Reviews

JUST " ONE &ONLY " U , ZHOU SHENG CHEN ~ BEAUTIFUL BONES [A MUST WATCH]

I have never doubted and never disappointed with ALLEN REN's acting, in any drama he is always very successful in carrying out his role well... this is his fifth drama that i watched in a row from UTP, i started to be his BIG FANS after UTP and continue to pursue all his works..and after this drama released the trailer, i'm really interested to watch it..no doubt again... his handsome and authoritative appearance, accompanied by the beautiful artist BaiLu, adds to my desire to watch it..... and after watching it...this drama is far from my mind....because....THIS DRAMA IS TOO GOOD AND PERFECT...

in terms of story, acting, costumes, bgm to cinematography is very beautiful and perfect, like you are watching on the big screen... I was amazed when I started watching this drama and felt like I was watching a big screen cinema....

this drama has a very good storyline, developing and extensive, you will find every point of the episode is never boring and once you start, you will be drawn into the story and continue it until the end...even though the ending of this drama is very tragic and makes you will cry bitterly watching it but I am very satisfied with the ending, because the cursed Villains also get punished for what they have done...

This drama has many sweet moments between the two main leads " Zhou Sheng Chen and Cui Shi Yi although there are no very romantic scenes but their every gaze, smile, hug and concern for each other is able to melt and thrill your heart when watching it ... Their love are so sweet, sincere strong and pure....

the acting between the two mainleads is very very amazing and perfect in this drama....

Allen Ren brought ZhouShengChen's character very perfectly and amazing,he is a manly, handsome, strong, wise and highly adored character by his people...he is a character who not only has good skin but good bones too and deserves the called "BEAUTIFUL BONES" , people who have good skin, don't necessarily have good bones and vice versa...only ZSC has both...he doesn't chase wealth, doesn't chase thrones and isn't infatuated with beautiful women...only CuiShiYi who is able to melt his heart.... he is a patriot who is willing to sacrifice himself for the peace of the kingdom and the welfare of his people.... truly a hero whose name will always be engraved in the hearts of his people...

CuiShiYi played by BaiLu is very lively and perfect...she is a very beautiful, elegant, gentle and intelligent woman, she is the only female figure who can melt ZSC's heart, CSY's love is the MOST GREATEST I have ever seen in a drama, she is willing to sacrifice her whole body and soul just for the man she loves ZSC, willing to sacrifice herself forever not to marry just to be with him, the greatest happiness for her is to be by his side forever...
"CUISHIYI IS A WOMAN CHARACTER IN THE DRAMA I LIKE THE MOST BECAUSE OF HER LOVE IS SO STRONG, SINCERE AND GREAT..."

THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THE BOTH MAINLEADS IS REALLY AWESOME AND VERY POWERFUL...
not only the two mainleads, even the supporting cast also acted very very well which also helped make this drama so success...

besides that I also really admire the relationship between teachers and students, or with military advisors and between their brothers and sisters which is very deep, harmonious and strong, they look at each other like brothers and their own family, love each other, take care of each other and that makes me very touched, loved and admired their excellent relationship.

beautiful soundtrack song and suitable for every scene add perfect points to this drama, I love all soundtrack songs in this drama too.

this drama is not only worthy of 10/10 if possible i will give a rating of 1000/1000 for this drama 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

I also want to thank our two main roles, of course Allen Ren and Bai Lu for their amazing acting for this drama, besides that also our support roles, especially those who play CuiFeng, General Hong, XiaoYan, General Feng, General Zhou,XieYun, YangShao , Advisor Xie , Huan Yu and 3rd madam cui and Prince PinQin) and others, as well as the director and the rest of the crew for making this drama so lively and perfect

I re-watch this drama from the first episode and I might find it difficult to move on from this drama for the next few months after watching the sequel "forever and ever"... this is what I'm most looking forward to...

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"Our Youth" - Minase Jin

I honestly have no words. I wish I could do a cool one-liner that puts all my feelings into one, but honestly, I don't know. All I can say is "wow." This is like trying a food and knowing it'll be your favorite from the first bite. That's how I felt when I watched the first 2 episodes. I remember telling my friend, who is now watching, that I had just started this but I knew it'd be in my top 5 jbls. This is just THAT show. I lowkey haven't written a review since "The Trainee" ended (September) but I just have to for these cuties!!

In a tiny sum up, the story: Minase Jin is what a parent would call "perfect," with good grades, stays out of trouble, and overall just well-behaved, that is until Hirukawa Haruki steps into his life. This entry led him to find out a pretty personal secret about Hirukawa, which brings them closer, maybe a bit too close.

What did I like? Wow, there's a lot. Shall we make a list?

1. Characters: Honestly just both of their stories alone are great, especially Hirukawas, and them coming together makes a pretty good mix.
2. Chemistry? Well it's definitely there!! I don't care about what others say, there was TENSION.
3. I read other reviews, and with the cinematography portrayed, I felt extremely immersed.
4. As well from a review, the mention of waves and boats. A quote I have from the 10th episode is said from Minase Jin. "And I let the boat carrying the letter go into the sea out of my hands as the wind takes it. That letter sails into the deep sea. " Honestly, I just love the comparison.
5. The loyalty of the two..oh my gosh?? "Even if we can't get married, I will always be by your side." Haruki Hirukawa, can you be MY husband??
Honestly, to name everything I love, I'd have to go back and watch every episode and write down each and every one of my thoughts. But Our Youth has brought out a feeling in me that I didn't think many could reach.

In the later episodes I also realised they called each other by Jin and Haruki, when in the earlier episodes they called each other Minase and Hirukawa, which I found cute. The fact they do that from when their teenagers to adults? I love them. As well as how the "novel" of the letter was Our Youth. That means what we just watched was the letter, right?

Anyways!!!

The only con for me is the special episode. The fact they didn't ACTUALLY tell them they were dating made me sad, but that's okay!! Same with the marriage. Maybe someday we'll get another special episode of their marriage when it becomes legal in Japan. But for now, we can only hope!

To wrap this up, I honestly really wish I didn't have to. I'm gonna miss dreading every time I had to wait for the next episode. When I first started watching, it had 5 episodes out, and I caught up all in one. I started at 10pm (mind you, I have school) and watched every episode to catch up. Then when I found out the 5th had came out that day, I was quite sad to have to wait. But, now I can just rewatch when I'm feeling down. Anyways, I'm really going to miss these two. I know some may disagree, but I loved these two a lot. Would definitely recommend!!

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I don't understand why the rating is so low

First of all, I almost gave up of starting this drama because I thought it would be a mess since all the reviews are a bit negative. I was surprised. The story is a lot cute, there's the romance, the friendship, the visuals. I missed an OST more powerfull but that's all. The drama is refreshing, and it has a good story, the characters development it is really good, and now I ill point why I think this.
Hye Jun - It is a character who puts a lot of effort in everything he does, if it is his dream, his relationship, his friendships. His relationship with his grandpa is something that worth watch and we can understand through the episodes how he was capable of maintaining his image even after all the scandals people tried to envolve him, it was all because he's really a good person, considerate, someone who values the people around him more than status. His relationship with his dad is a bit problematic but I thought it was enjoyable in the drama too because that's life, who of us never had any misunderstandings on our own families?
Let's talk about Jung Ah, she's someone who suffered a lot because of her mom, she felt abandoned most of her life so she thinks it's better to admire and support someone who is far, someone who will not dissapoint her, I completely understand. Many times in our lives we admire singers, athletes, models, people that as far as they are we think they are amazing, because you know, life gets a little complicated when we know people personally. She choosed the right person, and you know (maybe there will be some spoilers here), I think she did right when she decided to end/postpone a relationship to focus on herself and build her own career, sometimes you have to do this, you have to considerate your feelings more before things just end up ruined. So I think it's delighting the way they meet again years later after both stay more mature, more openly to live their love fully, I think the end of the drama shows it to us too, it's not a sad ending, it's like if they are starting again, but this time being complete on their own, as individuals.
Talking about the other characters I think this is just what happens with Jin u and Hae Na (but I have to say that I missed a better ending for them), and Hae Hyo discovering himself besides his mom influence worth to watch too because it's him getting out of his bubble to draw his own path.
Anyway, I think I was rambling a bit but I have to say, it's a good drama and the bad reviews doesn't define it really well, I enjoyed to watch and recommend it to everyone who wants to watch a simple drama that you can watch with family and have a good feeling about the story in the end.

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Bound by fate, kept by love, strengthened by never giving up

Khemjira stands as one of 2025’s most unexpected triumphs, not only within the BL sphere but across Thai television as a whole. What appears at first glance to be a mere romance quickly reveals itself as something far more layered, weaving love, destiny, forgiveness, and spirituality into a production guided by impeccable direction and elevated by unforgettable performances. It’s rare to encounter a series so complete, where every frame has purpose and every choice resonates beyond what the eye can see.

From the opening episode, it becomes clear that Khemjira is committed to charting its own path. By blending horror, drama, and romance, the series crafts an atmosphere both gripping and deeply moving. The story of Khem and Peem, or Pharan, unfolds with a tenderness that feels disarmingly genuine. Their love grows in cautious steps, shaped by hesitation and longing, and it’s precisely this slow burn that grounds their relationship in something recognizably human. Watching the master finally yield to love after so much resistance is profoundly rewarding. And when both characters find peace at last, granting themselves permission to love freely, the experience delivers a relief as tangible as a breath you didn’t realize you were holding.

But Khemjira’s strength extends far beyond its central romance. The writing gives every character depth and intention. Jet and Charn, for instance, form one of the most thoughtfully crafted secondary couples the genre has seen in years. Their easy, playful connection serves as a gentle pause amid the narrative’s emotional weight. Every storyline flows naturally into the next, building toward a conclusion that is as cohesive as it is moving.

And what a conclusion it is. Nearly two hours of uninterrupted storytelling, and not a moment feels superfluous. Every farewell, every reunion, every gesture of forgiveness lands with purpose. Ramphueng’s redemption, her long-awaited reconnection with her son, emerges as one of the year’s most affecting scenes. A character shaped by grief and rage finally finds peace. Khem’s act of forgiveness, more than symbolic, breaks a cycle of hatred and reminds us that love, at its most sincere, is inseparable from compassion.

DMD’s direction deserves particular praise. A company often acknowledged for technical competence but not necessarily for narrative strength, it surpasses expectations here. Pacing, performances, visuals, sound, everything aligns with striking precision. The series treats Thai spirituality and cultural elements with a level of respect and intentionality that elevates each moment, transforming the entire production into something quietly profound.

KengNamping and TleFirstOne prove themselves perfectly cast. Keng’s portrayal of Pharan commands every scene with a calm power, while Namping infuses Khem with tenderness, courage, and a steady emotional depth. Their chemistry is undeniable, but more compelling still is the sincerity with which they portray vulnerability. Tle and FirstOne, as Charn and Jet, deliver warmth and charm that balance the narrative beautifully.

Visually, Khemjira is nothing short of breathtaking. Each shot is composed like a painting, every interplay of light and shadow deliberate. Costumes, makeup, and visual effects are exceptional, especially when you consider that we’re talking about a Thai production, where technical polish is still far from the norm. The spiritual sequences, in particular, are impressively executed, elevating the narrative without ever feeling excessive. The soundtrack ties everything together with emotional precision, enriching the story without overwhelming it. At its core, Khemjira is a meditation on love and destiny, on bonds that outlast time, death, and even karma. It’s a story about forgiveness, renewal, and the courage to choose love despite the pain that often comes with it.

Watching Khemjira becomes an experience rather than a simple viewing. It invites you to feel everything, fear, longing, joy, ache, and few series manage to offer something so complete or so lasting. It’s one of those rare stories that ends but refuses to leave you, filling the heart while leaving a quiet, familiar ache of missing it already. A gift for anyone who still believes in stories that reach the soul.

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High powered tension, an intense love triangle, and imminent rebellion all come together to make a elaborate story I was certainly drawn into. I will admit, however, that the middle of the story seemed to drone on a tad bit and left me rather distracted, but it quickly picked up around the end as the plot unraveled and left me with my eyes glued to the screen.



The acting was absolutely superb in every sense of the word. I was completely and undeniably convinced they were who they said they were, and it's safe to say that it's rare for me to feel that way.



My only complaint is that I could've lived without the more inappropriate scenes...I felt they carried on for far too long when other more important things could've been happening.



Overall, this is definitely a movie worth seeing.

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I loved so much about this drama. God, after the 5 first episodes I was falling hard and so happy I was watching it. My reasons: the acting, the costumes, the budding romance between Sung Yeol and Yang Sun (that chemistry!) and just Lee Joon Gi's acting in and of itself (and the fact that he's insanely beautiful here. Those eyes!) Sometimes something is just really your thing, and I really felt it (and still feel it to some extent) here.

But it got a bit chaotic. The story went places I was skeptical about. So much noble sacrifice. So much angst that didn't really feel worth it and I longed for the tone in the beginning of the show again. (I'm not against angst, but you want it in proper meaningful doses not just as a go-to-tool to make you care more about characters you already care about). Also character voice-overs that sometimes added to a scene, but just stated the obvious in others. But I trusted it would be better, or at least a bit more happy (I loved the characters and wanted them to feel good), so I persisted.
A lot of people have complaints about the story and worldbuilding and I understand them. I'm usually pretty accepting when it comes to plotholes, inconcistensies etc, but there were quite a few here and I think they added to the less engaged feeling I had in the middle of the series. I also hear they changed the writer in the middle of the series, so that might have to do something with it.

I would say that the interactions between Lee Joon Gi's and Lee Yoo Bi's characters are what make this drama worth watching till the end, despite there being some tropes and effort to romantizise certain scenes (thanks to the music) that aren't really romantic (which is a pity, since there were plenty of beautifully romantic ones). But Lee Joon Gi and Lee Yoo Bi are so good that I just believed it all, and the supporting actors and their stories were really good too. There were also several scenes and dialogues that were really profound and touching.

And the fight and action scenes were really neat. Not to mention the costumes! Gorgeous.

I've seen a lot of people not liking the soundtrack. Granted, there were some weird music choices in some scenes and I think they could have used A LOT LESS love songs the second a romantic scene started (sometimes you should just let a scene speak for itself!). But, there was also some really epic soundtrack, I'm thinking of the instrumental tracks. (especially in action/epic scenes). The feeling of those tracks made me think of Peter Greenaway's music and a certain track by The Mutato Mu used in The Royal Tenenbaums (if anyone knows what I'm talking about). There were scenes where those tracks just enhanced them beautifully, so much that I went back and rewatched a couple of them just for the joy of it. (Too bad those tracks aren't included in the OST).

I would recommend this drama if you like Lee Joon Gi, great acting and touching romance and some epic scenes. If you demand a tight plot, consistent story and a great deal of thought between what's happening you might want to pass. (But then again, if you're a fan of Lee Joon Gi or Lee Yoo Bi, you might not ;) ).

I haven't watched a great deal of dramas (yet), so I'm new to k-drama-land and maybe that's also why I'm willing to overlook some tropes and inconsistensies. But for me, Lee Joon Gi and the other actors along with visuals and some of the music here is unmissable and what makes me willing to rewatch this again sometimes.

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I only began Bloody Monday because I was told by a dear friend that Miura Haruma was hot. What I didn't know is that he happens to be a good actor, of which I suspected but needed some time (about 2 episodes) to confirm. But there you have it. The reason why I watched a Japanese drama about a terrorist cell intent on destroying Tokyo with a deadly virus known as Bloody X was because of Miura Haruma. Our then 18 year old lead star plays Takagi Fujimaro, aka Falcon – an internationally acclaimed master hacker who of course becomes unwittingly involved in… dun Dun DUN… saving the world. Or at least Tokyo.

Needless to say is that Bloody Monday is an intense action-thriller that successfully kept my interest in its 11 episode run. Before I get down to knit-picking it, let me just say that for the most part I was pretty sure on how much I liked it. It was a staunch 8/10 from at least episode 3 onwards. Whether that was because Miura Haruma proved to be so efficient at portraying a genius high school boy/hacker whose world is thrown off balance by the intrusion of downright evil and plot-twist-worthy terrorists is a moot point. I try to be objective, but the only proof I have right now is to say that when he cried, I cried. No Kdrama heroine-esqe tears from this boy. I believed him! I was also impressed with the nearly endless series of plot twists, some of which I predicted from day 1 and some of which I never in my wildest dreams saw coming (and I seriously dream plot twist detection - it’s my one consolation before bed that at least my brain is smarter than Dramaland-ish plot twists). In the last five minutes, I hastily changed my 8 to a 9. I like a good emotional twist. So sue me.

While Bloody Monday is an overall exciting watch with notable acting (even among the supporting cast), I’m just going to have to say that thrillers, even more than comedies, come under my scrutiny for gaping plot holes. For instance, I’m pretty sure I could hand in my current resume, and instantly get a job with the number one Japanese intelligence agency (in this drama, Third-i), because obviously my rationale for thinking out logical strategies is higher than half the plans created by the master spooks in Bloody Monday. I also know that when you’re gearing up for a gun-fight, you really shouldn't walk up to your intended target close enough to where your target can easily disarm you and aim that gun directly at your own head. But I digress.

And all plot holes aside, I really did have shivers most of the times I sat down to watch this drama unfold. Having genuine anxiety for fictional characters goes a long way in my book of Appreciating Entertainment 101.

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The true definition of a hidden gem

Oh. My. God. Where do I even start!? This was a ride I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish.

This spine chilling and nail-biting thriller is fast-paced, addictive, dark, gory, and filled with revenge aka the best combination for a drama like this.

It's a very solid and well-made series, not a single episode is a filler, each scene and episode shocks you, it will infuriate you, upset you and satisfy you all at once.

At first, the synopsis didn’t really scream anything out to me and I wasn’t sure what to expect, but wow was I blown away... I liked seeing the perspectives of two interesting, mysterious people (one being a killer and the other a detective) with dark pasts. You’ll find yourself constantly questioning things and the plot will have you engaged the whole time.

It contains extreme bullying which I usually avoid as I find it upsetting and hard to watch, but I'm fond of how the scenes switch between flashbacks and present day, it balances out the disturbing vibe well and doesn't completely overwhelm you. Bullying isn't a new concept to base a drama around, however, this one was created in a fresh and unique way and was executed superbly. Also, I don’t condone any type of violence but I rooted for the killer.

The acting. It's outstanding in my books. The cast was picked perfectly. Kim Sung Gyu is so charming, every scene he appears in, he grabs my whole attention, from "Kingdom" to "One Ordinary Day" and now this... The younger cast deserves a shoutout because holy moly they can act (and their presence is very memorable)!! The pure fear, anger and detached feeling is well conveyed by the child cast to the adult cast. No character in TKOP is in the right, they have all done something bad, but you'll still have people to root for, even if it feels wrong at times.

To sum it up, this drama is INSANE. I can't believe people are sleeping on this, it deserves more recognition, so I highly recommend watching this if you like thrillers and the things I mentioned above, you won't be disappointed (or at least I hope not haha).

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When i tuned in for this season i thought it would a continuation of the last season, although I was excited to Xia Lin and Ling Yi Zhou with their new family from last season, i was not exactly disappointed with this season.
I thought that the alternate universe was a refreshing spin on the show and the still had references to season 1, which made the show all more enjoyable. I do believe this was the right way to go about season 2 because in season 1 LYZ faking XL's leukaemia was incredibly cruel. This reboot gave a less stalkerish role and he was someone you could root for the whole time. In this season, the way the couple came together was more natural and there were less mind games, which was better for everyone.
The side couples were featured a bit more than last season and their stories were still incredibly cute. Only thing I can say is I prefer Chu Yan and Xiao You/Ruan Meng in season 1. They were still very cute in this season. But i thought they were funnier in season 1, but their romance story is just as powerful.
I think you guys should watch it. I think the story is more approachable and has a sweeter touch to it. This season was funnier too.

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I'll be honest, I decided to watch Into the Ring because I heard Nana was starring as the main role. As my first Nana drama, I did not know what to expect, and let me just tell you that I was shocked. I went from watching because of Nana to continuing to watch because of the amazing cast, story, and characters.

Story:
Politics is a genre that I never mind watching. As someone personally interested in the matter, I am always up for a political drama. But with drama's, I usually find the political side either lacking or too hectic. For Into the Ring, I saw a perfect balance, which I loved a lot. I loved how it was not obvious how every issue would turn out, and I love how each politician was portrayed. I found myself laughing multiple times, and even shedding a few tears here and there. For me, there was a perfect balance of everything, and nothing went overboard.

Characters:
The thing that made me love the drama the most was no doubt the characters and the relationship between them. Starting off with the leading lady, Goo Se Ra. From the first episode, I already loved Goo Se Ra. I loved how passionate she was and how she never gave up. I was happy to watch a character that would keep trying instead of breaking down and cry when things don't go her way. The leading man, Seo Gong Myung, was another character I cherished dearly. I loved how we got to see how Gong Myung transition as he starting helping Se Ra. Which speaking of, Se Ra and Gong Myung were such a cute couple to watch. I loved every scene they were in, even before they starting dating. No doubt one of my favorites couples in kdramaland. For other characters, Yoon Hee Su and Kim Min Jae were two characters that I could never decide whether I like them or not. Despite my personal feelings, I think they were good characters and brought a lot to the drama. Cho Maeng Duk, the "villain," was another interesting character to watch. Although his character infuriated me multiple times, I do think he was a great character with how he was set out to be. I loved the relationship between Se Ra, Han Bi, Woo Young, and Ja Ryong, which speaking of Ja Ryong, he stole so many scenes he was in! Overall, all the characters stood out and made the drama what it is. I also applaud all the actors, especially Nana and Park Sung Hoon. They portrayed their characters flawlessly and I couldn't imagine anyone taking on those two roles.

Other:
As someone who took a film class for my senior high school year, I'm all too familiar with camera angles. From the first episode, I'll admit it was weird seeing camera angles I've never seen before, but after a few episodes, I grew to love them. I thought the angles complemented what was happening very well, and I think it was an interesting addition. Personally, I wouldn't change anything about them, as I cannot imagine this drama without those fascinating angles.

Final Thoughts:
Into the Ring is no doubt one of my favorite dramas of the year and one of my favorite dramas of all time. Every week, I found myself counting down to a new episode, and when I saw one had been subbed, I would immediately stop what I was doing and watch it. I hope people don't ignore this underrated gem because of the political side and instead give it chance. If you're hesitant to watch this drama, I'd say go for it. You never know, you could be pulled in by the characters, plot, relationship, or everything wonderful this drama has to offer.

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I was hesitant about the overall score to give to this movie. I basically loved everything about it, from the plot to the acting to the execution. Possibly it deserves a 10, and I gave it a nine just to retain a right to a higher score in the future.



I wasn't expecting anything less from the same screenwriter of Tatta Hitotsu No Koi, Sunao Ni Narenakute and Orange Days, nor from the same director of Winter Sonata, Sorry I love you and Bad Guy. They both did not disappoint.



The script is delicate and moving. It touches deep chords in the hearts of anyone who has experienced the loss of a beloved one at least once. It talks about the fragile, magic relationship between the living and the deceased: how hard it is to let go, to overcome regrets and remorses while still keeping the memory alive.



The photography is beautiful, it highlights that vague atmosphere constantly suspended between reality and fairy-tale. It helps that the two main leads are both beautiful to watch and just as convincing together. Hero Jaejoong might not be yet ready for complex line deliveries, but he's very expressive and, let's face it, a pleasure for the eyes. Han Hyo Joo, on the other hand is brilliant here, bringing up the joyful side this movie would otherwise lack.



I think I've written enough. If you are willing to watch a movie which combines the Japanese delicacy and the Korean intensity of emotions, give this one a try.

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One of a kind - The only one, perhaps!

Life Senjou no Bokura presents one of the most authentic BL/LGBT storylines I've encountered, capturing a profound sense of realism and passion. The narrative masterfully navigates the complexities individuals face when grappling with their identities, vividly portraying the suffocating impact of societal and cultural pressures. While the storyline may not be entirely groundbreaking, it manages to carve out a distinct space, evoking a range of emotions from warmth and happiness to a deep sense of love. Life on Line is poised to linger in my memory for an extended period, a testament to its ability to resonate on a profound and lasting level.

Story: 10/10
The narrative unfolds around the lives of Yuki and Akira, two sheltered teenagers aged 16, whose paths cross in a unique manner. Their initial encounter takes place as they walk along a road surface marking, perceiving it as a symbolic bridge in the fictional world of their shared game. To navigate challenges beneath this metaphorical bridge, they must stay on the line. Fate intervenes, and the two discover they are playing the same game, sparking love at first sight for Akira.

A routine develops where they wait for each other after school on the same line, yet for Akira, it transcends mere companionship; he longs to gaze upon Yuki's face. In the midst of confusion about his feelings, Akira rejects advances from the most popular girl and shares a meaningful kiss with Yuki. Thus begins their clandestine journey through adolescence, their love deepening against the backdrop of societal pressures.

As the weight of societal expectations bears down on Akira, he reaches a breaking point, choosing to end his relationship with Yuki to spare him a life fraught with challenges. Despite the breakup, Akira's love for Yuki remains steadfast, almost overwhelming. Akira proceeds to marry the popular girl, attempting to embrace a "normal" existence, but the void left by Yuki persists, resisting normalization. Yuki, on the other hand, experiences heartbreak and anguish.

Realizing the gravity of his mistake, Akira undergoes a profound transformation. He courageously confronts his family, bares his emotions in coming out, and takes the difficult step of divorcing his wife. Over the course of three years, Akira relentlessly searches for Yuki, driven by an unwavering commitment to fulfill a promise made during their shared dreams—to witness the aurora together. As he embarks on this journey, fate takes a surprising turn, and while venturing to the very place where they once aimed to bring closure to their ill-fated relationship, Akira finds Yuki. Amidst a storm of emotions, Yuki forgives Akira, marking a poignant and unexpected reunion that solidifies their shared destiny once more.

Yuki is warmly embraced into Akira's family, where he is graciously accepted. The two decide to move in together, embarking on an ordinary yet profound journey, navigating life's challenges side by side. Strengthening their bond, Akira formalizes Yuki's place in his life by registering him into his household, legally cementing their connection as a family. Together, they face the complexities of life with resilience, forging a path forward as a united and legally recognized family.

At 85, Yuki, now known as Ituo Yuki, wears two rings as he awaits their eventual reunion in a hospital bed. Serenely departing the hospital, Yuki, seemingly transformed into his 16-year-old self, steps onto the very same road surface marking where their paths first intertwined. At the culmination of the line, a spectral Akira, forever eternally 16, envelops Yuki, and together, they transcend into the eternal beyond, leaving behind mortal constraints.

Acting: 10/10
Shirasu Jin as Akira and Raiku as Yuki, were out of this world in their roles. I can not criticise, it was acting done right in their respective roles. All other supporting characters, shined as well.

Music: 10/10
Oh... I love the music given by band Ryu Matsuyama, all of the songs are mellow and with pop touch, my favourite are "Go Through, Grow Through", "Love is Coming Home", and "No Better Place (inst)".

Rewatch value: 100/10
This series/film is a heartwarming journey that offers a spectrum of emotions. From heart-wrenching moments to instances of joy, the narrative seamlessly weaves together elements of reality and love. It is a tale that unfolds with a perfect balance of poignant and uplifting moments, leaving a lasting impact on the audience. The ending, while breaking your heart in a happy way, is so compelling that the desire to witness the characters' journey persists. This is one of those rare stories that begins with a clean slate and concludes with a satisfying and proper end, providing a complete and fulfilling narrative experience.

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Taking supernatural genre in a Rom-com, He's Coming To Me has impressed me in several levels.
First the music in the series was heartwarming, especially the opening song of the series.
Secondly the acting of all the amazing actors and actresses. The chemistry between the character of P'Met and Thun is lovely, unbeatable acting by both of them. Prince and Kheim playing best friends to Thun, it was real fun having them. The three notable female characters, Praifah, Thun's mother Kwan and Ngoon (the ghost) were awesome. And let's not forget Jeng who made us smile right from the beginning and stealing our hearts too.
I'd like to thank all the people who put their complete effort in creating such a wonderful piece of work.
This series will make us watch again and again, but unfortunately it is very short. (But fluffy and will melt you with the love) Overall a wonderful short series to brighten up the mood with lots of love!

P.S I waited everyday for the episodes to come, and being an Int fan, I need subs. That was one amongst the sad parts in watching the series, plus it was not available on YouTube. LineTV is not available in my country. And I still hope for a season 2!! Or at least a lengthier sequel!
P.P.S: I have watched the last episode without subs... And I stilled loved it. Had a smile on my face and tear in my eye. They'll remain in my heart forever.

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A Hidden Gem

The Kingdom of Great Chu is a female-centric world where women’s and men’s roles are flipped. Women hold power and important office, whereas men stay home and do house chores, tend to the kids and are subservient to their wives. Here, we have a female emperor, and all the generals and ministers are women, and a powerful female shizi (世子) who holds the prestigious title inherited through her family. All families’ heritance and titles are to be passed down to daughters, and men are to be married into the women’s households. Courtesan houses are popular where men serve for the women’s pleasure.

Shen Ye (Yuan Hao) has fallen in love with Shu Cheng (Jia Ze aka Claire Jia) since they were both kids because she had shown kindness towards him. From then, Shen Ye disguises as various characters and hides within her circle, secretly protecting her. As the intelligent shizi, the Emperor is threatened by her prowess and military power her family holds, and secretly sends out assassins to kill her. Time and time again, assassinations fail because Shen Ye always protects her in the dark, and she always comes out unscathed.

After saving Shu Cheng yet again in an ugly humpback cover that leads to her falling in love with him, Shen Ye changes his identity and reveals himself to her as the owner of Feng Lou, a courtesan house where wealthy women come to drink and to be entertained by male courtesans. Here, Shen Ye is considered as a stunning beauty in the Kingdom of Great Chu. He is charming and fast to please, frivolous and loves money dearly; but all these are on the surface. Under that good-looking skin, Shen Ye is intelligent and schemeful; he is always ahead of everyone around him, and always has a solution for every problem he encounters. He has multiple identities which add additional mysteries to his character. Despite being such a complex character, Shen Ye is devoted and willing to give up everything for the one he loves. He has so many secrets that he says he would reveal to Shu Cheng at the appropriate moment, this has created a lot of hilarious suspicions and misunderstandings by Shu Cheng. How Shen Ye continues to overcome such obstacles and maintains Shu Cheng’s love for him is brilliant.

I am intrigued by the Shen Ye character. I almost spit out laughing when he wears a veil covering his face when appearing in public or meeting with other women (think of ancient women wearing veils). His visor-looking veil is really ugly and looks funny on his face. Perhaps this is the purpose – to make viewers laugh. Yuan Hao’s portrayal of the character is very believable. He has a face that can look feminine (to be called beautiful in the land of Great Chu), and yet he is also very masculine.

Shu Cheng has to pretend to be a playgirl to make the Emperor let down her guard and stop wanting to kill her. So, she frequents Shen Ye’s courtesan house and proclaims he is hers; she tries to look as bad as possible. She is taken by surprise when she finds out that the man she’s being decreed to marry by the Emperor is Shen Ye under a different identify, Su Rongqing, the only son of one of the Emperor’s high ranking ministers. Even after they get married, Shu Cheng still doesn’t fully know Shen Ye’s real identity and what is under his sleeves. She loves him and yet doesn’t trust him, whereas for Shen Ye, he respects and loves her with no holding back. Despite their sweet romance, the secrecy spurs the plot on.

This is the first aired drama for Jia Ze playing a main lead. I find her acting better than many better known names. As the shizi, Jia Ze manages to bring out her commandeering charisma, courage, earnesty and upstandingness, and yet she also shows her feminine side when she is tormented by the conflict of her love for a man whom she believes to be a usurper, and her love for her country that she swears to protect. Jia Ze is natural and convincing.

The second couple is amazing with a very compelling story. Both Li Zhehao and Peng Yaqi (aka Yakisa) put up a fine performance as a heart-wrenching couple, Shen Cong and Murong Wanqing, who endure revenge and love, romance and guilt. The Murong Wanqing character reminds me of the sweet-silly characters played by Zhao Lusi. In fact, Peng Yaqi and Zhao Lusi look somewhat alike in their aura and demeanor under certain instances.

My Verdict

Unusual, refreshing, great plot, captivating storyline, intense, lovely characters, good humor, sweet romance, fine writing, directing and production. Unfortunately, not many viewers are watching this wonderful drama because decent English subtitles are not available at the time of airing, therefore, the rating here is lower than it deserves.

An enjoyable watch. Don’t miss it!

P/S: A sneak peek of next season seems to be dark and even more intense with amnesia, deaths, and protagonists turn antagonists.

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