Reviews

A viper's nest.

After growing up in the countryside, Zhuang Hanyan returns to the capital to claim her rightful place as the legitimate daughter of the Zhuang family. Her reception is mixed—some family members seek reconciliation, while others fiercely resist her presence. It soon becomes clear that the Zhuang household is a viper’s nest, but Hanyan is no naïve country girl. There’s more to her return than meets the eye, something her late sister’s husband, Fu Yunxi, quickly discerns. Their relationship evolves from adversarial to conspiratorial as they uncover each other’s secrets and forge an uneasy alliance.

The Glory/ 雁回时 is another in a recent wave of revenge dramas that starts with a suspenseful, addictive hook but fizzles in the second half. The reveal of Ruan Xiwen’s tragic backstory and her complex, scheming dynamic with her daughter Hanyan forms the emotional core of the drama. Unfortunately, after this peak, the narrative devolves into dog-blood melodrama, riddled with clichés, plot holes, and unconvincing motivations. Wen Zhenrong delivers a vehement, emotionally charged performance as the bitter and wounded Ruan Xiwen, anchoring the first half—but once her arc concludes, the tension noticeably deflates.

Though I typically adore ruthless, morally grey characters like Hanyan and Yunxi, their pairing falls flat. Their silent staring contests and psychological battles feel insipid, especially compared to over-the-top performances by older actors like Yu Entai's exaggerated facial contortions and whispered threats. That said, Chen Duling shines as Hanyan, balancing hidden depths with fiery resolve. Xin Yunlai, however, is stoic to the point of woodenness, though his awkward, crooked half-smiles carry a strange charm.

The biggest flaw lies in the overabundance of toxic characters with nonsensical motives. Why does Hanyan—clearly talented and resourceful—fight so hard for acceptance in such a dysfunctional family? The schemes lack payoff, the villains are cartoonishly petty, and the central "hidden treasure" subplot feels pointless (why hoard wealth with no heirs to inherit it?). The second half is a mess of twists without cohesion, and the ending—hinting at Greek tragedy but lacking the courage to commit—leaves a wishy-washy, unsatisfying aftertaste.

Yet, despite its flaws, I found myself oddly engrossed. Like a drink that starts intoxicating, turns bland, then ends bitter, The Glory is a flawed but strangely compelling ride. 7.5/10—great potential, squandered execution.

Read More

Antis are jealous fr..

I was literallty waiting for this movie to air, after watching bit of its scenes from its trailor .. also recently i fell in love with Chen feiyu and his acting in Lighter and princess which is definitely a must watch and can be the best drama of the year, not only because of its story but its acting too was a chef's kiss. When this movie aired, i decided to watch it but got disappointed after seeing this much low rating here * is 6.9 when i am writing the review * and I usually skips those dramas and movies that have rating less than an 8 even if it got the amazing cast. but then i read some comments that this rating is fake and antis have done it , then thought to try a shot and watched the movie and was quite surprised that story was quite interesting and acting was amazing too as both the leads are amazing actors .. so all the watchers who are planning to watch it but got scammed with the rating here should definitely watch it because its worth it.

Read More

THE CHEMISTRY, THE STORIES

TBH IT'S REALLY SOMETHING NEW FOR KBL, LIKE HOW THE STORIES CAN MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I'M IN THE STORIES LINE????? THIS IS GONNA BE MY TOP 1 KBL. TBH. I'M TYPING THIS WITH MY TREMBLING HANDS. IT'S SOOOOO FUCKING GOOD. IT'S MUST BE HAVE A LOT OF AWARDS.

THE WAY THEY EXPRESS THEIR LOVE, THE WAY THEY LOOKING AT EACHT OTHERS LIKE THEY ALREADY FALL IN LOVE. NOT IN THE DRAMA BUT IN REALITY. THEY ARE SOOOOOOO MUCH IN LOVE. I LOVE ALL THIS DRAMA, STORIES, HOW THEY ACTING AND HOW THEY EXPRESS THEIR FACES.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME MY 10/10 REVIEW OF KOREAN DRAMA. I KNOW MAYBE THEY WILL BE ANOTHER STANDARD FOR KOREAN BOYS LOVE DRAMA.

Read More

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.

Read More

The best kind of normalcy.

Adults playing adults, no over the top childish miscommunications, realistic (though underdeveloped) problems one can face in the workplace, great natural chemistry and likable female characters - all that made me happy.

Not gonna lie, Kim Jong Chan was the star of the story. I’m so done with cold and emotionless bosses, as if you cannot be professional and dedicated to your work and have personality. Luckily, Jong Chan does not follow the stereotype we usually get. He might be direct and focused, strict with people who work in his team, but he also has a really warm and fun persona outside of the workplace.

Woo Seung Hyun was a great character to watch, but I wished they set up the fact he was a “late bloomer” more, and explain what it means. For me, it was obvious, but I can also understand if people started to complain he was too childish and naive for his age.

Personally, I enjoyed his story. Not quite knowing yourself, your goals, what you are good at and what kind of job would be best fit for you in your late 20’ is not exactly uncommon, and I think many could relate to Seung Hyun in that aspect.

Storytelling wise, I do think they did a decent job with presenting all the different plotlines. Sure, some kind of died without much exploration or closure, some got a rushed conclusion - but for 7 episodes, the show had a good flow and pacing.

Cast did great. Kwon Hyuk fits both the strict boss at work, and sweet boyfriend after, and Moon Ji Yong made Seung Hyun seem like a believable character as this innocent and hardworking intern. I also cannot stop myself from hyping Ye Ji Won being part of the cast, because we have not seen such a big name in K-BLs yet - maybe this is the first step to make the genre more mainstream.

Production was great. It did have this web series on the lower budget vibe for just a few shots, but overall - no complaints.

Overall, I’m just happy we got to see a normal relationship in BL. Yes, I do enjoy the exaggerated plots too, they are entertaining, but this wholesome mundane take is something I truly crave in the romance genre, and The New Employee delivered.

Read More

Just don't even bother, save yourself the headache.

This deserves a much lower score - but I did enjoy the first 15 episodes, and she did write some damn lovable children, but holy hell was this a disaster, and this writer has been officially blacklisted by me, lol. First of all, not a family drama. Especially if you go in after watching some great ones like Once Again, Never Twice, Five Enough, etc. Definitely more a makjang disguising itself as a family drama. But not even a good makjang. You've got multiple amnesia plots, beyond awful parenting, schemes, a lady who screamed most of the series, a weak ass ML, a female lead that literally never got a break and was always in tears, traumatized children, Sa Ra (she's a whole thing herself), and it goes on. Not a cute healing drama about a older widowed man finding love with his children's teacher.

As many have pointed out in the comments a better title would have been a Gentlemen and a Witch, because somehow Sa Ra was the female lead in this. So much of the narrative was wasted on her and her awful self. The amount of terrible things she did disguised as love, were not love. She was basically an obsessed stalker who wanted a rich husband. If you thought she'd get a fitting end - no, she just left. After everything she did she could just walk away. And the male lead was pretty damn pathetic because he fell for literally everyone of her schemes, even when everyone around him was telling him it was suspicious, which of course hurt the female lead every damn time. At first I was shipping him with Dan Dan but by the end I - along with many others were wondering why she would keep running after this man. And then there's Cha Gun, who was in love with Sa Ra for what? She used him and dumped him every damn time, and he still thought she was a good person?

Literally everyone of the parents were terrible, one trying to sell her daughter off for money and would always play the victim, another one (Dan Dan's dad) who seem liked a timid man but was really a controlling POS still obsessed with his ex who treated his daughter like a child and reacted very hostile anytime she disobeyed him and was consistently disrespectful to his wife's feeling because of his stupid pride. Another mom who just went along with her daughters nonsense specially when her child clearly need professional help who was also a thief. Another who thought she could make up for her mistakes by tricking her daughter and and ex into moving back to the states with her.

Sure there was a happy ending but it felt pretty bitter after everything you suffered through for 52 episodes. Well, less for me since I either skipped through or just flat out didn't watch at least twenty of them, thanks to other people recapping the episodes, lol. Sure I ran the range of emotions from loving it to, eh whats this? to the wtf? to angry to just a complete lack of empathy to eh I guess the ending is cute? But what was the point. All the nonsense in between was just nonsense.

The kids? I give them all the props. Literally more mature than all the adults. The boys themselves were freaking little angels who deserved so much more. I'd keep a eye out for the actors, they were better than some of the rest of the cast. But I guess I should be fair - I think most the cast are better in other dramas.

But yeah, just don't watch it and go watch a lakorn instead. At least you'd be more entertained.

Read More

OK, this was seriously not what I was expecting. I originally thought this was about a spoiled right girl getting into a sticky spot but it isn’t at all that. She’s not a spoiled rich brat. She is smart, confident, kind and hard working. Completely different from so many other rich girl/boy kdrama. I have watched several series that have originally aired on Netflix and they have been blunders. This one was surprisingly refreshing and fun to watch. I laughed so many hard on some scenes. There were many scenes that were heartfelt and that made you feel like you wanted to cry too. I can only give this series a 10. It was unique, funny, heartfelt, romantic and a had some action to go along with it. Even the small fight scenes were good. The leads had an amazing chemistry and the supporting cast really felt like a major part of the series. Their presence was felt and if they weren’t there you’d notice, I seriously grew attached to all the cast.

Love, loved, loved the series. This was so different and fun. The supporting cast had the personalities that made you laugh or cry. I knew when I saw them on a scene something funny was about to be said or happen. They were brave, somewhat smart, loyal to a fault and honest. Loved the female lead as well. Her personality was authentic and just yes.

Watch it. Get ready to laugh, laugh and swoon.

Read More

This series may go down as one of the most stunning I've seen to date. Everything about it was beautiful and heartbreaking at once. The cinematography and the music are worthy enough, and the costuming is gorgeous as well. I didn't originally even plan to watch this show. I didn't think it would be a subject that would interest me because I don't normally care for historical dramas. I was sucked into the grip of this show immediately and was not let loose until the final credits came. Knowing that this series had its basis in real Korean history was never far from my mind. The writer managed to weave an epic tale of love and sacrifice. I never noticed the slow plot movement in the first part because I was so immersed in the path to get there. Each step is important to the overall storyline. And the culmination of the groundwork that was laid made the slow build up worth the wait.

The only main actor I had watched before was Yoo Yeon Suk, but I had not been a fan. I knew of Lee Byung Hun, but had never watched him in anything. I was blown away by the acting of all 5 main characters. Some may say otherwise, but I thought they were flawless in these roles. Kim Tae Ri was especially captivating. Her beauty and her voice were mesmerizing to me. Some thought LBH was too expressionless, but I found him quite the opposite. And when he unleashed one of his smiles, I was enchanted. For the first half or so, I felt like the chemistry between the Eugene and Ae Shin was very thick. There was a bit of shift afterwards, but nevertheless they had something there. I was very moved by the acting of the other three as well, and they all became very beloved characters that I rooted for. Dong Mae and Hina were the anti-heroes. And Hee Sung was a hero in disguise. They were all complex and compelling and I loved each of them for varying reasons. The extended cast was no less impressive, and no less part of this story - I couldn't even begin to name them all and what they added to the narrative.

The story is not all tears and sadness though. In the beginning, there is definitely some humor in the mix as well to keep it from becoming too solemn. The writer really did a great job carrying us forward with each new step that our characters faced. I loved all the relationships that were formed, and the bravery of the Righteous Army, and the people of Joseon who captured my heart. So when it got to the climax, we were more than ready ---and yet, somehow, not prepared at all.

The music chosen was excellent. Haunting and lovely. Sad March and The Day were the main songs. And a sad, melodious version of Greensleeves to top it off.

I know that I gave it a 10 for re-watch value. I would absolutely watch this again, but I don't think my heart could handle it anytime soon as it's already ripped to shreds right now! Even if you think that historical shows are not for you, I think everyone that loves Korean dramas and culture should not miss this show. I would not recommend this show to anyone that is looking for fast paced or satisfying happy bows. You would be looking at the wrong thing here. But if you want a story that will move you and mesmerize you, this is where it's at.

Read More

A Sword-Grabbing Saga That Will Tickle Your Bones

The Legend of the Female General is a hilarious drama that I enjoyed immensely. Its entire premise is a crater-sized plot hole, so if you can't suspend disbelief big time, best give this one a skip. The title makes its mythic, Hua Mulan-esque aspirations obvious (Mulan, of course, being a legend herself). The indisputably romantic and lyrical Chinese title, 锦月如歌 (Song of the Brocade Moon), makes it clear this is more Art of Love than Art of War. And in that, it delivers in spades as a sword-grabbing saga that will tickle your bones.

For me, the unwitting humor here far surpasses that of A Dream Within A Dream (which I dropped), which tried so hard to be a parody it was more stressful than amusing. This drama comically embraces a bunch of the best, most incredulously well-loved tropes with abandon and just runs with them, not caring if they are well-stitched together. While I found it a nonsensical riot, I totally understand why it's been panned.

To preserve their military status, the (dumb-dumb) He family swaps out their sickly, all-important male child, He Rufei, for their robust and completely expendable daughter, He Yan. They couldn't find a big and tall girl, so they made do with a short, scrawny, and chesty one. She grows up wearing a mask and achieves glory as the redoubtable General Feihong, whose military successes are so awesome they make the real He Rufei wish he'd been born short and scrawny sans boobs. He stages an epic recovery at the height of her fame and swoops in to steal her glory. Of course, no one notices the one-head height difference because this kingdom is a classic Darwin 101 example of a state doomed to extinction. After reclaiming his name, he arranges for her to fall off a cliff, evidently unaware that no one dies falling off a cliff in a Chinese drama.

Disguised as a man, He Yan later joins the Yezhou army led by the no less renowned General Feihong—her old classmate, Xiao Jue. Suspecting "he" is a spy, Xiao Jue gives "him" the hot side-eye many times until the thrust of his mighty sword is parried by a pair of boobies. Yes, shame on me! I loved all the dirty jokes and naughty-but-nice innuendo that had me gawking at my big-screen TV with a stupid, lovestruck grin. I wasn't bothered at all that the cross-dressing "pretty boy" He Yan went full-on girly on Xiao Jue with her shameless flirting and half-innocent innuendo.

The truth is, I don't dislike trashy idol romance dramas when they are made like this. Most of the time, I drop them because I've seen the leads go through the same tired motions with so many other pairings that the chemistry feels contrived. There is nothing more nauseating than the dreadful dead-duck stare that so many third-rate traffic actors try to sell as infatuation. This drama works because I was hooked by Zhou Ye and Cheng Lei's chemistry. I saw an explosion of sparks every time he side-eyed her and she ogled him right back like she was ready to misbehave. True story: after the hot moment of enlightenment in Episode 4, my old big-screen TV literally died on me, and I had to rush-order a new one.

I won't bother shredding the plot and logic holes—there are lots of them, and far more articulate voices have already gone to town on it. Undeniably, the compelling chemistry and strong portrayals by both Cheng Lei and Zhou Ye carry this drama, bolstered by solid performances all around. I was charmed by how naturally Li Qing brought to life the face-swapped role of Cheng Lisu, and his romance with Song Tao Tao was cute and funny. Chu Zhao is the best-written, most multifaceted character in the story. The conflict between his ambition and his morality is well-played by Zhang Kangle. I had to laugh at how Bai Shu totally hammed up his cartoon villain with wildly exaggerated facial expressions; he seemed to be having the time of his life.

By far the strongest aspect of this drama are the fight scenes—they are brutally intense, fast-paced, and thrilling. This director is known for problematic storytelling, but his action choreography is really something else. Some of the war tactics are creative takes on famous Three Kingdoms battles.

As for Zhou Ye, she is a total firecracker who absolutely lights up the fiery scenes as delightfully as she owns the cute, girly bits. On the surface, she may not look the part of a female general, but she certainly acted it in the fight scenes. Too many idol actors shirk hardcore action, daring to pass off a few showy twirls and wimpy sleeve-swats as fighting. As He Yan, Zhou Ye really wielded her spear and sword powerfully and vehemently; the strain of demanding moves was visible on her features. She is a professionally trained ballerina—incredibly strong and athletic despite her size. Not all generals have to be tall and physically imposing; many famous ones were more brain than brawn. Zhuge Liang of Three Kingdoms fame was skinny and runty with mediocre combat skills, wandering into battle with his fan. While the fearsome Cao Cao was a killing machine, both he and the unbeatable Yue Fei were allegedly quite short and possibly even stocky. Oh, the preconceived notions we have! What pains me most is that no one asks why cast such a tall actor as Bai Shu as He Rufei instead of why cast Zhou Ye as He Yan.

I'm not trying to deflect the well-deserved criticisms. This is indubitably not an award-winning masterpiece, but it won my heart with its cheeky adult humor, melting romance, gripping action, and overall engaging rehash of cheesy tropes. Even with my 9.5+ rated dramas, I'm not much of a re-watcher. But this is one of the few trashy gems with scenes I can see myself replaying when I'm bored. Happy to rate this 8/10 as a top-tier guilty pleasure.

Read More

Dating show with k-drama plot quality.

The show was weirdly addicting, even though it was far softer compared to western dating shows. The focus on the feelings and not just sexual attraction made the stakes higher, even though I knew it’s all over the top behavior. They knew each other for 8 days, how much in love can they truly be?

The aspect that was for me as interesting as the show itself was the audience reaction. The double standards we had were strong, and it has been just hilarious to watch. JiA playing all the guys? Queen. Jin Taek showing interest in someone else, because he was not sure about the feelings for his first pick? Trash. So Yeon being true to her feelings and saying what she wants to say: honest and caring. Se Hoon being true to his feelings and saying what he wants to say: egoistic and selfish. And the same story happened with a lot of male and female contestants.

Truth is, the female contestants are not unproblematic queens that deserve better. They were all just normal people, who barely knew each other and had no obligation to stay loyal to anyone just because they picked them once. They guys were not trash, there were no red flags, we are all just hypersensitive about the most basic and normal behavior.

As entertaining as the show was, I had few complaints. First, it was way too short. I would say adding at least 2 more episodes would be better. Keep the 8 days format, but getting 2 episodes per day would be ideal. It would make it easier to understand the relations between contestants and understand their choices. I feel like sometimes we just missed the context, because it was never shown on screen.

Another thing was adding new contestants so late. If they decided to stir the pot, they should have added them after the first date - long term it would create more tension that they wanted, and not last minute cheap “twists”. Not to mention the idiocy of casting Cha Hyun Seung, when he knew few contestants, which goes against everything these shows are about (and the “not knowing each other's age and profession).

Overall, I had a lot of fun. My favorite person was An Ye Wow - the only one who took the show for what it was: a little bit of fun adventure. Everyone was so serious, as if they were about to get married the moment the program ended, while she was just having fun meeting new people and enjoying herself. The best chemistry for me was between Hyun Joong, So Yeon and Se Hoon - these three were such an underrated comedic trio who radiated best friends vibe, I wish we could just watch them chilling and joking around a bit more. Best thing was: I did not really feel bad for anyone. Picking extremely good looking, popular, successful people makes me take their love hardships less seriously. “Oh no, this hot dude in his mid 20’ just got rejected for the first time in his life, what a tragedy”.

Read More

"You owe me emotionally"

It has been a rollercoaster ride to follow up these broken characters from young adults with painful scars of their past, to the adults that bear secrets to uphold the way they chose to live their own lives.

The highlight of this drama it has to be the bond and bickering between Soo Hyun and Yeo Jun. How these two helped So Bin, making the three of them become an inspiration to many others who crossed their paths in character development.

"Can't you love me?"

Ji Hoon has really engaged into his character Yeo Jun to the point that we can really see the pain and neglect from his sorrowful stares and feel the agony he has tried to hide for most of his life behind fake smiles yearning to be loved to fill the void of loneliness. I don't know how to explain it but he seems so soft looking and yet can depict such a tragic character.

"I lived many years in darkness due to my father's physical abuse.
I'm all better now. I'm in the light."

Although mostly all the characters have their troubles and painful stories, the trio we have come to love and support through this Journey have more similarities than all the others. Yeo Jun, Soo Hyun and So Bin all share family problems. Although different and the same, they all have been through childhood suffering in their own way by those predicaments.

Yeo Jun being a victim of an abusive father, Soo Hyun having to step up as the older son and provider to help his mother and younger brother after his father passing, and So Bin with her parents divorce and knowing her mother left her behind cutting ties. It all leaves scars running deeper in their souls and slowly defined their personalities all through the course of their lives.

"If someone ever says awful things to you, it means that person is hurting inside."

It is not easy to rely on others and much less to share personal pain. Having a traumatic experience can also mess up our memories as a way to cope with the pain, we create walls as a mechanism of defense, only those who come close enough to knock them down and sustain the fall are reliable. I am glad that these three complete strangers from the first episode have come closer and learned in some hard but valuable way how to manage that, and be there for one another.

Developing a close friendship, a loving relationship and strong brotherhood.

Jun Wan always seemed more than met the eye, emotionally closed he had more secrets to hold than anyone. I only hope that he too breaks free from that habit, from their abusive father by saving the ones he loves and cares about, his mother and brother and finds valor in himself. For such a young kid to be willing to sacrifice his life and happiness so that his brother has it own was commendable, although it did not work as he thought it would. By pushing Jun away he only created a wall between them isolating the other, it has also caused him pain when Jun should have a strong pillar for support he found himself alone.

They all were lonely living in the shadow of their father.

Mi Joo and Young Ran are two characters that I really like in terms of development and that are fresh in dramas. Their bonding is pure and amicable and not as usually rivals tend to be that at some point in the story it turns sour and petty. Not, these two, they are both strong female characters that despite their differences and being total opposites still manage to become supportive friends and rivals when it comes to love. Kudos for that, it's a rare sight be it in real life and drama land.

Mi Joo seemed like a spoiled brat in the first episode but revealed to be a misunderstood and naïve character with a pure heart, still I must say, the courage she mustered for a confession, facing a rejection and accepting and still wrapping it all up by letting go it was honorable and this should be an example of a healthy way of moving on.

The character that I still have trouble warming up too has got be Chang Ki, now he is not bad and I for sure love his interactions with Jun when it comes to jealousy. But overall as a best friend, there was always something about him that lacked. I haven't read the webtoon yet, so I have no idea how it goes there. If he had any clue that So Bin had a crush on him like in here he seemed to have and yet he still engaged in pointless relationships or should we say nightstands that were hurting her.

Although claiming to be her best friend and always there, that is just an excuse. Because in the end their friendship shouldn't be measured by the years they've known each other, but by how they were there for each other. In the end So Bin knew more about him than he knew about her, that he even neglected that she appeased him in his own tastes because she liked him when he truly believed that she liked the same things as well.

Only when she become unavailable on his radar did he deemed her to be the missing piece in his life and that important? Only then did he brought the topic that her mother asked him when he was a child to look after her. Was he living with that in his conscience and not being able to confess any feelings he had, being afraid of losing their friendship in case things went sour?

If it's like that then he and Young Ran are on the same boat by having crushes on their friends.
Nevertheless, that's the reason these two bond as well in their rough times they learn to rely on each other and show an unlikely and inspirational bond to overcome their own troubles. I enjoyed their scenes and advices, it's relatable.

I really am fond of the main characters, and the moments that move me more definitely are the scenes with both Yeo Jun and Soo Hyun. I have been rooting for these two to get to know each other and pass the strangers mark to having a close bond and friendship and I am really content with the development so far. No one can measure who bears the most pain there, both are still suffering, but the best thing now is that they are no longer alone. They have each other. The fact that Jun calls him hyung is proof enough of how they matured and surpassed the barriers they had ever since the first meeting.

"I've become an adult who can share his true feelings, thanks to the people who love me for who I am."

The acting of the cast is good. I like most of the cast in their roles.
Bae In Hyuk and Park Ji Hoon are enjoyable to watch, the first being playing two polar opposites roles in two different dramas. Here being a poor and broke student, quiet and reserved, while on My Roommate is a Gumiho being the rich playboy who redeems his ways when falling in an unrequited love. Quite the promising young actor of this new generation.

The same goes with Park Ji Hoon, from idol to actor, he has talent in both. What I love most about him is how he conveys the emotions in his characters, they couldn't have chosen a better for this role of Yeo Jun other than him, he has the cute and soft look, while conveying the hidden emotional scars in his lonely tears. I am looking forward for more roles with him, he seems to get better and better and he truly dedicated himself to embody Yeo Jun in many lenghts.

The OST is pleasant to hear. The main theme, Talk to Me by Ji Hoon is so catchy that I find myself going with the flow. Rothy and Han Seung Yun song Pum is also nice to hear. And of course it wouldn't be a youthful OST without having Punch here.

I recommend, either you have read the webtoon or came to see this blind as I did. Its okay.
There will always be main differences and preferences on both sides, but the journey is always the same.

And remember,

"You can write your own ending to your story."

Therefore don't despair in your own struggles, where there is darkness there is also light, create your path at your own pace :)

Read More

I enjoyed this drama on a more profound level than I thought I would. I loved the narrative.  I actually looked forward to every episode to see how the characters would resolve their differences and agree to accept each other instead of trying to change each other.  I particularly relate to how the female lead went through doubts about whether what they had was acceptable to her. I admired the male lead for being so sure of what he wants and going for it. The title of the drama is temperature of love so it would not be right to just expect love at it's most passionate and when it is at it's most frigid.  They had to explore the many "temperatures" that a person has to go through in a relationship.  Love is different for different people and they express it differently, they go through it differently , they have different perspectives, and different expectations.  As a persons who has experienced a few serious relationships, I can understand how there is not one way of experiencing love and attaining its essence.
The acting was commendable and the chemistry between the leads was palpable.  The second lead had just as good a chemistry with the female lead and the love between the men.....enviable.  I also  enjoyed the side stories of the asst. writer and director -cute  and immature, but these types happen in real life.  The sous chef and the other writer,  to me, showed growth in their relationship.  The parents are realistic in that there really are parents who act more childlike than their children, more dependent, more insecure, more afraid.
Yes there were parts that others will see as boring but it's how life is.  There are times when you are searching for direction and nothing much seems to be happening.  I guess i didn't get bored because I felt like I saw fragment of my reality in this drama. I will watch it again someday to savor the experience of the different temperatures of love.

Read More

2 Moons is the perfect gay drama. I've watched it twice and am currently watching for a third time with my friends. They main characters are adorable and the cheesy romance just makes me smile. Theres nothing more satisfying than the end of season one and I'm anxiously awaiting season two. 2 Moons also really got me into Thai music. The music in it is incredible and opened a whole musical world for me. The cinematography in 2 Moons is exceptional. I've seen many gthai movies before, and most of them tend to be very amateur or poor quality, but 2 Moons is very professional and it really enhances the viewing experience.

Read More

Unearthing Timeless Aroma: 'Scent of Time' – The Must See Drama of 2023

"Scent of Time" surpassed all of my expectations and proved to be an exceptional drama. From the very first episode to the last, it unfolded as a well-crafted and beautifully executed masterpiece. The show cleverly dropped hints throughout the series, keeping us engaged, and ensuring we wouldn't be disappointed when the truth was revealed that it was all just a dream.

I wholeheartedly give this a solid 10/10. This drama is not only my favorite of the year, but it has also earned a special place in my heart as one of my all-time favorites. Its compelling storyline, exceptional acting, and remarkable production quality make it a must-watch for anyone who appreciates top-notch storytelling and entertainment.

I couldn't recommend this drama more highly; it's a true gem in the C-drama Land.

Read More