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Not good enough to be a great political, romance, or Novaland Wuxia/Xianxia drama

Completed - 12/25/2021

I am disappointed that I don't love "Novaland: Pearl Eclipse". I have such high expectations for this big production historical drama with Yang Mi, William Chan and Xu Kai Cheng. It took me about 15 episodes to get into the story and overall acting and leads chemistry are lacking. I feel that it tries to have everything in this drama - court politics, romance, friendship/loyalty, wars/battles - but it doesn't excel in any of them.

Acting
I can't help but keep on comparing William Chan to Allen Ren in "One & Only". Allen Ren has such big expressive eyes that he can convey his emotions really well, even when he played a self-controlled, reserved general who can't express his love for Bai Lu. On the other hand, William Chen has dead and bored eyes for most of the drama, except for the last couple episodes. His eyes are unable to convey how tortured he felt inside. And unfortunately, that makes his character even less likable to start. I did not root for him for the most part. Fortunately in the last couple episodes, he was able to portray a more free-spirited Jiang Ming and a really sad one in the end. Yang Mi did fine as she always does. I wouldn't say she was excellent, but fine. This my first Xu Kai Cheng drama and I felt that he overacted a little bit in the beginning when he was this crazy king. He toned it down later on and I start to enjoy his acting more. The other supporting cast was fine but not excellent.

Romance
I thought romance is a big driving force for this drama. We have 3 different romance storylines, but I am not satisfied with either of them.
*** Hai Shi (FL) and Jiang Ming (ML) - I don't feel their chemistry at all. I am supposed to root for them and to suffer with them. But in the end, I didn't feel anything. Although they are both smart, their romance is built on secrets. ML might have FL's best interest at heart, but this secretive protectiveness lasts too long. It didn't make for good drama and didn't make me root for their happily-ever-after ending.
***Emperor Di Xu (2ML) and Ti Lan (2FL) - their relationship started of as abusive and it was hard to watch. I understand why so many condemn such a romance. I might be a little more forgiving and I understand 2ML's heartbreaking past and also being the all-power emperor. I actually enjoyed their romance in the first half of the drama more than the main romance. I like that 2FL, though quiet, has the internal strength and stubbornness to passive-aggressively fight with 2ML. But the romance went downhill once 2FL forgave the emperor's wrongdoings too easily. She should have waited and let him beg for her mercy or at least use actions to show that he's sorry. But no, 2FL forgive and forget and move on. Then she becomes a useless character for the rest of the drama lost her little spunk.
***Zhuo Ying (3ML) and Zhe Liu (3FL) - I really like their sweet and innocent romance. They were a breath of fresh air when the other two romances are disappointing. Unfortunately, the drama did not give them the proper goodbye in the end. I wanted to see how they re-unite but it was all glossed over. I wanted to see more of them!

Bromance
This bromance between ML and 2ML is the best part of the show. It's deep, complex, frustrating and saddening. I enjoy scenes when the two of them are together. First when 2ML is always angry and ML has to calm him down. Then as we know more of their friendship, the dynamics becomes more entertaining. I think they have the best chemistry, even better than with their love interests.

Court Politics
***spoiler****
The reveal of the fake prince is underwhelming. Actually, he wasn't a good villain to begin with. Then at the end, how General Tang can so easily be deceived in rebelling is so dumb. He's supposed to be a great General, and he didn't care to do his own investigation and just blindly believe? I thought he had something evil brewing from the start, but there's nothing!

Production Quality, etc
It is without a doubt a drama with money. The costumes, accessories, and sets are elaborate and beautiful. That's why I was disappointed when the execution isn't there. We do not see cheap fabric or flimsy sets. We see beautiful rooms with wooden fixtures and soft candle lighting. It also has decent CGI with the sharks and mermaid. The OST sounds nice but not too memorable. I do appreciate that they don't overplay the theme songs nor use the BGM to force me to think and feel a certain way. As part of the Novoland universe, I was hoping to see more fight scenes. In the first few episodes, they had simple and slow-motion fights. A few better fight and battle scenes sprinkled throughout the drama, but not enough to satisfy my wuxia/xianxia thirst. The only "Novoland" part of this drama is the mermaid. I guess it might be too much to ask for the Winged Clan. It seems like almost all actors and actresses use their own voices, except for William Chan. People complain about Yang Mi's voice not being the same as in her other dramas. I guess fans are disappointed that she has such a young voice. I am all for actors using their own voices, but I do have to admit it was quite distracting and annoying to hear Yang Mi's young voice when she's supposed to be a boy/man. Her voice does sound deeper when she became a soldier/general. I also find the voice and the way Zi Lan (3FL) talks a little annoying.

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A drama that requires your full attention with excellent acting by the whole cast

"Legend of Zang Hai" is not a drama that I can binge. It has a combination of a lot of serious talking and subtle facial expressions and body language. This is not a drama that you can only listen to but actually have to watch and pay attention. As I was so tired from work each day, I had to watch it in small doses and rewind a couple times as I’ve missed some details.

Xiao Zhan did a great job here. I think his acting is elevated as he's acting alongside such a great veteran cast. It’s also nice to watch a drama full of smart characters. This is a beautiful production with realistic sets, costumes and lighting without artificial blinding white light. I am also pleasantly surprised at the fight choreography in this drama. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Zhang Jing Yi fight, and I have to say she looks good and believable.

Romance, as expected to be a side plot. The leads’ relationship is central to the story, but not the romance itself. I liked the chemistry between Xiao Zhan and Zhang Jing Yi in the earlier episodes when they were bickering and outsmarting each other. But later on when they are actually confessing feelings and become a pair, I am not feeling the romantic vibes, more like good friends.

One of the disappointing elements for me personally, is that Jiang Zing Yi was the only one who was dubbed, even though it was done well. The pacing of the drama was fine for the most part, but I did find it a little slow in the second 1/4 of the drama, yet the last 5 episodes were jam packed.

“Legend of Zhang Hai” did keep me guessing who was the 3rd villain. If you are interested in the revenge theme or political scheming and power struggle, this is a good one to watch. It has excellent acting and high production value. Try not to binge and pay attention to fully enjoy the drama.


Completed: 7/4/2025 - Review #597

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Strong and Likable Characters in a Historical, Political Romance Drama

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75 (warning: long review)

I did not read the novel, so my review is based just on the drama itself. “Are You The One” covers many different topics - lies, fake marriage, business, politics, fight for the throne, amnesia and of course romance. For the most part, the drama strikes a pretty good balance. Except for the amnesia plot that’s taken a little too long (more about this below), this drama holds my attention for all 40 episodes.

“Are You The One” is a dark horse favorite for me. I came in without expectation as I was in some sort of drama funk. A lower budget production without a big blockbuster cast doesn’t attract too much attention. But the popularity of Zhang Wan Yi from “Lost You Forever” probably drives some traffic. I personally didn’t watch that drama. Instead, I really like Zhang Wan Yi in “The Bond” and that’s also what prompted me to try this drama out. Let’s start with the ‘negatives’.


What I have Mixed Feelings:

1. Length of the Drama/Amnesia/Plot
As mentioned above, I felt that the amnesia plot lasted way too long. I was waiting for Liu Mian Tang (FL) to gain her memory back and was anticipating a big showdown and blowout. As much as I enjoy the slow development of the lead romance, I can’t wait for more to happen. The business plot was fine in the beginning, but it drags on. I was also a little unclear in the beginning about the political strife between Cui Xing Zhou (ML) and Zi Yu+party. I wonder if these factors would be the reasons why many think the drama is slow and drop it. I think 30-35 episodes would be sufficient to cover all storylines and make the pacing better.

2. Sun Yun Er
She was so badass for half of the drama. She might be obsessed with Zi Yu and did crazy things to jeopardize her original plans, but at least she was interesting to watch. In the latter half of the drama, she is sidelined to become a petty and useless puppet. She was at least a ruthless puppet before.

3. Too Perfect Leads
This point is very subjective. It could be good or bad, or maybe you don’t care. Are Cui Xing Zhou and Liu Mian Tang too perfect? They are both intelligent, courageous, loyal, have a sense of justice, good-looking, and basically are better than anyone else in the drama. Additionally, Liu Mian Tang is a business savvy woman, learns medicine and poison from books, can support in war strategy and be the perfect wife and daughter-in-law. This woman can do no wrong. Are they too perfect for you? Even though they don’t bother me that much, it’s worth noting this down.

4. Part of the Ending
The villain has been calculating, cautious, detail-oriented for so many years. Yet he was triggered to act rashly in the end due to a few angry words from ML. It seems a little uncharacteristic but it’s the end of the drama, we gotta close it out. There’s a really nicely choreographed fight scene in the end. I was enjoying it until the slow mo romantic looks happened. I then can’t take it seriously. I also don’t think that scene is necessary in the grand scheme of things. It’s more of a fan service.

5. Dubbing
This is very subjective as I am a big fan of actors using their own voices. It’s a little disappointing that Wang Chu Ran and Chang Hua Sen were both dubbed. I think the drama would be more intriguing and captivating if the lines were recorded live on scene (even if partially). The acting of the cast is pretty good, so I think being able to hear their emotions when acting would be so much better. Nevertheless, this is a lower budget production, so I shouldn’t expect too much. I think money is spent on other areas (more about this in the positives section).

6. Makeup
Also subjective here because I can’t stand the ugly white makeup on the male characters. And at times, Wang Chu Ran’s eye shadow reminds me of the racoon eyes that Luo Yun Xi has in “Till The End of the Moon”. Zhang Wan Yi also continues to look quite clean when he’s in a war battle (a few smudges here and there don’t count), or when he’s hurt and in prison. His white makeup is the most distracting, especially when he’s not ill.


What I Like:

1. Strong and Likable Characters
Despite my ‘complaints’ about the leads, they also make the audience want to root for them. Who doesn’t like a power couple? They are fun to watch when they are steps ahead of everyone. And it’s not just the main leads. The two supporting couples are also very easy to root for, especially, when they are not as perfect. They feel more real. They make mistakes but also evolve throughout the drama. With all three couples, they are likable individually but even better when pairing up to be better versions of themselves. I also like how the drama gives equal screen time to the female and male characters to have their own storylines.

2. Acting
Coming in, I wasn’t sure of Wang Chu Ran. She’s pretty and elegant. But is she capable of carrying the show on her shoulders? I think she did a pretty job and no less than her performance in “Fireworks of my Heart”. As I mentioned, I already like Zhang Wan Yi and I enjoy his portrayal of Lord Huaiyang. He’s charismatic as the lord, and lovely has a doting husband (he has a cute pouty look). Comparatively, I find Chang Hua Sen a little less charismatic as Liu Yu, but elegant and scholarly as Zi Yu. A surprise find for me is Yuan Yu Xuan’s portrayal of the timid and shy Shi Xue Ji. She is one of my favorite characters in this drama. Additionally, this drama has a large supporting cast by many veteran actors. Their acting is top notch.

3. Romance
If you are a romance lover like me, you might be pretty happy with this drama. There are 3 romance storylines and each of them is unique and special.

- Liu Mian Tang + Cui Xing Zhou - this power couple started as enemies/strangers and slowly developed feelings for each other in a fake marriage. I can’t lie that I wasn’t frustrated with the treatment of ML to FL during the amnesia plot. I think the fake identity dragged on for too long, but from a romance point of view, the hesitation can be viewed as reasonable. I also enjoy them supporting each other, being able to openly communicate their feelings for better or for worse. Their initial romance is calm and constant, and then it’s a little angsty in the middle before becoming sweet and supportive. It was a great journey.

- Shi Xue Ji + Zi Yu - we don’t see a relationship like this often in C-dramas. Political marriages are either portrayed as the couple hating/ignoring each other + a love triangle/square, or they fall in love during the process. But their relationship is different. They are not quite friends but more like partners and comrades. I hope true feelings develop in that very last scene.

- He Zhen + Marques Zhennan - they are the fun pair who bicker from start to finish. I actually think they got the short end of the stick, as their romance somewhat happened behind the scenes. Nevertheless, it’s nice to see the guy chasing after the girl and be as supportive as possible.

4. Meaningful Conversations + Implied meanings
Because the leads are quite communicative, there are many meaningful conversations throughout the drama. The drama also uses many ‘old language’ with idioms and poetry. I am not sure how they are translated in English since I was able to read Chinese subtitles. But when a drama is able to convey a secretive message with just a few words, it speaks highly of the writing of the drama or its source materials. I especially love ML’s confession to FL about how he loves all about her, and not just the adoring housewife that she was. Another favorite is the love birds analogy Shi Xue Ji told Zi Yu in persuading him to let go.

5. Costumes + Hair Accessories
I am a big fan of beautiful costumes and hair accessories. If this is not a high budget production, it’s dedicating enough money to have simple and elegant costumes for the characters. Zhang Wang Yi looks dashing in his simple attire, and only a little fancier in the latter episodes when he’s moved back to the city. Wang Chu Ran looks elegant and sophisticated with minimal makeup and hair accessories. But when needed, all the women in the palace have elaborate and not-faking hair accessories. I also appreciate the use of the hair pins in this drama. They don’t necessarily serve as a mere ornament, but contribute to important scenes and storylines.
- Hair pins are used to show the social status and hierarchy in a family
- FL’s hair pins are used as a weapon of convenience in a few scenes.
- FL’s special glow-in-the-dark hair pin was used in a couple storylines
- A 12-piece set contributed to the downfall of a character



This drama is definitely not perfect. But I think it strikes a pretty good balance in most of the topics it wants to cover. It has a strong and likable cast (ok, except one annoying auntie). The politics are not dry or boring. I would definitely recommend this to those who love romance in historical, political dramas. But if you are looking for a serious political drama, this might not satisfy you. I was tempted to give this drama a solid 9.0 when I finished it, but held back after I detailed everything in this review. Nevertheless, I had a fantastic time watching “Are You The One”.


P.s this is a long review. Thank you for reading until the end. 🙂


Completed: 9/8/2024 - Review #482

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Recommended for Romance Slice-of-Life Lovers and Fans of the Leads (Amazing Chemistry)

Overall - 8.25
Subjective Romance-lover Rating - 8.5 (9.0 for first 10 episodes)
Objective Overall Rating - 8.0

“Road Home” is a true romance drama that focuses on the main leads’ romantic journey from when they were teenagers, separated for over 10 years and reunited again as adults. This is a slow-paced slice-of-life drama where nothing dramatic really happens. The side plots are all there to illustrate how Lu Chen (ML) and Gui Xiao (FL) manage their relationship. Although we see scenes of SWAT training, you will be disappointed if you are looking for a drama similar to “You Are My Hero”.

Recommended for:
1. Hopeless Romantics
2. Those who are in the mood to watch something romantic
3. Slice-of-Life romance lovers, who are fine with a slower pace and no dramatic plot twists.
4. Fans of Jin Bo Ran and Seven Tan


What I Like and Enjoy:

1. Acting (Jing Bo Ran and Seven Tan) - Without these two’s amazing acting, this drama would not be successful at all. There isn’t a lot of talking between the leads, because JBR’s character is very quiet and only answers in a word or two most of the time. But when you have experienced actors who can convey emotions with their eyes and subtle facial expressions, that makes the drama worth watching. It’s not a surprise to see Seven Tan play a high schooler and make it believable. I am more surprised to see the innocent look on JBR’s face as a teenager. Granted, he does look older than 18, but his expressions show a different side of him when he was younger. The white filter helps distinguish his younger and innocent days from the mature, battle-tested adult days.

2. Romance - This is the bread and butter of the drama. You have to love this genre to fully appreciate this drama. The chemistry is amazing and sizzling. To me, the best part of this drama is the first 8-10 episodes, before the leads officially got back together. The yearning, longing and hurt, the gazes of the desperate need to reconnect, sucked me right into their love story. Viewers need to watch the subtle facial expressions and read between the lines for all the indirect hidden meaning of what’s going on. Yes, the pace might be slow for some, but I love these initial meetings when they meet each other after 10 years. And to reward us for enduring the pain with the leads, viewers are rewarded with many romantic kisses, hand-holding, hugs and back hugs, and fluffiness in the second half of the drama.

3. Jin Bo Ran - I have never considered JBR as my type of handsome. However, there is nothing that prevents me from falling in love with him and his character. Who wouldn’t love a sexy man in uniform who cooks, cleans, pampers, and is considerate and thoughtful and never raises his voice at you? Jin Bo Ran has never been so sexy to me and I appreciate the drama showing us his nicely toned upper body, whether if he’s topless or wearing a wife beater and showing off his arms. I do wish he had a nicer wardrobe.

4. OST - Lovely songs in this original soundtrack. A few of the songs’ lyrics match the scenes perfectly. Seven Tan’s version of 《青春无恙》(Healthy Youth) puts me right in the mood in the first ⅓ of the drama. The upbeat song《恋爱在流行》(Love is Popular) made me happy and immediately brought back memories of the sweet and fluffy scenes between the leads.

5. Production Quality - Nice wintery sceneries, introduced me to the Chinese Grand Canyon (never knew it existed), making sandy/desert areas romantic (not pretty though). Lucky to see that the women have a nice wardrobe, which doesn’t always happen in a Chinese drama. All the men look good in uniform. Nothing seems cheap, with a few nice sets such as FL’s apartment and office.



What I don’t Like or have Mixed Feelings:

Most of my critiques are due to the fact this is a 30-episode drama. If there are only 24 episodes, I might not be as ‘harsh’. I feel that there’s so much time that the drama can afford to better develop some of the side plots. The side stories could have been more impactful, and not just a forgettable mess in the presence of the main romance.

1. ML’s dad/family - Without getting too spoilery, I just want to say that the redemption arc is not well done at all. It’s laughable that everything is swept under the carpet after the conversation and agreement between ML’s mother and father. The drama made a big deal initially, but in the end, nothing really happened. FL wasn’t really put in a particularly difficult position once she officially met the father.

2. Secondary Romance - I would have loved to see some phone conversations to make me believe that those two can fall for each other. Viewers were told that they have gotten a lot closer, but never really showed us any meaningful scenes. This seems like a convenient and quickly put-together side romance, and not well-thought out.

3. Poor Kid - We got such an adorable young actor, but he’s being wasted. This child got passed around like a ball to stay at different houses. I understand the reason behind that, but I wish we had seen more scenes with him in it. Most of the time, he just gets sent to a different room because the leads or the adults have things to talk about or need to have some alone time. I wish there are more meaningful conversations, like the one he had with Seven Tan about growing up with divorced parents. What a wasted potential.

4. Bright backlighting - I am very annoyed with the strong white light behind the leads every single time they are trying to kiss or have a romantic scene. I want to see the facial expression, not be blinded by the light. The chemistry is interrupted constantly because of this light.

5. Flashbacks - For the most part, I like the drama’s use of flashbacks to tell the story of the leads younger days. However, I wish they had incorporated the days when they first broke up and were having a tough time. We hear that ML was living like a zombie, but I want to see. I want to see how hurt and depressed they were, so that I can feel even more when they’re reunited at the gas station. The drama practically ended in ep 29. I am glad that we got to see the male lead’s perspectives during their younger days. I am conflicted whether they should have left those scenes in the last episode, or if they should be introduced throughout the drama. But I guess in a way, the story came back in full circle. The first time he fell in love with her was at the same place where he saw her before the wedding. It’s fate. They are meant to be together.

6. Too fluffy? - I can’t believe I am typing this in the critique section (maybe more of a mixed feeling). I feel that the last 10 episodes have too many cute and sweet scenes of the leads not doing much. Do I love how they gaze lovingly at each other with sweet kisses and hugs? Of course! But I also felt that it’s a little repetitive when the plot is not really moving.

I do recommend this drama for those who are in the mood for something romantic. However, it’s not an amazing all-around drama. If you are fans of Jin Bo Ran and Seven Tan, do not miss this! I haven’t read the book and if you did and watched the drama, do you mind leaving a comment and telling me if the drama follows novelty closely? Do my criticisms of the side plots also happen in the novel?


Other Random Observations:
1. I think a wheelchair should be used for Seven Tan a LOT sooner when she’s at the hospital.
2. Jin Bo Ran and Seven Tan look handsome/beautiful in ep. 29.
3. No real annoying character.



Completed: 4/2/2023

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Completed - 3/6/2022

When “Bad Buddy” was airing, the MDL feeds were spammed with comments, screenshots, reviews, and everyone was praising this drama. I thought I would pick this to be my first Thai drama (I ended up watching “I Told Sunset About You” first). Maybe the expectations were too high, and I fail to see how the drama could justify a high 8.6 rating. As reviews are very subjective, please do not hate me for not loving it (I like it OK). I am a new Thai drama watcher, so maybe I am not getting some of the cultural or BL references/biases. I am judging this based on my enjoyment level.

What I Enjoy:

General Plot - I do enjoy this modern and BL take of “Romeo and Juliet”. Even though for the most part, I was confused about why the two families hate each other so much. The reasons given in the beginning of the show didn’t seem to justify the animosity. But I like the premise and how our main leads break that tradition. I enjoy the development of how Pat and Pran compete with each other since childhood. This sense of competition never goes away, even when they become lovers. I have always been a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope and I think the transition of the different stages of their relationship is done relatively well.

Chemistry - Pat and Pran really do have great chemistry together. I love their bickering and the continued competition throughout their relationship. This I-am-not-losing-to-you spirit adds spice to their chemistry.. I like the embarrassed and twist-my-arm looks that Pran always has on his face. I also like the smitten looks that Pat has when he’s looking at Pran. They complement each other very well. Their few emotional scenes were done really well. The couple gives off a very rom-com vibe - cute, fluffy, sweet and fun. However, at some point, the flirting became a little too much (more in the negative section below).

Love who you want - I am not sure if other Thai BL dramas are like this, but this drama doesn’t make a big deal when someone is in a homosexual relationship. We have heterosexual, gay, lesbian couples in this drama. No one was alarmed, no one was criticizing or judging. It’s giving a message of “I don’t care who you love as long as you are happy”. It’s different from “I Told Sunset About You’. There’s no coming out of the closet angst, stigma or prejudice. We really need more drama like this to present a healthy, supportive message to the world.

Songs - I like all the songs in this drama. I always look forward to scenes when Pran picks up the guitar and sings.


What I Don’t Enjoy:

Excessive Flirting+Shirtless Pat = Fan service - I love flirting as much as the next romance watcher. However, the flirting in this drama is excessive and cringey to me. A whole episode was dedicated just to the leads’ flirting before they are officially an item. At times, I also find Pat annoying when he keeps on pestering Pran and just repeating these cringey love lines. I wish the drama had toned down on the flirting, and focused a little more on the family drama/history and not just waited till the last couple episodes. Additionally, are we having too many shirtless scenes of Pat? Don’t get me wrong, he’s hot and has a great body and I do enjoy seeing this handsome guy. But I feel like the excessive flirting and shirtless scenes are just for fan service to create buzz when the show is airing. It “cheapens’ the quality of the drama.

Faculty Rivalry - I also feel that the drama spends too much time on the Architecture/Engineering rivalry. These college students are acting like high school kids, with no self-control whatsoever. When you get busted so many times, it’s time to think before you act. With the excessive flirting and rivalry scenes, the drama could be cut down to 10 episodes only.

Product Placement - There are so many products being advertised in this drama. We have the usual suspects of drinks and snacks. I’ve never seen a printer advertisement by a male lead before (I guess we still need to change ink cartridges these days), and the multiple scenes of our leads cleaning each other’s face with makeup remover.


Other Observations:
1. Pat’s father looks Chinese and his character’s name is Ming. It’s also interesting to see him reading a Chinese newspaper.
2. Do Thai beers really have such light color and no foam at all?
3. The ending is good enough for me and we don’t need a Season 2. Love the subtle acknowledgment of the parents.
4. To show that the kids are adults, you just need to get their hair styled back - no more hanging fringes.
5. My first time seeing and listening to a Thai Xylophone. It sounds great!

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A slow-paced romance that gives us the happy ending we needed

9/25/2021

Just like many, I have been waiting for the happy ending after watching "One and Only". O&O is a beautiful, tragic romance where no one got a happy ending. I am eagerly waiting for Zhou Sheng Chen and Shi Yi's happily every after. This drama is not a romantic comedy and one should not expect cute and fluffy romance and lots of kisses. Instead, I feel that it has a very similar vibe to O&O. It's mellow and romantic in its own way. The romance is developed very slowly, even though they are engaged early on in the drama. Some might find the pace too slow because of ZZC's character and his awkward dorkiness. One need to be patient for the romance to develop and it's the central part of this whole drama. I do think that the drama could have been a little shorter.

What I like:

1. Zhou Sheng Chen/Allen Ren - One of the main reasons I enjoy this drama is because I enjoy a male lead like ZSC. I have a soft spot for a ML who is a little reserved, loyal, a little dorky, and shows his affections through quiet actions and not cheesy lines. I like how ZSC could only manage to utter a few words in the beginning of the romance. Then you slowly see that he speaks in phrases, then in complete sentences and then able to joke and tease. The way he talks shows the progression of their relationship. I am a fan of Allen Ren, but I never find him super attractive unless he's in uniform. But I find him VERY attractive in this drama. He looks good in a sweatshirt, in PJs and in suits, well, and topless. He looks especially good with his wet hair :)

2. *Spoiler* Ep 23 Bathtub scene - This is the most intimate, heartbreaking and romantic scene. It breaks my heart that ZSC was devastated from his grief. I felt Shu Yi's helplessness in not knowing how to comfort him. The washing of his hair feels so intimate and comforting. I love that ZSC asks Shu Yi to hug him and she immediately climbs inside the tub and give him a big, tender, loving hug. We don't need a passionate kiss here. All we need is that quietness and understanding of each other. This scene gives me the same vibe as my favorite nose-touching scene in One and Only.

3. Main Romance - I love how Shu Yi complements ZSC so well. They are both quiet people but Shu Yi is honest and straightforward, very similar to Shu Yi in One and Only. She's the one that always initiates and shows affection first, and that's what ZSC needs. I like how inexperienced our male lead is and the way he's always trying to ask Shu Yi to teach him. I agree with Shu Yi, he is absolutely adorable in his dorky self. The romance is mature and healthy. They trust each other and there isn't any silly misunderstanding between them. I also like their subtle color-matching outfits, esp. the yellow/tan sweater that Shu Yi wears and the yellow/tan jacket that ZSC wears (he looks so good in that outfit!).

4. Acting - Of course Bai Lu and Allen Ren are amazing and have great chemistry. I enjoy the supporting cast as well, e.g. Grandma, Uncle Lin, FL's parents and Little Ren.

4. Costumes - Everyone in this drama dresses very well. Our leads have a wonderful wardrobe of casual wear, formal wear and evening wear. It's hard to find a C-drama that I agree with the costume choices, as I've seen too many oversized clothing. Bai Lu looks absolutely beautiful in everything she wears. And of course, Allen Ren, who I gushes so much about already.

5. The Sites/Cinematography - What a beautiful traditional-style big house we have in this drama. The shots of the view of the lotus pond is especially beautiful when the red lanterns were up. I love all the rooms, all the yards and especially the library. I am also glad that we get to see sights in Shanghai and Xi'An as well.

What I don't Like:

1. Reincarnation Ban - I read that China bans dramas of reincarnation and I think it affects the story-telling of this drama. For fans of One & Only, Forever and Ever lacks the connection between the two. As much as I like the dream sequences and the voice dubbing, they are not enough to provide viewers to feel the emotional connection and the leads past lives. That's why I find it hard to believe that Shu Yi would fall in love with Zhou Shen Chen at the airport because of a name.

2. Plot holes - Did ML tell FL the real reason for his proposal, that he needs to get married to inherit everything? Did I miss that part? How can a boatman not know how to swim? Didn't the crabs stay with FL's parents house and the cute dad was fanning the crabs? How come the little girl brought the crabs back to ML?

3. Lack of kisses - I did not feel that One & Only needs any kiss scene. But, I do feel that we need at least one or two more in Forever and Ever. We only get one in the car and it was going so well until it was interrupted. There were quite a few moments when I felt that a kiss will enhance the scene, e.g. when they were both soaked in the rain and got back to the hotel before their first night together. Or when they're in the snow on top of the tower before or after they whisper the "I love you"?

4. Family Drama at the end - I am not sure how I feel about the family drama in the last few episodes. It feels a little out of place.

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A dose of reality: It takes hard work to maintain a Happy Marriage

I finished watching this drama, and I still don’t know why it’s called “1122 Ii Fuufu”. So I went to my best friend Google and they told me “11-22” can be read phonetically as “ii fuufu” which means “good married couple”. Mystery solved! I also asked my best friend the meaning/flower language of Cape Jasmine and it is Purity and Love.

I had this drama on my PTW for a while but I had to wait to be in the right mood to watch, as the topic of infidelity is quite prevalent in Japanese dramas, and watching too many will overload my brain. After a little fasting on infidelity drama, I finally watched it.

What I like:
It’s really hard to not hate flawed characters sometimes who make decisions that you don’t agree with. In “1122 Ii Fuufu”, all the characters are flawed and they made questionable choices given their circumstances. Surprisingly, I empathize with all of them and actually like the characters to a certain extent. I do not agree or condone their actions, but I can see why. Well, even if one of them is a piece of shit (well, they call themselves that in the drama, not me…LOL), or one is irresponsible and refuses to face reality. No matter what your reasoning is, cheating is never the right thing to do. I appreciate this drama showing how complicated these relationships could be. Real life marriage takes a lot of effort, especially when you have been married for a while, or put in a difficult situation because of your family members. The stress, the disappointment and the lack of energy and time, can all contribute to an unhappy marriage.

What I have mixed feelings:
For one, I was quite surprised at the ending. I thought the opposite would be the end game. But given how the main leads are somewhat uncertain on how they feel or a little wishy-washy throughout the drama, I can understand the ending. I’m just surprised and thought it was somewhat unrealistic. Another unrealistic part is the tiny little development on Rei, the cute, handsome boy. I don’t want to spoil it, but he should remain professional. Lastly, my main criticism is on the execution. The drama is very dialog-heavy and slow paced, especially in the last 3 episodes. I don’t know how, but I wish there’s a way to tell the same story but in a more interesting way. All the conversations between the couples are meaningful and are important, but requires a lot of attention to not feel bored.

Would I recommend “1122 Ii Fuufu”? Yes but only to those who are mature enough to deal with the harsh realities and the not-so-pretty side of marriage. This is not a fluffy romance. This is about flawed characters who make decisions you don’t agree with. If you are up for a dose of reality, the acting is excellent and the complicated feelings and mess are interesting. This drama definitely deserves a higher rating than the current 7.3.


Completed: 3/10/2025 - Review #553

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Lack of romantic chemistry, low production quality and repetitive plot

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.25

I really wanted to like “Fateful Love” and I thought I would. Who wouldn’t like a kickass female lead who can beat anyone up and is as physically strong and powerful as the male lead? Unfortunately, that fact alone is not enough. I anticipated that this is not a super popular drama since there’s no idol actors. This drama was filmed in 2021 but broadcasted in 2024. 3 years isn’t that bad but unfortunately, the low budget production makes this drama feel more dated than it should be. I thought Zhang Han would be able to pull in more resources as a veteran. Oh well…. I quite like the first half of the drama, especially before the music scavenger hunt. Ultimately, it failed to hold my attention for all 40 episodes and I was quite bored in the last 10 episodes.

Here is my quick rundown of likes/dislikes.

What I like:
1. A badass female lead, who complements a strong male lead.
2. A good-looking 2ML in Yao Chi, who played Xuanyuan Li Ge. His handsomeness keeps me going.
3. Creative fight choreography. Aside from a few slow motion scenes, I really enjoy and am very pleasantly surprised. The actors also do a great job in those moves.
4. It seems like, actors are really riding those horses. No fake CGI horses and I was quite impressed with Zhang Han’s horseback riding skills.
5. I like the focus on music and it’s cool to see music so prominently featured as a weapon.


What I have Mixed feelings:
1. A badass female lead who still needs saving quite a bit.
2. Looks like low quality fabric in costumes but the drama has beautiful headpieces for the women. The designs are beautiful, if only it has money. Props to the costume designers.
3. As much as I like the 2ML, it’s hard to keep on watching him trying to sacrifice himself. Where’s ML when FL needs him? He’s always a step behind.
4. The mermaid fight was hilariously BAD!
5. Acting is decent but not excellent. I was glad to see Zhu Xu Dan not playing the evil 2FL role, but her acting seems inconsistent.


What I Don’t Like:
1. I have to suspend my belief that a modern girl does not need time to adjust to the new world at all.
2. Poor dubbing and often out of sync.
3. Too many spoiled princesses
4. Not a fan of all men falling for FL and all women falling for ML. Adding to that, the women are usually jealous and evil, and the men are caring and will die/sacrifice for FL. Enough of these cliches.
5. Repetitive sabotage and trying to hurt FL becomes boring. The plot seems to run in circles in the second half.
6. Romance is not romancing. I don’t mind the slow burn, but I am not feeling the chemistry. I think Zhang Han tries his best, but Zhu Xu Dan is not feeling it.
7. What happened in the last arc with 2ML’s sudden change? I don’t think it was written and explained well.

Due to the lower production value, repetitive plot, lack of romantic chemistry and some other annoying factors, I am not going to recommend “Fateful Love”. This is very subjective as it seems like many others like it. I think there are other better quality dramas out there.



Completed: 10/4/2024 - Review #494

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A light and fun drama about the common folks. Follow the leads journey of love and growth.

Completed - 5/30/2022

“The Lady in the Butcher’s House” might not be a masterpiece, but it brought me joy with its comedic moments throughout the drama. But in order to truly enjoy this drama, you can’t take it too seriously. Also know that our FL might come off as crude and violent in the first few episodes. Many commented on her hitting her husband, and that is true. If the role is reversed and her husband is hitting her, we would be crying foul and calling the police. If you can move past this, you will be rewarded with a heartwarming and funny drama, and witness how this couple complement and support each other through good times and bad times.

Acting is decent overall. I recently watched Baby Zhang in “Delicious Romance” as a 30-year sophisticated, divorced woman, so it took me a few episodes to get used to her character here as a loud, a little violent tomboy. I do think she does a pretty good job acting as a teenager and growing to be a wife. On the other hand, I never would have recognized Tong Meng Shi as Uncle Wu in “Joy of Life”. I really like his portrayal of a timid husband, weak scholar and a just official. He is also hilarious with so many embarrassing scenes.

I enjoy stories about commoners and how they live through their everyday struggles.. Although this drama still has a subplot about court officials and the royal family, the majority of the drama is about our main couple’s journey. We follow them as they grow closer to each other, falling in love and working hard and supporting each other. They might be different on the outside, but they have the same values and ethics, and complement each other. They make for a very fun couple to watch. Although there are many comedic moments, mainly from Xu Qing Jia, there are also many heartwarming scenes. They have a rough start as a contract married couple, but they have very honest and open communication, and are there to support each other. Along the way, they make new friends, start up new businesses and save and help fellow commoners.

When you look at the romances/relationships in this drama, you will notice a role reversal here. The women in this drama are smart and strong. They are go-getters, savvy business women and often take the lead in their relationships. The men, on the other hand, are shy and quiet, and don’t know how to respond to their women’s advances or teasing. Actually, all the women in this drama are pretty independent and smart.

As much as I enjoy this show, I do have to say the plot and storylines are quite predictable. This could be a comfortable watch, or one that is lacking excitement/twists and turns. The pacing is pretty good in the first ⅔ of the drama, but it slows down a little in the last ⅓. There are some plot holes but they do not affect the main storylines. I would have loved to see more on how the second leads fall in love. I was told that they are attracted to each other but I wasn’t shown how. I also wonder how our female lead, who is only a butcher’s daughter, is so business savvy that she knows so much about tea and medicine to open different businesses. I thought she only knows about pigs.

Other Random Observations:
1. Love the animated opening theme.
2. Love the way ML looks at FL.
3. Putting a black covering over a rooster’s head? Genius and Hilarious! (PETA, don’t hate me).
4. No annoying character is a big plus.
5. Decent music and not overplayed

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Watch it if you have doubts about Yang Yang's acting

Completed - 4/29/2022 - 9.25 rating
(minor spoilers at the end of the review)

“The Glory of Special Forces” is one of the few realistic military dramas and it follows the character and career development of a young, self-centered, genius soldier, to become an outstanding team captain of the Special Forces. Just reading the synopsis, it seems like any other military story. But this drama excels in its amazing acting performance by everyone, esp. Yang Yang, and the high production value and realistic portrayal of the military. It’s not a perfect drama for me, because I have mixed feelings about the last 5 episodes which I will discuss at the end of the review with minor spoilers.

What I Enjoy:

Yang Yang - If it wasn't for Yang Yang, I would not have watched this drama. I have seen my fair share of YY dramas. He melted my heart in “Love O2O” and “You are my Glory” as the amazing boyfriend. I’ve also enjoyed his cool, calm and collected personality in “The Four” and finally a funnier side of him in “The King’s Avatar”. I understand others questioning his acting. But if you are in doubt, please watch this drama. Yang Yang is AMAZING in “The Glory of Special Forces”. You can see his usual, calm and cool self, and also the pain he endured when battling the demons of a traumatic incident, losses in life and the confusion of why doing his best is just not enough. You don’t see the idol Yang Yang anymore. I see a soldier struggling to be the best, learning to believe in his teammates and being a proud member of the Special Forces.

Plot/Pacing - The pacing of this drama is excellent. Each episode is packed with action and thrilling events. 45 episodes flew by just like that. There are many mini-climaxes throughout the drama that keeps me entertained. As we follow the character and career development of Yan Po Yue (ML), I am happy to see that there’s enough progress and setbacks. The drama also deals with PTSD after a soldier’s first killing, the death of a comrade, and survivor’s guilt. Each character’s background story is compelling and different, so you get to understand what it takes for young men and women to enter and stay in the military. I do have a few criticisms about the plot which I’ll discuss later on.

Acting/Supporting Cast/Training - There is no weak link in the supporting cast. The overall acting is amazing. I am sure this is not the only military drama where actors have to train off and on camera. But through this drama, you appreciate the actors dedication to their craft and the effort they put into making every scene believable. They walk, talk, march, salute, just like a regular soldier. For most of the drama, each soldier is in armor training or completing missions. Only a very small part of the drama is when they are just hanging out and chatting. Moreover, even the teen version of the main characters look like the adults! Good casting!

Guo Xiao Xiao - I want to single out the only female main character, Guo Xiao Xiao, played by Jiang Lu Xia. GXX is such a cool and badass sniper/soldier. I realized that Jiang Lu Xia is a martial artist and it really shows. Most of the time, actresses portrayed as soldiers still don’t act soldier-like. But not GXX. Her training, missions, and fights are so realistic that could put some male actors to shame. I also really enjoy her backstory and really sympathize with her character. I am also glad she remains a good team member/comrade. No love story. Just plain friendship.

Production Value/Fight Scenes - Not sure if the drama is sponsored by the government, but to my untrained eyes, this is one of the most realistic military dramas I’ve watched. I also recently watched “Operation: Special Warfare”, which I enjoyed, but comparatively, “The Glory of Special Forces” is definitely a more realistic portrayal. On another note, I really enjoyed all the physical fight scenes, and there are quite a few in this drama. They are hardcore fights which seemed to be shot in one frame (not piece together fake fights with wide angle shots). I like the fights here more than in some wuxia dramas. Nothing seems cheap - from settings, equipment, uniform, training and missions locations.


What I have Mixed feelings about (Minor spoilers)

I think the drama might be better off ending at episode 40 when the drug cartel storyline ended. That was one big, explosive mission and was so exciting. However, the drama continues with sending the Special Forces to the academy to be trained as leaders. I understand this is the next step of career advancement. However, after the initial reluctance and dissatisfaction to learn about new military technological advances and the importance of languages, the drama does not show us how the Special Forces eventually realize and accept all these important lessons. They are quickly sent off to the international competition. The competition should be the perfect setting for the crew to appreciate lessons learned in the academy. The episodes in the academy went completely lost and went down the drain. The only thing it did is to send one soldier home, and to introduce another elite team. Oh, and also to let Li Yi Tong to show up on screen again. I read that the drama was cut short due to censorship, and I wonder if that was why those last 5 episodes felt a little off.

In these 45 episodes, most of the time was spent on training and competitions. There are actually 2 real-life missions. One about a drug dealer in the village and the big drug cartel mission. I would have loved to see more real-life missions. Maybe those were cut as well when the episode count was reduced?


Other Observations:
1. No, there is no romance and it’s not needed. This is from someone who LOVES romance. There’s enough going on to keep me entertained.
2. Yes, there are many handsome men in uniform. Eye candies galore! LOL
3. There are few songs that complement the drama well and not overplayed.
4. Don’t watch this for Li Yi Tong. She has a small role and is definitely not the female lead.
5. I do find it annoying that Leng Jing kept on mentioning Guo Xiao Xiao is a female soldier when GXX doesn’t care.
6. I know they are Special Forces, but sometimes I feel that they need more people in the team to fight against the drug cartels.
7. All soldiers recover quite quickly from the injuries
8. They must have super, duper, powerful bulletproof vest.

Overall, this is an amazing drama. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought. If you are a fan of Yang Yang, this is a must-see! If you have doubts about Yang Yang’s acting, please watch this as well.

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The Bachelor + The Hunger Games = The hilarious and fun Ready, Set, Love

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

My first impression of “Ready, Set, Love” is BRIGHT! The colors are so vibrant and it feels so cartoonish! This is the perfect drama to watch if you want something light, a little over-the-top and hilarious!! Is it the best drama out there? Definitely not! But it brings me joy when I need some lightheartedness in my daily life. It feels like a live action adaptation of an anime.

The plot is nothing unique and is actually quite predictable. I would describe this as a combo of the American reality TV show, “The Bachelor” plus the movie, “The Hunger Games”. We have women competing for the love and attention of 5 eligible bachelors aka Gentlemen. The ladies are thrown into ridiculous games to beat out each other, in order to win the chance to choose one of the 5 gentlemen they want to marry. Additionally, in this dystopian world, you can’t really escape the political commentary of this supposedly perfect world inside The Farm.

I really enjoy the competition part of the drama including all the hilarious characters from the Gentlemen, Ladies to the commentators. If you don’t mind over dramatic acting, this is perfect. The romance is not bad, just not quite enough for my taste. The couples are cute, but I wanted more fluffy scenes. I do appreciate the inclusion of a lesbian couple and a gay couple (just not enough screen time). On the other hand, I like the portrayal of sisterhoods between FL and her sister, and 2FL and her BFF. With only 6 episodes, the political plot and commentary might be the weaker part of the story. It’s no surprise they included this in the drama, but there is just not enough time to develop and write a satisfactory ending to that. Everything seems too easily resolved, and I was never worried that things would turn out badly for them. You can probably see from a mile away how the drama is going to end.

Nevertheless, I had a lovely time watching this. I will recommend this if you are looking for some over-the-top fun with decent acting and chemistry, a good-looking male cast (especially one who wants to show off his abs at any given chance) in very vibrant HDR colors but am OK with a simple plot.


Completed: 3/15/2024 - Review #418

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Advance Bravely because it's a Train Wreck with Hot Abs!

The warning is correct: Advance Bravely! After watching a couple episodes, I thought to myself, What the heck am I watching? Why am I watching this? I wonder if it’s because I was watching this drama in 2023 instead of 2017, that I just couldn’t enjoy it. Watching “Advance Bravely” is like watching a train wreck that I couldn’t look away. It’s so bad that it’s hilarious and addictive?

The only good thing about this drama is Jason Xu and his abs (but not his acting). He’s hot and I enjoy staring at him, just like most characters in the show. That’s the only positive thing I can think of. Oh, also, the action scenes are decent. If you like Gong Jun, you might like him and his skinny abs as well. If you are a fan of abs, there are many for your enjoyment.

However, the plot is weird. Why would you ask your brother to help you chase a guy that your brother doesn’t even know? Why would you kidnap and force someone to go through a medical procedure to ‘correct’ an embarrassing medical condition? Why is this sister so annoying and can’t take NO for an answer?

Additionally, we have a hot but stalkerish male lead, plus a childish and somewhat annoying male lead. I don’t really like any of the leads, so maybe that’s why I don’t feel the chemistry even with the extended long looks and slow motion scenes. The second and third couples also have a weird romance/relationship.

The ending is ridiculous and it definitely has to do with censorship and the lack of funding. But even if I ignore how censorship could ruin this drama, there are just too many other things that are wrong and inappropriate. This is a very weird drama that I don’t know how to appreciate.


Completed: 2/23/2023

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A Drama that sticks its landing and has one of the Best Last Episodes.

When a Japanese drama obtains an 8+ MDL rating, you know it’s a good one. “Unmet: A Neurosurgeon’s Diary” is a beautiful drama telling the story and the struggles of Miyabi, as she learns to be a neurosurgeon again after her accident. This is a feel good drama that heals your soul. Miyabi is surrounded by kind people who support her, encourage her and pick her up when she’s down.

There are many meaningful conversations, thoughtful silences but also laughter and delicious-looking food!. If you are looking for a true medical drama, this might not be for you. The medical cases all have to do with the brain, afterall, Miyabi is a neurosurgeon. Each case is completed within the episode, and they are ‘common’ enough that you feel like it can happen to your, your family or your friend. Personally, episodic cases like these are a hit-or-miss. Although I don’t find the medical cases especially fascinating, I do enjoy the storytelling of the patients and how the hospital staff approach each case and collaborate.

The acting performance of Sugisaki Hana (Miyabi) and Wakaba Ryuya (Sanpei) is top notch. They are not big talkers, but you understand what they want to convey through their expressive eyes and facial expressions. The supporting cast also did a pretty good job, and really gives us more color to the drama.

Plot wise, I feel that the drama can give us more info on the car accident. The ‘villain’ part of the story is resolved rather quickly and quite anti-climatically. The ‘redemption’ story of the doctor is also taken care of swiftly. Additionally, I would love to see more of Miyabi and Sanpei’s past.

The best part of this drama is in its last episode. I was crying my eyes out as I prayed for the leads to live happily ever after. Episode 11 cemented the score of 8.5. This is one of the few dramas that actually sticks its landing and ends on a very high note.


Completed: 7/9/2024 - Review #459

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Watch this for Liu Xue Yi but not for a tightly-written mystery plot.

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

I went into “In Blossom” blind without reading the synopsis or watching the trailer. All I knew is that Liu Xue Yi is the male lead and that’s the only reason I need. LXY did not disappoint, though I think his voice acting could be better. This is not a big complaint because aside from him, the main cast and most of the supporting cast used voice actors. I always appreciate actors dubbing themselves, even though they are not perfect. If you don’t practice, how can you get better, right?

“In Blossom” has a little bit of everything - slow-burn romance, crime investigation/mysteries, action/martial arts and some comedic moments. I do think the drama balances all these elements pretty well. More on romance and mystery in a little bit. I want to comment on the action scenes. I know this is not a wuxia drama, but I feel that the fight scenes are below-average to average. There aren’t too many, but enough for me to wish they are better choreographed and actors fight a little harder and faster. It’s not going to ruin your enjoyment of the drama, but I am a little picky in this area. Comedy is enough to be sprinkled throughout the drama. I enjoy the little comedic moments by the supporting cast, or just a sarcastic remark here and there. Humor brings some light-heartedness to this somewhat serious drama without going over-the-top.

The romance is slow-burn but is developed nicely. ML falls in love with FL again, not because of her looks and wealth, but because of the person inside. They started out as enemies, then frenemies, then partners-in-investigation and eventually partners-in-love. Even though I like the writing of how the relationship is developed and written, I found the chemistry lacking. Liu Xue Yi is only 4 years older than Ju Jing Yi in real life, but when they stand next to each other, LXY looks so much more mature and older. In fact, he seems better matched with the original Yang Cai Wei in the first few episodes and have much better chemistry. LXY and JJY seem more like siblings or best friends when they are bickering. I wonder if it’s because there also seems to be a personality change between the original and the new Yang Cai Wei. The original YCW appears older and more mature, after all she had a really tough life carrying corpses everywhere. The new YCW seems younger and more outgoing and friendly.

That brings me to mystery and crime investigation. There are MANY small investigations in these 32 episodes that tie back to the main plot and mystery. I am usually a fan of how these mini stories, that are not episodic, integrate to the main storyline. But in this drama, there are just way too many, and eventually I lose focus and don’t care anymore. There are also some plot holes and illogical inconsistencies. I do not think the mystery part is tightly written. I feel that if I want to fully enjoy this drama, I need to turn off my brain and not think critically. If you are a big fan and a veteran of crime investigation and mysteries, you might not be satisfied.

The acting as a whole is pretty solid. Liu Xue Yi lives up to my expectations. Ju Jing Yi has a bad rep, but I think she did fine. Not exceptional but also not horrible. 2ML Li Ge Yang might be the weaker of the younger cast.

Lastly, I want to comment on Liu Xue Yi’s wardrobe. He has some beautiful costumes that do not look cheap! You can see the quality of the cloth and the beautiful designs and patterns. Even though Ju Jing Yi’s costumes aren’t bad, I can’t keep my eyes on how handsome and dashing Liu Xue Yi looks. And he looks great both with his down and up in a bun.

I would only recommend this drama if you are a fan of the leads, especially if you are like me, watching this solely for Liu Xue Yi. It’s also not bad if you want a drama that has a good mix of romance and mystery. But if you are picky about tightly written plots, intricate and sensible crime investigation, then you might not find this drama enjoyable.



Completed: 4/8/2024 - Review #425

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Finding the right Focus in life but clear enough to see what surrounds you.

“Depth of Field”, a term used in photography, is the distance between the nearest and the farthest objects that are in acceptably sharp focus in an image captured with a camera. (per Wikipedia). As we often focus on what’s right in front of us, we might not be able to see clearly what’s around us or behind us.

In this drama, Konno (kind, honest and determined) helps Hayakawa to be able to see both objects in his life. Let’s not focus on wanting to be liked by putting on a fake smile and persona, forgetting about being honest with yourself, your feelings and what your passions are. At times, the focus of what’s in front and what’s around you are in reverse. Hayakawa was lucky to have Konno to help him navigate the fog in front of him and see a clearer view of what’s most important.

“Depth of Field” is more than just a regular teen romance BL. Yes, there is romance and it was slowly developed and won’t be a focus until towards the end of the drama. Instead, this drama focuses on accepting, liking and being honest with yourself, rediscovering one’s passion, overcoming an unpleasant past and working towards your true passion and dreams. This should be the nearest object of the camera and must be in clear focus. Surrounding all that and being in the farther away distance of the camera, is the romance, the friendship, and wanting to be liked. At the end of the drama, Hayakawa finds the perfect “Depth of Field”.

There are a few moments that really made an impression on me (both positive and negative). I was not a fan of how Hayakawa expressed his anger, frustration and attraction in Konno’s bedroom. I could see where he’s coming from, but still didn’t quite like it. The drama also didn’t explore the aftermath much, and with only a simple apology. On the other hand, when the leads are on the rooftop and the flashback of the “Gross” remark deeply affected me for some reason. My tears started streaming down my cheeks. Oh, I hurt for Hayakawa and his expression was so heartbreaking. No wonder it stayed with Konno all these years.

I strongly recommend “Depth of Field” if you like the slower-paced JBLs. I actually feel that 6 episodes is the perfect length for this drama. This is not typical for me as sometimes I feel that JBLs are too short and J-dramas in general can be rushed and need more episodes. As an adaptation from a manga, the acting is decent and not overdramatic.


Completed: 7/19/2025 Review #605

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