Reviews

My Kind of Drama, No Typical C-Drama Cliché's

Let's see, no break ups or last minute break ups, no misunderstandings, no evil parents, a minor antagonist that tries to cause trouble for our lead couple but her screen time is limited so I'm actually okay with this. There is a love triangle but a tamed and not out of control one. We get rid of the love triangle around the halfway point of the drama.

So now that we got all of the usual C-drama worries out of the way, it's your choice if you want to watch this drama or not. Me personally, I adore this drama. The chemistry between our leads is so cute and romantic that I didn't even remember it was a younger male chasing older female. The ML knows what he wants from start while the FL has rough past encounters with love that even the thought of falling for her younger childhood friend had made her hesitant. But eventually she has courage and take a chance on love with her childhood friend. My favorite thing has got to be the amount of support the lead characters have for each other, as each wants to protect the other in their own way. Not only that, they also have tons of support from their boss, their friends, their families, and yes even second leads, which by the way, good amount of growth for the SFL, from being annoying to being very likable.

The osts for this drama is amazing. For me, it was enjoyable to listen to every time the song came on. Fits perfectly with the scenes that occurred.

The story went at a good pace that there were so many episodes left filled with loveable, romantic, and cute scenes. I give major points to the writer for showing that you don't need a break up scene or misunderstandings to make a great drama. Dramas can have conflicts but when you have such understanding, firm, and supportive main couple, you can handle the conflicts that's thrown at them and it's not even as bad as say other C-drama conflicts.

Definitely one of my favorites and a rarity that I give a 10 all the way, especially in a C-drama.

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Don’t dread the ending, enjoy the journey!

Princess Agents has most definitely been my favorite drama of 2017. I have been waiting for a long time to write this review and many a times I almost gave into the urge to gush about it to everyone but unlike some impatient little boogers, I decided to wait for the drama to completely air first. I'm glad I did.

Even though, Princess Agent's story remained interesting from start to finish, it was the cast and characters that were the essence of the show.
Everyone who knows me, knows that I for one have a lot of love for my lady badasses and Chu Qiao was the definition of a badass. She was brilliant, witty, an excellent fighter, loyal to the bone and fully determined in her beliefs. Nobody could boss her around and she always stuck to what she thought was right. Watching Zhao Zanilia on-screen has always been a pleasure. She's such a versatile actress and her effortless elegance along with her sincere charisma never fails to make her acting seem extremely natural. I loved Chu Qiao so much and her fighting scenes always blessed me with these unexpected bursts of adrenaline rush that left me jumping around in excitement.

One thing I absolutely hate in Chinese dramas are the robotic and emotionless male leads that are perfect in every way and while, YuWen Yue started off as being cold and aloof, he soon began to win hearts with his unadulterated devotion towards our girl. He's someone who's not afraid to express his honest feelings and show his vulnerable side and that is what made him so endearing. Lin Geng Xin put out the acting of his life and was able to easily deliver YWY's innermost emotions without having to do much. The chemistry between Chu Qiao and YWY was simply electric.
Princess Agents was Kung Fu made sexy and these two characters communicated their every feeling with it. Every time these two were in a room together the temperature rose a few considerable degrees until everything felt hotter and a lot more sensual.

However, even though I was wholeheartedly rooting for YuWen Yue, my love for Yan Xun wasn't insignificant in any way. Dou Shawn brought to life, with his stunning acting, an unforgettable character. His transition from a reckless, know-no-better, kind-hearted prince to a cruel and blinded by vengeance duke was heart breaking. No matter what he did, it was so hard to truly hate Yan Xun because he was a man shaped by the scars of his life; someone slowly losing grasp of the humanity that defined him and it was all just such a shame. With his sharp eyes and an even sharper jawline Yan Xun slayed the hearts of the viewers without even trying.

Normally, I despise love triangles. Primarily because I'm almost always more inclined towards one of the male leads and then all the romantic scenes with the other just piss me off. However, deciding between Yan Xun and Yuwen Yue was such a hard thing to do because they were both fully committed towards their love for Chu Qiao. Whenever my heart was cheering one of them on, there came fluttering a scene with the other man that melted by insides. Chu Qiao had significant history and a strong bond with both of them and by the end of the show, I was almost praying for YX to mess up in some way so she could go to YWY.

Another actress whose work needs to be commended is Li Qin. She played the role of the extremely annoying, holier than thou, too stupid to live princess and played it in such a way that she was still tolerable till the end. Chun'er, time and time again made me want to bang my head with the wall. Not only was she extremely naive and selfish, she always ended up making a tragedy out of herself. She had everybody bend over backwards to save her worthless ass from her own mistakes and then she chose to blame others for her failures. All of her schemes always failed and it ended in her being utterly humiliated. So it was only because of the brilliant acting that by the end of the show the watchers still harbored some sympathy for her. Li Qin is undeniably talented and her portrayal of some scenes often left me open mouthed.

Backed by stunning visuals, a hauntingly good soundtrack and a gripping plot-line, Princess Agents was a treat throughout. It had me waking up at 7 am every morning because I wanted to see the new episode as soon as the subs were released. It had me watching entire episodes in raw form just because I was too impatient to know what happened next and it had me wishing away my weekends because I had no episode to look forward to then.

All in all, this review clearly shows how much I loved this drama so you must be wondering why then, did I not give it a solid 10? That is where we address the elephant in the room. Up until most of the show, I was willing to give it a 10 without a second thought and then came the outrageous ending.

The drama ends with the worst cliff hanger in Asian Drama history with absolutely nothing resolved. It's like the thing that you've been looking forward to throughout 67 episodes finally appears and when everything is at its peak, the show ends and your celebratory moment is snatched away from you. However, it would've been all okay if a second season with the same cast had been confirmed. Then this horribly disappointing finale would've been converted to a powerful episode that filled one with anticipation for the next season but that is not the case. The news for the second season is muddy at best and there's a high chance that the actors for the show will be changed out.

That is what makes millions of viewers so angry and devastated because this seems like a huge injustice. A disrespect to the drama, the actors who worked their ass off and the viewers who had been wholly attached to the story. What we wanted was closure but instead it was like we were handed the short end of the stick. The last few episodes were filled with unnecessary filler trash and the writers cramped everything into the finale, shoved all of it under a rug and dusted their hands with it.

This is the reason why this show could have been something phenomenal but ended up having its head cut off due to poorly planned decisions made on the behalf of the Princess Agent's team. Just like in the show the foul actions of an insecure King ruined the lives of many, the reckless actions of the drama creators eradicated many hopes.

I myself felt betrayed. The ending was like a personal offense and all the hours invested into the drama suddenly felt wasted. In that moment I wanted to give it a 4/10 rating out of rage, which is why I completely understand the low reviews and the hate comments. Once you see the ending, slowly you start to judge the entire show and downplay everything about it. All the things that seemed so great before, start to leave a sour taste in the mouth. However while I understand it, doesn't mean I would do the same myself because even if I had known beforehand the way it was going to end, I would have still chosen to watch the show. Because upon further thinking I realized that for me being on this journey with these amazing characters and creating a bond with all of them, alone was a great experience and discrediting the whole show just because of the ending seemed unfair.

So if you're considering watching it, don't dread the result rather enjoy the process.

Good Luck!

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I can't let ChiWei go....

When I started this, I thought I was just going to watch a new show but I didn’t know I was signing a contract to have my soul stolen and my emotions permanently hijacked. I’m sitting here, replaying the same scenes over and over like an addict because my brain refuses to move on.

Episodes 1–3 are the comedic bait. You’ll think, “aww, this is cute,” and you’ll be wrong. Episode 4 creeps in with the first sparks, Episode 5 straight-up injects serotonin into your bloodstream, and then Episode 10… god help you. That’s when it stops being a drama and starts being the most gorgeous, sensual, heart-aching romance you’ll ever see.

Please. I am begging you. Do not drop it after Episode 1. Give it five episodes. Let it get under your skin. Let it ruin you. You will lose sleep. You will think about them at random moments during the day. You’ll be laughing like an idiot one second and clutching your chest the next.

♡

detailed review, may contain spoilers

So. ARE WE OKAY? Because I’m not. I’m so far from okay. I miss them. I want to cry and throw up just thinking about their journey and how far they have come.

I remember the first episodes, Chi Cheng walked into every scene like he could crush Suowei without even trying, and at first, he would have. He was intrigued but also in control. And Suowei, my clever little fox, my scheming troublemaker...he thought he could keep it all a game. He had no idea that every sly smile, every bratty comeback was driving Chi Cheng out of his mind.

So watching the shift of Chi Cheng go from a man who could pin Suowei against a wall just to make a point… to a man who would drop everything if Suowei so much as frowned?? WRECKED. ME. He went from “you’re my toy” to “you’re my everything.” The same hands that could wrap around Suowei’s throat without hesitation now tremble if Suowei’s in pain. Yeah, he still grabs him by the throat sometimes BUT ONLY WHEN HE’S FUCKING HIM AND THAT’S DIFFERENT OKAY? IT'S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT BIBLE OF HAND PLACEMENT.

Agh anyway, its just so beautiful to see how Chi Cheng looks at him in the later episodes...like this is a man who started at the top and ended up metaphorically (and probably literally) at Suowei’s feet. The dominance never fully left, but it warped into this worship that’s somehow more intense than any power play. He still has the strength to break him, but now he’d rather use that strength to shield him from the world.

And Suowei…I don’t think I’ve ever been so obsessed with a character’s development in my life. Chi Cheng’s arc destroyed me, yes, but Suowei’s reprogrammed my brain chemistry. I'M NOT EVEN JOKING.

Because like, we start with this man who is the definition of “straight man panic.” He’s dodging Chi Cheng’s touches. He’s rolling his eyes, making faces, acting like ewww NO HOMO every two seconds. He is CONVINCED he’s untouchable. He treats Chi Cheng like just another rich, arrogant bastard who thinks he can get whatever he wants. And I believed him! I thought, okay, this is gonna be one of those slow, reluctant-to-the-end situations.

But no. No, no, no.

Because little by little, without even realizing it, he starts needing the attention he pretends to hate. The touches stop feeling dangerous and start feeling like home. The man who used to swat Chi Cheng’s hands away is suddenly leaning into them. And then one day, he’s seeking them out.

I just love the way he went from “get away from me,” to climbing onto Chi Cheng’s back for a piggyback or nuzzling their cheeks together with this soft, stupid smile. The way he starts embracing the entire truth about himself. His sexuality. His feelings and he’s PROUD of it. He’s not hiding anymore. He’s not embarrassed. He’s not dodging.

He goes from looking at Chi Cheng like, “ugh, you’re annoying,” to looking at him like, “you are my most precious person in the whole damn world.” And you see it. In the way his face softens, in the way he looks at Chi Cheng like he’s something holy, in the way he reaches for him without thinking.

And here’s the part that absolutely obliterated me...in most BLs, the “submissive” role rarely shows this much affection back. The dominant one does all the simping, all the chasing, all the worshipping, while the other just accepts it. But Suowei breaks that in half. He loves LOUD. He adores Chi Cheng so openly.

By the end, Suowei is pulling him in, holding him there, not letting him go. He’s soft and sweet and filthy and bold and shameless, and the pride he takes in their love is so fucking pure.

I want to rewatch the whole thing just to see every micro-shift in his eyes as he falls deeper and deeper until there’s no escape.

Their journey was amazing, and I will never, ever stop praising the actors for it. Like, story aside, the chemistry aside, these two performed their asses off.

I’ve seen plenty of BLs, plenty of good couples, but this was something else entirely.

Ziyu… ZIYU HAS FUCKING WRECKED ME. The emotional range he brought to Suowei especially in those moments of vulnerability is unmatched. Take the scenes when Wang Shou came back. Suowei had to play that insecure boyfriend role, and I was scared. I was scared it might tip into that annoying, desperate, borderline pathetic portrayal that I’ve seen too many times. But no. Ziyu nailed it. He made Suowei’s insecurity feel real.

And don’t even get me started on Episode 19. I swear, that was his episode. The one that cements him as a powerhouse. The scenes with his mom...Oh my god. I was emotionally gutted.

And then there’s Tian Xuning. No less legendary. I have NEVER seen a BL “dominant” character especially one with a BDSM element NOT make me cringe at least once. There’s always that one line delivery or one scene where you’re like, “okay, tone it down, buddy.” But Tian...my god, Tian pulled every single scene off flawlessly. He brought this heat, this precision, to Chi Cheng’s dominance that felt authentic and magnetic instead of forced. And it was hot. Like, dangerously hot.

But it wasn’t just the dominance. Tian’s emotional work was just as strong as Ziyu’s. If Ziyu’s masterpiece was Episode 19, then Tian’s was Episode 18. The way he broke in that episode...the tears, my god. This is a character who walks through the world in total control, and Tian made you feel the weight of losing that control, just for the person he loves. That’s not easy to pull off AT ALL.

And TBH these performances weren’t just good separately. The magic was in how they fed off each other. Ziyu’s vulnerability made Tian’s protectiveness hit harder. Tian’s dominance made Ziyu’s surrender feel more powerful.

I honestly think that’s why this drama will stick with me forever. Not just because of the story or the characters, but because Ziyu and Tian Xuning made me believe in them. They made me care about them like they were real. They made every high higher, every low lower.

I am ruined for other BLs. I am ruined for other actors. And I will die on this hill: what they did here was lightning in a bottle, and I don’t think we’ll see anything quite like it again.

I will say this though...the quality is not high. There are definitely moments where the execution wobbles, where the plot could’ve been tighter, where certain scenes feel a little rushed or undercooked. I know for some people, that might be enough to knock it down a few points. But I rate shows based on my enjoyment, and those flaws were barely registered while I was watching.

Because MY ENJOYMENT WAS THROUGH THE ROOF. Like, I was floating. I didn’t care about shaky pacing or low-budget moments, I cared about them. The chemistry, the growth, the obsession, the way they made me feel like I was living inside their story… that’s what I’ll remember forever.

So yeah. I’m giving it a 10. Not because it’s “perfect” by objective standards, but because for me, it was. I will forever love them. I miss them already. I adore them in a way that makes me want to rewatch every single second just to feel that high again.

ꨄ

I am devastated to let them go.

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OH THE FEELS!!! And OH THE ORIGINALITY!!! And OH THE AWESOME LEADING MAN AND SUPPORTING CAST OF CHARACTERS!!! Those are the reasons Ho Gu’s Love (HGL) is getting this review from me. After I finished watching HGL I immediately gave it a 10, then I let it soak in a while and let my objective mind take over and bumped it down to 9.5, but really it’s more like a 9.9 with the only flaw being that so much of the plot had to depend on just simple misunderstandings (like 16 hours of Three’s Company). I felt that after a while it might have been better served for at least one of the misunderstandings to have been cleared up a little sooner, and they became so silly as to almost be a parody of themselves within the drama, as though it was self-aware as to what absurd lengths the misunderstandings had gone (which actually made it better for me). That said the feels and the cast and the characters and the originality were just so on point that they overcame this flaw and then bounded past it like a bullet train past a horse and buggy. So without further ado, here is why Ho Gu’s Love is one of my favorite Kdramas of all time.

1. Originality: Yes, I consider originality an essential element of a great Kdrama. HGL had many elements we don’t normally see in Kdramas including decent treatment of normally risqué themes (all of which I’m not going to name because spoilers). It also frequently upended my expectations of how the plot would play out, with a particular bit at the end that I was surprised by when I really thought it would go another direction to give a more pat Kdrama moment (once again, you have to see it to know what I mean). Also, there are amazing parental characters that behave in such refreshingly awesome ways.

2. Characters: Oh the characters. I am so in love with HO GU I just cannot stand it. He really is one of the best leading men characters of all time. The writer (and the actor, to be discussed next) took a character that could have been just a fool and just a sicky sweet guy and made him so real and warm that it truly is a feat of genius. I think what is most amazing about Ho Gu and the way he is written and acted is that he makes everyone else in the world look like the fool that they think he is. It’s like he has got it right and we are all wrong. Even when he shows flaws like being a little too clingy or nosy, it’s okay because sometimes in real life our emotions do override our rational and that can happen in the moment. And then at the end he even grows. There’s never been a character like him before.

a. Do Hee: She rubbed me a bit wrong at first, but by the end I was totally in love with her. She really is pretty awesome!

b. Byun Kang Chul: Speaking of rubbing me wrong at first. There are people that dropped this drama because they hated him so much. To them I say WAIT! Nothing is as it seems! He is wonderful and his growth in the drama is the greatest; don’t judge after just a few eps. You are totally wrong!

c. Ho Kyung: BAD ASS!

d. Do Hee’s Baby: The cutest baby in the history of Kdramas.

e. The Support(ive) Cast: The greatest parents ever (Ho Gu’s)! Parents that show a lot of growth. Funny and kind friends who also have lives of their own and aren’t just props. It all results in just the sweetest extended family you’ve ever seen!

3. Acting: Awesome across the board! Even Uee who I previously didn’t think much of was wonderful in her way. And Im Seulong, who I found almost mesmerizing in Mandate of Heaven as the king, was even better here. He really is good and I expect great things from him in the future. He can do drama or comedy with equal aplomb. And his physical comedy is just hilarious. The supporting actors and actresses are all good, especially the parents and the actress that plays Ho Kyung.
But Choi Woo Shik, for him I don’t know if there are words. He is a star. He is wonderful in every way. Without him the character of Ho Gu would have failed with a thud. CWS is PERFECT in this drama with no flaws. When he cries, I cry. When he laughs and smiles, I laugh and smile. When he is intense, I burn and when he does physical comedy, I laugh until my nose runs. He brings Ho Gu so much life and warmth and spirit and even gravitas for a character that on paper would have none. I love him in this. I love him so much it hurts!

4. Plot and Writing: As I said earlier, there is a little weakness here where the plot depends too much on misunderstandings, but the originality and the dialog and the twists more than make up for that weakness. I know this was based on a manhwa so it’s not an original story and I have not read the manhwa so I don’t know how much this deviates, but I think the writing was really top notch. Once again a cable channel brings home the bacon where so many network shows fail miserably.

5. THE FEELS! What puts this drama over the top for me in terms of love and awesomeness though is the feels. I laughed; I cried; I laughed; I cried. I did those things over and over again, episode after episode. I can watch whole dramas and never laugh out loud or cry like a baby; I did both every week with this show. Maybe it touched me more deeply because I have a 16 mo baby. I don’t know. But I will never forget the emotions this show made me feel for as long as I watch Kdramas.

So there you have it. Stop whatever you are doing now and go watch this drama. It is nearly perfect and where it isn’t perfect, the intangibles make up for it. And if you love great acting, you have to see Choi Woo Shik in this. You are really depriving yourself otherwise.

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Beautiful True Love Depicted

I’ve seen mixed reviews on this but I just have to say I read the manga before watching the show and I LOVED both the show and the manga very much!!!!

I thought that the actors for the show did a phenomenal job. They conveyed there emotions very well and there was no awkwardness at all. I could feel there love for one another through the screen. I would actually love to see some of the other films/tv shows they have acted in.

They went by the manga for mostly all of the episodes and I appreciated seeing that. They gave more context for certain details that may have been lost while reading the manga and translated it to screen. I think they depicted the age gaps well too. For 4 episodes only, I feel that they did a great job including the most important aspects. Actually now that I think of it, I would have loved to see more of them in their early 20s depicted on screen because that was like one of there honeymoon phases and I’m a hopeless romantic lol but that’s just a personal preference not complaining. Also, the show stopped at age 40 and they could have gone on throughout there entire lives but I understand why they chose not too.

One thing I really want to touch on was the breakup. I felt really bad after watching that episode especially because of how Akira broke up with Yuuki. It’s sad that Akira felt like he had to live normally with a wife but unfortunately that is something that people who are apart of the LGBTQ+ community have to deal with in there everyday lives. It’s a realistic issue. When he called there relationship a “fruitless relationship” I just about jumped at the screen. Imagine being with someone for 10 years or so and that’s what they say when they break up with you. He didn’t have to do all that to poor Yuuki. None of that was called for. I wanted to see him suffer for how he went about that situation and I’m glad we got to see him pining on the last episode tbh lol

Shoutout to Akira’s sister for being a TRUE ally!!! We love to see it!!!

Also, History Make Our Days Count was one of my favorite shows that I watched and I’m glad the two main characters made a cameo. It was an unexpected but lovely surprise!!!

Overall, loved the show!!! Would totally rewatch!!!

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I Love the Breeze

I am inlove with IQIYI right now. This production is heaven sent! I am so glad i found this.

No need for recap, lets not waste time as you can read the summary from the main title.

What i love:
1. The very good looking leads; It seems like more and more KPOP idols are trying to venture into BLs, i hope its just not for gay business. Irregardless, Shin Jeong You did a good job. Woo Ji Han is also so lovely how could anyone resist that charm.
2. The very good pacing, i love that the story focused on the main leads and gave them the maximum exposure. THey really used the short time so well.
3. The very nice friends, not overexposed. Im also glad Seung Joo found his happy ending;
4. I love love love that they spent one whole finale episode to let us take in the sweetness of their newfound love. Some BLs show us the conflict at the penultimate episode and rush to wrap up things at the finale, im glad this show let us enjoy the main leads as a couple even for just one final episode.

What needs improvement - sorry i cant think of anything right now, im still in cloud 9 after watching this series. I dont think they even need to make it longer, its enough just as it is.

Overall its a 9.5. Speaking of insomnia, I found this drama after a sleepless night and at 7am. I thought Id try watching one episode ended up watching the whole series. Now i can rest. Reccommended for quick watching! Makes the subscription so worth it, IQIYI keep them coming!

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Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim is very heartwarming and teaches you so many lessons – I finally understood that after I finished watching. Despite the high rating this drama receives on MDL, I did put this one off for months for the fact that the poster and the title suggest a very melodramatic non-romantic drama. How ironic.

I'm glad I finally gave it a try. This one is going to be on my top 5 for a very long time. It's a perfect mix of medical, comedy and romance. Yes, there is great comedy if that's what you normally look for. I would vote this as an equivalent to the American TV series 'House MD'.

First of all, out of all Asian medical dramas I've seen, I really think this one has done the best job. It doesn't take medical elements too lightly, yet it doesn't get too obsessed with 'showing off' medical knowledge either. The story sets inside a hospital, it progresses as they treat patients, there's blood, there's surgeries, and they definitely make you believe everything is real and enjoy every procedure at the same time.

The characters are probably the show's forte. Everyone is great at what he/she does. There are a lot of dramas/movies that go for the 'clumsy' or 'unskilled' main characters who get by because of their 'cute' or 'nice' personality and basically 'pure luck'. That kind of characters belong to romcoms. Romantic Doctor's characters are rather smart in a very likable way. They're not too good to be true also. They do make mistakes, and they also teach you a lot of lessons as they fix them. Characters from main to even some small patients develop in a very satisfying way.

At the same time, the titular character Teacher Kim is the gem of the show. His every word combines into countless inspirational quotes. He's witty and funny and can be sarcastic at times, yet he's very dependable like a father figure to so many characters in the drama. The term 'romantic' isn't used that often in the drama to describe him, however. I did expect that to happen since it's the title of the show. But after watching the entire show, I finally understand why he calls himself like so. "Romantic" here is as in his 'positive, idealistic, hopeful yet realistic' view of life. It's not the 'love and relationship' kind of romantic. It's not about him and his love interest at all. I rather find this point refreshing.

There's also comedy in this drama – actually there is a lot more comedy than you can imagine. Teacher Kim's frequent sarcastic remarks are already funny enough, and the quirky supporting characters add a lot to that. It's not the slapstick kind of comedy, by the way. You've got to know that the tone of this drama is not dark or melancholic at all just because it's set in a hospital and the poster looks gloomy. I smiled and laughed a lot.

Compared to other romance-medical drama, I'd say this one has less romance. Still, it's definitely there. In down moments when they take a break from their main medical scenes, the romance will keep coming back to remind you that it's there, and it's really cute and worth the wait.

I really liked the cast in this one. Everyone has done an amazing job at portraying their roles. I'm so glad they don't go for the unrealistic good-looking doctors. Honestly, this might be a disgrace to the actors, but I'd say they're good-looking just enough to look believable as doctors – not as models walking around the hospital like some medical dramas go for.

Also, after finishing this, the drama special 'Master Kim's First Love' is a must-watch. It should even be considered the 21st/final episode of this series because a lot of unanswered questions will be answered there. It makes the entire show complete.

I don't remember any song from this drama, but I still think it's a medical drama, so OSTs aren't their main point. I also don't choose to re-watch a drama very easily. I wouldn't choose to re-watch this one so soon also because I personally don't need to see all those technical scenes over again. I gave it a fairly high 8/10, however, to honor such a great drama.

I had an amazing experience, and you will as well.

EDIT: I just found the full OST album of this drama, and, wow, it's got an entire album full of quality compositions. If you take time to appreciate them one-by-one with headphones, you'll feel the passion of this drama from it. Still, I'm not changing my scores because this good music barely received spotlight during the show.

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SPOILER FREE: This is a must for suspense/psychological drama lovers. The plot is quite intriguing and the acting was really good. Masaki Suda was amazing (again) and the plot is full of twists that keeps the viewer on the edge. This series was highly entertaining and it was easy to watch. The death of Reina is a mystery to all and the viewers try to understand what will happen next. It wasn't perfect, but it was still powerful.


MAJOR SPOILERS!!!
From the beginning, this series shows the effect that social media have on our society. The drama gives us, each episode, a new clue about the main case and as viewers we try to uncover the crime/suicide of Kageyama Reina. The truth is slowly revealed and as a person who watched the show I expected a great conspiracy or something even if the actual reason is something that is shown -one way or another- in the first episodes.
This show was a message to everyone in a society that can't live without social media. Almost everyone has one account -or more- on sm and it takes away a part of our lives.

The ending was brilliantly filmed as Hiiragi talks on the camera, about who the real killers are pointing to everyone who is watching the series and therefore uses social media. A harmful word -intentional or not- can cause great damage to someone even if that person doesn't know us personally. The anonymity of social media gives everyone the opportunity to give their opinion no matter how harmful that can be. I loved the comments that Hiiragi received while he exposed the truth, as it was the most realistic reaction that could happen. It is not only that some can't accept the truth, but the most terrifying thing is the ones who don't understand that they did something wrong. It was great to show that the purpose wasn't to stop what we call cyber bullying, but being able to change even one person. As someone said if we want to change the world, first we must change ourselves.

To everyone who watched this - including myself - this is a great opportunity to double check before posting anything and thinking before talking, because our words can really be the knife on someone's hand.

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If this show had not been drastically cut by six episodes I am fairly certain that I'd be giving it a higher rating. I'm still giving it a fair rating because of the potential it had to be great. This show was cute, funny and silly (which I enjoyed). The acting and story were all good and yet it did not receive high ratings and ended up getting cut early. What makes the cut even worse then your typical cut is that 8 out of the supposed to be 16 episodes had already aired when it was announced that the series would be ending in 10 episodes instead. Thus, leaving the wirters with just two episodes to wrap everything up. The show was going so great and then all of a sudden you are hit with a rush job that did not do the show justice and frankly ended in a bit of confusing matter. The show is still very watchable though and I really enjoyed it minus the last two rush episodes.

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Soothing sweetness of a healing Love Story in the midst of brutal, relentless Seoul business life

"Love Scout" offers a cozy, soft and warm love story for the heart. Here: embedded in the tough Seoul office workday. Also: it offers perfect KDrama craftsmanship for this genre. Somehow everything was done right. The social network of our two protagonists also fits perfectly into the whole. Additionally, there are quite some valuable messages between the lines. And then there is the soothing sweetness of a healing (fictional) KDrama-world in the midst of the harsh, intrusive, inhumane, unvarnished reality.

"Love Scout" conjures up a sweet love story in the brutal, relentless professional everyday life in Seoul 2025. On top of that: a workplace romance between a female boss and her male secretary is not exactly the easy choice.
The story has a certain sweetness to it, also thanks to 7-year-old Byeol. She actually manages to bring out the best in everyone, aiming directly at the heart.
However, the backdrop of the drama – or rather that of our two protagonists - is actually rather sad.

SHE is a successful businesswoman with good instincts, running her own headhunting agency, but along the way she has somewhat lost touch with herself – she has sort of cut off her needs. The price of her success is high. She is a workaholic, exploiting her body, and just as she tramples over her own needs, she does the same with those of her employees. Apart from work, she practically has nothing. The advantage: her (guilt) feelings are buried under workloads. No time to delve deeper.

HE has perfected the art of anticipating the needs of others. As a single father, he has everything under control. Admirable. But on the downside, he is almost compulsive, as he has no other choice – he cannot help but recognize the needs of others before they do. His antennas are completely tuned to his environment. Thus, he comes across as quite sympathetic, as he is the nice neighbor, friend, colleague... However, as a single parent there is hardly any room for his own needs either. He defines his joy mainly through the joy and satisfaction of others. This inevitably makes him not necessarily alone, but still somewhat lonely. And there, deeply buried, are well-hidden (guilt) feelings, too.

Both our FL and ML are quite efficient. Almost perfect. But both also work like highly efficient machines. In this, they are similar and can each see behind the facade of the other. A good start for a healing love story. A healing story overall, in the midst of a structurally sickening, toxic work environment where there is no place for human beings with human needs – for appreciation, sincere recognition, fairness, and enough regeneration time to recharge their emotional and physical 'batteries'.

The dance of FL and ML, performed on this stage, is touching the heart. Tender, at times playful, heartfelt. The encounter between the boss and her secretary becomes a gentle rapprochement between two people who are so cut off from themselves and their own needs, yet reflecting, recognizing, opening up and learning to love each other in this very aspect.

It is an overall good mixture. A love story with charming side plots, balanced in a well-proportioned way with socially critical issues. Those who wish, may condone the seriousness. And those who appreciate the earnest critique, will generously be served. Thus, in my eyes, „Love Scout“ offers quite salubrious and gratifying KDrama-delight.

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The Obsession Chronicles: Hua Yong Edition

I never thought I’d get so obsessed with pregnant men. I mean...what the actual hell?

I enjoyed this show a lot. Like, way more than I expected to. It’s not just about the shock factor but the characters are so unhinged in their pursuits that I couldn't help but be invested. What really got me hooked was watching Hua Yong’s obsession unfold. This man is on a mission and his determination to get what he wants is both hilarious and kind of terrifying. I loved seeing the different facets of his fixation, how it starts as a calculated game then spirals into something sweet. No spoilers here but let’s just say his schemes had me glued to the screen, snickering at how far he’s willing to go.

The main couple made me giggle so damn hard. . Hua Yong’s infatuation with Shao You is so off-the-charts like IT IS EMBARASSING LMAO. That man would crawl across glass just to breathe the same air as Shao You. He’s so far gone. And our little Alpha on the other hand is the grumpiest menace alive, he is pretending he’s in control when he’s clearly drowning in it too. I to be honest don't know how to describe their dynamic but its like watching a god fall to his knees for someone who can barely handle being adored and I was eating it up like the sick fool I am, OKAY??

Now...the second couple Gao Tu and Shen Wenlang. I liked them too don’t get me wrong but holy shit, Shen Wenlang is dumb. Like. dumber than a bag of rocks. I love him okay I really do but this man has the emotional intelligence of a brick wall and the decision-making skills of a toddler on a sugar high. How does someone with that much power manage to be so clueless? It’s almost impressive how consistently he fumbles every single opportunity to not be an idiot. He’s a disaster and I’m obsessed with roasting him for it LMAO.

Anyway here’s the thing: I’m not even an Omegaverse fan. Like, at all. The whole concept usually makes me roll my eyes. And don’t get me started on mpreg....normally it’s an instant nope for me. I see it coming and I’m OUT. But China has this infuriating knack for making every BL drama perfect no matter how outlandish the themes are. They take these eyebrow-raising ideas and turn them into something beautifully executed. ‘Desire’ is no exception. They got me eating out of the palm of their hand. Oh and a tiny spoiler for those of you who get the ick from mpreg: it only happens at the end. So if that’s what’s holding you back just know you’ve got a whole lot of drama to enjoy before you have to deal with that particular plot twist. Give it a try, seriously. If I can get past my hang-ups, SO CAN YOU.

Now for those of you who are scratching your heads over the whole Omegaverse thing and wondering what the hell all these terms mean... I’ve got you covered. Below is a little breakdown of the class system in this show because you might need a cheat sheet.

Alpha: These are the top dogs. Dominant as hell, aggressive to a fault and VERY territorial. They’re usually the leaders and when they go into “rut,” their sex drive cranks up to eleven, making them very HORNY. In ‘Desire,’ you’ve got the S-class Alphas, the cream of the crop, rare as fuck and stupidly powerful. They’re like regular Alphas but stronger, smarter, sometimes with freaky-ass abilities that make them damn near unstoppable.

Beta: The boring middle ground. These poor saps are neutral, forgettable and about as fertile as I AM LMAO (0 chance). Tbh...most stories don’t even bother with them because who cares? They’re just… there. Yawn.

Omega: The submissive, baby-making machines of the bunch. They’re nurturing, emotional and fertile as fuck. Instead of periods, they’ve got “heat” this annoying phase where they’re horny and stink of pheromones to lure in mates. They can pop suppressants to keep that shit under control but good luck with that when an Alpha’s around. They are basically walking bait.

Enigma: Now this is where shit gets wild. Enigmas are rare... basically like unicorns in our world LMAO. They’re above Alphas, superior in every damn way and in ‘Desire,’ they’ve got this fucked-up power to tame even the toughest Alphas and turn them into whimpering Omegas. They can flip the script and break the hierarchy. They’re dangerous, manipulative and sexy as HELL. Ahem Ahem (Go take a look at HUA YONG)

There you go, that’s my explanation in a nutshell.

Warning: This is Omegaverse. Throw your morals, your dignity and maybe your sanity out the damn window. There are themes of dubcon, noncon, toxic relationships and all the messed-up shit you shouldn’t be rooting for but here we are. If that makes you clutch your pearls and cry, do yourself a favor: don’t watch it.

Edit : 9.0 the ending was rushed.

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Her Second Chance - a fight for justice

The Double (in my opinion) has rightfully earned a top spot among the recently aired historical/periodical Cdramas (on par with Love Like the Galaxy and Kunning Palace). It is a suspenseful story that follows the female lead on her journey towards revenge as she makes friends and finds the true love of her life. Both the female and male leads make intelligent decisions (for the most part) as the story progresses, hooking the audience from start to finish.

Adapted from the Chinese novel “Marriage of the Di Daughter”, The Double stars Wu Jinyan and Wang Xingyue, both of whom have starred in many successful dramas. Firstly, please allow me to say that their age gap was not a problem. In fact, after watching The Double, I can’t imagine anyone else as Xue Fangfei and Xiao Heng. Their chemistry was simply this strong and is reflected in the satisfaction of nearly all viewers. 

The Double was not on my Plan-to-Watch list. In fact, I was skeptical to even begin the drama. What’s so special about some revenge/identity change drama? But there is just so much to talk about, from the plot and production to the acting and characters. After the female lead, Xue Fangfei grasps this second chance to live, she grips it firmly and doesn’t let go, determined to find justice for all who were wronged. We follow XFF on her journey towards justice for her family and powerless civilians as she gains support from those around her. She takes on Jiang Li’s identity, seeking revenge for both herself and the girl who should’ve lived a carefree life as a daughter of the Jiang family, hence the name of the drama. XFF shows us that there is hope in anything we do, as long as we are still alive and hold the motivation and strong belief. She suffers tremendously but fights for her eventual happiness. 

What I particularly like about this drama are the complexities of many of the characters. There’s really much more than meets the eye, and we get to see the backstories of a few of the villains. While I do wish that the director/producer allocated more screen time to the main couple, it was quite interesting to learn more about Princess Wanning and Ji Shuran, though I still think that some scenes were unnecessary, such as some between Wanning and Shen Yurong. (it’s also important to know that Chinese regulations have set a max number of eps to 40, so scenes should be chosen carefully). Some were disappointed with the ending, as it seemed a bit rushed and unfinished. However, the ending scene in Episode 40 makes it much more memorable, with XFF’s billowing red gown and XH riding on his horse to his wife.  And be sure to watch the extra episodes that the leads just filmed a few days ago! It wraps everything up nicely. (ugh, I just wish dramas could go over 40 eps…)

Compared to other historical dramas, The Double’s romance is much more slow-burning. However, there’s a lot of flirting between the leads and I find myself always forward to their dialogues, no matter how brief they are. The leads’ interactions in the first half of the drama were also quite amusing to watch. XFF constantly asks Xiao Heng for favors, to which he easily agrees. Xiao Heng is known throughout the capital as a ruthless duke who should not be meddled with, but XFF treats him differently. Throughout the drama, there are numerous details (faint but noticeable) that suggest Xiao Heng’s increasing interest in Xue Fangfei. She is originally regarded as a pawn who puts on amusing shows for Xiao Heng to watch but soon becomes so much more important to him.

Another special aspect between the leads is the mutual trust and respect. Xue Fangfei knows that she can trust Xiao Heng no matter what, and he thinks the same about her. While there are supporting characters who are attracted to the leads, they aren’t a roadblock in the leads’ relationship and actually become more loveable. I loved watching the strong friendships form between Xue Fangfei, Ye Shijie, Jiang Jingrui, and Liu Xu. They have such different personalities yet end up becoming each other’s greatest supporters. The bromance between the emperor and Xiao Heng also remains strong from start to finish. The emperor was thoughtful and warmhearted but also remained alert; he is a ruler I would support. So many supporting characters made the drama fun to watch: On top of Tong’er and XFF’s new friends, Lu Ji and Wen Ji were Xiao Heng’s most loyal subordinates and Wen Ji was especially funny. And we don’t want to forget about the villains, who are people that can easily be hated to the bone (especially Shen Yurong, ew). Actors embodied their characters to the fullest extent. Liang Yongqi as SYR really gave off lifeless vibes to the point that I was questioning if his eyes were this lifeless irl. (In reality, he’s a funny boy who enjoys his iced coffees, lol!) Wang Xingyue told stories with his eyes (and bless the eyeliner) and Wu Jinyan completely stepped up into her role as a girl determined to help the righteous. The way WJY runs in her outfit is absolutely stunning as well. She’s received so many hateful comments over the years regarding her acting but has proven the haters wrong with this drama. 

In terms of production, the costumes and sets were gorgeous. Duke Su was [perfectly] fierce and handsome wearing his red wardrobe, while Xue Fangfei’s lighter-colored attire matched her elegance and intelligence at the Gu Zheng and chessboard. The women’s hairstyles were intricately decorated with beautiful hairpins and other ornaments, and it was my first time seeing the pearl makeup look (inspired by the Song Dynasty). Camera angles were chosen masterfully and the blossom scenes were particularly memorable. It was fun to watch Duke Su fight the majority of his battles with his fan, and his constant “A’Li’s” (definitely not fangirling). 

All in all, The Double may just be the drama of this summer (there always seems to be one or two summer dramas that captivate viewers, and I’m certain this is the one for 2024). On top of the beautiful costumes, loveable/hateable supporting characters, and swoon-worthy moments between the leads, the drama emphasizes the fight for justice. It is an intriguing revenge drama with a slow yet strong love story.

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Definetly exceeded my expectations....

"Sniper Butterfly" became a late-year surprise for me,

I've been hooked! It's a "noona" romance, an older woman/younger man story, and I'm absolutely loving it. Before I dive into the show itself, I have to address something that consistently baffles me: the obsession with age gaps. Personally, as long as everyone's an adult, it's a non-issue. Chemistry and acting are what draw me in. I've seen comments on MDL (kisskh) calling out the age difference between the leads, and honestly, I wonder if those people are even watching the show. The female lead doesn't appear significantly older, and even if she did... what's the big deal? It's rare to see this level of scrutiny when the roles are reversed. If the age gap bothers you, don't watch, but please, spare us the unnecessary negativity.

Now, onto the show itself! "Sniper Butterfly" is a second-chance romance, and while I'm not usually a fan of that trope, this one is beautifully done. The story flows seamlessly between two timelines, 2016 and the present, which could be confusing, but it's not. The transitions are clear, and the past and present are cleverly interwoven, connecting past events to the present day. We see the beginning of their relationship in the past, and then jump to the present, where time has passed and their connection is tested.

The show is heartwarming, with emotional undertones that make you feel all the feels. The acting is phenomenal, especially the eye contact and body language between the leads. Their chemistry is undeniable. Their relationship starts with a guardian-sibling dynamic, as she takes him in, which is incredibly touching, especially knowing he's never had anyone. That caring and protective nature evolves into something more, with the emotions, tension, and challenges that come with the transition. It's cute, it's romantic, it gives you butterflies, and they just look great together. The romance is delicate and well-written.

The characters are interesting too. The female lead is refreshing, calm, soft-spoken, and mature. She's not a "badass," nor is she weak. She stands up for herself but also shows vulnerability. I love her and her wardrobe!

The male lead is cute, although I'm a little concerned about how slim the actor is. But the show addresses it, with characters constantly encouraging him to eat more.


I disagree with the notion that the male lead is sluggish. It seems people are stuck on a stereotype for male leads, and anything outside of that is unacceptable. His past, where he was quiet, timid, and slow, actually fit the character's background and what he was going through. We see him evolve; he grows from being closed off to open, and his confidence increases. So, no, he isn't sloppy. It's time to accept that male lead characters can have diverse personalities instead of clinging to a single version.

Conclusively,

THIS show was incredibly beautiful, emotionally charged, and profound, yet it also managed to be funny and heartwarming a truly pleasant surprise!

Walking into a show with no expectations and being completely swept away is the best feeling. This has instantly become one of my favorite jie jie romance shows and is definitely in my top romance cdramas of all time.

It was riveting, with such well-developed characters, not just the leads but even the supporting cast.

The female lead was my favorite, with her maturity, calmness, and wisdom. I also have to commend the male lead for his incredible character development. Watching him grow from being impulsive and timid to confident and understanding was so fulfilling.

These two complemented each other perfectly, and their natural chemistry was a delight. The kiss scenes were incredibly sensual, and I'm now a huge fan of both the leads...I loved everything about this show and highly recommend it.

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Illogically addicting!

This can be considered one of the best, if not the best, Korean BL serries ever setting a very high bar for all other KBLs to follow.

Lets be objective for a minute. The show didnt give us anything new -University themed BL, check! Enemy to lovers, big check! A questionably straight(!) guy suddenly falling for another seemingly straight guy, double check! Is there anything new, big X!

The camera work is your typical Korean - clean with an almost always early morning filter/vibe (you know, its like the main actors are always sparkling) The pacing was a little off for me and after a few episodes, it felt a little repeatitive. I even suspect that the budget is limited and everything was shot within just a few days.

However, despite the unassuming, overused plot, lies an entertaining, panty-dropping, 3 drops of pee and butterfly-in-the-stomach inducing execution that no matter how predictable the show is, you just cant help but long for the next episode. Actually, this may even be the most excited i felt for a Korean BL.

Its greatest strength, and lets also not kid oursleves, is the 2 actors. We stayed because they are absolutely gorgeous, and as cliche as it sounds, their chemistry is electric. Park Seo Ham played Jae Young perfectly and Park Jae Chan's newbie acting worked with what the show needed - his acting was so robotic I half-expected them to reveal that this is infact a scifi BL show and that Sang Woo is an android at the cusp of learning new things. Alas, he wasnt.

I would have liked to see their actual game working, i guess the budget and the time didnt allow for it.

Rewatch value, 9.5stars! It is so addicting ive seen each episode 3 times. Overall, its a 9.5!

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Recently I finally learned the meaning of the word "makjang". For those of you who are in the dark as I was, a makjang drama is one where the twists and turns are so over the top, with the hero/ine having to face so much misfortunes and betrayal, the next step is either sanctification or Dante's Inferno. I dare give the word my very personal definition: a drama is makjang, when you wish you could enter the screen and murder half of the characters with your bare hands, then ease on your couch with a sigh of intense satisfaction (drink some soju and you'll have become a makjang character yourself).

Shining Inheritance fits both definitions. There's envy, greed, a dead man walking, 10 trillions lies, missed encounters by a microsecond, corporate plotting, memory loss, love polyhedrons and such a dose of odious behaviours your becoming a virtual assassin would be justified.
But before you decide you hate the genre and turn the page, let me say this drama is strangely and acutely addictive. It took me 4 weeks to pant through the first 7 episodes and less than 1 to watch the remaining 21 (granted, with a little fast forwarding here and there).
The plot is very consistent. Every narrative line comes to a conclusion and justice triumphs. Delicate subjects are touched here, and I appreciated this the most.
I maintain the whole story could have been easily condensed in half the time and the dialogues thinned, if only the characters had stopped repeating the same sentences like an echo and the word money had been uttered one thousand times instead of one billion. There will be moments in which you'll question your choice of dramas, but at that point you'll be so implicated in the crime… ehm, plot, drop it will be harder than exit a gang.

The acting mark is the result of an arithmetic mean. The beginning is not encouraging at all, with exaggerations and wooden deliveries all over the place, but it improves a lot in going. It's as though the actors had been attending Theatre Class while filming. With a notable exception: Yun Joon Suk, who plays the autistic brother, is impressive all through, and makes the drama shine in depth and emotion every time he's on screen.
I'm usually only mildly interested in the cast's attire, unless it's so distracting it prevents me from fully enjoying it or it is integral part of the narrative intent. But grandmother's grey wig - I truly hope it was one - looked so disjointed from her skull I watched all her scenes brandishing a comb. Not that Lee Seung Gi's hairdo was much better: now and then it truly looked like it was about to migrate towards warmer shores. I prayed he would be caught in a sudden downpour to flatten it but, alas!, the sun shone brightly on him. There's improvement in this department too, though, and if you fall for the very pretty main couple, the deed is done.

Two words about the music. I had a hard time coming to terms with the blend of Bach's adagio and K-pop, the first being too solemn and fit to a mass in Latin and the second too… pop. Once again, it's the little brother who saves the score with his very sweet piano piece dedicated to his Noona.

So here's my little piece of advice: watch it. Resist the urge to drop it after the first episode, contain your puzzlement in the second and third, wipe your sweat to the 7th and you'll be hooked. Completing it will give you a sense of power and the feeling you have truly watched The Drama of All Dramas.
What does not kill you, makes you stronger.

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