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A Drama with No plot but full of Cheese and Fanservice

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.25

I decided to watch “We Are” because I wanted something simple and light-hearted, a stress reliever. With that in mind, I made the right choice. “We Are” is so easy, and too easy of a watch. It’s a drama full of fluff, cheese and cringe.

Unfortunately, the drama does not hold my attention. “We Are” has no plot whatsoever. The whole drama is about a big group of friends hanging out, pairing up with each romantic partner, professing their love and kissing their loved ones. While I enjoy seeing the tight bond of these friends, especially the 5-some of Peem, Q, Tan, Pun and Chain, I cannot consume 16 hours of just hanging out. The drama is way too long for its lack of content. It ended up not really what I am looking for, but this might just be the right one for you.

The acting of the cast is OK. There really isn’t anyone who stood out as being excellent. The big selling point of this drama is Pond and Phuwin as the two main leads. I enjoy their chemistry and their scenes together. They are obviously comfortable around each other. Pond and his handsome face and loving gazes are what keep me going and not dropping it.

I also feel that the introduction of such a big cast at once causes some confusion. I was trying to figure out the first 5 and then the drama introduced another 6 guys to the mix. Aside from the main romance between Peem and Phum, I really didn’t care for the other pairings. Some characters are more annoying and cringey than others. The drama has many unnaturally long gazes and slow motion shots for every single supposedly romantic gesture or kiss. It’s somewhat trying to manipulate how the audience should feel.

“We Are” is a pure fanservice drama. I don’t think I’ve seen a drama with so many kisses from all romantic pairs, and so many “I love you” spoken. The kisses on the lips are actually not bad, much better than the pecks on the cheeks or forehead (don’t they know you should also extend your lips a little?). I would recommend this drama if you are a fan of the cast.


Completed: 7/29/2024 - Review #468

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A Lakorn First.... a BL Second...also NOT the next "I Feel You Linger in the Air"

Let’s start my review with a couple quick comparisons. I am still searching for the next “I Feel You Linger in the Air” that hits me with the same feelings. I LOVE that drama!

How is “Love in the Moonlight” compared to:

1) I Feel You Linger in the Air (IFYLITA) - Unfortunately, “Love in the Moonlight” is not that drama I was searching for. It has a very different feel from IFYLITA. To me, IFYLITA is the most romantic and sensual Thai BL out there. I LOVE that romance so much. “Love in the Moonlight” feels more like a lakorn with a gay couple as the main romance.

2) To Sir, With Love (TSWL) - Yes, “Love in the Moonlight” feels more like TSWL. It has a central family theme with conflicts, in-fighting and a gay romance. TSWL has a frustrating mother, LITM has a frustrating father. They both feel very lakornish. If you like TSWL, you will probably like LITM. LITM has a stronger romance with more skinship and kisses than TSWL.

3) Memoirs of Rati (MOR) - MOR is just a fluffy sweet romance. “Love in the Moonlight” is more well-rounded and has stories that do not necessarily circle around the main romance. MOR is a period rom-com, but LINTM is a period drama.

Now, how is “Love in the Moonlight” as a drama itself? I don’t love it as much as IFYLITA but it’s a decent watch. It’s a decent watch if you like lakorn with a side of BL.


Plot/Pacing
Luckily, the drama is only 12 episodes long (even though the last episode is 1 hour and 40 minutes), it’s definitely a lot shorter than a traditional lakorn. The pacing is not bad, but it can definitely speed up a little, especially the last episode. The drama focuses on Prince Saenkaew’s family needing to relocate to Thailand due to political changes in his native country. In order not to give up all his family’s royal fortunes to the new government, his father has a deal made with another royal family in Bangkok, in the form of a contract marriage. Although the plot is not really filled with unexpected twists and turns, I do think the premise is interesting enough. Of course, our little Prince is gay, and a contract marriage is not going to make him happy, especially when he eventually falls in love with his fiance’s cousin! There are quite a few plot holes throughout the drama. I have a similar complaint about the leads in IFYLITA where the PDA in forbidden romance is SO publicly displayed! No wonder the secret can’t be kept because these guys can’t keep their business in the safety of a room with locked doors. But there won’t be a drama if the secret is so well hidden. I love the initial episodes when the friendship between the leads is developed. They really do look like a happy trio. I read that some viewers are angry with Pin (FL) for not letting the little prince go. I feel differently because she was betrayed by the two people who she loves the most. The shock, hurt and disappointment can’t be easily resolved. I think if you are just a regular BL fan watching “Love in the Moonlight”, you might not like this drama. The family conflict, the mean adults, and some of the ‘evil’ things they do to the people they supposedly love could be incomprehensible. But if you are a lakorn watcher, you’ve seen way worse in other dramas, e.g. I think the mother in “To Sir, With Love” is worse than ML’s father here.

Acting
I really like the acting of everyone. There is no exaggerated acting. I was not sure if I would like Peak as a ML because I don’t personally find him attractive. LOL😜 But his acting is good and his struggles and crying are believable (might cry a little too much in the last quarter of the drama). Pearl as Sasin is charismatic, and definitely fits the role of a popular playboy. Gorgeous Perth is so well-casted as the sweet and kind Pin. Surrounding the young main trio is a cast of veterans. If you have watched non-BLs and lakorns before, you would have seen these amazing veterans before. I have no complaint in the acting department here.

Romance
I enjoyed the romance for the most part, and I think romance lovers would be satisfied as well. You know it’s going to be fun when a disciplined and proper little prince falls into the arms of a charismatic playboy, right? Yes, we have quite a few of these cliche moments when they fall and are caught. The chemistry between Peak and Pearl is great right from the very beginning. Us romance lovers would die for someone like Sasin (so handsome!) to gaze into our eyes longingly. Both of them are green flags and it’s very easy to root for them. There’s enough skinship and good kisses, longing looks, love letters, secret meetings and hugging to satisfy the romance lover in me. We get to see the muscular torsos of our leads, but the intimate scenes are not explicit. Once they both realized their feelings and confessed, their romance moved quite quickly. I guess my one main criticism of this romance is that it all happens so fast in the second half. From a first real kiss to a first intimate scene, all happens at lightning speed. I also miss the sassy playboy in the earlier episodes. Sasin falls too fast and too hard, and he becomes this lovesick puppy dog in the latter half. I’ve always disliked MLs who fall in love and then forget who they were before. As for the love triangle, it’s to be expected. As I mentioned earlier, I am totally fine with Pin’s reaction.

Production
The whole drama has a very 60s feel to it, even down to the songs being sung by the band. I am not in love with the OST and feel that most songs sound about the same. The drama is not pretty with beautiful cinematography, but it also doesn’t look cheap. The costumes look nice enough. Pearth (aka Pin) and Suzana (aka Songsawat) look beautiful in their dresses, well they are gorgeous to begin with. All in all, everything is quite average.


I would only recommend “Love in the Moonlight” if you are familiar with lakorns and don't mind the dramatic family conflicts. Half of the cast is unlikable.🤣 The romance is pretty good but if you just want to watch a BL, this might not be the right one. Although I don’t love the drama, I had a decent time watching it. I will continue my search and wish for the next "I Feel You Linger in the Air".


Other Random Observations/Thoughts:
1. People really need to lock their doors and stop leaving important things lying around.
2. Pearl looks like a giant next to Peak. He is taller, has a bigger face, wider shoulders, bigger chest, and bigger hands.
3. Suzana Renaud and Perth are gorgeous! Thai women are beautiful and no wonder they do so well in Miss Universe contests. LOL 😍
4. I’ve seen Grandma in a few dramas now. She always talks so slow and I am slightly annoyed with her voice. *oops*
5. That uncle and his wife are so dumb and clumsy. They provide subtle comic relief.
6. I wonder if this is not a gay romance but another forbidden love (Prince and slave), will the drama be just the same?


Completed: 11/2/2025 Review #639

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Want a Cute and Fluffy romance with JimmySea? YES! Everything else is a big disappointment.

If you are like me, you want to see JimmySea again after their amazing performances in “Last Twilight”, right? You read the synopsis and it sounded interesting, especially, if you are a fan of fortune telling and tarot card reading. Well, you won’t be disappointed if you want to see JimmySea in a cute and fluffy romance. They deliver and you will not stop smiling. But other than their lovely romance, everything else is quite a disappointment. It’s unbelievable that “Last Twilight” has a 8.4 MDL rating and “My Magic Prophecy” has 8.7.

I was forewarned and I adjusted my expectations of “My Magic Prophecy”. I went into this looking for a fluffy romance, and I got it. Jimmy and Sea are adorable and sweet and everything that I am looking for in my romantic mood. They are adorable with their natural hair, and super handsome with their hair gelled, and especially Jimmy in a nice shirt and trousers. Honestly, their romantic journey is quite predictable and you’ve seen all this in other dramas. But that doesn’t dampen my excitement because I really want to see them in a light and cute drama. Just give me all the sugar! Their chemistry is great but not as special as in “Last Twilight” where you feel all types of emotions. There are plenty of kisses and some fan service, of course. The interview at the end of the drama is so cute and fun. JimmySea exudes playfulness and happiness, and you can see how comfortable they are with each other.

Now, what if you are not looking for a cute and fluffy romance? You actually want a good plot about fortune telling and tarot card reading? Well, I am afraid, my friend, that you will be disappointed. It started off interesting with the visions and the threat of life-threatening events. But after that, they all become plot devices for the romance.

What about the rest of the plot? A disappointing hot mess. With only 10 episodes, and probably 80% of the time is spent on the cute and fluffy romance, there’s just not enough time to execute a proper plot or development of a secondary romance. What I would have done is to focus on In’s healing process from losing his family and Thap’s life-threatening events and betrayal (before and after). I would have cut the hospitalization of the board member and the father/son side plot.

The secondary romance has so much potential to be good. Unfortunately, the full romance is boiled down to a couple flashbacks and a few dialogs. The drama should have started telling us their backstory sooner. Give us more of the school days to build a solid foundation. Then give us more of them reuniting, and stronger development from awkwardness, reconciliation, and falling in love again. Even though the actors aren’t great, their story could have been more fun if written well.

I was surprised to see First and Junior in this drama. They are both excellent actors, but I felt that they are underutilized, especially for First. If the drama has focused more on his friendship with Jimmy/Thap and First/Kan, “My Magic Prophecy” would be so much more interesting.

Would I recommend this? Only if you want to see JimmySea in a cute and fluffy romance. Otherwise, I recommend you pass on this. I hope Jimmy and Sea would reunite again in the future with a better written and executed drama that also has an amazing romance.


Completed: 10/3/2025 Review #629

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Fun drama with touching moments of family and sisterhood, and hilarious bros-in-law alliance

“Perfect Match” aired during Lunar New Year of the Snake. With a Chinese title 五福臨門, loosely translated to ‘Five Blessings have descended upon the house”, it’s not hard to guess how the drama is going to end. It has got to be full of positivity and laughter.

This is a comedic drama about a loving family, led by matriarch Madam Li, and her 5 daughters and 1 goddaughter/daughter-in-law-to-be. Despite many comedic moments, there is a surprising amount of touching moments as well. I might have shed some tears while watching, especially stories about Sis #1 and Sis #3. The best part of the show is the tight bond of the Li family. They love each other, support each other, argue and cry, but never leave anyone behind. The sisterhood is awesome and touching, and the brothers-in-law alliance is hilarious and refreshing.

Lu Yu Xiao (Sis #3) and Wang Xing Yue are the main reasons for me to watch this drama, and probably attracted most viewers as well. Not only do I like them as actors, I am particularly interested in seeing them play happier and sillier roles that are more of their age. They definitely did not disappoint and have great chemistry.

The show might have started off with a not-so-interesting couple in Sis #2 and her ‘useless’ husband. Many viewers might have dropped the show because of them. They were given the least screen time and the worst script out of the 5 pairs. Having them start the show could be a risky move, but luckily the introduction of the #3 couple and the most popular pair follows right away.

Despite finding their story a tiny, tiny bit too long, they are the most fun to watch. Two smart and scheming individuals trying to outsmart each other, is always fun to watch no matter what it is. The pair looks so good together visually and have great chemistry and comedic timing. Emotional scenes are believable, but I like their cunning selves and cute scenes more.

Big Sis’ story is surprisingly touching as well. I was unsure about this pair at first, but as the story goes, I am sucked into their marriage and love story. This is definitely a little more slow burn, but I think the progression of how they come to open up to each other and realizing their love for each other, is the most satisfying of the couple. I also quite like to see a jealous and petty smart scholar who is not afraid to show his affection for his more mature wife.

Sis #4 has a cute but more predictable romance. They are adorable together but the romance lacks the depth that #1 and #3 have. I think the focus on the court cases might have taken their story away from them a tiny bit. The husband changes his mind quite quickly after only a few scenes of resistance. A little more time could have been dedicated to their romance.

I am most disappointed in the plot of #5’s story. She and her husband have the most fun and explosive personality. Yet, the plot itself revolving around the husband’s family is quite boring. I wish there’s more creativity in showing how they initially hate each other, then slowly fall in love, and give them a plot with more substance.

It’s interesting to see how the husbands are introduced and connected to one another. Husbands #’s 1, 3 and 4 have their own professions, and their stories are tied to what they do. Therefore, I find them the most interesting. Husbands #2 and 5 are just rich kids with nothing better to do, thus, I find their stories not as interesting.

“Perfect Match” is definitely not a perfect drama and you might have seen a similar drama like this before. But it works for my mood and what I am looking for. I had a fabulous time watching this and binge watched the whole drama pretty quickly. I am also a little surprised at the amount of old Chinese, idioms and poems spoken in this comedy. I would recommend this if you are looking for a fun family drama with some touching moments. It’s an easy watch with many likable characters and good-looking people.



Completed: 2/19/2025 - Review #546

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Excellent acting & chemistry but a little long and not always exciting.

Wang Yi Bo probably attracted many viewers to “War of Faith”. Serious Chinese Republican era dramas are usually not very popular. However, I wish viewers who came for Wang Yi Bo would stay for the rest of the amazing cast members. I cannot stop praising how good the acting is in this drama.

I watch this because of Wang Yang and Li Qin, and they are both AMAZING. It’s not a surprise that Wang Yang is excellent, as he’s a veteran who excels in any role he plays. I love him in “The Rebel” where he gave a similar vibe and acting performance as in “War of Faith”. I even watched the business rom-com “Stand or Fall” for him and Qin Lan. He’s charismatic, sexy and has screen presence. He’s the MVP of this drama.

On the other hand, Li Qin surprises me the most. I’ve seen her in many other dramas, but not the serious ones such as “The Youth Memories”. But I am a fan. I even watched’ Thousand Years for You” for Li Qin. Her acting performance exceeds my expectations. She plays a strong, underground Communist sniper/assassin. Then she turned around and became an elegant high society lady. There are quite a few emotional scenes where she had to control her emotions and others where she had to let it all out.

Wang Yang and Li Qin’s sibling relationship is the best relationship in the whole drama. They play off each other so well. They care and support each other, they bicker and joke. But in the second half of the drama, when things get serious and dangerous, they have a few very, very emotional scenes. It was hard to see them both wanting what’s best for China and its people, but have such different beliefs and ways of achieving that.

Another standout performance for me is from Zhang Tian Yang. I’ve seen many of his dramas but they are never memorable enough for me to remember him. I was reminded that he’s the emperor from “A Journey to Love” and that’s such a different role than the one in “War of Faith”. But what a great performance here as well, and he suddenly is in a role where he’s hot and sexy. LOL.

Of course, we have Wang Yi Bo. He’s also pretty solid in this drama and probably the best I’ve seen him. Though the drama centers around his character’s growth and journey, his performance did not stand out for me. He’s still pretty good, but this drama has such a big cast and everyone is so good that it’s hard to stand out.

The rest of the supporting cast, young and old, novice or veteran, are all amazing. In fact, I feel that I am constantly in awe of everyone’s acting, that I am not really paying attention to the plot as much. This is one of the rare Republican era dramas that focuses so much on the finance world and stock market. The spy stuff seems secondary to the business world. I personally feel that 38 episodes are too long. The drama is unable to hold my attention from start to end. I am more interested in individual characters and their relationships, more so than the bigger plot.

I also would not recommend you watching this if you are looking for romance. There are two established couples in the drama. This is not a romantic drama, but I do have to say the limited screen time that these two couples have, they are amazing. They are mature, supportive and they survive through tough times. These women are tough as nails and they are their men’s biggest supporters.

Here are some other areas I enjoy. I love the actors using their own voices and the live recording. The live recording really enhances the viewing pleasure in emotional scenes. There’s no rom-com skin smoothing or white filter. You see the natural looks, flaws and all. All the characters are intelligent. They do not make dumb decisions that are out of character, and you applaud them trying to outsmart each other. The villains are not cartoonish, they just have different interests and beliefs. You also do not hear the OST blasting songs at weird times. In fact, there’s an episode where I did not notice any music until the ending theme starts to play. This drama is full of meaningful conversations and dialogs, and you do need to pay attention to truly understand each character’s motives.

I would recommend this drama for its excellent acting and great production. Your enjoyment level probably depends on whether you are a fan of this genre and finance talks. It is also to be expected that there’s a lot of ‘propaganda’, but to me, it’s just telling China’s history and the rise of Communism. I think the drama is too long and the plot doesn’t keep me on the edge of my seat enough. Overall, it is a great drama and truly a War of Faith and Beliefs.



Completed: 4/21/2024 - Review #430

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Heartwarming and Sweet

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

There's nothing ground-breaking about this short drama. But, it makes me happy and I enjoy following along the sweet romance of the leads. The first episode, to me, isn't the best as there are things that I didn't like. But as we get to know the characters, I start to like them more and more. FL is the typical quiet and submissive Japanese character, which I dislike. However, I'm glad to see her change for the better after meeting ML. Opposite attracts is one of my favorite tropes and the drama did a pretty good job here. The leads have very different personalities, but they influence each other and their characters grow.

There are sad and heartwarming moments. A couple work harassment scenes that make me want to punch someone in the face. These scenes happen all too often in Asian dramas that they are not surprising anymore. Nevertheless, they are not easy to watch. We also get a glimpse of the leads family background and upbringing, esp. the female lead, and get a sense of why she is who she is. If you are a dog lover, you would love the big and fluffy white dog. I am not a pet person and I want to pet and hug this cute fluffiness!

If you are looking for a quick and easy watch, this is a good option. Oh and it has a couple good (non-fish) kisses.

Completed: 1/27/2023

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ONLY watch if you are looking for romance, and romance only

Completed: 9/5/2022
Subjective Rating - 8.75
Objective Rating - 8.0-8.5

Recommend: ONLY if you are looking for a mature office romance and nothing else.

I was starving for a good romance drama and decided to check this out. I have not really read any reviews or comments, so I am going into this blind and without any expectation. All I know is that Rowoon is the male lead and I want to stare at a good-looking guy and watch him fall in love. I assume this has a happy ending, but I wasn’t sure.

“She Would Never Know” is an office romance, and that’s about it. If you are looking for a drama with a bigger and more complicated plot, this is not the drama for you. The whole drama is about how our main leads fall in love, experience a very cute and adorable honeymoon phase, tackling relationship challenges and realizing how important they are to each other. The supporting cast also doesn’t have much going on in their lives and we follow their romantic journeys as well.

Our ML, Chae Hyun Seung, though handsome and cute, did appear stalker-ish in the initial episodes. We know without a doubt that he has a crush on his senior trainer, Yoon Song Ah. The way he follows her around could be a little too much for some viewers. His most questionable decision was made in the beginning episodes, when he tried to expose a certain relationship, when it was none of his business. We do eventually find out his reason for doing so and I sort of understand where he’s coming from, but still, this decision left a bad taste in our mouths. But you know what, I am glad Chae Hyun Seung did make this ‘mistake’, otherwise, he would appear too perfect. He’s smart, hardworking, polite, caring, lovable, funny and the best boyfriend you can find (after he officially becomes Jin Ah’s boyfriend).

Hyun Seung had a really rough start to gain Jin Ah’s affection, even though it’s no secret that he has a big crush on her. He has a lot of growing up to do. But there are many honest conversations between the two. They may not always be on the same page about how they feel for each other, but they are honest and communicate their feelings. Hyun Seung has learned to give Jin Ah’s space and wait for her, and when she’s ready to make that step towards him, she doesn’t hesitate and reciprocates his feelings.

Rowoon and Won Jin Ah have great chemistry together. I love their bantering and they make such an adorable couple (maybe because of the height difference as well). Their fluffy scenes make me grin like an idiot. The kisses are not bad either. I appreciate the writing for not making this a straight up romantic comedy with over-the-top comedic characters and super cheesy fluffy scenes. Their fluffy sweetness is sprinkled throughout the drama, so I don’t feel like I am on a sugar high.

*spoiler*

I am sure as viewers, we can see it coming: Jin Ah is definitely going to Europe. I also appreciate a somewhat realistic portrayal of a long-distance relationship. As much as both parties want to continue on, it’s difficult. The difficulties cannot be resolved easily because of nightly video chats and phone calls. Many dramas these days gloss over the fact that long distance relationships fail most of the time. Therefore, I appreciate seeing our lead’s breakup. Did it hurt me seeing how sad they both are? Definitely. But I am also confident that it’s going to be a happy ending in the end and I am ok with 1-2 episodes of suffering. I like that in the end, it’s Jin Ah’s turn to win Hynn Seung’s affection. I am glad she is doing so with honesty and sincerity, and not using any gimmicky tricks.

As for the supporting cast and their romantic relationships, we do have quite a variety:
♦︎ Lee Hyo Joo + Lee Jae Shin = such a dysfunctional and obsessive relationship. I still don’t know why Hyo Joo is so obsessed with Jae Shin. What really happened to make her feel that way? But you know what, I am happy with their ending. It’s a good closure and I am so glad to see Hyo Joo becoming a better person in the end.
♦︎ Director Lee + Chae Ji Seung (Big sis) = this is a total opposites attract relationship. The love-at-first sight is a little over-the-top and cringey, but they are quite cute and funny together. It’s a good contrast from Lee Hyo Joo + Lee Jae Shin’s dysfunctional relationship.
♦︎ Chae Yun Seung (2nd sis) + Husband = this is somewhat a side story that could be completely cut out and we won’t miss a thing. Since 2 of the 3 siblings have their own storylines, we can’t forget this sister as well. The best thing about this relationship is to see the cute daughter, Ha Eun. She’s adorable and sassy. A 7-year old in a 17-year old teenager body.

Aside from romance, we have a few side relationships going as well. We have the bromance between Director Lee and Lee Jae Shin. It is actually quite a sad story when you don’t know if what you have is true friendship or not. We also have a mother/daughter relationship between Jin Ah and her mother. Some might say the animosity is resolved too easily in the end, but I think that explosive outburst by Jin Ah is enough to set the healing process in motion.

“She Would Never Know” is in no way a perfect drama. The reason why I am giving this such a high rating (at least high for me) is because I really do enjoy our main couple’s romance. I am watching this at the right time and in the right mood. They are flawed but likable. They might make decisions that I don’t agree with, but I understand where they are coming from. Their story feels real and I was rooting for them from the beginning.

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Completed - 2/7/2022 - 8.75

I want to preface that I am usually not a thriller/horror/suspense drama watcher. Therefore, my review is very subjective and I don't have many thrillers as a reference to compare how good "Happiness" is. The reason I am interested in this drama is because of the overwhelming positive reviews and because of Park Hyung Sik. I haven't seen him since "Strong Woman Woman Do Bong Soon" and I find him absolutely adorable. 🥰

For the most part, I enjoy the plot and the pacing of the drama. I think there's a good mix of action and drama in each episode to keep me interested and engaged. Towards the middle of the drama, I feel that the pacing slows down just a tad bit and you could somewhat expect that you will see the repetitiveness of infected humans + neighbor selfishness + leads heroic efforts. Having said that, I think this drama finishes very strong. Episodes 10-12 are very exciting and keep me entertained for the whole 3 hours.

For those who are scaredy cats like me and don't like horror stories and zombies, there are quite a lot of scenes of zombie-like infected humans in almost every episode. So, be warned! I am still OK with it but others might not. Moreover, though there are many "scary" scenes, the main focus of the drama is more about how humans will react to such a crisis. You see human greed, selfishness and evilness all come out when everyone is in lockdown mode. Luckily, we have our leads and a couple neighbors to bring some positive human nature to brighten the ugly selfishness. For some reason, the drama reminded me of Agatha Christie's book, "And Then There Were None".

I enjoy seeing two smart and independent leads. They are both strong mentally and physically, and are such great partners-in-crime, or shall I say heroes-in-crisis. If you are looking for romance, it is understandably a very small part of the drama. However, I do want to see more of the affection shown from the FL to ML sprinkled throughout the drama. I don't think there's enough to show me how devoted FL is to warrant her sacrificing quite a bit for ML in the end. I don't need/want a lot of romance, but just a little bit more would be nice.

As we see greed and selfishness during the lockdown, it's inevitable to have some annoying characters in the drama. This might be one of the few dramas that I would tolerate characters that I don't like, because that's what the drama is all about. I won't deduct points because of them. LOL However, that doesn't stop me from hating a few of them. 😁

Acting is great all around, from the youngest little girl to the amazing veterans such as Jo woo Jin (Infectious Disease head), Lee Joon Hyuk (detective) and Bae Hae Seon (building rep). Everyone is great and I love and love-hate all of them. It's so great to see Park Hyung Sik's cute, shy smile again.

Other Observations:
1. Does Park Hyung Sik seem buffer than before? Such wide shoulders. Must be all that military training!
2. Han Tae Seok as the head of the Infectious Disease investigation should really wear a mask more often. 😷
3. A few scenes have very abrupt cut or transitions
4. They don't seem to use soap when washing blood off their hands and face.
5. Aside from the English song, I don't see to remember much about its OST and BGM.

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Amazing acting and Chemistry by Seven Tan & Xu Kai - Business-heavy with slow romance

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75

I am very surprised that I like “As Beautiful As You” so much. What cemented the 9.0 rating is the amazing chemistry and acting by Seven Tan and Xu Kai. They have proven that they are more than just good-looking idol actors.

However, there are a couple things that might prevent you from loving this:
1. This is a VERY business-centric drama. The main plot revolves around Artificial Intelligence and 3D medical device and printing industry. You can’t fast forward all of that, because you will then miss the intricacies of the business scheming, the character development and basically the whole main plot.
2. Slow burn romance. If you are expecting a cute and fluffy romance, you will have to be very patient. The journey is slow and full of emotional highs and lows, but it’s totally worth it in the end.

If you are fine with the above-mentioned two points, then you might enjoy this drama as much as I did.


What I Like:

1. Seven Tan & Xu Kai
I cannot sing their praises enough. I’ve seen many of their dramas in the past. I know Seven Tan is a good actress, but I don’t remember thinking she was awesome until this one. There’s so much growth in her character, and seeing how Seven Tan brings her character to life is a beautiful thing. I see controlled emotions, happiness/shock/pain in her big expressive eyes, and the subtle facial expressions so beautifully executed that she doesn’t need to utter a single word. Adding to that is her ability to dub her own lines very well. I believe has always done that, and it shows her experience in this area. Similarly, I’ve always been a big fan of Xu Kai and believes his acting is so much better than the projects he picks. He’s one of the actors where he can convey a myriad of emotions with his big expressive eyes as well. With a good script, these two experienced actors elevate themselves to a different level. They have so many good tension-filled scenes together before the characters get together.

2. Main Romance
As I said, this is a slow burn romance. But that doesn’t mean the leads do not have scenes together. They actually have many scenes together and the chemistry is evident, even though half of the drama is focused on their business relationship. I enjoy how But Han Ting (ML) guides and supports Ji Xing (FL) to make her own decisions, face her own consequences without always there to save her. Their relationship develops slowly and steadily. Once they get together, you can tell how they are meant for each other. It’s no wonder FL’s ex-boyfriend comes to the realization that he just can’t give her what she needs. The best part for me is not the cute and fluffy part. It’s the anticipation of the big blow out and confrontation. I knew it’s going to happen and I was DREADING it. When it did happen, I was heartbroken while watching Seven Tan and Xu Kai act their hearts out in those gut-wrenching scenes. That confrontation and the subsequent episodes are what cemented my 9.0 rating. The last 10 episodes of this drama is a roller coaster ride of emotions.

3. Backdoor scheming
I personally find the business part of this drama interesting. There are enough plot twists to keep me invested when in actuality, I really don’t know much about the industry. However, as I follow along, I can see everyone is playing chess. Who is a chess piece and who is the chess player? Who is the behind-the-scenes master controlling everyone? There are so many smart dialogs exchanged between ‘villains’ and ‘villains’ vs ‘the good guys’. The subtle and the not-so-subtle digs at each other, the condescending and fake congratulatory messages....all of this is exciting for me (but maybe boring for you). I wrote on a Feeds post and admired a scene between two ‘villains’ and their scheming inside a teahouse. That scene was so well-shot and acted. The lipstick mark on a tea cup, offered to the other. The subtle evilness going between them and the secret pact formed when he took that tea cup with a lipstick mark. The lighting, the tension, the meaning behind all this

4. Ji Xing’s path to success
In a way, this drama reminds me of Seven Tan’s other drama “Master of My Own”. Both are business romance dramas with a strong focus on her character’s journey to professional achievements and success. I enjoy following Ji Xing’s growth in “As Beautiful As You” more, partly because the male lead is there to support and guide her along the way. In “Master of My Own”, the male lead isn’t as supportive, but we do have a great female mentor. I think her challenges of starting her own business are realistic and believable. Just because you have the talent, ideals and drive, it doesn’t make you a successful entrepreneur.

5. He Rui Xian as Li Li
He Rui Xian is such a beautiful and sultry actress. She plays an amazing Li Lil, showcasing her sassiness, charisma, and a very free lifestyle. I also think He Rui Xian’s acting has improved a lot. There was a scene at a wedding when she was discussing marriage with her boyfriend. I can see the change of emotions in her big eyes from happiness, shock, disbelief, sadness, anger… all in 10 seconds. I was amazed!

6. Love the Mother/Son Duo. Love FL’s parents. Also like ML’s grandfather (wise, cautious but not too stubborn).


What I have Mixed Feelings and Don’t Like

1. Enough of torture for Ji Xing
As much as I enjoy following Ji Xing’s road to success, at one point, I just had enough bad things happen to her. I feel so bad that time after time she’s put to the test. I feel tired watching her overcome all these challenges, and I wish for her to just get a breather!

2. Make Up
OK, this is my pet peeve. I cannot stand overly white and thick foundation, especially on male actors. I know Xu Kai has pale skin, but he is sickly pale here. Not only him, but all the other male actors don’t seem to look good at all. Luckily, the ladies fare better and don’t look as ghostly.

3. Loud Music
Another pet peeve of mind is super loud background music playing, especially when the actors are speaking.

4. Dubbing/Recording
I was praising Seven Tan for her dubbing, but unfortunately I can’t say the same for Xu Kai and for Gao Han. Xu Kai dubbed his own lines, but he obviously still needs a little more work and practice. Gao Han has a voice actor, but his voice and his acting don’t quite match. I also wish there’s more live on set recording, instead of mostly studio recording.

5. Gao Han and Luo Ze Kai
Something about Gao Han and his role (Dr Shao) doesn't quite gel with me. Maybe because of the more soft-spoken character he’s playing, or the ugly makeup or the dubbing or his hairstyle or his acting. Something is not right and I can’t pinpoint what that is. Luo Ze Kai on the other hand was fine when he’s playing ML’s best friend and confidant. His personality is livelier and he’s more comfortable. But when he plays the role of Li Li’s boyfriend, his personality changes 180 degrees. In the beginning, he is charismatic and sexy when he’s trying to seduce Li Li. Then the acting switches and he becomes boring, bland and emotionless.



This review is getting too long. Anyway, I would recommend this for you if you are fans of Xu Kai and Seven Tan, business plots and slow burn romance. It reminds me a bit of “Master of My Own” (business plot) and “Fake It Till You Make It” (business-heavy, and great leads chemistry but a very different type of romance).



Other Random Observations:
1. Xu Kai looks like a little boy when he’s playing basketball. When he doesn’t have to be the boss, his eyes change and the inner child shows.
2. Han Ting (ML) teaches Ji Xing (FL) how to fish; but Xiao Yi Xiao fishes for Li Li (2FL)
3. I also like the character development of Su Zhi Zhou - from a boy to a responsible man.
4. I might have shaken my head when the childhood connection was introduced.
5. Ji Xing’s cell phone case changes as she progresses to different stages of her career.
6. Interesting games of blowing cards and weighing soups
7. So many printed contracts and proposals for a tech company. Where are the tablets and e-signatures?
8. That’s one huge diamond engagement ring!


Completed: 8/5/2024 - Review #469

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Well-acted and visually pleasing., but with a Not well-executed last few episodes

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

I was warned that this was a slow-burn romance, and it was true. It took a while, but it’s totally worth the wait. So, my dear romance lovers, be patient and you will be rewarded.

But aside from romance, this is a drama about families and responsibilities, court politics and power. Some are brave enough to make decisions by following the heart, some aren’t. Some get tied down by responsibilities, but some are courageous and intelligent enough to get the best of both worlds. And it’s satisfying to see two smart leads who try to get the best of both worlds.

Bullet point notes of what I like:

1. Production - I don’t usually put this at the top but this is indeed the first thing I noticed in this drama. Beautiful costumes and hair accessories, expensive-looking sets and designs. The grand doors/entrance of the Gu Family house was beautiful, with wooden screen doors carved with words/poems (?). I love it. It seems like this drama has money despite not having the top A-listers to lead this drama.

2. Smart Leads - I love both of them as individual characters who are loyal, smart, have a sense of justice, caring yet still ruthless and petty. They are not perfect, but they are interesting characters for me to follow their journeys and their decision-making process. Together they are fun to watch from the very beginning, even when romance is not in the picture. Their power dynamic was imbalanced, but seeing how they try to outsmart and guess each other’s moves was fun.

3. Main romance - As I mentioned, it was worth the wait but it literally takes about half a drama for us to see some action. The growing affection was gradual and natural. But I do want to comment that it’s more evident when ML falls for FL, and not as evident from the FL’s side. I would have loved to see a little more, and I am not sure if that’s the writing or the acting. It should not be a surprise, but it was, to see how both of them so openly show affection for each other. But given ML is a lot older and mature, and has been holding all that affection in for a long time, it’s not surprising that FL becomes his achilles heel. FL as such an independent woman, she shows us she can take the initiative as well. Let’s just say, their wedding night was delicious. LOL Aside from all the skinship that I enjoy, I do want to say there’s something about their passionate kisses that seem awkward to me, but I won’t complain about the number of kisses. Let’s put aside the physical romance, the most important and satisfying thing is their trust for each other. The audience loves a couple that communicates openly, doesn’t make stupid noble idiocy and self-sacrificing decisions. I love seeing ML keeping FL in the loop of all the politics, discussing and strategizing together. He sees her as an equal and treats her as an equal.

4. Kid Emperor - Have we ever had such a smart kid emperor? Love that kid! If all emperors were like him as a kid, we would not have so many dramas with evil ministers.

5. Acting - I like the overall acting of the cast. Ci Sha makes a strong impression and carries himself very well as the top official, authoritative, strong and powerful. His gaze, micro-expressions, posture and movement bring grace and authority. Alongside him, Ren Min also did an admirable job for the most part. I do find her better acting proud and intelligent, than when she has to show emotional weakness and vulnerability. The last time I saw Winwin was in “The Perfect Match” and he has definitely improved. His character probably has the best range and character growth, allowing him to act as a spoiled child to a man coming into his own and being the man his father wished he could be. I have to say, I wasn’t used to seeing Zuo Ye acting weak and timid, and it took me a while to get used to it. That is not to say his acting is bad, maybe it’s just so good that I felt uncomfortable. Last but definitely not the least, veteran Wu Gang (our beloved Cheng Ping Ping in “Joy of Life”), you knew he’s going to be fantastic. And he was! I love scenes of him and Ci Sha.

6. Memorable Scenes - as I was looking at the notes, there were a few scenes that I jotted down. These scenes brought different emotions and I still remember them very well (I am usually the watch-and-forget type of person).
--- The heart-to-heart talk between FL and 2ML the night before the wedding - I was so glad they were able to finally let it all out, even though I was very sad for 2ML. They are indeed true friends and soulmates in a way, just not lovers. But I was glad that they are not afraid to share disappointing truths to each other.
---Wedding and Funeral Meet-up - That scene was so well-produced, both visually and emotionally. When the actors face each other, I can imagine the thoughts in their head and the emotions they were feeling.
---The Wedding Night - my little romance heart was so full. Seeing how the leads were playful when FL was mimicking ML made me giggle like a little girl. And then the surprise I witnessed when the “actual” wedding night began! The passion!
---The confrontation between ML and 3ML - When ML finally realizes how 3ML has been pestering his wife, that showdown was amazing. Both Ci Sha and Zuo Ye acted their hearts out with very different emotions. Ci Sha especially was impressive here from being disgusted to angry to depressed and guilty…. The explosive anger and controlled sadness were both performed so well.


What I don’t like:

1. The War scenes - Many viewers will probably agree that the last few episodes of the drama were the weakest. There are just too many things that don’t make sense. Do I understand why they have to go to war? Sure. But do we need to dedicate so many episodes there? Absolutely not. Why is ML (a court minister) leading the charge and not other war generals? Probably because we need to ensure 2ML is there to close his story out and fulfill his dream. But having FL and her brother there don’t quite make sense. The war was supposed to be a surprise for all, how did they get the special armor for 2ML to round up the troops? It’s really hard to believe we have two people who had no war experience leading the army to defeat outsiders.

2. Too much screen time for 2ML - As much as I enjoy seeing Winwin on my screen and his character, too much time was dedicated to him in the first half of the drama. The romance lingers around for too long, thus, delaying the start of the main romance. This is not a big criticism, but the pacing of the drama could have been better.

3. Rushed ending - The fall of the villain was a little anti-climatic. For someone in power for so many years, his demise ends in a blaze of glory and not in a meticulously-written way. I would have loved to see a big showdown between him and ML, either via tactics and schemes, or direct big confrontation in the end, in addition to the scene before ML set off to leave. The plot about the religious cult was introduced but not explored enough in the end to show its impact.


This review ended up being longer than anticipated. As you can see, I have listed so many things I like about “A Splendid Match”. I would recommend this drama for fans of the leads, those who enjoy intelligent and mature leads who outsmart everyone, a combination of romance + family drama + court politics. The last few episodes could have been better, and it could benefit from an extra episode or two to bid the villain farewell or tie up loose ends in court. This is a well-produced, well-acted and visually pleasing drama that does a pretty good job in keeping me invested and interested from start to end.


Drama Completed: 6/1/2026 Review #692 (written on 6/6/2026)

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A rollercoaster ride of powerful emotions and heartbreaking moments

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75 (rounding up to 9.0)

It’s hard to describe if I love or LOVE “We Are All Trying Here”. This title aptly matches what every single character is going through. There are so many emotional and special moments that it was hard to pinpoint which I love the best. But the first that came to mind is the end of ep 3, ML’s realization of who he truly is after the accident. What a powerful, powerful moment!!

Having said that, in the end, it didn’t quite hit me in the rating scale as “My Liberation Notes” (between 9.0-9.5). That is not to say “We Are All Trying Here” is not as good, it just brings out different emotions, and for someone like me who loves romance, the romance in MLN hits differently and leaves a deeper impact. I mean, there's Mr. Gu in MLN. But I also LOVE the romance here. It just hits differently.

Even though the drama follows the career of Hwang Dong Man (ML), I think the focus is on the different relationships in this drama. I am not talking about just the romance between Hwang Dong Man and Byeong Eun A (FL). In addition to this romance, we have the complicated friendship/competition within The Eight, different family dynamics, co-workers support/competition/camaraderie, traumatic history, and more. Each character brings out a different emotion in me. Some I want to strangle, some I want to hug, some I want to be friends with and some I want to punch. Even for Hwang Dong Man, he did not have a very likable introduction, but I’ve grown to love him.

I want to highlight a few of those special relationships:

Huang Dong Man + Byeong Eun A = Love this pair. They are soulmates with extremely different personalities. Their “Unknowns” break my heart. Their romance is so subtle yet so powerful. They show a different side of themselves when alone. They share their darkest secrets, deepest fears, full emotions, honest feelings and open communication. I am so happy that they found each other.

Hwang Dong Man + Park Gyeong Se = I have to say, I was a little annoyed by their back-and-forth childish behavior in the first half of the drama, and I might have found it a little repetitive. But I was deeply moved when I learned about their deep friendship, and Hwang Dong Man’s confessions and regrets. That confession is one of the highlights of the show for me.

Ko Hye Jin + Park Gyong Se = I love Ko Hye Jin. She’s such a kickass bosslady. I enjoy witnessing the dynamics and relationship between them. Their heartbreaking realization towards the end was further magnified by these two veteran actors' excellent performances.

Hwang Dong Man + Hwang Jin Man = These brothers have an unconventional way of caring and protecting each other. I wanted a little more of their past, but maybe the writer wants me to fill in the blanks given what I’ve been told.


I really didn’t have any expectations coming into this, even with all the rave reviews I’ve seen. I wasn’t sure if it’s really my cup of tea but I was craving something melo. In the end, I am so glad I chose to watch this, and will recommend “We Are All Trying Here” wholeheartedly if you are looking for powerful stories about deeply flawed characters. The acting is terrific all around and their stories bring me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. This drama might not have hot oppas (trust me, there isn’t any) but the real plot is enough to keep you engaged and entertained.




Completed: 5/27/2026 Review #690

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See a different side of Takeuchi Ryoma after he shook his hips sexily in "10 Dance"

Takeuchi Ryoma is definitely the main reason I am checking out “Then You Try Making It”. After watching him so sexily shook his hips in “10 Dance”, it is quite eye-opening to see him in a completely different role here. Playing the role of the egoistic, chauvinistic Katsuo, Ryoma is really showing his diverse acting skills. It’s really hard not to want to punch Katsuo in the face in the first episode. His words and actions make my blood boil. Luckily, Ryoma is so adorable and good-looking, that makes his initial introduction somewhat tolerable. Of course, knowing the fact that this drama is about his and the female lead’s character growth helps as well.

Ryoma really is great here, even if I take away how good-looking he is. Katsuo can be so insufferable, yet cluelessly adorable. He’s not mean, but actually quite sweet and adorable. Seeing Katsuo slowly realize his embarrassing actions, accepting his faults and wanting to change is the best part of the show.

Kaho plays the female lead Ayumi. I think she has a slightly tougher and more subtle character growth than Katsuo. But it’s no less important and amazing to witness her growing from a girlfriend who wants to be chosen and perfect, to someone who finally is able to express herself and finds out who she really is, and gains the independence that she wants.

Other areas that make “Then You Try Making It" enjoyable are all the cooking of delicious food, and the group of really supportive and amazing friends and co-workers. There are no bad and irritating antagonists in this drama. It’s a slice-of-life of two individuals' character development, supported by really great people who help and cheer them on along the way.

This drama is adapted from a manga, so I was initially concerned about the comedy and possibility of overdramatic acting. Luckily, I worry for no reason. There are so many funny bits - the older TV show, dating reality tv, Ryoma dancing samba as if his hips couldn’t move, etc. Some comedic moments are sarcastically funny and subtle, others are just plain making fun of themselves.

Despite these glowing reviews, there are areas I’m not quite sure of. I think 10 episodes for this drama is a little too long, and I lose steam in the last few episodes. 8 episodes might be enough. Nothing much really happens, since it’s quite slice-of-life. If you are looking for romance, then you might be disappointed. There’s slight romance, but not really any romantic, fluffy, angsty or cute moments, kisses or skinship. Additionally, the acting of the cast isn’t bad, but I wouldn’t call them excellent or fantastic. I think Ryoma just shines so brightly and others pale in comparison.

I did have a decent time watching “Then You Try Making It” and I definitely cannot try making it! 🤣 LOL. I like the ending and think it's realistic. I wouldn’t say the plot is revolutionary and you’ve probably seen many similar dramas. But if you are a fan of Takeuchi Ryoma, you should definitely check it out.



Completed: 3/20/2026 Review #674

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Watch for the Uniqueness of Omegaverse and the Fun & Meticulous Manipulation

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

Where do I begin with this first somewhat major production of omegaverse in an Asian BL drama? It is definitely interesting. Is this drama perfect? Hell No! Is it interesting? Definitely. I would recommend “ABO Desire” to you if you are interested in checking out these characters in the omegaverse and get to know the characteristics of Enigmas, Alphas, Omegas and Betas. However, if you are looking for a great BL drama, this is not it.


Plot + Pacing
It all starts with Hua Yong’s obsession with Sheng Shao You. You will be amazed at the lengths he went to in order to make Shao You fall in love and be obsessed with him. Hua Yong’s manipulation is the best part of the drama. The meticulous planning of his scheme from years ago, his research of Shao You’s likes and dislikes in everything, to the ‘training’ he has to go through to turn himself to be one ‘worthy’ of Shao You. It was delicious just watching that all reveal. Of course, this wouldn’t be as good without Huang Xing’s acting. He’s the star of the show, because the rest of the actors aren’t that good. The pacing of the drama is uneven though. There are so many episodes where nothing really happened. The plot is not advancing and you are stuck in a loop of repeated manipulation. Then a couple episodes kicked in and more interesting storylines help move past the repetitiveness. I would have liked more on why Shen Wen Lang is at odds with his father, thus hating all Omegas. I also want a deeper dive into Shen Wen Lang and Hua Yong’s interesting friendship which involves some family backstories. But I think the most complaints from viewers will be coming from the last episode. There’s such great anticipation but all we got is a rushed and chopped up ending with multiple time jumps. The last episode tries to jam so many important events into one. I may not be a big fan of the novel ending of Gao Tu and Shen Wen Lang, but it can’t be this messed up storyline involving a father that should not appear on my screen. As viewers, we see how much Gao Tu went through in his life, we want to see him happy (with or without Shen Wen Lang). Is he living a happy life in the end? Maybe, but we wouldn’t know coz not much was shown. Oh, one more thing… the boring business and drug talk. So insignificant but took up so much of the dialog.

Acting
The acting is not good overall. Huang Xing is an interesting Hua Yong. He’s great, especially when you see him switch between good and evil and vice versa ( you also see his wardrobe change from white and black). The manipulation would not be so fun if not for some good acting. The next best actor is probably Li Pei En, who plays the beloved Gao Tu. He’s also the most experienced out of the four main actors, and has acted in bigger productions. It’s unfortunate the drama did not give him much to work with. Unfortunately, Qui Ding Jie’s acting isn’t that great as Sheng Shao You, and he’s not that much of a novice. He’s been in enough dramas that I wish he was better. Being the top S Alpha, he’s not charismatic enough. He’s been in many other mini dramas, I think I need to watch one of them to see if he’s better in it than this one. For a first acting assignment, the inexperience really shows for Jiang Heng. He is really not good at all. Luckily, he’s in such a popular drama that viewers probably won’t criticize him too much because we are all watching this for the omegaverse. If Jiang Heng’s performance is in another production, he will not be getting cheers in concerts. The rest of the supporting cast is average but a few of the very minor roles are pretty bad.

Romance
Yes, a lot more screen time is dedicated to Hua Yong and Shao Yao. I have no problem with that since they are the main leads. I do understand viewers wanting to see more of Gao Tu and Shen Wen Lang, because their romance could be very interesting. Besides, Gao Tu is so beloved, we want to see Wen Lang suffer and pine for him and then they all have a big happy ending. Did we really get that? Well, I won’t spoil it for you. But romance is strong in this drama. If you are a romance lover, this is for you. We have a toxic and manipulative main romance that you wonder why you are rooting for them. When Hua Yong and Shao Yao got all lovey-dovey, I felt rather weird after following their journey. I can’t deny I might have had a little smile on my face in the last few episodes, but it's still weird. And you know what, the kisses could have been better. They are too mild. On the other hand, we have a 10-year unrequited love from Gao Tu. There were so many times I was screaming (internally) that he should quit his job and leave Wen Lang. I want that knucklehead Wen Lang to suffer and then chase after Gao Tu in the middle of the drama. Did I get what I wanted? Maybe, and maybe not.

Production
When this drama is so popular and everyone is talking about it, I almost forgot this is a low budget production. I want to be lenient but I can’t deny there are many things that bug me. I hate the makeup, especially for Qiu Ding Jie/Sheng Shao You. He’s so pale and girly that I can’t see him as a bossy S Alpha. The dubbing also bugs me and makes the acting even worse. I think the actors use their own voices (and I like that) but oftentimes they are out of sync with their lips, or they are not annunciating their words clearly. There have been complaints about the lighting of the drama. You know, the scenes when the consummation happened and they claimed they couldn’t see the faces when the room was so bright? That was quite laughable. But the cherry on the top (as in the worst) is the sudden voice of a narrator out of the blue, and the narration from these bystanders telling me what is happening. The drama fails to show us what is actually going on and has to rely on others (not the main characters) to tell us. To end on a positive note, I do love the songs in this drama. The main theme song is catchy whether it’s the group version or the female version. It fits the mysteriousness of the omegaverse.


Do I recommend “ABO Desire”? Maybe if you are interested in the subject matter and want to see what the hype is about. But I won’t recommend it if you are looking for a high quality drama (BL or not). This is one of the very few dramas I watch while it’s airing and I had a good time watching it. The drama might not be great objectively, but the entertainment value is high for me. Despite complaining about every single category I listed about, I don’t think I can rate this too low. Not quite hit the 8.0 category because of some objective misses, but fun enough to warrant a 7.75. At least I enjoy this more than “Revenged Love”.




Completed: 10/11/2025 Review #632

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Pond is worth watching and Wang deserves more

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

When “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

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Excellent chemistry between the actors/actresses but just a few episodes too long

I had a great time watching the drama “Perfect Match” and then stumbled upon this reality show “Perfect Match: Friendship Sharing”. If you are fan of the drama and miss the fun cast, then this is a good and easy fix!

This TV show features 9 out of 11 main cast and couples. You can see from their interaction how much fun they had and how well they got along with each other. They were funny and boisterous, and have excellent chemistry as a group, duo, sisters, brothers, and couples. Each actor has such a distinct personality and quite different from their characters in the drama.

Of course, the most famous couple is Lu Yu Xiao and Wang Xing Yue. They have appeared in many high profile dramas, and played some very mature roles despite their young age. But in “Perfect Match”, both the drama and the reality show, you can see their real personality and how young they really are.

As much as I enjoy the first couple episodes and the last emotional episode, this show is just way too long. A lot could have been covered in 3-4 episodes instead of 6. The show uses a game show format to have the actors compete against each other, while promoting tourism. But sometimes what happened in 1 day was dragged into 2 episodes. Editing could be better in giving each member enough time without viewers feeling they’re running around in circles.

Nevertheless, I had a great time watching “Perfect Match: Friendship Sharing” and really enjoyed seeing the friendship between the actors (they genuinely seem to like each other). If you are a fan of the drama, check it out!


Completed: 5/19/2025 - Review #578

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