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Keep me guessing the secret identities in the beginning but the main romance lets me down.

Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75

The romance in “The Secret Romantic Guesthouse” isn’t that romantic. I think the title is giving me false hopes.

Let’s do a quick fire bullet-point review;

1. Supposedly smart leads making dumb decisions - Is that really a good idea to send a secret message by throwing it over the wall into the pond, when anyone can pick it up?? Why would you leave an ornament by the grave for others to find and know that you are alive?
2. The secret identity was kept for 8 years and all of a sudden, everyone found out. People can't keep their mouths shut.
3. The main romance is not working for me. I don't feel the chemistry and am not moved by their challenges. Ryeoun is cute and has boyish charms, but his acting is not as good as the other two male leads. He also lacks charisma.
4. I much prefer the sister's story and romance.
5. Kang Hoon as Kim Shi Yeol is probably my favorite character. I think his acting is the best out of the 3 male leads.
6. First half of the story is interesting and kept me guessing their identities. The bromance/brotherhood is fun and interesting. I love the family feel.
7. Then the pace becomes slower when the secret is revealed. It continues to be moderately slow through all the politics.
8. Well, at least there is no annoying character and the overall acting is quite good, esp the veterans.
9. Does this drama need to be 18-episode long? At least you don’t have a rushed ending.
10. The crazy king is entertaining and the actor did a pretty good job.
11. No fish kisses!

Do I recommend this? Only if you are a fan of the actors and you have time to kill. It’s not bad, but also not as good as I thought it would be.


Completed: 5/24/2023 - Review #310

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Funny, Heartwarming, Good Acting and Chemistry between the team!

If you are looking for a mostly light-hearted, heartwarming and funny episodic drama, “Return Man” is the drama for you. Led by Alek Teeradetch (“Rivalry”) and Pat/ Chansangavej (“P.S. I Hate You”), Return Man is an item retrieval company. They retrieve items big and small: a handkerchief to a 5-million-dollar painting.

Almost all items returned have a sentimental value and the goal is to teach those that took the items to recognize the significance of them, and return them to their rightful owners willingly (if possible). The stories are heartwarming, but not heart-wrenching. This is a very easy watch with a lot of humor. There are many comedic moments throughout the drama, and it’s not overdone or over-the-top. If you are looking for something deeper or more serious (e.g. K-drama “Tomorrow”), this is not the drama for you. Most of the stories are resolved within the episode and don’t seem too challenging for the Return Man team to accomplish the mission. The cases are quite simple and not really too mysterious. However, when it comes to the last 2 episodes, the tone of the case switched to a much more serious tone. In a way, this case feels very out-of-place and the reason behind the motivation for all that happened is rather far-fetched and forced.

I watched this because of Alek and he did not disappoint. I love his character and the female lead as well. They are normal people, not perfect, but those that make mistakes. They could be your next door neighborhood. There are many light and funny moments, but also deep and serious conversations that the two share. Their relationship is somewhat slow burn, but is built on understanding and admiration. I haven’t watched too many Thai dramas, but Pribprao (FL) might be one of my favorites Thai female leads. She’s so personable, likable, silly, clumsy, and funny. There are a couple frustrating moments and questionable decisions, but I gave it a pass due to her issues that need to be resolved and her being new to the team. I love the confession scene in the park. It started so serious yet turn into another heartwarming and funny moment. However, I don’t think there are enough hints dropped in the first ⅔ of the drama to show me that ML is already madly in love.

The Return Man team is such a small, happy family. Each character adds a little something to the team. Their introductions in the first episode are only skin deep. The more you watch the drama, the more their true personalities show. But because the show focuses mainly on the stories of the clients, the drama did not devote a lot of time on each of the character’s background stories. I wish the drama was a little longer (maybe 1 hour instead of 45 minutes) or even more than 12 episodes, so that we can get to know each character more. Well, but it seems like there will be a second season, and I look forward to getting to know the team more. I am a little worried about the last look from Doc.

Other Random Observations:
1. The music and transition give me an 80s cop drama feel.
2. 2ML was presented as such a good option! Hard to choose between the two men.
3. Love the lightbulb changing cardboard invention and the reasoning behind it.
4. There are some flashbacks that happen quite abruptly.
5. What’s up with the shaky camera work in ep. 11.
6. This is one of the very few Thai dramas I don’t recall any product placement. Did I just automatically ignore them? Or were they not very in-my-face?

Overall, I had a really enjoyable time watching “Return Man”. It’s perfect if you want something rather lighthearted, funny, not over dramatic and with good acting and chemistry between the cast.


Completed: 5/14/2023 - Review #305

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Interesting Storytelling, Excellent Leads Chemistry & Great Acting all-around

Spoilers only at the end of the review about Ep 38 - also my biggest criticism

Review #300
I don’t remember how I came across this drama and it’s probably because I was browsing through Kenny Lin Geng Xin’s profile page. “To Love” (what a boring, generic English title) seems to be an underrated crime romance drama with 23 reviews and 3234 watchers at the time of this review. I am not a serious and very critical crime drama watcher, so I went in without much expectations. Overall, I really like it and enjoy a few unexpected plot twists.

Romance - I was quite surprised (not complaining) with a strong romance focus in the first few episodes, especially for a crime investigation drama. The romance is needed to set the stage for the rest of the episodes and it’s needed for the plot. Kenny Lin and Cass Gai have really good chemistry. Their relationship is fun yet mature. For the most part, they are honest and communicative (as much as they can given Kenny Li’s character is an undercover cop). They have a trusting relationship and both have a big and forgiving heart. Both characters are smart and perceptive, and you don’t have to worry about misunderstanding or miscommunication. It is very satisfying to follow their romantic journey and all they have to go through.

Main Leads Acting - This is my second drama of Kenny Lin after “Master of My Own” (I refused to watch “Princess Agents” since there’s no sight of a season 2). I found Kenny Lin much more likable and charismatic in “To Love”. There’s more in the script for him to work with. Kenny was able to portray the playboy and fun side of Yan Jin, and also show the more emotional and serious sides when needed. I’ve never seen Cass Gai in anything before and my first impression was that she has a very deep and sexy voice. This is such a refreshing change from all the cute/high-pitched voices I hear in C-drama, no matter how old the female lead is. Cass Gai matches the acting and energy of Kenny Lin, and together they have great chemistry, even when they don’t have too many scenes together in the second half of the drama.

Supporting Cast - “To Love” has a strong supporting cast of actors old and young. There is no weak link and I’ve enjoyed all of them. Each character is nicely written and acted. I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters, whether they are villains, brothers, sisters, colleagues, or family members. I just finished “Nothing but You” and Li Qing, who played Zhang Yu (genius violinist) is also in. I enjoyed watching Li Qing in this drama so much more. After reading the synopsis, I wasn’t expecting him to have so much screen time. I’ve grown to like him and really missed him in the second half of the drama. My newest discovery is Dun Chun, who played Zhao Ting Hui (cop and FL’s ex-bf). I am surprisingly attracted to him and found him super charismatic. Now I need to check out his other dramas.

Storytelling/Plot/Pacing - I quite enjoy the storytelling in the first 15 episodes done in an interview format from both the male lead and female lead’s perspectives. In a way, the story was told through a series of flashbacks, but the ability to see from both perspectives added a new excitement to discovering the truth. Once the story changes to the present day timeline, the pacing becomes a little slower. I do think if the drama is a few episodes shorter, the result will be better. Since I am not a very smart crime drama watcher, I wasn’t able to guess who the murder might be until 60% into the drama. I enjoy the multiple plot twists with new revelations and details of the crime. However, I never felt that I was on the edge of my seat.
Overall, I had a great time watching this drama. I might have liked it more than “Love Me if You Dare” or “When a Snail Falls in Love”. Despite my complaint below about Ep 38 and the slower pacing, I am rating this a solid 8.5.


Other Random Observations:
1. I like how best friends, Ji Xiao Ou and Fang Ni Ya, stood up and advocated for each other in front of their friend’s lover. They ask questions on behalf of their friends, when it could be embarrassing for their friend to ask.
2. I am quite impressed with the fight/action sequence between Yan Jin and Liu Wei.
3. Not a comedy, but we do have a tall and adorable cop who provides comic relief by asking and providing relationship advice to Zhao Ting Hui.
4. I’ve always loved the song 《我愿意》“I am Willing” by Faye Wong. This drama version by Liu Yu Ning is really nice as well. I also like that this song is important to the female lead, but the song was not overplayed. So when it’s played and sung, it’s so much more impactful, esp. In the last episode.
5. I agree with other reviewers, I want 5-10 more minutes of happy moments in the end.
6. As my MDL friend @KellyFlower pointed out, this drama has weird and loud sound effects of foot steps (and phantom foot steps).

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Ep 38 spoiler and critique

My biggest complaint about this drama all happened in this episode and when FL goes to the murderer's home. Ji Xiao Ou (FL) has consistently throughout the drama shows viewers that she’s mature, logical and makes good decisions. She was smart enough to come to the conclusion who the murderer is. Why would she go to the murderer’s home by herself? Even if one cop didn’t pick up the phone in time, how about calling the other cop friend? Why would you endanger yourself and risk it all? On another note, the murderer has been so meticulous with the execution of his plan, why would he keep the murder weapon and Zhao Yu’s cell phone? He burnt all his clothes and other items, why not throw the knife in the ocean? What is the point of keeping Zhao Yu’s cell phone? But without all these illogical decisions, we would not be able to see the showdown and the arrest. I just wish there’s a better way of writing the ending.




Completed: 4/23/2023

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Simple and Mostly Sweet drama

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25

“Yugure ni, Te wo Tsunagu'' also known as “Hold My Hand at Twilight”, is a short and mostly very sweet drama about two individuals discovering and working towards their dreams with the support of each other. Of course, they fall in love during this journey, especially when they both end up living in the same house. The drama focuses more of their relationships than the dramatic way of achieving one’s dreams.


What I Like:
1. Cool female lead - Finally someone who is fun, bright, and extroverted. No more submissive, naive, pushover female lead who can’t speak a word in front of the male lead.

2. Smart leads - Though inexperienced because she moves from rural Japan to Tokyo, she’s not dumb at all. Male lead might be on the quiet side, but he is someone who can see through lies and read between the lines. Also, no annoying character.

3. Acting - Hirose Suzu as the female lead is the star of the show. The acting is pretty decent for the remaining of the cast. What I like best is the not over dramatic/anime/manga-type acting.

4. Love the dynamic in the boarding house between the leads and the landlady. The landlady is one cool lady.

5. Love the fun interaction between the leads at the house (throwing bean bags at each other) and also their casual but deep conversations.


What I Don’t Like or have Mixed Feelings:
1. Misunderstanding is one thing, but add to that are bad timing and missed chances, seem to be too much in the last few episodes. It somewhat dampens the enjoyment (just a little).

2. Despite one big challenge, the female lead seems to have quite an easy professional journey. Her new career as a designer came too easily and the drama did not spend a lot of time in that respect. The drama might have shown more challenges for the male lead’s professional journey, but still not very realistic. This is not a drama if you want to see the ups and downs of someone trying to reach their dreams.

3. I was expecting more from the mother-daughter storyline.

4. Would like a longer ending, seems rushed.


Completed: 4/4/2023

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Slow-burn romance with Amazing Chemistry; Focus on Family/Business Rivalries

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25

I am not a veteran lakorn watcher but from the few dramas that I’ve watched, “Rivalry” has probably the least amount of over-exaggerated acting. We still have actors opening their eyes really big and glare at you, but at least the camera pans away after a couple seconds.

Speaking of acting in this drama, I think the cast overall did a pretty good job. I am most impressed with FL Nychaa (as Milin), and 2FL Donut (as Wianna). I think they gave the best performance out of the bunch. ML Alek (as Anawin) did a decent job for the most part and is most animated when he has scenes with FL. Pop (as Tewis) didn’t impress me until the last episode. For the most part, he acts quite emotionless, though he’s good to look at. No one character really annoys me and as I commented, the acting is restrained to a certain point.

“Rivalry” really focuses on the rivalries between different family members, and different companies. The majority of the plot focuses on family conflicts and relationships, and to a smaller extent the rivalries between the two companies. The drama casually mentioned why both companies hated each other, but did not really delve into it. There are many twists and turns and the drama’s pacing is good and keeps me engaged for the most part. However, the second last ⅓ of the drama becomes quite melodramatic and that’s why I start to lose my attention. I definitely enjoyed the first half of the drama a lot more.

Chemistry between the leads is top notch. Nychaa/Milin and Alek/Anawin have so much fun and chemistry together, before and after they got together. Anwain is quite a bland character in the beginning, if not for his bickering with Nychaa. His personality definitely comes out then. It took me a couple episodes to like Milin, but she definitely has tremendous growth and I have grown to like and root for her. If you are a romance lover, you should be satisfied with the sparks and skinship between them. However, be aware that this is a slow burn romance, and it did take them a while to be officially together. But once they are together, the time they spent on the island is enough to make up for the long wait. Their love continues to be strong with open communication and trust in each other. I LOVE what Milin said to Anawin when she confronted him after the secret of Anawin/Anna’s breakup was exposed.

On the other hand, I don't quite feel the love or obsession that Tewis has for Milin. Instead, he seems to have a lot more chemistry with Lisa. Most of the time, he is constantly flirting with Lisa and getting all up close and personal. His actions are not telling me he’s in love with Milin.

I would have liked to see a little more of the pre-marriage and marital relationship between Phakhin + Jennis, and the love triangle between Sean + Pete + Naorn. The drama is so long that there should be enough time to tell us more.

The ending to me is actually quite surprising and I can’t tell if I like it or not. I knew something’s up with this character and there has to be a reason behind his employment. But the way it ended was somewhat dramatic and tragic.

If you enjoy family business/rivalries and want to take a first pass at a Thai drama, I think this is a good introduction. If the second half is not as melodramatic and slowed down the pace, I would have given this a solid 8.5. For now, I’ll keep this as an 8.0-8.25.


Other Random Observations:
1. So many beautiful women in this drama! Nychaa looks beautiful with less makeup and a fresh face as a high schooler!
2. I am not sure why the farm lady let some strangers go through all the files in the office.
3. A public restroom stall with a lock on the outside? Why would you do that? For the sake of the drama, I guess this has to make sense.
4. The hospital looks like a 5-star hotel. There are chandeliers!


Completed: 3/3/2023

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Disappointing and rushed Ending

Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75

I’ve been putting off watching “Song of Youth” because I was worried the comedy might be too much for me, and I need to be in the right mood to watch a comedic slice-of-life drama. I finally watched it and realized it’s actually not as funny as I thought it would be. I thought it would be on par with “New Life Begins” but actually, it’s a lot less funny and only with comedic bits sprinkled throughout the drama.

It might not be official but I feel like “Song of Youth” takes on an omnibus-style, where the drama tells the stories of many characters that are interconnected. Our female lead, Lin Shao Chun, is the one that connects all the dots. She also seems to be the superwoman that solves everyone’s problems with ease. Unfortunately, I prefer all characters’ stories to be integrated and weaved throughout the drama. With such an omnibus-like style, our main leads disappear to the background for long periods of time, and only show up to save the day.

The drama starts with the romance between the main leads, Lin Shao Chun (FL) and Sun Yu Lou (ML). Their story takes up about ⅓ of the drama. From a storytelling point of view, it’s interesting enough, especially with how different they both are and the ways Lin Shao Chun wins the hearts of the Sun family and is welcomed into the family. But the romance to me is unconvincing. I do believe Bai Lu and Wang Yi Zhe acted their characters well individually. However, when they are paired together, it’s lacking in chemistry. Even though both actors are the same age in real life, Bai Lu looks like an older sister. Additionally, Sun Yu Lou’s personality is a lot more immature compared to Lin Shao Chun.

The second big arc focuses on the story of the eldest brother. This is when I started to get annoyed and bored. This arc lasted for waaaay too long. Spending another 10 episodes on just one brother and his troubles, limits the screen time for the rest of the cast, and this drama has a huge cast. I also think the drama could have done away with the story of the 3rd sister. The story of the 2nd sister only serves to highlight the 3rd brother’s personality. These two sisters are married off and were barely mentioned in the drama. Then all of a sudden, they both showed up and fought for screen time. I much prefer to have a better written plot about the eldest brother (shorter), 2nd brother, 3rd brother (longer), and maybe the parents.

In the last few episodes, I got really confused about the revenge and case investigation. I still have no idea what they did to FL’s father and how he was betrayed. What were those three 3 senior officials scheming about? In the very last episode, we finally found out who the real villain was, but it was told but not shown.

I would have given this an 8.0 for the solid acting, and actors using their own voices. But I was dissatisfied with how the last 5 episodes are written, so I am lowering this to a 7.5-7.75.

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Finally we have two adorable and sweet teenagers who are BOTH smart and hard-working

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25

China churns out these high school dramas so often each year that it is really hard to be different from others. “Time and Him Are Just Right” is almost there, but not quite. There are so many things to like yet also some to complain about especially in the second half. This is a very lighthearted teen drama. You can go into it without worrying about any serious issues, such bullying or annoying and evil parents. The focus is solely on the students without wasting too much time on the parents or teachers.


What I Like:

1. Main Characters - Finally we don’t see a cool/mean, genius male lead who has to help the bubbly, naive female lead with her homework or studies. We have two equally smart and hard-working students. They help each other out with their studies just like any normal student. They are both very likable and adorable. It did take me a little while to get used to FL’s over-assertiveness in trying to be ML’s friend. I understand why, but still a little stalkerish. However, once we get past that, both the leads are caring, smart, has a sense of justice and just really good people.

2. Wu Jun Ting/Ji Jun Xing (ML)- This is my first introduction to Wu Jun Ting (ML). He has such an adorable face and the way he looks at FL melts my heart. He reminded me a little bit of Wang An Yu in “Forever Love”. Not the character, but the loving gazes and how much affection is in his eyes. On another note, Wu Jun Ting has such a deep voice. His voice is not matching his young and adorable face. Each time he speaks, I am taken by surprise that it’s really his voice. For the first drama, he did a pretty good job. On another note, his character, Ji Jun Xing, is one of the nicest, sweetest and most patient boyfriends out there. He doesn’t react irrationally or get mad even when he is being misunderstood or is not at fault.

3. Young Cast - All the actors in this drama are quite green without too many dramas or movies under their belt. I believe the two female leads are the most experienced ones. The acting is actually not too bad, and they are able to make me believe they’re high schoolers and college students. I also appreciate them all using their own voices.

4. Simple high school life - This is one of the few high school dramas that really showcases the simple life of a high schooler. The drama did not tackle any serious issues, but just regular everyday life. Almost every teen drama talks about the stress of the gaokao aka college entrance exam. This drama has that too, but no drama has ever (that I’ve seen or known) talks about the time limitation of taking showers when your schedule is packed with studying. This drama only has one overbearing parent and it’s only a very small side character. We don’t really see much parental pressure on the students regarding the gaokao, and I am so glad.


What I Don’t Like or have Mixed Feelings:

1. Misunderstanding - The drama was going so well and they have to throw in the misunderstanding trope Why?? Do all long distance relationships need to do this? The leads have such open and honest communication when they were in high school, so why wouldn’t they talk to each other?? Argh….

2. College days - Not that I don’t like the college portion of the drama, but comparatively, the high school parts are much more interesting. The characters really didn’t do much until the last part of the drama when they entered into the competition. Even that competition is kind of boring and predictable.

3. Time Skips - There are so many time skips in the second half of the drama. A few are fine, but once you have so many, the editing becomes weird and it seems the writers are rushing to finish the drama.

I had an enjoyable time watching this drama. There aren't any annoying or irritating characters. It’s a very easy and chill watch to see a bunch of friends going through high school, college and adult life together. It is nice to see how their friendship remains strong. I love the male lead and the female lead is not too bad either. But if you want something exciting, this is not it. Lastly, I wonder if the writers were trying to sneak in a BL couple in this wholesome drama.


Completed: 2/17/2023

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So much potential, poor writing, decent acting by young actors.

Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75

The setting of “The Silence of the Monster” is an interesting one. The unique genius duo of He Chu Feng (locksmith extraordinaire) and Luo Bin aka Robin (master appraiser) is the highlight of the drama. With the introduction of Sui Yi (trainee lawyer) added to the mix, their cohabitation shenanigans are fun and interesting. However, I think the drama tries to do too much. If it has focused on the main characters and their experiences, but removed the unimpressive crime investigation, it might be a better one.

What I Like:

1, The three main characters - This trio of He Fu Cheng, Robin and Sui Yi is the real highlight for me. They are three very distinct characters with unique quirks and personalities. Yet when you put them together, they create real chemistry and are really fun to watch. The first half of the drama focuses on how they met, getting to know each other, and living together harmoniously. They are all like-able and lovable, but not perfect.

2. Bi Wen Jun - This is my 4th drama of Bi Wen Jun, and I wish his roles are more diverse. The characters I see him play (“Sweet Tai Chi”, “Sweet Teeth”, “Double Love” and “The Silence of the Monster”) are very similar - cool and smart, not super friendly to begin with but warms up eventually. But I have to say his role as He Chu Feng is a little different in that there are many more emotional scenes. This is not a romantic comedy, and the complicated past of He Chu Feng allows Bi Wen Jun to show a different side of him. His acting has definitely improved since his first role in “Sweet Tai Chi” in 2019. I wish to see him more in challenging roles and I believe he has a lot of potential.

3. Zhu Zheng Ting - My first drama starring Zhu Zheng Ting and he is so pretty. 😍 LOL. What a good-looking guy and he plays a very lovable Robin. Robin brings me a lot of joy when watching this drama. Towards the latter half of the drama, his silliness and optimism do die down a little, and we go into more of the secrets he hides. Zhu Zheng Ting did a good job in switching from an outgoing and lovable boy, to a hurt and confused Robin towards that last few episodes. I look forward to his future projects.

4. Sui Yi (played by Sun Yi Han) - I love to see a go-getter female role such as Sui Yi. Yes, she might be idealistic as a trainee lawyer, but I also appreciate seeing her standing up for herself and not backing down on ideals she believes in. Sui Yi is not perfect but she’s someone I root for. She could be shy when it comes to her relationship with He Chu Feng, but she is also not afraid to initiate physical contact or express her feelings honestly.

5. Main Romance (He Fu Cheng & Sui Yi) - A slow burn romance that I very much enjoy watching. Both are quite inexperienced with love but the chemistry is definitely there. It’s nice to see a healthy relationship where they support each other through hard times, be patient with each other and communicate their honest feelings. Though the kisses aren’t great, they do give off a very cute and fluffy vibe during some of their scenes and I can’t help but smile.

6. OST - There are quite a few songs and they are all pretty good. There are times in the earlier episodes that I think the songs are a little overplayed, but they are good songs.


What I Don’t Like or have Mixed Feelings:

1. Investigation/Cases - I see why these investigations are needed to showcase the characters skills and personalities. However, none of them is interesting to me. They seem too simple and did not create enough suspense to make me want to find out the truth. If they are written better, it might add to the drama. In this case, I think they just prolong the drama and drag the pace. This could have been a better drama with one or two expertly written cases, and cut down to 24 episodes.

2. Preachy? - I find the drama a little preachy when talking about safety education during Hu Chu Feng’s classes. I wish the writing was better to educate viewers without it being straight out of a class.

3. Revenge Plot - The revenge is so dragged out. The character was introduced quite early on and you know he’s up to no good. We knew this will be in the big finale but the wait for that to happen is long. I had to fast forward some of the scenes in the last third of the drama because I was bored.

4. Secondary Romance (Robin & Xiao An) - I don’t see much chemistry between the two and it’s hard for me to believe they fall for each other. For Robin, maybe he doesn’t need a reason since he’s chasing after the Love at First Sight romance. For Xiao An, I don’t see her showing much affection. She acts like a big sister and at times annoyed at the little brother.

5. Poor writing in the end - What is up with the kidnapping plots? The first kidnapping incident is just a joke. We have villains busy bull-shitting instead of doing some real damage. Even when they had weapons, they got easily beaten. Where are the bodyguards? I thought the victim had an injection of some sort. What was the consequence? They could still walk around and fight as if nothing happened. I thought the effects would be disclosed in the last episode, but that didn’t happen. The introduction of the boss and villains were confusing. The editing in the last few episodes feels off and incoherent.

6. Minor annoyances - Too much heavy makeup on Robin. He’s too “white”. Characters claimed to be cold but they wear short-sleeves and don’t wear coats or jackets in the winter. Facial scratches/injuries don’t seem to heal even when another character who suffered more serious injuries is discharged from the hospital.

If you are a fan of the leads, then I would recommend this drama. It’s unfortunate that it has so much potential but the writing isn’t solid. I really enjoy the trio and each of their characters and had an enjoyable time watching the first half of the drama. The writing of the angst, tragic past and revenge should be interesting and a focus of the drama, but they are not. At least, we have some decent acting from the three main characters,


Completed: 2/11/2023

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Interesting light watch into the Idol Industry but nothing deep or impactful

I want to first say that I do not follow any K-Pop idols, boy bands or girl bands. My review of this drama is solely based on my thoughts on the drama itself just any other drama reviews I’ve written.

“Imitation” is a simple and uncomplicated drama about the journey of idol trainees striving to debut and become legit idols. This is a pretty light and enjoyable watch, without too much angst or trauma. There is a side plot about an idol trainee and her inability to handle the stress and unprofessional business practices that took away some of the lightheartedness of the show. I was actually expecting a little more trials and tribulations, a little more suffering, scandals, crazy fan clubs, and chaos in the idol industry. The drama touched on some of these issues, but did not do a deep dive. The storytelling of the ending plot in the last 2 episodes is not done convincingly and not impactful enough to make me feel for those suffering.

I enjoyed the first ⅔ of the drama when getting to know each idol group, the dedication they put into their practices and rehearsals, and the introduction of the romance plot. The main romance is enjoyable in the beginning before the leads get together. But once they’re together, there is a lack of cuteness and fluffiness. The kisses are bad fish-kisses and I find the chemistry between the leads just OK. Lee Jung Young is a much better kisser than that! The love square/pentagon seems to have stopped abruptly. For the longest time, I thought Lee Yoo Jin (2ML) could not let go of Lee Ma Ha (FL). But then all of a sudden, he found someone else. The transition from being in love with his best friend for years to falling in love with someone is not done well. I found the third writing-music-together couple a lot cuter but they have very limited screen time. Thus, their romance appears to be half-baked.

I am most impressed with all the dancing. As most of the cast has an idol background, it should not come as a surprise that they can all dance. My eyes can’t help but follow Lee Jung Young around when he’s on stage. He’s so hot and his dance moves are really hard-hitting. He has so much charisma. Unfortunately, I am not as impressed with the music. Maybe they are just not my cup of tea. The only songs I like are the slower ones: FL and 2ML's duet "Like When We First Met" and the last song “Constellation/Your Sign”. I am also not impressed with the outfits that the girls are wearing. Tea Party has the ugliest uniform. The Sparkling boys don’t look good either. I know these two groups are not as popular as ML’s SHAX, but still, the costume department could have dressed these good-looking boys and girls better. SHAX really does look the best on stage with their makeup and black leather outfits.

Acting is decent but I think Lee Jung Young carries the drama on his back. His character is the most layered. He’s adorable when he’s in love, jealous and being petty. But he also portrays a cool and hot superstar really well. I am not as impressed with female lead, Jung Ji So. She’s OK but not as fun as Park Ji Yeon’s portrayal of the sexy and sassy La Li Ma.

Overall, if you want something light that focuses on teammates, friendships and romance, then this is a good watch. But don’t expect anything deep with plot twists.


Other Random Observations:
1. The use of flashbacks could be somewhat confusing.
2. I quite enjoyed the big concert in the last episode.
3. ML has a super ugly historical movie look. How could you turn someone so handsome into a beggar-looking hero.
4. I think FL has hair extensions or a wig on, and they don’t look good on her at all.


Completed: 2/6/2023

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More Legal/Business Talk than Romance - Decent but not Great.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25 (extra 0.25 for Xu Kai's emotional eyes) - Spoilers about the ending at the end of the review.

Many were expecting the broadcast of this drama, and I wasn’t one of them. I like Xu Kai and Yang Mi, but not a fan of older woman/younger man tropes, so I was waiting for reviews to come in before I decide to watch “She and Her Perfect Husband”. Lowering my expectations did help with me enjoying this drama.


Plot - This drama is a lot more business-focused than I originally thought. The conversations about legal and investment dealings might bore some viewers. I usually am fine with a business drama, but I still find this a little too much talking in a conference room instead of seeing legal/business dealings in action. Romance is folded into the overall business talk, since without the law firm promotion limitations for women, there won’t be a fake relationship between the main leads. This drama tries to talk about workplace inequality and treatment for women, and I appreciate it. But I don’t see why our female lead tries so hard to be a partner to make changes, when the firm’s initial ideals and purpose have changed. All the talk by the CEO about how good the firm is, is not shown through actions by management.

Main Romance - Surprisingly, there aren’t that many scenes of the two main leads together in the first half of the show. That’s when they first met and developed a marriage contract, but somehow the business side of things overshadows the interactions of the leads. Xu Kai and Yang Mi have good chemistry and I enjoy their bantering and conversations about their ideals. This couple for the most part really has honest conversations. The confession scene is a little underwhelming. It’s awkwardly cute but I was expecting more. Once they officially started dating, there are more sweet scenes in the middle part of the drama. I was initially worried that Yang Mi would look a lot older than Xu Kai and the romance would not be to my taste. Fortunately, I enjoy the scenes that they have together.

Secondary Romance - Li Ze Feng looks really good as Tao Jun Hui (2ML), just the hair is a little too ‘tall’ for my taste :D But his lack-of romance with Wu Fei (2FL) is really noticeable, and I guess that’s the whole point to it. Wu Fei calling Tao Juo Hui “Uncle” as a term of endearment every so often doesn’t help with the big age and maturity gap. On the other hand, Tao Jun Hui and Qin Shi (FL) have really good chemistry. I can totally see them together and there’s really no comparison between Qin Shi and Wu Fei.

Other Romance - Most annoying romance ever. I think I skip the majority of the scenes between Ren Mei Mei (FL’s BFF) and Qin Wen Yu (FL’s second brother). If I were Mei Mei, I would have divorce that jerk years ago. Their scenes only serve the purpose to describe Qin Shi’s view on marriage. Other than that, these two characters don’t really need to exist.

Acting - The overall acting of the whole cast is not bad. But the veterans definitely outshine the younger generation.. As a fan of Xu Kai, I am so glad he’s not in another cold-on-the-outside role. Yang Hua is still a more introverted character but at least he’s adorable and sweet. When the drama focuses on his background story, you can see his more emotional acting through his big beautiful eyes. That’s what I have been missing from his dramas lately. I am also glad that he’s not being dubbed. He might need some work but it’s not too bad. Yang Mi is Yang Mi. She’s the queen. She’s sassy and bossy as the hotshot lawyer, yet at home she’s a totally different person. Her real voice bothered me at times since it’s so girly. So when she’s whining, especially to the boss lady, it’s a little irritating. Speaking of the boss lady, that woman is amazing. I can’t tell if I should trust her words or not. Her fake smile (when the drama calls for it) is so fake that I can see her mind churning out schemes after schemes.


*spoilers*

Ending - The last few episodes have been criticized for the leads acting out of character. I can see why people said that as the leads have been honest and open with their feelings throughout the drama. For them not to talk much in the last episodes, it could be frustrating. From my point of view, the breakup is necessary and veteran watchers know that it’s coming. It’s not the first time we see a contract relationship breakup for the exact same reason. I can understand ML’s intention and agree with his action. If you want a real marriage, you need to end the old one to start off fresh. I just think he did not communicate his intention for the breakup clearly enough to FL. As for FL, throughout the whole drama, we’ve been told she doesn’t believe in marriage. The breakup allows her to think clearly about what she really wants. I just wish the writing of this part is a little better. You can do all that, breakup, giving FL time to think, etc, but should have done that a little sooner and not dragged that out. It doesn’t make sense that they were apart for 7 months, and then ML suddenly shows up at the apartment across from FL’s, opens his arms and then all is well?? Why wait 7 months? No communication at all for 7 months? What was the point in leaving her when you came right back to her? I thought he was waiting for her to make the first move?


Other Random Observations:
1. Love the conversations between ML and his dad. Dad gives the best advice.
2. FL’s outfits to work seem to be too flashy for a law firm.
3. A lot of product placements - I guess they need money to pay for FL’s wardrobe.
4. The songs are nice but quite repetitive after a while.
5. A few annoying characters but bearable.
6. I don't think the steamy kiss tag should apply here. Just because they are not fish kisses, it doesn't mean they are steamy kisses. I think Yang Mi needs to exert a little more effort for it to qualify for that tag.




Completed: 1/30/2023

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Turn off your brain and enjoy the Cuteness and the Fluffiness.

I would only recommend “Double Love” if you are looking for some mindless romantic fluff. You can’t use your brain, otherwise you will hate it and question yourself why you wasted your time. I tried to turn my brain off, enjoyed the first half of the drama and then the poor editing finally got to me. Don’t watch this for gameplay, because there are barely any scenes. They do hang out and chat in the game a lot. I’ll try to keep this review short.

What I Like:
1. Siblings relationship - That’s the best part of the show. Love the interaction between FL and her brother. They have more chemistry than any of the romance storylines.
2. Bromance (CEO Lu and Actor Gu Qiao Bei) - The weird bromance and if you look closer you could find BL undertones. But, no, it’s just pure friendship and they are interesting.
3. CP visuals - Our leads look good together.
4. The songs are nice.
5. FL looks pretty inside the game. Love all the outfits in the game.
6. Good or bad, I quite enjoy the friendship inside the game.


What I Don’t Like:
1. Scenes edited out? Where is the confession scene? How did ML discover FL’s true identity to the CEO? Who is the hacker friend? How did FL know of her and contacted her for help? WHERE ARE THESE SCENES?? I am not sure what happened to the second half of the drama but I don’t want to be TOLD what happened after the fact. I want to WATCH all these things happening.
2. Makeup - I find all the female characters makeup a little off.
3. These superstar actors don’t seem to have trouble hanging out in real life. No paparazzi and rumors, not problem living a normal person’s life, until the plot demands them to be exposed on social media. Not very realistic.
4. For only 24 episodes, I still find the pacing to be slow. Not a whole lot happened in the drama.
5. Too many slow motion close ups. Not my personal favorite, but might be yours.
6. Kisses are meh. I’ve seen ML did a better job in “Sweet Teeth”.

*edit* Random Observations:
It's quite weird to see Zhang Xue Ying and Dylan Kuo in such a comedy. I last saw Zhang Xue Ying in "Princess Silver" and Dylan Kuo in "Ever Night". The roles are so different from this rom-com. It's a weird surprise and it makes me like their sibling relationship even more.

Completed: 1/21/2023

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Mork/Fluke is the best thing about this drama.

First official drama I started and completed in 2023 and I was welcomed by Fluke's cute dimple and sweet smile. He's the best thing about this drama. I am quite surprised to find out that this is his first drama as he did an admirable job. He reminded me of a mix between Chinese actors Zheng Ye Cheng and Riley Wang. Cute and adorable!

The selling point of this drama is supposed to be the sweet romance between Mork and Tawan. I did enjoy the first half of the drama because of them. I liked how they met, how they became friends and then slowly fell for each other. Those episodes are sweet and cute. Tawan's acting is only so-so, compared to Mork. I felt the drama dragged Por's secret on for way too long. In the end, there's not enough time for Tawan to find out the truth, wallow in his misery and then come to the conclusion that he could be with someone who has loved him for a while. After the secret was exposed, the last couple episodes felt rushed. The development of Mork and Tawan's romance was not very satisfying for me.

There are two other romantic storylines in "My Ride" but unfortunately, they are not good enough for me. I did not like Toy or Boss, nor their relationship. I don't see how they are attracted to each other. I expected better development between Mayom and Nadia. Unfortunately, Mayom turned out to be a different character than I anticipated. I thought he would be cool and mature, but he ended up being another love sick puppy.

The driver trio is quite fun. They provide comic relief and commentary on Mork and Tawan's relationship. But the two uncles are the MVPs. They are so caring, funny, understanding and realistic. They give good advice to the young couple on what makes a relationship work.

The production quality is decent. There are product placements, of course, but they are not as in-your-face as some others I've seen. At least there aren't any ridiculous scenes where they need to force the products to be part of the plot/scene.

Overall, "My Ride" is a simple and predictable drama. I did not quite fall in love with the drama but I did fall in love with Mork/Fluke and I am glad I discovered him here.


Other Random Observations:
1. They have the smallest and tightest Ferris wheel ever.
2. The confession and apology scene is so inappropriate. These are professional doctors and not med students anymore. Doing at the hospital lecture hall in front of the professor is too over-the-top.
3. Many of these characters act like high school students instead of doctors in their mid to late twenties.


Completed: 1/2/2023

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Cute and Sweet Rom-Com with Excellent Main Leads' Chemistry

“The Secret Life of My Secretary” is a funny, sweet and fluffy rom-com. There are moments where I shed a few tears but if you want a feel good drama and a couple with excellent chemistry, this is it for you. Just don’t expect too much from other subplots outside of the main romance, as everything else pales in comparison and isn’t very exciting. The drama is very bingeable and I had a good and easy time watching it.


What I like:

1. Main romance - Do Min Ik (ML) and Jung Gal Hee (FL) make such an adorable couple. I can’t help but smile ear-to-ear when they have scenes together. I like their boss-secretary relationship in the beginning, the secret but romantic relationship in the middle, and of course their cute, shy, and adorable official relationship. It’s been a while since I last saw the main actorss in a drama, and I am totally captivated and in love with Kim Young Kwang’s portrayal of Do Min Ik, and Jin Ki Joo’s portrayal of Jung Gal Hee. I am so glad we have enough scenes of the leads together and not resort to the last 5 mins of fluffiness. They also give a few good kisses, not like the secondary couple. The first kiss they share at the end of their 12-hour date is so romantic and so sad. I LOVE that kiss.

2. Do Min Ik (ML) - He’s not the typical cold and narcissistic chaebol, like the male lead in “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim”. He’s business savvy, level-headed, and maybe a little spoiled since he is the Director after all. But he had a rough childhood that lacked familial love and trust in others. He’s not afraid to show his vulnerable side to his close loved ones, is honest and communicates his feelings. I fell in love with his shy and adorable (a little clingy) personality, but he’s also so gentlemanly, considerate and caring. Kim Young Kwang played this role perfectly. I laugh at his silliness, smile at his adorkableness and cry with him when he’s sad and hurt. He attacks his challenge head-on, and does not shy away. He studies hard and tries to live as much a normal life as possible. He is not pitiful despite the circumstances. I would say he might be one of my favorite rom-com male leads.

3. Jung Gal Hee (FL) - So glad to see another female lead who is not a pushover, despite being a secretary. She might have bent over backwards for her boss in the beginning, but for good reasons. When it matters, she speaks up and fights back. Jin Ki Joo is strong, independent, feisty, quick-thinking, and cares about her siblings. It’s not hard to love this character, and Jin Ki Joo plays the role beautifully.

4. Veronica Park (2FL) - Even before I watch this drama, I’ve heard of the character named Veronica Park. Now I know why she’s so famous/notorious. She’s just hilarious. I was afraid that her over-the-topness might annoy me, but she actually doesn't have that many scenes. So, I can tolerate her “Awwwwesome” and “Verrrronica Parrrrk” for 32 episodes. Before we have Shin Ha Ri and Jo Yoo Jung in “A Business Proposal”, we have the OG Veronica Park from “The Secret Life of My Secretary”.

5. Jung Joon Hee (FL’s brother) - He doesn’t have too many scenes but he’s a hilarious scene stealer. I am glad to see a character who is visually impaired, but lives like a regular adult with a great sense of humor. He’s not pitiful but actually knows how to take advantage of his disability and others (e.g. ML). I love the very short scene about the audiobook that he purchased based on the title of the book.

6. Funny scenes - There are quite a few memorable comedic moments throughout the drama. Without going into spoilers, I already mentioned earlier about the brother’s scene regarding audiobooks. We also have a funny scene with compression stockings, and just a simple scene of Veronica Park holding this camera with a ginormous lens. I am in the right mood and I had fun with all the craziness, but it might not be for everyone.


What I am Mixed Feelings About:

1. Secondary Romance - For me, this romance doesn’t work. I think it’s mainly because the second male lead seems a little bland. Maybe it’s the acting or maybe it’s the writing. I understand we need someone calmer to contrast Veronica Park's big personality, but the chemistry is lacking. I was quite disappointed in their kiss. I was expecting something more passionate and crazy, and a lot more PDA.

2. Secret - I feel the secret dragged out for a little too long. I would like the reveal to happen sooner, and a stronger focus in slowly repairing the main leads’ relationship.

3. Business twist - It was somewhat anticlimactic when I finally found out why the male lead is in such danger, and why someone is trying to steal that USB. Not that the cause/reason is not an important one, but I was just expecting something totally different and more controversial. The secret meetings and gatherings seem like an afterthought and not enough is shown to make me root for them.

4. Fight for the Crown - The other business part of the plot is OK. I understand the fight to be the next Chairman, but aside from the uncle trying to sabotage his nephew dethroning him here and there, this is not an exciting subplot to the drama.



Completed: 12/27/2022

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A mix of different genres could be a blessing or a curse.

"Till We Meet Again" is an interesting movie with a mix of different genres - fantasy, romance, comedy and horror. At times, I feel that the movie is trying too hard to have so many different elements. Two hours don't seem enough time to fit everything it tries to achieve. Nevertheless, this is a unique movie with great acting and songs.

The first 15-20 minutes are jam packed with introductions to the main characters and the ins and outs of being selected and trained to be the god of love. There are some weird comedic moments, along with some disturbing scenes. Not a lot is explained about the underworld, so watchers have to pay close attention.

I enjoy the love story between Shi Xiao Lun(ML) and Hong Jing Qing (FL). I am a fan of destined love and theirs is a touching story. However, ML’s partner-in-crime, fellow god of love Huang Wen Zi seems like the third wheel in the whole movie. It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with ML, but then she acts as a supporting role for pretty much the whole movie.

Additionally, the movie throws in another plot of revenge. This is when I think the movie is trying to do too much. In the end, everyone is connected with each other in their past lives, but since this is a movie and not a drama, not enough time is dedicated to each character. The movie has a large supporting cast, especially other gods of love and the seniors. All the gods of love only seem to exist to tie the red string on FL. After that, they pretty much disappear. I would have loved to see this funny lot more, but you know, time constraints.

This is my first time watching Kai Ko. I was so moved by his crying when Shi Xiao Lun reunited with Hong Jing Qing for the first time after his death. Kai Ko is funny during Shi Xiao Lun’s younger years and scenes of when he’s alive, and he gives off a very different vibe when he’s the god of love. Since I’ve seen Vivian Sung before in “Lost Romance”, I expected to see her do well, and she’s really pretty here. Her emotional scenes are great. I’m glad to be introduced to Gingle Wang. Her image as the god of love, Huang Wen Zi, totally reminds me of Kim Hee Sun’s Grim Reaper role in “Tomorrow” with her pink short hair. The short pink hair is probably the only similarity between the two characters. Apparently I’ve seen her guest stars in a few dramas before, but I don’t remember her. If this is a short drama and not a movie, I think she could make a stronger impact.

Overall, "Till We Meet Again" is an interesting movie to pass time. The mix of genres could be a blessing or a curse. And it will be up to the viewer to decide.


Completed: 12/4/2022

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Fantastic piano playing and unexpected plot twist

“Secret” is written and directed by Jay Chou. So, it’s not surprising that the music and the songs of this movie are top notch. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from this movie. After reading the synopsis, I thought it’s another teen melodrama about first love and the disappearance is probably due to an illness or parental disapproval. But I am so wrong. I did not see the plot twist coming and I am glad I was wrong.

The acting is not bad and I wasn’t really expecting much from Jay Chou. After all, he’s known for being a singer and songwriter. Female lead, Kwai Lun Mei is fantastic and is the star of the movie. She plays the mysterious and interesting Xiao Yu well, as well as the more melodramatic scenes in the latter half of the movie.

The best part of this movie is the piano playing. If you are a music lover or a piano lover, this is a must-watch. There’s no fake playing and each song feels real. The piano duel is fantastically exciting. Lovers playing music together has such a romantic feel to it. It shows their innocent love and expression of love all through music.

Is this a realistic movie? Not really, especially in the last few minutes of the drama when danger is in his face, yet our main lead continues to play his music. But it makes for a great story and a great ending to this lovely movie.


Completed: 11/26/2022

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