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Know your triggers before watching - Appreciate its rawness when watching in 2024

I don’t think I would appreciate “Addicted” as much if I were to watch this in 2016 and not in 2024. “Addicted” is one of the first uncensored gay romance C-dramas and we all know everything is censored now. There is a full on gay romance, and not the subtle bromance or implied gay romance. Additionally, this drama is starred by two big stars now, Timmy Xu and Johnny Huang.

Timmy and Johnny had awesome chemistry and their acting is great considering “Addicted” is both of their first drama. As much as I enjoy them, their romance is problematic and toxic. Gu Hai (Johnny) is obsessed with Bai Luo Yin (Timmy). His way of courting and showing affection has red flags all over. At first, he’s acting like a typical high school kid who only knows how to show affection by being mean to the person he likes. If you are triggered and bothered by dubious consent to intimate acts and forced kisses, I do not think you should watch this. I am aware of these triggers, so I won’t fault this drama (too much) on some questionable actions/scenes.. I know what I am getting myself into. Having said that, I do not agree with Gu Bai’s method of keeping Bai Luo Yin in his apartment after they found out they are step brothers.

This is a decent low budget production. The acting of the main supporting cast is OK. But the acting of the minor roles, e.g. Gu Hai’s ex-girlfriend and cousin, is pretty bad. Those two characters are annoying. There are some weird plot holes. I am still not sure what’s going on between the other two friends, Yang Meng and You Qi. I thought You Qi likes Bai Luo Yin. So, what’s the deal with him harassing Yang Meng? Also, the ending…..that’s not how I expect the drama to end, and there’s no sight of a season 2 after 8 years.

There are quite a few scenes of the leads showing off their nice bodies/abs. Well, Johnny Huang has been keeping fit all these years. He looks just as good as I last saw him in “Bright Eyes in the Dark”.

The drama’s name is “Addicted” and also “Addicted Heroin”. At first, I thought it must mean Gu Hai is addicted to Bai Luo Yin like a druggie is addicted to heroin. After watching the drama, I realized their names together “Hai Luo Yin” = “Heroin”. What perfect names!

Lastly, there’s a quote from Gu Hai that sticks with me and pretty much describes how much he loves Bai Luo Yin - “No matter how much I hate your mother, it wouldn’t even be a fraction (1/1000th) of what I feel for you!”

I would only recommend this drama if you are aware of the triggers. It’s great to see a younger Johnny and Timmy, and how courageous of them and the production team to create such a raw drama. I’ve also watched the newer adapted version, “Stay With Me” and I would recommend that one if you want a tamer, sweeter and more romantic version of “Addicted”.



Completed: 5/23/2024 - Review #444

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Well-acted with Great leads Chemistry and a beautiful OST but not without flaws.

Taiwan really produces high quality BL dramas and is not afraid to show intimacy and not in a porn-like way. I believe the challenge for some viewers would be to go over that ‘hump’ and maybe the ‘ick’ factor of romances between individuals who have siblings-like relationships. I am mostly fine with the romance between Qian and Yuan. But for the other romance, I have my reservations. That one seems a little more extreme especially when I can’t see how the romance is developed. It’s a hard sell for me.

Nevertheless, “Unknown” is a well-acted drama with great chemistry between the leads. I actually think the drama has a slow start but things kick up a notch when all hell breaks loose in episode 6. I do think Qian’s actions were cowardly in that episode and just avoided the issue. Four years is a very long time to have limited communication with your loved one. The second half is also when I am more invested in the drama. I enjoyed following Yuan’s transformation from a smitten, clingy, lovesick puppy, to becoming a mature, flirty and quite sensual adult. Yuan’s love for Qian never changes, but it’s how his way of thinking changes and matures that encourages Qian to slowly open up to his affection. I love the scenes when Yuan would subtly tease and flirt with Qian, and Qian is all shy and not sure how to respond. Flirty Yuan is a lot more attractive and I love how touchy-feely he is unconsciously/consciously. I actually would have loved to see them get together an episode sooner, and give me more dating and sweet scenes.

Although I find the sister adorable, I also think her subplots are a little underwhelming without enough time to flush out the stories. The gangster subplot is a little over-the-top for me. I cannot believe a more mature Yuan would do something so stupid to challenge people where he has no winning chance. On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised to see Prince Chiu guest stars as the awkward teacher. I guess he was in the same boy group with Chris Chiu. Sam Lin also has a small supporting role as Dr. Lin. This role is quite different from what I’ve seen him in before.

If you are a BL fan, I definitely would recommend this drama. It’s well-acted, Chris Chiu and Kurt Huang have great chemistry, no annoying characters, and has an awesome OST. I’ve added most of the songs to my Spotify playlist. Although I have my criticisms, I also had a great time watching it. From an enjoyable point of view, this drama is worth an 8.5. If I were to rate this more objectively, it’ll be an 8.0. I wish the drama was longer to better tell everyone’s stories.



Completed: 5/22/2024 - Review #443

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Unique plot but only average acting

The best thing about “DNA Says Love You” is the unique and original plot. Although I wouldn’t say the drama is full of unexpected plot twists and it’s actually somewhat predictable, I enjoy the writing and the introduction of the mysterious Amber. The characters are college students, but I am glad that this is not a college drama. Friendship plays a central theme in this drama, and there are some fun and solid friendships and banter.

However, I was actually not very interested in the first couple episodes. I did not like the unnatural acting of Lukas Huang, who plays ML Pu Le Chien (Ah Le). I also find the general acting of Lin Wei Jie and Tannie Huang a little over-the-top, but that’s probably because Taiwanese acting is a little hit-or-miss for me. I did get used to it after a while but as a whole, it’s just OK acting. With the introduction of Erek Lin’s character, Amber, the story picks up its pace. I like Erek’s acting more than others, probably because his character is not as loud, and his acting needs to be more subtle.

Once Amber comes into the picture, the plot moves a lot better for me. I enjoy how he’s welcomed into the circle of friends, and how he really gets close to Ah Le. I think viewers slowly find out the identity of this mysterious Amber. I enjoy seeing how the friendship/romance develops but do think it’s too fast for Ah Le to go from realizing his feelings and to falling head over heels within 15 minutes of screen time. I wish there’s more time for his realization to set in, for him to ponder and agonize over it a little more. The last four episodes are emotional and really touching, and definitely better than the first four episodes.

The secondary romance could have been written better. They have so much screen time in the beginning and then disappear after their subplot is over. I thought they left town already but they haven’t.

The OST only has four songs but I like them, especially the three slower ones: 決定我愛你, 蝴蝶 Butterfly, and 曖昧關係 Ambiguity. I added all three to my Spotify playlist. 🙂

Despite not being a big fan of everyone’s acting, I do recommend you to check it out for its unique plot and lovely songs. There are only 12 thirty-minute episodes and it is an easy and quick watch.


Completed: 5/7/2024 - Review #437

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Amazing musical performances - a Light and Feel-Good drama

Disclaimer: I enjoy music but won’t say I am a big fan of classical music. I also don’t play any instruments. The rating is purely based on my enjoyment while watching and after watching.

+0.5 because of the beautiful full-length musical performances.

Usually, I would rate a drama like “Reversal Orchestra” an 8.0 rating. The plot is simple and light-hearted. It’s a typical drama about a group of people (musicians here) who work hard to achieve the ultimate goal together. Along the way, you have side stories of different members with a tiny little romance subplot. These side stories are simple enough to give each character a little background, but not long enough to give it depth. There aren't any annoying characters. All the musicians are supportive of each other. There’s no in-group rivalry and they are just TOO nice. This is definitely a feel-good drama. This is not a drama that will spark deep conversations or amaze you in many ways.

But to me, what stands out in this drama compared to other dramas with a music focus, is the amazing performances. If you enjoy classical music, this is the drama for you. Much of the screen time is dedicated to music playing. There are several full-length performances that are amazing to watch and listen to. Oftentimes, I get disappointed when I watch a drama about music, and you get chopped up performances, especially when the characters are supposed to be preparing for this big showdown. The showdown becomes a letdown. But not here! “Reversal Orchestra” not only has a believable orchestra playing the music and we have satisfying performances. It’s quite amazing to see the actors so in sync when playing their instruments. They do make me believe they are true musicians. Each movement is synchronized within the section. It’s beautiful to see. However, what I just described could also be what you dislike most about the drama. You might find it boring because the focus is on music playing and performances. The background music is classical music. There are not songs with lyrics, like a traditional OST.

The actors and actresses deliver good performances as well. It’s a typical J-drama with moments of overdramatic acting. I have been on a Tanaka Kei (ML) binge recently, and am happy to see another side of him. I cannot sing enough praises of his choice of projects. They are so diverse! Kawowaki Mugi plays a likable female lead. So glad she’s not another innocent, naive pushover. She’s kind but could be crazy and feisty.

If you are a classical music lover and want a light and easy watch, “Reversal Orchestra” is definitely the right drama for you. However, if you are looking for something deeper with a stronger message or moral, you might want to look elsewhere.


Completed: 5/1/2024 - Review #436

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Great Acting, Interesting Plot but Unsatisfying Romance (for me)

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

I heard a lot of great things about “Knight Flower” so I went in with quite high expectations. For some reason, it’s not quite hitting the spot for me and I am not loving it as much as others. It is still a good drama objectively, but I am not emotionally invested.

Honey Lee (Ha Nee) is amazing, no doubt about that. I don’t think I’ve seen her in anything else aside from a guest role in “Be Melodramatic”. She really is the shining star of the show. She also put on some pretty good martial arts moves and doesn’t look like she’s flailing. The acting in the drama is solid with many experienced and great veteran actors and actresses. Even the younger cast does not disappoint.

There was a lot of buzz about the romance between the leads. It was quite fun in the beginning when they were bickering and fighting each other. I also like them slowly realizing they have feelings for each other. However, towards the latter half, it has become increasingly obvious that ML is so smitten that he started to act like a young boy. Thus, the age gap is more prominent, and I am not a big fan of noon romance. When both leads are not on equal footing in a relationship like in the first half, I start to lose interest. I find the ending to their romance unsatisfying. With very little screen time dedicated to the secondary romance, I actually find that quite interesting.

For the most part, this is a somewhat serious, plot-driven drama. There are many comedic moments sprinkled throughout the drama by the leads and the supporting cast. I find the humor appropriate and keeps the tone light, without being over-the-top. It is quite weird hearing English words spoken by someone who went to Qing. Shouldn’t they be learning Mandarin instead? Nevertheless, it was quite funny. There was one scene when this person called Honey Lee, honey. How appropriate! I’ve never seen a Royal Secretary of Defense be so young and casual in any drama, Chinese or Korean. It’s a nice change in a way.

Objectively, this is still a really good drama. It just doesn’t seem to work on me on an emotional level. I would still recommend it if you are looking for an interesting plot with good acting, fight scenes and decent pace.


Completed: 4/2/2024 - Review #424

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Short and Soothing

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“Letter from the Sun” is a soothing and slow-paced drama that introduces the Thai art of weaving. Through the stories of two generations, we learn a little more of Thai cultures and the meaning of patience, dedication and commitment.

The plot itself is very simple. ML travels to Thailand to learn about his mother’s special box after her passing. As he discovers the meaning and story behind this beautifully weaved box, he also encounters a short romantic interlude in his life. There are no plot twists, no angst, but it is quite bittersweet. This drama can be interpreted as very slow, or just the perfect pace if you want something calming.

I enjoy the mix of cultures and languages in this drama. Except for Ayako (ML’s mother), all actors are Thai even though ML and his fiance speak Japanese. I am not sure if there’s a thick accent, but they sound believable to me. Acting is good and cinematography is nice. With only two episodes, I think “Letter from the Sun” did a great job in pacing and storytelling, without feeling rushed or unsatisfying.

If you are looking for something short, soothing and slow-paced, this is the perfect one for you.

I watched this on Thai PBS with English subtitles: https://www.thaipbs.or.th/program/LetterFromTheSun/episodes/93437


Completed: 3/30/2024 - Review #422

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Excellent Chemistry and Development of Main Romance

“Last Twilight” is an unexpected delight. The biggest selling point for me is the chemistry and the relationship between the two male leads. Jimmy stole my heart here.

I love Mhok, a total green flag. He was introduced as a ‘baddie’ but really isn’t one. He just had a tough life growing up and life threw him a bunch of lemons, but that didn’t stop him from being kind, hard-working, caring and considerate. He’s the perfect person to bring Day out of his isolation. He not only treats Day with kindness when he isn’t very nice. He is patient and slowly breaks down Day’s wall. He’s tough but supportive. He’s the perfect caretaker and friend. Day, on the other hand, is spoiled and quite immature in a way. He doesn’t really know what he wants in life when badminton is taken away from him.

Jimmy did a great job portraying Mhok. He was a little quiet and shy in the beginning but then the fun and flirty side came out. Sea portrays a blind person admirably but at times, his facial expressions appear a little bland. Comparatively, I enjoy Jimmy’s acting a lot more. Does anyone find Sea look like Zhang Ling He in certain angles? No, just me? LOL

I like the parallel life between Day and the character in the novel. It’s an interesting way to tell both stories and tie in the adventures of self-discovery and growth to the book. There are many other dramas about the visually impaired or someone living with a disability. But what differs and what I enjoy the most is the reminder that being a caretaker and a boyfriend are two very different roles. Many people do not agree with the decision in ep. 11. As much as Day’s mom hasn’t been the most supportive person in the world, her worry about Mhok’s role transition is valid. Could she have provided guidance earlier on? Totally. But then we wouldn’t have ep 11 and 12. Mhok and Day needed time to grow and mature. I don’t really think Mhok pitied Day, but he has his own baggage that was never resolved. He might not be as emotionally available as he thought especially to have a real relationship with someone that’s a little different.

I wonder if I would have liked the ending more if I had binged it straight from ep 1-12. Unfortunately, my timing was not right and I had a 5-day gap between ep 11 and 12. I think it might have affected my enjoyment of the last episode and all my criticisms are focused on ep 12. as it’s fresh in my memory. Yes, the chemistry is still there between Mhok and Day, and I enjoy all the flirting and teasing. But then, the lines become cringey, especially the last 15 minutes of the episode. Declaring your love for each other is fine, but doing so repeatedly in different ways becomes a little unbearable. Additionally, there’s quite a lot of time spent on the ending of Night and Phojai’s story. I like them and think they make a great couple. My problem is that the drama fails to show and develop their romance in the first 11 episodes.

Overall, this is a lovely drama and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s not my # 1Thai BL drama, but it’s definitely one of my favorites. I appreciate the non-dramatic acting, nice OST and cinematography and the lack of ridiculous plot twists and turns. And this is very personal, I am also glad that it doesn’t have the camera stay on the actor’s faces for a few seconds too long for dramatic effects.


Completed: 1/26/2024 - Review #399

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A decent rom-com of unrequited love and second-chance romance. Miles Wei does what he does best.

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

I am a fan of unrequited-love-turned-romance and also second-chance romance. So, “I May Love You” is the perfect drama for me at the moment. It’s an easy-to-watch rom-com to kill time.

I have conflicting feelings about the female lead, Tang Xin. Her first introduction to us viewers isn’t quite what I was hoping for and I was a little worried. She appeared to be obsessed with ML, Tang Yu, a little stalkerish with her wall of photos, and seemed to be a little clingy. I understand she’s been in love with Tang Yu for 4 years, but still, those pictures creeped me out. But on the other hand, I liked her assertiveness and her straightforwardness when confessing her love. I might not agree with her dishonesty in a way, but also understand where she’s coming from. Luckily, I like her more when stood her ground and focuses on her career. She let Tang Yu grovel and try to win her love without giving in too easily.

I love seeing a male lead miss his chance of love and have to grovel and win the affection of the female lead. However, that push-and-pull and Tan Xin’s stubbornness lasted too long. It was fun at first, but then towards the middle of the drama, it became very repetitive and I slowly lost interest in the main romance. I eventually just look forward to the secondary romance, which is cute and sweet. I adore that couple and wanted more screen time for them.

Miles Wei is the usual Miles Wei. He has played similar roles many times, but you can’t deny he looks quite handsome. At least he is not a total cold CEO and does show his lovable side once he’s in love. I know this is not a big budget production, but they have got to give Miles Wei and Huo Chen Dong better suits to wear. Their suits look like UNFINISHED products from fashion design students, or unfinished products from Project Runway contestants when they ran out of time after Tim Gunn told them to stop. They are ridiculous! Miles can use a few more suits and not repeatedly wear the same ones. He’s the CEO of a film production company afterall. The makeup of the female lead isn't that great either. Her foundation is too white but her lips are too bright. On the other hand, 2FL looks really pretty.

On a positive note, there are many lovable characters in this drama and no annoying ones. I adored ML’s mother and his sister. They are so cute and are the best wingwoman for ML. I was worried the sister would be another annoying spoiled princess, but she’s so lovely. We only have good and supportive parents, and good and supportive friends.

Aside from the mid-drama slow pacing due to the back-and-forth of the main romance, this is a pretty decent and light-hearted drama to watch. I don’t think it’s a realistic portrayal of the industries, so don’t think too hard but enjoy a cute and fluffy drama, with decent quality and number of kisses and an adorable supporting cast.


Completed: 1/12/2024 - Review #393

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A very average and short romance drama.

“Since I Met U” is an easy-to-watch romance drama. The plot is simple. It’s not 100% cute and fluffy because there’s a backstory of family trauma and mental illness. But the drama really doesn’t go into details in exploring that. Everything is very surface-level. A cute romance without any angst, misunderstanding or evil ex’s.

The production quality is average. Though the desserts are delicious-looking and ML’s Sol Bakery looks modern and welcoming, you can also see where they skim on money. FL has an awful wardrobe (why is she wearing old lady PJs?), the car riding scenes look pretty ‘green-screened’, and they keep on re-suing the same few filming locations. I personally do not like the dubbing, nor the English theme song that plays pretty loudly and repeatedly.

The acting is decent and not awful, not great. ML is cute and I’m watching this drama for him because I liked him in “Story of Kunning Palace”. We also have the cute kid from “Unforgettable Love” and he’s as cute as ever. There are a few good-looking guys at the bakery and am I sensing a closeted gay couple? I got some vibes from one of the guys. The secondary romance is OK but the tertiary romance is annoying.

Overall, this is a very average drama if you want something simple and short. I was in the mood for a romance drama for stress relief, and this fits the bill.


Completed: 1/5/2024 - Review #390

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Beautiful Drama of Romance, Family, Comedy and Healing. Brings me so much joy!!

Subjective Mood Rating: 9.0

“To the Moon and Back” is my last drama completed in 2023 and it’s a big surprise!! I was just browsing around trying to find a romance drama to end the year on a happy note, and stumbled upon this treasure. This is one of the very few Thai modern dramas that is not about fighting for inheritance or a company that I watched. Is this drama a masterpiece? Definitely not. But it brings me so much joy that emotionally, I just need to give this a high rating.

Main Romance:
Romance is what I was searching for and this doesn’t disappoint. This drama tells the story of opposites attract and it’s done so well. FL does take me a little to get used to since she’s so outgoing and talkative. ML is the quiet, reserved and repressed type. But they complement each other so well and bring out the best of each other. ML is patient and caring, while FL teaches him how to feel and understand his and others feelings. It does take them half a drama to be officially together but the cute scenes of them together starts from the very beginning. ML understands FL’s thoughts and actions (and clumsiness) so well, and FL is so in tuned with ML’s feelings. I love how she worried about his feelings after the surgery, when he tried to stay strong for her and didn’t say much. When he finally opened up and broke down, it pains me as well. I can’t help but smile whenever I see them together.

Auntie Grace
I am awarding FL’s dad the “Father/Mother of the Year” title. She experienced so much pain due to her sexual orientation but yet she taught FL to live with kindness. Auntie Grace raised a beautiful child and you can see that especially in the last ¼ of the drama and when FL has to face ML’s parents at the birthday party. The lessons taught in this drama by Auntie Grace should be taught to everyone. She also comforted ML and 2ML and allowed them room to breathe, to be themselves and to feel. I love Auntie Grace so much!!!

Family Relationships/Healing
A big part of the drama is spent on broken families and mending relationships. ML’s father is controlling and does not appreciate ML’s efforts. ML has been brought up not having a childhood and with feelings repressed. His mother is unable to support him and stand up for him. On the other hand, Auntie Grace’s father did not accept her new identity. There’s so much anger in me whenever I see these two fathers and how unreasonable they are. But of course, no one is a true villain. They both want what’s best for their child but are unable to communicate. FL is integral in mending both relationships and her persistent, kind and happy personality helps heal these relationships in the end. On the other hand, a smaller part of the drama is about 2ML and 2FL relationships with their families as well. No one comes from a ‘normal’ family.

Loving Non-traditional Family
They are loud, they are crazy and they are fun! That is FL’s family. A group of drag queens, transgendered and gay aunties that help raise FL. It does take me a little while to get used to how rowdy they are, but I love them! I love their fashion and always look forward to their outfits/costumes. I love all of their performances. I love how they always say they are “kind and pretty” because they truly are. They step in to help strangers, even those they might have a beef with at times.

Villains
Can’t really get away from evil parents in a Thai drama. They are not truly villains, but characters that have so much pain and jealousy in their hearts that they don’t know how to express them appropriately. Therefore, they cause our main leads a lot of pain and hassle. I hated seeing ML unable to fight back when he’s in front of his dad. I hate it when 2ML tries so hard but his mother just doesn’t get it. Do I find these villains irritating and want to punch them in their faces? Definitely. But I also know that they did not have a happy childhood or life. Luckily, FL’s family balances out the toxicity.


If you like Thai dramas, I definitely recommend “To The Moon and Back”. It is a great combo of romance + family + comedy + healing. In the end, it gives me such a warm and fuzzy feeling. This is in no way a perfect drama, but it brings me so much joy.



Other Random Observations:
1. FL is said to be the “hippie” and “Bohemian” type, does that mean she doesn’t wash her hair??
2. I love ML trying to learn how to braid hair.
3. Two handsome male leads with 6-packs. LOL
4. There’s some useful, simple medical advice for the general public.5.
5. Didn’t like ML’s acting in the early episodes, but he grew on me.
6. Pacing is decent, maybe a tiny slow in the middle. But that’s also probably because I binged 13 episodes in one sitting. LOL



Completed: 12/31/2023 - Review #389 (First review of 2024 and I still can't keep it short and succinct.)

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Toys with my Emotions - Makes me Smile one minute and Cries like a baby the next minute.

So much praise has already been showered on “Twinkling Watermelon”, so I came in with high expectations because everyone seems to love it and it has an impressive 9.2 rating right now. I am glad I wasn’t disappointed. I knew it’s about going back to the past but I wasn’t expecting to be smiling one minute and then crying like a baby the next. I thought the drama would be full of funny moments of a bunch of teenagers messing around and forming a band, and then cute and fluffy moments of teenage love. Little did I know that this drama is so much more.

I don’t think any Korean teen dramas have impressed me this much, that honor usually goes to C-dramas. So, I am really happy to have waited for the right time, the right mood to watch this. “Twinkling Watermelon” does an excellent job in combining different elements of family, friendship, first loves, healing, hardships, mystery, and finding yourselves. A drama can easily lose its identity when it tries to do too much, not this drama.

I enjoy many of the songs in this OST. I love the band's performances and wanted to see more. Everyone on stage, present and past, is charismatic and a joy to watch. Ha Yi Chan is full of sunshine and energy. He’s the perfect frontman. He exudes joy. Ha Eun Gyeol is the cool and good-looking guitarist with crazy charisma. The supporting bandmates also seemed to have a lot of fun performing.

My eyes can’t stop following Ryeoun. I didn’t find him this attractive when I watched him in “The Secret Romantic Guesthouse”. In fact, in my review I said he’s pretty but acting is not that great and lacked charisma. What a change in “Twinkling Watermelon”. I might have developed a little crush on him. His acting has improved so much. Choi Hyun Wook has a similar energy that I got from “Racket Boys”. He’s such a sweet and his character really grows on me throughout the drama. His friendship with Ha Eun Gyeol, and relationship with his grandmother are beautiful to watch. Actually, everyone’s acting is great in this drama - the young ones and the veterans. I love that sign language is used throughout the drama, and many different actors and actresses use it. I applaud them for learning a new language and I am sure it’s not easy.

When it comes to romance, I want to put young Ha Yi Chan and Yoon Cheong Ah in a tiny little box and protect them from all harm. They are so sweet, so cute and so precious!!! I am especially touched by Cheong Ah’s story and love how their romance is developed. The present day parent-couple is just as precious. They live so passionately and so freely even with a disability. No wonder they raised such a Mr. Green Flag in Ha Eun Gyeol. I don’t feel as strongly for Eun Gyeol and Cho Se Kyeong’s romance but I like how they supported each other in the last few episodes.

If I have to pick on this drama, it’s that bullying is everywhere in all K-drama genres. I know it’s hard to avoid that when we have a central plot around people who are hearing impaired. But I still wish there are other ways to tell the story without such a focus on bullying. I also find Choi Se Kyong/On Eun Yu a little too loud and annoying. I didn’t really care for her character much when she came back from the US. I also would like a little more explanation on why the Master is who he is, and how this all happened.

I strongly recommend this drama if you are looking for something fun yet heartwarming and touching. This drama toys with my emotions! It also has great acting and music and a good-looking cast.


Completed: 12/25/2023 - Review #386

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A very different but more enigmatic and charismatic Meguro Ren

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“Trillion Game” shows us a different side of Meguro Ren. He’s no longer the gentle, quiet or shy character that we know in “Kieta Hatsukoi”, “Silent” or “As Long as We Both Shall Live”. In “Trillion Game” he’s the ruthless, calculating and scheming Haru. It does take me a little bit to get used to this new Meguro Ren. I’m glad he branches out to different roles, but personally, I am not a big fan of over-the-top anime/manga acting. So I much preferred his shy roles. Having said that, Meguro Ren is charismatic and really does shine in this drama. It’s hard not to focus on him when he’s on the screen.

His counterpart/business partner/friend is a total opposite of Haru. Gaku is a shy and introverted computer geek. As the genius hacker, he complements Haru very well. The duo tackles the internal and external crisis of building a business seamlessly. I have enjoyed watching their friendship and partnership grow, and especially the trust they have in each other. Although Haru is more enigmatic, we do see character development from Gaku and how he’s slowly changed.

Playing Princess Kiri is the beautiful Imada Mio. Kiri is sassy, cool and sassy. You won’t see a trace of her shy portrayal of Miyo in “As Long as We Both Shall Live”. When she’s alone, she dazzles. When she’s with Haru, the chemistry is there, even if there’s really no romance in this drama. It’s lovely to see both Menguro Ren and Imada Mio play such different roles together. I always look forward to the eye-catching and somewhat over-the-top outfits that Princess Kiri wears. Every time she shows up on screen, she has a different outfit. It’s like her own fashion show.

Rinrin the human AI is the moral compass of Trillion Game. She steers the ship through rough waters and keeps it on the right path. As the honest, ethical and passionate President, her character might be more one-dimensional than the other three.

This is not a serious business drama, nor a romantic comedy. Comparatively, it’s not as overdramatic as other anime/manga live adaptations I’ve seen. It’s fast-paced and with a decent supporting cast. The two veteran actors are great,and a good contrast to the younger cast. In order to build the Trillion Game, you will see Haru and Gaku overcome each challenge and build the company one piece at a time. These building blocks can seem repetitive at times, and also appear to be quite easy. You can also guess where Haru is going and that he's always 10 steps ahead of everyone. I would have liked to see more backstory of the supporting cast, but there isn’t enough time for that. I think I enjoy the second half of the drama more than the first, when the stakes are higher and Meguro Ren’s character is less over-the-top but has become seriously manipulating.

With 10 quick episodes, this is an easy and enjoyable binge. Would I have loved to see a little more romance developed between Haru and the Princess? Yes. But sometimes, the unspoken but obvious affection and interest could be just as sizzling.



Completed: 12/13/2023 - Review #382

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Watch this for Rowoon

Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75 rounding up to 8.0 for Rowoon

This is a show about Rowoon. I started watching “Destined with You” for him and I stayed for him. His visuals are without a doubt great. But his acting has also improved. It’s nice seeing him play a more mature and serious lawyer, instead of a young rom-com fluffy cute loverboy. Granted, he is very smitten with FL and is a loverboy for some episodes and some scenes, but for the most part, he plays a sensible and not over-the-top lawyer. He was absolutely hilarious when he’s under the spell.

The same cannot be said for the female lead, Lee Hong Jo, played by Jo Bo Ah. I liked her ok in the beginning though I did not like her being a doormat at work. But I can sympathize with the work culture and it’s not easy. However, I dislike her the most and the main critique of “Destine with You” is her constantly making dumb decisions, disregarding her safety, thus putting others and herself in danger. Once or twice, I can understand. But after you were being stalked, harassed multiple times and assaulted, you gotta act smarter. Just because your boyfriend bought you pepper spray, doesn’t mean you are invincible. How about using your brain and not opening the door to strangers after being stalked/harassed? Or call the cops for help and backup, before walking into danger thinking you are smarter than everyone? Additionally, why would you tell your boyfriend’s secret illness to others without his permission? He didn’t even tell his mom!! Lee Hong Jo also keeps on believing 2FL’s lies even when she knew what an evil mean girl 2FL was in high school.

I actually quite like the setup with destiny and spells and all the flashbacks. But I don’t think the storytelling was smooth enough to keep me engaged. It would be nice to tie the stalker plot with what happened 300 years ago. It’s not convincing enough that all the stalker did was because of possible mental illness, when he was trying to place a curse on someone.

The romance is pretty good but frustrating at times. Jang Shin Yu (ML) is definitely two-timing for a while and the lack of communication frustrates me. Rowwon and Jo Bo Ah have decent chemistry in some of the cute scenes. The kisses are good but I would have liked to see a few more passionate ones. But because I disliked how the dumb the female lead is, it affects my liking of the romance as well.

Moreover, I find all the coworkers annoying. Those men-obsessed girls are especially worse and super loud. The older couple is a little cringe. Second male lead is fine. He’s now showing a lot of personality and when standing next to a fine specimen like Rowoon, Ha Joon pales in comparison.

Overall, I would recommend this drama if you are a fan of Rowoon or the fantasy element. The female characters in this show annoy me. But the male characters aren’t bad (except for the FL’s boss). I am giving this a round-up 8.0 all because of Rowoon and his very kissable, puckered up lips.



Completed: 11/24/2023 - Review #380

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It's more than banchan

A short 2-episode food show about banchans and more. I've always loved Korean food and after watching so many K-dramas, my love for it deepens and my tongue has grown stronger by eating all the spicy pork bulgogi from my favorite Korean restaurant.

This short series provides us with a glimpse into the world of banchan (small side dishes served along with rice). I'm sure if you've been to a Korean restaurant, you will see these tiny dishes spread out on the table. This show introduced me to many different types of banchan and more. It also talks of the history of banchan, different cooking methods and using seasonal ingredients to make the best Korean dishes. Make sure you don't have an empty stomach when watching, as your tummy will growl and you will crave for some Korean food.

However, from a food tv show perspective, I have seen better storytelling and editing. The hosts are OK but they lack personality to hook you in. None of the 3 hosts (manhwa artist, actor, singer) is a food expert and that's OK. But their commentary and compliments are all the same and repetitive. When telling the history of the food, it sounds like they are reading from a script and have their lines memorized.

Nonetheless, I came for the food and to learn about the food. In that, I am satisfied.

A personal story - The first time I had bibimbap was many years ago when I was young and on a Korean Air plane. I had no idea what dish it was and how to eat it. So, I copied the passenger next to me, and bibimbap remains one of my favorite Korean dishes (especially if it's the stone pot version with the burnt rice at the bottom. YUM!)


Completed: 11/19/2023 - Review # 377

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For Romance Lovers - Romantic, Sensual, Emotional

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75

I’ve always enjoyed watching Thai period dramas to learn more about Thai culture. Even though time-traveling is not my jam, the trailer of “I Feel You Linger in The Air” piqued my interest. I am so happy that I waited for it to finish airing and binge all 12 episodes at once. It’s a wonderful and romantic drama that focuses on the love story of the main leads. As a romance lover, this is definitely my cup of tea and I get the satisfaction I couldn’t quite get from “To Sir, With Love”. But if you are picky about the time-traveling, you might not be satisfied.

What I Like:

1. Main Romance - First and foremost, I love the development of romance. Even though it feels slow, it's actually not. It takes them about half a drama to confess their feelings, so in a way, that’s a pretty decent pace. Yai is so smitten and in love from the second he laid eyes on Jom. The love is there right from the start and continues to build throughout. Jom’s love is undeniable and he’s so in tune with Jom’s feelings and thoughts. Drunk confession through poetry? Sign me up for more! As mentioned, their love story is central to the plot and you follow their journey every step of the way. Their romance is beautiful, ROMANTIC, sensual and passionate.

2. Chemistry - Amazing and off the charts. Who knew olive oil can be so sexy? There are many Thai BL dramas that are way more sexual and with more explicit sex scenes. But in “I Feel You Linger in The Air”, I think their touching, caressing, hugging and kissing are WAY sexier and more romantic than any explicit sex scenes. **Check out ep 7** 😉 I can feel their emotions throughout these scenes. There’s one scene that’s a little more sexual, but the emotions behind it are telling us a very different story - elation, sadness, longing, desperation.

3. Acting - There is no typical Thai overacting, or having the camera stay at someone’s face for 5 seconds too long. The acting is as natural as I could have hoped for in a Thai drama. Nonkul (as Jom) and Bright (as Yai) did an admirable job. Even though I don’t think they are excellent, I believe in them and their acting (still some room for improvement). The supporting cast also deliver good performances.

4. Music - For such a gentle and romantic drama, I am glad the drama is not overloaded with songs played over and over again. For most of the drama, we hear gentle background music that mostly complemented the scenes. It was quite interesting that Swan Lake was played during two scenes when Jom and Yai are evading/dancing around each other about what just happened. The few songs that the drama has are lovely and played mainly towards the end of the drama more often. The lyrics also complement the scenes very well.

5. English - English that sounds English and doesn’t hurt my ears! Sweet James is played by Kimmy G (Thai-British) and Robert is played by Attila G (Thai-Swiss). I am so glad they are casted in these roles. Not only are they good to look at, they are lovely to hear from, esp. James.

6. Production Quality - Cinematography is beautiful. Jom’s house looks classic from the outside and the rooms look simple but gentle. The costumes are not elaborate but they seem to match the 1920’s style. The male cast looks handsome in their suits and the women look beautiful in their dresses.

What I have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like:

1. Time-Traveling/Ending - I don’t necessarily feel that the ending is rushed, but it was not satisfying. The drama did not really explain the last few scenes in the finale. What if there’s no season 2, then it leaves a big question mark about how this ending makes sense. A special episode is fan service and doesn’t really match the tone with this beautiful melancholic drama. Having said that, I like how unique the drama ties the visions to _______ (it would be a spoiler if I write that out).

2. Villain’s downfall - Many viewers like me are waiting for the downfall of the villain. I don’t think he’s THAT bad compared to other villains I’ve seen, but the exposure of their crimes is really anti-climatic. Even if that place and time are best for such an exposure, the way it was done doesn’t make sense to me. It seems too easy without much resistance. I was hoping for more.

3. Side Stories - Maybe due to the focus of the leads, the other two couples didn’t really have a lot of screen time. I think their stories could be interesting as they are vastly different from the main couple, but not enough time is dedicated to them for viewers to know their backstories to make me root for them even more.


Overall, I strongly recommend this drama for romance lovers who like a slower-paced, passionate and a more melancholic love story (with some cute scenes). You will go through so many different emotions with the leads and will love it.



Other Random Observations:
1. Did you notice Jom likes to blink very slowly, or close his eyes a few seconds too long right before he’s expected to say or react? For some reason, it bothered me. LOL (I know I am insane).
2. I will forever remember this couple when I see olive oil. LOL
3. James and Ming are both so sweet, kind and nice. Great friends to have!
4. Jom and Yai are the most careless forbidden lovers out there. I worry they will get caught every time they are so open with their affections.



Completed: 11/5/2023 - Review #373

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