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Learning about love through excellently-written unique court cases

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75

Trigger warning: Violence & Abuse

“Beyond the Bar” is definitely one of the more underrated K-dramas in 2025. It started and ended without a lot of buzz, possibly due to the airing schedule of another lawyers-focused drama. I also wouldn’t have checked it out until I heard the good reviews.

I think all the court cases are the strength of this drama. It showcases unique writing for some pretty common themes that we see in similar genres, e.g. abuse, bullying, domestic violence, divorce, disability and infertility. Despite the episodes being over an hour long, they go by quickly. “Beyond the Bar” has excellent pacing and each episodic case is interesting and the storytelling feels fresh. I actually enjoy all of them, which is rare. As the series go on, the cases become more personal and start to challenge the lawyer's moral and ethical codes. I had such a great time that I *almost* don’t miss the lack of romance.. LOL.. almost… I still want some more.

ML and FL have great chemistry as boss and subordinates, mentor and mentee. I’m glad to see that ML is not the typical cutthroat and cold lawyer who would do anything to win a case. He’s just professional, a great mentor and at the top of this game. FL is introduced as a genius but someone clumsy. However, she was never too innocent or naive. Throughout the drama, you can see how she becomes more and more mature and professional. I enjoy watching all her court scenes. Both Lee Jin Wook and Jung Chae Yeon deliver good performances. The supporting cast is lovely as well. The litigation team has great camaraderie and is probably one of the lowest-stress-to-watch legal teams I’ve seen on TV. However, I still wish we can get to know each of the team members on a more individual level and give them a little more screen time.

Despite loving all the individual cases, I was disappointed about the downfall of the evil Lawyer King. The case chosen for his arc is quite boring. The writing on those last few episodes about that case is not as coherent as the rest of the show. In fact, his end is quite anticlimactic.

If you are looking for romance, well, don’t bother. There’s a small bit about another couple (and they are cute), but not between ML and FL. The leads do have moments that could have developed into more, especially towards the few episodes. But we will never find out what could happen, unless there’s a season 2 in the future. There are so many theories of love and marriage in the last episode, but the drama actually lacks romance, but not love - it has all types of love.

I will recommend “Beyond the Bar” if you are interested in episodic court cases written in a new light. The acting and pacing are great, and it hooks me from start to finish. There are some pretty graphic scenes of violence that can be disturbing. So be careful if that’s a red flag for you.


Completed: 9/9/2025 Review #623

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OVERRATED Hype but is worth a watch only to support Chinese BL actors and productions.

+0.5 rating to support Chinese BL productions

I wish I liked “Revenged Love” as much as many. The hype of this drama was crazy and maybe that’s why my expectations were high. I wanted to support Chinese BL and wanted to see more uncensored production, but I can’t deny the fact that I was bored in the last quarter of the drama and there are some annoying factors that really bugged me.


What I Liked:
1. Seeing where Wu Suo Wei and Chi Cheng started in episode 1 and following their romance all the way until episode 24. I might not like everything during this journey, but the leads have great chemistry and their story was interesting.

2. Bromance between Chi Cheng and Guo Cheng Yu. For most of the drama, they are frennemies and their friendly rivalry was fun. However, once the misunderstanding was clear, I loved their bromance even more. They not only know each other well, but support each other in ways that only best childhood friends can. I wish we could see this side of their bromance sooner.

3. Bromance between Wu Suo Wei and Jing Xiao Shuai. Their friendship feels a lot ‘younger’ but nonetheless supportive and fun. It was most fun during the earlier episodes when they were scheming and Jiang Xiao Shuai acted like a gay love expert. But when he’s actually in a relationship, his inexperience shows.

4. OST. There are a few very lovely songs, and they complement the drama scenes very well.

5. Tian Xu Ning as Chi Cheng. I felt that Tian Xu Ning’s acting is the strongest out of the 4 main actors. Apparently I saw him a few months ago in “Wanna Be”, but I have no recollection at all. Chi Cheng is my favorite character here. Seeing him transform from this super red flag to a petty and jealous green flag (at least to Wu Suo Wei) is fun. I do miss his ruthlessness.


What I have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like:
1. Wu Suo Wei. As much as I enjoy seeing him with Chi Cheng and their romance, I don’t like Wu Suo Wei much as a character, especially when he’s acting like a spoiled child. I also can’t stand his (or the actor’s) whiny and fake crying voice. He was first introduced as a somewhat innocent guy who couldn’t see through his ex’s shallowness. Yet, all of a sudden, he miraculously becomes this creative and business-minded genius with a successful company? Wu Suo Wei is also not a very honest communicator. Chi Cheng is straightforward and honest. Wu Suo Wei could have easily asked him questions instead of assuming and assuming wrong.

2. Dubbing. Zi Yu/Wu Suo Wei seems to be the only one using his voice. All others are dubbed and they pick the most annoying voices. I especially dislike whoever is dubbing for Liu Xuan Cheng/Jiang Xiao Shuai.

3. The return of the Ex. That plot lasted wayyyyy too long. Misunderstanding is OK and I understand it’s a part of the plot. But having that arc drags on for so many episodes really tested my patience. It’s especially worse when the misunderstanding could be easily resolved if the leads would just speak to each other (see the above point about Wu Suo Wei).

4. The final arc with the tax stuff bored me, and at this point in the drama, we really don’t need that. There has to be a better way to write about the parents’ disapproval instead of adding that last tax bit.

5. Secondary romance was OK. They have their moments but I felt that the writing could have been better and make their romance a lot more interesting.

6. The acting isn’t that great. The emotional scenes are hard to watch with the fake crying. Comparatively, the cheesy, fluffy scenes are easier to stomach.

7. Kisses are below-average. Because of the hype, I thought there would be amazing kisses and sexy scenes in “Revenged Love”. Let’s just say I am greatly disappointed.


I am not sure if I would recommend “Revenged Love”, unless, like me, you want to check it out and see what all the fuss is about this drama. Or, check this out to support Chinese BL productions and the actors who are willing to risk their careers to take on this project. The first half of the drama is so much more interesting than the second half. I am a binge-watcher who stays up late in the early morning to finish a drama, even on a work day. But with “Revenged Love” last night, I only had 1.5 episodes left, and I never had the urge to binge it all the way to the end. That’s a strong indicator that this is not a drama I can rate an 8 or above.



Completed: 8/14/2025 Review #613

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Slow burn romance of a Kickass Power Couple with decent chemistry

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

I have not watched “Princess Agent” for obvious reasons (the ending sucks), so I went into this drama without expectation from Zhao Li Ying and Lin Geng Xin. I am not looking for a continuation of their previous romance. I wonder if that’s the reason why I don’t feel that their chemistry is amazing, but still good.

The big selling point of this drama is the two leads. The majority of the drama focuses on the romance and relationship, before going into the real plot towards the second half of the drama. I am a die-hard romance lover, so I am not going to complain (much) about it. It’s really lovely to see their interaction and romantic development when they’re in the mortal world. Their conversations are full of subtle and not-so-subtle sarcastic remarks, which help with building their attraction for each other. I enjoy the not-in-your-face and not-second-hand-embarrassment comedy. I feel like you need to pay attention to what’s going on to fully enjoy it, otherwise, you’ll miss a subtle dig here and there. However, I do think the drama spends way too much time setting the stage for this slow burn romance in the first half of the drama. As much as I enjoy their conversation, I also am missing the plot. This is a xianxia drama, so I am sure there’s a villain out there plotting against the ‘good’ guys.

I’m glad to see another kickass power couple as we really don’t see that many in C-dramas. From the top of my head, I could only think of the leads in “Who Rules The World” and “Wonderland of Love”. But Sheng Li and Xing Zhi are on a whole other level. They are the best of the best, the top 2 of the 3 realms. I am glad Shen Li remains intelligent, cool-headed, and powerful from beginning to the end. In a way, we have a reversal of gender. As the drama says, a reversal of who is the yin and who is the yang. Xing Zhi is also an interesting character. He’s being held in such high regards, has the whole world on his shoulders, yet he’s petty and jealous. He also is a know-it-all and doesn’t communicate much out of necessity for the most part. It’s also hilarious that once he’s given up restraining himself, he has such a love brain. He’s more clingy and emotional than Sheng Li and it’s both frustrating and fun to watch.

On the other hand, I am greatly moved by the romance between Feng Lai and Liu Yu. They have very limited screen time. Even though their romance is not unique, it leaves a more lasting impression on me. They are both such pure and kind-hearted people, but they break my heart. I might be partial as I am a big fan of Xu Hai Qiao, and his portrayal of Feng Lai is impeccable. The other romance that receives an awkward amount of screen time is with the sultry Ms Jin, the serpent. More on that at the end of the review.

The acting is solid but not exceptional. The veterans are great - Zeng Li as Shen Li’s godmother Demon Lord, Liu Guan Lin as the Heavenly Emperor, Zhou Xiao Chuan as General Shang are all great veterans. Comparatively, Zhao Li Ying and Lin Geng Xin did fine. There are moments when I thought ZLY did a really good job. I also feel that LGX’s acting is a little uneven. There are times when I feel that he could emote really well with subtle microexpressions, but other times I feel that he’s very wooden. Maybe that’s why I don’t quite feel the chemistry between them to be as great as other reviewers have said. Xin Yun Lai sorta played a dual role as Mo Fang and along with He Yu as the Heavenly grandson. They both deliver average acting. My favorite is Xu Hai Qiao as Feng Lai. His screen time is limited but XHQ never disappoints. He is such a scene stealer.

This is obviously a pretty big budget production. A large amount of CGI and green screens are used in this production. The very first fight sequence in ep 1 sets the CGI tone for the rest of the drama. However, I do find that fight scene shot like a video game. But throughout the drama, I really enjoy the special effects of the different light/power blasted during any battles. Sometimes production runs out of money and they start to fade out the special effects towards the end of the drama. Not this one! The final big battle was amazing. Despite my praise of the fight scenes, there are quite a few very fake-looking green screen shots.

Costumes and set designs are quite nice. Zhao Li Ying looks absolutely stunning in all of her different costumes, hair and make up. I love her simpler getup in the mortal world, but also enjoy her more girly looks with flowy hair. Some of the Heavenly Realm sets remind me of “Ashes of Love” and “Ancient Love Poetry”. I guess they all look the same to me after watching so many xianxias. “The Legend of Shen Li” also has a beautiful OST. However, they are played quite loudly and at times I couldn’t hear the words spoken very clearly. The drama also likes to blast this suona background music (it sounds like the suona song played in “Small Town Stories”) whenever something exciting comes up. It gets annoying after a while. One thing I am a little disappointed about is that the main leads are all dubbed. None of them uses their own voice, and at times the words don’t match the movement of the lips.

Another thing that annoys me is the large amount of inner monologues by Shen Li. There are times I wonder if these are words spoken, or all in Sheng Li’s head. Zhao Li Ying doesn’t really open her mouth wide when she speaks, so I got confused at times.

Let’s talk about the ending. I think the drama should have ended at ep 38. Ep 39 is more of a side story or an easter egg episode. It’s cute and I enjoy it, but this filler and fan service episode somewhat changes how I remember the ending of this solid drama. The kiss scenes at the end are definitely for the fans, and this fan did not enjoy the kisses. They seem awkward.

Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable watch. The pace is decent despite a little slow down with too much time spent on the set-up of the romance in the beginning. The power couple is fun to watch and I enjoy their interactions and conversations. The romance is slow but mature. Acting and production are solid, though not exceptional. I like (not love) this drama and will recommend it to those who enjoy xianxias and great CGI battles.



Completed: 5/12/2024 - Review #438

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For those who need/want a better romance from Film/Jam after their other drama

The biggest motivation (for me) to watch “Laws of Attraction” is to see more of Film and Jam’s romance. I didn’t get enough when they were in “To Sir, With Love” and I liked them to want more. “Laws of Attraction” totally satisfies my need/desire and exceeds my expectations in that respect. However, the drama itself still have many faults.


What I Like:

Film’s acting - Film is night and day in this drama compared to his goody-two-shoes role in “To Sir, With You”. I did not expect to see his big eyes to show so many different emotions. I’m so glad he’s casted in a role for him to showcase his acting ability. He can change from a cold-blooded and cunning lawyer, to a lovesick puppy in an instant. What a pleasure to see him in here.

Romance - As I mentioned, this drama satisfies this romance junkie. I love a good enemies-to-lovers trope. The chemistry is excellent between Film/Charn and Jam/Tinn. Tinn loves Film the way he is and doesn’t try to change his cunning ways. He just wishes Charn to not go over the evil side and don’t forget the kind heart he still has inside of him. I wish this drama was not rated G but PG-13. Because, then maybe I would have gotten some decent, passionate kisses instead of the chaste ones. Nevertheless, you can’t miss the chemistry and the love between the two. Ok, there are a few scenes that give me the cringe, but they are limited.

General Acting - I’ve seen quite a few BL dramas these days, and there are some that you really question the acting. Tinn also did great, though might be overshadowed by Film a little. The veteran cast is great. I’ve seen Grandma in a few dramas now and I love her. Grandma and Maya are the dynamic duo I didn’t know I need. The other two younger actors, See and Pearl, might be the weaker ones but not so bad that they are intolerable.

Film’s Outfits - He has the coolest outfits I’ve seen for a male lead in a Thai drama. His shirts are so fashionable and he just doesn’t always wear a traditional shirt/suit. He looks good in white! Without going into spoilers, in the last episode, I really like his non-traditional attire.

Funny supporting cast - I love Grandma and how caring and funny she is. But I love her with Maya as well. I feel cheated that I didn’t see a song and dance with them! Charm’s ex also has quite an entrance. He’s so funny and over-the-top crazy but his scenes are limited so I don’t feel irritated. I also love the niece and wish we have more scenes of her and Tin together.


What I have Mixed Feelings:

Plot Holes - This is a BL drama first, and a crime drama second. There are so many plot holes that don’t make sense. I am not sure if the writing is really bad, or scenes are edited out. I am not sure how Charn survived till this day. I am not sure how this character can survive after a fire and explosion. And how did the fire really start and spread that fast? Why you are trying to hide and not to be found, I am not sure posting on Instagram is a good idea.

Pacing - I found the pacing of the first half slower especially when it comes to the lawsuit. The romance kept me going but there’s not much going on when it comes to solving the crime or the villain trying to cover it. However, it gets better in the second half and I am more invested in the whole story and not just the romance.

Action scenes - They are not good at all. We have a taekwondo teacher and a bodyguard, but their fight scenes are laughable. I don’t think the kick or punch hit hard at all. These scenes could be so much better without slow motion. It was quite annoying to see a punch thrown at regular speed and then another punch shown in slow motion.

Makeup - Too much makeup on the leads! They look so white! Jam looks so much more handsome in “To Sir, With Love” when his natural tan is shown.

Secondary Couple - It’s not a surprise that they get together. But what’s surprising is how they get there. One scene, they are comforting each other. The next scene they’re in bed and finished with the deed. Were scenes edited out? These two characters also lack chemistry together.


Overall, this is a decent watch. If you want to see Film and Jam together in another drama, then I definitely recommend this. But if you are watching because of the lawsuit/crime plot, you will be quite disappointed. I feel that “Laws of Attraction” can actually use a few more episodes to flush out Charn’s background story and give a little more time to develop other side plots, e.g. secondary romance. I have a similar review of the Taiwanese drama “HIStory3: Trapped”. I am glad to see a non-school setting and more mature BL drama. I just haven’t found one that can give me a satisfying plot + mature romance yet.



Completed: 9/2/2023 - Review #348

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Underrated Gem - Excellent Acting, Storytelling and Pacing. Rare drama about the Common Folks.

Such an underrated drama that is not recommended enough. It’s rare to find a serious saeguk/historical drama these days, and even rarer to find one that’s about the common people and not about the royal family. I can’t believe this drama is only rated a 8.2 at the time of this writing. It will be a rare 9.0 for me.

I recommend this drama to you if you:
1. Like serious saeguks - not a rom-com.
2. Like dramas such as the more popular “Six Flying Dragons”.
3. Don’t like the pacing of “Six Flying Dragons” because it’s too slow but want a similar drama.
4. Like a big budget production with excellent acting, storytelling and realistic depiction of lives of the poor back in the 19th century

Acting - Top notch acting all around. There’s no weak link at all. The closest drama I can think of off the top of my head that I’ve seen such great acting from the youngest to the oldest, would be “Six Flying Dragons” and “Arthdal Chronicles”. This drama boasts a huge supporting cast, and you will recognize every single veteran actor if you are familiar with K-dramas. Each and everyone of them is amazing. Both Jo Jung Suk and Han Ye Ri were awarded Best Actor and Best Actress respectively in SBS Drama awards in 2019. Yoon Shi Yoon and Choi Moon Sung were nominated as well.

Yoon Shi Yoon - I want to single out my praises for Yoon Shi Yoon. He’s a surprise for me. I thought he was a young idol actor but realized he has many dramas under his belt. I remember also liking his acting in “You Raise Me Up” as well. His role as Baek Yi Hyun is so multilayered and he portrayed all these emotions so well. From being the young and naive scholar, to a shy lover, to being the emotionless and heartless Goblin and the tortured soul towards the end. I feel so bad for Yi Hyun. If only his teacher treated him right. Yoon Shi Yoon was fantastic. It’s too bad he did not win any awards.

Plot and Pacing - I picked this drama because it’s the story about the common folks. It’s not about the royal family fighting for the throne, or palace politics. Set during the Donghak Peasant Revolution, you know it’s going to be bloody and deadly. Throughout the drama, I was hopeful, saddened and horrified. To me, the pacing is a lot better than “Six Flying Dragons” which I thought had too much talking but not enough action. “The Nokfu Flower” moves at a moderate pace. Each supporting character is given sufficient screen time for me to get to know them and care for them, but not too much that they overshadow the main plot and the main characters.

Strong Female Characters - Love the strong female characters - fearless and badass merchant Song Ja In (FL), supportive and strong mother Yoo Wol (Baek Yi Kang’s mother), quiet but has an inner strength noblewoman Hwan Myung Shim, and killer and courageous sniper Beo Deul. Even the slightly annoying Chae Jung Shil (Yi Hyun’s mother) and Baek Yi Hwa (Yi Hyun’s sister) are strong characters. There isn’t anyone that’s naive and innocent, and wouldn’t fight back.

Production - High budget production with realistic battle scenes. They did not shy away in showing the cruelty of a revolution and no blood was wasted in the illustration of different wounds and battle scenes. I enjoy the realistic portrayal of regular lives - no fancy clothes, characters rarely have a clean face, torn clothes and messy hair, humble meals, sets and houses, and the use of natural light and candles. The drama might not have screenshot-worthy cinematography, but you bet you can envision how hard life was.

Character Development - Each of the three main characters changes (for better or worse) throughout the drama - Baek Yi Kang, Baek Yi Hyun and Song Ja In. Their experiences might not be the same, but you can see how much they have changed from when you saw them in the first episode, and compared it to the last episode. The change is not abrupt, but is developed nicely through their roles during the revolution.


Other Random Observations:
1. The Battle at Ugeumchi was very difficult to watch - it’s heartbreaking.
2. Beautiful and haunting opening theme song that sets the tone for the drama.
3. A few unexpected comedic scenes sprinkled here and there throughout the drama.
4. Slight romance - enough to keep this romance lover satisfied and tugged my heartstrings.
5. Same director as “Six Flying Dragons”, so you will notice some ‘Easter Eggs” and many actors/actresses that appear in both dramas.
6. ML’s Father - Worst Father of the Year


Completed: 1/17/2023

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Not good enough to be a Medical, Legal or Rescue mission drama.

Even though I lowered my expectations, I am still disappointed. I like both leads, Leo Luo and Janice Wu, and am excited to see them in a drama together again. Despite their decent acting, I think the script is just not good enough.

When watching “Light Chaser Rescue”, I was reminded of 2021’s popular “You Are My Hero”. I enjoyed YAMY a lot more. It’s more fun and more balanced. As my title said, “Light Chaser Rescue” is not good enough to be a good medical drama, a good rescue mission/adventure drama, or a good legal drama. The romance storylines lack chemistry and it’s really rare for me, a romance lover, to feel bored of 2 out of 3 romances, especially the main romance.


Strengths - One of the strengths of the drama would be the acting. Leo Luo and Janice Wu met my expectations and the supporting cast is solid. I would not say anyone is exceptional, but no one is too bland or annoying either. I also really like the OST. It features a few good songs, not overplayed and suited the moods of the drama.

Rescue Missions - The first 5 episodes of the drama are great. It starts out with an exciting earthquake rescue mission and serves as a good introduction to the cast. I was hopeful that this drama would exceed my expectations due to this first mission. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. I would say there are 3 major rescue missions throughout the drama. The earthquake one in the beginning, the mudslide rescue in the middle and the snowy mountain rescue at the end. But in between these 3 major events, the rest of the missions are quite simple and not a lot of details are shown. Speaking of missions, I still don’t quite understand why the Light Chaser Rescue team is called for some of these missions, when other government authorities might be more appropriate.

Romance - Among the three romances, I am most interested in the sweet and innocent romance between Xiong Fei and Luo Yuan. I was a little conflicted about how assertive and stalkerish Luo Yuan was in the beginning. But on the flip side, I admire her confidence in going after the man she wants despite her disability. I like how their romance is developed and though I don’t know sign language, I am glad to see that Luo Yuan continues to sign throughout the drama and does not only text. The main romance between Luo Ben and Zhan Yan is somewhat bland. I am not feeling the chemistry and maybe it’s because of the characters’ personalities. When they are happily in a relationship, that’s when I am most bored. I feel the chemistry more when they are having relationship problems. Just because their romance is not the cute and fluffy kind, that doesn’t mean a mature romance can’t have chemistry. After watching Janice Wu in “Discovery of Romance” with Qin Jun Jie recently, her chemistry with Leo Luo pales in comparison big time. The romance between Zhou Ming Ming and Ding x 3 is OK. It’s quite predictable and nothing to write about.

Inconsistencies and Weirdness -
♦︎ When you are hospitalized, I assume the doctors should prescribe you medicine. Why would you take the 999 cold medicine (aka product placement)?
♦︎ I thought Xiong Fei quits being a rescuer, but then he continues to be in all missions.
♦︎ The newbie rescuers only just started physical training and then they have to go into a burning building for a test. Isn’t that too fast? Or did the drama just skip forward all the other required trainings that could be fun to watch?
♦︎ I wonder what kind of medicine a normal family has at home that a kid can accidentally take and cause you to lose your voice permanently.
♦︎ It would be helpful to have real professionals that have access to helicopters to help with the snowy mountain rescue. Right?
♦︎ Those rescue ropes look quite thin and flimsy - or are the real life ones like these as well?


Other Random Observations:
1. I really can’t stand the white makeup on everyone’s face.
2. We really don’t need the scene of the two kids and the balloon in the last episode.
3. Xiong Fei is my favorite character. The actor, Xu Shao Ying, is not really super handsome. But there’s something about Xiong Fei that makes him so likable and I want him to have everything he ever wanted. He gives off a very positive vibe.
4. Leo Luo is REALLY skinny. When he’s in a period drama, he’s wearing layers of clothes, so it’s not as apparent. But in this drama, I can’t help but wish he is not dealing with any health concerns.


Completed: 12/9/2022

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Mature romance + Life lessons taught through food and mealtimes

Completed - 4/10/2022 - 8.25

"Dine with Love" brought together two individuals who have very different priorities in their lives. As they get to know each other, they fall in love and also change themselves for the better. Many meaningful quotes and lessons are shared through food and meals with loved ones. There is no shortage of cooking and delicious food scenes, and it's a great drama for romance lovers and foodies.

What I Enjoy:

1. Lessons through food and meals - Meal-time is very precious to many cultures and not just the Chinese. The Chinese title of this drama, "陪你一起好好吃饭" can be loosely translated to "I will accompany you to have a good meal". There is no shortage of conversations while at the dinner table between families, friends, co-workers and lovers, and I've enjoyed every single conversation. Through cooking lessons by FL, ML learns the meaning behind each dish and shares that through his TV show appearance. Along the way, he changes his way of thinking and his priority in life.

2. Yu Hao (ML) and Su Ke Lan (FL) - It's refreshing to see two leads who are calm, rational and talk through doubts and problems (for the most part). Although they have different priorities in life, they are able to rationally discuss work and life, and let the other person see their point of view. They might not always agree with each other, but at least we don't have petty and childish arguments, and they can agree to disagree. Su Ke Lan (FL) though might seem timid and quiet, but she has a quiet strength and stubbornness. I am all for more female leads who are like her. You don't have to be an abrasive CEO or a tomboy to show strength. We have enough of the cute/innocent, abrasive/rude, outgoing/tomboy female leads. How about just a lady who is strong, rational, talks normal, wants to fall in love but doesn't lose her brain afterwards? Yu Hao (ML) starts out as a typical cold CEO but has a warm and sensitive side to him. He has the biggest character development in the drama. I really enjoy seeing him change and learns to live a different life.

3. Romance - The two romance storylines in this drama contrast with each other pretty well. Yu Hao & Su Ke Lan have a slowly developed romance through getting to know each other, to making the initial step to cross the friendship line. On the other hand, Han Meng & Song Wen Xing have a fast-tracked romance that is hot and passionate. Seeing how both storylines develop was interesting. Additionally, I really like how Yu Hao is taking his time before making the jump and confesses. He thinks carefully and wants to be fair, and not just acts on impulse. It does take a little while, but I think it's worth the wait, and it's a big part of his character development. Once the leads got together, there is a decent amount of kisses and fluffiness for a few episodes.


What I don't quite enjoy:

1. Pacing - I think the pacing of the drama would be better it's the typical 24 episodes, 40-min each format. There doesn't seem to have enough happening to fill all the time. As much as I love Yu Hao taking his time to confess, the push-and-pull between the leads is taking a little too long in the first half of the drama.

2. Not enough screen time of leads together in the last third of the drama. I understand why, but I still feel dissatisfied especially I waited for so long for them to finally be a couple.

3. Same old trope of Unrequited Love alliance - C-drama really needs to get rid of annoying characters who won't take "no" for an answer when the leads are not interested. In this drama, we have the annoying actress Zhang Bi, who just won't stop her shenanigans in wooing Yu Hao. And of course, she has to pair up with Director Jin Yi to form an alliance and then they fall in love in the end. This trope happens in so many romantic comedies. I also don't like the ex-girlfriend returns plot, but at least I don't see that as often as the unrequited love alliance.


Mixed feelings (ENDING SPOILERS):
I am unsure about the ending. I can see why Yu Hao chose to do that on the TV show. But I much prefer seeing a private moment between the leads as they reconcile and confess their feelings to each other again. I was waiting for a moving, heart-to-heart declaration and I think the gesture is too 'grand' that it doesn't fit their personalities. It's without the doubt that it's a moving ending, esp. with the behind-the-scene video montage, and everything that Yu Hao said. But the TV show format feels like they are bringing all the characters back for one big hurrah at the end. Why would the ex-girlfriend and investor guy be invited back to see the proposal? They don't need to be present. I also feel that a proposal comes a little to suddenly. Let's reconcile, get back together, show me some cute and fluffy scenes, and of them figuring out how to live together harmoniously, before a big TV show proposal.


Other Observations:
1. I kind of miss Gao Yan Yu's glasses. 🤓
2. A couple annoying characters but bearable - actress, FL's ex-bf, ML's ex-gf
3. On paper, Director Jin Yi does seem like a better fit for Su Ke Lan = kind, loves to cook, loves children and volunteering, thoughtful and considerate, at times shy and cute. But we all know love doesn't work that way. Definitely no second-lead syndrome here!
4. I am still unsure what kind of company Yu Hao has. Is it just a Foodie App? But how come his company also owns supermarkets?
5. Songs are not overplayed and quite lovely.
6. I want to see more of the business storylines and not just the TV show.

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Could have been great but sizzles out in the second half

Completed - 11/13/2021

I enjoy fantasy + historical dramas and am attracted to the plot summary of "Lost Love in Times". However, after watching the drama, I realized that the MDL synopsis only describes the first 5 episodes of the drama. This drama has so much potential and I enjoy it quite a bit in the first half of the show. However, it lost its steam and the story became just a repetitive court politics drama where everyone fights for the throne. There's not enough magic or battles to keep me engaged.

What I enjoy:
1. Production Value - This drama might not have the same budget as "The Rebel Princess" but you can tell that money is there for it to have such elaborate costumes for its characters. The women have nice beautiful outfits, creative hairstyles and accessories. I really like the style of the princes and their unique little bow in the front of their costumes. They even have different accessories for their hair buns! I don't recall seeing that in other dramas. For some reason, the actual emperor's palace sets do not look very grand, but the princes' accommodations look pretty big and nice, and give off a very comforting feel. I would love to see more CGI with the magic, but what they have, I enjoy. I really like the colored butterflies. What a beautiful and classy way to show magic.

2. Love Square - This drama must have one of the healthiest and most amicable love square between our main and secondary leads. We have our second male lead, 7th Prince, who is not jealous but love our FL passionately yet quietly, and willing to do anything for her. He is not pushy!! We have our second female lead, Princess Duo Xia, who did not turn evil because her love was not reciprocated. She patiently waits for her chance, is not jealous and befriends our FL. How rare is it in C-dramaland?

3. 7th Prince (2ML) - I might have second lead syndrome in this drama, which I usually don't esp. for a historical drama. I like the 7th Prince so much more than our main lead, and feel that at times he has better chemistry with our FL than ML. I enjoy the scenes where they're playing music, simple gardening together and the scene with the blue stone. I can feel his love for FL and the quiet longing and heartbreak. I don't think he's better looking but there's just something about him that makes me love him more.

What I don't like:
1. Main Romance - The whole drama is based upon this great love and romance in the 1st world. Otherwise, FL won't go through all that for ML. However, the setup of this great romance is quite lacking and happens too fast. FL and ML fall in love, got married and willing to die for each other, all within the first 5 episodes of the drama. This drama is 56-episode long and I think it can afford to dedicate a little more time to show us how this great romance develops. Once we enter the 2nd world, the new romance is developed a lot better. I enjoy how they got to know each other, what they went through together in all the fighting and scheming, jealousy and all. But once they got together, the romance came to a stall and fizzles out. Even though there were romantic scenes, I don't feel the chemistry between them. I am not sure if this is due to acting, writing or editing. I also don't think there are enough scenes of the two together in the second half.

2. Pacing - I was cautiously optimistic in the beginning, because the pacing is quite good in the first 30 episodes.
However, it slows down in the second half. We have repetitive scheming for the throne and court politics. We cycled through all the princes but not enough backstory for each of them. There's a lot of telling instead of showing. The plot about the marriage alliance also drags on for far too long.

3. Last 2 episodes - I feel like something is edited out and instead of showing the events that happened, we were told about the decisions. I am especially confused about the ending. Why is FL not going back to the 1st world but stayed in the 2nd? Isn't it the whole point is to go back, otherwise she will die? Or is the time traveling has always been back to the 1st world all this time and they are not parallel worlds? Why is Elder Tao Yao alive? I love a happy ending, but this one doesn't make sense for the two Elders to be both alive again, in either world.

4. Not enough Magic/Action - I would have loved to see magic being used more often in this drama. They tend to only use magic to send messages to each other, or the rare battles. I hope to see more battle scenes - with actual fighting and magic. There's a lot more action in the first few episodes and the last few episodes. When they do fight, the choreography was great and the actors did a great job in sword fighting to make it realistic. I don't see any weak sword wielding or someone who can't hold a sword straight. I just wish there's more action instead of so much court politics, or strike a better balance.

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Excellent acting and production but needing more time to flesh out the stories.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

To everyone’s delight, Netflix dropped all episodes of “Dear Hongrang” for us to enjoy. This drama boasts an excellent cast of actors who can actually act. I’m particularly looking forward to Lee Jae Wook’s performance, as all the comments and reviews were praising him. Moreover, the other Jae Wook, Mr. Kim Jae Wook is one of my favorites as well. Despite a very interesting plot and excellent acting, “Dear Hongrang” failed to slam dunk due to its writing and execution.


Acting
Without a doubt the acting for the whole cast is excellent. There’s no weak link despite a very large supporting cast. Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah have two roles that are memorable and hard to portray, yet they did a fabulous job. Despite the outward strong and proud personalities, our main leads suffer from tremendous trauma and torture. The inner struggles and pain were acted well during subtle and non-subtle moments. Kim Jae Wook gave such a chilling and eerie aura as the prince, Jung Ga Ram as the devoted and obsessed brother, and the veteran cast of parents. One thing I found with Korean serious historical dramas is that their acting rarely disappoints. The standard is just so high.

Plot
It’s nice to see a historical drama that is not about fighting for the throne/crown or palace politics. “Dear Hongrang” has such an interesting premise, not only a long-lost son returning to reclaim his rights, but the mystery surrounding his disappearance that led to a much larger and complicated conspiracy. Since there are only 11 episodes, the story moves really fast, actually a little too fast in the last few episodes. The drama spends more than half of the episodes on figuring out whether the returning son is the real Hong Rang and all the family drama. It did not leave enough time for the romance to develop (more on that later) and on the mystery/thriller part of the drama. The last few episodes felt rushed with many things left unexplained and unanswered. Who is the Snow Man? What is his background and deal? How can he fly around like that? Who is the crazy painter and his connection to the villain? Why are those secretive places not guarded heavily especially when important rituals and illegal stuff are happening in there. I also want to know more about the secret agency. Where do you get the funds? How did you train the assassins? There’s so much I want to know, yet there’s just not enough time. Despite me complaining that dramas are too long sometimes, there’s enough for the story here to make it last 16-20 episodes.

Romance
I should be really moved by this forbidden love, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit me with all the feels. The fault lies on the writing and the time restraints. There’s not enough time for the drama to show us how they fall in love. One minute, Jae I is questioning the identity of Hong Rang, next minute she starts to believe he might be her brother and the next she’s in love already. During those middle episodes when they were supposedly falling in love, I do not feel any chemistry between Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah. Even though Hong Rang fell first, and he said he missed her, something is just missing for me. On the other hand, the second male lead, Sim Mu Jin has a better unrequited love written. I believe in his feelings for Jae I, and why he loves her and can’t live without her.

Production
Great production with beautiful cinematography, realistic sets and costumes. This drama has a lot of violence and abuse, thus, it’s not for the faint of heart. But I applaud the drama for having realistic fights and scenes of torture, because the plot really does call for them. I don’t recall a revenge on a villain being so fitting and satisfying. It was a surprise, but how thrilling it was to see the villain’s end. The OST is hauntingly beautiful and complements the scenes so well.


Despite my criticisms, overall, I had a great time binge-watching this. I really wish “Dear Hongrang” could have been longer and certain plot lines could have been written and developed better. As a romance lover, I am sad that I am disappointed as this could be an epic forbidden love. The drama fell short of excellence.


Completed: 5/26/2025 - Review #583

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

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75

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

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

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


What I Like:

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

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

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

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

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

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


What I have Mixed Feelings and Don’t Like

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

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

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

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

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



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



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


Completed: 8/5/2024 - Review #469

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Innocent and Sweet. A perfect Happy December drama to de-stress.

“School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To” is the perfect stress-relief and happy drama to watch in December. It’s cozy, charming, adorable and a breath of fresh air.

It’s easy to get into the cliche “Four Heavenly Kings” trope and have these guys be stand-offish and full of themselves. Yet, we have four guys who are friendly dorks who are just like any normal teenagers. They just so happen to be very handsome.

It’s also easy to have a drama about first love with shy, naive characters who don't utter a word and always look like they’re the victim. But no, Hioki might be a little shy and starstruck, but he’s open with his feelings and is not afraid to ask questions, or answer Watarai’s questions.

Although nothing earth-shattering and out-of-the-ordinary happened here, this drama captures first love very shyly and sweetly. We have the guessing of feelings, a little insecurity, but with large doses of sweet caring actions, shy but smitten looks and most importantly, honest communication.

If you are looking for a fluffy and relaxing watch, “School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To” is the perfect choice. But if you are looking for something unique and exciting, this is not it. You might be bored to death with the slow pace. For me, I am in need of happiness, so it fits the bill.



Completed: 12/20/2025 Review #653

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Flashes (but unsustainable) of Excellence with many raw, witty and sarcastic dialogs

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

I was excited to watch another good sismance show as it’s been a while. The first episode showed great promise! I love the witty, sarcastic dialogs, showing how these best ‘friends’ are not the typical I-will-die-for-my-girlfriend-type vibes. My favorite sismance drama is “Remembrance of Things Past” and I’ve been trying to find another one that hits me the same emotionally. Unfortunately, “Dear Enemy” is not that. Maybe the more slice-of-life feel to it doesn’t hit me the same way with a more dramatic plot in the other drama.


Sismance/Sisterhood (for the most part)
As I said, I love the first episode. The dinner between the 3 ladies and Zhou Mu Sun was excellent. The fake smiles, the fake praises, the subtle and not-so-subtle jabs at each other created this delicious scene. I love it when Luo Man and Chen Kai Xi are at odds with each other. I love how they can lay everything down, yell at each other, hit where it hurts the most. And of course, at the end of the day, they are still best friends for life, and will do everything to support each other. Their friendship is precious, even after not seeing each other for years after college. However, there are also many scenes where it feels dragged out. There’s a lot of talking and not a lot of action. Sometimes they sound quite preachy.

Chemistry between Luo Man and Zhou Mu Sun
I was eating up the chemistry between the two since the very beginning. They are mature, intellectual, sarcastic and like word gymnastics and twisters. Their push-and-pull was excellent. But above all, they are honest with each other, and expectations are set at the very beginning. I don’t really know if I should say their romance is slow burn or not. As a romance lover, I do like to see their romance take up more screen time than anticipated. Yet at times, it feels like the back-and-forth lasted too long, with the pauses breaking the rhythm and chemistry. But that very last scene of them together at the restaurant was excellent. It was so honest, so true and what a slap-in-the-face wake up call.

Luo Man vs Chen Kai Xi
What a fun character she is! I love her and the actress, Gai Ye. This is the first time I’ve seen Gao Ye in a main role and I don’t remember her at all in the two guest roles I’ve seen her. Luo Man is the fun at the party. I look forward to whatever comes out of her mouth next. Such a firecracker who doesn’t give a damn (or pretends not to). Because she’s such a fun character, her friend Chen Kai Xi feels like such a boring housewife to me. I am not sure if I like Michelle Chen’s acting here, or just dislike how her character is written. When Chen Kai Xi is not having a confrontation or heart-to-heart with Luo Man, I find her super bland. Her storyline does not bring anything new or any excitement. Compared to the fun work life and romance Luo Man has, hers is when I feel the drama drags on.

Chemistry between Luo Man and Fang Chi
Their story could have been better if given a little more time to develop. The first encounter was interesting, but that awkwardness didn’t quite carry through to the initial development of their relationship. Fang Chi is cute and adorable, shy but not shy. I actually quite like his character and it’s a great contrast to the chemistry between Luo Man and Zhou Mu Sun. The shooting of the documentary is my second least favorite part of the drama (1st is the marital problem). It only provides Luo Man and Fang Chi to be at the same place at the same time, but not enough depth to build on a possible romance.

Zhong Qing Cheng
Wang Peng is so beautiful in this drama as Zhong Qin Cheng. I haven’t seen her in a while, and I like a more mature Wang Peng. I enjoyed her story and her scenes in the first half of the drama, but then she seems to have fallen off the face of the earth, and only pops up when needed to advance the other storylines. I wish Zhong Qing Cheng has a more integral part in the sisterhood. Her part in the last couple episodes feel really rushed and incomplete.


Despite this not being a perfect drama, I would still recommend “Dear Enemy” if you are looking for a strong sismance/sisterhood drama. When it was good, it was really good. The three women are strong and smart. They have their own background story, adventures and challenges in life. It’s lovely to see how far they have come and the growth and understanding they have of themselves. But if I still feel a little distracted and bored during these short 24 episodes, then something is not hitting me right emotionally.


Completed: 12/7/2025 Review #650

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Welcome, Singapore! First S-drama completed, added and reviewed.

(previously posted on the Feeds before Singapore was added to the database)

"The Sparkle in Your Eye" is a small budget production with only a few members in the cast. The acting is pretty good and I love the theme song (though it's overplayed a bit). The leads have great chemistry but the kisses are disappointing. LOL.😘 The drama has a slow start but gets better as it goes. It started with a light-hearted tone of fan meets idol in the shooting of a BL drama.

Then the drama changes from a rom-com to a melodrama. The plot is still keeping me interested but man, it also pisses me off.😡 I understand why Pei Jia was hesitant in disclosing certain info to Su Yi. But it is unacceptable that he's so vague in his 'warning'. He is putting Pei Jia at risk and you know what, he should blame himself. I tried to be empathetic but it's hard. I can't say I am satisfied with the ending and felt that there are still loose ends.

However, given this is a low budget production, it is actually pretty good. I have definitely seen worse. It would be better if the drama cuts down on the number of flashbacks It also doesn't hurt that I found Chen Ye Sheng (who played Pei Jia) to be quite attractive. 😉

Final rating: 8.0 (adjusted to low-budget productions rating system)

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Simple and cute. A great cozy watch after a long and stressful day

Thanks to an MDLer who posted about “You Want Some?” on the feeds, I was able to check out this sweet and cute Korean BL Vertical. I’ve seen many Chinese Verticals, and this would be my first Korean one.

The story is simple yet interesting. Two college students bet on who is going to fall in love with the other first. It’s not hard to guess why one of them suggested this bet in the first place. After a long stressful day, this is the perfect stress-reliefer. The acting is decent for a low budget production as I have seen much worse from a regular Korean BL. In about 1 hour and 12 minutes (I watched the consolidated movie version), “You Want Some?” is able to tell a coherent story and shows us how the leads develop feelings for each other, have some minor bumps in their relationship and still gives us a satisfactory ending. The chemistry is good and I like the back-and-forth flirting, especially from the simpleton and flustered male lead. There aren’t any annoying characters, just one ‘villain’ who showed up towards the end. I don’t remember much about the music though.

If you don’t mind a low budget projection and have an hour to kill, this is an easy and entertaining watch.


Completed: 6/21/2025 - Review #593

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The leads did not steal my heart and I don't care much about them

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.25

The male lead is quite important for me in a drama that has a strong focus on romance. If I like the male lead, I tend to rate the drama at least a 7.75, if not an 8.0, even if the drama is only so-so. Unfortunately, the ML in “Omukae Shibuya-Kun” aka “Going Home with Shibuya-Kun” did not steal my heart.

I was hoping I would get past his awkwardness and find him cute. That didn’t quite happen and it's more because of the writing than the acting. Don’t get me wrong, there are several scenes that are quite funny and I laughed out loud. But as a whole, I find Shibuya-kun overly weird without a lot of character development. His tears don't move me and after a few times, I got a little bit annoyed. He might have changed a little at the end, but it was too little too late. The female lead also doesn’t impress me much. The acting is OK but I think the writing of the character is missing a certain something to make her lovable.

I am a fan of the initial guessing of feelings and I do like that part. It doesn’t take long for ML to fall in love with FL and vice versa (and I still don’t quite buy this love at first sight). For a J-drama, it took quite a long time for the leads to get together, and that’s a problem here. Despite a likable supporting cast adding some flavors to this awkward romance, I just don’t care much about the leads and not really rooting or not rooting for them to be together.

The highlight for me is little Rizumu. This girl is so cute and speaks her lines so well. The few scenes of the BL dramas are quite fun. I actually don’t mind seeing more behind-the-scenes shots of the fake dramas.

I was looking for a cute and adorable romance with decent/good kisses that can melt my icy heart. “Omukae Shibuya-Kun” did not meet my expectations. It’s not horrible, just a little below-average. I probably won't recommend this as there are so many other cuter and sweet manga adaptations out there.


Completed: 3/29/2025 - Review #560

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