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Comparison with Chinese original "Go Princess Go"
Since I watched both the Chinese original "Go Princess Go" and this Korean remake, let me comment on some similarities and differences, and why you should watch both :)1. Completely different storylines
Other than the "modern playboy's soul enters ancient queen's body" setting, everything else is redone. The Chinese drama was in the early webdrama days and featured an imaginary ancient time, while the Korean actually corresponds to one of the real kings in history. The Koreans took this short-lived king and remade him into a different (more interesting) character in the drama, and based a lot of clan feuds / political conflicts around this time period. This is very different from the Chinese drama, which had much less politics and much more just pure slapstick comedy.
So if you're into period dramas, this one will give you everything you need -- history, politics, as well as a very gripping fight for what is right.
2. AMAZING costuming and set
The Chinese drama was made in the early webdrama days with obscenely low budget, so they took the low budget and made it into one of their jokes. They had one electric fan to do all special effects with, they didn't have money for realistic costumes so they remade a lot of modern dresses, and the set was just ???
(That is not to say the Chinese drama is poorly made -- as I said, they took the low budget and they ran with it; and they made SUCH A FUNNY DRAMA from it that the historical inaccuracies can be ignored)
This Korean one, on the other hand, is made with a standard drama budget, so they really made the whole scenery so much more exquisite. Standard period drama costuming and accessories, and standard period drama sets... etc. Pretty clothes, pretty backgrounds -- what's not to like?
3. The comedy is just as existent!
You'd think that with the politics and the real costumes, that the Korean drama would be much more serious and boring. Not true. Thanks to the scriptwriters' cleverness and the actors' amazing acting/adlibbing, we got just as funny of a story (if not more so). From the wild (history-friendly) re-explanations of common modern words in the "Queen's Dictionary" to the facial expressions and physical comedy, Mr. Queen will have you laughing on the floor and screenshotting all those ramyun references :0)
Basically you can treat Mr. Queen and Go Princess Go as two completely separate works. Both have their perks and charming points. Both are entertaining to watch. One requires a little bit more brain power than the other because of its extra enriched storyline (Mr. Queen), but the complexity is also what made this drama do as well as it did.
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A masterfully made drama about insanity
I wrote this review in response to the underwhelming attention this show was getting. As a serious movie and TV show addict, having seen literally 1000s of shows from around the world, trust me, this show is a master piece.Let me start of by saying, this show creeps me out, but in a way that leaves me wanting to know more. It isn't a supernatural horror show, but it sure feels like it. From the dark dingy rooms, to the close ups of the mad faces of the housemates, this show plunges the viewer into a world of madness the likes of which I have never experienced in a Korean drama before. I would dare say that some parts of the show remind me a little bit of 'The Shining', which is definitely high praise.
The acting quality by pretty much all the cast members are top notch, especially Im Si-wan, who literally nails every scene he is in, allowing viewers to relate to him and feel for him. Lee Dong‑wook also did a stellar job in breaking out of the stereotypical handsome guy roles, proving that he has what it takes to be a really f**cked up bad guy.
But I don't want to just praise the two leads, because each and every one of the tenants of Eden Studio performed wonderfully. It is their chemistry that left me in awe and made me want to keep coming back for more.
From a storytelling point of view, all the characters have interesting and distinct personalities that make you want to know more about their past and how they became the way they were. The pace is reasonably slow, but the fact that the show is only 10 episodes long made it a lot easier for viewers to stay interested. The plot is well spaced, though there are some loose ends that could have been tied up before the finale. Nonetheless, I was still left smiling when the show ended, even watching through the entire credit sequence (if you never do this, do it for this show, trust me).
But what truly hooked me was the music and cinematography. Part of the reason I enjoy Korean dramas is because of the masterful combination of music and video that one usually only sees in the theater. Well, this show featured a great combination of heavy music (both the rock and hip hop kind) that fit the dark theme of the movie. The cinematography is as expected from an OCN "Dramatic Cinema" show, very high end.
TLDR: I'll be honest, I was expecting a horror show with some jumpscares here and there. What I got was something far better than that. I got a show for true horror/thriller fans who want to experience claustrophobia and paranoia all in on go, and then just get their mind blown at the end.
Trust me, watch the show. You won't regret it.
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An Absolute Masterpiece
This drama will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will teach you about life, it will give you hope, and it will fill you with happinessOverall thinking:
As my title says, this is an absolute masterpiece. But the word masterpiece gets thrown around so easily these days that it barely means anything anymore. So what makes this drama truly special? Many people describe it with adjectives like heartwarming, healing, therapeutic, soothing, or praise its acting. All of these words fit perfectly, but if I had to choose one word to define this drama, it would be uniqueness. There are many healing, heartwarming, slow-burn dramas out there, yet this one still manages to stand apart (I’ll explain why later). It shows its sublimity in every department—cinematography, script, location, story, casting, acting, and music. Everything is executed with absolute perfection.
The main story is simple. You can almost predict where it’s going. But here, the destination doesn’t matter at all. What matters is the journey. The drama weaves together the stories of the female lead, the male lead, and 5–6 supporting characters (along with many others) as they try to find themselves. The characters feel incredibly realistic—like actual people you might know. They’re imperfect, they’re confused, and they don’t have all the answers. The drama follows their journey as they discover those answers through life experiences. The biggest strength of this drama is how real the characters feel. They mirror ordinary people like us. Everything is delivered in such a way that you feel like you’re part of the story—something very few dramas can achieve. You learn life lessons alongside the characters. You begin to understand what truly matters in life and what deserves your attention. The drama explores a wide range of relationships: family bonds, friendships, grandparent–grandchild dynamics, parent–child relationships, sibling relationships, neighborhood connections, and more. Unlike many slice‑of‑life dramas that tackle serious issues but fail to entertain (and often end up being labeled boring), this one is completely different. It is incredibly fun to watch. Every minute gives you a warm, happy feeling (except episode 1, which is a bit sad). Simple moments will make you laugh out loud, and simple moments will make you cry—but even in those emotional scenes, you still feel good. That is the true greatness of this drama.
Romance:
Although this is both a life drama and a romance drama, the everyday interactions and life lessons are so captivating that you might forget to even mention the romance. But romance-wise, the drama excels. The relationship between the leads develops naturally and realistically—perhaps one of the most authentic romances you’ll find in any drama. You will enjoy and cherish every moment of it.
Slow Pacing:
I also need to talk about the pacing. Yes, it is a slow-paced drama. But in this case, the slow pace is not a weakness—it becomes one of its biggest strengths. Some viewers may struggle with the pace at first, but if you’re not too impatient, you’ll adjust quickly. In most dramas, slow pacing is a sign of failure. But here, the script, the unique storytelling style, and the cast’s performances turn the slow pace into an art form. The interactions, dialogues, and conversations are crafted so beautifully that they become the heart of the drama. If you’re too impatient and try to fast-forward or skip scenes like you might do in other shows, you’ll miss the true beauty of this one. But if you give it time, you’ll soon get used to the rhythm—and you may end up considering it one of the best dramas you’ve ever watched.
Story:
The plot is simple and easy to follow. You’ve already read the MDL summary, so I won’t repeat it. I would say the plot itself is simple—but the story is not. This is a wide, layered narrative. Many stories are woven together to create a wonderful mixture. There are so many characters in this drama—not just the main leads. There are at least ten other characters (actually more) whose stories are explored in depth. The story is not plot‑driven; it is character‑driven. Unlike other dramas, the interactions and conversations between characters matter the most here. There are countless golden conversations—too many to list without spoiling anything. You need to experience them yourself. The drama flows smoothly from beginning to end in a way that makes it hard to skip scenes. In fact, you may find yourself pausing and rewinding to rewatch certain conversations because they’re so enjoyable. These conversations are the soul of the drama. They may seem like simple everyday exchanges, but they carry different stories, values, emotions, insights, and life lessons. Sometimes they make you cry from sadness, sometimes from happiness.
Characters:
There are a lot of characters and the characters are very well developed. You have the FL, who is a former front office Hotel Manager who came to the village to spend time. Previously, she made a plan with her best friend to come here, but her best friend is dead now. So she came to the village for both of them, to fulfill their promise. ML is a local boy who is highly educated and used to doing a good, well-paid job. He is now back in the village and now wants to improve the village. Then, you have Nana- A waitress working in the local café, Damai- An aspiring young novelist, Mr. Hu- A singer and songwriter, Mr. Ma- The man who keeps himself busy doing meditation, Xiaochun- A local woman who is divorced, has a cute daughter, and manages the different business for ML, Xiaxia- A woodcarver (local craft), Grandma Xie- 80 years old but still strong woman with a lot of wisdom. I can mention a lot more. But it will be a long list. (Special Mention: Aunt Gui, Aunt Feng, Aunt Baoping, and 4 cute little kids). Every character is portrayed by the perfect actor. While watching, you can’t help but admire how flawlessly each cast member embodies their role. Every character is unique, with their own struggles and stories. The drama explores these stories with care and depth. From my description, it might sound heavy—but it’s not. The drama is incredibly lighthearted, and all these characters are genuinely fun to watch.
Acting:
It’s a 10/10 from me. Honestly, anyone giving the acting less than a 10 is being unfair. The female lead, male lead, supporting cast, grannies, aunts, and children—everyone delivers outstanding performances. The acting is some of the most realistic and natural you’ll ever see in a drama.
Screenwriting:
Let me put it simply: this drama is a screenwriting masterpiece. Yes, truly. The characters are not only well written—they are delightful to watch. You will like every single character. Yes, every one of them. There isn’t a single unlikable character. You’ll even remember all their names (which I rarely do in other dramas) because they’re so impactful. The conversations are written with such mastery that I don’t have enough words to praise them. Many viewers don’t realize the beauty of great screenwriting because most dramas never showcase its true power. Usually, we think the plot is everything and the script is just there to move it along. This drama proves otherwise. You need to watch it to understand what real screenwriting looks like—and how it can elevate a drama from good to truly great.
Music:
A solid 10/10. This is not an exaggeration—it’s exactly how I feel. The OST, the background music, and the way the music is used in different moments are simply wonderful.
Enjoyment:
The drama keeps getting better and better. The first few episodes are introductory, and the characters may seem a bit strange at first. But once you get to know them, you start loving them. And as I said, it only gets better. So, for example, episode 10 is more fun than episode 5, episode 20 is more exciting than episode 10, and episode 30 is more exciting than episode 20. After episode 10, you might think, “It’s already so good—how can it get better?” But trust me, it does. Unlike many dramas that start strong and then fall apart, this one never loses its charm. It just keeps improving. You’ll only understand once you watch it.
Some Weak Points:
Yes, there are some weak points.
>>Simple Plot and Predictability: Yes, the plot is simple and predictable. You can often guess what will happen next. You get exactly what you expect, and the drama doesn’t disappoint in that regard. For some viewers, this might feel like a weakness. But those who truly watch the drama will say the opposite. The greatness of this drama actually lies in its simplicity and predictability. Our daily lives are simple and predictable too—yet when you look closely, life is extraordinary. This drama is the same. It is extraordinary in its simplicity.
>>Not many WOW moments: This drama is very different from typical modern dramas. Nowadays, we watch shows on our phones or computers with a 5‑second or 10‑second forward button. We skip conversations and jump straight to the “WOW” moments. Most of the time, you don’t miss anything important by doing that. For viewers like that (☹, myself included), the drama may feel slow or even boring at first because there are no such moments. But if you watch it properly, you’ll realize the conversations are pure GOLD. Believe me—you will find more enjoyment in these simple, heartfelt conversations than in the flashy moments of other dramas
Rewatch Value:
I wish there were an option to rate the rewatch value higher than 10. This drama deserves 11/10. Many people rewatched episodes 2–3 times even before the drama finished airing. I’m the same. I will definitely rewatch it multiple times—I don’t even know how many.
Recommendation:
I absolutely recommend this drama. Most people will fall in love with it, though some may struggle with the slow pacing or other personal preferences. Even if someone doesn’t enjoy it now, I would still recommend giving it another try in the future—especially during difficult stages of life. This drama is not only enjoyable; it shows the beauty of life and helps you think more positively.
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Hilariously Funny Great Watch
This is another Isekai story whereby a female scriptwriter goes into her own story with her male lead and both fall in love with each other in the parallel historical female centric world. Imagine a historical world that has the male and female roles switched. Just the idea itself is enough to engage any viewers.The crazy logic and plot holes here and there - all these would have been considered poor script writing and poor editing in other dramas, but for this drama, they're done on purpose and left unedited and such, have made the series absolutely lovable and funny.
The drama has a mixture of modern day directness and historical day indirectness. There are hilarious misunderstandings and strong tendency in jumping into conclusions, creating even more hilarious moments that can really make the viewers laugh out off their couches. What seemingly crazy plans always work out perfectly for Chen Qian Qian (Zhao Lu Si) and people would praise her for thinking out of the box; her mishits become perfect solutions. Han Shuo (Ding Yu Xi) has always tried to maintain his dignity and honor but with our crazy Chen Qian Qian, whatever dignity left is utterly gone because he's so hopelessly in love with her. All the dialogues are simple, childish and most of the times, illogical, but putting together, it's just so hilariously funny.
Zhao Lu Si's portrayal of Chen Qian Qian is absolutely adorable with a modern day teenager charisma. Her acting has improved tremendously in this drama. She is natural, authentic, relaxed, spontaneous and yes, very comedic. She's a perfect "Sha Bai Tian", literally means "Silly, Fair and Sweet". Zhao Lu Si is simply one of the cutest actors around.
Not particularly handsome comparatively but oh boy, Ding Yu Xi (Ryan Ding) captures hearts. He is an amazing actor, versatile in any roles from being a high school teenager to an accomplished professional. As Han Shuo, seemingly cunning and calculative, at a next turn, becomes the most silly and childish boy. It's like watching the most fearsome tiger which can suddenly turn and become a little fearful mouse. Ding's portrayal is absolutely fantastic and he brings life to the character and makes viewers truly empathize and love him.
All the side characters are brilliant in particular the two male servants of Chen Qian Qian and Han Shuo. They are stupidly cute and add enormous colors and comedies to the scenes. All their silly dialogues and facial expressions just make viewers laugh out loud, love and care for the characters.
With only 24 episodes, this drama waste no annoying fillers. Every episode is a page turner. Everything is concluded well in the end. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and hope new viewers will do too.
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An honest review of an underrated series
Hi everyone!First and FOREMOST the plot summary does no justice to what a beautiful refreshing drama this is.
Lemme explain why,
1. Don’t judge the rating, As a person who enjoyed- it’s okay to not be okay , DOTS, crash landing on you, RIAB book, what’s wrong with Secretary Kim I ENJOYED THIS DRAMA.
2. This is one of the most REFRESHING Korean dramas I’ve seen in a while. I just feel like people aren’t used to this kind of new aspect. The interview format is lovely. Love the different kinds opinions to taboo topics.
3. I LOVE LOVE THE CINEMATOGRAPHY. No words. Just breathtaking.
4. Even though there is a flashback and present- it’s so beautifully and carefully executed so that it’s always refreshing. LOVED THE BEACH SCENES.
5. There is a bit of a mystery to it and the plot slowly develops but I LOVE THE MOMENTS. THE DRUNK GIRL MOMENT , THE COKE MOMENT AND SO MANYYY MOREEE
6. Another thing I loved is how we don’t have to wait for a kiss between the main leads forever.
7. The tribute to some of the best kinda music out there is fabulous! The rock bands.
8. This drama is an entirely different vibe, you might be scared to give it a try but do go ahead and watch the first 3 episodes. It might be your cup of tea.
9. Gotta love my confident side couples as well. That is a Why a 9/10. I’m waiting for more on them as well.
10. I just strongly believe this is not a 7.9/10 kinda drama. I got super sad looking at the rating. THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT. And the actors deserve so much credit for going ahead with producing something new. I REALLY LOVE THAT this is one helluva COMFORTING UNIQUE WATCH. (Atleast for me) It’s really got a very nice energy to it! Watch it!!
Hope you enjoyed the review,
Good day pals;) <33
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Reply 1988 outshines its predecessors. The story primarily takes place in a singular setting, and yet the narrative does not stagnate; it does not become boring or trite; it does not make you sleepy when watching daily interactions of the families. Instead, the story of R1988 pushes at the heart and makes you yearn for friends who love each other this closely, for parents who love each other this much, for a life as simple and yet as hard as these characters' lives were. It takes you out of 2015 and 2016 and supplants you into 1988 where you take that same journey with the characters.
Perhaps the star of the narrative of R1988 is its ability to exert both laughter and tears at the passing of a few minutes, yet it never feels stilted. It brings us richness and variety of character within just the five friends, let alone the parents and siblings surrounding them. With that, we see intricate details of each person's character--like Bora's unspoken love for her parents, or Dong Ryong's inner philosopher, or Jung Hwan's hidden sweetness, or Taek's competitive strength. There are so many elements of character that we see, often unspoken, rise to the surface with the passing of a quick moment or a prolonged incident.
Not only did the narrative of R1988 promote emotions from the viewer, it also brought the winds of unpredictability with it. The writers, in their infinite wisdom, flipped the switch and delivered a romance not built on the standard female lead being the only one in love for the majority of the series nor a male lead who said nothing but ended up the romantic star. It gave the person who stepped up and took a risk the chance to shine (and shine he did-delivering kisses to die for and a sweet chemistry with the lead that was noticeable from the get go). Furthermore, the show gave many couples a chance at love, both new and renewed, lost and found. It was never unrealistic or unfair to anyone in the cast (as some are quick to say); instead, it offered options and chose the best one.
The laughter and tears that made me giggle until wheezing and leak all over my crooked glasses came from an illustrious cast. R88's five friends gave their all to show us their characters' fears, tears, love, admiration, consternation, that random move in Baduk, and so much more. I have to hand it to Ryu Joon Yeol and Park Bo Gum; they made me root for both of them and create #TeamPolyamorous as a hashtag. Their performances were so spot on, and a new star was born. Go Kyung Pyo has always been a personal favorite, and as the sweet, slightly nerdy but quite handsome Sun Woo, he once again stole my heart--this time, though, not with laughter so much as with sweetness. Lee Dong Hwi as Dong Ryong was simply adorable; I would like to see more from him. Hyeri's Duk Seon, though the weakest of these performances, was true to Duk Seon's character--bubbly and outgoing, if not a little bit kooky.
I could talk all day about the parents' roles as well. Ra Mi Ran, Kim Seon Young, and Lee Il Hwa trumped most drama mothers for being the most awesome trio of moms in a drama. They were not only funny, but they all showed signs of vulnerability and strength, and true to form, they were an unstoppable force on screen and in front of their husbands. Speaking of husbands/dads, all the dads were awesome as well, but Kim Sung Kyun takes the cake. His President Kim routine will forever been ingrained in my memory, but also his relationship with Ra Mi Ran showed a great example of how love grows with age.
The music of Reply 1988 also played a special role, not only in the background OST, but in the characters' lives. From Duk Seon trying to win a Walkman to her waiting anxiously outside a concert venue, to Dong Ryong's cover of "I Just Called to Say I Love You," to Ra Mi Ran's special dance, the power of music pervaded the narrative of Reply. It gave us warmth and it made us want to dance along.
Even at 1:30 to 2 hours per episode, I'm going to watch this again. I enjoyed it too much and loved it even more. There was never a dull moment in this series, and I will treasure it for a lifetime. However, now it is time to move on--to leave the streets of Ssangmungdong 1988 and flash forward to Dayton 2016. I look at my neighborhood--siding coming off of roofs, puttering old cars emitting exhaust, the paint on the doors of my house chipping, and the possibility that after I leave in a year or so, it may be the last time I see my home of nearly 22 years. It may be the last time I get to say goodbye to my neighborhood, just as it is my time to say goodbye to my youth.
For all things considered, the first 28 years have been a good run. That is my Reply.
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Two young men with opposite personalities sparked love and growth in each other’s lives.
STORYComing from Korea, I already expected it to have a seemingly interesting and unique plot. The story beautifully portrays a growing relationship between two young men with completely different careers. Their opposite personalities added depth to their characters, and I love how they helped each other develop. I would also mention how I really liked that they added a character that depicts a “confident gay” as I may say without hesitations or whatsoever when it comes to what he truly likes (no more “I do not like men, I only like him” lines which irritate me, I guess haha). It felt like they were existing in a world where homophobia does not exist, and they just took everything casually.
The story also shows a glimpse of the entertainment/showbiz industry. The struggles of living a normal life as an actor and the realities of the controversies they get involved in. Also shows how media can be deceiving, and how it affects the lives of celebrities.
I really find the story cute and full of fluff with the continuous engagement of the couple. Their interactions made me want to fall in love again, and how they managed to make each other a better person. The pacing is beautifully done, and I love how things are not rushed nor too slow for this drama. They are taking their time and there is something within the story that makes it feel comforting.
The ending was great and sweet I really wish there was more. And what I think the edge of this drama compared to other recent Korean ones was the pacing, I do not feel that the ending was rushed. Everything was explained correctly and most of the things were settled at the end.
Their story makes me want to watch more episodes but sadly, it’s only 9 episodes that are roughly 10-15 minutes long.
ACTING
In terms of acting, I would say that they really act natural around each other. I love their chemistry and the cast did a great job portraying their own characters. It does not feel forced and awkward at all. They’ve done it well especially the main couple because every time they have cute little interactions, I would quickly smile knowing how comfortable they are with each other.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Since this is from Korea, I do not have issues with the cinematography as it is a lot better than the ones I previously watched from Thailand. In comparison, the production value of this drama is good and met the standards of the recent Korean BL dramas I’ve seen before.
MUSIC
The music is okay for me, I wish there were more songs in the drama but the ones used really suit the atmosphere of the scene.
Overall, this drama is very good in my opinion and probably my favourite among the recent ones that Korea has produced (Color Rush, WYEL, Mr Heart, Wish You). I fell in love with the cuteness of the plot and I really wish it was longer. Nonetheless, this is good and it made it into my favourites.
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I have a psychiatrist friend who insisted on watching this film. She already knows that I don't mind any sort of special story no matter how horrific it is; I was fully prepared to any type of scenes and so I watched it.
2) Storyline/Plot:
They weren't kidding when they said "This movie contains EXTREMELY graphic child abuse! Do not watch if you are easily disturbed.", I intentionally repeated it because this film isn't directed to all types of audience, even if you are an adult you can easily be disturbed.
Positive points:
*It's a true story that focus on a world wide issue: a great topic.
*The producer wasn't afraid of showing the horrible fact to the audience.
*The script writers did a great job by delievering a masterpiece.
Negative points:
For me there isn't.
*Some people would feel sick or shocked that's why I said it's not directed to everyone but if those scenes were absent then it couldn't be fun to watch considering its theme; it was realistic and special in a great way.
Story: 9.75/10
3) Acting/Cast:
I really loved each and everyone of them here.
*It was different yet cool to see Gong Yoo in a serious role.
*The three children have done a great job because their roles were mainly sentimental and they were skilled to portray that aspect.
*The actors knew how to deliever feelings and leave us affected with their issues.
Cast: 8.5/10
Acting: 9.5/10
4)The ending:
It wasn't what anyone wanted but it was great because it was realistic.
The ending: 8/10
5) My impression (How did it affect me):
*As I said earlier I don't mind any sort of special stories, this film was interesting enough to keep me hooked up for two hours.
*The grafic child abuse is what gave this film its taste no matter how horrible it was.
*I got the conclusion that this world is full of bad people but they only need one courageous person to change the whole thing.
*Protecting children's innocence is our responsibility as adults.
My impression: 9.5/10
6) Overall:
I repeat this film has shocking abuse scenes therefore, if you're a sensitive person don't even think about watching this.
*If you like special stories and don't mind the abusive scenes then you would like this.
*Human rights lovers may want to check this out.
*Don't be fooled about the fact that Gong Yoo is the main lead, it's nothing like his previous Dramas/Films.
*If you're looking for a romantic story then you shouldn't be reading this in the first place.
*I repeat for the last time sensitive people KEEP OUT!
Overall: 9.5/10
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Easy to follow
Easy to follow. The story line is very simple. Watched it because I’m so intrigued of xing feis acting skills. I’ve watched kdramas & cdrama and a lot of story are repetitive with no eye catching acting skills but not xing fei. She does knows to cry, laugh, smile, sad, angry, scared frustrated in natural ways, that’s why I’m pulled in to watch more of her work. She doesn’t disappoint. This story is to how to overcome psychological difficulties. And she really can pull the “I’m in love with you” character no matter whom she’s paired with in non cheesy way.Was this review helpful to you?
the drama is about ?&?
it starts with fl having a crush on ml not knowing it was mutual but the circumstances were not in the favour then.cut to the present she writing a novel based on her own then feelings and things start to go down. ml got involved and helped her out. and then they come face to face to their feelings and the misunderstandings are cleared. fluffy and kinda 2016 vibes.
what actually made me watch it is how they face themselves and their lives. it's indeed fateful how the story unfolded. how just some words from someone can give one enough strength to face whatever the battle he/she is fighting. one person can be completely wrong about someone, even if they think they know it all about the person. then accepting the fact of them being wrong and their resolve to start anew and get to know each other again.
one can be 'acting' out of the character to get noticed by that particular person, but when the persona breaks, will the certain someone still accept you as you really are? will you be fine after your persona is scattered, in front of the very person you made it for?
people say this drama is as the other rom-fluff stuff but do you really watch it? the character's insecurities, their growth and their whole arc ? how the certain circumstances affect them and their decisions?
for me the drama is kinda journey from running away from their fears or insecurities to finally facing them in whatever form they can. overcoming the hesitation, that unspoken understanding and the healing.
of course the drama has scenes make you giggle or curl your toes, but it also has the element of showing what it feels like to return to love. this is not the intense drama but a comfort watch with a hot tea in hands while sitting in a blanket.
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Definitely my no. 1 top bl so far; a supernatural teenage romance underrated masterpiece
(Apologies in advance for any grammatical errors, English is not my native language.)This series is a hidden gem. It is a supernatural teenage romance with hints of slice-of-life that unexpectedly gave me butterflies. Despite its melancholic tone, I still found comfort and beauty in it. This drama is deeply underrated and deserves far more recognition. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is much more than just a sad or tragic story within the BL or supernatural genre.
Story:
The series gently explores the stages of grief, and many reviews have praised how delicately this theme is handled, which I wholeheartedly agree with. Supernatural stories are not always universally appreciated, but this one portrays its fantasy elements in such a grounded and realistic way that it feels incredibly natural. It balances the real and the unreal so well, and that is where its charm truly lies.
What I want to highlight the most is the relationship between Koichi and Micchan. As an introvert, I really appreciate that it shows a healthy relationship between an introvert and an extrovert. I admired Koichi for understanding and seeing the beauty in Micchan's silence. He never rushed anything, from friendship to romance. Introverts need personal space, and I love how Koichi respected that. He never pushed Micchan and instead patiently waited for him to become comfortable. Even though it was love at first sight for Koichi, he allowed Micchan to fall in love slowly, which feels like a kind of sincere courtship we rarely see these days. Koichi became Micchan's protector and safe space. His love was so big and selfless that he always put Micchan's needs first.
Many viewers already see how ideal Koichi is with his gentleness, patience, and protectiveness, but Micchan deserves just as much appreciation. He may seem emotionless on the outside, but he is deeply compassionate. The novel shows even more of how much he loves Koichi, even years later. His eternal love, choosing Koichi every day, is proof of how strong his feelings are. Giving Koichi emotional energy just so he could function already shows how deeply he cared. Watching the person you love slowly fade away is incredibly painful, and Micchan endured that. He loved Koichi just as much as Koichi loved him.
Their relationship gave me everything I could ever want from a love story: a gentle love that feels safe, someone proud of you, someone who sees something special in you that others overlook, and a love you never expected to be returned so sincerely. It is the kind of love that feels irreplaceable, the kind that makes you feel like you are always the first choice, a love that keeps choosing you every day. It is heartbreaking that it was taken away too soon.
Acting/Characters:
Komiya and Inoue did an incredible job. Their chemistry is exceptional, and they delivered everything perfectly. Their comfort with each other, the soft and gentle intimacy, and even the smallest emotional details were beautiful to watch. Even in the intimate scenes, nothing felt oversexualized. The focus on the main couple was truly appreciated. Their expressions, chemistry, and line delivery felt so natural. There was not a single moment that felt awkward or cringe.
Setting/Cinematography:
I loved the Japanese countryside summer setting. The scenery and landscapes were beautiful and calming. Even though the weather differs from the novel, as a pluviophile I loved how important rain became in their story. It appeared in every significant moment, from their first meeting to their relationship beginning, Koichi's accident, and finally his goodbye. It felt like the rain mirrored their emotions and how their love slowly grew.
Music:
This is the best OST I have heard so far. The opening and ending songs perfectly capture their story, and I still get emotional whenever I listen to them. The background score throughout the drama was also beautiful.
Rewatch Value:
It may sound odd, but I would still give the rewatch value a 10 out of 10. I love melancholic stories, and even though this one is sad, it brings me comfort every time I revisit it.
Overall:
Even with its sad ending, the story ended in the most beautiful way possible. The final narration is one of the most painfully beautiful things I have ever seen in a drama. This is probably the best BL I have watched so far. It gave me the poetry, gentleness, subtlety, and bittersweet feeling that I always look for. It also gave me meaningful life lessons. I will always be grateful that I discovered this drama. It left me emotionally wrecked for weeks, but I do not regret watching this masterpiece at all.
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This review may contain spoilers
I wanted to love this drama. My friend got me to watch and told me it was cute and adorable and a lot of fun. I believed her. The first 10 episodes were great and I was honestly enjoying it. Then the big plot twist happened in episode 11 and from that point on, the drama was honestly ruined for me.***SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER****
STORY:
This was really the only problem I had with this drama because I actually liked the acting and the chemistry between characters was great.
It started off fairly cliche - ???? - Cruel, harsh boss and the ??? cute, young, innocent girl are thrown together. Contract marriage, eventually fall in love for real. All great. I actually really appreciated that this time around, the male lead wasn't an ass to her the whole time before he realized his feelings, but he was very respectful of her, treated her well, was super cute to her. Great start!
The first episode I thought it was gonna be super melodramatic what with the boyfriend cheating, the sickness diagnosis, etc. It seemed like this was gonna be a downer drama. I was wrong. It was bubbly and romantic and cute. Everything continued on - relationship was cute, they kept getting closer, they finally fall in love.
AND THEN THE BIG PLOT TWIST. and this is where it went downhill for me.
***SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER****
***SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER****
***SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER****
***SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER****
You find out that NOT ONLY was the female lead NEVER sick with Leukemia, but that the male lead knew about it from the beginning. What could be worse than that? THE MALE LEAD WAS BEHIND THE WHOLE THING. From day one, he was the one who manipulated the female lead, the doctors, down to keeping her holed up in some private facility for two months while she "recovers" (which they conveniently skipped over in the drama and they go straight from getting married to her being fully recovered in under 2 mins). It was ALL a ploy by the male lead to get the female lead to fall in love with him.
The drama continues to try and make it seem like he did it all for a noble cause - cause he really fell in love with her over the past two years when he was at his worst and she was the bright star that made him happy to live and whatnot. That's all great and that's a great love story. BUT THE FACT THAT HE ESSENTIALLY STALKED HER FOR TWO YEARS, FAKED HER ILLNESS AND FRAUDED HER INTO MARRIAGE MAKES ALL OF THIS JUST CREEPY AND NOT OK.
I know that the drama was trying to make it seem innocent, and she of course forgives him for all of this, but honestly I couldn't get over that plot point. It was too creepy and too stalkerish. If this was real life, there was no shot in hell that she would forgive him and continue their relationship.
Legit if they had kept everything the same - him falling for her prior to really meeting her, but actually had her be sick and have him donate his bone marrow, and all the subsequent story points - MINUS THE PART WHERE HE FRAUDED HER - I would be perfectly fine and I would have been able to enjoy the second half of this drama. But honestly, I can't believe they romanticized a legit stalker and manipulator and tried to make him seem noble. I can't.
Ugh.
ACTING:
I think the actors were all really good. I loved the leads (at first) and thought their relationship was surprisingly refreshing for a Chinese drama (where most of the time it ends up being the same plot lines). I was super into the male lead and thought he had a good suave personality, as well as being caring and thoughtful.
REWATCH:
Absolutely not. Knowing that one plot twist really I just can't with this drama. They try to make it cute and relatable, but it's just not for me. It's creepy and stalkerish.
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1"I'll stay with you until you stop feeling lonely."
First, I just have to say, I started this directly after watching A Christmas Carol (2022). After such a dark, harrowing film, I had no idea what a perfect palate cleanser this would be, and I'm so happy it's what I chose to binge. Tooth-rotting sweetness that had my cheeks hurting after almost constant smiling every single episode.For me, this is close to the perfect fluff-style BL drama. Adorable fluff mixed with tender, heartfelt moments with a dash of reasonable angst that didn't stray into too-heavy territory, just adding the perfect amount of depth and stakes for our main couple. That angst (and hurt/comfort) was rounded out and resolved very nicely as well. The pacing was perfect, and I continuously found myself thinking 'already?' whenever an episode ended, because I was so wrapped up in every moment and was never bored.
I have noticed some comments about the main pairing being "dry". Now, I'm all for 'to each their own'; if that's your opinion, who am I to say your wrong? Except... maybe you are? A little? No hate, I just feel like the people who think relationships and couples like this in BL are "dry" are looking for instant sparks, mutual intense pining, and lots of spiciness. There are plenty of BL series of that nature. But it's this kind of pairing in BL's that I think is exceedingly rare, and is my absolute favorite: quiet, solidly built, based on respect and day-to-day interactions. It's not an instant heart-eyes romance: it's more realistic, arguably more meaningful, and much more introspective. You come to love the characters for who they are and their roots, and from there, you come to root for something more.
As for the main pairing, I personally love their chemistry. There was never a single moment where I felt anyone was reaching too much, trying too hard, nor was there any awkwardness. They met each other perfectly at the middle, and it felt effortlessly real in that way; I found myself completely convinced in the way they interacted each episode. Everyone was fantastic, but I do specifically want to shout-out Iijima Hiroki. The way he portrayed Minoru was equal parts sweet and heartbreaking: the care and absolute love and devotion he had for his brother while simultaneously struggling with the thought of no longer having that independence of someone his age was beautifully done. Further, in the development of his relationship with Yutaka, he really did a great job in portraying that silent battle with his own feelings, how he slowly came to terms with how he felt, but struggled deeply with it, because he so badly wanted to stay close to Yutaka no matter what, valuing his company over anything, even so much that he harbored deep guilt every time he reached out a little with how he felt (which made moments like the cheek kiss, the confession, the hand holding, etc) so much more impactful. Iijima just knew exactly who he was playing, and brought him to life brilliantly.
I also can't end this review without giving a quick mention to little Maeyama Kuuga. Seriously, where did this kid learn to act? For example, the scene where he saw Yutaka crying and instantly broke down himself? What a little talent. I'm usually not into dramas that revolve around a child in some way, but he really made it impossible for me not to love him.
All in all, if you're into sweet fluff, realistically built relationships, and tender/adorable family moments, I would highly recommend this one. As someone with family troubles of my own, I found this extremely cathartic and just such a nice watch. Japan yet again proving that they're owning the BL game atm.
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I doubted that I would like this movie at first. The dialogue in the first scene was long. But I came to understand it was important. I don't regret the stubbornness I had to sit through that particular scene. Then came the confessions. Just...wow! What a brilliant scheme! This was a really clever one.
The music was very good and it achieved the desired effect. Even added an artistic tinge.
The characters were very well portrayed. I even sympathized with the worst of them (psycho kid). Had a conflicting sense of hating the things he did and feeling sorry for his situation.
I hold great admiration to the writer of this movie. Thank you, this actually had everything I ever wanted to see in a movie. It leaves a deep impression that I won't be able to shake off anytime soon.
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