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Light and fluffy drama with a likable cast that has great chemistry

Subjective Rating: 8.5
Objective Rating: 8.0

“Sh**ting Stars” is a light and fluffy romantic comedy that takes place within the entertainment industry. If you are like me, looking for something cute and sweet to satisfy that hopeless romantic inside of you, this is a good one.

The whole drama is full of likable characters and the plot never goes deep enough to give you angst or make you too uncomfortable. The cast has great chemistry (bromance, sismance, officemates, neighbors) and the acting is pretty good. Plotwise, it’s nothing unique. You know what to expect when the drama is about celebrities/stars who sh*t and others have to clean up their mess. You can expect some scandals and anti-fans.

This drama not only shows you the life of the stars but also the reporters, managers and the public relations team. It has a good mix of all these professions, thus, giving “Sh**ting Stars” pretty good pacing. I was never too bored. However, you can also criticise the drama for never going too deep into any issue. Afterall, this is a romantic comedy.

I want fluff and I got fluff. The main leads are fun to watch. You thought they were enemies, but as the story unfolds, it’s not what it originally portrayed. Kim Young Dae is so handsome and smoking hot with his shirt off especially when he’s in photoshoots (e.g. Episode 2) and dramas. Lee Sung Kyung is spunky, fun and beautiful to watch. The two of them give me exactly what I am craving for, with great kisses, too. ML is just too adorable without going over-the-topic (at least to me) when he’s in a relationship.

The manager/manager combo is fine. A little surprising that the manager caved in without much struggle/difficulty/contemplating. They are not as exciting as the lawyer/reporter couple. I love this more mature couple and their personalities. They are evenly matched in wit and sarcasm, and always have interesting dialogues. I wish there were more scenes of them. The actor/actress couple is just there and doesn’t really add much to the drama. Maybe just to show a different kind of celebrity romance.

I would recommend this if you are looking for a fun and stress-free watch. The cast delivers, has great chemistry and offers enough variety. It’s not a masterpiece, but sometimes, you are not looking for a masterpiece to heal your soul after some serious and heartbreaking dramas. Objectively, I should probably rate this an 8.0-8.25, but I am in the mood to give it a solid 8.5.


Completed: 5/8/2025 - Review #572

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Cute college romance drama with good leads chemistry - just don't think too hard

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

“City of Romance” is an easy-to-watch, short college romance drama. Aside from a couple episodes in the end that are frustrating for me to watch, this is a quick and light watch.

The leads have great chemistry and I like how their romance is slowly developed from misunderstood strangers to lovers. Bai Xiao Duo (FL) is an outgoing and fun girl on the outside, but she’s endured pain when growing up, thus, had to rely on lies to get through her adolescence. Su Yan Cheng (ML) is cold and aloof and hates lies due to his own family history. So, what will happen when someone who lies and someone who hates lies get together? Sounds great but the execution is only OK. There’s really not a whole lot of excitement.

However, I found myself really liking FL and not finding her annoying. Wang Zi Xuan did a good job playing this role in making this outgoing character over-the-top a little at times, but also suffers internally. I enjoy how the romance develops, and enjoy the leads earlier conversations before they get together when they would open up to each other. This is what frustrates me in the last few episodes when they stop communicating. I also particularly enjoy their first date before confession. It started off awkward and cute, but after the confession, they are so comfortable, flirty and intimate. I am quite surprised at the quick display of PDA, especially one particularly passionate and hungry kiss (too bad we don’t get more of those).

The supporting cast is supportive and fun. It’s weird to see Xu Bin play such a crazy and playful character in this drama, after seeing him in the BL “Stay with Me”. The secondary romance and the love square are fine and don’t take up too much screen time from the leads.

Since this is not a business romance, the comic stuff is just sort of there with the biggest focus of Black’s secret identity.. The same goes with the research that ML and his partner is doing. That research is quite laughable and unrealistic. Don’t take that seriously.

Since this is a lower budget production, there are lines that were dubbed over quite visibly due to either censorship or post-production adjustment. The makeup is all over the place and I hate seeing uneven white and pasty makeup. The songs are just there and not very memorable.

Overall, this is a good watch if you are looking for a light college romance, and can shut down your brain on the other aspects of the drama. Don’t think too hard. The leads' romance and chemistry are enough to make this somewhat enjoyable.




Completed: 3/8/2025 - Review #551

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Yaya is a Goddess! Perfect drama for romance-lovers.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“My Cherie Amour” is a very romance-focused drama. If romance isn’t your thing, I think it’s best to stay away from it. The love story of the leads, Anong (FL) and Wichai (ML) is central to the storyline from beginning to the end. I really enjoy their opposite-attracts romance, though not without frustrations.

Beautiful Yaya, how can an actress be as beautiful as she is? How can you not love her character, Anong, as well? Anong is the youngest of the siblings, spoiled by 4 older brothers. She’s rich, beautiful, smart, kind-hearted, witty, sassy, flirty and a little egoistic and pushy. Despite having flaws, she is just so likable. Yaya is perfect for this role and she’s so charismatic. When she’s onscreen, all eyes are on her. I also bet half of “My Cherie Amour’s” budget is spent on Yaya’s beautiful outfits. She changes outfits 3 times a day and looks gorgeous in everything. I really can’t stop gushing!

This is my first Tor drama, and he and Yaya make a perfect couple. It did take me a couple episodes to get into Tor’s acting. I am not sure if it’s him, or how reserved his character, Wichai, is. But as the drama goes on, I warmed up to him and his subtle micro-expressions do not seem as emotionless. He also looks dashing in all his suits and casual wear. I really enjoy all the scenes he has with Yaya and quite like their chemistry. The kisses are decent but I wanted longer and more kisses!

The drama makes us romance-lovers suffer a little in the first half. The push-and-pull, the low self-esteem, and Wichai’s mixed messages frustrate me. But it’s worth the wait because once the leads get together, there are plenty of sweet and cute scenes. Kudos to our female lead’s persistence and loyalty. If it’s not for Yaya’s acting, I might find the character annoying for not taking “no” for an answer. They also have a very healthy relationship, supporting each other unconditionally, and with open and honest (for the most part) communication.

But a lakorn is not a lakorn without a family member that annoys and pisses me off. This award goes to ML’s mother. If it’s not because I enjoy the romance so much, I am not sure I can sit through this mother’s so-called love. The drama can disguise this tough parental love as love, but I see it as emotional abuse and neglect, mixed with verbal abuse. Wichai is a saint for tolerating his mother and taking in all her bullcrap in the name of love. Additionally, FL’s brothers are not that great either. The way they make fun of, talk down and disrespect Prasit (the youngest brother) is also mean and difficult to watch.

“My Cherie Amour” also goes into family responsibility and complicated dynamics/relationships, the pressure of marrying up and well, societal pressure and restrictions for women. All these are weaved into the two main romance storylines and how the couples fight through challenges before they can live happily ever after.

I will only recommend this drama if you are up for some romance. I rated “My Cherie Amour” somewhat high at 8.25 because I enjoy the main love story and the acting from start to finish. The drama is also able to keep my attention for the whole 19 episodes.

*update* I forgot to add that I really love the opening theme song "The Trouble Is.. ." (https://youtu.be/VwmyFCFYcZk?si=ZILnjm7R3TliWKei) The song sounds so romantic, it's perfect for Anong and Wichai.

Completed: 12/6/2024 - Review #524

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Slow-paced but Beautiful; Good acting but Poor writing

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

I have not read the novel, so this review is based on my feelings on the drama itself. “Snowy Night Timeless Love” is a very slow-paced drama set in the backdrop of winter, so if you are not in the mood for that, it’s best not to watch it.


Repetitiveness?
A big criticism of this drama is the repetitiveness of the plot in the first 19 episodes. I have very mixed feelings about this and I also don’t know if the writing could have made this less repetitive. In these 19 episodes, the focus is on Huo Zhan Bai (ML) to search for the 5 rare medicinal ingredients to save the child. We all know these rare ingredients are hard to find and will be a very dangerous mission to complete. So, I can’t fault the drama for having Huo Zhan Bai get critically injured each step of the way. Otherwise, it won’t be realistic right? You also need him to be injured, so that he can spend a considerable amount of time at the Medicine Valley to heal and spend time with Xue Zi Ye (FL). If not, how are they going to get to know each other and develop feelings? Unfortunately, even knowing all this, it’s hard not to feel bored of this repertoire of not caring about oneself and getting seriously injured, barely making it back or saving by FL, resting and healing, and going forth to search for another ingredient. Could the writing be better so we won’t all get bored? Probably. I just don’t know how to achieve that and am in no position to offer an alternative.

Romance
I was skeptical of the pairing of Joseph Zeng and Li Qin. Joseph has such a baby face that pairing with a more mature Li Qin might not give me the feels. Luckily, ML’s character is more mature and dependable than Joseph Zeng’s other roles. The chemistry is decent and I do like this slow-burn romance. The leads develop feelings for each other during 8 long years. Their bickering is flirting. Their actions speak louder than words. They don’t need to say “I like You”. They are the same type of people, self-sacrificing dummies (LOL) who care about others before themselves. That’s why they understand each other's thoughts and actions, and words need not be spoken. I think this is very romantic. I especially love and “awww” at wooden windchimes set up along the path for ML when he couldn’t see. It mirrored the lanterns he lit up for her. What a romantic gesture! Their promises and missed chances made their love story even more tragically beautiful. I don’t need a grand confession scene and I am satisfied with the romance here. But, this might not be for everyone.

Rest of the Plot
Unfortunately, due to the majority of the time spent on the quest of rare ingredients, not enough time was spent on the rest of the plot. The villain and his minions seem like a small side plot. I would have loved more of a backstory of the minions. If the writing is better, I probably would not have felt the urge to fast forward (I was able to resist the urge). The drama was unable to hold my attention for 32 episodes. The pace is slow and there’s not enough action scenes to keep me entertained. I was hoping there would be more fight scenes, especially when ML was searching for the ingredients, and also towards the end with the villains. Maybe the drama doesn’t have enough money for that, even with the product placement of that darn 999 Cold Medicine. Why do we need it when we have a genius FL?


Cast & Acting
I do like the actors and felt that they all did a good job. I am confident in Li Qin’s acting and she’s great here, as well as looking ethereally beautiful. It’s probably one of Joseph Zeng’s best performances. Edward Chen did fantastic and I was surprised he was the teenager in “Lesson in Love”. Wang Hong Yi looks handsome and his smile does look creepy as intended. Kim Jin’s villain role might be a little over-the-top.


“Snowy Night Timeless Love” is an OK watch and I would only recommend this if you are a fan of the cast, or if you are in the mood for something slow and wintery. This is definitely not a must-watch. I was going to rate this a solid 8.0 but then boredom sets and I felt the urge to fast-forward. So, I have to drop it to 7.75.


Completed: 11/21/2024 - Review #518

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A roller coaster ride of emotions with excellent acting

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

Without knowing much about this KBL, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I like this small production. KBLs have been hitting all the right notes for me in the last couple years with their more melodramatic/serious dramas. I think they have found their niche and I really like that.

“Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo” is not a happy drama. Moments of joy and cuteness are hard to find, and only in the first couple episodes. Despite praising KBLs earlier, I wish the use of bullying can be reduced in Korean dramas in general. There’s a lot of physical violence and emotional abuse in this drama. So, if you are sensitive to these topics, it’s best to stay away.

One of the positive surprises is the acting of the two male leads, Kim Nu rim and Lee Seon. They barely have any dramas under their belt and I was impressed. Kim Nu Rim, I think, has a slightly more difficult assignment. His character, Lee Do Hoe, was abused by his father and you can see the fear and hate in his eyes. But then you see him falling in love and is so happy for those short moments. When we see him again, he’s changed again into a perfect stranger. Kim might be the more experienced male lead but most of his roles were guest roles. On the other hand, this is Lee Seon’s first drama and what a great first performance. He not only acted well as being happy and outgoing, but the mental toughness to push through an invisible wall and in some emotional scenes.

The dynamics between Lee Do Hoe and Sin Ju Yeong in the present-day timeline reminded me a little of “To My Star 2”. If you don't like the leads story in "To My Star 2", you might not like this drama. I was frustrated and ready to give up on one of the leads. But the other leads are a better person than me. They push through the invisible wall, they are dedicated and believe in their love, and eventually succeed in reaching their other halves. I think I like both dramas so much (esp. “To My Star 2”) is that these two dramas take me on a roller coaster ride of emotions.

However, there are certain areas that could be improved, mainly in editing and storytelling. There are a lot of flashbacks, and the editing of these switches are abrupt and confusing. There are some misunderstandings between the leads and I had to pay close attention to the flashbacks and also what was being said in order to understand what really happened in the past. But, I do like the past/present scenes of when the leads were intimate. What happened in the past and what happened in the present are so different in the mood, feelings and circumstances.

Another complaint I have is in the last episode. Maybe the drama wants to reward its audience after sitting through 7 episodes of despair and give us an episode of the leads being happy. I wish this last episode could be better used in giving us more than just fillers.

Overall, I had a ‘great’ time watching this and experiencing the roller coaster ride of emotions. I think I enjoy the acting of the leads so much that I am rounding this up to an 8.5. It’s not that easy to find good acting in a sea of low-budget BLs out there.


Completed: 11/17/2024 - Review #517

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Creatively-written strange tales, higher production value and great chemistry for the Party of 5

Like many others, I enjoyed “Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II To the West” more than season 1. To me, everything is better - acting, production quality (budget), and the strange tales themselves. I hope fans of season 1 will eventually watch this new season. The # of watchers is just too low for a quality drama like this. However, it did take me a few episodes to truly get into the drama. The first arc did not appeal to me but once their journey to the west started, it was a lot of fun.


Strange Tales/Plot
I enjoy the mysteries a lot more than in season 1. The first arc is the least interesting to me, but is needed to set the stage for future events and journey. It’s the most political and less “human”. But subsequent storylines cater to more human experiences and emotions, and I had a much better time watching them. The stories and clues are beautifully entwined with each other. I was unable to guess the culprit for the most part, until the end. Even if I could guess who that person is, I couldn’t figure out how the murder was done. I enjoyed learning and discovering the new clues as they were unveiled.

Friendship/Party of 5
We are way past the growing pains of trust between Liu Ling Feng and Su Wu Ming, and their friendship and camaraderie are at a different level. Liu Ling Feng has matured and become a much better partner to Su Wu Ming. The party of 5 believes in and cares for each other, and have great chemistry with each other. A lot of words and feelings can be conveyed just by a single look. And with great acting, that one look is subtle and knowing (not a crazy, exaggerated ‘wink wink’). In the first half of the drama, I started to complain about the use of the two female leads, Pei Xi Jun and Ying Tao. They are both capable and smart, yet they were used in such minor ways (a fight or a drawing here and there). However, I was glad that they were utilized much better in the second half. They actively participated in the investigation and contributed to solving the mysteries through street and book smarts.

Romance
I will continue to complain about the romance, as in season 1. Now that we have two established couples, I had wished the drama would incorporate their romance better into the plot, and/or during downtime in between cases/arcs. I am not expecting a great romance (as that would be inappropriate) but some more words of encouragement/endearment or act of affection would be nice. The women acted like all they did was to follow their men around and do whatever they’re told. They’re not an equal partner in the relationship, and I am pissed off for them.

Production
It seems like season 2 has a higher budget. The special effects, sets and designs look so much better. Aside from Lu Ling Feng, most of the characters still wear the same clothes everyday. But I like them as they’re appropriate for their roles and statuses. I enjoy the fight scenes and they’re much better than most xianxia and wuxia dramas. At least both Yang Xu Wen and Sun Xue Ning look the part when they are fighting, and not flailing or twirling. I also appreciate the lack of slow-motion fight scenes, though the editing gave me a little motion sickness when I was watching this drama while commuting on the train.



If you are fans of mysteries, investigations and ‘strange tales’, I will definitely recommend this drama to you. I can’t say I am a big fan, but I like Yang Xu Wen and know that this drama will not disappoint. It has solid acting, great friendship and interesting investigations. I hope I don’t have to wait for too long for season 3.


Completed: 11/4/2024 - Review #508

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An OK simple watch that is comforting but not unique.

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

“A Breeze of Love” is a short Korean BL about two students reuniting in college after their friendship was halted and parted ways in high school on an unhappy note. There’s tension when they reunite again in college. The story is simple and easy to follow. Don’t really expect plot twists or anything out of the ordinary. In a way, this is simple and comforting. There are some cute and sweet scenes of longing looks and shy smiles. The chemistry between the leads is pretty good and the acting is decent. There’s a very small supporting cast which doesn’t take away screen time from the leads.

I enjoy finding out their high school days through flashbacks and didn’t think they were too confusing. However, I would have loved to see more depth to the present-day relationship. Do Hyun is obviously upset with Dong Wook when they reunite, and for legit reasons. But he seems to have forgotten all these reasons after the basketball game. Even though Dong Wook tried to barge into his life, Do Hyun didn’t seem to put up much of a fight after the initial episode or two. I wanted a little more resistance. The time they spend together doesn’t involve much talking or conversations of substance. I guess they communicate through 1 vs 1 basketball scrimmages, and being next to each other is enough for them. I am the one that wanted more. And what is the cause of Dong Wook’s insomnia? Why is Do Hyun the sleeping pill? Is it just because Dong Wook likes Do Hyun and feels comfortable and relaxed around him?

It’s weird how I feel that the drama is too short and couldn’t explore more of the relationship, yet most of the last episode also feels like a filler. Why introduce the water boy in the very end and try to pair him up with a supporting character? Is there going to be a spin-off about them?

If you don’t think too much and just go with the flow and the feel of the drama, this is a very lovely watch.


Completed: 9/15/2024 - Review #486

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Waste of a talented cast with poor writing and execution

I didn’t have any expectations when I started “Snowfall”. I read the synopsis and it seems interesting and Vengo playing a vampire is enough of a draw for me. Unfortunately, I still come out feeling disappointed and mainly due to the plot. I did read that the last few episodes deviate quite a big from the original novel. You can read the novel ending by @Haveninmuse in one of the discussion posts.


Plot
I really wanted more about the 3 families, their special powers and the magical artifacts. I want to learn more about them, so that the last big battle will make more sense and have a much bigger impact. But I should have known better since the drama description focuses more on the characters - the century-old vampire, a blind girl and the director. It’s not that I don’t like their stories and interaction, I just wanted more. Besides, the drama focuses way too much time in the first 10 episodes on Li Ying Liang’s (military dept director) animosity and revenge towards Shen Zhi Heng (vampire). Their back-and-forth became repetitive and took away time to develop the relationship between Shen Zhi Heng and Mi Lan (FL/blind girl) and Dr. Situ Wei Lan. There are also numerous plot holes in the later episodes when the drama goes more into the plot and moves away from character building and relationships. Fellow reviewer @Enigma05 listed all the loopholes which I agree with 100%. I won’t list them here to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible. Please go read her review to find out more. The last 2 episodes are messy, rushed and full of head-scratching moments. I am ,however, ok with the final ending of the vampire, even though I heard it’s very different from the novel.

Acting
The best thing about the drama is the acting of the cast. I actually think everyone did a good job. Vengo Gao as a vampire? Of course he would do great. He’s tall and imposing and exudes confidence and grace. He’s perfectly cast. It’s my first time watching Ouyang Nana and she was fantastic! I was really surprised that she pulled off the role of a blind girl so well, and makes Mi Lan such a likable character, even when she started to act her age. Maggie Huang is great as always as she’s such an experienced actress. Ryan Ren and Winwin are both new actors to me and they also performed well for their complicated roles.

Romance
Unfortunately, the romance is not romancing for me. I actually enjoyed Shen Zhi Heng and Mi Lan’s interaction and chemistry so much more when Mi Lan is blind. She was abused but has a sense of calm confidence, maturity, and intelligence. I felt the chemistry with just a few words from Mi Lan here and there in her unconditional support of Shen Zhi Heng. But in the later episodes, she was young and childlike, as she should be, since she’s re-living her childhood and is in awe of everything. She’s learning how to be a person all over again. So it’s not the fault of the actors that I am not feeling the chemistry. I will put the blame on the writing more. A century-old vampire and an 18-year old with childlike innocence don’t work for me. They are giving off a more brother/sister, father/daughter vibe than lovers.

The love triangle between Li Ying Liang, Jin Jing Xue and Situ Wei Lian is a little more interesting. I did find the clinginess of two of them a little much at times, but I see where they are coming from. I would have loved to see a little more emotion from Li Ying Liang when he’s with Jin Jing Xue except for the last scenes they’re together. A little more internal struggles and vulnerability will help viewers understand him better. Situ Wei Lan’s obsession and view of love is interesting to see when you think more about it. But he definitely doesn’t act like his age and he should.

Production
There are a few lovely songs in the OST that complement the different scenes very well. The costumes department also did an amazing job in dressing all the male characters in nicely-tailored suits and long coats. But special props to Vengo’s amazing costumes. With such a tall and broad frame, he looks dashing and intimidating at the same time. The women also have pretty diverse wardrobes, though some outfits are better than others. On the other hand, you can also see that this is not a big budget drama. The fight scenes are interesting and quite cool and violent (which is a surprise) but the CGI is not. The special effects get worse and worse as the drama goes. The sets, fixtures, ornaments and accessories look a little flimsy and fake.


Unless you are a fan of the actors and are a superfan of vampire stories, I would not recommend this drama. It has so much potential with an interesting general plot of the 3 magical families and their artifacts. I just wish they had included more of that into the character storylines and cut out some of the repetitive episodes in the first third of the drama. It’s such a waste of a talented cast.


Completed: 9/15/2024 - Review #485

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One of the most beautiful and heartbreaking stories of love and regrets

“Seasons of Blossom” caught me by surprise as I didn’t really read the synopsis closely and thought it was just another high school drama. But this surprise is a good one. This drama has one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking high school romances I’ve seen from South Korea.

Past - Ha Min + So Mang
I LOVE their story SOOO much. I have no complaint at all! Ok, my biggest complaint is that not enough time is dedicated to these two lonely souls. I wish the whole drama was about them. But I understand we need to tie their story to the present-day timeline as well. I really enjoy following their friendship that develops quietly in the art classroom. From two lonely strangers to soulmates, their story makes me smile and cry (and I cried a lot). Sadly, what Ha Min went through seems to be quite common in South Korea. Seo Ji Hoon (as Ha Min) and So Ju Yeon (as So Mang) deliver such an amazing acting performance with great chemistry. I love their innocence, their bickering sassiness and their painful times together. I was so touched by their story that it pains me to binge this all the way through. I had to force myself to take a break because my heart can’t take it anymore. I’m so glad to see them closing out this beautiful drama in the end.

Present - Jae Min + Bo Mi + Jin Young + Sun Hee
Unfortunately, I do not have such high praise for these teenagers. I had a hard time getting into their friendship/love problems in the first few episodes. It all seems so childish compared to the other storyline. I think if this is an independent plot of another drama, I might have lowered my expectations and like it more. I didn’t start getting into it until Bo Mi and Jin Young start to interact with each other more. I can tolerate the simple friendship/romance if the acting is better. Kim Min Kyu (as Bo Mi) and Kang Hye Won (as Jae Min) make a pretty couple visually, but their acting is so bland. Kang Hye Won consistently has an emotionless look on her pretty face. It was hard to watch towards the last few episodes. Kim Min Kyu isn’t that much better. Yoon Hyun Soo (as Jin Young) is better but the best of the quartet is Oh Yu Jin (as Sun Hee). The latter two do have more acting experience and it definitely shows.

Past and Present - Healing
The regrets and uncertainties are hard to watch. Not because it was written poorly, but because it was written so realistically that I can’t stop crying whenever So Mang’s voice comes on and she’s sharing her side of the story and her regrets. The What-Ifs are going to kill that guilty conscience - the missed phone call, the deleted text, words said that couldn’t be taken back. The guilt eats you and destroys your heart and ruins your life. We can clearly see that manifested in a few of the characters here.


Despite not liking the present-day high school students' stories much, I still recommend this drama. It’s worth just watching Ha Min + So Mang, and the healing of those left in this world living with regrets.


Completed: 9/9/2024 - Review #483

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Good Moral of the Story but Lacks Good Execution (repetitive and boring)

Although the English title of this drama is “Man Without Love”, this drama is not just about one of the male leads, Kume Masakazu. He might be the narrator, but the drama includes stories of 6 other friends. It talks of perseverance and pursuit of your dreams, knowing and loving oneself, learning to love others, the courage to love and be loved, forgiveness of past mistakes and familial bond. This all sounds really good, right? Unfortunately, the execution for me is lacking.

Each of the main characters has their own challenges, and primarily challenges about love involving the three main couples. I understand each couple’s issues and hesitation. Unfortunately, there’s too much back-and-forth, arguing about the same thing over and over again. This is a character-driven drama with no real central plot. Therefore, the pacing is off and it feels like nothing of substance actually happens in the 9 episodes. It is really rare that I think a Japanese drama is too long.

The acting is OK, except for Maeda Goki’s character of Go Yuma. He’s just way too over-the-top and ‘fake’. He is so much more likable when he acts normal.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this drama. It’s OK if you are a fan of one of the actors (Fukushi Sota is still very good-looking in a more gruffy look). “Man Without Love” is unable to hold my attention and I was bored.


Completed: 8/18/2024 - Review #473

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Frustrating journey to see how the main romance landed.

Not knowing what to expect aside from the low rating and the simple synopsis, I really didn’t have a lot of expectations. I thought the initial plot sounded interesting. I am a fan of enemies-to-lovers and second-chance romances, so this might be right up my alley.

Well, the first half of the show is pretty decent. The divorce stories are simple enough to feel relatable, yet still interesting. They do not necessarily take up too much screen time as the primary focus is still on the characters themselves. So, I would not go into this drama thinking this is a law drama or a serious business drama.

The romance and story between our two leads, Ha Ra (FL) and Eun Beom (ML) is what this drama is all about. After all, it’s called “Strangers Again”. What could possibly go wrong when a divorced couple meet again and work closely together? Ha Ra and Eun Beom have good chemistry together. I enjoy their scenes the most, and Kang So Ra and Jang Seung Jo gave us pretty good acting performances. The rest of the lawyers provide good supporting colors to the drama with their unique personalities. I would say the relationship between ML and his mother is a little over-the-top.

I really quite enjoyed the first few episodes until I found out the reason for the leads’ divorce. I don’t want to spoil this, but it’s one big pile of bullshit. The leads have been together for 10 years and married for a few, yet Eun Beom (ML) still cannot openly communicate his feelings and concerns. How could he come up with such a stupid plan to divorce someone you supposedly love. Ok, fine…. At this point of the drama, I knew he had some sort of tragic backstory. Viewers’ patience is required to slowly find out what that trauma is. I shall be patient.

Many are upset about the ending of this romance. I actually like where they both end up. What I am mad about is HOW they got to this point. I was so annoyed at Ha Rah for the way she goes about pursuing Eun Beom again. I don’t mind a woman taking the initiative to go after a guy. All the power to her. However, the way and the timing are all so wrong. He is already so stressed out about a court case. You, as a co-worker and a future/former loved one, did not try to support and help him during this stressful time. Instead, you selfishly and pathetically add more stress and pretty much bully him into saying ‘Yes’. At this point, I started disliking Ha Ra and don’t want them to be together.

When the leads got together again, I would have liked to see more cute and fluffy scenes. A few more kisses won’t hurt either. Unfortunately, the calm is short and the storm hits again. Issues, miscommunication and misunderstanding arrive and this couple should have known better after what they went through the first time. Are we going to use past traumatic experiences and the lack of understanding of what love is to kill this rekindled romance? These supposedly mature professional adults should have been able to communicate better and solve problems together the second time around.

The secondary opposite-attract couple is fine. Their story could have been better written. It seems pretty one-note in this opposites attract narrative and the writing is trying too hard in telling us how different they are. I would have liked a few more heartfelt and sincere scenes, or touching moments for me to want them to be happyl. They just ended up being kind of bland.

Luckily, there are only 12 episodes. I would have been super annoyed if their ‘journey’ lasted 4 more episodes. As a romance lover, this is a frustrating watch. I like flawed characters too, but the decisions made by the leads here do not make sense and I don’t root for them at all. What saves me from rating this drama even lower is the all-around good acting.



Completed: 7/16/2024 - Review #461

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I forgot all that happened in Season 1 and I still had a GREAT time watching Season 2

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75

The long-awaited season 2 of “Joy of Life” did not disappoint. Props to the novel writer and the scriptwriter for coming up with such an engaging plot and witty conversations. The humor in this drama is top-notch. This drama shows that you do not need to have over-the-top acting to make people laugh. If I have to list ONE good thing about this drama, it would be its comedy/humor.

As the title said, I did not rewatch season 1 and I forget almost everything. Is it still worth watching season 2? ABSOLUTELY! However, I do think that if you forget what happened and have the time to rewatch season 1 or the shortened (LOL) 25-ep recap, you should do it. There are times I really wish I could remember what happened in Northern Qi. There were very few flashbacks to season 1 and when they were reminiscing about what happened, they did not go in-depth.

Just like in season 1, the acting is spectacular. Zhang Ruo Yun plays a more mature but still funny version of Fan Xian. Fan Xian’s journey is central to the plot and the second season shows his growth and character development as he learns more of her mother’s legacy and influence. Everything revolves about him and the people around him. You feel for him when he becomes unsure of who he can and cannot trust. There are layers and layers of schemes over schemes. The emperor is even more omnipresent than before. After a while, I automatically assume he’s behind everything and can’t be trusted at all. The veteran cast continues to impress. The elder trio of the Emperor, Chan Ping Ping and Fan Jian (ML’s father) has some of the best scenes. I also like the witty banter and animosity between Fan Xian and the Second prince, and the friendship between Fan Xian and Wang Qi Nian. I am also so proud of Fan Si Zhe and Fan Ruo Ruo growth in this drama as well. Having said that, at one point, I wonder if this drama is ever going to end (not because I was bored). It feels like the stories revolving around Fan Xian can go on forever. There doesn’t seem to be a main plot with a beginning, middle and end.

On a shallower note, Zhang Ruo Yun lost a lot of weight this season. He’s looking more handsome than before. Li Qin is still beautiful, but the 5-year wait really shows Li Qin’s more mature look. But I guess it’s OK, since Lin Wan Er is not the little girl with the chicken leg anymore. I still find Wu Gang (Chen Ping Ping) and Chen Dao Ming’s (Emperor) faces very botox-like and a little distracting. If we have to wait another 5 years for season 3, I am afraid all the cast members might become too old!

“Joy of Life” obviously has a pretty decent budget. They might not be able to bring Xiao Zhan back, but it still has a star-studded cast and many supporting and guest roles. The production quality is great with beautiful costumes and accessories, (how elaborate and detailed was Lin Wan Er’s wedding headdress!!!), sets and props. The CGI of the fight scenes are just OK though. I know this is not a wuxia drama, but I wish there were more fight scenes.

A couple of my minor criticisms have to do with the writing of the female cast. First of all (and it might only bug me) is the romance between Fan Xian and Lin Wan Er. I know romance is only a very tiny part of this amazing drama. I still feel that there aren’t enough of the two of them together throughout the drama. The majority of their scenes are towards the end of the drama, and I need some sooner, so that the impact of their wedding and confrontation in the latter half can be more impactful. Additionally, the drama introduced several female characters in the first half, e.g. Northern Qi’s princess (Mao Xiao Tong), Sang Wen (Wang Chu Ran) and Yuen Meng (Wang Xiao Chen). What happened to them in the latter half? They just disappeared? I thought I would see more of the 1st Prince with the princess, similar to the story of the 2nd Prince and Ye Ling Er.

Having said all that, “Joy of Life 2” is really worth the 5-year wait. There are a few scenes that I enjoy so much that I actually jot them down in my notes:
1. Seeing Chen Ping Ping with his hair down in his mansion is a weird sight. What is up with the extravagant lifestyle!??!
2. The conversation between FL’s brother (Da Bao) and father also breaks my heart. It’s a sad reminder that people change one day and those who like him now, may not like him in the future. That whole side story of the two is so touching.
3. Fan Xian and Wan Er’s teary confrontation also broke my heart. I have to say, Li Qin was excellent here and that’s a huge compliment when she’s playing opposite Zhang Ruo Yun.
4. All of the different conversations Fan Xian and his family have between each other are touching and meaningful.

I go back and forth on whether to rate this an 8.5 or 9.0. I think part of my wavering is because I don’t remember much in season 1. That doesn’t seem fair to downgrade my rating because it’s a me problem. Objectively, “Joy of Life” is very deserving of its high rating with great writing, excellent acting and a controlled yet smooth pace, even though they are some loose ends that might or might be resolved by season 3. I hope we don’t have to wait long to find out!


Completed: 7/14/2024 - Review #460

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Great women bonding and empowerment; Several anger-inducing characters

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

Revenge seems to be a popular theme recently. However, in “Alliance”, it’s not a central plot or at least not the main reason for Lin Shuang (FL) when she started out her journey of re-discovering her former self and becoming independent again. We have two strong women who bonded because of an extramarital affair: the wife and the lover. Throughout the drama, we witness how they break free from the chains of men and families, and grow to be self-reliant and be the best person they could be.

What I Like:

1. Lin Shuang/Jiang Xi Unlikely Friendship - Most of us are probably drawn to this because of their friendship. From enemies to scheming partners, and finally becoming each other’s support system, their unlikely bond is front and center in this drama. It’s lovely to see how they support each other without sugar coating anything. They are there to provide encouragement, constructive criticisms and celebration of big and small accomplishments. They would not have become the person they are in the last episode without each other.

2. Jiang Xi - I especially like the story of Jiang Xi. Midway through the drama, I pray that she will have a VERY happy ending. Not only does she not have a happy childhood and loving parents, she also gave her heart for a man who is evil on all levels. If this is not a women-empowerment drama, I would love to see her be spoiled by a rich sugar daddy who loves her to death. But I will settle and wish her a guy who treats her right. Jenny Zhang plays the character so well. She has this beauty that is alluring and sexy, even if she’s not doing anything intentionally sexual. She has an aura that makes her very attractive just by the way she holds herself. Jenny is perfectly casted for her role as Jiang Xi.

3. Strong Women Cast - Although not all the women are lovely in this drama, there isn’t any weak damsel in distress in this drama. Women portrayed in this drama have a very independent and strong light shown on them, and not only for our leads. We have supporting characters who are opinionated with strong and explosive personalities, and even minor roles as computer engineers and programmers. However, most of the CEOs and executives are still men in the drama, except for Sister Wei (Ark CFO),

4. Acting - Strong acting from the four main leads. They are all experienced, so that does not come as a surprise. “Alliance” also has a very strong supporting cast of other veterans (parents and executives) and the younger cast also does not disappoint. I have no complaints with anyone’s acting performance.


What I have Mixed Feelings:

1. Little Apple (daughter) - This little girl is really cute and she speaks her lines very well. I adore most of the scenes she’s in, especially with her mother and Uncle Gu. But gosh, she screams so much that it hurts my ears. Every time she calls out her grandparents, her high-pitched scream would kill me. There’s an episode when she was crying for her mother at the top of her lungs and I had to fast-forward it. It’s a personal pet peeve. She does act really well and major props for her ice skating and ice hockey skills.

2. Lin Shuang - As the main lead of this drama, I empathize and sympathize with what she is going through. Afterall, she IS the drama. But for some reason, I am not connected with her emotionally. Do I feel bad? Yes. Does her experience move me to tears? No, not really. As mentioned above, I feel for Jiang Xi more, even though I can’t relate to her experience. With Lin Shuang, I can relate to her on a more rational level since I am a mother myself. But emotionally, something is missing. Is it Zhang Xiao Fei’s acting? The writing? Most likely, I am the problem.

3. Wei Ming/Li Ze Feng - I have a love-hate relationship with Wei Ming. I HATE everything he does and he makes my blood boil. But you can’t deny the writers did an amazing job in writing out his lines (or shall I say lies). You have to give him props for being cautious, detailed-oriented with a great memory. Li Ze Feng does such a fantastic job in playing this slimeball and he just spits out these ‘beautiful’ lies so convincingly. I love the acting but I hate the character.

4. Plot/Pacing - In theory, there’s a lot going on in these 36 episodes. We started from the happy family to the discovery of cheating. Oh, by the way, did I miss Lin Shuang feeling heartbroken because her husband cheated? Like she loved this man and now she’s sad because he doesn’t love her anymore? All I get is that she felt betrayed and she regrets her decision to give up her career. Then we have women bonding, fighting and growing. Don’t forget the family drama and child custody. We throw in a slow-burn romance and another side romance. Add to the drama is the business side of things, a start up, and corruption. It took Lin Shuang less than a year to discover the cheating to start her business. That seems really fast for anyone, let alone someone who hasn’t worked in years. All of this is covered in 36 episodes. YET, for some reason, it felt repetitive in the last 5-8 episodes for me. The scheming back-and-forth doesn’t end, the same lies are told and it’s no fun when you know who the villain is, and his tricks from the very beginning. The romance isn’t fun or angsty or fluffy. The drama loses my focus in the last few episodes (maybe the tech and coding talk) and I didn’t like the last episode either (especially the proposal). I like where the female leads end as a person, but I don’t like the writing of the last episode.


What I Don’t Like:

1. Frustrating Characters - One of the main reasons I did not watch this drama initially is because I heard of the frustrating characters. Gosh, there are so many and they make my blood boil. If I am only watching Wei Ming’s lies, I can deal with that. But his parents, Jiang Xi’s mother and the spoiled brat Joyce? They never go away and stay for the whole drama. I want to jump into the TV screen and beat them up so badly. If you do not like these frustrating and anger-inducing characters, don’t watch this drama.

2. Make-up - Who approves the make-up for these male characters? Huang Xiao Ming looks absolutely horrible with the white, cakey thick foundation on his handsome face. Has he aged that much that he needs such makeup to make him presentable? The other one with bad makeup is Zhao Shun Ran (Martin). He’s so handsome but he has uneven makeup on. At times, you see makeup on the face but not the neck. Huang Xiao Ming’s makeup distracts me whenever he comes on screen.

3. Lin Shuang/Gu Xu Romance - I hate to say this, but this slow burn romance is not working for me. I am not moved by Gu Xu’s dedication and I can see why he’s the perfect guy for Lin Shuang in my head. But the writing of the romance plot does not convince me that Lin Shuang feels the same way as Gu Xu. Did she like him when they were in high school? Or did she only see him as a rival this whole time? When did Lin Shuang fall in love with Gu Xu? Was it love or gratitude? Unfortunately, I am not feeling the chemistry between them.


Despite my rants, I do feel that “Alliance” has a lot to offer. I’ll recommend this for those who are looking for a women-centric, empowerment drama. As a working mother, I reflected on my personal experience while watching this. It’s hard to balance career and family, and you do need to give up some. If you are a working mother, you might be interested in this as well. However, if you can’t stand frustrating characters (those you want to punch their faces), it’s best to skip “Alliance”. You might get angry and it wouldn’t be fun, except, of course you are looking to be angry. LOL



Completed: 7/7/2024 - Review #457

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Love the poems and ML, but too many insufferable characters on repeat.

The concept of “ A Poem A Day” is really lovely. The poems chosen for each episode are appropriate and provide a great epilogue. Some are more touching than others, but generally speaking, they’re chosen well.

Lee Joon Hyuk is really dreamy. His character, Dr. Ye, is the best part of the show (aside from the poems). He comes off as cold and inflexible in the earlier episodes, but he’s the one with the most character development. His starting point might be because of his girlfriend, but he has become a better person in the end. He’s mature, calm and only has eyes for Bo Young. I was impressed by his maturity especially when he faced the childish second male lead, Hin Min Ho. There were a few times I thought he might lose his calm but he didn’t.

I like Bo Yeong as the female lead who is trying her best at work. A big part of the show is her journey to obtain full-time employment at the hospital. Bo Yeong is a likable female lead. She’s sweet and kind, bubbly and not too childish. I’m impressed with her patience when dealing with her annoying co-workers. At times, I wish she would break character and start yelling at them more often.

Even though I like Bo Yeong and Dr. Ye individually, I do not like them as a couple much. The chemistry is just OK, but not enough for me to root for them. Bo Yeong might not be immature, but I feel Dr. Ye is just at a different level. He’s just way too mature. Is it opposites attract? Possibly and I can see why guys would like Bo Yeong. I wish there were more intimate conversations with substance. Their conversations revolve around work, daily lives and the superficial get-to-know-each-other. It’s not until the last episode when Dr Ye wanted more.

I also do not like any of the supporting cast. There are many complaints about Shin Min Ho (2ML) and now I know why. He was an immature, childish, spoiled brat through and through. He’s used to getting what he wants, won’t take no for an answer, and doesn’t care much about others feelings. He was insufferable in the beginning. But then, I saw a glimpse of hope that he has grown and become a better man. Unfortunately, his petty and selfish personality just won’t go away, especially how he treated Bo Yeong in episode 14.

I don’t care for the radiologists and the rest of the physical therapy staff. They are not very likable and their antics are repetitive and annoying. There’s only so much indecisiveness, selfishness, gossip and nosy behavior I can take. It’s worse when all these behaviors are on repeat throughout the drama. Those young guys are all spoiled brats. They have to learn the hard way in order to grow.

Lastly, the repetitiveness of Bo Yeong’s disappointment and second-hand embarrassment never ends. When you show her getting her hopes high and then disappointed once or twice, I feel bad for her. But when you keep on writing this trope over and over again, it becomes predictable and I don’t care about it anymore.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this drama, unless you are a fan of Lee Joon Hyuk and poetry. A slice-of-life drama of characters I don’t like is a tough pill to swallow. I also wish the medical cases are more interesting and have more weight on the character development. But they are just an afterthought.

Completed: 6/20/2024 - Review #452

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5 unique stories of second chances intertwined into a touching drama.

“55:15 Never Too Late” connected 5 strangers from all walks of life in a new universe and transported them back 40 years, to when they were 15 years old. This is a beautiful drama about second chances in life and correcting any regrets that they had when they were 15 years old.

I personally found the introduction of all characters a little slow, as it took a while to introduce all 5 of them. Not all their individual stories are interesting to me on the same scale, but they are unique and touch on normal folks' everyday life decisions and regrets. In that, I found them relatable (except probably the teen idol/diva).

What I like best about this drama is how each story is intertwined. Once all the characters meet, they develop a camaraderie and help each other out. We didn’t really go through any conflict within the group or any animosity towards each other. It’s comforting to see how strangers can collaborate and be there for each other. The pacing is good and I enjoy how they switch between storylines to give everyone equal screen time. I like the switch to the older actors during some important moments and it doesn’t cause confusion. One of the funniest scenes is when the older actors in their high school uniforms lament their challenges in this new life. Seeing how they adjust to teenage life is a highlight of the show. There are many comedic moments, but it’s not over-the-top like most Thai dramas.

The acting is great among the 10 main cast members. The veteran cast, of course, is experienced and did a fantastic job. But the younger generation performed just as well. I am most familiar with Kaotung and Nanon, and they don’t disappoint. Piploy as the sassy Jaya is awesome (though her characters can be annoying at times). View and Kay are not bad either. It’s weird to say that the acting that I find less impressive is the actor playing Mathee, and the veteran actress playing Prim. The rest of the supporting cast did a pretty decent job. I especially enjoy the actress playing Noinae.

There are 5 main storylines but my favorites are Teacher Jaurnee (View) and Cafe Manager Paul (Khaotung). I like theirs the most and the ending to their stories are most touching to me. I cried so much in the last episode! Boxer Thep (Kay) and Idol Jaya (Piploy) stories are not bad but there are a couple minor things that keep me from loving them. My least favorite storyline is Voice actor San (Nanon). I do not see why he is still so in love and obsessed with Prim. The flashbacks are not setting up a good foundation for the whole storyline to be based on that, no matter how great Nanon is in portraying San. The confession in the end was not very believable to me.

I would recommend this drama if you are into time-traveling and second chances. The individuals are lovely and it doesn’t really have any villain or annoying character that you want to strangle. The acting is good and the stories are engaging. I do get irritated when the main theme song gets overplayed, no matter how lovely it is.



Other Random Observations:
1. Mathee looks the same when he’s 20 all the way to when he has a teenage son and remarried a second time. I want what he’s having!
2. I love Paul’s relationship with his niece, Noonae. I’m glad someone is on his side and rooting for him without judgment.
3. Line app aka the green thing on your phone.
4. I am still not quite sure how the female student knew of the teacher’s secret. I thought only Noonae knew. Did I miss something or is it a plot hole?
5. They found the smallest and skinniest actor to play a teenage boxer!




Completed: 5/28/2024 - Review #446

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