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Great Acting, Lovely Story, Super Cute & Funny
The xianxia genre is hugely popular among younger viewers, so I’m surprised this series isn’t rated higher on MDL. On other Chinese platforms, the ratings are even worse. Personally, I loved "Love Never Fails"—the story is intriguing, the acting is excellent, and the writing is coherent. Though it has similar vibes, for me, this story is so much better than "Ancient Love Poetry" and rivals "Love and Destiny" and "Eternal Love". The only reason I can think of for the low ratings? The leads, though seasoned actors, aren’t idol stars that younger fans usually go for.The Story
This is a love story between a god and a young camellia (a red tea plant) demon girl. They meet across lifetimes and realms, falling in love again and again—only for each reunion to end in heartbreak, loss, and death. Their love leaves scars, yet every time they reincarnate, they’re drawn back to each other.
Multiple antagonists try to tear Jin Xiu and Hong Ning apart, but their love endures. With each lifetime, more of the grander plot is revealed. There’s a conspiracy lurking beneath the surface, and the show slowly unravels it. For example, Jin Xiu is said to be the Heavenly Emperor’s son… but also not. Even the empress doesn’t know his true origins; Hong Ning is called a powerful demon king, yet she’s just a love-struck girl trying to protect the one she loves. By Episode 35, we still don’t have all the answers—and that’s part of the fun.
In her first life when she first falls in love with Jin Xiu, Hong Ning was heartbroken and jumps into the Cleansing Well, losing her memories and cultivation to be reborn as an ordinary human in her second life. Meanwhile, Jin Xiu is banished to the mortal realm as punishment for defying the Heavenly Emperor. He keeps his memories and becomes Hong Ning’s protector while running a cultivators’ academy. Fate brings them together—she becomes his disciple, they fall in love again, and get married. But their happiness is short-lived.
In their third life, Jin Xiu loses his memory and becomes a general, while Hong Ning (now a demon catcher) remembers everything, harboring a love/hate feeling for Jin Xiu for what he had done in their previous life, which was utterly a misunderstanding manipulated by the villain. Despite the initial hatred from Hong Ning, they fall in love again, and join hand to take down the devil demon and save the town.
After completing their trials successfully, they return to heaven. Hong Ning becomes the Flower God and Jin Xiu is preparing for the future Heavenly Emperor role. But power isn’t what they wanted. All they ever wished for was to love each other freely. Unfortunately there are more mysteries to unravel and pain to endure.
Characters & Acting
Jin Xiu (Liu Xue Yi) – A powerful god, heir to the Heavenly Throne, and the feared Punishment God. But his true form? A golden peony. As a child, he saved a dying camellia plant (Hong Ning’s soul) and sent it to nurture and grow in the demon realm.
Jin Xiu is disciplined, dutiful, and stoic—until Hong Ning crashes into his life. Liu Xue Yi’s acting is phenomenal. He nails the intimidating god everyone fears, then flips to being awkward, silly, and hopelessly in love. His expressions—whether embarrassed, smitten, or heartbroken—are perfect. You can’t help but feel for him.
Hong Ning (Hu Yi Xuan) – A camellia demon saved by Jin Xiu. To repay him, she cultivates, rises to the heavenly realm and boldly declares her love. Even after losing her memory and power during her first trial, she finds him, and continues finding him—whether as a disciple, a demon catcher, or a goddess.
Hu Yi Xuan shines in this role. She transforms from a naive, bubbly demon to a grounded disciple, then a sharp demon catcher, and finally a composed goddess. Each version feels distinct, and she plays them all flawlessly.
Many viewers complain about Hong Ning's naive character in the beginning and give up on the drama before seeing her remarkable growth. This is a shame because Hu Yi Xuan delivers an impressive transformation, taking Hong Ning from a lovestruck girl to a powerful goddess. The character development is actually one of the drama's strongest points - if only more viewers had patience to see it through.
Kun Lun Jun (Ao Rui Peng) – The adorable, mischievous little brother everyone wishes they had. Jin Xiu dotes on him, even when banishing him to count flower petals as punishment. Throughout his tribulations in the human realm, he's still as adorable and mischievous, and becomes Jin Xiu disciple in one lifetime, and cousin in another.
Ao Rui Peng is hilarious—his character is a walking disaster, but so lovable. He brings chaos and laughter every time he’s on screen, yet his growth into maturity feels natural.
Final Thoughts
Despite some confusing moments (like the dream arc in Episodes 8-9) and occasional pacing issues near the ending, Love Never Fails remains thoroughly engaging and delightfully humorous. The drama masterfully balances tension and comedy—one scene shows Jin Xiu intimidating his disciples with his stern presence, while the very next reveals those same disciples clowning around behind his back.
I firmly believe Love Never Fails deserves to stand alongside xianxia classics like "Love Between Fairy and Devil". In fact, I found it superior to "Ancient Love Poetry" in nearly every aspect—its storytelling feels more cohesive, the acting more nuanced, and the character development significantly deeper.
What makes this drama even more impressive is its behind-the-scenes story, which was brought to my attention by one of the viewers (see comments below): Filmed three years ago, it faced major setbacks when the original female lead (Yuan Bing Yan) was replaced due to legal issues. Hu Yi Xuan stepped in and reshot all the previous scenes—often working solo with green screens, juggling multiple character versions day and night. The fact that this seamless transition isn’t noticeable across 40 entire episodes speaks volumes about her professionalism and the production team’s skill. Knowing this only deepens my appreciation for Hu Yi Xuan’s phenomenal performance and the drama’s against-all-odds quality.
At its heart, this is a drama that blends swoon-worthy romance and laugh-out-loud comedy with the bloodshed and tragedy of classic xianxia. If you’re a fan of the genre’s emotional depth, intricate mysteries, and powerhouse performances, ignore the underwhelming ratings. This hidden gem isn’t just entertaining—it’s a testament to artistic resilience.
Strongly recommended!
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worst season / wat happened
taynew firstkhao and sing - the only ppl that actually didnt disappoint anyonethis was a boring season the games were boring and the king of the day was the same person 5 days in a row, not only that but homophobic jokes were made by foei and white towards tay and first while others like chimon laughed at the table. not only that but first expressed that he found khao cute "the voices in my head keep saying khao is cute" they kept teasing later on about it and it was starting to become uncomfortable it was a harmless comment it felt like it was rooted from homophobia. not only did they make that joke but also a rape joke towards first and tay and later apologised and made first sit there w them but u can clearly see that he was still down the atmosphere in the house was bad and ppl wanted it to be over u can tell that 2 ppl wanted to leave the house.
so by now taynew and sing left to do work i assume leaving firstkhao, there was a game tht they had to disguise themselves and guess who it is. black paint and afro wigs were used and many ppl did blackface and laughed at the others who did it even if they didnt have ill intentions (mond knew what he was doing) they still should have known the only ppl who didnt take part in any of this was firstkhao by the end of challenge u can see khao being moody the atmosphere was gone again this was on the 6th day. https://twitter.com/ickyfeeI/status/1568519437770436608?s=20&t=YSzapkOrXH2WA1SJT6lFQg (<<<< what happened) pics are still up after 7hrs no apology
gmmtv ignored ppl calling them out and continued to post more pics of the group dressed like that. one more thing do not go after firstkhao for not saying anything we have to remember that in thai culture respecting ur seniors is a big thing there everyone is responsible for their own actions and consequences that come after dont blame others for the actions they did not do.
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I have never seen Shim Eun Kyeong in anything else, but I couldn't picture anyone better for this role. She was totally adorable as quirky, naive and genious Na Il. I know not everyone is a Joo won fan, but I love him. He has played a variety of roles and doesn't disappoint as Yoo Jin. It seemed real as he fumbled around learning to have friends and care for people. The other actors are good also. Go Gyeong Pyo is good as Il Rak.
The music is outstanding. It is worth watching this drama for that alone.
I will probably rewatch this at some point.
No matter what genre you enjoy, I recommend this drama. It is a comfortable and easy watch.
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What a roller coaster of a ride!
I’ve been waiting for this movie since I saw the trailer when it came out and I had high expectations for it. The movie didn’t disappoint AT ALL. Just a warning though, this movie is NOT for the faint hearted and may trigger viewers.Acting:
I want to seriously give a big salute to the actors in this movie. All of them did an amazing job. Their acting was so breathtaking and they captured all the emotions of their respective characters beautifully. Uhm Tae Goo deep voice really suites this movie so much.
Production:
The cinematography was mind-blowing. They really showed Jeju Island nature very nicely. Moreover, the director really knows how to capture their viewers. They have us sitting on the edge of our seats just waiting to see what happens.
Rewatch value 10/10!
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This review may contain spoilers
It’s literally 5am and I have a 8am class sOON BUT I FINISHED ALL 24 EPS :0 tbh I was confused at first because the drama made it seem like Ye Lin was the ML but LMAO JOKES ON ME ITS YE MIAO not complaining tho;) For an honest review, I really enjoyed the plot it wasn’t cliché but tbh it was like the typical Chinese youth drama. Everything goes well and is light and fluffy up until the last few eps so don’t get shocked when you start crying and cursing at a fEW MFS for making you this emotional *trust me I did it* What makes this drama really special are the scenes of the main leads exploring the art of ancient painting and how because of this, formed unexpected friendships (& love interests HEHEHE) In the end I really wished that this drama was a few eps longer because the ending felt very rushed and all over the place idk I’m not a Calculus ho but shit didn’t add up and kinda left me hanging:// If this drama gets a season 2 then I hope they focus solely on Ye Miao And Ruining’s relationship! LOLL anyways I really enjoyed this drama and since I sacrificed my college studying time for this yOU SHOULD TOO jk but it was good guys!
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1This review may contain spoilers
This is the most chaotic series I’ve ever seen! What I thought was going to be a good way to pass time, turned out to be a beautiful story about friendship, love and the bond you create with the people around you.THE STORY:
The series follows the story of an apartment complex where only men are allowed to be tenants. The story also has several callbacks to Why R U the series and you will see why soon. From here on out, the story follows several couples, the most prominent being Nott and Pun, and their journey towards love.
THE ACTING:
The acting is seriously impressive! All the characters seem to be crazy and the actors channel the essence of their characters very well. A special shoutout has to be given to Poppy as Porpla, whom I just found out played Junior in Why R U the series! For actors who seem to be doing their first or second roles, they were amazing. I have to say that it’s been amazingly cast.
THE PRODUCTION:
This is the first time I’ve seen a sitcom format for a BL and I have to say I’m sold on this idea. The production team has done an excellent job with this series and I believe it’s going to get even better as it goes on. The series also breaks the fourth wall often to either give advice on love, or sometimes it’s just cause!
THE OST:
What a fun OST! The OST of this series is the same as Why R U’s OST and I love it. Most of the tracks of Why R U’s OST are reused for this series and I couldn’t love it more!
THE NEGATIVE:
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I cannot think of one negative thing about this series.
THE ENDING:
WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT ENDING! Seriously what was that ending? They rode off on a Spaceship and THE END!! Then that one year time jump? I really hope that was a season 2 announcement.
All kidding aside though,
What I thought was a series that depended solely on it’s hilarity, delivered a surprisingly poignant and heart touching finale. That conversation between Porpla and Pun about unfulfilled first love was something else. Poppy was just ‘Chef’s Kiss’. I never would have thought that my favourite character at the end would be Porpla and the relationship I would be most invested in would be that of Pun and Porpla. That Spaceship though! I guess they got together, but that ending has got to be an announcement for season 2!
This series does not have as high as a rating as other series’ do, but trust me, it’s worth your time. If you’re having a bad day and just want to laugh , this series is perfect for you. Its a surprisingly insightful series about life, if you just look past those quirks. I hope this review helped you with your decision to watch this series. Thank You!
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This show goes down light and easy in the first few episodes, and you'll be hooked before you know it. Then it will totally wreck your feelings! This show went above and beyond any expectations I had for it. Although, there are a few minor plot points that I deducted a point from the story for, overall I had no major criticisms for it.
Chae Soo Bin and Yoo Seung Ho did an exceptional job as the main leads. They did well in both the comedic scenes and in the emotional scenes. I have nothing but praises for them in this drama. The supporting cast were enjoyable also.
Some will say that this is only light and fluffy, but I found deeper meaning in the story as well.
This was a surprise hit for me! I went in expecting a 7-7.5 show and instead was happily given much more! If you're on this fence about this one, hop off and just give it a chance. I don't think you'll be disappointed!
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This review may contain spoilers
I have so many issues with this season I don't even know where to start.
Argh, this was frustrating.How can they tackle a story such as abuse of power, sexual abuse, and waste so much time on James and Ait's relationship? My problem isn't even that I find them boring or that Ait is annoying and immature. My problem is that they could have had something actually valuable to say and they bailed. The endless speech about James and Ait being in a relationship bore me to death. Even while acknowledging that shipping actors together is huge in the BL industry and makes sense to talk about (the way Lovely Writer also did), Tee's problematic behaviour comes last and is barely addressed. Honestly, I was more satisfied with the first season's ending... It felt open ended and optimistic whereas this one felt rushed and unresolved.
Now, don't get me wrong, I wanted to see Bas and Marco get together, but somehow when they do, it fixes all of Bas' issues? The depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, the constant self-blame? I can even excuse that they picked the weirdest time to have sex, I can believe that would happen, but it was way too rough considering Bas' history which made me really uncomfortable. Oh, and that's without even mentioning it's mere hours after Marco confessed his love to James. Yikes...
I'm trying to remember positive aspects but the end got me so upset I think I forgot everything else. I mean, if you exclude what I said above, Marco and Bas kissing in front of the cameras is quite cute. Apart from that, Bas' struggles are very real and definitely what I wanted from this season, brilliantly acted by Michael as well. Everyone say thank you Michael for giving this season a reason to exist. He single-handedly raised all of the scores.
I wouldn't say don't watch it because Michael is amazing but... gosh it's flawed. If it was any longer, I would have said don't bother.
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12 beautifully pulled shots of coffee
Would You Like a Cup of Coffee? is a KakaoTV production spanning 12 episodes, each being 25-30 mins long. Highlighting the ordinary and simpler things life has to offer, it is a heartwarming story of people, and of course-coffee!The drama starts off with one of our lead characters, Kang Go Bi, seen exiting an exam hall after having failed to clear the civil service examination for what appears to be, not his first attempt at it. Struggling to find the right words, he texts his mom about it and is met with an encouraging and supportive response. The conversation ends with him deciding to get himself a cup of coffee and start preparing for the exam once again. It is for this cup of coffee that he stumbles upon 2nd Generation Coffee House and we get introduced to the owner and other lead, Park Seok. This cup of coffee that he gets served at the café is what awakens and confirms his passion for coffee, giving him a dream for his future and the determination to pursue the world of coffee.
Would You Like a Cup of Coffee is all about the microcosm of the coffee house and its atmosphere, and it pretty much excels at it. You don't have to be a coffee connoisseur yourself to be able to understand the emotion that goes into a job well done, or the passion behind the pursuit of perfection. There is nothing quite dramatic or exciting in the course of this series and its beauty lies in the fact that it is a story as ordinary as one can get.
The main characters, Park Seok and Go Bi complement each other rather beautifully, and it's their mentor-mentee relationship that makes this drama what it is. The other characters, either recurring or not, are sketched out sparsely, and are mostly used as tools to get a message across to the viewers.
The actors playing the main leads have done a great job and are convincingly passionate about coffee...it was wonderful to see how they gradually got comfortable with each other over a shared interest, as the drama progressed.
The cinematography and direction are worth mentioning, for each frame, each scene of this drama is aesthetically pleasing, subtle and artistic. The sort of sepia tone used in capturing this series is rather perfect and really sets the mood for it.
The format of this drama is like a potpourri of different types of people and themes, that leave lingering messages for the viewer to mull over. And just like a cup of coffee, it isn't a drama that should be gulped down in one go but something that should be savoured, enjoying one sip at a time. The episodes almost always provide a sense of closure to the viewer, yet leave it open to interpretation, and the balance struck in maintaining the two is seamless!
This drama doesn't have elements that would give it a mass appeal, but rather caters to a fewer number of people, all of whom would whole-heartedly enjoy this sweet, nuanced, slice-of-life story.
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"Most people are shallow for they only see beautiful facial features but not good bone structure."
If you're still hesitating whether to watch One and Only first, I would highly recommend it as the prequel would give you a deeper understanding into the characters of Forever and Ever. Not only that, you'll be able to appreciate the historical references and beautiful antique aesthetics much more given how they're also interwoven with One and Only. Technically, Forever and Ever is a continuation of One and Only so it would only be logical to watch the first half before the second half. Plus, it's a shame to miss out on a masterpiece like One and Only!PLOT & SETTINGS:
Beware of One and Only spoilers (skip to next section if needed)...
Even if I have yet to read the novel, I'm still very much engrossed by the poetic soul of this series. I guess it's an advantage of having the novel's author as the screenwriter. I'm captivated by how Shi Yi is able to recognise Zhou Sheng Chen's "beautiful bones" (inner beauty) and falls in love with him all over again after having "reincarnated" from One and Only. While the reincarnations are not explicitly stated in this sequel due to censorship, the reason why the series is split into 2 parts with almost different sets of actors to begin with, they're hinted throughout the show in a subtle and intricate way yet prominent enough for viewers to make the connections. This can be seen where Shi Yi becomes the dubbing actress for the drama One and Only. It is cleverly inferred that Shi Yi can recall the "memories" of their past lives and romantic attachments where she would cry while dubbing Zhou Sheng Chen's demise or look longingly at the city wall where the past Shi Yi has presumably fallen to her death to follow her love so that he can "come to marry" her. Similarly, Shi Yi is also shown to prefer the turquoise dress because it reminds her of the dress she wore when she first met Zhou Sheng Chen in their past lives but dislike red dresses and has a fear of height as they evoke memories of her own death from One and Only.
Furthermore, the modern Shi Yi's family name is "Shi" instead of "Cui" to reflect how she has asked to be taken out of the family tree towards the end of One and Only in order to just be Zhou Sheng Chen's beloved "Eleven [Shi Yi]" as well as to save her clan from the repercussions of her actions. The modern Zhou's family house is also designed to follow the traditional Chinese style with a similar layout to the Zhou Manor in One and Only, from its iconic gate to the lotus pond and library where the past Shi Yi shared memorable moments with her Master. So in this case, the censorship may actually be a blessing in disguise as it encourages viewers to actively engage with the plot and draw comparisons between the 2 parallel narratives.
CHARACTERS:
Personally, I love how the modern Zhou Sheng Chen is portrayed as intelligent and caring (at least towards those he's close to) but also rather aloof and not very well versed in human relationships due to his lonely and harsh upbringing. This then gives the audience an opportunity to witness how he is able to endure the pain of hardships and grow as a character, where he would gradually learn how to stand up to the opposing forces in his family and protect Shi Yi from their schemes despite all of his shortcomings. I find that raw and imperfect side of Zhou Sheng Chen very touching and humane as it shows that his heart is indeed made of gold, or should I say his "beautiful bones" are made of gold.
While Forever and Ever tends to focus a bit more on Zhou Sheng Chen's struggles, like how One and Only did with Shi Yi's, our female lead is still very much in the limelight. I think there's really no singular way of creating a strong female lead. And in this sequel, it's Shi Yi who is able to draw Zhou Sheng Chen out of his shell, give him the strength and courage to deal with the power conflict that is rotting through the core of his own family. Given her memories of their star-crossed past lives, she took the initiative to approach him and patiently get to know him. In spite of Zhou Sheng Chen's inexperience and insecurities, Shi Yi gives him her unconditional trust and love to make their relationship works. From the perspectives of those around her, their progress might appear to be too rushed and almost reckless. But I guess for those of us who have suffered the waterworks from One and Only, their second chance love could not have been fast enough.
I must admit I enjoy Zhou Sheng Chen's awkwardness when he's around Shi Yi way too much. Like a true science man, he is very methodical in his romantic "research" and prefers to do things by the book. He doesn't have a single romantic bone in him but willingly let himself be led by Shi Yi's spontaneity and free spirit. Whatever he lacks in romance, Zhou Sheng Chen makes up for it with his own sincerity and loyalty. Together, they're such an adorkable and charming couple that would make you giggle in one minute and swoon in the next. While their relationship doesn't exactly restart from zero, they're still taking the time to get to know each other little by little until they form a strong enough bond that can withstand any adversity.
Aside from the main couple, my favourite character got to be Uncle Lin who is Zhou Sheng Chen's driver but also his father figure and love counsellor. Growing up in such an austere family after having lost his birth parents, Zhou Sheng Chen only has Uncle Lin and his "grandmother" who know him best and actually care for him. I love how Uncle Lin is there to witness the couple right from the beginning, whether it be accompanying Zhou Sheng Chen on his ridiculous 8-hour night trips just to meet Shi Yi or being the unfortunate "third wheel" that interrupt their romantic moments.
CAST:
I absolutely love love love Bai Lu and Allen Ren together! Did I forget to mention how much I love them? It's hard to find 2 actors who not only have that much chemistry with each other but also excel in both the modern and historical genres. I've only seen Allen Ren in historical dramas and I know that he can play a dashing general very well from Under the Power. But this is my first for a modern drama and Allen surely doesn't disappoint. Suddenly, the serious and restrained face from One and Only is replaced with those shy smiles and cute baffled expressions that totally fit the socially awkward personality of the modern Zhou Sheng Chen. On the other hand, we all know from Love is Sweet that Bai Lu is classy and elegant enough to pull off any modern looks. She looks extremely beautiful those trench coats and tailored dresses, especially the traditional qipao.
I thought Bai Lu and Allen Ren couldn't fit any better than they did in One and Only but Forever and Ever just hit us with a totally different kind of charm. Even though they're supposed to play the awkward couple at first, their chemistry is already off the roof. It's kind of hard to believe that they've this much chemistry in Forever and Ever despite it being filmed before One and Only. Plus, their behind-the-scenes never fail to make me laugh. Who knows that the awkward couple is such a hilarious comedy duo in real life!
SOUNDTRACKS:
I thought that the production team tried very hard to not get flagged by censorship for "reincarnation", but I guess they couldn't be more blatant with the soundtracks, not that I'm complaining. Forever and Ever literally uses the same opening No Worries (无虞) by Mimi Lee and Jing Long from One and Only, showing that they're both the same show. Not only that, the theme song Continued Writing (续写) by Shang Yichun also poignantly expresses how long Shi Yi has waited to be together with Zhou Sheng Chen and the beauty of their transcendent love...
"In the memory, the snow-covered city tower... When your name rings out, finally blooming again like a flower of the soul, the dreams that have accompanied me through the light years."
"The poem I'll continue to write, with your name in each line. If started all over again, I'd still remember our love. It took hundreds of centuries for our love to begin, there's no way it'd end."
"Those familiar eyes, lost the past when we shed tears. It won't change, our fate of encounter."
"When our story became history, in another world, there is another pair of longing eyes [that] have been waiting for that everlasting romance."
I personally love Time Froze (定格) by Yan Ren Zhong as it really highlights the sweetness of those shy and awkward moments between Shi Yi and Zhou Sheng Chen. And like Zhou Sheng Chen in One and Only, Bai Lu also blesses us with her own OST, Heartbeat (心动), that's just pure candy for the ear.
OVERALL:
I think you really need to have watched One and Only to really empathise and fall in love with Forever Ever. Even with the censorship, this is not supposed to be an ordinary modern romance where it ends as soon as the couple gets together. It's about two people who have withstood the test of time just to be together and would do anything to protect their newfound happiness. I love how, despite the drama and conflict surrounding Zhou Sheng Chen and Shi Yi, their love for each other is pure and uncomplicated. I don't care how many tears I have to shed because I wouldn't miss this series for the world!
FAVOURITE QUOTES:
“Even the most beautiful face will have to age. You are the best in my mind. I can see the bones of beauty inside you… People’s faces are shaped by their hearts. If they’re kind at heart, they look kind in their face. One has to have dignity before having the bones of beauty.” Shi Yi
"Things in this world are no more than dramas. People on this earth don't have to be serious. You bear too much [in the heart]. I only ask for a small part. But it has to be all of your romantic love." Shi Yi
"Since there's nothing sure in our life, then don't hesitate. All you need to do from now on is to study the Venus you like. Leave the rest to me." Shi Yi
“Within the limited amount of time I have left to spend with him, I don’t have any time to think about using such tricks or applying pressure. I need to size every single minute to be with him.” Shi Yi
"The research area itself can't be right or wrong. Only the method of experimentation can be wrong. If the experimental method is wrong, we can change the method. But the research area itself will not change. For example, the fact that we're together is not going to change. If something goes wrong, we can change the way we get along." Zhou Sheng Chen
"Maybe I'm not very sensitive about [romantic] things. Nevertheless, I like that our love for each other is growing over time. In other words, it makes a relationship stronger." Zhou Sheng Chen
"From the moment we decided to be together, we would not leave each other forever. I don't want her to be treated unfairly. I can't live without her." Zhou Sheng Chen
"I had thought that I could handle the human relationship separately, rightly... But I find that I can’t easily handle things related to Shi Yi." Zhou Sheng Chen
“I am only an ordinary guy, that happens to meet a woman exceeding my expectation at the right age. If I didn’t marry her, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life.” Zhou Sheng Chen
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You Taught Me All the Precious Things
32 people found this review helpful
We get to see the story in two parts- one where the story begins and other six months later. It had me entertained, frustrated, depressed and happy. But only when a story manages in getting the right reactions out of you, you can say it was successful. And this definitely was. I was on a ride with all its characters throughout the span of 10 episodes. I can't believe how quickly it ended.
It has one of the most well-shot emotional scenes I have seen in dramas yet. The last two episodes had moments which had me close to tears. Some scenes were plain beautiful. Plus, the dialogues are exceptionally well-written. The OST was also great. Pink is one of my favourite singers and I liked the songs they picked. The background score is beyond amazing. I will keep listening to it until I get bored.
This is the kind of drama that you either love or hate. It might require some patience towards the middle of the story, but it is all worth it in the end. The plot loses its colour in this part, but I still wanted to know what would happen. I was very invested in the characters. Though its ending is predictable, it is difficult to guess anything in between. The writer will manage to provide you with a good twist every other episode.
It has some pretty solid characters. It reminded me of how humans really are like. All characters act in a way that would turn you off, but at the end of the day they are presented as very ordinary human beings. And that is how we all are- flawed. And we all make mistakes. This is exactly what the characters do- they screw up, but they also learn from their mistakes and move on. The character depth of Hikari was tremendous. She is initially presented as a thoughtless, immature bad girl to us. But in fact, she is lonely and has serious abandonment issues. I really loved how she grew up by the end. Also, the struggle of Natsumi touched me. She shows how important it is to keep fighting and never give up hope. On the other hand, I was pissed at Shuji. He was hard to like till the end. He has some good things about him too, but the bad ones really annoyed me.
There were some scenes of the school which didn't get through me. I don't know how it is in Japan, but isn't the private matter of teachers to not be discussed with the students? I didn't get why Shuji was so openly talking about his personal problems with the students. That was super weird. Maybe it had to with his honesty? I am confused about that.
As for the ending- it was perfect. Just how things should have been. This is the first ending that left me totally satisfied because it provided closure to each and every character. And every one got what they wanted. What better way than this to end a drama?
So, this drama is not just for light viewing. Unless you have the patience to sit through a story where you can't enjoy unless you think- this isn't for you. If you're up for complex stories, then go ahead. It will surely not let you down.
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A cute love story with no drama
Jitenshaya-san no Takahashi-kun is a soft romance drama that you could watch it to relax. The drama is rather small, approximately 25 minutes per episode, and someone could watch it in just one sitting.... like me. What we learn in the drama is that you can't judge a book by it's cover.CHARACTERS / PLOT
In the series we follow the life of Ryohei and Tomoko which seem to be total opposites, and we understand how they develop their relationship. In one hand, we have Ryohei who is working at a bicycle repair shop. His rough looks, piercings, tattoos, dyed hair, and the fact that he always speaks his mind, make people around him to think that he is a scary person but in reality he is a rather soft hearted that pays attention and cares for the people around him. On the other hand, we have Tomoko, a 30 year old woman who is working in a toxic environment with an a**hole boss. She is shy and rarely turns other people down; and due to that, she gets to do things that she doesn't want to do.
Moreover, we have Koki who is working at the same company as Tomoko and at first he courts her and asks her out. Koki has a bright personality, is the same age as Tomoko and both him and Tomoko come from Tokyo - which Koki uses as an excuse to get closer with her. Moreover, in the same company we have Sato, who is Tomoko's best friend and always has her back when they have to deal with their toxic boss. Furthermore, we see Masaya and Teruyuki who are friends of Ryohei.
The storyline is rather simple with no major drama in it. At first I was afraid that they would follow the following story path: Tomoko and Ryohei get together --> people are saying that Tomoko should break up with Ryohei because he is a deliquent --> Tomoko breaks up with Ryohei --> crying --> they back together.
Thankfully I was wrong. They showed us how the protagonist got in a relationship - and if I may add, I want to say healthy relationship (because Ryohei didn't pressure Tomoko on having s*x for the first time) - and we follow their lives around their relationship. We see how both of them grow in their own way and how they overcome their problems.
ACTING
I enjoyed everyone's acting in the series. In the past I have watched other drama with Suzuki Nobuyuki (Ryohei) and Uchida Rio (Tomoko) and I have to admit that they keep up the good work and deliver their roles in a splendid way. Moreover, the support actors didn't have anything to lose from the main actors. Everyone in the series did a very good job and the overall outcome was amazing.
MY OPINION
Maybe something that bothered me, was the fact that we didn't get closure on some topics. For instance, why did Ryohei have such a love-hate relationship with the old man (which I assume is his granddad)? Even though we saw Ryohei's father I am not sure if they ever resolved their problems. If not, why didn't they invest more in their relationship? I would have liked it better if they also provided us some further background information for these stuff. Because in the series we see Ryohei expressing himself towards these two people in a rather aggressive behaviour but I am not so sure why.
This is a spoiler, but what I really liked is that by the end of the series Koki admits to his grandmother that he might be gay and after the grandmother said something old fashioned ("I know a good doctor that can cure you"), we see that Koki explains to his grandmother what he truly feels and that he maybe cannot fulfil her wish to see great-grandchildren. I really liked this part because Koki in the end decided to be true to himself and to his grandmother and he came out of the closet and in the end his grandmother understood.
As I said before, it is a rather small drama that could be watched in one day. If you ever have the need to watch something fluffy and no complex this is a good drama to do so :)
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A Thrilling Thai Zombie Series Packed with My Favourite BL Stars
After two years of waiting for DOMUNDI’s next big project, Zomvivor finally arrived on Netflix, and it did not disappoint. This Thai zombie series is everything I hoped for and more.It reminded me of All of Us Are Dead, but what made it even more special is that it features so many of my favourite BL actors all in one show. I love seeing Janis and Keng/Namping from Khemjira, along with ZeeNuNew, Tommy, Jimmy, Tim, Boss, MaxNat, TutorYim, NetJames, Boun, Park, and Poppy, truly a dream cast for BL fans.
The story follows a group of students whose normal school day turns into a nightmare when a deadly infection suddenly breaks out across the city. Cut off from the outside world and surrounded by chaos, they must rely on each other to survive. As fear spreads and trust begins to crumble, friendships are tested, alliances are formed, and every decision becomes a matter of life and death.
The zombies are genuinely terrifying, the atmosphere is dark and relentless, and every episode leaves you on edge. The tension builds beautifully with just the right mix of horror, emotion, and suspense. The acting is phenomenal, you can truly feel the panic, desperation, and hope of each character. The soundtrack and cinematography are equally impressive, enhancing every scene’s impact.
Even though it is not a BL series, seeing so many beloved BL actors together brings a sense of connection and excitement that makes the show even more special. Their chemistry and emotional performances make you care deeply about their fates, and it is impossible not to get attached.
I finished all seven episodes in one sitting because it was that addictive. Zomvivor is dark, emotional, and action-packed, a perfect blend of horror and heart. A solid 10/10 from start to finish.
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Ends with Frustration Beyond Measure.
I let the episodes stack up as the hype was going and was expecting that it'll be worthwhile. Well it kinda did atleast till Ep 15 and then all hell break loose & we're left with this hot piping mess of ending.I haven't read the novel but the thing I like in these kinds of drama where MC is wronged and get second chance is that they come back as badass and Op and that is the whole allure of these kind of drama but if in end you'll see the man you have been cheering for and always expect to come out at top not getting what he deserves it hurts and frustrates you.
Conclusion: If you're here for some great time pass and engaging drama and okay with a not satisfactory ending this one's for you. But if you cannot handle frustration of things not getting your way, better let it pass.
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This Drama Has Changed My Life
Once you´re at the end, you´re at the beginning.Thanks to the Novel, "Mo Dao Zu Shi" by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, this masterpiece was produced and released early enough to cure depression. Due to the 50 Episodes, it might seem like a long way to go but don´t be hasty with your judgement because your decision to not watch it, will leave an invisible scar in your creative mind. Not only are the actors superb - I am not only talking about the main cast here - and reliable in their execution of every scene, but also the plot is unique and will keep you wanting for more.
Initially, I wasn´t that excited to watch this series and spend 2.250 minutes in total watching it. If back then I only knew how wrong I was. Presently, I think I spend even more time being obsessed with it. Once you´re at the end, you´re at the beginning.
Starting off with the novel has about 130 chapters and thematizes the origin and the hardship of the "friendship" between Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian, which was implemented so well in the filming. (Once you read the novel, you get what I mean) While the original web novel depicted an explicit romance between the two main male characters, the adaptation was censored with homoerotic subtexts instead due to China's ban on LGBT portrayals in films. Nevertheless, it was portrayed well enough to not be disappointing, since the actors put a lot of effort to show their feelings without the need for physical touch.
Besides the tragic main plot of Wei Wuxian’s search for himself and the sacrifices he has to make, there are also side stories that make the Drama definitely worth watching. Especially the tragedy of Yi City. You just have to watch it.
The most interesting gift that this series gives you tho, is the ability to see through a monotone facade of "... is evil" or "... is good". I would say it is a life-changing and instructive drama than most of the dramas I saw. It will give you insights into the life of a wrongly accused soul, fighting their way to survive the hell of prejudices/being a villain. On the other hand, we have a killer, whose murder impulse got triggered by the unloving and mean environment.
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