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Started off with Fun and Sexy Flirting but ended with a predictable plot and cringe lines.
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25The drama was going so well in the college-day timeline, but then lost its sparks a little in the last couple episodes. “Safe Skies, Archer” started off with some of the sexiest flirting I’ve seen in an Asian drama. There’s a lot of curse words and sex talk (but nothing too sexually explicit), so beware.
Krissha Viaje is such a beautiful and sexy actress, and is perfectly casted as Yanna. If I’m a guy, I would be attracted to her, too. Jerome Ponce might not be my kinda handsome, and he looks way too old to be a college student. And what is up with his sweater-on-shoulder preppy look. But he has good chemistry with Krissha and played a kind and caring, yet just as flirty Hiro. Her straightforward and a little overdramatic flirting is perfectly matched with his more subtle but just as shameless flirting. Most of the drama focuses on their university days and how they started as FUBUs (Fuck Buddies) and ended up falling in love.
However, I was somewhat disappointed in how they parted ways. I wish the novelist/scriptwriter would have found a more original and less cliche way for them to break up. When they met again after the time slip, those last 2.5 episodes are dominated by the storyline on the reason they parted. I miss their early episodes’ fun chemistry and sexy flirting. Unfortunately, as my friend @Shiro wrote in her review, the last 2 episodes were cringe. I would say the last episode is the worst with lines coming straight out of a textbook of the most popular cringe lines ever. Maybe this is the style of Filipino rom-coms that I am not quite used to yet.
The plot is predictable but enjoyable for the most part. There are some things that I question the logic behind the action, but nothing too outrageous. The characters really didn’t do much aside from drinking, partying, and flirting. All our leads did was eating, drinking, flirting, sex and traveling to have more sex. They do have some nice conversations and show a more vulnerable side of Yanna, and the green-flag personality of Hiro. The girlfriend circle is fine and none of the girls is annoying. I did not watch the first series, “The Rain in Espana” and the drama didn’t confuse me at all. I had a glimpse of Luna and Kalix here and I am not interested in their personalities and acting to watch “The Rain in Espana”. Now, I do want to follow Sam’s story in “Avenues of the Diamond”.
Even though the last 3 episodes are not as enjoyable as the first 7, I did have a good time watching “Safe Skies, Archer”. The flirting is just too much fun. It’s an easy binge for a romance fix. I might have found some lines cringey, but you might eat it all up.
Completed: 5/23/2025 - Review #579
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Lies everywhere, Lies anytime
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25“Usotoki Rhetoric” is an easy-to-watch drama following the detective and his assistant’s adventures in solving mysteries. Most of the cases are episodic and are pretty simple. These cases are varied and offer a good balance of everyday simple mysteries to murder mysteries. However, sometimes I wish the drama had spent a little more time on each case because they are solved quite quickly without high stakes.
The dynamic duo of Soma (ML) and Kanako (FL) is fun to watch. The acting of the leads is really good too, especially for Suzuka Ouji, who still has such a baby face. They have good chemistry and I really enjoy how they care for each other. But if you are looking for romance, you might need to look elsewhere. The rest of the supporting cast and neighbors are lovely and super friendly. They create a great support system for the leads, especially when Kanoko has experienced some harsh challenges growing up in the village. I’m glad she’s able to meet Soma, who understands her and appreciates her talents, and accepts her for who she is.
Lies is a central theme in this drama. Through Kanoko’s journey and growth, each situation /case becomes a life lesson for her in learning the types of lies and reasons behind them.
If you are looking for a lighthearted and heartwarming detective series, this is a good one and I’d recommend "Usotoki Rhetoric".
Completed: 5/13/2025 - Review #576
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“Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island” is a different kind of BL drama from China. Since this is an independently produced web drama, it can avoid censorship and actually gives us some passionate kisses. This short drama has garnered great reviews on MDL, so I wanted to check it out.
The setting is beautiful with nicely shot scenes, great cinematography and the sounds of nature. Most of the drama happened on the island and It feels like a quiet slice-of-life drama. Viewers have the front row seat to the leads’ special summer on the island: exploring, frolicking, tasting delicious lychees, and most importantly, getting close to each other.
It took me a little bit to get used to this way of storytelling. It feels slow and weird, yet also feels different and interesting. The two main leads have great chemistry and the acting is solid. Plotwise, not a lot happened, to be honest: just falling in love, being brave and accepting of oneself. This drama reminded me a little of “I Told Sunset About You”.
I generally enjoy “Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island” except for the preachy island aunty. I am still not quite understanding who she is and why the boys seek her out for advice in life. At times, I like the prologue voiceovers, but other times I find the talk of the deep stuff a little pretentious.
I might not love this drama as much as many others, but I acknowledge its uniqueness and challenge of Chinese censorship. I still have a good time watching it and I love the chemistry between the leads in the last scene. I also really like the song that Chen Li was listening to, but I couldn't find it on Spotify.
Other Weird Observations:
1. The boy just put on a face mask, yet he washed off all the serum!!!
2. Rosemary is a mosquito repellant?
3. It was hard to tell how old Xiao Zhi was. Then I realized he’s a college student.
Completed: 5/10/2025 - Review #573
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Could be so much more with a bigger budget and better execution
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75At first I thought “A Moment but Forever” is one of those dramas that has been refrigerated for a few years, and only brought out to air because of Liu Xue Yi’s popularity in recent years. I was so surprised to find out this was shot in 2023! Why was I surprised? Because the production quality is horrible for a drama with actors of Liu Xue Yi and Tiffany Tang’s caliber. Is it because they are older and not young idols anymore, so advertisers are not interested?
If you are a drama watcher that doesn’t care much about costumes, color grading, CGI and poor voice dubbing, then you might enjoy “A Moment but Forever” a lot more than me. Unfortunately, these factors can annoy me to no end despite how good the acting or interesting the plot could be. They affect my overall enjoyment of the drama, even though they can’t replace good writing and acting. Therefore, I am not rating this drama any lower than a 7.75.
Let’s start with the negatives. The costumes look plain and low quality, the colors look faded and washed out, the sets and props look flimsy and cheap, and some of the actors' wire work could be better. The scenes in the heavenly realm blinds me with the white costumes with super bright and white background. Recent xianxias are so colorful with much better CGI and cinematography that it’s really hard to enjoy this drama. The drama also has some plot holes here and there. Most of the actors are dubbed, except for the leads. However, even with their own voices, they don’t sound very good.
Acting wise, there’s something about Tiffany Tang that doesn’t quite sit well with me. If you say she’s bad, she’s not really bad, but not good either. Her acting is a little inconsistent. During some scenes, the subtle acting speaks volumes, yet in others she appears emotionless. I feel the same way about Zhang Li’s acting as the goddess. She has this elegant fakeness to her, which is perfect for her role, yet in some scenes she seems wooden. The secondary leads, Cristy Guo and Wang Hong Yi, are OK but not great.
Luckily, Liu Xue Yi is excellent and I am watching “A Moment but Forever” because of him. So glad he did not disappoint. His role as the grey Yuan Zhong is interesting. Yuan Zhong can be reserved, snobbish, aloof, cunning, evil, loving, petty and adorable. Liu Xue Yi acted perfectly to showcase all these different personalities. However, I have to say, it is weird to see him act all cute and lovesick. He looks way too mature to act like that. Aside from Liu Yue Yi, Daniel Zhou, who plays Xia Qian Lin, is my other favorite character. I think Daniel Zhou acts so much better than Wang Hong Yi.
Speaking of Daniel Zhou, I really enjoy his fight scenes with his fighting staff. Many other recent xianxias only have the characters standing around, moving their arms/fingers and have CGI does the fighting. I am happy to see some actual fight scenes and that the actors actually have to move their whole body and use real weapons. Not saying these are beautifully choreographed or executed, but the intention is good, just execution could be improved.
I think one of the biggest positives of “A Moment but Forever” is the plot. Yes, we do have the 3 realms fighting and other common xianxia elements. But the main story is not about good vs evil, or the gods are the bad ones and the devils are the good ones. It’s actually about the retrieval of the special arm and romance between the leads. The two leads are unique characters, both are intelligent and strong, and our FL is not a damsel in distress but with special fighting skills and magical devices. The romance is slow burn with decent chemistry. It’s not a frustrating love triangle marred with misunderstanding galore.
Unfortunately, this is only an OK watch for me. Too many elements annoy me and the good parts are not good enough to overshadow the bad. I could only imagine what “A Moment but Forever” is like when it actually has a larger budget. It has an interesting plot, with some slowness in the middle, but with a decent last few episodes and ending.
Completed: 4/20/2025 - Review #567
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A decent mini drama but some plot holes but worth watching for He Xuan Lin
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75“Always My General” started out with an interesting (but not unique) premise of FL disguised as a man and is the fiercely general of the Xuangjia Army. He Zuan Lin’s cross-dressing portrayal isn’t too bad. Of course, she still looks pretty and skinny, but at least her acting tries to show off a more manly side with some charisma. Gao Ming Chen could have pulled off the soldier role better if the makeup artist can tone down the white powder on his face. He is a soldier, and should have nice tan skin and not look like an idol.
I found the first half of the drama more interesting. I enjoy the hidden identity + revenge plot when the three main leads are trying to outsmart and out-scheme each other. The romance developed a little more abruptly after FL’s identity was revealed. I would have loved a little more buildup to that. 2ML’s obsession with FL wasn’t expressly conveyed to the viewers, but I assume he fell for her after finding out she’s a woman and realizing how amazing and attractive she was as a general.
The second half of the drama is when I see more plotholes. Our female general slowly becomes superwoman. She can’t do no wrong and can never die. She’s smart, schemey, can fight better than any man, yet beautiful and seductive. At one point, she needed to learn how to talk and walk like a woman, yet she suddenly possesses amazing hairstyling skills! Princes and emperors don’t necessarily have guards protecting them at all times and can be harmed easily. Palaces are accessible to anyone.
The acting is decent, but I’ve seen better overall acting in other dramas. Of course, He Xuan Lin’s acting doesn’t disappoint. Whenever she’s in a mini drama, she’s the star and carries the show on her shoulders. Gao Ming Chen (ML) and Leo Zhou (2ML) have their moments but their acting is not as consistent as He Xuan Lin.
For a low budget drama, it doesn’t feel cheap and I have to applaud them. The song played sounded beautiful and haunting, and complements the scenes.
Overall, this is a decent mini drama if you can just enjoy the ride and don’t think too much. I would have given this a higher rating if the ending is more satisfying, and the last few episodes don’t feel rushed.
Completed: 3/30/2025 - Review #561
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Piping Hot Chemistry and Kisses but with a WTF ending
Thanks to YouTube’s algorithm, I came across “Bound by Sin” and realized the male lead is Hao Fu Shen, the teenager from one of my favorite dramas, “Hikaru no Go”. I was too curious not to check this out to see Hao Fu Shen in this sexy Republican drama.The plot of “Bound by Sin” is not unique. A sexy, and badass female lead, Jiang Ying Xian, wants to inherit the family business but was prevented from doing so because she’s a woman. As she tries to climb to the top, she falls in love with her bodyguard despite being engaged to someone else already.
The chemistry between the main leads is the best part of the drama. I’ve seen Hu Yi Yao in “Secrets of the Shadow Sect” where she was just as sexy and beautiful. But I think her acting and chemistry with Hao Fu Shen are better in “Bound by Sin”. We got a satisfying number of good kisses. Seeing Hao Fu Shen all grown up and not shy in giving us passionate kisses is quite interesting. Although he’s good-looking and has built up some nice muscles and abs, he still looks a little baby-faced to me.
As a low budget production, I quite like the songs played. The drama probably spends a considerable amount from the budget to dress our female lead as she has so many different outfits. Her color seems to alternate between black and white. Some of the outfits are…..interesting and clearly not very well-made…. But a few of Jing Ying Xian’s looks (hairstyle + accessories + dresses) were beautiful. There’s an interesting black wedding qipao that seems to be made of polyester. It was quite a sight!
I quite enjoy the first half of the drama when the focus is on the sibling rivalry and the piping hot romance. Unfortunately, the last third became very political and with an annoying little sister. And that ending got a “What The Hell” reaction from me. I was thinking… wait.. That’s it? It’s over? That is one unsatisfying ending.
Despite loving the romance and the very badass, sexy, smart and supposedly morally grey female lead, I cannot rate this higher than a 7.5. The last part of the drama and the ending just left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Completed: 3/15/2025 - Review #555
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Great acting and casting with a mix of slice-of-life and melo vibes
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25When the title of the drama is “Melo Movie”, I was expecting it to have a melodramatic vibe. But that’s not the case here. This drama is more of a slice-of-life with a hint of romantic comedy, instead of a true melodrama. The melo comes towards the end, I guess starting at episode 8.
Cast/Acting
“Melo Movie” features an excellent and likable cast. Choi Woo Shik gives off an adorable vibe just like in “Our Beloved Summer”, though his character is a lot more outgoing here. Nonetheless, adorable! Park Bo Young is Park Bo Young, she never disappoints and she’s more mature and can act way better than just as a typical rom-com queen. Lee Jung Young is as handsome and sexy as ever. I am quite surprised that he pulls off the more emotional scenes. I don’t know Jeon So Nee but she acts well enough for me to not like her character very much, and that said something about her acting. Big bro Kim Jae Wook, despite the ugly long hair, exudes that mature and melo vibe.
Romance (Ko Gyeom + Kim Mu Bi)
A lot happened in the first episode. Some might find that too fast, but it actually sucked me in to want to learn more about their story. Their interactions on the set are slowly revealed throughout the first half of the drama. I think they are cute and have great chemistry. They are actually two lonely souls, but tackles their loneliness in two different ways. I do feel that Ko Gyeom didn’t do enough groveling before getting back on Mu Bi’s good graces. I might have wanted him to pursue her longer and suffer a little more. But in the end, I enjoyed their stories and how they slowly open up to each other.
Romance (Hong Si Jun + Son Ju A)
As I was watching their story unfold, I actually am rooting for them to not be together in the end. I am NOT saying this is their ending, but that’s how I felt as I got to know their stories. We actually don’t know their true relationship until the last few episodes. As with how I feel with Ko Gyeom, I did not like how Ju A barged into Si Jun’s life again as if nothing happened between them. Despite knowing her feelings for Si Jun back then, I still found her selfish.
Supporting Cast
I like the supporting cast and their relationship with the main characters. I love the fun friendship between Director Ma and Ko Gyeom. I love the sibling-like friendship between Mu Bi and Jeong Hu. I love the little bromance between Ko Gyeom and Jeong Hu. I love the friendship and employer-employee relationship between Video store owner and Si Jun. And I especially love the brotherhood between Ko Gyeom and Ko Jun.
Pacing
As mentioned, the first episode sucked me in with a lot of info to set the stage for the rest of the drama. For a slice-of-life, I think the pacing is pretty good and not super slow (I expected it to be slower). But I can’t say I didn’t lose a little focus in the middle of the drama. For a binge-watcher, the middle is when it seems slightly slower. I actually fell asleep watching ep 8 but it’s definitely not the fault of the drama but me. I re-watched ep 8 and it became my favorite episode of the drama. It’s the most emotional episode.
Different Perspectives
Throughout the drama, we’re able to hear monologues of the main characters, sharing their inner thoughts and their side of the story. I actually quite enjoy hearing both Ko Gyeom and Mu Bi’s perspectives back-and-forth within the same episode. But my biggest criticisms are that sometimes the monologue happens when there are dialogs going on. There’s not enough pause, thus I feel like I miss a word or two here and there.
Many compared “Melo Movie” and “Our Beloved Summer”. They are two very different dramas with a different feel. “Melo Movie” has more of a melo vibe, and “Our Beloved Summer” is more slice-of-life. If I compared the two, I like “Our Beloved Summer” more even though I am not a big fan of slice-of-life. I was more touched by the storytelling, character growth and second-chance romance. Despite loving episode 8, I am more emotionally invested in “Our Beloved Summer”.
Would I still recommend “Melo Movie”? Yes, I would especially if you are fans of the actors. It was still a very nice watch but the vibe changes throughout the drama. It could be a good or bad thing, depending on your taste.
Completed: 3/9/2025 - Review #552
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Guessing, Pining, Misunderstanding, Talking - Rinse and Repeat
For a manga adaptation, the acting in “The Reason We Fall in Love” is quite normal, and I am happy about it. This drama is really simple and you’ve seen similar stories before.. Some might find it slow and does not enough substance.Who might like this drama? Those who enjoy:
1. The beginning stage of the guessing game (does he/she like me?)
2. Pining and longing
3. Likable characters who don’t annoy you too much
4. No love triangle
I happen to like all the above, so I find this drama good enough for a quick binge. Unfortunately, all the romance storylines follow this format - guessing, pining, misunderstanding, honest talks to resolve issues somewhat quickly - rinse and repeat this 3 times.
I like the main couple, but the other two are a little ‘meh’ to me. There are a few kisses with a somewhat good/decent one (for Japanese standard). I am happy to see the couple showing affection in a pretty natural way. The three main actresses are really pretty, but I find the guys less appealing. The pouty look on ML’s face is weird and took me a few episodes to get used to it. He looks so much better in “Usokon” but here, they put way too much makeup on him.
I will only recommend “The Reason We Fall in Love” for those who like the 4 points I listed above, and are looking for an easy and light-hearted short binge.
Completed: 3/1/2025 - Review #548
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Yaiteru Futari: Kosai 0-Nichi Kekkon kara Koi wo Hajimeyo
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Lots of Deliciously-grilled food and a simple role reversal long-distance marriage.
“How to Grill Our Love” aka “Yaiteru Futari: Kosai 0-Nichi Kekkon kara Koi wo Hajimeyo” is a simple and adorable slice-of-life drama of an interesting marriage. Our leads met online and dove right into marriage without actually dating. Not only was this a lightning-fast marriage but a long distance one! They could only see each other on the weekend.These weekends are filled with deliciously-grilled food, awkward adorableness and honest communication. I think 50% of the screen time is spent on the leads eating and cooking. The other 50% is of them getting to know each other, navigating the challenges of a long-distance relationship and getting used to spending time being together learning each other’s personality traits (good and bad).
It also seems like the leads have their roles reversed. ML is the more emotional and clingy one in the relationship, who loves to cook and overthinks. FL is the calmer, cooler and more rational partner, who is also not afraid to speak her mind to set things straight, or ask for a hug or kiss. I wouldn’t say ML is my type of guy, but it works for FL. The acting is decent, and very typical Japanese manga over-the-top acting on the ML part. But that is to be expected.
This simple drama also has a lovely supporting cast. Everyone is caring and sweet, and roots for our leads relationship. If you are looking for a simple and easy watch, and learn how to grill delicious food, then "How to Grill Our Love'. Otherwise, this might not be exciting enough for many.
Completed: 2/14/2025 - Review #544
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Lovely, cute and touching Romance, but with an unnecessary gangster plot
I was curious about this highly rated Taiwanese BL (MDL rating 8.7) and wanted to check it out. There have been dramas about those who are hearing-impaired, so the challenges that Jiang Shao Peng faces are not uncommon. But the pairing of two different professions of the leads is fresh and new, and quite interesting.The best part about “See Your Love” is the romance. The chemistry of the leads is great and their romantic story is nicely written and developed. I enjoy their honest and lovely communication of not just feelings but of their past and present challenges. They understand and support each other, and there are plenty of kisses for us romance lovers. Both male leads are likable and complement each other well. It’s not a surprise that the more outgoing Sean professes his love first. But it is a pleasant surprise to see the more shy Shao Peng to be quite assertive in his PDA. I am not sure how accurate the sign language is, but both Sean and Shao Peng convince me that they know what they are doing. I love their joint signing in the closet. It was really romantic and shows that they are perfect for each other.
The secondary romance is cute as well, but I think it could have used a little more screen time and more development. The other two ladies are there to advance the plot, but really don’t make a strong impact on the main story.
3 of the 4 leads are newcomers and their acting performance is pretty good. The emotional scenes, especially the hospital scene by Shao Peng and Sean , moved me to tears. The lovey-dovey scenes bring a smile to my face and the sexy scenes are shot well. I also love Shao Peng’s parents. They are so loving, supportive and hilarious. Unfortunately, I am not sure who did the hair and makeup for Nat Chen, who played Yang Zi Cheng. He has the worst makeup (those eyebrows!!) and looks like an old man. He was so cool and handsome in “Kiseki: Dear to Me”.
Despite really LOVING the main romance, I cannot objectively give this drama a rating higher than 8.5. The over-the-top gangster plot is so unnecessary. A cousin acts like a gangster to ‘fight’ for something he never really needs to fight. The animosity is unwarranted when they could have been brothers supporting each other. The appearance of Sean’s dad is anti-climatic. Does he really need to show up for those few minutes and then disappear? Why even waste those few minutes when there’s no follow-up or resolution.
I recommend this Taiwanese BL especially because the romance is so lovely. I laughed, smiled and cried tears of joy and sadness. For a drama led by new actors, this is a great watch.
p.s. Don't forget to stay for the ending scenes after the credit in the last episode.
Completed: 1/20/2025 - Review #536
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Though not as good as Go Ahead, it's still a good adaptation worthy of watching
“Family by Choice” should be my last completed drama in 2024 and I’m glad I am ending my drama year on a happy note (but via a rocky journey of emotions). If you don’t know, this is an adaptation of the very popular and beloved Chinese drama “Go Ahead”. I will try to review “Family by Choice” as an independent drama and also in comparison to its predecessor.Drama reviewed on its own:
Objectively, “Family by Choice” is a great drama. It has a little of everything that would appease different audiences. At its core, it’s about family and especially the new and lovable found family. This family of five was formed due to some unfortunate circumstances. But they are full of love, adoration and care. It’s not easy when two children were abandoned by their mothers at a very young age. The drama follows their healing journey into adulthood, and this journey isn’t easy. You need to prepare for an emotional roller coaster, as you will cry for them as they endure pain, laugh with them as they celebrate successes and smile with them as they find their romantic partners.
I enjoy the acting of the cast very much, especially, Hwang In Youp. I’ve seen most of his dramas but it’s in “Family by Choice” that I realize he has grown to be a great actor. His portrayal of the broken soul, San Ha, is spot on. I want to give him a hug every time I see him, and want to shake some sense into him and his mother, as he suffers under her emotional abuse and manipulation. Playing opposite him are Jung Chae Yeon and Bae Hyeog Seong. Both are great and the three of them have excellent chemistry together as siblings. I have to say, I quite like this portrayal of our female lead Jun Won. I love her sunny disposition and beautiful smile. No wonder she’s the light in San Ha’s dark world. There is no question in the acting ability of the veteran cast, especially the two lovable fathers. Let’s not forget the 3 adorable kids who started the drama with a bang! I actually wish they stay longer than just one episode.
This shorter version is able to fit in all the major plots of the original drama. The pacing is good, the main characters are endearing and the ‘villain’ is just as hateful. The drama is able to hold my attention for the full 16 hours, and I was not bored once, even though I already know how the story goes. I do have two criticisms: San Ha and his mother’s relationship took up too much screen time in an already-shortened version. As much as I appreciate the depiction of mental health issues, I would have liked to see his mother less and have that storyline resolved a lot sooner. It seems like this black cloud looms over everything for way too long, thus, making the drama a little less enjoyable. I’d rather see Hae Jun’s mother more. This long plot took away precious time from other characters that I enjoy. Secondly, though the romance is better than the original version, I want to see a longer and more believable transition of feelings on Ju Won’s end. She went from going in shock, to denial, and acceptance way too fast. The realization of her feelings happens too abruptly.
Comparison to “Go Ahead”:
The best part of “Go Ahead” is seeing the formation of the found family. The Chinese version spent a considerable amount of time showing us the kids' everyday life at home (not just at school) and how the two fathers take care of them in different ways. If you mention “Go Ahead” to those that saw it, they would comment without a doubt that the two fathers are the most MEMORABLE and adorable father duo in dramaland. The Korean version doesn’t give off the same vibe. It’s a watered down version, and this is the most disappointing thing about this drama.
The romance in “Go Ahead” is quite controversial. Many don’t like the perceived ‘love triangle’, because it does such a good job in showing us sibling love. Luckily, the romance in “Family by Choice” is written way better without too many icky feelings. From very early on in the drama, there are already many subtle hints and looks by San Ha, showing he has feelings for Ju Won. It also helps that Hae Jun’s declaration of marriage is obviously for a different reason. I also found Hwang In Youp and Jung Chae Yeon look much better as a couple. They have good chemistry as siblings and also as lovers. In contrast, Seven Tan’s character is way too tomboy-ish and young, thus the romantic pairing with Song Wei Long doesn’t quite work. In another romantic comedy, their height difference could be adorable. But in “Go Ahead”, with the backstory of growing up as ‘siblings’, this couple can give off uncomfortable icky vibes. Unfortunately, in both dramas, I have the same criticism of a poor transition of feelings on the female lead’s part.
I will still recommend viewers to watch “Family by Choice” whether you’ve seen the Chinese version or not. It has its own unique charms with great pacing and excellent acting. However, it doesn’t get as high a rating that I gave to “Go Ahead” (9.0) because I am missing screen time of the super lovable fathers.
Other random observations:
1. Actress Kim Hye Eun who plays San Ha's mother, has so much botox that it's distracting. Her forehead is so shiny as well!
2. Really excellent acting by the kids
3. Love seeing Ju Won (FL) stand up and defend her oppas against both mothers.
Completed: 12/30/2024 - Review #532
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Exploring different perspectives. A drama that makes you THINK
I was not prepared for such a serious topic in “Spare Me Your Mercy” since I didn’t read the synopsis and only wanted to see Tor. LOL. I’m glad Tor brought me to this drama, because even though it was quite a depressing experience, it was a great drama to discuss the different perspectives on euthanasia. I will not go into the moral ethics on this topic, as we all have different beliefs. Knowing that euthanasia is illegal in Thailand, one can deduce the ending of this drama.“Spare Me Your Mercy” did show us the different points of view of euthanasia in 8 short episodes:
* Terminally ill patients - The drama explored their willingness to go through with the process and die with dignity and free of pain. Some think they are relieving their family members of the burden of taking care of them.
* Police officers - Uphold the law that euthanasia is illegal
* General public - Can go either way, but mainly side with the law
* Doctors - 1) Those that believe their occupation is to save lives, 2) those who believe in freeing their patients from suffering and letting them die in dignity.
* Family members - 1) Those who oppose and see their family members as being murdered, 2) Those who support in relieving their family members from pain and suffering, 3) Those who feel abandoned and betrayed by the patients who choose to end their lives.
It actually took me about 2 episodes to be fully immersed in the drama. Binge-watching helps to keep me interested and hit the ‘next’ button. But because the drama is so short, I wish it has spent more time diving deeper into the ethics and moral dilemma of euthanasia, instead of spending a lot of time on the murder mystery. But I fully enjoy each patient and character’s background story. I also feel very conflicted.
Acting is awesome. Tor brought me here, and he’s excellent in playing his role as Dr. Kan. He was great from start to finish, and what a slam dunk finish he has! JJ’s pretty good as Captain Thiu, but I don’t know why he frowns so much. He does have a cute puppy look. The acting of the supporting cast is just as good, especially Nurse On and Pharmacist Boss. It doesn’t have the cringe that I often felt in Thai dramas.
But the drama is not without flaws. Romance is one of them. Tor and JJ have really good chemistry in the scenes they are together. The issue is the development of the romance. There’s not enough time to give us a well-written love story. It goes from love at first sight, to confessing feelings, to dating and moving in together at lightning speed. The drama is unable to find the balance of crime investigation and romantic development. Additionally, I do need to relax my brain a little and not think about the plot holes. It’s quite hard to imagine so many crimes committed without being caught. Don’t cameras exist inside a hospital?
Despite all the flaws, I have an ‘enjoyable’ time watching “Spare Me Your Mercy”. The drama does make me think. I feel just as conflicted as Captain Thiu. If you don’t mind the topic of euthanasia and can ignore a few illogical stuff, I strongly recommend this drama to you. Well, maybe don’t be like me and watch this on Christmas Day.
Completed: 12/26/2024 - Review #530
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Using standup comedy as a unique way to tell a story of self-discovery and growth
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25With the use of standup comedy, our female lead Wu Xiu Ya, discovered her former true self which she hid deep inside of her. Due to an incident in high school and her freely expressing her displeasure, she learned a hard lesson and never spoke up for herself much anymore. But through reconnecting with a former classmate and finding solace in standup comedy, “Later, I Laughed” follows the journey of Xiu Ya to become a much more independent and self-aware person.
There’s a lot to like in this drama. I like the use of standup comedy as a way to express your true feelings - Although not all the jokes land successfully, I did have a fun time watching different characters performing. You are able to truly understand Xiu Ya’s point of view and perspectives through her jokes. The drama might not flat out show you that, but paying attention to her jokes disclose a different side of her.
There is truly no villain in this drama. Are there characters that annoy the heck out of me? Of course. The mothers aren’t always lovable. But, if you think from their perspectives, their worries and controlling behaviors all stem from their upbringing and life experiences. Deep down, mothers want what’s best for their children. They were brought up a certain way, or had experienced tough challenges in life that they don’t want their children to follow in their footsteps. Is the boyfriend patronizing and chauvinistic from FL's point of view? Most certainly. But if you don’t tell him how you truly feel, how else would he know? He really just wants to take care of you, and that’s the only way he knows how to. Don’t forget about the nosy and gossipy co-workers. But they aren’t any different than characters in other business dramas. It just seems to be Chinese culture.
The drama spends a considerable amount of time in promoting stand up comedy and dives into what it is and the challenges it faces in the entertainment industry. But I quite like learning more about it. At least it’s a unique profession that we don’t see much in drama-land. The camaraderie between the comedians at the bar is lovely to see. The 5 of them makes an interesting group of unique individuals from all walks of life. I also like the scenes of them hanging out and making fun of each other.
Unfortunately, the second half of the drama has more flaws. I think the rich guy overstays his welcome. The drama spends way too much on him and FL, and their non-relationship. It’s hard to believe a man of his caliber would fall for a girl he barely knows. Then all of a sudden, he disappears! Is it reasonable for someone like him to act that way just because of a blunder? Yes, it might hurt his pride, but it was way over-exaggerated to be realistic. Viewers for sure know he’s not going to be the last man standing, but at least he serves his purpose as a mentor and life coach for a brief period of time.
The romance isn’t satisfying either, and I was so hopeful in the beginning with Shi Ye’s longing looks. Although the chemistry between Xiu Ya and Shi Ye isn’t electrifying, they do have good conversations as friends and co-workers. The confession scene and the transition from friends to lovers are disappointing and anti-climatic. I was hoping for so much more fun banter and cute scenes before reality sets in. Luckily, we have a great second male lead in Zheng Hao. As I mentioned earlier, he wasn’t a horrible boyfriend, just a clueless one. But once he realized his faults, he changed and did not turn into a petty and evil 2ML. He is correct that Xiu Ya never gave him the chance to get to know the real Xiu Ya. He would have fallen in love with her just the same.
What brings down my rating even more is the last arc about the mother. The drama is able to find a way to address Shi Ye and his mother’s argument in a unique way at the wedding. That was a fun performance to clear the air and bring down the house. Unfortunately, the same could not be said in the resolution between Xia Ya and her mother. That arc becomes just like any other C-drama I’ve seen before. Is it realistic? Probably, just not creative.
The first half of the drama sets the stage for a great character development of Xiu Ya. But the second half falters with the extended rich guy plot, disappointing friends-to -over transition and uninspiring writing of the last arc.
But ultimately, at the end of the drama, viewers can see how far Xiu Ya has come along. She’s no longer the crowd pleaser who hides her own desires and feelings. She has learned to take the time to really find out what she wants in love, in career and in life. I do enjoy “Later, I Laughed” very much in the first half. With only 24 episodes, the drama moves along at a decent pace and the overall acting is good. I also like the songs played. Therefore, I still rate it a somewhat high 8.25, especially for its uniqueness in highlighting standup comedy in China.
Completed: 12/9/2024 - Review #526
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Funny first half but a more serious tone in the second half.
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25I was quite surprised that I had a pretty good time watching “No Gain, No Love”. I wanted something fun and this fits the bill as it’s funny enough without going overboard, but the tone of the drama changes in the second half. I was also a little hesitant in the beginning because I am not a fan of noona romance. Luckily, the age gap was not mentioned much in the drama.
Shin Min Ah shines in her role here. This role reminded me of her character in “Oh My Venus” in a good way, as I didn’t like her in “Our Blues” or “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha”. But her chemistry with Kim Young Dae is not as good as with So Ji Sub.
The first half of the drama is hilarious. I like how the leads dislike each other, yet their interaction is funny. I enjoy the contract marriage trope, and how they come together in creating this fake wedding. When watching wedding scenes, I often have happy tears because I am moved or happy for the couple. This fake wedding moved me to tears because I am sad. The whole reason behind it is not funny at all, despite it being an interesting and exciting event.
The chemistry between Shin Min Ah and Kim Young Dae is decent. It’s cute at times but not sizzling. I actually think the portrayal of them falling in love could have been written better. There are a few kisses but nothing earth-shattering (maybe a slight disappointment because I expected more?). We don’t really see too many cute and fluffy scenes of them before the drama goes down a more serious path.
There are quite a few mentions of other dramas and guest appearances. The supporting cast did fine and I’m glad there’s no one evil or annoying. There are rave reviews about how cute the second couple is. They are OK to me but there isn’t enough screen time for me to truly fall in love with them. I guess I’ll just have to check out their drama special. The third long-time couple surprises me with their setup, but their story is boring. I do not miss them at all when they’re not on my screen.
The second half of the drama, especially the last few episodes, feel rushed and jam-packed with more serious side plots. Knowing the story of how FL’s dad died is enough for me. I don’t really need to know about the other father. I wish the drama could have tied up the sisters' stories without wasting precious screen time on him.
Lastly, there is a lot of product placement in this drama - all the snacks and Kopiko coffee candies, Subway, Banaespresso, cars, and beauty products. With all the revenue from advertising, they could have dressed the female characters with better clothes. They all dress like old ladies.
Overall, I did have a pleasant time watching “No Gain, No Love”. It started off very strong but only ended on an average note. But 12 episodes zoomed by in a jiffy!
Completed: 10/29/2024 - Review #506
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Fun and emotional self-discovery journey with an interesting love triangle on the side.
“Nagi’s Long Vacation” aka “Nagi no Oitoma” is a lovely drama of growth, self-discovery and healing. Feeling suffocated from the demands of everyone and unable to show her true self, Nagi had a breakdown. She packed up and left her work and home in Tokyo, and took a breather in a small town. There’s a strong emphasis on ‘reading the room’ and noticing the atmospheric change in moods, and then acting accordingly in the best possible way (but not necessarily how you truly feel).At first glance, Nagi is sweet and likable. But we only see the ‘surface’ of who she is in the early episodes. As the drama goes on, she slowly discovers who she really is. She might not be as nice as we thought. I am not saying she's mean but someone who is flawed like all of us, and may not be as sweet, kind and caring to everyone she meets. Slowly getting to know the true Nagi is a joy in this journey.
Nagi will need to credit the neighbors, friends and her love interests in her self-discovery. This drama has a lovely and fun supporting cast (except for a couple bullies at work). She finally has real, true friends who she can share her hopes and dreams, failures and worries with. Not only is she getting a lot from those around her, she also has a strong influence on them as well.
As a romance lover, I was pleasantly surprised at how this love triangle pans out. It’s really not what I expected and it was a fun journey to follow along, and guess who Nagi will or will not end up with. I think this is one of the few dramas where I am happy with either option.
I want Nagi to not end up with any man, but be the independent, mature woman that she can be. I want her to continue to grow as a person, to learn from her past mistakes and be the best person she can and want to be.
I also want her to fall in love with the sexy and dreamy neighbor, who is sweet, kind and gentle. Someone who brings in the delicious air/atmosphere for Nagi to indulge in. We all want a neighbor like that. Hey, he is a good kisser and good in bed. LOL
I also want her to get back with her ex-boyfriend. Someone who loved her past and present self. Someone who is very similar to who she was and can grow and mature with her. I want them to finally see each other without their masks on.
“Nagi’s Long Vacation” is a heartwarming drama with some pretty emotional scenes. It’s a lovely watch and I will recommend this if you are a fan of healing/growth/self-discovery slice-of-life drama.
Other Random Observations:
1. Nagi definitely looks cuter with her bushy hair than the wig.
2. The little girl is so smart and much more mature than most adults.
3. I love a J-drama with good kisses. Too bad we don’t see much in the latter half of the drama.
4. I love the analogy of a pull-apart bun to describe the dreamy and irresistible neighbor, and the funny sexy middle school girl taboo.
5. This is one of the more creative confessions I’ve seen with keys.
6. Ex-boyfriend is really not likable in the beginning, but he grew on me.
Completed: 10/23/2024 - Review #502
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