start of each episode, the audience is treated to the animated story of the Ami tribe. We learned of their gods, people, and traditions. It also leads into what the actual episode is about. I am not sure how accurate these stories are, but I really enjoy learning and watching the animation. This is an interesting way to give us some insight into the upcoming episode and learning more about the culture.

2. OST - I usually don't rate OST as the second item I mentioned, but I really like all the songs. The lyrics of all the songs complemented the mood and the story. I especially like the ending theme song "雨不停。流" sung by 孫盛希, the opening theme "最後一秒鐘" by九澤CP and the acapella version of "讓我聽見你" sung in Amis when FL was quietly praying for the appearance of Orad. If I remember correctly, "Someday or One Day" has a great soundtrack as well.

3. Acting - The overall acting of the cast is great. Our main leads have to portray many different emotions throughout the dramas. I have to say that both Joanne Tseng (FL) and Fu Meng Bo (ML) were best during emotional scenes. I also enjoy Samantha Ko as FL's grand mother, Alice Ko's gray character as the Cloud God, Joe Cheng as Wind God and the funny Yan Yu Lin as Wisdom God. A special shout out to the child/young actresses in this drama. Oh another shout out to the gods needing to learn a different language. They all sound so believable.

4. General plot - Doomsday + Gods + Human + Special Power + Inter-species Romance + Pollution! That is a lot to unpack in this drama. The drama does a good job in slowly revealing the stories of all characters and how they intertwined with each other. It also reminds us that we have not been taking care of Mother Earth. Even the gods give up on us and leave us to our demise.

5. Guest Roles - This is just a personal preference of mine. I just finished watching "Attention, Love" not too long ago and I really enjoy seeing so many actors/actresses appearing in both dramas (roughly counted 6). This is very likely due to the same team producing both dramas.

What I Don't like as much:
1. Romance - The majority of the romance is shown through flashbacks of when Orad was protecting TianTi before she lost her memory. I would say this is a slow-burn romance. However, I feel that it's lacking intensity (even if it's quiet intensity) to have this romance to be so central to the main plot. I would like to see more about the couple right now, and not through flashbacks. The flashbacks also feel repetitive and not enough variety.

2. Revealing the Lie - As much as I enjoy how intricate the storylines are, and how everything is slowly revealed, I find the last 2 episodes a little confusing. The main reveal was done by the Wind God in the last couple episodes, and he just blurted everything out. I have to really pay attention to what he said, and then think back to all that happened to understand what was the "lie" he was talking about. He kept on using the word "lie" but it wasn't explicit enough for me to understand right away. Of course, it could also be my comprehension problem.

Other Observations:
1. I want to see more powerless adorable Orad. He's so adorable when he becomes human and has to learn about sweating, eating and making choices.
2. Did they just call FL the Steph Curry of the tour company? LOL
3. Fu Meng Bo (ML) doesn't look attractive to me in the beginning. But he grows on me esp. in the last episode.

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Interesting role reversal but unable to balance multiple elements well.

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

“Love Scout” boasts a mature romance and an interesting role reversal with a straightforward and relentless FL and a considered and friendly ML. Those two are definitely the selling point of the drama.

Looking for a Mr. Green Flag to soothe your lonely heart? Yoo Eun Ho to the rescue! Aside from being a divorced, single father, he’s basically Mr. Perfect. He’s warm, kind, friendly, considerate, organized, cooks and cleans and never gets angry. The total opposite of the stubborn, relentless workaholic Kang Ji Yun, a CEO who doesn’t care much aside from her company. I did enjoy the romance, but also think Eun Ho is way too perfect that he’s a little…… boring. I need some flaws, not red flags but someone who shows a little more vulnerability or gets jealous and petty every so often. I also wanted a little more longing, flirting and push-and-pull before the leads actually got together. I was hoping this main character isn’t the first one to confess. But given the circumstances, it does make sense that they bring this up first. At least it’s done in a way that is true to the character’s personality. Once the main leads are together, they are honest and communicative, with some cute scenes and nice skinship. I might have expected a few more steamy kisses.

The kids are cute and are total scene stealers. I just wish there were more scenes of ML and his daughter, and maybe show me a little more of a struggle to be a single father. After the initial episodes, single parenthood doesn’t seem to be a problem anymore. In fact, the drama seems to have forgotten that ML should probably spend more time with his daughter, not have another family take care of her, or leave her in a bookstore, especially when he is not forced to work overtime.

Unfortunately, the rest of the drama is somewhat average. The business plot and the headhunting stories are somewhat bland. Nothing is high stakes enough for me to feel worried or excited. Everything seems to be resolved really quickly and doesn’t create excitement. This is not a good business drama at all.

Additionally, the villains are taken down easily in the end. Are scenes being cut to keep this at 12 episodes? Family dramas and traumas loomed in the background but when they are brought to the forefront, all is resolved in a jiffy. The fire and the consequences are predictable and unoriginal. Moreover, I still don’t have a clear picture of what’s going on between Chairman Woo and his sons.

If you are looking for a perfect male lead and a role reversal, then this drama is worth a watch. “Love Scout” fails to find the right balance to tell a well-written story of single parenthood, interesting talent search firm cases, trauma, family drama and romance. I was going to give this a solid 8.0 because of the role reversal but in the end, it’s a 7.75.


Completed: 2/15/2025 - Review #545

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I watched this drama, so you DON'T have to.

Stop! Don’t watch this drama! Unless you are forced to, or are watching this because of a watch challenge like me, please do not waste your time. I usually have a pretty high tolerance for bad dramas, but this one takes the cake (pun intended…LOL). I even find joy in watching “Playboyy” but unfortunately, “Love Syndrome III: Uncut Version” only brings me pain. It’s not even fun to hate-watch. I usually watch my dramas at normal speed, but I have to resort to 1.25x and then 1.5x because I couldn’t wait for it to end..

Let’s start with a few things that I consider as positives:

1. No Product Placement! It’s so rare these days to find a Thai drama when it’s not trying to sell me snacks, drinks or beauty products. Aside from turning me off from eating cakes, no product placement is good. But then, I wonder, if they are able to get sponsors, will the quality be better?
2. The last scene when everyone is all dressed up for the ceremony.
3. Mmm… there are some abs shown here and there.
4. The action/fight scenes look good at 1.5x speed. LOL.


Where do I start with things I don’t like?

1. BAD acting. It’s so bad that I thought both leads were newbies, but then realized they both have several dramas under their belts already. Really bad! Watch it for 5 minutes and immediately you want to drop this drama.
2. Ugly wig. Why do they give Itt that ugly wig? Is it because they need to follow the hairstyle of the web novel?
3. Poor Editing and writing. Enough said.
4. Flashbacks galore. So many back-and-forth flashbacks throughout the whole drama. I understand you are trying to tell the audience what happened in the last 3 years, but they could do a better job. Towards the last few episodes, there are so many flashbacks that I got annoyed, and these are not flashbacks to tell a story either.
5. Toxic Relationships. So many messed up relationships in this drama. The leads are very unlikeable to begin with. They got a little better in the last 2-3 episodes.
6. Meaningless conversations. The drama is dragged down by people standing around for meaningless and unsensible conversations and dialogues. I don’t want to hear about cakes anymore.
7. The leads fight all the time - the WHOLE drama from start to end.
8. The last subplot introduced is unnecessary and out-of-place. I don’t need a psycho to pop in to stir up trouble when I just want the drama to end.
9. Plot, or lack of a plot. The leads could have shared their limelight with the other couples, esp. Nan and Mac. At least this toxic couple seems more interesting. I still don’t know why Day + Itt and Night + Gear got over their initial rough start to be together. I thought if I waited long enough, I'd see a flashback about it.


I am sure some viewers enjoy this drama. I am just not one of them. But if you are curious about how bad this is, “Love Syndrome 3” is the perfect watch-party drama with your friends. I did that for 4 episodes and it was very fun and hilarious. Thanks Cave Clowns for keeping me company!



Completed: 3/10/2024 - Review #415

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The Sum of All Parts made this an Interesting Drama.

Completed - 6/21/2022

While browsing through Seven Tan’s filmography, I came across “The Eight”. This drama doesn’t seem to be very popular but since I like Seven Tan and Qin Lan, and the synopsis sounds interesting enough, I want to give it a try. It’s rare to find a Republican era drama that is NOT about spies, Kuomintang vs Communist Party or the Japanese Occupation. So, this is a breath of fresh air. Instead, this drama is about a college student becoming entangled in the business of the eight professions/guilds of Jianghu and how he plays a key role in their future.

Plot and Pacing
After watching the first couple episodes, I question the overarching plot of this drama. This is weird. Why do these 8 guilds need an outsider to help them make the change? Can’t each leader take care of its members and help them lead a normal life? Well, since that’s the premise, I’ll go with it. The strength of the drama is the sum of all parts. Each guild is very distinct and its leaders have different personalities and skills. The drama gives each of the 8 professions a decent amount of screen time for watchers to get to know them. I really appreciate this as that did not happen when I was watching “The Mystic Nine”. In “The Mystic Nine”, some of the leaders are casually mentioned or resorted to being in a big montage. Not here! “The Eight” was able to weave the different stories into its big general plot. There are some pretty cool scenes and subplots that I’ve never seen before in a C-drama, e.g. The Battle of Generals (using a city’s model as a chess board and different colored sand to battle it out) and the Battle of Mechanics (a very smart way of fighting without the use of weapons). The pacing of the drama was great in the first 2 ⁄ 3 of the drama. I was engaged and interested as we traveled from Beijing to Kunming to Guangzhou and Shanghai. But when it hits the last third of the drama in Shanghai, I realize events happened without being shown. Watchers have to pay close attention to the voiceovers/monologues and conversations. If you don’t pay attention, you might miss some details. The pace of the last 3 episodes are especially fast. There are so many events and plot twists that these episodes are jam-packed with action. This is either due to censorship or editing. For once, I wish the drama was actually a little longer to give us a little breathing room in the final episodes.

Characters
I enjoy getting to know all the characters of the 8 guilds. None is really annoying and I like each of their little stories, though some are still given more screen time than others. Our male lead, Hua Min Chu, is smart, cool-headed and a great strategist. I was initially concerned that he would be an idealistic and naive fresh college grad, but am pleasantly surprised that he’s not. He is the soul of the drama, as he influences those around him with his ideals and actions. One of the villains is shown from the beginning of the drama, and he continues to be one throughout the rest of the show. Though we finally get to know his story towards the end, I don’t think I pity him at all. This is a drama with a big main and supporting cast. I do think the drama does a good job in presenting the main cast to us in a way that we know enough of them to care about them.

Acting + Dubbing
This is my first introduction to our main lead, Ou Hao. I am glad to have discovered him and will look out for his other dramas. You can see his character grow from a fresh graduate to the leader of the guild. There are quite a few emotional scenes, and his crying/tearing is believable and not overdramatic. He doesn’t smile much in this drama, but when he does, his dimples make my heart melt. I didn’t find him attractive in the beginning, but as he matured and became more charismatic, he became more handsome in my eyes (Ok, a little hair gel also helps). Seven Tan and Qin Lan’s acting meet my expectations. They are just great actresses. The rest of the cast also did a great job. For most of the cast, actors use their real voice except for Qin Lan (this is very disappointing as I love her voice), and Cheng Xing Yuan (who played Qi Ming). However, you can still tell that it’s studio recording and not live recording. There are times I could hear dialogues being dubbed over in post production by a voice actor.

Romance
Romance is only a subplot in this drama and the love triangle is not unbearable. You won’t find an evil second female lead or jealous exes. Hua Min Chu (ML) and Gua Dao Ren (FL) have great chemistry. But not sure if some scenes are edited out, I didn’t quite see enough affection developed on the ML’s side. Obviously he cares for FL in the beginning but he could have cared for her as a friend and not a love interest. Aside from this, the second half of the romance is nicely developed.

Action + Production
There’s actually a decent amount of action scenes in this drama, both fighting and shooting. However, many of these fights are in slow-motion and that’s my pet peeve. The best fight scenes are those done by Assassin leader Yi Fang and especially in the last two episodes of the drama. It’s also great to see that 3 of the 4 female leads can fight! This is not a big budget production. I think the majority of the budget is spent on costumes for Qin Lan (as Lady Jin Xiu), Ou Hao (as Hua Min Chu) and Cici Wang (as Zhong Yao). These three are the “richest” of the group, so I guess they have more than 2 sets of clothes. Qin Lan has beautiful dresses, especially her Qi Paos. Ou Hao looks dashing in a variety of suits but he looks the most handsome to me when he’s wearing a simple black shirt and black pants. CiCi Wang has the most variety of suits and dresses. Everyone else wears the same 2-3 outfits. The graphics and green screen scenes are not that great either, especially the fake far away shots of the trains. The sets and props seem to be of OK quality.

Overall, I quite enjoy this drama. I am giving it a solid 8.5 because I think it’s hard to weave stories of so many main characters into the main plot. I think “The Eight” did a pretty good job.

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Slice of College Life Drama - Life's decisions and lessons

Completed - 12/27/2021

"Be Yourself" is a college drama that focuses on the life of four students who live in the same dorm room. They all come from different family backgrounds and have different personalities. This is a slice-of-life drama and the romance is only a subplot, quite different from the popular "Put Your Head on my Shoulder". This is quite a stress-free watch.

This drama follows the life of these young ladies during their 4 years in college. It covers a variety of topics and each episode ends with an epilogue and a life lesson learned. I think college students or recent grads would enjoy this drama. Nothing too dramatic happens, and some plot lines can be quite predictable and you've probably seen them in other college dramas. There's the cliche princess roommate that annoys the heck out of everyone. There's the love triangle where two roommates fall for the same guy. Of course, we have family members who are disapproving, too controlling or overly protective. Though these storylines are predictable, it's also to be expected in a slice-of-life drama.

We have two very supportive and lovely boyfriends. I find the courtship more entertaining than when they are together. You actually don't see too may cutesy, fluffy romantic scenes. I think our princess doesn't deserve her cute, caring and supportive boyfriend. I'm glad the princess does grow up and become less annoying. We also have romances that didn't go anywhere but that's actually more realistic.

I enjoy watching the journey of these four young ladies, following their individual character development, growing up and entering life after college and into adulthood.

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Romance-focused in first 1/3 , Politics and War-focused in the last 2/3 of the drama

Completed - 12/18/2021 - 8.25

My initial desire to watch this drama was because of Evan Lin. I saw him in "Crush" and immediately took a liking to him. I've also never watched a Chen Xing Xu drama (I avoided "Goodbye My Princess") and wanted to see if he's as good as people said. This drama surprises me in a way that I thought it would be a lot more romance-focused than it really is.

Story/Plot - As my headline said, the first third of the drama has a stronger focus on the romance between the three leads. We all know who the FL is going to end up with. We see the romance developed between our leads from frenemies to lovers, and for a romance junkie like me, I am satisfied with this part of the drama. More to come about romance later. The middle part of the drama (episodes late teens and twenties) is my least favorite. It lost my attention and I thought the plot dragged a little bit during the Beijing events. The back and forth lasted a little too long for my taste. However, I am glad that the drama has a strong (and surprising) finish. The last 10 episodes have a more serious tone as it deals with war conflicts. I wasn't expecting this drama to have so much politics. But, I thoroughly enjoy the last 1/3 of the drama and felt that the pacing was good.

Acting - Evan Lin brought me here and I heard that he shot this drama before "Crush". I do think his acting here is not as good as in "Crush". For a first drama, he did pretty well and I am sure many of us fell in love with him, for his looks and his role as Xu Guang Yao. However, I have to say, comparing to Chen Xing Xu's acting, Chen is far superior. The role of Tan Xuan Lin is complex and multi-faceted. Chen Xin Xu was able to show his fun, flirty, romantic, jealous, and serious side. He is the best part of the drama. Even though I probably won't watch "Goodbye My Princess", I will look out for his other dramas. Zhang Jin Yi as our FL did an admirable job. She has good chemistry with Chen Xin Xu, but there are times some of her smiles seemed forced. Maybe that's only me thinking that way. All the veteran actors were great and the younger actors/actresses have a lot to learn. The younger actors/actresses did fine, but I would not say they're on par with Chen Xing Xu's acting.

Romance - Our main is romance is fun and flirty. I enjoy how their romance was developed. Though I pitied Evan Lin/Xu Guang Yao, our leads are the perfect match for each other. No second-lead syndrome for me here, no matter how pretty Evan Lin is. LOL. It's nice to see our main leads' relationship is built on trust and understanding, even though there are secrets between them. We have a FL who is just as smart as our ML, and she's not annoying. Tan Xuan Lin (ML) and Mu Wan Qing (FL) are a match made in heaven. However, the secondary and tertiary romances are not as good. I actually was very annoyed with the childish and stalkerish behaviors of the supporting characters. I am not invested in the other romances at all.

OST/Production - There are two lovely songs played in the drama. I am glad that they weren't overplayed and the volume did not overshadow the dialogs. I tried to search for the OST on Spotify but couldn't find them. I would say, overall the OST is decent. Because this does not seem like a big production drama, I do find the battle scenes somewhat unrealistic. The set designs were OK but some props seem flimsy. And the worst thing is the dubbing. I wish the actors have used their own voices. I am so incredibly annoyed by the voices of FL's stepmother and Actress Gu Yue Shuang. I just saw Chen Xin Yu (who played Gu Yue Shuang) in "Princess Silver" and it's really hard to picture her in this drama with that annoying girly voice.

Other Observations:
1. Handsome guys in suits and long coats - LOVE
2. female characters also have nice dresses and costumes
3. Good mix of romance and investigation/politics
4. Characters seem to be able to travel between cities in lightning speed

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Great Lead Chemistry, Acting and Production

Completed - 3/31/2021 (late review/notes posted)

Finally finished this drama and it has to be the longest one I've watched to-date (3/31/2021). It took me about 18 episodes to get really invested in the drama. I think the middle of the drama is the best. Acting of the leads along with the emperor was amazing. The supporting cast did a great job as well. Everyone commented on the cinematography and the costumes, and they are great. It's interesting to see a historical drama uses such toned-down color, nothing is too colorful even the concubine's costumes.

The chemistry between the two leads was amazing. I felt their love through their banter, argument and heartbreak. I felt that there isn't enough scenes where the two of them are together... I wanted more. Both are smart and intelligent characters. I do feel that FL needed a little more saving than I like, esp. since she's such a strong character. Everyone said the ending and the last 10 -15 episodes were horrible. I didn't think they were horrible but they do feel rushed and some decisions were uncharacter-like. The leads have such strong trust throughout the whole drama, that it didn't feel right when at the end, there was mistrust. I wish the ending was better. They suffered so much that I wish they could end up happy. I became a big fan of Chen Kun after watching this drama, and his character, Ning Yi, is one of my favorite MLs.

The music complemented the drama well, and this is the first drama that I realized not many songs where played throughout the drama. It's just enough to convey and support the scenes, but not overwhelming enough that every time an emotional scene comes up, you hear the same songs playing over and over again.

I would not recommend this show to someone who doesn't like angst and politics. It's definitely a very angsty melodrama but the acting is superb.

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Interesting plot and a fun First Half but can't sustain till the End.

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

I can’t say I am not surprised when I see the MDL rating of “Love in the Clouds” is at 8.8. That’s a really high score for a drama that I’ve read with mixed reviews. I was interested in checking this out because I like both Neo Hou and Lu Yu Xiao. A good looking pair that have proven themselves that they can act pretty well. It shouldn’t be too bad of a drama, right? Well, yes and no.


Plot/Pacing
Finally a drama that gave us a realistic approach and explanation to a woman disguising as a man. Magic! I quite enjoyed the first half of the drama. We have two smart characters who are supposedly equally powerful. This is another version of enemies-to-lovers trope, which I like. Although deception is central to the storyline, at least it makes sense in this drama. I like that the leads try to outsmart and outscheme each other, while testing and teasing along the way. The chemistry was great, and flirting is fun. Some might find FL’s antics a little much, but I am fine with it. I do think the secret identity lasted a little long, but not to the point that I start to get frustrated. However, the second half of the drama, especially the last 5 episodes (or so) start to lose my attention a bit. When the scheming and fun flirting die down, the politics start. The storytelling of the politics and the villains is not as well-written and exciting. I was especially disappointed in the big battle in the last couple episodes. That was like child’s play compared to other dramas. The only storyline I like in the second half is the transition and character development of 2ML, Situ Ling. His character did not change dramatically overnight. You can see the slow change in him, yet the drama did not forget about the inner turmoil and struggle, and continues to show the lingering emotions and humanity in him. Of course, you can say it’s just his obsession. Nevertheless, I really enjoy his story. I also find the pacing of the drama pretty well. It’s only 36 episodes, and though I lose a little interest at one point, I don’t think it’s because it was dragging.

Acting
I have high expectations for Neo Hou and Lu Yu Xiao. I think because of that, I end up being a teeny bit disappointed. I don’t think “Love in the Clouds” is their best performance. That’s not to say they are bad, I was just expecting more. On the other hand, I have the opposite feeling for Yu Cheng En, who played Situ Ling (2ML). I still vividly remember him as the sweet and innocent young suitor in “Love like the Galaxy”. I wasn’t expecting much from him because he wasn’t that great in “Coroner’s Diary” either. But he surprises me here. I already said earlier how much I enjoy his storyline. I was able to forget about his innocent look, and focus on the intensity and pain of his gaze. I’m so happy to see such improvement from this young actor. The rest of the supporting cast is fine. I have mixed feelings about He Nan (Princess). I can’t say she acted poorly but she always gives off this weird pouty look. Her fake smile in the early episodes was really fake. LOL.

Romance
I think romance lovers would be satisfied watching our leads. The chemistry is good and the early episodes are fun. FL is flirty and ML tries to make sense out of her aggressive pursuit. It’s great to follow their romantic journey, the up’s and the down’s and it’s not too angsty. There’s plenty of kisses (and good ones, too!), hand holding and hugs. The final proposal put a silly smile on my face and wrapped up their romance nicely. The love triangle (or square) isn’t too bad either. Despite 2ML’s obsession, it was not to the point of annoying. Of course, I might also have a soft spot for 2ML. On the other hand, the secondary romance between the Princess and Yang Xiao could have been so much better. They have much more chemistry when they are at odds with each other. I can feel the longing and the pain. But when everything is resolved, the chemistry disappears. It’s not the fault of the actors, but the writers. The whole romance was pretty much dropped and the bread crumbs of their scenes are just not enough. What a waste of their early chemistry!

Production
When I write my reviews, I tend to leave a section to talk about production quality. I understand many viewers don’t care as long as the plot and acting are good. So, if you are such viewers, you can ignore this whole section, as I am going to complain a little. The production quality (based on the budget, of course) can really affect my viewing pleasure. The CGI and fight scenes are average at best. The last big battle looks like child’s play and is so unexciting. Visually, everyone looks handsome and pretty in the first half of the drama. But you can see that the quality of the costumes deteriorated towards the end. The fighting outfits/uniforms by different teams look cheap. When we have someone as handsome as Neo in the final battle wearing a flimsy outfit that looks too large for him, you know the costume dept needs to do better. The dubbing is actually below average for a drama of this calibre and cast. I am usually a strong advocate of using actors’ voices and not voice actors. However, I can’t deny I thought the drama might be better if Neo and Lu Yu Xiao are both dubbed. Not only are the lines not matching the movement of the mouths, I also found the actors not enunciating their lines clearly and sounded a little slurred. I’ve definitely watched dramas where both Neo and Lu Yu Xiao speak their lines so much better than in this drama To end on a positive note, I really like the song 《若你的世界没有暖阳》or “If Your World Had No Sunshine” sung by Neo Hou. It might be a little overplayed, but I love the melody.


Would I recommend this drama? Only if you are a romance lover and fans of Neo Hou and Lu Yu Xiao. It’s an average drama with an interesting plot. But with so many Chinese costume dramas out there these days, this could be a pass if you don’t have a lot of time. I wouldn’t say I have wasted my time, because I did enjoy the first half or two-thirds of “Love in the Clouds” quite a bit.


Completed: 11/1/2025 Review #638

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Cute and Fluffy romance between two Green Flags, but don't expect a lot of Excitement and Twists

“Shine On Me” is either going to be one of the most romantic and sweetest dramas of the year, or one of the most boring ones. In order to enjoy this, you need to check your mood for what you are looking for, and know what to expect.

This is best enjoyed if you are looking for:
1. Main romance without a lot of ups and downs, or angst
2. Visually pleasing and great-looking leads
3. Great chemistry between the leads with decent skinship (love the hand-holding when pushing the grocery cart) and good but not amazing kisses (if you are patient enough to wait for them to happen eventually)
4. Sweet and witty banter between the main leads
5. Super green flag perfect ML who only has eyes from FL from start to finish
6. FL who is not afraid to speak her mind, stand up for herself and others, and pretty much a green flag herself (except when dealing with 2ML early on, but still more interesting than green flag ML).
7. Sweet and supportive family relationships: ML and his mother, ML and his grandfather, FL and her mom and extended family, FL and her cousin (my favorite character of the show).
8. Great co-workers
9. Strong women, whether you like them all or not - FL, FL’s mother, ML’s mother, FL’s aunt, the evil ‘villainy’ other woman, and even 2ML’s co-worker Chris.
10. The Photovoltaic Industry and all the business talk (LOL)

I love all the above except for #9, the photovoltaic industry. It is just not an industry that I know of or interested in learning. The drama spends a lot of time in this business world, but this industry is just not the right one for a drama adaptation. It might be better in the novel. The industry can’t really show us anything in action ,e.g. aerospace in “Your Are My Glory” with space ships and ties to ML’s character). It doesn’t sound or look good, e.g. the voice industry in “Love You, Love My Voice” and I love learning about the voice industry. Even the more boring traditional Chinese medicine in “The Best Thing” was more interesting, because ML actually uses TCM to flirt with FL and I found that romantic (though not super professional…LOL). “Shine On Me” really doesn’t hide Chinese propaganda in showing their photovoltaic industry to the world. Maybe that’s how they pass censorship or obtain a lot of sponsorship to fund the project.

I enjoy the slow burn main romance and how FL slowly falls in love. I think because of they are smart individuals despite new to love, they are not shy and naive. I love their flirting before becoming an official couple. Every single scene they are in, before and after being in a relationship, brings a super silly grin on my face. I just can’t stop smiling. I probably really enjoy this because I was intentionally seeking for a romance like that. Otherwise, as with many criticisms, the romance is somewhat smooth sailing that it can be boring. The super green flag ML is too perfect. You can have a green flag without making him into a boring character. Thank goodness he can flirt and has some witty comebacks. The love triangle lasted way too long. The 2ML’s storyline drags all the way to the end. I’m glad FL finally gave him a piece her mind and set him straight, I just wish it was done earlier and not drag for too long. But then, we have 36 episodes to fill. I personally don’t see 2ML as a handsome guy, but I do understand why ladies would find him attractive because he’s smart and hard-working. He’s just an expert in slimy Tai Chi - deflecting and not confirming his emotions to anyone until it’s too late for all parties involved.

The whole other family drama about FL’s parents and the ‘villains’ added a little extra ‘fun’ to the drama. Otherwise, “Shine On Me” is really boring. Yes, I do find these ‘villains’ annoying and I actually wanted a worse ending for them. It was sooo satisfying seeing FL finally said what she had to say to her father and defending her man and his integrity at the same time.

Because I know what I am getting myself into when watching “Shine On Me” and I really want a cute and fluffy drama, I had a great time watching it. It satisfies my cravings and I will recommend this to you if you like all or most of the items I listed above. However, I think of the 3 other fluffy dramas I listed above, this might be my least favorite of the 4, even though I LOVE the leads and romance. The business part is just too boring for me. If you want a twist-and-turn plot with excitement and chaos all the time, it’s best to skip this. Otherwise, you would be bored out of your mind.


Completed: 1/13/2026 Review #660

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Beautifully acted and produced but my brain and heart are not aligned on how I feel

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

Instead of a traditional review, this is more like my feelings of the drama.

I usually stay away from dramas about terminal illness, but I want to check this out due to its rave reviews and Namkoong Min. However, giving “Our Movie” merely an 8.25 rating seems like a travesty when there are so many 9s and 10s. The simple reason is: my brain and my heart are not aligned for most of the drama.

Lee Da Eum (FL)/Jeon Yeo Been
I have a hard time connecting with Da Eum. It took me a while to get used to and like her awkward personality even though in my brain, Jeon Yeo Been did a fantastic job portraying this character. I understand why Da Eum acts, thinks, and tries to live her life to the fullest. I applaud her bravery and cheer on her to stay alive for as long as she can. But in my heart, I am not in love with her.

Lee Je Ha (ML)/Namkoong Min
I have to say this is the prettiest/most handsome look for Namkoong Min I’ve seen. I am totally digging those glasses, no-gel natural hair and the casual turtleneck look. His character is aloof and exudes this “I am better than you and I don’t care what you think” vibe. The way he talks, moves and acts is very slow-paced, which greatly contrasts the FL energy. Of course, we never have to worry about Namkoong Min’s acting.

As individual characters, I like FL and ML’s stories of pain and growth. I enjoy the reason why they want to make the movie, and how they ‘use’ each other in the process. But for some reason, when they are together, I am not feeling the chemistry that I need to help me last through the pain towards the end. For a melodrama that I am supposed to be balling and need a box of tissue, the setup was lacking for me on an emotional level. Of course, this is all very personal and subjective, and I am sure many viewers will question my sanity. LOL

Because I am not emotionally connected for about 8-9 episodes, I cannot give this drama a high rating. But when eps 10-12 hit hard, that’s when all fall into place. Now I see why I need to get those tissues and why everyone was so in love with this drama. I finally feel all the emotions, but not because of the romance or chemistry, but because of the situation and how it affected everyone on a different yet personal level.

Despite tolerating many episodes of 2FL annoying and persistently butting into FL’s business, the supporting cast is lovely and supportive. The acting is excellent all around, and not just Jeon Yeo Been and Namkoong Min. The cinematography is beautiful, especially the warm lighting in the bookstore that I love the most. The haunting OST complements the mood of the drama and I’m glad many scenes are shot outside of the hospital.

“Our Movie” is an excellently produced and well-acted drama. Melodrama lovers should not miss this. Even though the drama couldn’t reach my heart for most of the drama, I can’t deny when it’s supposed to hurt, it hurts big time (in a good way). I just wish my brain and heart were connected sooner.


Completed: 8/30/2025 Review #618

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The Manipulators: Sizzling Chemistry between walking red flag ML & walking red Flag FL

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.75

After finishing “Scent of Time” not too long ago, I was worried that I might find this drama repetitive. Both dramas have a similar premise of being given the chance to go back in time to correct past mistakes. “Scent of Time” focuses on family relationships more, and this one focuses on revenge and politics more. I like both dramas but like “Story of Kunning Palace” a little better overall.

What I Like:

1. Pacing - I am pleasantly surprised that I am kept entertained throughout the 38 episodes. I did not lose my focus or feel that the drama dragged in the middle episodes. In fact, there’s so much going on that I enjoy all the side plots and characters. It’s not perfect, as I want more episodes of the romance between Jiang Xue Ning (FL) and Zhang Zhe (2ML) in the present timeline, and less of the evil girl causing drama. Overall, I am quite satisfied.

2. Xie Wei (ML) and Zhang Ling He - I always love a good gray character, especially for the male character. After the success of Dylan Wang’s character in “Love Between Fairy and Devil”, I am happy to see another deliciously evil and cunning male lead. Oftentimes, he would be a second male lead. This is possibly Zhang Ling He’s best acting to date. This intriguing character provides ZLH an opportunity to showcase a side of him that we haven’t seen. He is so much better in this drama than in “My Journey to You”. Many fans (myself included) love seeing Xie Wei’s side-eyed glare, petty jealousy and cunning ruthlessness. Xie Wei is such a madman and I wish to see more characters like him in the future.

3. Acting - the overall acting of the cast is pretty good (but not exceptional) - both the younger and veteran cast. Bai Lu is Bai Lu. You know what to expect from her, though I wouldn’t say she exceeded my expectations. I just saw Wang Xing Yue in “Scent of Time” and felt that his acting is much improved and better here. Even though his character is quiet, he’s speaking with his eyes more. I want more of him.

4. Main Romance - Even though it took a very long while for us to see Jiang Xue Ning and Xie Wei’s romance to develop, it is worth it. They have so much chemistry together. I enjoy the development of their relationship from enemies to working together, then trusting each other and falling in love. Xie Wei is a walking red flag, and Jiang Xue Ning is not that much better deep inside of her. They really are a match made in heaven as they understand and accept each other’s strengths and flaws. The kisses are exploding with chemistry though not gentle or sweet (unless you watch the extra special). But no matter if they were in the past or present, scenes of them together are sizzling hot and you yearn to see them on the screen together more.

5. Sisterhood - I am pleasantly surprised at the relationship between the Zhang sisters. Oftentimes, we either see sisters hate or love each other. But true to the plot and because of the history between the two, their sisterhood develops organically and realistically. They are not forced to be super close.

6. No annoying character - sure there are villains and a girl here and there that are jealous of the female lead. But for the most part, they are not super annoying and are not frustrating to watch. I like many of the characters - the three male leads (all lovely in their own ways), the princess, the best friend, the guards, the sidekicks, and even those girls in the palace. No one really makes dumb decisions that make me want to shake some sense into them.


What I have Mixed Feelings About:

1. Jiang Xue Ning (FL) + Zhang Zhe (2ML) Romance - I was deeply moved by the flashback scenes of them together. Zhang Zhe’s internal struggle of doing the right thing vs. doing the wrong thing for the woman he loves. These flashback scenes are minimal, but they gave us such great emotions and just enough to tell us their story. However, their romance in the present time is not given enough opportunity to develop and move me as an audience. It’s such a waste as both Bai Lu and Wang Xing Yue also have great chemistry together. The way they steal glances, try to express their feelings through their eyes, but struggle internally - all could have contributed to a great romance and a big contrast to the main romance.

2. Xie Wei + Sidekicks/Guards - I would like to know the backstory between Xie Wei and his guards and friends. How did they all work together in support of Xie Wei? What else did they go through back in the day? Why are they following him and not the rebellious group?

3. Forced rom-com directing/editing - For a serious historical drama, we should never have so many forced romantic slow-motion scenes and music blasting to tell me how to feel. We have good actors who can convey feelings through their acting and subtle facial expressions, we don’t need these cheap and cheesy shots. I am also so irritated by the bright white backlighting that the director seems to like so much.

4. Dubbing - While I appreciate actors dubbing their own voices, not all are great at reading their lines yet. Bai Lu almost always dubs her own and does it well, and I think Zhang Ling He can learn from her. Some of his lines are spoken in monotone, or he screams and growls a little too overdramatically. Having said that, I am glad Bai Lu, Zhang Ling He and Wang Xing Yue all dubbed themselves. Unfortunately, most of the rest of the cast didn't.

5. Production Quality - “Story of Kunning Palace” does not seem to be a big budget production. The sets are on the small-to-medium scale. The costumes and accessories are average. As I said earlier, I don’t like the lighting and they did not use natural light. Bai Lu’s makeup is uneven and she could have been much more beautiful. I also dislike the use of BGM playing over the music instruments. The OST is OK. Compared to “My Journey to You”, this drama pales in comparison.

6. Fight Scenes - Except for the big fight in the last couple episodes, I am not impressed with the fight scenes. I feel that they are over dramatic and not enough good close-combat battle scenes. Since this is not a wuxia or xianxia drama, seeing someone being punched once and then fly over to the other side is quite hilariously unrealistic. Some guys got slashed multiple times and survived. Others die with one stab.


Overall, I had a fabulous time watching this drama. I enjoy the plot, the pace of the drama (though the ending is a tiny rushed), the development of the main leads’ relationship and romance, and of course the anti-hero male lead. It’s a good mix of romance, friendship and politics.


Completed: 11/27/2023 - Review #381

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Great acting but not touching enough - missing something

Rating - 8.25

I thought I would be crying my eyes out watching “If You Wish Upon Me” and surprisingly, I did not. There are some touching moments, but I feel that the drama is missing the ‘oomph’ or ‘it’ that makes me fall in love with it. The whole premise of Team Genie is great, just like the hospice's own Make-a-Wish Foundation.

I have to applaud Ji Chang Wook for branching out to different roles. He was great in this drama and his character is not the usual good-looking, cold Chaebol, a hero or a heart throb. He actually looks and acts the part of Yoon Kyeo Re. Someone who has had a rough childhood and life, and is not a hero to save the world. He is a little dorky and timid, but lovable and gentle. Seo Yeon Joo also plays such an interesting female lead in Seo Yeon Joo. Nurse Seo is a badass but in a sweet way. She is a workout maniac and a gentle angel. She’s also the one who saves our male lead from drowning in his past. It’s lovely to see Choi Soo Young again after her other very memorable role in “Run On”. Oh and she’s so pretty! What more can I say about veteran Sung Dong Il. I don’t think I need to shower praises on him as he’s universally recognized as one of the most amazing actors out there (ok, maybe to me he is). Acting has to be the strength of this drama, including the supporting cast and especially everyone in Team Genie.

However, I feel that plot wise it’s missing that special sauce. The hospice patient stories are somewhat underwhelming. One or two of them are well-written and heart-tugging, but overall not memorable enough. One can say the patient stories are secondary to the main characters' stories. I do enjoy Yoon Kyeo Re’s story and character development - from being an orphan/convict to the trusted Junior Supervisor of Team Genie. The bond that he has with his Son (doggie) is very sweet. I also love the friendship and father/son relationship between Yoon Keyo Re and Kang Tae Shik as well. I think the complicated brother/sister dynamics lasted a little too long and slowed down the pace of the drama in the middle. The plot about the gangster/loan shark is a little over dramatic and doesn’t jive well with the overall tone of the drama.

I would love to know more about other members of Team Genie. I am a little disappointed not to see more of Cook Yeom Soon Ja’s backstory. I love how she can see through Yoon Kyeo Re and Ha Joon Kyung's sad childhoods of never having enough good food to know what their favorite foods are. I really like her love for everyone by providing delicious meals. But I want to see more! I also want more of the lovely older couple. Don’t we all wish to grow old with someone who loves and cares for you just like the older gentleman? The way he looks at his wife is so full of love.

Overall, I do think this is a good drama. But to me, it’s just missing something to really move me and hold my attention throughout the whole 16 episodes. I do have to say it ends on a strong note. The last episode is touching (not heart wrenching) and very sweet.


Completed: 10/28/2022

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