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Completed
Watashi ga Renai Dekinai Riyuu
22 people found this review helpful
Jan 9, 2012
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
Why could I not find my love? The title actually gives you an idea what you should be expecting. If you are looking for a romance that makes you shed tears of happiness or sadness, this is NOT your drama.This drama more likely questions "love" based on three female characters in a realistic way.If you are a female you may find similarities to your life/emotions etc. If you are a male, it may make you understand a little about the other part.
Eventhough it is "realistic", the story still takes you in and is not boring.It is not like it is too exciting or something but somehow it is warm and calm so you just follow it peacefully.
The characters are pretty well thought and the actors all fit in perfectly. I always think the best acting is the one that you don't notice, so you can say everyone even supporting actors did perfect job.As a minus it has to be mentioned that the male characters were a little weak, but the actors somehow filled the void.
The opening theme along the insert songs are matching the concept very good as well.The intro of the drama is also well thought and along with the music it gives you hints about the characters.
To sum up, I do not think I will watch this drama again.Not because I did not like it but because the drama gave me something to think about and I do not think I'll forget it. Well it may not work the same for you though, so just consider this drama as a warm casual life drama, that will not addict you but probably pass your time.

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Completed
Youth of May
22 people found this review helpful
by Myla
Jun 10, 2021
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

A heart-wrenching and bittersweet drama

Youth of May is a wonderfully made drama that will make your hear flutter but at the same time suffer. Its story is different from any other cliché and typical kdrama and the acting of each actor is top-notch.

Despite it only being 12 episodes, it managed to capture the deep affection that the main leads had for each other and the struugles and cry for justice of the citizens of Gwangu during the month of May in the year 1980.

This drama will make you fall in love with the main lead's charming personality and look up to the female lead's hardworking and sefless personality. But this drama also shows that behind their strong and interesting character, lies their painful past and struggles in life. Watching this drama will make you realize that we shouldn't always carry our burden by ourselves, we should sometimes learn to say "no" to others and choose our happiness instead of living in regret. Aside from that, it also teaches us that those left behind shouldn't let sorrow take over nor drown in tears and get blown by the wind, but instead, they should courageously swim and fly high with the wind as they face their remaining years in life.

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Completed
Twogether
22 people found this review helpful
by Mysty
Jun 28, 2020
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

If you like Amazing Race, you will like this :)

My hubby and I completed all 8 episodes today, with our faces smiling wide at the last episode.

To give a short intro, the two celebs are Jasper Liu (Taiwanese) and Lee Seung Gi (S Korean). Both are them are literally like duck and chicken as they arent fluent with each other's languages, so they converse in a mix of Mandarin/Korean and English.

The premise of the show is for the two guys to travel to different places in Asia to meet some of their lucky fans. But, before they are able to meet the particular fan in one location, they have to undergo various missions to gather clues which will allow them to get to their fan's house. Sounds easy enough, but obviously, things arent easy at all...in fact, it is quite Amazing Race like :)

It is really interesting to see them start off awkwardly as fellow travellers, see them bonding thru thick and thin, bromance and rivalry, and then ending as travelling brothers and good friends towards the end of the show.

If you are into food, travel, stunning visuals and filmography which center around our Asian celeb travelers (first timers most times in the different locations), then you should watch this show. I especially love the segments where the show's missions require the two celebs to interact with the locals (and international tourists as well).



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Completed
Midnight Diner
22 people found this review helpful
Oct 18, 2011
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 7.0
I loved this drama. It's quiet and thoughtful. Each episode can exist on its own. The story is original and the cast did a wonderful job. Although there isn't much music, the music they use is very good. The opening theme song is amazing. I immediately googled it and will buy it as soon as I can find someplace to get it.
I recommend this drama to anyone who is looking for something different. There isn't anything supernatural, there aren't any ikemen or suspense, but it draws you into the hearts and minds of the characters. It perfectly communicates the loneliness that can sometimes find you when you live in a big city.
If only I could find a Midnight Cafe here....hehe.

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Completed
River Flows to You
22 people found this review helpful
by Qin
Aug 1, 2019
52 of 52 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0
This drama would be one of few the dramas I would remember. I felt empty after I finish this drama. The drama is very suspenseful and I would recommend watching it. Many parts of the drama was dramatic and overall sad. It’s not like the other drama these days where they let the antagonist off so easily and the antagonist apologies to the main characters. Also the main character is not that weak and need so much attention cared to our main characters these days. This is a great and sad drama. :))))))
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Completed
You Are My Hero
22 people found this review helpful
by abee
Apr 8, 2021
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

Perfect blend of romance, medical, and military

I’ve been writing paragraphs after paragraphs every week, so I’m not even going to lie to myself. I’m really easy to please and this drama is a perfect 10 for me.

Mi Ka and Xing Kelei are equal - smart, capable, and successful in their own fields. They have respect, trust, and communication in their relationship. They know the demands of each other’s jobs (a doctor and a special police officer) so they have never had a problem with the lack of time together. They always make up for it, apologize with no excuses, and have been very supporting and understanding of one another. I remember having a problem with one of the leads’ decision making, and the drama actually managed to address it and let them talk it out by the end of that specific episode. They are learning and growing (as a person) together. Definitely one of the healthiest relationships in recent dramas. Ma Sichun and Bai Jingting is quite an unexpected pairing so I’m glad they chose to work on this project and show their great acting and even greater chemistry.

The story has a lot of sweet, cute and comedic moments but it also has some heavy and serious ones. Fortunately, it never got boring nor frustrating because the things happened have been realistic, minus whenever they always get into life-threatening situations together (that's too much of a coincidence lmao). There is no exaggerated nor unnecessary drama for the sake of creating tension. All characters, both main and supporting, calmly deal with the problems and solve them through civilized means (ex. Mi Ka vs Xu Yanshan, Xing Keyao vs the Shen sisters) as soon as possible. No dragging out. I can’t even recall any confrontation wherein someone raised their voice.

Besides from the romance, all relationships have been pretty solid as well. The student-mentor relationship of the doctors and soldiers, the long-standing friendship of Mi Ka and Ruan Qiangxia, and the sibling relationship of Xing Kelei and Xing Keyao have all been highlighted in the drama.

The second couple’s storyline may have been dragged out but it got better eventually and not to mention, both are great as individuals. Ruan Qiangxia is another successful, smart, and sweet female lead. She knows how to reject and how to accept rejection. Shun Wenbo is quite dense when it comes to love, but when he gets decisive, he acts on it quickly. As Xia said, he is a very simple-minded person who wears his heart on his sleeve. I didn’t hate him like how some viewers did.

As for the third couple’s storyline, natural-flowing and subtle. If Mi Ka and Xing Kelei are growing together, then Xing Keyao and Shao Yuhan are already two grown adults. There is an unspoken understanding in their undefined relationship, as shown in their actions and conversations. Their scenes together are always a pleasure to watch.

Overall, a well-written and a well-acted drama brimming with chemistry, good characters and relationships. Bonus: the drama used their real voices and is not dubbed.

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Completed
Itoshi Kimi e
21 people found this review helpful
Jul 22, 2012
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0
Itoshi Kimi e is a heartwarming, uplifting, simple yet elegant drama. As one can guess from the synopsis the plot isn’t very original. May be it was in 2004 but in the past few years we’ve been presented with countless dramas in which the main characters are diagnosed with rare diseases. That is the very reason why I didn’t pick this drama up sooner though it had been on my watching list for a long time. If you look at only the basic storyline, it may not appear to be something extraordinary but the intriguing metaphors, conforming cast, moving performance and adroit direction altogether work out to distinguish
this drama from the ones sharing similar plot-line.

The story is depicted in a narrative style. Each episode starts and ends with deliberate, thoughtful insights of one of the main characters- Shiki. The drama follows a very classic style accompanied by beautifully fitting music and subtly progresses to unfold various events and develop the relationship among the characters. It tells us the memorable yet unlikely love story between Shunsuke, a talented and famed photographer, who is about to go blind in a few months and Shiki, a kind-hearted and unpretentious pediatrician, who seeks to define her role in the final moments of her beloved one. I said ‘unlikely’ because the role of Shiki wasn’t supposed to be the one who stands by Shunsuke at the end; rather it was meant to be that of a “mere audience”….. as she herself described it. One of the many things I liked in this drama is that it does not use the word ‘love’ lightly or take this intense feeling for granted rather it seeks to find out the true meaning behind it. As a result, we get to enjoy the detailed, gentle, fateful encounters which brought these two destined persons together. The meaningful sub-plots, perceptive dialogues, appreciative characters stir our emotion, compel us to ponder over life and appreciate what we have even more.

This drama has an ensemble of beautiful characters. Each of them shines in their own way and enriches the main story with their own follies, hardships, sadness and joys of life. They are not perfect but they tried their best to do the right thing from their own perspective and that’s why they felt so real. They are not persons who disregard the pains of others only because they didn’t have the misfortune to experience those themselves and that’s why I loved all of them. I promise that the characters will surprise you, will make you cry and laugh along with them.

I’ve always liked Fujiki Naohito but in this drama he was simply gorgeous. Kanno Miho did a fairly good job as an innocent, honest, young doctor. The rest of the cast was just impeccable.
Although the storyline hints at being pretty solemn, it’s not tearfully sentimental. It’s also a drama about family and friendship with lots of funny, humorous moments which make the mood lighter at the appropriate time. There are some dramatic, cheesy and predictable moments but it doesn’t affect the overall excellence of the tale.

I decided not to over-hype it but don’t think I succeeded. The plot isn’t unique after all and I’d recommend it only when you are in the mood to try something slow, earnest but significant. The very last scene of this drama is one of the most beautiful ones I’ve ever seen in a drama. Even if you don’t like the drama as much as I did and decide to drop it, I’d ask you to watch the last few moments of this drama and I believe it’ll be able to touch your heart.

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Ongoing 13/13
Kiseki: Dear to Me
70 people found this review helpful
Sep 29, 2023
13 of 13 episodes seen
Ongoing 2
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

YOU STILL HAVEN’T WATCHED IT? THEN YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD!!!!

This is one of the best bl ever created not only for Taiwanese but overall bl series. The plot, the acting, the shooting, the actors, everything is ONE HUNDRED OUT OF TEN! The chemistry between the two couples /especially the main one/ is astonishing! The story isn’t moving too slow, neither is moving too fast! The last 5 episodes aren’t out yet, but I am so loving it! It’s definitely worth watching! Add it to your watchlist! For a true bl fan, this is a must watch! You better give it a try - don’t miss such a good one!
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Completed
Teach You a Lesson
70 people found this review helpful
Jun 7, 2026
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 7
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

Taxi Driver: School Bully Version

Teach You A Lesson was one of my most anticipated dramas this year and it didn't disappoint!

Ep 1 was a great start after which the momentum stabilizes to a case by case format of troublesome school after troublesome school. Through 10 episodes, the drama covers all the major bullying crimes including physical violence, substance use, cyber crimes, stalking, defamation and scamming.

Kim Mu Yeol and his slaps keep delivering until Jin Ki Joo, P.O and Lee Sung Min join the action. The main cast comprising these four Anti-Bully Avengers definitely carried the show with their friendly camaraderie. Kim Mu Yeol has charisma for days and the swagger of a believable action hero protagonist, while Jin Ki Joo and the rest of the cast are equally engaging in their roles.

Having said that, I do want to mention that this show seems to have a lot of fourth wall breaking, preach-heavy moments. Satire usually hits when the message is more subtle and indirect so I do wonder if the ones who truly need these lessons both among students and the adults around them will get the message.

At the same time, it's very evident that the makers put a lot of effort into shaping the script in such a way that they'd cover all the possible domains of potential criticism from viewers beforehand. From public outrage from hypocritical human rights warriors to making sure they mention that they're only after the bad apples among both teachers and students and acknowledging the good ones that do exist and reassuring that their mission is for their protection, they've done a good job presenting a neutral unbiased view that keeps educational rights at the forefront.

While this helps theme-wise, this creative choice may have tipped slightly into becoming an overcorrection with constant repetition of similar thoughts across multiple episodes which has then also compromised the overall pacing of the show. This can put off some viewers who are more used to the steady build up of anticipation and dread in more conventional action/thrillers, especially high school themed thrillers set around a single school and one common enemy.

Regardless, this was a fun watch overall with a solid theme. Lots of entertaining action choreography and a healthy balance of humor and emotion.

Teach You A Lesson is a really fun addition to high school themed revenge dramas, this time with adults delivering the slaps-err-justice!

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Completed
Forever Love
70 people found this review helpful
Jan 6, 2021
28 of 28 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.5

Great Storyline, Great actors

I loved this drama from start to finish! The leads were great. The chemistry felt so natural. No words for the male lead, great actor and very good looking. I have watched several Chinese dramas the last 2 months where the female leads were so disappointing. Shabbily dressed, looking like 12yr old kids cosplaying as adults. It was so refreshing to see a female lead who dressed well, didn't look shabby and unattractive and was a great actress as well. Storyline was great too. Highly recommended for those who enjoy love stories.
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Completed
Luoyang
70 people found this review helpful
Dec 29, 2021
39 of 39 episodes seen
Completed 15
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

The wind rises in Luoyang

2021 has not been a particularly prolific year for detective investigation and wuxia themed C-historicals. The only one that I had completed this year would be The Imperial Coroner, which was quite good for a low budget web series. There were probably a couple others that I recall encountering but nothing large-scale in terms of the budget and prominence… until Luoyang came along. This is a highly anticipated production for several reasons.

> It is headlined by Wang Yi Bo, Huang Xuan and Song Qian. WYB obviously has his immense popularity and fanbase, but I also think he is a talented actor who has much to showcase if given the right script. The critically acclaimed and award-winning HX needs no further introduction while SQ is no stranger either with a fanbase for her music productions and acting honours in recent years as well.

> One look at the source material for the adaptation tells you pretty much what to expect. The story is based on Ma Bo Yong’s eponymous novel. For those in the know, Ma Bo Yong is the author of The Twelfth Hour in Chang’an, from which The Longest Day in Chang’an is adapted, as well as The Wind Blows from Longxi which is currently being adapted to a drama.

> Ever since the teaser appeared earlier this year, expectations have been soaring, judging from social media responses and even here on MDL. I was super impressed from what little had been shown because it looked very much the top quality content that it promises to be.

Luoyang is directed by Xie Ze, who helmed Jun Jiu Ling this year as well as the high profile Yang Mi fantasy, Legend of Fu Yao. Qing Mei serves as scriptwriter, after her interesting work on The Eight last year. Principal photography took place entirely at Hengdian World Studios between November 2020 and March 2021. This iQiyi co-production is big budget which reportedly involved in excess of 5,000 sets of clothing and modeling accessories, as well as more than 15,000 sets of props. These efforts were meant to accentuate the prosperous scenes of Luoyang during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty.

The story is set during the interregnum period of the short-lived Wu Zhao Dynasty, itself a part of the great Tang Dynasty. At this time the imperial capital was relocated from Chang’an to Luoyang. The fates of three unrelated individuals are intertwined as they cross paths during investigations into a mysterious murder case which puts them on a collision course with an enigmatic secret organisation that has nefarious designs on the reign of China’s only Empress regnant, Wu Zetian.

What I Liked

The production quality. Specifically the art direction, set designs, action choreography and most obviously the money well spent on the sheer numbers of extras. From the first minute of the first episode, you could tell immediately this is top-tier content. Luoyang actually resembles a real city, rather than merely a production set. The huge crowd of inhabitants walking the streets exude a metropolis feel to the bustling city centre. Although this was filmed at Hengdian, you simply couldn’t tell because the production team managed to mask the obvious very well indeed. The action sequences of the choreographed martial arts moves, the coordination of mass fighting and the frenetic street chases are absolutely superb entertainment. Meanwhile, the inner palaces and the throne room settings are gloriously opulent and majestic, thanks in large part to the visual framing of the scenes. The general appearance of this drama is reminiscent of The Longest Day in Chang’an, with the exception of a more polished colour grading and less grain in the overall visuals.

The premise and the plot. The Tang Dynasty and Empress Wu Zetian historical settings are favourites of mine. The infusion of an intriguingly extensive overarching mystery with a profoundly conspiratorial connotation and no lack of convoluted twists makes Luoyang all the more enthralling. It is complex, fast paced, eventful and unpredictable - it’s truly been a while since we had such a smartly-written mystery. The reveals are timed to perfection without letting the cat out of the bag too early or being underwhelming to adversely detract from the gripping nature of the storytelling. The story continuously builds and engages right to the climactic ending.

The main characters and portrayals. Huang Xuan plays the gritty investigator Gao Bing Zhu, the perfect ancient iteration of the hardboiled detectives in crime noirs. This is a deliciously layered and multifaceted role that suits the range and depth that he possesses. In fact, most of the powerfully emotional moments in this drama feature his scenes. Wang Yi Bo is the stoic but brilliant engineer and scion of a prominent house of imperial engineers, Baili Hong Yi (aka Er Lang). In many respects, this character is an exact replica of his Lan Wangji in The Untamed. I actually prefer his brooding interpretation here compared to the playful character in Legend of Fei where he just can’t stop smiling. Making up the dynamic trio is Victoria Song Qian’s female inner guard, Wu Si Yue. This is an interesting character who is the only one of the three leads that initially embodies the values of justice and professionalism in her conduct, whereas the other two have their own vested interests and personal motivations. It’s safe to say that Song Qian’s performance here indeed warrants the tag of strong and relentless FL.

Of the supporting characters and cast, I have to mention a number of performances that have left quite an impression on me. The veteran Yong Mei plays Wu Zetian in what has been a uniquely refreshing take on the iconic historical figure. Most depictions hitherto have been utterly colourful, fashionably stylish and, of course, hugely intimidating. Her version is understated, subtle and nuanced. Whilst the image appears less menacing and even motherly, given the twilight years of her reign, I still feel the ominous undercurrent that threatens to burst into life beneath that deadly calm exterior. Despite the limited screen presence, Zhang Li deserves credit for her portrayal of Yao Niang, particularly during one of the scenes of acting masterclass between her and Huang Xuan.

The drama features a total of six original songs in its soundtrack. My personal favourite is the contemplative ending theme by Huang Shifu, Longing of Heart. Full listing as follows:

长风送 Chang Feng Sang - 宋茜 Song Qian
心念 Longing of Heart - 黄诗扶 Huang Shifu
无关 Wu Guan - 汪苏泷 Wang Sulong
笑黄梁 Xiao Huang Liang - 李振宁 Li Zhenning
天机 Tianji - 李常超 Li Changchao
风起洛阳 Wind from Luoyang - Winky诗 Winky Poem

What I Didn’t Like

The somewhat trippy camerawork, particularly for the action sequences. The cinematography has been somewhat inconsistent in this respect, although it does progressively improve. I do understand that it is a stylistic choice in the way the fight scenes are presented, to immerse viewers into the atmospherics of the scenes. The quieter and emotional moments, on the other hand, are generally better framed.

I did not appreciate the melodramatic aspects of the plot pertaining to FL’s brother persistently attempting to marry her off or frequently constraining her investigative efforts. Likewise the story arc relating to a certain side character and his unhealthy obsession with a long-lost childhood love interest.

I need to rant about one character in particular, Liu Ran. Somehow a majority of C-historicals seem to favour this particular characterisation. The whiny, clueless, and besotted airhead who constantly annoys by ceaselessly crying out for the object of her affections. In this case, I think I’ve heard the name “Er Lang” being called out hundreds of times throughout the whole drama. Usually such characters would eventually experience tremendous growth but not so here. Her trajectory remains constant right to the end, unfortunately. However, I do not blame Song Yi for the portrayal. She could only make do with what she’s given and I know she has a lot more substance than that.

The last thing that irked me - the ending. Without spoiling it, let’s just say that while the story does achieve closure, the final outcome isn’t ideal. There is a huge room for improvement in this aspect but I fear this is as good as it will ever get for us viewers.

Final Thoughts

All things considered, Luoyang is most definitely one of the better C-drama productions and investigation themed historicals of the year that shouldn’t be missed by fans of the genre and for those interested in trying their hand at C-historicals. At only 39 episodes in length, the storytelling is brisk, intense and coherent which is very well-suited for the binge.

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Ongoing 30/30
The Glory
70 people found this review helpful
by Lijing Coin Gift Award1
Mar 24, 2025
30 of 30 episodes seen
Ongoing 5
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Attractive, captivating, and also eye-catching—this is THE GLORY

Story

First, I want to talk about the story. It’s completely creative, taking a specific slice of Chinese history. At first glance, the costumes and jewelry might feel unfamiliar, but they are still incredibly eye-catching.

The original story comes from Cha Ke, and as expected, this author's works share a distinct mood and feel quite similar to each other. But instead of being a flaw, I see this as a strong point. Though the screenplay differs significantly from the novel, I believe this is for the better. Since this was one of the author’s earliest works, the storyline naturally isn’t as strong as The Double.

Well, I want to give a brief explanation about the storytelling.

This series was entirely female-centered. It didn't just use revenge as a tool to punish the villains but rather as a way to soothe the pain of the suffering characters.

This "revenge" helped heal Han Yan's wounds, and I really liked this perspective.

I just want to say that this series deserves attention and praise, as it had truly beautiful screenwriting.

The screenplay is incredibly well-structured, with a smooth narrative flow that transitions seamlessly from one episode to the next. Normally, I can't binge-watch a drama without getting bored at some point, but with this one? There’s absolutely no way I can say I’ve felt even a tiny bit tired of it so far.


Acting

I genuinely admire Chen Du lings' acting. The way she stares—her eyes alone convey vengeance and sorrow so vividly. It’s as if she doesn’t need any dialogue to express her emotions; her gaze says it all.

I also really like the male lead. He fits the role perfectly, and I appreciate how he brings his character to life. His portrayal and the character development are both done incredibly well.

The supporting roles? Absolutely top-tier. And how could we forget Han Yan’s mother? That woman is phenomenal.

The casting choices were spot-on, precise, and complete. I have no complaints whatsoever.

Music

The drama’s soundtrack was beautifully executed. Personally, I loved how meaningful and well-connected it was to the storyline. In fact, the opening theme was what drew me into the drama within the first few minutes—it’s just that stunning.

Direction, Editing, and Cinematography

Everything was handled professionally, exactly as expected from this team. Watching this drama feels like witnessing a piece of art unfold, and honestly, it’s mesmerizing.

It’s absolutely worth watching. Thank you for reading! ❤️

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Completed
Theory of Love
70 people found this review helpful
Apr 6, 2020
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
Ive seen quite a few Thai BL dramas, and i must say this is the one Im most impressed with so far - a not so particularly good yet believable story, good character development, nice sets, amazing costume, great cast. The show doesnt feel cheap - It feels like a korean drama.

Off really looked like a matinee idol here, and Gun is such a believable actor. And that train scene?!

No cheesy high school-like scenarios. The story and the lines are well written for the age of the characters. Thoroughly enjoyable. This is the first Thai BL so far that i wished there were more than 12 episodes, i almost didnt watch the last episode cause i didnt want it to end.

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Completed
Beyond Evil
161 people found this review helpful
by Jeana Flower Award1
Apr 18, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 4
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 7.0

The Most Formidable Bromance of 2021 that will bring you to your knees

Where do I even begin? This is the best detective thriller drama I have ever watched. There, I said it.

How many of you have grown tired of watching crime shows that just don't feel exciting anymore?

So many times, crime dramas get lost in the 'next big moment' and finding the thrill factor that they stop connecting with the watcher.

Beyond Evil is a beautiful mix of emotion and supense. It's a blend of heartbreakingly slow, full of feeling moments and bone chilling darkness. It's not a super fast show. It takes its time as it unravels, develops and comes to fruition gorgeously- like a well simmered pot of stew.

The drama's biggest strength is its unforgettable characters and the mindblowing acting by the cast.

In the beginning it induces your trust issues in a gut punching manner by introducing its two seemingly morally grey and unreliable protagonists and then slowly but surely brings to light one of the best friendships the Korean cinema has ever seen.

Both the main leads are phenomenal, each holding their own and being a massive force to be reckoned with.

Shin Ha Kyun put out acting worthy of a Daesang. His reckless, passionate, wildly fearless and courageous detective with the biggest smile and eyes full of pain doesn't take long to cement his place in your heart.

Yeo Jin Goo, on the other hand, while young, owned his role phenomenally. His character Han Joo Won, a prickly, seemingly cold catlike man with heart of platinum and a strong sense of justice is extremely easy to fawn over.

Together, these two are a storm- infinitely badass with balls of steel; a dynamic team that you can't help but fall in love in with.

Aside from the two, all the supporting characters bring their own flavour to the screen. While their little self-proclaimed 'Avengers' police team brings instant warmth to your heart, the antagonists are blood boiling-ly good in equal measure.

The music is fantastic- sombre and dark at times; sometimes cheeky and playful and other times enough to wreck you. There are a lot of stunning shots and the drama is both extremely well written and directed.

The character development is amazing and the bonds these characters form among each other is a powerful thing to witness. There's so much nuance in these relationships and it's hard not to catch feelings and let go of your heart when it comes to a show like this.

Honestly, for me a good psychological thriller is hard to come by and this was by far one of the best. I was so invested in it that some of the scenes made me bawl my eyes out, while others made me laugh, giggle, swoon and shout HOLY FUCK at the top of my lungs.

They nailed both the emotion and the 'whodunnit' aspect in a way that's very unique to the genre.

It was a wild, crazy, full of thrill and heart ride that I almost don't want to get off of.

Surely, a must-watch. Highly reccomended for fans of psychological thrillers who like their dramas with a little extra oomph!

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Completed
The Heirs
357 people found this review helpful
Jan 26, 2014
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 22
Overall 3.0
Story 2.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 1.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
Oh, this show. It was some type of addictive drug with terrible side effects. I always hated it, I never loved it, but I couldn't let it go for anything. I've learned a lesson, though. I won't fall for this cruel and mean trick ever again. Next time they stuff a show to the gills with so many extremely attractive faces, I'll know what's up. I'll know it's deceitful lure tactic and to stay away.

What started off as just your normal cliche' filled K-drama, appeared to be a pretty decent story. It seemed it could possibly surprise you a bit, and then you set yourself up with great expectations. Then, out of nowhere, the storyline starts to fall apart at the seams. It's like the writer wrote themselves into a corner just after the first five episodes. All this talent from actors... wasted on pathetic dialogue and pointless scenes. But worst of all, it went from just your usual amount of cliches to being riddled with cliches. Could they possibly get anymore in? Was there a contest for Drama With Most Cliches happening somewhere????

You remember in Dragonball Z how there would be almost like 5 minutes of the characters doing nothing but standing around staring at one another? Yea, that sucks. You know how 1 song plays on the radio 7 times in one day? Yea, but imagine that 1 song playing 7 times within just an hour... every... episode. A horrible, horrible song. No wait, a horrible, horrible chorus of a song THAT DOESN'T EVEN MAKE SENSE. A chorus of a song that will haunt you in your dreams and make you want to punch your computer screen as soon at you hear its impending arrival. Love cannot be the "moment" of anything!!! It's an emotion, damn you!

Something strange happened, though, and it's that I came to completely root for the bad character. This had nothing to do with how the story went, but with how well Kim Woo Bin played his character. If there would be any reason I'd have to recommend to you, dear reader, to watch this, It would be him. The chemistry between the two main characters was non-existent, and Park Shin Hye proved herself (at least to me) to have been a very poor casting selection for the role as she was dull and brought nothing to it. Lee Min Ho seemed to do much better in scenes with every other cast member besides her. Actually, most of the other actors showed fairly good effort in trying to work with what they were given. However, none of it can quite come together for the supporting roles if the main ones are so bad off.

Outside of Kim Woo Bin, other unexpected thefts of the spotlight for this show were: Krystal Jung as Lee Bo Na; the wonderful dynamics between Kim Sung Ryung as Han Ki Ae and Kim Mi Kyung as Park Hui Nam; and Choi Jin Hyuk as the crown bearer Kim Won.

If you decide to watch this, go in with no expectations at all and understanding it will be hard to quit even if you find yourself hating it. It is, indeed, an addictive drug with bad side effects. You've been warned

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