Reviews

I have to say I actually really liked this one.. That makes it three dramas in a row that I have enjoyed.. LOZH, Reborn and this.. All in completely different genres..

Song Wei Long’s previous work was pretty disappointing for me.. Same with Liu Hao Cun.. Even though her last drama wasn’t bad, I just didn’t think she did a good job in it.. The ML mostly carried that one.. But this was different.. LHC felt more comfortable here.. She seems more at home in dramas with martial arts and action stuff I guess.. Even SWL, his character was solid here and he did a satisfying job..

Honestly, I didn’t really enjoy the first few episodes.. Some scenes were so silly or cringey that I just laughed at them.. But it got much much better as it went on.. Loved the Captain America inspired fight in the lift.. That was fun.. I also really liked the fight in ep 2 between the main leads.. I liked their chemistry there and the kind of expectation it brought with it.. And I was also very excited about the squad.. They had this weird bond and behavior.. It was bound to get crazy and obviously fun..

The world building was done well and the relics in The Seven Relics of Ill Omen are a fascinating plot device.. Though not without its flaws.. But I think that’s easy to ignore since the other aspects of the story make up for it.. The story kept getting more interesting with each relic, how their pasts unfolded and how their connection to the relics was slowly revealed..

" You have to believe the heavens love you..
The flowers they withhold..
They make up for it with stars.. "

I liked the relationship between Luo Ren and Mu Dai.. This wasn’t a romance story, but they had good chemistry and really clicked..

How can I not talk about their Hummer?? Just like the characters, the SUV went through a lot too.. They literally dragged it through a desert, dried lake, quicksand, mountains and it still survived..

Everyone in the Phoenix Squad had a painful past.. Except Chubby I guess.. The main leads probably had the most painful ones.. They lost a lot and went through even more.. I just wish they had taken Lou Ren's Flashback scenes a bit more seriously.. Because it had real potential.. They should have handled it with more care.. The gunfight scenes could have been much better but instead it turned out to be too bland.. It was just a senseless sequence with no real clarity.. If they had spent a bit more money and brought in professionals instead of shelf actors, those scenes could have been a lot more satisfying and enjoyable to watch..

The only disappointing part in this drama for me was Ao Rui Peng.. People might hate me for saying this, but he was terribly bland in this.. Honestly I am surprised he is hyped as a talented actor.. I just don’t see it.. Overall, this drama isn’t a masterpiece.. But for me it gets so much right that I just had a good time watching it..

P.S. The OST was too damn good..

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This may come off as rude to some, but I'm not trying to be shady. This is my genuine opinion.

I started this show because everyone seemed to obsess over it. I figured it should be a worthwhile to give it a go. To my dismay, I ended up watching what I'd considered as one of the most boring dramas I've gotten to watch.

The main character is adorable, but pretty dull and always very whiny and can't ever stand for herself. Supporting characters are just as boring or irrelevant, and their personality is too extreme for me to care about them; they just yell all the time. Nam Joo Hyuk's character is really the only one doing anything interesting on the show.

I just don't understand why this drama has such a cult following and fans calls it a must watch. Everyone praises this show but it's honestly very slow and boring. I've watched over dozens of Korean dramas from different genres that were better than this one.

The reviews on this website are biased. It's honestly all in the ratings, and for a reason -- Weightlifting fairy Kim Bok Joo is slow, boring, with very dull characters and a non-interesting general and side plots. It is cute, but nothing beyond that.

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Doona: Lost Potential & Mixed Signals

"Doona!" began with a premise that promised an intriguing dynamic between its main characters - Doo Na, a former member of the girl group Dream Sweet, and Won Jun, a college student unaware of her celebrity status. Their initial misunderstandings had the potential to craft a compelling narrative about identity, fame, and genuine connections.

However, as the episodes progressed, the series seemed to lose its way. The first episode depicts Lee Doo-Na (brilliantly portrayed by Bae Suzy) in a prolonged state of introspection, seemingly detached from Won Jun (played by Yang Se-Jong). This sense of detachment quickly shifts in the following episode, making Doo Na's motivations perplexing. A subtle indication of her character's emotional volatility could have been appreciated, but the stark contrast between episodes feels inconsistent.

A significant subplot that added to my confusion was Doo Na's complex relationship with an older character, her manager P. This relationship, seemingly oscillating between paternal and romantic feelings, could have been a deep dive into Doo Na's psyche. Instead, it felt like an underdeveloped plot device that only muddied the waters. The series tried to touch upon Doo Na's inner turmoil and her need for validation, but the execution often felt superficial, making her actions seem capricious rather than profound.

Throughout the nine episodes, there were moments that felt drawn out, such as prolonged smoking scenes and introspective silences. While such scenes can be artistically valuable, in "Doona!" they often felt like fillers, detracting from the overall pacing. The dialogues, though meant to be meaningful, often fell short, leaving me craving more depth and clarity.

In conclusion, while "Doona!" had the potential to be a nuanced exploration of fame, identity, and relationships, it felt disjointed and, at times, directionless. The series tried to tackle complex emotions but often skirted around them, making the narrative feel somewhat hollow. I had high hopes but was left with a sense of unfulfilled potential.

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Bloodshed And History ; Where To Begin With One Of The Most Controversial Dramas Of 2021...

Before getting on to analysing the main storyline and characters of the series as individuals , it is probably most prominent to address two main controversies which ultimately affected character and production in the drama. First, dropping initial actor Ji Soo with his allegations in favour of Na In Woo in episode 7 ( subverting On Dal’s personality ) and then having to reshoot scenes eventually with Na In Woo and releasing the earlier episodes after the initial finale . Whilst a lot of diehard advocates of the show will probably sugarcoat this by stating that “ it didn’t stop the storyline from being good” or “ Kim So Hyun made up for this”, it is important to note that even in early episodes, the series did often feel hampered by several incoherent screenwriting choices.

A notable example of poor scriptwriting occurs by the usage of contemporary vernacular in the show’s main setting of the Goguryeo era (37BC – 668AD). Although admittedly it would be equally ridiculous for the show to even attempt speaking in an outdated and incomprehensible tongue for the whole course of the series, it felt laughable when a palace guard or a member of the royal court suddenly sprouted demotic Korean phrases that would not be out of place in an Internet cafe in Seoul today. Of course, it is understandable that the drama does want to resonate with modern audiences, and as a fictionalised story, tweaking history can present an interesting depiction of the director and screenwriter’s thoughts. However, instead of actually bothering to take the time to present authenticity through discourse exchanges, some of the spoken lines of the series felt awkwardly mismatched with its time and setting. ( Though admittedly this did improve in later episodes.)

As a consequence, this often took away from the more intriguing portrayal of the historical costumes , and the storyline ‘s main focus on a warring nation torn by clans. The premise is fairly intriguing by its initial setup of the amnesiac heroine Princess Pyeonggang ( Kim So-hyun) defying her fate , falling in love with “the fool” On Dal ( Ji Soo/ Na In Woo) and of course taking its origins from a modern spin on the traditional folktale based on the 2010 novel Princess Pyeonggang (written by Choi Sa-gyu).

Nevertheless, Kim So-Hyun is able to brilliantly capture Pyeonggang ( or “ Ga Jin”) through her individual performance , however, something which should initially be addressed as an example of questionable miscasting, was the choice also to use So-Hyun to play her character’s mother, Queen Yeon during flashbacks in early episodes. ( Leading to a lot of confusion for first-time viewers of the show.)

In addition to this whilst it is hard to fault Kim So Hyun’s performance, her character felt oddly-written. When we are first introduced to Ga Jin she is a ‘’blank slate’’ due to not possessing defining memories of her past. However, the main issue towards Pyeonggang is due to her character development as the story progresses. We were told that Pyeonggang grew up as a top assassin Yeom Ga-jin, which implied that she should not only be skilled in martial arts, but also would be able to be quick-thinking in dire situations. Yet often during key events in the series, Ga Jin/ Pyeonggang was often reckless and foolish. Near the ending, admittedly Pyeonggang did resort back to her resilient and tough role as the heroine, however, the development in between deeply questioned how such a fierce, decisive and brave warrior from the flash-forward during the opening montage matched up with the character who seemed to unfold over the course of the series in front of viewers’ eyes.

This moves us onto the biggest elephant in the room, On Dal. Being played by two different actors, there is the most evident problem of how to assess this character from the two difference performances upon the archetype of the ‘ kind-hearted and foolish male lead’.

Ji Soo seemed to capture the ‘ fool’ as benign and goofy, adding a notably fractious and eccentric undertone to On Dal as a character. However, Na In Woo took a less childish approach to On Dal’s constant grins and confused tone , through dumbstruck expressions for the latter part of the series before taking on a more serious tone towards the character (as he is becomes a more revered individual due to the circumstances ). Regardless, On Dal acts as a major asset within Pyeonggang’s journey of self discovery and their fairly sweet romance tale by bringing out her personality and as a tie to her complicated past. However, the problem still remains not merely by the different performances of On Dal for viewers , but trying to flesh-out On-Dal as a sentient character.

In fact, this was an evident problem between how the show dedicated time to sketching out the drama’s personae , but it’s hard to really “ grasp” or feel intricate emotional attachment towards most of them. The early episodes of the drama enjoyed using the stock side characters of the village as comic relief, before in the second half and the time-skip bringing in a multitude of either newly introduced or previously mentioned antagonists and characters . (Whilst many of these characters and villains were incredibly interesting , they often struggled to have decent screen time in order to develop out of their one-dimensional shell.)

Perhaps the one character in the show who was surprisingly quite intriguing in the beginning of the series was General Go Geon ( Lee Ji Hoon). As it may seem evident through tropes, Go Geon naturally becomes the ‘ second love interest’ through his ‘ complicated’ feelings with Ga-Jin. However, whilst Go Geon did surprisingly possess the potential role as an an intriguingly motivated anti-hero in the series, his role ( without any spoilers) was sadly blanked out due to poor character development.

The ending was predictable to say the least and arguably anticlimactic by straying away from the actual conclusion of the renowned tale. Of course, this is a fictionalised drama and having an artistic license is not inherently wrong. However, the ending may cause a little bit of head scratching for viewers by ( the change of actors for On Dal aside) the entire flashforward , weather and certain events being subverted entirely. In addition to this, the ending felt more like a ” quick-fix”, than being built upon strong foundations by the slow-paced storyline (in parts ) diminishing often the more intriguing elements of the drama.

So, is ” A Moon Where The River Rises” being unfairly criticised, or is it genuinely a good watch? Controversies aside, whilst the aesthetic cinematography, a high-budget production value ( especially remaining apparent with its CGI and beautiful outfits) and Kim So Hyun ’s brilliant performance remained compelling enticements towards watching the drama, ” River Where The Moon Rises" suffered ultimately from whimsical screenwriting. Intriguing characters and villains often felt half-baked, the overused tropes in the first-half of the series often made the second-half struggle to catch-up with the more intriguing elements of the storyline ( resulting in slow-pacing also ) and the ending felt rushed to say the least. Ultimately, ” River Where The Moon Rises” isn’t a dire or terrible drama and certainly does have some redeemable qualities , however, there are better sageuks ( historical dramas) out there with stronger plots, more three-dimensional characters and well-written endings also.

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An Insult to The Author.

I have created an account for the purpose of writing a review for this series, I haven't a clue, how this sorry excuse of an adaptation has a rating above 8. It is my sincere request to each and every one of you to go and read the Web Novel or for an even better experience, the Webtoon adaptation of the Webnovel, the author of the series and the characters he has written deserve better and I will explain why.

1. The Plot : The problem with the plot is that, in the novel, the MC dies and goes back in time as the son on the Chairman's estranged but his own son he has with his wife. In the drama, since it would be difficult to view the character as someone else, it is made so that this particular grandson had the same face which is Song Joong-ki. The ending is even more disastrous, it is a thorough insult to the author of the Webnovel.

2. Characters: Lee Sung-min as Jin Yang-cheol was perfect, his acting skills had me in awe, but the entire characters, regardless of the casting were no where near as deep as the original work. Jin Yang-cheol is a complete sociopath, he is an indomitable wall, the wall that has defended Soonyang and the general that spear headed it's growth, he is not a vulnerable person and his ability to think rationally and stay calm is what makes him a truly scary character, the essence of Jin Yang-cheol who I would argue is more important to the series than the MC was lost, he was a broken old man in the series. Jin Yang-cheol is feared by his children because they know he would rather take Soonyang to his grave than give it to his children, he wants them to steal it from him, yes 'steal' is the right word and that is how much of a sociopath he is.

The MC is actually a lot smarter, he does not get out maneuvered, he is always steps ahead of his enemies, to make the series feel like a thriller, unnecessary twists and turns were added. The characters in the original work have a deeper story and better development, they don't want Soonyang just because they think "I should be the rightful heir", it gets a lot more complex than that. The original work also has romance, they removed a good portion of it.

I do not claim to be an expert on K-Dramas, but this series, is a complete bastardization of the original work, the author and his hard work has been insulted in my opinion, I could write a lot more, but the more I write the angrier I get. I have nothing but absolute pity and contempt for those who gave this pathetic adaptation anything above a 2 star rating. I implore my fellow audience to look beyond the cast while deciding to rate a series.

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How to Lose a Plot in 40 Episodes — and Still Walk Away with Liu Yuning's Spine Intact

★★★☆☆ (5/10) — Four stars for Liu Yuning’s lumbar courage, one for the costume budget, zero for narrative mercy.

Some dramas are good. Some are bad. And some exist in that rare third category: the genre-bending fever dream you watch out of loyalty, finish out of morbid curiosity, and then question your entire concept of narrative coherence.

Let’s start with the central mystery: What genre is this?

Is it a romance? No, unless you define romance as one person emotionally bleeding out while the other flicks metaphysical riddles at them. Is it satire? Perhaps. Parody? Sometimes. A parody of a parody? Getting warmer. A slow-burn fantasy with a twist of self-awareness? Possibly, if the “twist” snapped the narrative spine somewhere around episode 12 and nobody told the scriptwriters.

This is not a slow-burn romance, it’s more of a cold shoulder in silk robes. And yet, like many viewers, I clicked play. Why? Three reasons:

The poster, which promised epic fantasy and emotional depth.
The premise, which teased brilliance through narrative self-reference.
Liu Yuning, whose performance, spine, and general ability to suffer gracefully on screen have become the stuff of legend.

He enters as the God of Death, cloaked in threat and charisma, a walking, brooding contradiction of pain and purpose. But as episodes pass, he degrades into what can only be described as the Patron Saint of Emotional Begging. Watching him go from divine menace to doormat philosopher is both impressive and heartbreaking.

And the FL? She knows she's in a novel world. She has foreknowledge of events. She understands the narrative setup. In short, she holds the cheat codes. And what does she do? She gaslights the ML, fumbles assassination plans, and drops half-baked existential quotes like fortune cookies from a bad philosophy class. This could’ve been the smart kind of self-aware fiction, where a character leverages story logic to reshape her fate. Instead, we got 31 episodes of emotional whirligig, poorly planned sabotage, and dialogue that could be summarised as: “Yes, I’m hurting you. But it’s because I read the spoilers.”

Her reactions? Inexplicable. Her growth? Non-existent. Her emotional intelligence? Hovering somewhere between “toddler in a tantrum” and “taxidermied Victorian doll.” And the dialogue? Forget poetic, every line sounds like she's haggling over bootleg scrolls at a metaphysical flea market. Again, this isn’t the actress’s fault. Clearly someone behind the camera instructed her to exceed parody and she committed with wild-eyed determination.

This is not what a heroine should do in a self-aware fiction drama. What should she do?

Observe the narrative structure and learn its rules.
Make allies- power in fiction equals survival.
Use foreknowledge to evolve strategically.
Stop weaponising emotional trauma as plot filler.
Build an actual arc- with intention, consequences, and vulnerability.

Instead, she walks in philosophical circles, drags the ML along with half-truths, and treats emotional consistency like an optional side quest.

Now, let’s talk about writing.

A good script, especially one dealing with stories that reflect on their own structure and romance, needs three things:

Character Consistency- Development, not regression.
Emotional Logic- If we can’t follow the “why,” we stop caring about the “what.”
Earned Moments- Big scenes must be built upon, not dropped in like surprise confetti from a broken ceiling.

This show ignores all three. Pacing oscillates like a caffeinated metronome. Plot arcs appear and vanish like side characters in a dream. Emotional payoffs? Denied. Instead, we get… the bite scene.

Yes. That cringe-crowned moment when the ML, bleeding from a sword wound and barely conscious, is violently shaken and then bitten by the FL in an act that’s equal parts rabid and romantic-adjacent. No tenderness. No catharsis. Just… jaw-dropping nonsense. The kind of scene that makes you question not the actors, but the writer’s grasp of human interaction, or gravity.

And the Crown Prince? Introduced as a man with the comedic energy of someone who might grow donkey ears and burst into song, he later pulls off a sword-wielding redemption arc. How? No one knows. He undergoes a 180° emotional transformation faster than a Netflix recap can say “previously on.” The Emperor, meanwhile, spends what feels like an eternity inventing increasingly sadistic punishments for his son, only to pivot without warning into "Father of the Year" mode. Don’t look for logic here. Our scriptwriter clearly believed they were penning the drama of the century, possibly while sipping hallucinogenic tea or something far stronger.

Even Gárgamel, with his cat Azrael, had clearer motivation than our eyebrow-wielding villain here. And at least Gárgamel knew what he wanted (Smurfs). This villain? He sneers. He raises an eyebrow. He plots vaguely. He exists in a state of permanent dramatic squint, delivering monologues that suggest he thinks he's in Macbeth while everyone else is stuck in Scooby-Doo. With every new plan, he seems one cackle away from asking where the smurfs went. It’s not menace, it’s theatrical confusion. His villainy becomes so exaggerated it borders on self-parody. It’s not that he twirls an actual mustache, it’s more like he’s auditioning for the role of a moustachioed villain straight out of the melodrama bargain bin.

Which brings us to the supporting cast, criminally underused and suspiciously better written. The Nightwalkers? An intriguing and promising concept, sadly underused and left mostly unexplored. The sister? More logical, more emotionally full of subtlety. Fu Gui? A minor character with more clarity and heart than the entire central arc.

Cinematography? Competent. Wardrobe? Sumptuous and repetitive, at least if you're the FL, condemned to recycle the same gown in several key episodes. The ML’s outfits, on the other hand, seem to have enjoyed both budget and narrative respect. Pacing? Like a rubber band stretched too thin over a 40-episode arc. Dialogue? Cringe-worthy at best, with failed attempts at humour that never quite land.

And the ending?

Equal parts predictable and nonsensical, a rare feat. I watched the final stretch at 2x speed, not because I was bored, but because I needed to emotionally outrun the plot.

So what is this drama?

Not a romance. A romance requires mutual emotional investment, vulnerability, and growth. This gave us martyrdom, manipulation, and confusion. Not a parody either, parody implies purpose. This felt more like someone spilled three genres into a blender, added eyeliner and trauma, and hoped for magic.

And yet. Liu Yuning stands tall. His character bleeds, breaks, and somehow survives, narratively, emotionally, and physically. He lends gravitas to a script that doesn’t deserve him, making the unwatchable nearly worthwhile. He does it all armed with nothing but cheekbones and that gaze, the kind that carries centuries of suffering and half the audience’s emotional investment. In the end, this isn’t a drama. It’s a hostage situation. One where the script holds its characters captive, and only LYN attempts a jailbreak, with no tools but his eyes and a well-fitted cloak.

Would I recommend it? Only with caveats.

If you’ve just emerged from the raw anguish of Moon Lovers, the sharp narrative elegance of Story of Kunning Palace, or the unexpected emotional payoff of The Prisoner of Beauty, my advice is simple: give this one a miss, or at least, wait. Let the memory of strong writing cleanse your palate. This drama might wear the costume of intelligence and genre experimentation, but beneath the surface, it sells you a sheep in wolf’s clothing, and expects applause.

Me? I’m off to rewatch Story of the Kunning Palace and TPOB. I need to remember what good writing looks like.

This is just my personal take, and I hope no one gets offended, everyone’s tastes are different, just like in my book club where we all have our own opinions. If you loved this drama, that’s awesome! I’m happy for you. All I ask is that you respect my view, too. After all, variety is what makes stories interesting… even if sometimes the flavour’s not quite to my taste.

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A String of Fate, Unraveled: An Exploration of Ruin, Redemption, and Human Nature

“Protecting humans is my duty, but falling in love with you was instinct.”

Do not listen, read, or watch anything related to this drama aside from the trailer. If the provided material piques your interest, just watch it. I’ve seen a lot of hate circulating around this drama and honestly, it’s really not necessary. I’d encourage you all to take the baseless negativity with a grain of salt. If you want to watch this drama, just go for it!

I’ll rate this drama using my personal criteria, called ‘CASES’ that looks at the following: cinematography, acting, storyline, experience, and soundtrack. I’ll break down each one individually.

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 5/5
Lighting: 5/5
Camerawork: 5/5
Ambiance: 5/5

The CGI is immaculate, no flaws there whatsoever. I haven’t followed this drama since it’s early production, but based on the behind the scenes clips, you can tell that the entire crew poured their entire heart and soul into its creation. The visual, creative, and drama directors especially deserve a whole standing ovation for their devotion to the craft. The sets, cinematography, and worldbuilding for Xiao Yao are truly unlike anything I’ve seen before (at least in a Chinese drama production). It doesn’t take a seasoned drama viewer to tell that every shot, camera angle, lighting, and setting were made with intention. The directors like to challenge themselves, playing with various different shots, manipulating the elements within the shot, and just making use of every tool in their toolbox to craft a scene that’s not only visually-appealing, but one that evokes hidden meanings here and there. There is almost a hyperactive attention to detail, and it’s precisely this quality that sets Xiao Yao apart from other dramas. You’re not just watching moving pictures, you’re being pulled into that alternate universe. The soundtrack is god-tier, with each song being replayed over and over again until my YouTube crashes. You have those slow, melancholic tracks like ‘Parting in the Mortal Realm’; epic, high-fantasy ones like ‘Embers’, and light, upbeat ones like ‘Mirror’. The lyrics to all of the songs are meaningful, poignant, and befitting for the story. Through the dramas top-notch production and attention to detail, I truly felt like I was transported into the world of ‘Xiao Yao’ from the comfort of my own bed. It’s truly magical.

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ACTING - 5/5
Naturalness: 5/5
Characterization: 5/5
Chemistry: 5/5
Charisma: 5/5

Acting. God, where do I even start? I’ll toss it right out from the getgo: Seven Tan and Hou Minghao were an unexpected duo that somehow managed to sweep me off my feet. I’ll admit that I went into this drama without much expectations. I’ve never seen any of Seven Tan’s works. HMH is one of my favorite actors and is the one who sets the BAR for what acting SHOULD be. In the past, I’ve never really found anyone who could ‘match’ his level of skill, but Seven Tan completely changed my perspective. When you’re watching dramas, there is always one actor who’s delivering more than the other. Sometimes, you can see the discrepancy between their level of skill (it may be subtle or obvious), but I didn’t see that here at all. Seven Tan’s performance was natural. She is one of the few actresses who can act cute without giving the audience second hand embarassment. She breathed Xiao Yao’s bubbly, likeable character to life; HMH gave an impeccable performance that was able to capture Hong Ye’s gentleness and compelxity. Their chemistry is ‘fluctuant’ in the sense that they have good chemistry as friends off-screen, and ones as lovers when the lights turn back on. Their chemistry is not overt, but subtle and filled with tension. The drama itself is a slow-burn, probably almost pain-stakingly so for some people. However, this is precisely what allows their romance to progress naturally. Let me tell you. When I realized that this was taking that slow-burn route, I rejoiced: “Yes!! They’ll know eachother’s names when they kiss! They’ll know eachother’s names, everybody!” Both actors excel at micro expressions, and this is especially useful for slow-burn romances where you’re able to pick up on these subtle changes as the story progresses— how that initial, cold gaze belonging to a demon who has fortified his walls crumbles in the face of his destined one. I didn’t see the chemistry or vision at first, but over time, I got converted. I am now a member of the Seven Tan cult (and a long-standing member of the HMH one), and I can only thank Xiao Yao for pairing them up and allowing these two actors to showcase their abilities!

No complaints for the rest of the cast. Acting is not something you will have to worry about when watching this drama. Here, we have a lineup of seasoned actors and actresses who know how to act through their eyes, breathing their characters to life and delivering a convincing performance throughout.

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STORYLINE - 4.4/5

Premise: 4/5
Plot holes - 4/5
Flow - 4/5
Pacing - 4/5
Ending - 5/5
Predictability - 4/5
Relationship development - 5/5
Character development: 5/5
Worldbuilding: 5/5

Let’s hop onto the meat of the review, shall we?

News flash: this drama tethers on two extremes. When it’s sweet, it’s tooth-decayingly sweet. When it’s sad, it’s a soul-crushing blow. This drama made me cry bitterly, but it also made me smile in front of my laptop like an idiot.

Xiao Yao is what I would conider an ‘escapism grounded in reality’. The narrative sheds light on human nature and it’s various facets, toys with your moral compass, makes you doubt your own principles, and ultimately raises the question “who is truly in the wrong?”.

The essence of this drama, I find, is contained in this quote: “In todays world, have humans and demons truly become indistinguishable?”

The whole theme of demons vs humans is nothing new to xianxia and has always been a ‘black and white’ sort of debate. You will typically see humans portrayed as the good ones and demons as the bad ones (or vice versa), but this is my first time seeing a drama that makes it so both sides are equally flawed. In Xiao Yao, every character (no matter human or demon) has a reason behind their actions, and oftentimes, that ‘reasoning’ is identical. The lines become blurred, and the moment that veil of prejudice is lifted, you realize that the demons and humans are actually cut from the same cloth; instintiguishable from eachother.

A Chinese idiom I find is the ‘foundation’ for Xiao Yao’s plot is 冤冤相報 (Yuān yuān xiāng bào), which directly translates to "grievance upon grievance, mutual retribution." The complicated entanglements between the leads, and just the entire story in general, is just a deep-dive into what’s right and wrong, what’s considered just and unjust, and who is truly worthy of sympathy.

That being said, it’s hard to hate any character in this drama. Even the villains have souls, with the overarching ‘villain’ being quite whimsical and cute, such as Hei Wu.

Hei Wu is a compelling villain because, despite lacking a backstory, his personality and comedic adlibs makes a ‘flat’ character like him just as lovable as the others.

The plot is truly a wild-card. Just when you think they’re going to recycle all of the common tropes already explored in xianxia, they do something completely different. Xiao Yao’s plot is complex, layered, and isn’t the typical ‘3 lives’ theme explored in dramas like TMOPB. It may seem that way at first, but as the story progresses and the revelation finally hits you, you realized that you’ve been bamboozled. In that regard, this drama scores a moderate in predictability. It starts off predictable at first, but as the story gradually unfolds, you’d find that your deductions were wrong and that it’s going to take a completely different approach than what you originally thought.

Pacing-wise, it’s definitely on the slower side. This may deter those who aren’t a fan of slow burn romances, but as someone who goes rabid for that trope, I found that Xiao Yao delivers quite well in this aspect. The storyline is a perfect balance between character and plot, so even when the romance is seemingly lacking, the plot grips you enough so that watching doesn’t feel like a chore. That being said, the ‘slow’ aspect of the plot is not just a stylistic choice; it’s calculated and intentional.

Characters are also layered and well-written. We have a plethora of seemingly ‘irredeemable’ villains with the purest of souls, and ‘innocent’ characters who are hateful go the core. There are many characters, but I’d like to expand on a select few who stood out to me the most.

Bing Zhu is a morally-upright character who cycles through a dramatic character arc. He starts off as a character unshakeable in his principles to a man who eventually loses sight of them. BZ is compelling in this regard because he represents the ever-changing nature of the human heart, showing how it’s the most testable thing in this world. His characterization delves into the question: In the face of countless setbacks, who’s heart can remain eternally pure?

Xiao Yao is truly a remarkable and mature female lead who was strong willed from beginning to end. Her character doesn’t change much throughout the story, but she is in no way two-dimensional. She’s layered, entertaining, witty, and surprisingly relatable. Overall, I’d consider her to be the ‘constant’ who drives the plot forward. She is someone who navigates using both her heart and mind, governing with reason while never truly losing sight of her own beliefs. Overall, a very well written FL.

Hong Ye is the most complex and intriguing character of them all. If Xiao Yao is the constant, he’s the variable that is ever-changing. He goes through a series of major character arcs in which he gets pushed to hell and back, building his character. You see him get ‘beat into shape’, basically. He’s not good, he’s not bad, he’s the demarcation between black and white. His origin story is probably one of the best I’ve ever seen, and HMH did a great job at breathing his role to life. His character will definitely have a special place in my heart, and his story is one that’ll leave an everlasting impact on me. I won’t forget about him, that’s for sure.

The relationship between Hong Ye and Xiao Yao is pure and healthy (despite what they’ve been through). For once, I feel like I’m watching a drama where the two leads are actual adults— not some 12 and 16 year old. Communication isn’t a barrier here, no no. We have a couple who actually knows how to use their mouths to talk to eachother. When things go wrong, both the male and female lead know how to take the initiative in order to smooth things over, handling conflicts in a patient manner. You’re also not getting love triangles here, so theres no hair-pulling miscommunication in that aspect. All in all, I’m incredibly pleased with the way their relationship is portrayed. Miscommunication is fun when it’s in moderation. Sometimes, a healthy cp who knows how to talk to eachother is very much needed!

Good things aside, I just have a few complaints about the plot that I’ll throw out here. The pacing was slow and calculated for the first half, but sped up considerably towards the end. At some point, it did seem a bit rushed, but fortunately it anchored itself on the last few episodes. In addition, there were also some aspects of the plot that could’ve been resolved. Not ‘plot holes’ necessarily— just characters who deserved a bit more closure towards the end because their story either felt incomplete or ended too abruptly. Just tying up those loose ends, that’s all!

Finally, some people say that the drama ended off weak, but I would honestly say the opposite. It started off strong and ended just as strong. Sure, it was a bit rocky towards the end in terms of pacing, but I personally liked the ending a lot and found it to be incredibly thought-provoking. The ending is like: “If I could start from the very beginning, even if it meant overcoming those obstacles, I’d be willing to stake it all in one throw just to see you again” or “I am a protector of all beings, someone who is meant to be selfless— but for you, I am willing to be selfish for once.”

It’s been a while since I initially felt so conflicted with the ending, but after staring at the ceiling for a good hour after the final episode, I was like: “damn.. that was a good ending.”

Mind you, when i completed that final episode, I was pacing around my house with the occasional urge to say: “Damn! That ending was GOOD!” A part of me sees it as a combination of OE, BE, and HE. Ultimately, it depends on your perspective, but I just love reading other people’s narrative interpretations of the ending. There is a lot of food for thought.

It’s just.. this drama is one of those films that has such a unique storyline that it manages to stick with you for a long, long time (despite its flaws). It maps out a love so profound that it transcends time and space, as well as countless lifetimes.

Overall, I’d say the ending was closed and ‘perfect’ in my book— though it may not seem that way to others!

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EXPERIENCE: 5/5

God, I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve been this absorbed in a xianxia romance. Been in a bit of a drama slump, you see. Xiao Yao unexpectedly pulled me out of that rut. I revived my IQIYI membership to get a ‘taste’ of what this drama would entail, not knowing I’d sink into it completely. For the first time in a long time, I waited in anticipation for the episodes to release everyday, feasting on bite-sized content on 小红书 to curb my hunger in the meantime like Squidward begging for spare change on the sidewalk. That being said, no dull cliffhangers here. Every episode grips you and you’re left wanting more.

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SOUNDTRACK: 5/5
Variety: 5/5
How good it is: 4/5
How fitting it is: 5/5

I’m lost in the music. In fact, I’m throwing it back to ‘燃烬’ as we speak. What can I say? I’m just obsessed. The songs were properly placed, addictive as hell, and had me screaming ‘HONG YEEEEEEEE MY BABYYY HUHUHHHHHU’ at the top of my lungs— is that telling enough?

All in all, Xiao Yao is great if you’re looking to indulge in a high-fantasy drama with impeccable worldbuilding and emotional acting; a tight script that takes a ‘spin’ on a common romance trope; an ensemble of well-written, impressionable characters; all weaved into a thought-provoking narrative that will have you questioning your morals, principles, and existence in general.

Was it a masterpiece? Debatable, but Xiao Yao is one of the most memorable dramas of 2025-2026 for me and is one that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for some food for thought.

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A bit of magical impetus needed to effectively counter autocratic networking and corruption

"Again my Life" is about a personal revenge campaign and at the same time a fight for the rule of law. David is once again up against Goliath. In his first life, the young prosecutor fails - and dies. But miraculously he gets a second chance. Eventually, in this second attempt he sophisticatedly works on a supportive network. ´David´ no longer fights alone.

"Again My Life" is part of a kind of law-and-order series invasion that swept over the KDrama world in 2022. The country seems to be crying out for justice. There is obviously a growing urge for real justice and effective punishment for the backroom masterminds, who are holding the true strings of power. A yearning for an end to eternal corruption. At the same time, there is great frustration that it seems so extremely difficult, almost impossible, to truly say goodbye to the old autocratic structures. There are laws, but they still don't seem to equally apply to everyone. For some time already, KDrama creatives (and their sources like webtoons etc.) have been fervently exploring the possibilities for a new horizon. In 2022, however, we see an unprecedented abundance, almost a climax, on a desperate path of effectively and/or morally defying the machinations of the powerful and the injustices and loopholes within the practiced legal/societal system. E. g. "Military Prosecutor Doberman", "Juvenile Justice", "Why Her", "Insider", "Doctor Lawyer", "Law Cafe", "The Empire", "May it Please the Court", "One Dollar Layer" and even "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" mercilessly bombard the audience with the same basic structural problems over and over again. In doing so, in their own individual way they juggle with the possibilities, opportunities and limitations that the legal system and the rule of law have to offer. And so does "Again my Life".

"Again my Life" is one of those productions that, bottom-line, choose a rather sobering, almost pessimistic perspective. A pessimistic tone might come from the fact that the protagonist actually needs a magical impetus to even get a minimum chance to clean up the ailing, corrupt and mendacious system: with a second life. Time is practically turned back and he gets the opportunity to live once more - to make it better with the advantage of his knowledge about connections and context.
Pessimistic might also be the fact that in the end the outlook is a questionable one. The audience may be satisfied in many respects, yet the basic problem can´t be thoroughly resolved - which I would think is pretty close to reality. The audience is mercilessly confronted with the question: is real democracy an illusion? Is democracy just a modern marketing gimmick that secretly hides the old concept of autocracy that has been tried and tested on the peninsula for centuries? A new, beautified skin for the old wine?

Is the message therefore a pessimistic one? Almost, but then no. Because even if it feels (and really) requires rather superhuman efforts (or circumstances) to counter the old autocratic domination effectively, it can individually still succeed. The evil resides in each individual human being - in our seductibility and venality. Everyone has to face that. Again and again. It's not something that's rooted in the system, but in people. People fill community with life. Everyone contributes to it. This is partake and participation. However, this is only possible with mature, responsible, self-responsible, upright citizens who cannot be bought - and thus degraded to bowed lackeys.
Autocrats (= powerful private individuals within the given democratic framework conditions) need appropriate lackeys who give them power by supporting them in undermining the existing legal system. Therefore: what may come across as a pessimistic message at second glance turns out to be a rousing warning finger: Be vigilant! Stay alert! Do not give up! Take your chance, every day! Prove to yourself that you are a sincere citizen: Self-determined. Independent. Responsible. This is the only way, democracy and the rule of law can actually work. Otherwise, we agree with those self-proclaimed autocrats - and then we don't have a right to grumble and complain... Against this background, "Again my Life" offers a compelling, exciting story and at the same time a vivid lesson in 'responsible citizens versus corrupt lackeys'.

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Powerful first half, unsatisfying second half.

I hopped on the hype train when I saw all those 10/10 reviews, but this certainly did not live up to the expectations for me. Here are my thoughts after watching the drama, as a dissenting opinion to all the 10s in the reviews. I would recommend watching Flower of Evil, but don't expect too much like I did.

The first few episodes set the stage for the story, leaving you wondering what each characters' motivations are. However, as the drama progressed, new characters were introduced and they start to become plot devices just to push the story forward. Without spoiling too much of the plot, I felt like the damsel in distress sister and the comatose guy had highly convenient relationships with the main cast that would just be ridiculous in reality. Also, the whole human trafficking side plot was unnecessary...

There is some suspense of belief required here, as this is absolutely NOT a realistic drama. Of the several crime/police dramas I have watched before, this does not rank high. If you're watching this merely for Lee Joon ki, Lawless Lawyer has a much better and believable drama structure. I understand the need in Dramaland for some coincidences, but this drama has one too many. After a few near-death experiences, trapping Lee Joon ki in a burning building doesn't make my heart race anymore because you know that he is effectively immortal in Dramaland anyway. Skip 20 seconds of burning building footage and his wife will magically appear and save him. Towards the end, I also found myself skipping the romantic scenes to get to the end of the story. I just wanted to know how the good guys and bad guys stories end, and everything else was filler to me. Blame the writer for writing it this way, but there has to be a better way to cause conflict.

Overall, I agree with the consensus that the cinematography and directing was superb. However, the writing was a bit questionable, as it got pretty repetitive later on. If you're new to police dramas, there are much better ones than this. If you're looking for a melo disguised as a thriller, there are also better ones out there. Once you've watched those, come back for this one - it's not bad, but definitely not worth a 10.

*SPOILER*
Throughout the entire drama, I felt like the idea that Do Hyun su is not a bad guy is forced down our throats. Everyone's actions are very one-dimensional - all the police were always against the homicidal monster, while Hyun su's side was continuously trying to drive the narrative that serial killing does not run in the family. While the premise was interesting pre-watch, I think it got tiring towards the end when it was the exact same Good vs. Evil trope.

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Be Passionately in Love was a drama with a good core storyline but ruined by lazy writing, poor dialogues and disconnected screenplay.. Even the dubbing was bad.. The one redeeming factor was Wang An Yu..

The first half was very disappointing.. It just didn’t connect with me.. Once again the issue was lazy writing.. This drama could have been salvaged easily if the writer had simply done his job with a bit more effort.. The no kiss issue only added to the drama’s problems.. I heard Liu Hao Cun had a no kiss clause in her contract.. But there is no official confirmation yet.. If that’s true she honestly shouldn’t have been cast in this role.. What is she doing in a drama literally titled Be Passionately in Love if she can’t kiss?? It just felt inauthentic. It’s true that passion doesn’t necessarily require kissing or intimate scenes.. But this drama was already lacking and abrubtly cutting those moments didn’t help its case at all..

The second half was definitely stronger than the first and the last few episodes were genuinely good..

All that said.. I still liked the drama.. Yes, it fails in execution.. But I appreciated it for what it tried to be.. A story about two teens dealing with realistic problems.. Family issues, uncertain futures and misunderstandings caused by a lack of maturity.. Another highlight for me was the absence of the usual annoying SMLs, Creepy characters hitting on people already in relationships, forced breakups and last minute patch ups.. It was clear they didn’t want to rely on the typical overused tropes and I genuinely appreciated that.. It even had strong, well written supporting characters..

“What I want might be a bit greedy..
It’s a passionate and unwavering love.. One of a kind.
It has to be just me.”

Wang Anyu really needs to consider changing his agency or start being more selective with scripts himself.. Because this isn’t the way to build a solid career.. His last few dramas haven’t been particularly impressive and that’s unfortunate given his potential.. Hopefully his upcoming roles will reflect the kind of actor he is capable of being..

Overall, Its a good drama if you can look past the shortcomings in the writing and screenplay.. Like I said earlier, the absence of the usual overused tropes was refreshing and that alone makes it worth a watch for those tired of overly familiar cliches..

P.S.. I totally respect her choice but I hope Liu Hao Cun stays away from dramas with romance as the main plot..

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loved this!! I think this was the only series wherein I liked all the characters even the antagonists!! Almost all of the main characters were so smart and wise that it was so entertaining to watch their political wars and power struggles especially Deokman's and Mishil's fight for the throne. At first, I didn't like the character of Deokman but as the story progressed, I found myself admiring her and cheering for her success.

I only have two complaints for this drama though; first was the romance side of it. I didn't really like the characters that were paired with her. I didn't hate them, I just found myself rooting for an alcheon x deokman pairing all throughout even though I very well knew that it wouldn't happen. Hehe... Anyway, I'm just in the minority so you might actually like the love story part of it since most people do. :)

My 2nd complaint was the ending. I just think that they could have ended it better. I know the number of episodes was actually extended from its original plan but somehow the ending felt a little rushed and it seemed like there were missing scenes that should have been shown.

However, all in all, I think this was a great historical drama that left a deep impression on me. Plus, the soundtrack is good! It added to the tension and excitement of the drama!

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" Extracurricular " had an interesting story, but there were many flaws for this drama that lessen the enjoyment.

Though the issues that extracurricular is dealing with are not the typical korean school drama presents, even though the angst, drama and having the character hit a low point is part of the korean drama repertoire, the drama did a good job with dealing with them, keeping the pace fast and the cinematography dark and moody. So, the idea was there and so were the elements to make a good psychological thriller, however, the drama didn't succeed in doing so.

First of all, the characters, not all of them, but the main ones, were annoying. Actually, the leading lady was unlikable and not easy to root for, in a drama were you have to like the criminals. The main character was a bit too toned down, with the title of genius being only a tag that followed him, but in reality, or, at least as far as the drama showed us, he was just a boy with a good idea, but lonely and in a desperate situation. The characters overall were acting way too mature for their age and it was difficult to be believable.

Second of all, the drama had its boring moments. The whole action thing got tiring to watch after it followed one twist after the other and the frustrating moments were too much. And yet, somehow, they managed to get the interest hit low beats towards the end. However, the ending was nicely managed. The performances, also, were brilliant from everyone in the cast, even though most of them are young actors.

So, overall, six out of ten.

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From Obsession to Disappointment... That's the plot and my review

In the beginning, I became quickly obsessed with "Nevertheless," even during the torturous wait each week for only one new episode. This series is short so things move pretty fast in the beginning and it's clear that the subject matter is more adult and risqué than usual. What started out as a realistic look at a messy, addictive, and super toxic relationship turned into a much safer story that I lost interest in. This drama struggles with the idea of exploring non-traditional, and non-idealistic relationships while still wanting to play it safe and not cross too many lines. This drama had the potential to be cautionary but sadly turned into another love triangle cliché.

The best thing about this drama is definitely the chemistry between the leads. Han So Hee as the recently heartbroken Na Bi and Song Kang as the manipulative Jae Eon are definitely sexy as a duo. I also admit that Na Bi is annoying at times. Also, even though she is the main lead, she has the least interesting personality of the entire cast, even when listening to her inner monologues. I hated seeing her same wide-eyed expression over and over. Still Na Bi was also super relatable. If you have ever been in a toxic relationship with a narcissist you can probably understand Na Bi and her struggle between doing what she knows she should vs what she can't help but desire. Song Kan is perfectly cast as the charming baby-faced bad boy Jae Eon. His confident smirk is enough to make him very believable as the guy everyone wants, and the guy who can get away with doing whatever he wants. He gave me chills because I definitely know some "Jae Eons" and had my own struggles with one. If you ever come across one, run away and save yourself. Believe me! lol! Sadly in the later episodes, his character shifts in a way that made no sense and his performance seemed much more fake and forced, and Na Bi barely had a character arc.

As for the supporting cast, this drama does a great job of spotlighting other relationships that are just as interesting as the leads. My only issue is that I felt a little cheated when those other relationships weren't as fully explored. It was clear that there was only so far this drama was willing to go with each story, but the performances were still great, and the couples were cute.

Of course, I have to mention the all-star of this drama, the infamous "Potato Boy". Chae Jong Hyeop as Yang Do Hyuk is the 2nd lead MVP that dreams are made of. He's cute, he has a sweet smile, he's understanding, he can cook! If you love "shipping" the underdog Potato Boy will not disappoint. He was exactly the boost the main couple needed before they got too boring and repetitive. I'm also currently watching him in "The Witch's Diner" and he definitely has the potential to become a new favorite of mine. I can't wait to see him star in a full 16 episode drama.

Would I watch this again? I'm torn. I think there are definitely some scenes I could rewatch in the early episodes but the payoff was so disappointing that I probably wouldn't. I liked the characters but not enough to want to revisit them. So much about this drama is about awkwardness so it's not exactly a fun rewatch either. I also had zero interest in the art scenes besides the 2 art pieces that bookend the story. Since Art is what connects all of these characters, that's not a good thing. At least they didn't stretch the story out to make it longer. I maybe even could have been shorter.

Overall this drama should have been much better but playing it too safe was its downfall. I know many romance dramas promote unrealistic scenarios, and I don't want to give away anything, but I feel guilty recommending this drama because it may give people too much false hope in a way that could be damaging. Maybe I am too personally biased about the situation, but it still felt a little irresponsible by the end, and It seems the ending is different than the webtoon version (which I am excited to check out). I thought I might love this drama, but instead, those feelings didn't even last for the full 10 episodes. Nevertheless, I have no regrets and I'm glad I watched it.

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