virgievirgie

Great from start to finish with enough excellent fight scenes to satisfy a wuxia lover

I usually don't watch wuxia movies as they oftentimes let me down due to incompetent writing and crappy fight scenes. After watching so many wuxia dramas that take their sweet time in world-building and setup, it's hard to find a movie that can do all of that in less than 2 hours. I'm glad I found "Brotherhood of Blades" years after it premiered. There's a beginning, middle and end to a full plot, and I was captivated and entertained for the full hour and 50 minutes.

The action scenes are awesome. There is no wired flying around, twirling and waiting around during a battle and slow motion fight scenes. We have men (yes, men not boys) who put in the effort to train hard and give us realistic and hardcore close-up fights. I love the different weapons used in this movie, and not just a sword or knife. No weak and mindless swinging of the sword but strong and determined slashes and slits of the throats.

A veteran cast (maybe not then but definitely now) delivered a beautiful performance. I've only seen Chang Chen in "Love and Destiny" and I love him in "Brotherhood of Blades" a lot more and he looks much more charismatic in his JinYiWei uniform. I've never seen Wang Qian Yuan (the oldest of the brothers) before and I am impressed. Li Dong Xue is the youngest might not have delivered as memorable a performance as the two brothers, but he's not bad. I like him a lot more in "Love and Destiny". The two female characters and love interests do not have many scenes but they're fine. It's lovely to see great actors such as Nie Yuan, Zhou Yi Wei and Chin Shih Chieh. You know they will be good. Looking back, there are many excellent actors in this movie!

If you are looking for romance, it's very minimal. It's enough to drive the plot but not enough to make a lasting memory. Liu Shi Shi is beautiful as the female lead (that doesn't have many scenes). She reminded me of her role in "Lost Love in Times". There was a scene towards the end that was very touching and gave us the backstory of her relationship with Chang Chen's character.

If I have to criticize, I would have loved the movie to be a tad longer and dive more into how the brothers met and a little bit more of their background. Most of them are explained in a sentence or two. I think another 15 mins would be enough to show us more.

I am quite surprised this movie has such a low rating on MDL (7.5 at the time of writing). I am rounding up my rating from 8.75 to 9.0 to give it a little bump. 😁 If you love good old-style fight scenes and a strong acting performance by everyone, I
recommend this movie. Only 924 watchers is not enough!


Completed: 12/18/2022

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Everybody Marries Jiu Ling!

Completed - 11/20/2021

"Jun Jiu Ling" seems to be a pretty controversial drama - either you love it or you hate it. I am in the former and quite enjoy watching this drama. The pacing is good for a 40-episode drama with a good mix of romance, politics, medical practices and battles, to keep me engaged. This is no small feat, as I do get bored usually in the middle of a Chinese historical drama.

Plot - If you can get over the ridiculousness of the first episode - a bad attempted murder, incredible prison break and face/voice changing, then you will be rewarded with a good and fun drama. The general plot is pretty typical - a revenge drama to expose the wrongdoings of the antagonists with the support of your friends. As I mentioned, this drama has many different elements. I am glad that it's not about a bunch of princes fighting for the throne. There's enough romance to go around for the romance lovers (like myself), a little bit of martial arts, some evil court ministers and battle scenes to save the country. This is by no means a perfect drama with a perfect plot. There are some scenes that I did do some eye-rolling, but I enjoy the drama for the most part.

Jin Han/Zhu Zan/ML - Jin Han received many negative reviews for his role as Zhu Zan because he's deemed not "handsome" enough. He might not be your typical, idol-looking ML, but I am very impressed with his acting. I think he fits very well into the character of Zhu Zan - a fun, loyal, upright, hopeless romantic. I hope netizens won't give up on this drama because they don't like Jin Han.

Peng Xiao Ran/Jiu Ling/FL - This is my first drama of Peng Xiao Ran. I avoided watching "Goodbye My Princess" but I heard she was great in it. I can see why everyone praised her as she did a fantastic job as our FL, Jiu Ling. She's beautiful with porcelain-looking skin, and her eyes can convey so much emotions. She has enough acting chops to carry this show on her back, if needed. However, I do think the character of Jiu Ling seems to be a little too perfect. She is so smart in every way possible, brave and beautiful. There doesn't seem to be a flaw in her.

Main Romance - I love the main romance here between Zhu Zan and Jiu Ling. I think it could be considered a slow-burn romance as it took a very long time for them to be officially together. However, you cannot miss the chemistry between them. There's so much emotional and funny moments between the leads. Even with 3 other love interests appearing, there's no reason to doubt the love they have for each other. There's no misunderstanding and they are honest and communicate with each other. When they do get together, there are many sweet and cute moments between them. When Jiu Ling is with Zhu Zan, that's when we see a different side of her... a fun and mischievous side that she rarely shows to others.

Other Men - The other 3 men really have no chance in being with our FL. She's honest and straightforward with them, and never leads them on. With such a perfect woman in front of them, it's no wonder they would do anything to support her. Aside from one psycho obsessive admirer, the other two are considerate and supportive. However, they are not good enough for me to have second-lead syndrome. I am Zhu Zan all the way!

Supporting Cast - There is a pretty decent sized supporting cast. It's a given that the veteran actors did a good job. But even the younger actors and actresses acted well. I was glad that there's no truly annoying character. You know who the villains are, though they aren't the most despicable I've seen.

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Predictable but you still root for the Lead Couple!

10/21/2021

This drama shows the challenges that our male lead experiences after he had a spinal cord injury and became paralyzed from the waist down. I do not have have such an injury and do not use a wheelchair, so I can't really judge whether the depiction of his and his circle of support's experience is realistic or not. However, I feel that this drama does enough for us to know the hardships that they have to go through. It touches on the more common physical accessibility issues, but also the lesser known and more embarrassing challenges. It doesn't shy away from letting us know that a different kind of love from lovers, family members, and caregivers, is needed to provide and support someone with such a disability. This drama also reminded me a little of the C-drama "Crush", a story about the main lead who is visually impaired, and his challenges (great first half of the drama).

It's nice to see that our ML is still quite optimistic in life, is able to climb out of the abyss of despair, and lead a somewhat normal life as an architect. I am happy that he's not a gloomy ML and needs our FL to bring him out of his depression. Of course, he has his moments of weakness and needs emotional and physical support as well. Matzusaka Tori did an amazing job portraying his character. He's charismatic when he's upbeat, but when he's devastated and in pain, I cry with him. I want to hold him in my arms when he's wriggling in pain and protect him from everything. *sigh* I am always wary of FL in Japanese dramas, as they are usually too innocent and naive and are such pushovers. Thank goodness our FL here is not like that. She might be shy sometimes, but she speaks up when needed, and takes the lead in challenging injustices and support our ML. Our leads make a great couple and their chemistry is good. I wish the kiss scenes are a little more passionate =)

With such a great lead couple, we have to have some annoying second leads. I do not personally like them. I understand where they are coming from, especially when they both have been in love with our leads for decades. But I do not like how pushy and manipulative they are, when they know our leads have no interest in them at all. They are too desperate for my taste.

As my title said, the storyline is quite predictable. There aren't any surprises, but that doesn't stop me from binge-watching and wanting to know what will happen. I root for our leads and want to see them live happily-ever-after.

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9/11/2021 = 8.75 rating

I read many good things about this drama and I like Steven Zhang, so I decided to give it a try, even though I am not a big fan of body-swapping. I was so close to giving this drama a 9.0 rating, but held back because I feel conflicted about the last 2 episodes.

What I like:
1. Plot - I do agree that the body swapping was done pretty well, compared to "Secret Garden". I feel that there are just enough episodes about body-swapping in the first part of the drama to keep me interested and engaged, without dragging on for too long. I also appreciate that the swapping doesn't just end when they switched back. That would be too easily resolved and the whole plot will end and just fill with other side stories. This drama could have fallen into the trap of many common tropes, but instead, it makes fun of them.

2. Acting - I have been a fan of Steven Zhang (ML) and am glad to see him in a different role. The other roles that he's in are usually the happy, outgoing teenager/young adult role. He's a more mature, cool and introverted character here, and he did a great job in portraying that. Of course, he's super funny and in character when playing the "female" character. I've seen Liang Jie (FL) in "Eternal Love" and didn't like that drama at all. I dropped it and didn't like Liang Jie's character. I am glad to wipe that bad taste off my mouth and watch her in this drama. Just like Steven Zhang, she was great in her role. I think as a female playing the male part, audience might not notice her acting as much as Steven's male character playing a female role. But I like the subtle acting and facial expressions, just the more masculine mannerisms that she portrays.

3. Characters - I enjoy watching a drama with no real villains, though I don't like ML's dad. Most C-dramas portray villains in rom-coms to be too cartoonish and over-the-top for my taste. So I am glad we don't have such characters in this drama. Moreover, another pet peeve of mine is innocent/naive/dumb characters. I am also happy to see that almost everyone is pretty smart in their own ways and act their age . Even our leads who are having their first real relationship are acting age-appropriately, and not some 30-year virgins who are too shy to even hold hands. I appreciate a real adult romance. Moreover, we have cute and supportive parents like our female lead's parents, and a great BFF for our FL.

4. Romance - As I mentioned earlier, I appreciate a real adult romance. Once the leads are in a relationship, they are honest and communicative. They are not afraid to flirt or show affection for each other. I find their romance cute but not so sweet that is unbearable or cringey. Their romance is very heartwarming to me. FL is just ML needs to be able to overcome his bad childhood memories. I enjoy seeing such a great supportive relationship.

5. Clothing - For once, not only the male characters dress handsomely, but our female characters are dressed well. I like that the girls are casual at home, but dress nicely and appropriately when at work. I've seen too many overly baggy casual well that female characters wear in C-dramas. Even though this is not a drama about fashion, I am glad to see our leads have a great wardrobe.

6. Comedic moments - The sound effects do add to the comedic moments of the show. There are many funny moments, not only during the body-swapping plot, but sprinkled throughout the drama. I find these moments funny but not over-the-top or slapstick funny. It was quite funny when FL explained why she never gave the love letter to doctor.... that's quite creative and unpredictable.

What I don't Like:
1. Product Placement - I understand PP is a big part of Korean and Chinese dramas, and I accept that. But in this show, I am sick and tired of seeing those snacks. They advertise those snacks in every episode (at least it feels this way). It's a bit much. Also, do we need several characters to suddenly catch a cold to advertise the cold medicine?

2. Music - I like the songs OK, but they play the English song " I See You" a bit much. The worst is that the background music is so loud and makes it hard to listen to the dialog.

3. Ending - I have mixed feelings about the noble idiocy and the time jump. I understand why the leads have to break up and I see where the ML is coming from. I just wish there's a better way to show that. I really dislike the trope where the leads break up before the final episode, then a time jump in the final episode and they reunite and live happily ever after. We know they are going to break up, as it's hinted in the very first episode. I was also a little taken back that all this happened in a novel written by FL. For some reason, I expect her to quit being a reporter and become an author, and then write about her love story.

Want more:
I am interested to see more about Tong Hua and Pei Jia Shu's relationship. They have pretty good chemistry and I wanted to see them get together.

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Started off sweet and fluffy, then a little more serious

8/25/2021

As part of the Sweet On series by Tencent, it's expected that this drama has a lot of fluffy and sweet moments, and will probably have a happy ending. The plot is interesting since it involves a child psychologist. However, everything is quite predictable, so if you want a comfort watch, this is it. The acting is generally good but the dubbing is pretty bad (for a 2021 modern drama). There are a few impractical things that happened, e.g. how did ML get a picture of him and FL's first kiss for his laptop wallpaper? Who is taking the picture? Why would a mom/FL let a kid play bubbles indoors when it could be slippery and dangerous?

I am a fan of Miles Wei after watching him in "Perfect and Casual" and his character here is quite similar to the other role. He's cuter in in P&C though. He's visually pleasing in his suits and casual clothing. It's my first time watching FL and she did a decent job. The star of the show, as many reviewers mentioned, is definitely the child actor, Lennon Sun. He is so adorable and you want to see him interacting with everyone on screen. The supporting cast did a good enough job, but I am not as interested in their storylines. I am happy that for a sweet drama that we don't have any too annoying and irritating characters.

The show did turn a little more serious towards the last part of the show, when we know more about the car accident. There aren't enough fluffy moments to lighten to the mood. Overall, it's a decent drama if you want something quite easy to watch, with good visuals, decent OST and a super adorable kid.

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8/6/2021

I watched the HK version when I was young but I don't remember much about it aside from the main actors/actresses. I have also never read the book. So, my review is just basically how I feel about this particular show, and not in comparison to anything.

Negatives first:

In the first episode, I already dislike the fight scenes. For a wuxia drama, why do they use slow-motion on fight scenes? I want fast-paced, live action to get into the mood. Fortunately, they ease up on the slow motion as the show goes on. I still find the fighting to be not satisfying enough. (If you know of a wuxia drama with amazing fast-paced fight scenes, please let me know).

I also dislike the dubbing for this drama. This is a 2019 drama and it's not that old, I am surprised to see how the dubbing still doesn't line up. Additionally, I really dislike the voice of the female actress who plays the villainous Er Mei older disciple. It's like nails on the chalkboard each time she opens her mouth. I applaud the actress acting for making me hate her.

I don't like the character of the ML. He is so wishy-washy with love and he would make a horrible boyfriend. You can still be good to the ladies but set some boundaries. This is no fault of the drama, just the novel. I also don't feel the chemistry between the leads. I am not sure if it's the acting of Zeng Shunxi as the ML or what. It's my first time watching him, and I am not super impressed. I also felt the acting of Zhu Xudan as Zhou Zhiruo to be weak as well. She has this one face throughout most of the drama.

I feel that the last 5 episodes seem to be rushing a bit. There are events that I want more explanation but they are all glossed over. I was expecting more about the general in the end and how things might blow over for him, but it never happened. It didn't quite build up enough tension for a great finish.

Positives:

The child actors playing both the young and teen Zhang Wuji are great, esp. the youngest one. He is adorable and believable. When he cries, my heart breaks. I also enjoy the acting of our main female lead, Chen Quqi who plays Zhao Min. I like her sassy, feisty character and also believe her when she's sad and heartbroken. The acting of the supporting cast is great as well, esp. the veteran actors. I enjoy seeing Lin Shen as Yang Xiao. I thought I would see more of him since he's listed a a main character, but a little disappointed that he was missing for most of the last 5 episodes. I enjoy his cool and smart character and the subtle changes of emotions through his eyes. He is also pleasing to the eyes (but I think he's more handsome in "Dating in the Kitchen".

The costumes are nice. I enjoy seeing the wardrobe change of the ML from when he's young to when he became a leader, and then a successful revolutionary towards the end of the drama. The female leads also have pretty nice costumes and hairstyle change (for Zhao Min).

I think the pacing of the show is pretty good. I didn't feel bored or that it dragged in the middle. It's a slower start to build the plot and the upbringing of ML, so if you just want to watch Zeng Shunxi, you might have to wait a little bit. But I think there are enough happening to keep me engaged for 50 episodes.

As much as I complained about the fight scenes, I like there isn't a lack of fight scenes. Fighting is spread out pretty evenly throughout the show and the choreography isn't bad.

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7/18/2021

I was introduced to this drama by a MDL editorial article. I am glad more J-Dramas are recommended, otherwise, I wouldn't know where to find good ones. I am usually pretty picky about J-Dramas because most of them are either an adaptation from a manga or anime, and the acting and storyline are too over-the-top for my taste; or the FL is one of those naive, innocent, shy girls who has never touched a boy in her life. These are not my cup of tea.

Plot: I find the plot summary pretty interesting about a pseudo-romance for a manga. However, after watching the first two episodes, it became quite clear that this pseudo-romance is quite unethical and hurtful. I am glad that after the first initial episodes, the story gets better and it moves a little farther away from this hurtful premise. The plot is quite predictable throughout the show in regards to the development of the main romance, past romance, to the challenges faced by ML as a manga artist. I do enjoy the last episode quite a bit and it's a little less-predictable than I thought.

Characters: I am glad to watch a FL that is straight-forward, independent and not act like a little naive little girl. I've watched so many dramas that a 29-year-old woman acts like she's 16. It didn't happen here. She is quite likable and her acting is not anime-like over-the-top. ML's introverted, anti-social character could be difficult for some to get used to in the beginning. But he has great character development. I especially like his awkward, adorkable smile and grins. Even though he looks hawt int he last episode, his smile seems a little "slimy". I like ML's dorky look more. The child actor also did a great job. He's so cute and I love his shy smile as well. The supporting cast did a decent job and there isn't anyone too annoying.

Romance: The romance of the lead characters is nicely developed though can be predictable. I enjoy their contrasting personality and their funny banter. FL brings out the best of ML through their little fights. I still think the kissing should be a little better, esp. when it's their third kiss and it's not a surprising one. It's 2021 and I hope to see less fish-kissing in J-dramas, K-drams and C-dramas. It took a while for it to happen, but that awkward initial start of a relationship is super cute. I wish to see more of that but those moments were hard to come by. Since J-dramas are quite short, I am glad the secondary romance didn't take up too much of the time.

This is a simple, cute and light-hearted drama. This is the palate cleanser that I need after watching the more intense "Legend of FuYao" (which I recommend wholeheartedly!).

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Well-produced and well-acted Korean BL Vertical

I stumbled upon “Summer Indigo” as I was browsing through my iQiyi app late last night. I’ve seen my fair share of verticals and this is a very well-produced Korean BL that has a decent plot, good acting and chemistry.

“Summer Indigo” is a sports drama with the judo club as the setting, and not a romantic-comedy. The drama focuses on the relationship and romance between two team members, and the team's competitive dynamics, hierarchy and unspoken rules of the club. There’s a lot of unfairness and mistreatment that could be a trigger for some.

I am most impressed with the acting of the cast. With all of the actors being pretty new, there wasn’t a time when I felt cringiness or unease because of their acting. I like blondie’s acting the best, but the other two aren’t bad either. There are some cute scenes, but also some more emotionally charged ones as well. The chemistry of the leads is also great. I even felt bad for the young villain, despite him being a bully and doing other bad things. But once we get to know him more, his actions make sense (though not excusable).

If you are interested in checking out a Korean BL Vertical, this is a good one. It’s not easy to find a vertical (from any country) that is well-produced and doesn’t feel cheap, with a good-looking cast that can also act!



Completed: 2/18/2026 Review #667

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One of the better web mini dramas despite a busy and rushed second half.

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

As a mini web drama, “Dominion and Devotion” is worth checking out if you are in the mood for it. The acting is decent and the production value is surprisingly good. The sets, costumes (esp. the male lead) and the overall feel of the drama gives the illusion of a decently-budgeted full-length drama and not a cheap mini drama. This might be due to Director Zhang Zhi Wei’s magic. She also directed “Fortune Writer”, one of my favorite mini web dramas.

I enjoyed the first half of “Dominion and Devotion” more than the second half. The early political plot of the selection of a new emperor, the development of the leads’ relationship and the rise and growth of the emperor are all well-paced and told. I enjoy the early chemistry between the leads, that bubbling attraction and romance developing behind all the political maneuvers.

Unfortunately, once the leads got together, the chemistry was somewhat gone. They gave us a few good kisses, but the plot in the second half becomes very political. There’s so much going on that it feels rather rushed. From the political schemes, to the demise of the villain and the secret of the birth stories, there’s just too many different plotlines that need to be covered in such a short period of time.

Despite a rushed second half, “Dominion and Devotion" is one of the better historical mini dramas. If you don’t have the time to watch a full-length 40-episode drama of a similar plot, this is a good thirst quencher. It has decent (but not amazing) acting, interesting plot and good production value. Even though I was not surprised about any of the stories as I’ve seen them in other dramas, it was still an enjoyable watch.


Completed: 6/14/2025 - Review #590

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Upbeat and positive female lead tacking workplace challenges for women employees.

Not knowing what to expect, I started “Waru: Hataraku no ga Kakko Warui Nante Dare ga Itta?” blindly. That’s a mouthful for a drama title and let’s just use the English title, “Bad Woman, Akujo” for this review. 🙂

Not going to lie, I was a little taken back initially by the overly optimistic and bubbly female lead, Tanaka Maririn, played by the beautiful and talented Imada Mio. I am usually not a big fan of this type of female character, but I have to say, Imada Mio charms me and portrays Maririn is the most adorable way that I can’t help but root for her.

“Bad Woman, Akujo” has a pretty simple plot of women empowerment and advancement in the workplace. Through the career advancement of our heroine, she was mentored by Minegishi Yuki, to advance through her career in the old-fashioned company, trying to break the glass ceiling. Supporting Minegishi with her plan, Maririn grows and meets lovely colleagues along the way. The mentor/mentee relationship is lovely to witness with a few hilarious scenes.

Romance is a side plot. Maririn is liked by two awesome and handsome male characters, yet she goes after the supposedly ‘perfect’ Mr. T. O. (Boooo!). Don’t expect much of the usual rom-com fluffiness as this is a backdrop to a more powerful and important plot.

Each episode tackles a different issue that women employees might encounter at work. Due to the drama format, it does seem like everything is resolved rather easily within an episode. I am glad that enough time is dedicated to JK5 and the hardship to execute a system and change habits in the last few episodes, and also not to ignore issues that other employees also faced. But if you want a deep dive into each issue, this is not the drama for it.

I have a very enjoyable time watching "Bad Woman, Akujo" with a lovely and adorable female lead who won’t back down in the face of challenges. A few good-looking guys don’t hurt either. But if you don’t like Maririn’s personality, this will be a difficult drama for you to enjoy. Despite not having big complaints, this drama also doesn't give me that emotional punch that I feel with dramas I usually rate 9+. My gut tells me this is an 8.5 drama.



Completed: 1/19/2025 - Review #535

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The OG Korean version is better in almost every way.

First Half: 8.0
Second Half: 6.5
Average: 7.25

Seeing “Unlucky Ploy” on Viki, I impulsively decided to watch it, thinking this is going to be a happy rom-com. I watched the Korean version, “Another Miss Oh” a long time ago, so I don’t really remember much of it. I only remember the general premise of two Miss Oh, steamy kisses and a great OST. With all this still in my memory, I started “Unlucky Ploy”, trying not to compare the two dramas too much.

I had a good time watching the first half of “Unlucky Ploy”. It has the standard Thai flair and humor in our female lead’s personality. She was going through a tough time after a breakup for the most ridiculous reason. She is also still suffering from the trauma of living underneath the shadow of Pretty Ploy. But I quite like this somewhat crazy female lead. That is until the second half of the show when I want to slap some sense into her. She needs to grow a backbone and say NO and BYE to ML. The Ploy that I liked in the first half became over-the-top weak, cringey and clingy. She is a 32-year old woman but acts like a child. She also cries in every single episode and it’s depressing me.

The Korean and Thai male leads seem to be a little different. Korean ML appears more arrogant and stand-offish. Thai ML, Naii, appears more introverted and shy (and a little bland). I like them both (at least in the first half of the drama). Both Ploy and Naii have decent chemistry at first and I enjoy seeing how they first met and then became neighbors. But just like what I described earlier with Ploy, I started to dislike Naii in the second half. I am annoyed with his indecisiveness and mixed signals. I can understand being indecisive once or twice, as there are factors he needs to consider. But the wishy-washy behavior lasts way too long. He acts like he’s never been in a relationship before and doesn’t know how to act like a boyfriend. Naii’s once adorable shyness and ‘subtle’ acting when he shows his caring side as a neighbor, becomes wooden acting on the actor’s part.

Personally, I think the Korean version has more handsome men (LOL), especially ML’s best friend and FL’s ex-fiance. However, the Thai version has prettier women. Pretty Ploy (Mind) is a lot prettier than the other Miss Oh. Even though ML’s sister, Nang, is prettier in the Thai version, the casting in the Korean version is much better. Nang was so badass in the first half, but she lost her sassiness and cool in the second half. The acting is OK. I like the two Ploys (Green and Mind), FL’s mother and certain scenes of Nang. But the men’s acting isn’t as good.

If you were to choose to watch only one version, I would pick the Korean one. That one has better writing, casting, acting, chemistry and kisses. I actually went back to YouTube to watch clips of “Another Miss Oh” to refresh my memory. Also, do not mistake this for a happy romantic comedy. The comedy tag should probably be taken off, as it feels more like a melodrama with the crying scenes in almost every single episode. I do like the songs in both versions.




Completed: 12/28/2024 - Review #531

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SWEETNESS overload! When an Introverted Turtle met an extroverted Green (flag) Monster.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25


What a lovely surprise that I enjoyed “Monster Next Door” so much. The premise is simple: an extrovert and an introvert live next door to each other, start out with some issues but then slowly fall in love and learn to grow together into their own comfortable selves. The biggest takeaway is that, Diew, the introvert is comfortable being alone and away from the crowds. We see him grow as a person and enlarges his social circle just a little bit yet without losing himself.

Let’s start with some areas of improvements:
1. Acting - The acting definitely could use some improvement. It’s not horrible but also not the best. But I do see the actors improving along the way and seem to be more comfortable with their characters.
2. Band Music - I was hoping to listen to better songs (with better vocals). But there’s basically one song. I was hoping to see the band play the full set or the full song, but I never got it.
3. 2nd romance - A little more time could have been spent on them. They are fun together but I needed to transition from friends to lovers.
4. 3rd romance - is that even a third romance? I also want to see more of them as they seem to be another interesting introvert/extrover pairing. I want to know more about their friendship/romance.
5. Diew’s outfits - I know he’s a student, but he could use a couple more sets of clothes instead of his uniform and PJs.
6. Mr. Shy - poor turtle needs a bigger tank.

Let’s talk about the GOOD!

SWEET, is the adjective I would describe this drama. There are many other Thai BLs in a school setting, and most of them though could be cute and fluffy, are usually too over-the-top and cringey to me (dialogs and how they act). But “Monster Next Door” did not give me this icky feeling. It’s just so sweet. This is largely due to the fact that we have the sweetest and greenest monster in our male lead, God.

God is a god-sent to the world of toxic red flags/GeGes/Oppas. He only lives in dramaland, because no one could be as nice as he is. He’s kind to everyone around him. But he also will step up and defend in the most logical, kind and reasonable way. He might not like you, but he will still keep his temper and communicate like an adult. He’s kind, considerate, patient and speaks honestly and kindly. He will think from your perspectives and give you great advice in life and in love. He’s so perfect that I wonder what he sees in Diew in the first place and is so smitten with him, when he barely knows him and has never seen Diew’s face. Dramaland pixie dust and Cupid’s arrow at work!

Not sure if it’s a translation issue, but I find God’s request to date Diew comes out of nowhere when you barely know him. Maybe he just wants to be his friend and get to know him, but not actually date Diew just yet? The beginning of their friendship is SWEET. However, it also makes me sad that Diew requested 3 conditions because of a past romance. Issues or misunderstandings are resolved rather quickly because God and Diew actually do talk to each other openly (except that one time involving Diew’s ex which took a little longer). During their friendship/courtship phase, I was smiling ear-to-ear, but was also moved to tears. It’s not really that sad objectively, but for some reason it was hitting me at all the right buttons and at the right moment. Looking back, I am loving it as I like a drama that brings out these complicated emotions.

There are also lovely platonic friendships and friends who are not only fun to hang out with, but are there to support you. The extroverted foursome is hilarious and rambunctious, which is a great contrast to the mellower and more sophisticated introverted duo.

Thai dramas have the best grandparents. Grandpa here is so fun and kind and adorable! We all need a grandpa like him to dote on us, and be a mediator with our parents. Mom might be painted as a ‘bad’ mom during the earlier episodes, but you’ll realize she’s nowhere near ‘bad’.

Mom Talk/Perspectives:
Diew’s relationship with his mom might not be the ‘sweet’ part of the drama. But it resonated with me so much and was portrayed in such a relatable and realistic way. My son is also off to college as a Freshman this year, so I agree with all the doubts and anxiety Diew’s mom is feeling. Not returning phone calls or texts is not acceptable in a mother’s eye, when you are alone away from home. But, as an international foreign student myself, I also could see where Diew is coming from. You tend to report the good and minimize the bad. You tend to just ignore it because your mom is annoying (or in this case, Diew has his own beliefs of how mom acted a certain way). I can empathize with both perspectives, thus, I really like how their relationship is written. It might be a Debbie-downer for those who just want all fluff and sweetness, so I can see criticisms of how this part could be boring to some.


I recommend “Monster Next Door” if you are looking for something simple and sweet (but predictable). It is not the most amazing drama out there, but it suits my needs and speaks to me. I had an amazing time binge-watching all 12 episodes in one day. Therefore, I am rating this a somewhat high 8.25-8.5 rating.


Completed: 11/28/2024 - Review #522

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A VIOLENT tale of Prostitution in Thailand with excellent acting.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“Bangkok Blossom” tells the tale and struggles of the lowliest of the lows, prostitutes/whores in Thailand back in 1892. Prostitutes were treated as non-humans back then, and worse than those who were merely slaves. This drama does not shy away from showing us the harsh reality of these women. Beware! This is a difficult drama to watch with many red flags triggers.

The first couple episodes were heartbreaking. These prostitutes were abused physically and mentally, violated, raped, tortured by men who came to brothels to seek pleasure. These customers weren’t just normal folks, they were sickos! Virginity was auctioned off to the highest bidder no matter how crazy these customers are.

I was captivated and heartbroken at the same time. Luckily, the drama presented our 3 female leads as strong women, who never gave up their dreams and were always trying to find ways to fight back. Engfa, Goy and Charlette are not only beautiful but their acting performance was excellent. They have different personalities and dreams, but the sisterhood is strong. If I have to pick, I would say Engfa is the most beautiful of the three, and the weakest in her acting (but she’s still good). Charlette might have a slight edge as the young Thianyot.

These women are sexy as hell, and you can see from their singing and dance performances. The performances were elaborate and loads of fun. They provide an oasis of relief and entertainment in an otherwise intense and emotional drama. Their costumes are a sight to behold. They are quite…. Interesting with a very Thai flair. I *think* the actresses sang the songs because they don’t sound very professional, and that’s OK. The music, and songs are excellent in complementing the performances and the scenes.

If you are looking for romance, then look elsewhere. Even though two of the leads have love interests, romance is so not central, and really a tiny, side plot that’s not worth mentioning. These love interests' role is to support the women in their fight for a better life and justice. They are really not that important in the grand scheme of things.

As much as I was intrigued with “Bangkok Blossom” in the first half, I slowly lost my interest in the second half. It’s probably just a “me” problem. But I feel that the plot becomes somewhat repetitive and predictable. Even though there’s a lot of screaming, fighting, abusing going on, the plot isn’t really moving. Some of the latter ‘twists’ are predictable and it takes forever for the revenge, investigation and change to happen. There aren’t enough side stories of substance to add to the main plot. Thus the last couple episodes feel like its dragging its feet to the finish line.

Nevertheless, I would still recommend "Bangkok Blossom" if this subject matter interests you. It has excellent acting, great musical performances and a solid OST. The subject matter is serious but is worth getting attention. The production quality is high, but be mindful of the triggers. There’s no nudity given this drama is about brothels and prostitutes thanks to the creative filming, but there’s no shortage of violence.



Completed: 10/27/2024 - Review #505

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Lighthearted coming-of-age drama with a different take of the hearing impaired.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“I Hear the Sunspot” is a lovely and sweet coming-of-age drama. Despite having a male lead with a hearing impairment, this drama focuses more than just his disability. It’s without a doubt that the challenges of having a disability will be part of the plot. But compared to other dramas of a similar topic, this drama has a more down-to-earth and lighthearted approach. It also distinguishes itself from other dramas as Kohei (ML) is not deaf-mute, but can still hear. It’s both a blessing and a curse when you can still hear, and when expectations of you could be somewhat unreasonable.

Additionally, this drama is also about knowing and discovering yourself. The lovely friendship and subtle romance between Kohei and Taichi is sweet. They are both very likable characters, and their interactions feel personable. The little things they do for each other and the quiet understanding of each other are the highlights of this drama. Seeing how Kohei integrates into Taichi’s friends circle so seamlessly, is also lovely to see (that zombie movie is hilarious).

And because the drama is so soothing and slice-of-life that it’s lacking an emotional impact on me. I don’t come out feeling the same angst as when I was watching “Silent” or the more fun and touching moments in “Shizuka-chan to Papa”. The conflicts in this drama could have been easily resolved if Kohei and Taichi would just talk to each other. They had no problems doing that in the first half of the drama, but seemed to forget how to communicate in the second half. Kohei could have been Taichi’s biggest supporter if given the chance, just like how Taichi has been there for Kohei. They just need to talk!

Nevertheless, “I Hear the Sunspot” is a lovely drama. It’s an easy watch with a handsome male lead that flashes a very attractive smile every so often (I’m talking about Nakazawa Motoki/Kohei). I do find Taichi a little loud and over-the-top for my taste.


Completed: 10/7/2024 - Review #496

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A drama trying to do too much and wasted the amazing acting of the leads

I was attracted to “My Husband in Law” due to the plot of fake/contract marriage. I am a sucker for it and thought it would be a fun rom-com with a pair of good-looking leads with great chemistry. Well, I was partially right.

What I Like:

Mark + Mew
The best part about this drama is our lead actors, Mark and New. They have amazing chemistry and the acting is great. Actually, the acting is pretty good all-around for a lakorn. But Mark and Mew especially, are the reason I did not drop this drama. They were not given likable characters to play, yet their charisma shines through and makes this drama tolerable. Mark is so handsome, so adorable in a non-cold way even when he was acting like an ass. Mew is so lovable even though her character is over-the-top and self-sacrificing in the name of love. I wish there are more cute and fluffy scenes of them together, and the kisses are better.

Muey/Female Lead’s development
I’m glad to see how Muey has grown from a lovesick fan girl, to a woman who is clear-headed enough to recognize the true love is. Not gonna lie, it was hard to like the lakorn-version of how Muey is written with over-the-topness, obsessiveness and love blindness towards Thian. But in the end, I cheer for her for finally standing up to Thian, and her honest conversation to enlighten Thian of what true love is.



What I Don’t Like:

Plot
“My Husband in Law” started off really fun in the first 3-4 episodes. It was just the rom-com I needed and expected. But once the hacking plot starts, the drama goes downhill. Instead of a rom-com, it becomes a business drama + gang/revenge/crime drama + melodrama. It somehow cannot just pick one or two and stick with it. This drama has an identity crisis.

Pacing
The pacing is also off. This drama really doesn’t need 15 very long episodes (1 hr 40 mins each is too long). It should end at ep 13ish, and have them live happily ever after. We really don’t need the introduction of another crisis in the second to the second to last episode. Despite having so many craziness happens in the drama, I still feel it drags and is repetitive with flashbacks.

Thian/Male Lead
As much as I adore Mark, his character is very unlikable and hard to root for. Yes, deep down Thian might not be a bad person and really does care and like FL. But man, he has trouble using the appropriate method to express this care and concern. He’s done so many mean things and is such a bully at home and at work. Of course there’s character development in the end, but it happens very slowly and you have to be very patient to see him finally change and recognize his shortcomings.

Supporting Romance
Why introduce them when you don’t properly execute the storylines? There’s so much time!! Is it really necessary to show the new (ridiculous) occupation of Ms. Accountant? Is it really necessary to show us the real Chet in the end? I’d rather see more of their romantic journey, or not show anything at all. Yada and Pondech seem so much more interesting and I want to know more about their background and how their relationship started, instead of the repeatedly hard to watch scenes of violence.


Unfortunately, this is not the drama for me. If you are a regular lakorn watcher, you will probably like this more than me. I wish the plot was simpler and written better, and the pacing was quicker with fewer episodes. At least I was introduced to the fabulous Mark, and I hope to watch him in another drama with a better story.

Completed: 10/6/2024 - Review #495

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