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Adorable Couple... NOT a sweet and fluffy romantic comedy

Completed - 12/11/2021 - 8.25 rounding up to 8.5

Before watching this drama, I was under the impression that this is a funny romantic comedy. Well, we do have a cute and sweet couple, but the second half of this drama is not light and fluffy. Is it good or bad that the story becomes more serious? That is up to the watcher to decide. Personally, I was looking for something different. I wanted to see Dali's growth and struggles in continuing with the management of the art museum in a more rom-com storytelling.

As a fan of Kim Min Jae (ML), I am glad to see him in a different role. I've liked him since Dr. Romantic 1+2, Flower Crew and especially in Do You Like Brahms? He has great comedic timing in his role as Jin Moo Hak, and I love his embarrassed smiles. I was initially afraid that JMH might be too over-the-top for my taste. But I love his character and his flashy suits. He might seem crude and uneducated, but he's such a smart, funny and caring guy inside.

I've seen Park Gyu Young (FL) in other dramas but she's only in a minor/supporting role. I have yet to watch The Devil Judge and probably won't see her in Sweet Home. I really enjoy her acting as our female lead, Dali. Dali appears shy, reserved and refined but there's so much inner strength inside of her. You can see that little tigress inside of her whenever she is at the police station. The teenage Dali is still there, waiting to come out at the right time. Dali has grown so much from the episode until the last episode.

Our main couple complements each other so well. I really like what Dali said that you should be with someone you love and not someone who is like you. Both of them are smart and actually think about what others said and come up with their own conclusions. They did not get bullied into a corner, whether it's because of business or love. The chemistry is great and they are so cute together(love the kisses as well) We don't see too many of lovey-dovey moments, therefore, I can accept the cheese and cringe when we get them. I also love that Dali, though refined and reserved, is not afraid to take the initiative to show any physical affection, and always catches Moo Hak off guard. You go girl!

As I mentioned, I do not quite enjoy the serious tone of the second half of the drama. I felt that the side story of Dali's cousin + Senator Ahn + Jin Family lasted too long. There isn't enough tension or suspense to keep me entertained, and it wasn't difficult to guess who the big bad wolf is.

However, I wouldn't say I don't like this drama. There's enough to keep me entertained and laughed out loud. Our leads convinced me in giving this a generous 8.5 but I was tempted to give it an 8.0. Dali and Moo Hak have become one of my favorite modern drama couples.

Other Observations:
1. They played the OST quite often, esp. in the first few episodes. The songs are played all the time to get you into the mood.
2. Love ML's amazing suits, thus, they do tone it down a little towards the end of the drama.
3. Most of Dali's dresses are quite unique and nice. But a few of them make her look like an old lady.
4. Why do they always make important phone calls out in the open for anyone to eavesdrop?
5. Definitely no second-lead syndrome here.

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A different kind of e-sport drama; lots of gaming content

Completed - 12/02/2021

I've watched my fair share of e-sports/gaming dramas and The King's Avatar is quite different from Love 020, GGS1, GGS2, Gank Your Heart, Falling Into Your Smile and Cross Fire (I am not counting Love Scenery and You Are My Glory as e-sports dramas). Though it did not surpass my favorite, Cross Fire, it is still a great drama to watch. There is no romance and the focus is on gaming and individual character's growth.

I would recommend this drama if you are a FAN of:

1) E-sports or gaming. Compared to the other esports drama that I've named above, gaming is featured predominantly. You cannot skip the gaming scenes to just focus on Yang Yang and the rest of the cast. If you do that, you would only be watching 20-30% of the drama. The CGI and the gameplay are very well done. I really enjoy the characters having their "faces" in the game. It really helps with distinguishing all the different actors and actresses, as there are many of them in this drama. Though the drama tries to explain the gameplay, I am still a little lost at times and need to rewind and watch certain parts again. I am not a gamer at all, but I do enjoy these dramas.

2) Yang Yang - I suspect the high ratings are partially due to Yang Yang's popularity. I wouldn't say his acting is amazing, but he's quite good in this drama. I just wish it's his own voice because he sounded very different (esp. after I finished watching You Are My Glory not too long ago). I see a different side of him, as his character is not the cool/stoic type as in Love020 or YAMG. He actually has a personality, will joke around and act silly and sarcastic. He should really branch out to more lively roles and not pigeon-holed into the cool and handsome roles. Well, he still looks handsome in casual wear. I also think his character is a little too perfect in this drama.

3) Individual character growth - Most e-sports dramas focus a lot of team building and teammates don't get along with each other. There are still some in this drama, but the majority of the storylines are about personal growth of individual characters. I especially enjoy the story of Qiao YiFang (played by Fang JinWei). He started out as a very shy backup player, and then worked really hard to become a vital part of the team. This is my first drama of Fang JinWei and I really like him. He's adorable but when he cries and I see snot coming out of his nose, I appreciate it :) Each of the team members has their own unique storyline, though not long, but you've seen how far they have come - from first introduced to the last episode.

Other Observations:
1) I also like the friendship and camaraderie of all the team captains. It's great to see even though they are competitors, they are professionals and have an unspoken mutual admiration of each other.
2) Took me a while to get into the personality of FL/Chen Guo (played by Jiang ShuYing).
3) There are a few pretty loud characters who talk non-stop! LOL
4) Are internet cafes really that big and fancy in China?
5) Do esports teams really have so much money that their complexes and dormitories are so grand?

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Good acting, great OST but Average drama

Completed - 11/24/2021 - Rating 7.75 rounding up to 8.0

It's hard not to compare "The Castle in the Sky" Season 2 to Season 1, even though you can watch this as a standalone. Maybe because I watched the first season not too long ago (10/3/2021), so when I am watching Season 2, I have a hard time with not comparing. Here's my review of Season 1 if interested (https://kisskh.at/profile/voicelesslove/review/168551). I quite like the Novoland universe, I just wish the dramas are better.

What I Like:

1. Acting - I think the overall acting of all the actors and actresses are pretty good here. It's definitely better than Season 1 where a young Zhang Ruo Yun carried that show on his back . Most of the actors here are quite seasoned and have a few dramas under their belt. This is my first time watching our ML, Jeremy Tsui. At first I thought he was Vengo Gao. Even though for about half of the drama, he has this cool, serious teacher look on this face, he really does have very expressive eyes. When he has to act embarrassed or flirty, you can see how his eyes change. . I just finished "Once We Get Married" with Wang Yu Wen (FL) and Wang Zi Qi (2ML). I enjoy their very different roles in the two dramas. I have to say, Wang Zi Qi has improved and he was better in OWGM than here. I realized I've watched several of Daisy Li's dramas (2FL) but don't recognize her at all. Her acting is among the better of the bunch, as she has a more complicated and interesting character than the other leads. The other supporting cast, both younger ones and veteran actors, all did a decent job.

2. Feng Ru Che (FL) - The character development of Ah Che is a big part of this drama. She started out as a street smart and happy 18-year old girl, to become the Queen. I am glad that she's not annoyingly innocent and doesn't lose her intelligence. From street smart to being able to see through lies and schemes, to gaining the wisdom of war and battle strategies, to finally become the rightful queen - she has come a long way. Most importantly, she didn't lose her wits when she falls in love, even though she does need a lot of saving.

3. OST - The drama does play the theme songs quite often, almost every episode. But personally, I really like all the songs. They all complemented the drama well and they are all lovely. I bumped my rating to 8.0 because I enjoy the songs so much. The ending theme song "風雪嘆" is my favorite and they do play this song quite a bit in the drama.

4. ML Comedic moments - though not often and could be out-of-nowhere, I enjoy the few funny scenes of our ML. Whether he's "exercising" before he first met FL in the palace as her teacher, or the fake cough that he does - these are the rare funny moments that break the icy personality of our ML.

5. Costumes - Compared to Season 1, this season definitely has better costumes and accessories. It's not big budget quality, but for a lower budget production, we see many beautiful dresses and headpieces. Everyone looks beautiful and handsome in their battle gears.


What I Don't Like:

1. The Main romance - Personally, I don't feel a lot of chemistry between the leads. They both acted well, but I am just not feeling it. I am also a sucker for ML who would sacrifice and do anything for FL, but this romance is not giving me the feels. I guess my biggest complaint of this romance or even this drama, is the constant push-and-pull between the leads. ML keeps on wanting to leave FL for her own good and so she won't die. I am fine with this. But then, why keep on showing up in front of her again and keep on saving her in crisis? *SPOILER ALERT* Towards the end, why would you wipe out her memory, and then become her teacher again and stay in the palace? You can tell she's falling in love with you again and you see the flower sign, what's the point? Additionally, our ML is always stalking FL either using his magical mirror or by being invisible.

2. Slow Motion scenes - There are just too many slow motion scenes in this drama, like in a rom-com. You can see slow gazes, slow spinning, slow walking/running and worst of all, slow fight scenes. Although there's fighting in this drama, you can't say that it has great choreography. The sword-fighting scenes are passable but I feel that the actresses were having trouble with the fights.

3. They never die - So many characters got beat up badly. Swords and arrows flying through their bodies, bones broken when hitting cement, but they all managed to survive! Magic! There are also some other illogical scenes here and there.


Other Observations:
1. If you watch this drama on YouTube like me, the sound goes out quite often.
2. What is up with the funny-looking, flying big bad villain? Is it a bug? A bee? It looks like a Pokemon.
3. I miss the steampunk elements in Season 1.
4. I think Season 1 has a better general plot.
5. Do they really not want to tell Ah Che why she's left an orphan?

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Watch for the crime investigation but not the romance

Completed 11/7/2021

The title of this drama is quite misleading. It gives off a romantic comedy vibe, but in actuality, it's a crime investigation drama. The drama revolves several crime and murder investigations and how they are woven intricately together into the big crime by the masterminds. I enjoy this type of crime investigation as it usually takes a few episodes to solve one crime. I watched another show before where the investigation is completed in less than 2 episodes and I feel exhausted from the never-ending episodic investigations (looking at you "My roommate is a detective"). However, I might still be a little confused about how the masterminds are behind all the crimes in this drama. I am not sure if it's me, or it's the drama's fault.

I enjoy the story and the development of our two female leads. They are both new interns in the violent crimes investigation unit and have very different strengths and weaknesses. I breathed a sigh of relief when we get a supportive sismance, instead of jealous and hatred between the ladies.

The romance plot is a very small part of the drama. Do not go into the drama wanting great romance. Both main and secondary romances are slow-burn and almost non-existent. *Spoiler* I am not satisfied with the ending of both romances, as the happy endings seem to come from the left field. They are rushed and illogical in a sense. I don't see how a romance that never really blossoms can end with a casual marriage proposal, esp. right after the ML wakes up from a coma. They should have spent more time developing the slow burn romance, or just not give us this proposal.

On a positive note, the acting is pretty good all around. Wang Kai looks really good in a suit and in his police uniform (though he's a little too skinny). He has quite a few action/fight scenes and they look believable. I watch this drama in 2021, it doesn't feel dated. The makeup looks really natural, esp. for the guys who are not covered with white foundation. I love the natural tanned look.

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Above-Average fight scenes + Good acting by Young Cast (before they're famous!)

10/19/2021 - 8.25 rounding up to 8.5

I have not read the novel so this review is solely my take on the drama itself. I am pleasantly surprised that I enjoy this drama more than I thought I would. Being an 55-episode drama, I am prepared to experience a long and draggy storyline. I am actually engaged through about the first 30 or so episodes. At the time of writing this review, I've watched the first 6 episodes of season 2, and I strongly believe that they should have combined both seasons into one, and then cut down an episode or two from each of season 1's arcs. It's quite pointless to split this into 2 seasons, and then have a third season planned.

Acting: It's quite interesting to see all these big stars before they were famous. All of their acting is quite good. This is my first Li Ying Feng drama and he did a pretty good job as the male lead. I really enjoy seeing his character development from a young, innocent, and kind-hearted teenager, to become a loyal, stubborn and noble hero. The only criticism I have is that I don't quite see love in his eyes when he's looking at FL. Other than that, his portrayal of other emotions is good. I've seen quite a couple Zanilia Zhao dramas (Rookie Agent Rouge and Story of Ming Lan). I am not a big fan of hers, but I do think she did a good job in this drama as well. She looked so young and with such a baby face. Similarly, I've also seen a couple Yang Zi's dramas (Ashes of Love and Go Go Squid) and I do not like her characters in these dramas. However, I finally found her likable here and can see why she has so many fans. She looked beautiful and I like her portrayal of this calm, serious and level-headed character, yet still showing her very reserved admiration for ML. For the other two male leads, Cheng Yi and Qin Jun Jie, I am definitely a fan of them and their other works. I already know they can act and they don't disappoint here. Oh, I think Qin Jun Jie ages like fine wine :)

Martial Arts/Fight scenes: A big reason for me wanting to watch this drama is because of the fight scenes. I continue to search for dramas who will give me great fights with no slow-motion, spinning/twirling, and actors who couldn't hold a sword steadily. I would say I am quite satisfied with the fight scenes in the first half of the drama, esp. when the leads are still students. Even though there are quite a few zoomed out fight scenes and you know those were body doubles and stunt(wo)men, the overall visuals and choreography are good. However, in the second half, the use of magic and CGI increases and the actual fight scenes diminish. We got a few more good fighting towards the end of the drama. Overall, I personally think this drama has above-average fight scenes and it's a big reason I bumped my rating from an 8.0 to 8.5.

Plot/Characters: I enjoy the general plot of the drama and the different storylines. I do think that some of the arcs could be shortened. But there are enough action and events going on to keep be engaged through the first 30 episodes. I do feel that the drama slows down around episodes 30-40. I am also happy to see that our male leads, Xiao Fan and Jing Yu, continue to have this great friendship throughout the drama. Often times, you have one brother turns into an evil character. I am relieved to see them both continue to be the persons that they were as kids, and the bromance/friendship continues on when they are adults. I am also happy to see strong female characters who could fight and might be better fighters than the male characters. There's enough self-sacrifice and saving each other in this drama that I wouldn't characterize the female characters as damsels in distress. They do seem to be strong and intelligent throughout the drama.

Romance: Our main leads have a Romeo & Juliet-type romance. Even though I enjoy their scenes together and all the hardships that they go through, I only find their chemistry OK for the majority of the drama. As mentioned earlier, I am not feeling the love from Li Ying Feng. I expect more emotions if you are Romeo. I would say the turning point would be in ep. 52 when Xiao Fan heartbreakingly confesses to Bi Yao. That scene is when I can feel that chemistry. However, in the last 10 episodes, the romance seems to be running in circles - ML not wanting to see FL, FL went to see him and asked him to leave with her, ML said no - repeat a few times. The secondary romance between Jing Yu and Jin Ping Er is even weaker. There aren't enough scenes between them, and they don't have that many alone time together. I don't find it believable that Jin Ping Er would fall in love with Jing Yu. There's not enough buildup and it's not a love at first sight. There are also quite a few unrequited loves in this drama and they are decently portrayed.

CGI/Music - I have very low expectations coming into this drama regarding CGI and special effects. For a 2016 C-drama, it's decent. I laughed out loud at the appearance of a weird and slippery-looking snake though. This also might be the first drama that I've enjoyed the background music more than the songs themselves. The songs aren't that memorable but the BGM complements the different scenes appropriately.

Other observations:
1) The guy with the dice as a magical weapon is quite funny, esp. in fight scenes
2) A grown-up Jackson Yee is more handsome than a teenage Jackson Yee :)
3) What is up with the medicine product placement?!?
4) Weird directing where actors just stand there and stare at each other for 5 seconds before speaking - forcing the viewers to feel the attraction?

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Japanese traditions and beautiful desserts

10/16/2021

I saw that this drama would be leaving Amazon Prime Video in a few days, so I decided to not hesitate anymore and watch it. It's a relatively short drama, even by Japanese standards. Compared to "Watashitachi wa Douka Shiteiru", this drama focuses on romance and choosing your own paths, instead of a thriller/mystery/romance. "Kyoto Love Story" is lighter and also not as good at "Watashitachi wa Douka Shiteiru".

I enjoyed the first half of this drama more than the second half. The pace of the second half got slower and I felt like the plot was going in circles. The banter between the main leads was quite good, and it's a good development of the romance. However, once we approached the second half and FL confessed her feelings, it went downhill. I got annoyed with the ML and his reason for not reciprocating FL's feelings. The second romance is even worse. I want to punch the 2ML in the face. He's such an annoying jerk. I don't feel the chemistry of the secondary couple and I really can't tell if they do truly love each other. I don't know what is up with the male characters being so wishy washy and not straightforward. The female leads are honest about their feelings, but the male counterparts just evade the questions. The little sister's romance seems like an afterthought. It could have been better but screen time was limited.

The main positives of this drama are the beautiful sights of traditional Japanese desserts, the different kimonos worn (though they're not as exquisite as those I've seen in other dramas), and learning about Japanese culture. It's great to see temple and scenery shots in Kyoto. Aside from the 2ML, I enjoy the acting of the main cast.

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Short and Sweet!

10/2/2021

This is a very short and sweet drama. I would recommend this for someone who wants to watch something light-hearted and short. It's also a good palate cleanser after watching something intense or tragic. There are not villains, no jealous ex or love triangle, and no misunderstanding. It's an easy watch.

Since it's an adaptation from a webtoon, you will need to suspend reality and know that this is about the NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) Protection Act. A NEET is basically someone unemployed and not contributing to society. Our FL is a NEET and our ML is a government official who is assigned to marry our FL as the first trial subjects of the NEET Protection Act.

Even though our FL is shy and innocent, she is not dumb. She's just not used to socializing. She is not afraid to ask questions or speak up if needed, and is not so naive that she would make stupid decisions. She's sweet and kind. A lovely girl that you want to root for her happiness. The leads look good together and they have many cute and heartwarming scenes. The whole drama revolves around their marriage and how they fall in love with each after getting married. I love the happy and sweet ending.

Because the drama is so short, I feel that there are elements that weren't explained or explored enough. I would like to see more of the struggles and uneasiness in the beginning of marriage. The acceptance from FL and the falling in love seem to happen too fast. ML supposedly doesn't believe in marriage and wasn't really in love when he was in a 4-year relationship with his ex. Yet, he seems to fall in love quite fast with FL. I also feel that the issue with the magazine resolved too quickly.

I personally enjoy the marriage contract trope, so I will give it a solid 8.0 and because it's what I needed at the moment.

p.s. why are Jdoramas ratings always so much lower than K-dramas and C-dramas??

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Hilarious and Heartwarming

9/23/2021 - 8.75 rating - not quite a 9.0.

Hospital Playlist 1 was one of the first K-dramas I watched during the Covid-19 pandemic. Because I was so new to K-dramas, I didn't know what to expect from a slice-of-life drama. Maybe that's why my expectations were too high and I was a little disappointed. I did not quite get the hype of this drama, since it's so beloved by all.

Now that I have over 150 K-dramas under my belt, I think I know what I want and like. This drama needs to be reviewed as a slice-of-life drama, but not a plot-driven medical drama like Dr. Romantic. It's not about the medical cases and patients. With that in mind, I am able to enjoy Season 2 a lot more. I also forgot most of what happened in Season 1 ;)

Episode 1 started off great. You see the beloved characters and their tight friendship. Their friendship is the selling point of this drama. This episode was hilarious and heartwarming. The story of the mother who lost her son, and visited the hospital often, touches my heart on a personal level. The drama showcases people and relationships surrounding the patients and the medical cases. It talks about the unsung heroes, e.g. nurses and ER staff. If you have stayed in a hospital before, or accompanied someone, you know it's the nurses who do all the hard work. They are the ones answering your call at all hours. They really need a show dedicated to the hard working nurses. On another note, even though there are show about ER doctors, I appreciate them highlighting the importance of critical care in the ER, before all these hot-shot surgeons get a chance to operate. A side note, the ER in Hospital Playlist 2 is the calmest ER I've seen in drama-land.

There are so many funny interactions and moments. Just seeing two of the male leads sprinkling water on each other cracked me up big time. They acted so silly when all the BFFs are together. Top moments for me: The off-key singing of our FL, the cute son, father-son adorable relationship, siblings love, all BFF moments from our leads to our supporting cast.

However, I think I am most disappointed in the romance storylines. I know it's not a show focused on romance, but they are all not very satisfying. I also think the last episode is anti-climatic and boring.

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Light drama without tackling any serious teenage issues

"Our Secret" is one of the lighter coming-of-age teen dramas that I have watched. It is very romance-focused and doesn't tackle serious issues, and even the pressure of school/studies isn't that bad. The romance is very slow-burn and is nicely paced and done. You can say the relationship has a pretty "realistic" development. The leads do have some pretty sweet moments.

Personally, I don't like FL's character. I don't like loud female leads nor super shy ones either. FL here is the shy, quiet and super introverted type. Comparatively, I like the quiet but strong FL in "My Huckleberry Friends" more. I also don't like FL's voice and the way she speaks. On the other hand, ML has a more normal personality (though he's a genius) and not the typical bad boy or cold-outside/warm-inside type.

I think 24 episodes is more than enough, and it could be one or two episodes shorter. Because the drama is very "slice-of-life", personally I find the pacing OK (not great) but also not too slow. I watched this drama on YouTube and it affects my viewing enjoyment because some songs and music were blocked due to copyright issues.

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Strong male characters but female characters drove me crazy

6/15/2021

I decided to watch this drama because of the male leads. They are definitely good-looking and I like all 4 of them. However, even though I enjoy romance storylines, I feel that the drama should have focused more on crime investigation and fighting, instead of romance. Aside from the main FL, I do not like any of the female characters. They are all annoying, immature and petty. They make the MLs weaker and not as heroic as they could be. It's especially worse with the female deputies who keep on bullying the FL. They are so unprofessional and petty and should never be allowed to continue to be deputies. I do enjoy the slow romance of the main FL and ML and would have loved to see them more. The acting of the 4 MLs are good and they look good in their uniforms and in fight scenes.

I enjoy the fight scenes as they are more of the traditional wuxia fighting than the modern xianxia fighting with slow motion and spinning. The music is fine and I do enjoy the opening and the closing songs, sung by the two cast members. The costumes and CGI were just OK (well, this is an older drama afterall). Not a fault of the drama, but from watching on Viki, it seems like they re-did the color of the drama and everything looks so HDR+ and fake. The drama is decent, but still has many plot holes. If the female characters are less annoying and the romances are more mature, I would have liked this drama more. The drama could be a little shorter by cutting repeated conversations about romance and revenge.

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This is not for me...especially the Main Romance

I don’t usually write a review of a dropped drama, but I figured this could be helpful to others who feel the same way. Is this a horrible drama? No, not really. But it’s not enough to keep me wanting to continue on and there are elements I don’t enjoy that are central to the plot.

Disclaimer:
I am a romance lover. Romance (whether it is a main plot or subplot) can make or break a drama for me. If I love the main romance, I can overlook some flaws.
Not always a fan of noona romance (older woman/younger man). I want to give this drama a chance because of Xiao Zhan. The only other noona romance I can think of that’s similar and I liked is “The Rational Life”. But I watched that years ago, and I might not like it as much if I were to watch it today.

Let’s start with what I Like:

Strong Female Leads - Stories about women in their 30s can be inconsistent. Dramas claim they are independent and mature, but their actions tell a different story. However, Jian Bing (FL) and Liang Shan Shan (2FL) prove to be the minority. Through their actions, thoughts and feelings within the first 18 episodes that I watched, they are truly mature and independent. They don’t rely on men to provide them with happiness. They live for themselves and are professional when at work.

Acting - There’s really nothing for me to pick on in terms of acting. From what I’ve seen so far, the main and supporting cast deliver good performances. I was especially impressed with the veteran performance from ML’s parents when they were having a big argument. I bet that sequence was done in one shot as the way they yell at each other seems so real.

Make-up - It’s lovely to see a drama without white filters, strong backlighting or white thick foundation on the actors' faces. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Xiao Zhao look so ‘real’. Everyone just looks normal and in character.


That’s all I can think of. And now with the negatives and why I can’t continue on.

Main Romance - As I mentioned, the main romance can make or break a drama for me. Unfortunately, this romance is giving me similar vibes as “Go Go Squid 2”, another drama I dropped. Sheng Yan (ML) is a mature 26-year old at work. He was professional and knows enough to keep his mouth shut and to Fake It Till he Makes it (<-- a little plug of another drama who has an excellent romance LOL). However, when it comes to love, he is a little puppy, always following FL around. And because FL is such a mature woman, his puppy eyes stop being cute after the first few episodes. I dropped “Go Go Squid 2” for this same reason. I like an unrequited love, but for that to last so long, when ML is a mature adult at work, seems off to me. I like a slow burn romance, but not when I don’t feel any romantic chemistry between the leads and when they are so different in the stages of their lives. They seem more like sister/brother or mentor/mentee to me. Maybe the romance develops into something beautiful in the second half of the drama, but at ep 18, it is not motivating me to continue on.

Plot - The pace is also quite slow. 36 episodes are way too long. There isn’t much happening in the first 18 episodes, and nothing different. I do appreciate the story of a female (and badass) director. Everything that happened is predictable. I don’t think this is supposed to be a slice-of-life drama, thus, I expect more from the plot. Are there touching moments? Yes. Is it well-acted? Yes. Does it make me hit the “play” button next? No. As a binge watcher, this is a big indicator of when the drama is not for me.


This review is super subjective and I am sure many love this drama. To me, I was expecting more and it didn’t deliver. It’s not a bad drama, just not enough for me to continue on when there are too many other dramas waiting for me.


Completed: 9/30/2023 - Review #360

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Despite having witty dialogs and great acting, it's not well-executed

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

Well, the synopsis sounded interesting to me, and I am a fan of second-chance romance. Slice-of-life melodramas are a hit-or-miss for me. So, did I end up liking “My Youth”? Mm…it’s OK.

There are elements of the drama that I really enjoy. The witty dialogs and conversations between the 4 leads as a group, the 2 couples, and the 3 siblings. This comes from the same screenwriter who wrote “Run On”, one of my favorite K-dramas. So I am not surprised that I am really loving those sarcastic remarks and witty comebacks. These conversations brought the relationships of these characters to life and exuberated excellent chemistry - friendships, family and romance. I love the 4 leads. They are interesting and multi-faceted. The two pairs fit each other so well.

I also enjoy the acting of the whole cast. From the young ones, to the teenagers, adults and the veterans. There is no weak link. I haven’t seen Song Joong Ki since “Vincenzo” and I think he did a great job portraying the main lead. Ok, his hairstylist and the costume department could have done a better job with him. Seeing a grown up Nam Da Reum (he’s 23!!) is like watching my kid grow up in front of my TV. And how nice to see Seo Ji Hoon again. He’s the eye candy that I needed. He’s so cute and handsome, and I love his character as well. The ladies, Chun Woo Hee and Lee Joo Myung are sassy and interesting. They play the untypical female leads well and make them fun.

I had a pretty decent time watching in the first ¾ of the drama. I didn’t find the pacing too slow for me and despite being a character-driven drama, there’s enough plot to keep it going. But then, the drama’s pace starts to slow down in the last quarter of the drama. The back-and-forth of the main romance became a tiny bit repetitive. When I found out what ML has been hiding, I dreaded the story a little. Had I known this was his secret, I might not have started this drama (this is a personal reason, no fault of the drama). Although I continue to enjoy the interaction of the main leads, the plot itself does not seem as interesting anymore. It’s not moving fast enough and it seems like I’m just waiting for the bomb to drop. I wanted to see more of the secondary romance, but despite having enough time, time wasn’t spent on them.

The ‘villains’ aka parents in this drama are forgiven so easily. We didn’t see much of the process of forgiveness and it all seems to happen behind-the-scenes. On several occasions, the editing was weird. I thought the drama was going to show me and expand on what’s happening, but it just cut to a different scene. I am also not satisfied with the last episode. It’s not hard to guess the ending, but I wish it was executed better.

I would only recommend this drama if you enjoy a slow-paced slice-of-life melodrama. I enjoy the acting, the interesting main characters and relationships, and witty dialogs. But it’s not a well-written, well-edited and well-executed drama.


Completed: 11/6/2025 Review #640

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Excellent chemistry and beautifully acted, BUT wasn't expecting it to be so romance-focused

“Reset” started out with one of the better and more memorable ep. 1 that I’ve seen in a long time. It was explosive, intriguing and set the stage up really well for the rest of the drama. It made you want to hit “Play Next Episode” right away. I had high expectations after that first episode, and especially knowing Pond and PeterPan did not disappoint in the acting department.


Acting
The acting of the leads is probably one of the biggest strengths of the drama. Pond and PeterPan have proven themselves in other projects and they’re amazing here. Their chemistry was sizzling and each emotion was well-acted. The rest of the cast did pretty well, except for maybe Bom, who played Thiwthit (Tada’s brother). I found him overreacted and made his character a little cartoonish. But overall, “Reset” is one of the few Thai BLs where acting is not a weakness.

Romance
I was quite surprised how romance-focused this drama is. As much as I love romance, it was a little too much and some scenes and lines are too cheesy and cringey for me. But it’s without a doubt that Tada and Armin’s love story is beautiful, heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I love all the kisses and both Pond and PeterPan are so comfortable with each other that each touch, each breath and kiss really convey a lot of emotions. Their love scenes are shot beautifully and tastefully, full of sensual and passionate energy. But I do feel tired of the use of slower motion and the constant blasting of the ‘romantic music’. It doesn’t matter if they are hugging, kissing, gazing into each other’s eyes, the ‘romantic music’ will come on every single time. Sometimes, I wish I could just hear the silence and their breaths (which J-dramas do really well). If you love romance, you are in it for a treat from start to finish. You will find Tada as the perfect boyfriend who doesn’t mind giving and giving and giving. I actually want him to be less forgiving and giving, and want him to make Armin grovel and beg for longer.

Plot
I initially thought “Reset” will focus more on revenge, finding out why Armin’s death happened and trying to change the past. The drama did some of that, but as mentioned, romance took up the bulk of the screen time. The first half of the drama did a good job in balancing all those elements but the second half is when I was disappointed. Two characters killed Armin in 2025, yet in 1999, all he did was hook them up? That’s it? That was so anticlimactic! Where was the investigation of the murder? Where was the revenge? After Tada became a lovesick puppy, this Chairman does not need to work anymore. The balance of business + family fights + Armin’s second chance in life is lost. I felt that the ending also did not tie up all the loose ends. What happened to Tada’s flashbacks? Why did they happen and what significance do they have to Tada’s memories? Tada never really questioned Armin’s second life story, why? Instead of spending so much time on the romance, the writers could have closed out this drama on a better note.


Despite my complaints, I can’t deny I had a great time watching “Revenge”. I just wish the second half was as strong as the first half, especially when I love the first episode so much. I might have complained about the romance, but I DO love it. The chemistry between the leads is undenying and sizzling hot. I can’t help but have a smile and grin on my face, and they make me happy (maybe just shudder a tiny bit). The acting is excellent and the cinematography is great. I love the theme song even though it’s the only song and was overplayed. Unfortunately, I can’t give this higher than an 8.5. I was hoping “Reset” would end up being one of my top 5 BLs, but it didn’t make the cut. I will still recommend this drama, but not for those who don’t like romance plots.



Other Random Observations;
1. There are many scenes of beautifully sculpted abs and torsos. Hello PeterPan!
2. Thank goodness the ugly wig only showed up in one episode.
3. I also noticed it failed to change back to the ugly wig in a few of the flashback scenes.
4. PeterPan has a beautiful voice. He can sing “Happy Birthday” to me anytime.
5. On the flip side, piano boy/singer does not have a good singing voice and I don't like Pond's speaking voice. LOL




Completed: 8/4/2025 Review #609

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Sizzling Chemistry, Amazing Kisses, Beautiful Cinematography

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.75

Netflix dropped all 9 episodes of “Doona!” and it became a Doona weekend for many, including myself. Maybe because I am in the mood for a melo-healing drama after so many comedies, I really enjoyed this. The initial setup and plot aren’t that unique, but the chemistry makes it worthwhile. Though this is not a perfect drama, it gives me the feels and touches me.

The chemistry between Suzy and Yang Se Jong is sizzling. I LOVE their kisses 😘 and yes, I said it out loud). It’s been a while since I last saw a couple (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Thai) who gave so much emotion into these kiss scenes. We have two actors who are not shy and really participate and give me all the feels. I am not just talking about sexy/sexual kisses, but the sense of uncertainty, the should-I-shouldn’t-I type of emotions, and the love they feel for each other. Aside from the kisses, their scenes together are lovely. I really enjoy how their relationship started from strangers, who don't care for each other, to loving each other so much that they beg for the other’s affection and attention.

It takes a man like Lee Won Joon, gentle, adorable and forgiving, to deal with a selfish, emotional and broken diva like Lee Doo Na. The two of them are an odd pair in a way, yet they complement each other so well. Both are flawed (even the adorable Won Joon) and make flawed decisions. But since this is not a romantic comedy, their questionable decisions make this drama even more intriguing.

The acting is pretty good all-around. It probably wasn’t too difficult for Suzy to play a pop idol. But her emotional scenes are done well. Yang Se Jong reminded me of his character in “Thirty But Seventeen” but in this drama, there are more heartbreaking moments. I mentioned earlier about the kisses and there are a few shots where Yang Se Jong/Won Joon behaved shyly and passionately which totally made me fall for his character. I also enjoyed Ha Young’s portrayal of Kim Jin Joo. Under other circumstances, I would root for her happiness with the male lead. I felt for her and wanted her to find someone special.

The cinematography is beautiful and the songs complement the scenes well. I am actually surprised at the lack of songs played during some romantic moments. Oftentimes you would hear loud music blasted on screen for any hint of a romance. But here, there’s a lot of silence in the scenes between Doo Na and Won Joon, and that adds to the emotional impact of their acting.

On another note, I really cannot stand Choi Yi Ra, Miss Brazil. She is so loud and annoying. I wanted to mute her whenever she comes on screen, and especially when she’s with her two friends. I also find her little side romance unnecessary. I would have liked the drama to focus more on Doo Na’s relationship with her manager. Oh, and Hello Lee Jin Woo, you are looking mighty fine in that suit, acting all arrogant and bossy. 😍 The few flashbacks we got of Doo Na and her manager were not enough to tell me why she was so obsessed with him. It has to be more than liking him and clinging on to him as if he’s her only family. I also would like more scenes of Doo Na and Sweet Dreams’ group members (before and after).

Moreover, I also felt that the anxiety and panic attacks that Doo Na was experiencing were swept under the rug. Aside from being abandoned in a house alone, there was no talk of therapy or help. Did she miraculously heal by being abandoned, sleeping and eating a lot? Did love heal her? It seems too easy for her to set foot on stage again.

As for the ending, I want to believe that it’s a happy ending. I want to believe that after the emotional reconciliation 4 years later (and I love that scene), they came to understand each other again. That the very last scene is a very discreet way for them to meet in Japan for business individually, and having secret dates after work.

I definitely recommend this drama if you are looking for a melo-healing romance with sizzling chemistry. Fans of Suzy and Yang Se Jong should not miss it as well.



Completed: 10/22/2023 - Review #369

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Coming-of-age fantasy adaptation with a lot of Heart and Realism

Is it possible to have a webtoon adaptation that maintains the fantasy and over-the-top humor, yet still gives you a sense of realism with character development? If so, then I think “Spirit Fingers” might have achieved that.

“Spirit Fingers” started with a combination of realism (a topic I disliked in K-dramas) and also a very over-the-top ML during the leads’ first meeting. But the way they are, sets the tone of this drama in the first episode. The first half of the drama is fun but it’s the last few episodes that really hit me with all the feels and bring me on an emotional roller coaster.

Female lead, Song U Yeon (Baby Blue Finger) is a timid 18-year girl who craves love and attention from her parents. She’s the black sheep of the family as an average girl with two genius overachieving brothers. Her lack of self-esteem is displayed front and center in this drama and honestly gives me a lot of frustrations. But also because of this, her character development felt natural and real. She doesn’t mature overnight. In fact, it seems like she moves two steps forward and then one gigantic step backward each time, all the way until the end of the drama. I like her and I want to shake some sense in her. We have a complicated relationship. LOL

On the other hand, male lead Nam Gi Jeong (Red Finger) is the complete opposite. He’s a little dumb and super confident in himself and his looks. When he turns on his amateur model charm and professionalism, he is a bright shining star. He doesn’t care about anything or anyone much, until he meets FL. I am not going to lie, his over-the-topness annoys me in the beginning. But he has the most beautiful growth and you can see how much he has matured, without losing the essence of Red Finger. He complements FL very well. He is her biggest supporter, cheerleader and self-confidence injector.

The concept of the group Spirit Fingers is interesting. It’s a safe space for a group of kind-hearted and unique individuals who just love to draw. I love the themes they have for each week and look forward to the sets, costumes and the ridiculousness of it all. As I mentioned, “Spirit Fingers” does not shy away from its identity, a webtoon adaptation. It kept many of the fantasy elements and I’m glad the drama embraces it all. I do wish I can get to know more of the individual SP members, and not just Mint and Blue Fingers. I do enjoy their friends-to-lovers arc, but it drags on for a little too long. Some screen time could be dedicated to Black and Khaki, or Pink and Brown.

I also love the girl's friendship. They are girlfriends who care and support each other. They will fight and make up. They will yell and beat up bullies for you, and cry while having honest conversations. There’s no evil jealousy or fighting for the same man. What a lovely trio! The boys on the other hand have a more fun bromance going on. A little less ‘feelings’ but more chaotic ‘counseling’.

As much as I love this drama, it’s not an easy watch. It’s really hard to sit back and enjoy the sweet romance and self-discovery, without wanting to strangle some characters, especially the parents. I understand this is a very cultural thing, but I just wish K-dramas can change it up a little without such a strong focus on bullying and strict parental demands and expectations. There’s some satisfaction in the end with the brothers speaking up, but it wasn’t explosive enough and I wanted to see a little more of the aftermath.

“Spirit Fingers” is not just a sweet romance drama. It’s a coming-of-age drama of our leads. Their journeys of growth come with a lot of speed bumps yet also filled with laughter and lovable chaos. This is a great watch that gives me quite an emotional roller coaster ride of laughter and tears. I felt the drama balances the romance and growth aspects pretty well throughout the drama. I would definitely recommend this drama.


P.s. don’t forget to watch the clips after the ending credit previews.
Pps. I did not watch the webtoon


Completed: 11/28/2025 Review #647

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