Reviews

*SPOILERS MAY BE AHEAD*

First of all, let me say that I do not REGRET WATCHING THIS DRAMA RAW (No english subtitles). While episode 1-4 on Viki got me excited and interested, I still wanted more episodes. So I resorted to the RAW episodes. Even though, I don't understand some parts, I still get some sense of what is happening in the episode. Now moving on!

Also note that
Odd Episodes are about 50 minutes - 1 hour long
Even Episodes are about 30 minutes - 40 minutes long

Story: 9/10
Qi Bai Cao loss her parents in a fire. She was picked up by Qu Xiang Nan during the fire and he became Qi Bai Cao's shifu (I think that's how you spell it), Qu Xiang Nan was a great Taekwondo in the final competition. He won the final rounds, but he was later tested for the use and help of drugs, and tested positive. Qu Xiang Nan's reputation sunked to the lowest and he stopped doing Taekwondo. Several years later, Fang Ting Hao, another great Taekwondo won the final rounds, but was falsely framed for using drug to help him win. Thankfully he didn't and tested negative.

I'm going to stop there, since I don't want to spoiled everything. Overall for the story I enjoyed and many parts teared me up (Especially in the later and near end episodes). If you understand the chinese language, then I advised you to watch this drama.

Character: 10/10
I understand that Qi Bai Cao's character portrayed by Hu Bing Qing won't appealed to several people, but understand one thing she is protective of her friends/families and, once she sets a goal, she goes for it. The three main guys' character were pretty well done too. Especially Chu Yuan's and Ruo Bai's character.

Acting: 9/10
I haven't really watching any of Hu Bing Qing's drama, since she seems to be a new actress. In my opinion, she can cry good (Maybe to me :P), and the the other actors/actresses stay true to their character.

Music: 9.5/10
I loved the music and the instrumentals. I want to find the instrumental musics so much, but I can't find them anywhere T^T. There was 2 main songs that I took a liking to.

Rewatch Value: 6/10
Eh, 32 episodes, it took me about 5-6 days to finish this drama, but hey it was worth it! I wouldn't watch it again, because there are so many other dramas to watch too. But if I ever go back to this one, I'll probably watch the cute and fighting parts.

Pros:
+Three guys to ship the main girl with
+Great music
+One long and short episode (Odd/Even)
+One of the dramas that stays true to its genre.
+Good characters portrayed by actors/actresses
+Main girl's hairstyle (Hey, it's pretty to me :P)

Cons:
-It won't attract many romance-watching drama people because it has less romance
-It won't appealed to many drama-watching people because it's a sport drama
-Season 2, because not alot people watch seasons, some rather prefer a full 10-20 episodes drama series.
-Special effect won't appealed to some people

(I die-hard ship Qi Bai Cao with Chu Yuan at first, they were the first OTP I shipped in the drama, but later on Ruo Bai's character got me. Ruo Bai's character is really nice and caring for Bai Cao)

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I would like to start by saying, you do not need to watch the Korean version first if you want to watch this version, since it is exactly the same. Some scenes are the same to the exact second. But that didn't really bother me. Considering that Age of Youth is my favourite kdrama I have ever watched. However, Personally I preferred this version rather than the Korean version. Mainly because I preferred the actors/actresses that played the characters they did. I think they suited the role more than the original characters in Age Of Youth.

STORY
I was really excited when I heard there was going to be a remake of this. The plot is really interesting and includes things such as gender norms, depression, suicidal tendencies, abusive relationships, PTSD, isolation, betrayal, sexuality, murder, eating disorders, child predators. These are elements that I like about the plot, since its something that (originally AOY) Korea wouldn't consider since they are quite picky or triggered about these things in general. For Korea (originally AOY) to make a drama including these elements is a big step for drama plots, in my opinion. These things are happening on a daily basis in real life, so i'm glad that they included as many things as they could and STILL made the story line interesting. A remake of AOY made me happy because it is shown that the impact of AOY's story line was being spread and recognised by the people in China and the viewers, wherever they come from, who don't watch Kdramas and more Cdrama's (or vise-versa) will be able to recognise these things and be aware of it. This impact made me be more noticeable of things in my everyday life because of the thoroughness and effort they made in this plot. Although I had already seen the original version of this drama, i still rated the story 10, because the plot in general is amazing and is played amazingly by both actors and actresses in both dramas that i couldn't rate it less.

ACTING/CAST
Some characters I found less intimidating in this version but that could just be because I watched AOY first and knew them first. However, I prefer the characters played by the actors/actresses in this drama than the original. This is because their overall appearance suited the character more, since i already got to know the characters in AOY, I was expecting the characters to be lower than my expectations, but I was wrong. I felt more of an attraction and connection to the characters in Youth, rather than AOY. But, If they remake season 2 of AOY, I hope they do not replace XiaoChun for another character, just because they replaced EunJae (AOY) for another actress due to the real actresses circumstances. However, this might affect some scenes in Youth 2, if they want to make it exactly the same.

MUSIC
I loved the music. The 2 minute long intro, i never skipped because the song was so good! The background music in the actual drama was amazing too and fit the scenes perfectly. I do not have any criticism for this.

REWATCH VALUE
I would definitely consider re-watching this anytime. Before watching this, many times I had considered rewatched the whole of AOY. But, now I had watched this completely, although having to stop watching for a while due to studying and exams, the Chinese remake is now my more favourite than Age Of Youth, and would consider re-watching this version rather than the original.

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everything and nothing

Midnight Museum was a very ambitious project, there is mystery, science fiction, dark magic and curses, fantasy and even some religious jargon thrown into the mix–everything and nothing because it did not create a cohesive plot. It was almost as if the show makers couldn't decide exactly what they wanted to create, not to mention it also as very convenient plot points.

The biggest fallacy of this show is its pacing. When Khatha's museum is robbed, the dark artefacts he has stowed away make their way into innocent hands and create chaos. The first six episodes revolve around a bunch of random people discovering these artefacts and killing a bunch of other random people. The excitement is boosted by bunch of random cameos by a l o t of popular gmmtv actors. Also, did i say "innocent people" because no, these were terrible people and the artefacts brought out the worst in them. It was fun as the kill count kept increasing with each episode, but it does get boring after a while you know? In retrospect, I wonder if the show was created for this very purpose, to showcase the gmmtv roster.

Throughout this however, gmmtv was working on the gayest bromance to ever exist—the story of Dome and Khatha. The actors, Tor and Gun, have a "to die for" chemistry, probably because they themselves are very capable actors. Honestly, without them and their "bromance", Midnight Museum would have ended up on my drop pile. Their intriguing past and the estranged soulmates thing they had going for them was really awesome, at the very least it did keep me impatient every week for the ep to air.

After episode 6, the show kind of loses steam in terms of fantasy. We are now thrust into the emotional exploration of Khatha's past and we learn some unexpected (and some very expected) things. Cue another cameo. But this was really strong development on the "bromance". Then all of a sudden we are thrust unceremoniously into the possibility of multiverse. Think multiple moons, nerd scientists, communicating with the past from a different galaxy–hardcore shit. And Dome is lost!

Now with the sudden absence of my favorite on screen off screen straight gays, I was examining the plot and all I saw was a string of unexplained bizarreness with some murder thrown in; plot holes or a lack of plot to even have holes! And lo! We have been fooled ;) There is no plot, is what I realised as even more bizarreness unfolded in front of me.

Coming to the characters, Bright as a moth-eating murderer was more developed as a person than the supposed important side characters of this series. Take June for example, I found so many viewers confused as to who she was although it was actually shown in the very first episode, in a very confusing way. Then there was Bam, a "spunky" officer; i put that in quotes because spunky equates to useless and dumb enough to be killed. And Phob, he supposedly helped Khatha do undercover work ...

In shows like these, I usually turns to the villains. But the villains here were either behaving like a lazy grouchy teenager or cult leader (played by Tay Tawan, LOL)—they seem to be power hungry and they did given Nanon some very good one liners and Tawan a lot of swag, but their motivations were largely unclear.

Even my favorite b̶r̶o̶mance seems undeveloped now as the Dome in the past wasn't Dome at all! Won't spoil any further but as much as i liked seeing them together, it doesn't make sense to me (but I won't take points for that, bc I love my straight boys). I won't even take points for this queer baiting because wow, that good.

Overall, this has been a terrible disappointment but i can't bring myself to rate this a six, as I rightfully should. The overall production is very lazy—lazy fight scenes,

lazy fashion (1. why was Gun always in that fucking grey tee and pants like a prisoner! 2. impractical clothing for women, CHECK 3. sometimes they dressed Khatha so well and sometimes the clothes looked so cheap...)

lazy pacing (it is slow as a sloth till episode 8 and then it's dashi dashi! keep up! till the finish line),

lazy half-assed development of the universe this was set in, the only consistent point being that it is extremely illogical.

7/10

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If you give it a chance it might surprise you

Well, that was quite a get-on-nerves show, but still interesting to watch. I've checked most of the reviews and I'm quite surprised they are so negative.

STORY
It could be written better.. I didn't have a chance to read the novel that series is based on, but I'm sure that even that half of angst wasn't portrayed in this show. So it might be for the best.. who knows what kind of cringe we would see.. So it's good as it is.
Dark romance? I don't see it clearly. It's too corny to be considered as dark.

(English is not my first language, so, please, bare with me 😢)

let's talk about characters

MING

Yes , he is definitely NOT SAINT, but also he CAN'T be defined as a total red flag. In comparison to Day from "Love syndrome" or Vegas "KP" Ming is just a naughty kid who begs for attention and yet might be possessive and arrogant from time to time. I really love Up's acting skills. It's incredible seeing his versatility (compared to a lovely writer). Also, I loved the character development. We were able to see what the loss of someone important in your life can do to you. Maybe it would be much better if there was another special episode about Ming's life after Joe's disappearance. Since a lot of people found concerning the swift change in Ming's personality.
The only thing that I can blame on him is that he couldn't talk about his feelings properly instead he was trying to manipulate Joe in order to get what he wanted.
Well, I can't see him as the most toxic red flag. HE IS JUST A MANIPULATIVE RICH KID WHO DESPERATELY WANTED TO BE LOVED.

***
I want to complain about the dressing style that they came up with for Ming.. like they are trying to portray him as a powerful and manipulative top, but dressing him like a BABY GIRL with rosey cheeks..

JOE

This is my first time seeing Poom in acting. He's incredibly good (sometimes he reminds me of Jeff Satur). He's eyes like a mirror that depicts true emotions.

Well, poor Joe. He literally has been through hell.. He was so naive to let everyone manipulate him, especially Ming. It was clear that he had affection towards Ming, but still self-respect must be in priority. It's understandable, he fell in love and was blinded by it.

Everybody's blaming him for how he could get money on these conditions..Just imagine.. you're in a strangers body but in the same surroundings, have no money, no career, acquired a new mother with poor health and lots of debt .You need to scratch from the top but you have no time. What would you do to survive?

It was so frustrating to see him living in a shadow of other people even in his past self's. As he made a choice to live his life like this he has to cope with it.

TONG

Still mad about him getting a happy ending after all of the awful things he has done. Unpleasant character. Definitely deserves a good punch. He's one of those people who are trying to look better by taking credits for someone else's achievements.

But at least he showed that he will take responsibility for his child.

P'Wut

His acting sometimes made me feel uncomfortable. They were trying to create a father figure for Joe, but failed. He only kept saying that he's gonna help him, but in the end of it all Joe had to deal with everything by himself. Unreliable.

I still have a lot of questions about the story but I can't remember even a half of it..

1. What happened to the soul of Joe2?
2. Wasn't it strange for Joe's mother to see that her son's completely changed?
3. Who was that mysterious master and why does everybody believe him?
4. How did Ming's parents forgive Tong that easily..?


I really love the color correction and camera work. The shots were amazing. But the musical accompaniment.. 3 damn songs repeating again and again ..

Overall, I can understand what this show was trying to tell us. "Love wins all no matter what" and " family bound is one of the strongest".

I don't think that I'm gonna rewatch it someday.
Soild 8.

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Story: I don't think it's a very novel storyline, but it's cute so it's worth going along with. I have a stronger disdain for cliches than most people, and I thought this was okay. It does jump around a lot and doesn't have much time for development (unfortunately), but in the two hours they had, they got enough in for the story to be full enough to be enjoyable.

Acting/Cast: Satou Takeru has already blown my mind multiple times--and he carried the team well in this film. Apparently this is the lead actress's first work ever, having beaten out 4,999 other applicants. I think she beat them with good reason. Her singing voice and acting didn't leave me asking for someone with better skills in either arena. With manga adaptations it's quite common to see good-looking but subpar actors and actresses cast in the lead roles just for higher viewership, so I'm extremely glad that didn't happen here. I'm the type that will avoid a work if it has an actor/actress in it I don't think acts well (since it'll also detract from the drama/movie itself), so I'm, again, extremely happy with the cast and the acting.

Music: As a movie about music, if the music was bad there'd be no point watching it, right? Right! The music and lyrics were great--and most importantly, fit the story and the atmosphere. Maybe not something I'd listen to on my iPod forever, but quality enough to keep the movie believable.

Rewatch Value: I don't like rewatching, but maybe I'll rewatch the cute and sweet parts. ><!

Overall, a must-watch for even a cynic like me. Manga adaptations or high school romances are usually quite...silly? Shallow? And I'm quite skeptical of them as a genre, but I was pleasantly surprised with this one, despite the fact that overall development was lacking due to their movie-length time constraint.

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If You're Going To Watch This, Be Prepared, And Even Better, Have Tissues With You.

The story takes a very simple approach, About two strangers met, Fell in love and living peacefully. Everything is going well in life, Career-wise you are finally living your dream, And the girl you love is with you and you are living happily. Everything is going well but for how long?
This is not a normal romantic story, They also knew that they can't be together till the end, But if there still time left they will live it to their fullest.

Now let's talk about its elements
1. Beautiful and well written storyline, there are no scenes that don't make sense, they are not dragging the story or making it fast paced, everything is at a good pace.
2. Everyone's acting is great, Especially the four leads.
The first lead Lin Yi and Li Landi gave the emotional side of the drama and did it very well, The Second lead Sun Tian Yu and Lee Xin Ran holding the funny and chaotic side of the drama which is balancing the episode, And I'm glad because I can't stay emotional for the entire 45-50 minutes of an episode.
3.I would also like to appreciate the fact that they didn't used disease for a small part that has happened to male lead, It seems that they want to give us knowledge about the disease. Even the doctor is not an actor he is a real doctor who has experience with ALS.
4.The best thing I like about this drama is its OST, And how good it is, It's just the actor's acting and music which is enough to make that scene beautiful.,..

The Drama Ended Very Well And You Can Say It Ended Beautifully....
The 2 years of wait and it didn't disappoint at all.
If you are in doubt whether you should give time to watch it or not, then definitely watch it and yes, take care of your emotions now, you will need it as the story progresses.


EDIT-
I have given 10 star to its rewatch value but it is not so, Because I can't resist shedding in tears every time rewatching it, And I don't want to get emotional again and again...

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The goods: The actors are pretty good looking and the chemistry is on point. Eye candy everywhere you look. Yum. Love some of the banters and dialogue, too. The fighting and action scenes are also praise-worthy. Kudos to the music too.

The bads: The plot is extremely predictable, to the point where it borderlines unrealistic or simplistic. The way some events play out, it gives a 'are the characters idiots!?' or 'are you for real!?' feeling.

You can tell it's adapted from a BL novel and they try to force it into a 'brotherly love' thing. Worth watching at least once? Heck yes. Re-watching? Not really, lol.

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This was a story of nostalgia for older viewers, If you have finished high school and gone on to college and beyond you can reflect about all of the missed moments, friendships, hardships, missteps and challenges. Life's lessons as a young inexperienced person dealing withe the reality of a cruel older world of greed and thoughtlessness. The writer/director started out with this amazing story - almost like sweet ice cream - each episode had a moment or moments of life's reflections - almost wanted to re-watch with a diary to write down these life's lessons. However, in the end they fail to keep the sweetness of the drama - it melts onto the ground near the end and you feel sorry you bought the ice cream, Disappointment was all I felt in the last 6 episodes -- but the initial 40 have redeemable value for anyone to watch. I always wonder whether anyone watches these things before they show them to the public -- You have two main characters then what is the purpose of making them just shadows in the story line near the conclusion. Felt ripped off after so much time invested and the anxiousness of running each day to make sure I saw the two episodes released before I watched anything else.

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Never‑Ending Summer (2026) — Review

From the moment I finished the final episode of Never-Ending Summer, I knew this drama would linger with me long after the credits rolled. Adapted from Tian Cu Yu’s web novel Zhui Luo, this 29 episode series directed by Hsu Chao Jen delivers a heartfelt exploration of love, regret, resilience, and redemption that feels both intimately personal and universally resonant. I went in expecting a standard youth romance with a time-skip twist, but what I encountered was a profoundly character driven story that earns its emotional weight through nuanced performances and thoughtful writing. It is, without hesitation, a 10/10 for me.

Zhou Wan, portrayed with remarkable depth by Bao Shang’en. Zhou Wan is not your typical flawless heroine; she is resilient yet burdened, intelligent yet flawed by desperation. As a top student facing her grandmother’s life threatening illness and the abandonment by her mother, she makes a calculated decision to approach Lu Xi Xiao. What begins as a strategic move born of necessity evolves into something far more complex.

Bao Shang’en captures the quiet strength and internal conflict of this young woman beautifully. Her expressions convey layers of guilt, longing, and determination that words alone cannot. You feel her isolation, her fierce protectiveness over her grandmother, and the weight of every moral compromise she navigates. In the later timeline, her growth into a capable professional who still carries the scars of youth is portrayed with subtlety and grace watching her confront her past self while refusing to be defined by it is deeply moving.

Opposite her, Daniel Zhou embodies Lu Xi Xiao with a magnetic intensity that perfectly suits the rebellious, wounded heir. Lu Xi Xiao is the quintessential bad boy with a golden heart, but the performance elevates him beyond trope. He is arrogant, fiercely independent, and initially guarded, yet Daniel infuses him with vulnerability that makes his affection for Zhou Wan feel earned and authentic.

Daniel’s portrayal shines in the subtle shifts: the way Lu Xi Xiao’s sharp gaze softens during quiet summer evenings, revealing a young man starved for genuine connection beneath his defiant exterior. We witness his internal battle as he recognizes Zhou Wan’s calculated approach yet chooses to trust her anyway, drawn by her quiet strength.

His protective instincts surface in small, meaningful gestures helping her navigate family pressures or encouraging her dreams while his own artistic passions and strained family ties add rich layers. In the ten year reunion, Daniel masterfully conveys lingering hurt through restrained anger and reluctant tenderness, making Lu Xi Xiao’s gradual thawing feel profoundly real. This depth transforms him into a fully realized character whose growth mirrors the story’s themes of forgiveness and enduring love.

Ten years later, the reunion is charged with unresolved pain. His initial coldness and deliberate difficulties toward her stem not from hatred but from a love he never fully extinguished. The way he gradually lowers his defenses while they collaborate on uncovering truths about a past factory accident adds layers of tension and tenderness. Daniel’s micro expressions and physical presence make Lu Xi Xiao’s emotional journey compelling his quiet realizations and protective instincts shine through even in moments of conflict.

The chemistry between Bao Shang’en and Daniel Zhou is electric and believable. Their early interactions crackle with uncertainty and budding attraction, while the post time skip dynamic is laced with bittersweet familiarity. Height difference, lingering glances, and shared history make every scene between them feel lived in. Whether they are navigating youthful summers filled with small acts of mutual support or confronting workplace challenges and lingering misunderstandings, their connection drives the narrative. The drama excels at showing how love can persist through separation, how misunderstandings rooted in protective lies can fracture even the strongest bonds, and how truth seeking can pave the way back.

What sets Never-Ending Summer apart is its refusal to shy away from emotional complexity. The youthful phase beautifully captures the idealism and fragility of first love. We see Zhou Wan and Lu Xi Xiao supporting each other through family pressures, personal setbacks, and the harsh intrusion of adult realities. Their bond strengthens through shared hardships, but the world intervenes with painful misunderstandings that feel organic rather than contrived. Without revealing too much, certain revelations around family secrets and sacrifices hit hard, forcing both characters to grapple with guilt and forgiveness. These moments elevate the story from simple romance to a meditation on growth and second chances.

In the present timeline, the workplace setting introduces fresh stakes. Their collaboration on the factory accident investigation allows for meaningful character development. Lu Xi Xiao’s evolution from vengeful to understanding, and Zhou Wan’s quiet courage in facing both professional and personal demons, are portrayed with care. The supporting cast adds texture friends like Gu Meng and Jiang Fan provide levity and perspective, while family members represent the complicated ties that shape our leads. Not every side character is deeply fleshed out, but they serve the central relationship effectively.

Visually, the drama is a treat. Warm, sun drenched cinematography in the summer sequences evokes nostalgia and fleeting happiness, contrasting effectively with the cooler, more restrained tones of the later years. The OST complements the mood perfectly, with tracks that underscore tender moments and angsty turning points without overpowering the performances.

Some may critique occasional plot conveniences or pacing in the expanded adaptation from the novel, but for me, these never detracted from the emotional core. The focus remains steadfastly on Zhou Wan and Lu Xi Xiao’s inner worlds their fears, growth, and unwavering pull toward one another. This character focus makes the drama feel intimate and true. It reminded me why stories of youthful passion meeting adult realities can be so powerful: they mirror our own experiences of love lost and, sometimes, rediscovered.

Never-Ending Summer left me with a profound appreciation for its leads’ journeys. Zhou Wan’s quiet determination and Lu Xi Xiao’s fierce loyalty create a romance that feels authentic in its imperfections. The drama doesn’t promise perfection; it shows healing, forgiveness, and the courage to choose love again despite past wounds. For anyone seeking a story rich in emotional depth, stellar acting, and a romance that lingers, this is essential viewing. It perfectly captures why some summers and some loves never truly end.

I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

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This is one of my favorite dramas, but i've tried my hardest to be very unbiased in this review.



First, the story line is absolutely brilliant. It has many twists that'll keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the 11 episodes.



Second, the cast did an amazing job. The characters had tons of chemistry etc.



The music was pretty good. It served its purpose very well.



For Rewatch Value, generally im not someone who rewatches dramas or movies, but i'd have to give this a 7 because it has enough twists that after a year or so you can definitely rewatch it.



Overall, im giving this drama ten for its relatively unique storyline, wonderful acting, and generally for being such a great drama.

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This drama is placed with 3 other historicals as my all time favorites. Dae Jang Geum, Dong Yi and Queen Seondeok. There are many other good historicals but these are my 11's on a 10 based scale. What is different about this drama vs those is that the main lead is actually a man instead of a woman. Dong Yi showed the life of musicians, Dae Jang Geum showed the life of a physician and a cook. Yi san shows a different profession in the joseon period which is equally as interesting. I have watched this drama several times (at LEAST 4x) and i will watch it again. A 77 hour epic. I have read that as this drama got extended and extended again due to its popularity during it's run.. the competitors to the network delayed their own new drama's premiers as to compete with Yi San would have been a ratings disaster. Lee Seo Jin is the best portray-er of a king i have ever seen. Every cast member did an outstanding job. I watch all my drama's as binge. So much i want to add to this review but it might be construed as a spoiler. Like who yi sans great great grandmother is. Why he cared about poor people, why some nobles were so opposed to his reign. Who his father was. But since they might be construed as spoilers you have to watch it yourself and see. If you liked those other drama's i mentioned, YI SAN fits right in. A true timeless classic with love, friendship, loyalty and perseverance. Just writing this review i want to watch all 4 of these again. These drama's are so good you will rejoice at having altzimers so you can watch them again and again as if it was the first time every time! One last comment, the child actors! Where does South Korea find these child actors! I have NEVER seen anything outside South Korea where child actors add to the magic instead of detracting from it. They do such a good job that they set the hook.. that snares me for the whole wild 77 hour ride into another time and place!

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Treasure hunters or just a bunch of con artists?

Low Life is one of those underrated shows that go unnoticed which is pretty ironic, considering the entire plot revolves around a lost treasure at the bottom of the sea. But what many people don’t realize is that the real hidden gem is the show itself.

The premise: a group of people half misfits, half dreamers (or just completely lost, to be honest) are chasing a lost treasure: valuable ceramics that sank with an old imperial Chinese ship off the coast of South Korea. Sounds epic, right? And it is... just not in the way you’d expect. These “treasure hunters” aren’t glamorous, they don’t have futuristic gadgets or a brilliant plan. What they do have are debts, flashy clothes, questionable ideas, and a natural talent for trouble.
Right from the start, what caught my attention most was the setting. Low Life takes place in the 1970s, and I have to say: the production work is simply impeccable. From the retro home decor to the colorful clothes, the slicked-back hair to the thick regional accents everything feels very authentic. As someone obsessed with vintage aesthetics, I felt right at home.

I’ll be honest: the first few minutes left me a bit lost. A bunch of characters are introduced all at once, with names I couldn’t keep track of yet, and the narrative doesn’t hand everything to you on a silver platter. And yes, I was bored at first. But it was a necessary kind of boredom. Because when I finally gave it my full attention, I began to realize that each character has something unique to offer. It’s like watching a big game board being assembled: each piece, no matter how random it seems, is there for a reason. And everyone, without exception, is involved in some kind of crime whether out of desperation, cunning, or pure greed.

The humor is another strong point. The show has moments so absurd I couldn’t help but laugh. Nothing feels forced: the situations are ridiculous on their own, the characters get themselves into trouble thinking they’re being clever, and the comedy flows naturally. Many times I found myself thinking, “There’s no way they’re this dumb” and yet, I kept rooting for them. Because Low Life knows exactly what it is: a story about a bunch of lovable idiots, and it embraces that wholeheartedly.

Starting with episode 5, the show begins to slow down to introduce the characters more calmly. Each episode tends to focus on one person or duo, gradually revealing who they are, what they want, and how far they’re willing to go for this so called treasure. This pacing might bother those expecting a fast-moving plot, but personally, I found it bold. The story is simmering on low heat, and it’s clear it knows exactly where it’s headed.

But what really makes Low Life interesting is how it tackles serious themes without losing its light tone. Corruption, inequality, blind ambition, the desperation for quick cash all of these are present, but wrapped in humor and driven by characters who are both tragic and hilarious. Yes, there is social commentary but the kind that catches you off guard, in the middle of a laugh or while you’re wondering if you would have done the same thing that scammer in the suit just did.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. But not to everyone.
Low Life is for those who enjoy unconventional narratives, large chaotic ensembles, and stories that seem aimless at first but gradually prove to be tightly woven. If you like dark comedies, well crafted historical settings, or simply want to watch a group of grown men fighting over antique ceramics, this show might be exactly what you’re looking for.

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Comedy over Romance

It's kooky in a good way. I agree with other MDLers in that this reminded me of A Man Who Defies the World of BL. It's got a similar style.

I had some laughs and it's fun and all . . . But the build to a romance wasn't done very well, in my opinion.

I would say you will enjoy this more if going into it you view it as a slice-of-life-ish-comedy rather than a romance.

Side Thoughts: I thought it was neat and unique of this drama to reverse the trope of BL writers being women who just have some obsession with writing about Gay guys in a stereotypical/unrealistic fashion and make it be an actual Gay man doing it.

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