Reviews

you better put your rose-colored glasses on for this one guys

Let's set the scene.

Imagine you are a teenager, just discovering BL and watching a show called Until We Meet Again and you fall in love with a little side couple called WinTeam. And there are rumours that they will get their own show!? The years go by and you still harbour the hope that maybe, just maybe they will get another chance at telling their story again. And then, it happens. News breaks out. Between Us is happening! It is actually happening. You mark your calender and count the days, actively following the countdown on the company's instagram. You stumble over the cast and are little shocked to find five (!) couples listed in there, but you tell yourself it's gonna be fine. You waited three years for this, they know what they are doing. And finally on Nov 6th, the first episode airs. You are thrilled. And you think this show actually managed to live up to the insane hype it gathered over the past few years. Can it be? A show that actually can live up to someone's expectations? And then you keep watching and a few weeks later, you suddenly catch yourself fast forwarding through an episode of your beloved show and you stop and ask yourself: What happened?

If you think to yourself: Wow, this reviewer didn't have to ramble so much in such great detail to tell us this story, it got boring pretty fast. Well, then I guess this show and I have something in common.

Sometimes the best stories are the one's untold. What makes Goncharov so good is that it doesn't exist. And maybe what made WinTeam so popular is the fact that they got just enough screen time to get viewers interested but never enough to give us something. But I'm rambling again.

This show is said to start with Win and Team entering a FWB situation. But the writers, directors, or whoever is to blame for this, didn't seem to know what the key factor of a friends with benefits story is, it's the friends part. They are friends first. Friends before anything else. But Win and Team were barely aquaintances before they hooked up. That's why I think FWB set different expectations that were impossible to fulfill. If you'd ask me I would describe their relationship as a one-night-stand that slowly turned into casual hook-ups with no emotions, then they got to know each other and became friends and developed feelings for each other afterwards. If they had labeled it as such, I'm sure more people would've set their expectations accordingly. There was never a line that got a little too blury for them between being friends and being in a relationship, because they were never friends to begin with.

This show also had a massive time problem. I already mentioned the five couples, one of which only get's blick-and-you'll-miss-it screen time, which is fair because they got their own show already. For the other four well... To summarize it: Wayy too much time was wasted and there was too much back and forth that led to the ending feeling rushed.

Win and Team: Okay, let me be straightforward for once, they could not carry 12 episodes. The beginning was strong, but towards the middle they became more boring. If took these guys 11 out of 12 episodes to finally confess their love for each other. That only gave us one episode with them being happily and sort-of openly in a relationship. And I wish BLs would stop pretending that after you enter a relationship everything is perfect and your get a HEA. I want to see them get together AND how they work in a relationship.

Team's "does he like me or does he treat everyone like that?" didn't make any sense. In UWMA yes, maybe. But not in Between Us where my man was out here leaving his room unlocked for his teammember to come in the middle of the night and sleep in his bed. He was making him breakfast, paying for his lunch, taking care of him when he got sick, driving to his dead cousin's grave to pick him up in the middle of the night while it's pouring, and a bunch of other stuff (not to mention that he literally said something about his FEELIGNS FOR HIM). And Team looked us straight in the eyes and said "yeah but maybe he does it for everyone"??????? ARE THESE OTHER PEOPLE HE'S DOING IT FOR IN THIS ROOM WITH US RIGHT NOW??? And Win too like "nothing every belonged to me, I always had to share" my guy this is not a Barbie doll or your favorite jumper, this is another human being. I'm sorry that you as well suffer from being the Middle ChildTM but pLEASE.

Speaking of which, I would've loved to see not only Team's trauma, but also Win's struggle with trying to please both his parents and supporting his siblings.

Prince and Bee: Their scene felt so out of place, like they gave off such different vibes that I was always so violently taken out of the story every time they appeared on the screen. They were cute, yes, but the acting was lacking. With a little more experience they will make a great couple. I also partly blame the material they had to work with. They couldn't get me invested. Sadly, because the concept was interesting. Also, if my friends would constantly make fun of me, I would not consider them my friends. I'm so over the friend group just being complete assholes to the guy and it never being called out. Saying that a guy is out of his league is one thing but to constantly rub it in his face and make fun of him for trying to make an effort to get with the guy and calling him dumb and whatnot, A and Sea were truly a waste of my time.

Waan and Tul: Probably the side couple I was most intruiged by. They got like five minutes of screen time every other episode and it was not utilised at all. They spent too much time on them talking to their phones. You tell me that Waan who told Tul multiple times "I don't want to meet you in rl" had the audacity to blame him for not telling him immediately that he was T-Rex??? And for some reason Waan hates liars so much that he is not even ready to hear Tul out but we never find out why??? Their story was so intruiging and I liked their chemistry. And the NC scene in ep 12 UFF what happened my dudes? I don't know if it's Yacht or O being uncomfortable kissing men or if it's the directing or idk. But it was really awkward and happened way too fast. We just had the big fight between them and they are already making up in the next episode. Give me at least a few minutes of angst and pining, jesus.

Manaow and Phruek: Oh what trist and grey show we would've gotten without them. While I wasn't sold on them in UWMA, I was definitely on board with them in Between Us. Sammy has a great on-screen presence and I love her energy. Even though I gotta say that I wish they would allow Manaow to be a little more serious sometimes, because Sammy can do serious scenes, but the constant over-acting was getting on my nerves a bit. Especially when it was used for cheap comic relief.

Wiew is a ray of sunshine and I'm glad he was added to the cast. But it seemed like he was a middle schooler rather than a high schooler, because he was acting like a child, not a teenager. His naivity was bordering on stupidity a few times, but Santa has a certain charm that makes you overlook it.

I wish this show would've cut down on WinTeam's drama a bit and maybe a couple or two and use this time instead to show us more of the friend group. I missed Team, Pharm, and Manaow so much and the little crumbs we got of them was everything to me.

Between Us feels very 2019 to me, even though this show tried to make some changes and adjust. And I was on board with some of the changes (most noteably the sheer amount of CONSENT LIKE YESS!) but not so much with others. Like New tried to recreate UWMA. Instead of P'Deeeaaan we got Hiiaaaa, ever other second. And now Team is suddenly scared of intimancy and doesn't like kissing his boyfriend for...reasons and he seemed to whine a lot more. And Win is suddenly no longer the flirty, grinning, always down for a joke type of guy but very serious and overprotective of Team. This show tried so hard to be UWMA, but it's not and therefore it didn't hit as much as it could've. Because the passion was there, you could feel the love of the cast members who put their heart into this show. That makes it even more sad that Pharm and Manaow and their friendship with Team felt more like an afterthought, since they got pretty much sidelined with their boyfriends. I did appreciate it though that Win got some bro-love from his two besties.

After seeing a lot of BLs directed by New, I think it's save to say that I just don't vibe with him. I don't know what he's doing but it's not it for me. On top of that I just disagree with his stance on NC scenes. The shade he has thrown at them just doesn't sit right with me. He acts as if Nc scene are inherently something dirty to be ashamed of. And if that's what he thinks, than the problem is him. And I wish he would just get over himself and leave high heat projects alone and get himself some BL scripts that are "pure" and have almost no heat in it. So everyone can be happy. Alas, he seems to get so many stories with interesting concepts (and with a high heat source material).

While we still haven't fully moved past the stereotypical portrayal of a gay relationships, we now get more shows that portray the two parties as equally in love and not one having to constantly chase the other. And excuse me, I have to get this off my chest: IF I HAVE TO WATCH ONE MORE SHOW WHERE ONE PARTY (USUALLY THE YOUNGER/SMALLER ONE) OF AN ALREADY ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP SEEMS TO DISLIKE KISSING THEIR BOYFRIEND IN THE COMFORT OF THEIR OWN HOME WITH NO ONE WATCHING I WILL LOSE IT!!!

PS: To like the five people who have not watched Until We Meet Again before watching Between Us, I'm sorry. Seeing Pharm and Dean having a cameo every other episode with little to no context of what the heck is going on must have been confusing as hell. You are truly stronger than I am.

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Everything about this drama is remarkable!!!

This drama got me hooked since day one, and there are various reasons for it:
1) Amazing plot - The plot is completely new,at least for me. The story has developed very well and at also the right pace. It is one of the kinds where you'll probably die out of curiosity trying to imagine what the next episode would be like. I laud the person/people who came with such a story.
2) Remarkable actors - Son Ye Jin was the reason why I started this. But now Hyun Bin has me wrapped around his finger. Seo Ji Hye and Kim Jung Hyun are also brilliant. Everyone's acting is so good, that it feels the roles were written for them.
3) The chemistry between the characters - This is also one of the reasons why I waited for the drama so patiently every week. The chemistry is so good and it makes me ship them way too much.
4) Supporting Cast - The supporting cast has done a splendid job, in fact the entire cast. The scenes involving them have been written really well, you don't wanna skip any scene. Kudos y'all!!!
5) OSTs -I love each and every one of them and I can't help but listen to them all the time. They're all very good!!

All I have to say is, if you're looking a unique story with amazing actors wrapped up together with soothing OSTs, you should most definitely give this a try. :)

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They'll Make You Wish You're in This Kind of Relationship

All the actors and actresses did a good job in acting and chemistry. Story comes with good pacing and relatable situations. Personally for me, the relationship between the female lead with her father, reminds me of my own.

But it's not all sad, don't worry. It has tons of comedy too. I guess besides the script, we have to thank the editing for that. Oh my, I laughed so hard, especially at the bar scene in episode 1.

And of course it has romance. Tbh I'm not really into romance as they tend to be cheesy. But here the romance is not boring, it's cute and sweet (that you wish you had this kind of relationship).

Ost are all very good, the lyrics are really sweet, I love them all. Cinematography is well done too. Tbh first I felt weird about the close up shot of the leads from front, because they almost or actually look at the camera, but later I think it gives different nuance, like you can see their face, their eyes clearly and it suddenly feels like you're the one falling in love haha

Must watch, really.

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One of the Best Sapphic Adaptations till Date!

Set in the 1950s, “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” delivers a classic retelling of two Korean art forms- Gukgeuk and Pansori.

I spend a lot of time learning the intricacies of these two folk arts, which are quite liberal and intriguing as compared to those in my motherland. For those unaware, Pansori is Korean genre of musical storytelling performed by a singer and a drummer, where the singer tells the story by singing and the drummer accompanies her on the drum. Incorporating this aspect into Gukgeuk was the main highlight of this show, which refers to a theatrical performance that combines singing and dancing. In post war era, Gukgeuk was extremely popular and women portrayed men’s roles. In short, it was an all female- production which had a cult following from the 1950s to 1960s, after which it rapidly declined due to the rise of films. “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” delivers a subtle romance with homoerotic tones. Adapted from the webtoon “Jeong Nyeon” (정년이) written by Seo Irae (서이레) and illustrated by Namon (나몬), the original storyline was a sapphic love story. Even though the show is a censored adaptation, the all-women ensemble renders itself useful in maintaining the sapphic flavors.

Read the complete article here-

https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/11/18/jeongnyeon-the-star-is-born-series-review/#more-1325

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KOREAN BL DOMINATING 2022 !!

This show was perfection and the cinematography and chemistry of the actors were top tier. The chemistry between the two leads is breath taking... the kisses are intimate... this deals with so much like depression, knowing your worth and the struggles to be considered ''beautiful'' by societies standards.. I connected with this show so much.
The people complaining about this show dropping all episodes at once and saying it will effect it's popularity is so ridiculous.. tell that to every netflix show that all episodes are released at once.. if a show is good enough it will eventually build... YOUNG ROYALS premiered with ZERO fanfare or noise or promotion... and it gained a rabid fanbase in months. so what you're saying is if they put the 11 episodes into a movie format and ppl could watch it in one sitting it would take away from the show being successful ? I don't agree with that.. I watched it in one sitting and actually enjoyed this rather than watching one episode per week.

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extremely dissapointing

I am sorry but I am shook the ratings for this show are so high. The plot has very little substance and it seems unsure of what direction to take. MC was an elite student then suddenly becomes a violent guy who doesn't beat people with his smarts he just beats them by grabbing the nearest weapon. I thought he was going to do some Sherlock Holmes, brains over brawl kind of thing but nope. That can't even be considered character development, that's a 180 change in personality with no explanation. Had high hopes for this series based on reviews but was shockingly disappointed.

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just another fluffy drama

The trailer and the advertisements leading up to this show gave me very high expectations. I like yangyang and reba, they are honestly very good looking which I felt was the thing that gave this show its popularity boost. Acting-wise, it's all fine, no extraordinary emotional scenes or anything but that's not on them, it's on the script.

Do not expect a deep or emotional slice of life type of plot. This is simplicity at its finest, full on fluff for the majority of the episodes. I like that there aren't any ridiculous misunderstandings or annoying exes and the couple communicates well. Plotwise, I felt like there were too many unnecessary romantic scenes which other than satisfying cp fans, serve absolutely no purpose in the storyline. I think they are cute but sometimes, it's really too much. Even yangyang was shocked at the extent they have to go to in the behind the scenes footages. To be honest, the plot is very unrealistic and doesn't fully depict the lives of 30 years olds (even more so for an aerospace engineer and big celebrity) but take it with a pinch of salt that this is meant to be a very fluffy romcom. It's just that with all the anticipation building up for this drama, I expected a LOT more... this wasn't exciting or interesting, just very romantic.

I would recommend this if you're looking for a chill fluffy visual explosion drama that doesn't require thinking. But if you are expecting an intricate plot or emotion laden scenes then this is not for you.

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A minority of one here

I can understand the praise which all the other reviewers shower on various aspects of this series. The cinematography. The acting. The writing. The music. From a thoroughly dispassionate standpoint, I am able to give "good" ratings to some of those dimensions too. Anyhow, I leave it to The Shipper's many enthusiastic fans to praise it to the skies, as they do. But I found the series so intensely disagreeable that my feelings of shock and unease will probably stay with me a long time whenever I think of The Shipper. In brief, it gives us a very weird message about life and death, and a bitterly homophobic account of human love. The one and only love story here is a heterosexual love story about a girl trapped in a male body. This might lead to an interesting exploration of trans identity, or an attempt to look at a non-binary self-understanding. But no. She's in a male body, that's all, and the nature of the relationship is utterly conventional heterosexual girl/boy romance. As for the same-sex possibility here (no point even referring to the concept of "BL"), it is literally killed off, stone dead. There is no chance of love between males, the storyline seems to say - it's doomed. Fatal. Something which has to be terminated, erased. As happens here. The only way love could exist between two seemingly male persons, the series tells us, is when one of them in reality is a woman - meaning it's not really any sort of "m/m" relationship at all. It's a hideous and cruel message and it's what this whole series is based on. Hence my low rating. Yes, I should have abandoned it long, long ago. And I did. But I came back to see how it ended. I'm sorry I did.

Footnote: I realise I am not in a minority of one. Fortunately. There are a couple of other discerning viewers who were equally alert to, and dismayed by, the crude homophobic message conveyed by The Shipper. Meanwhile, however, I've read the other reviews here, and I'll say that I'm - well, intrigued. One could say they exhibit a ... striking unity. First of all, there are a great many of them. A huge number of reviews. All for The Shipper. OK, very well. This suggests that it was an exceptionally popular series, watched by a very high number of viewers. Was it? I'm not sure I got that impression ... Next: many, if not most, of the reviews are rather close to identical. They seem to follow a set formula. Read along, and you'll quickly get the picture. The reviewer immediately announces that the series isn't "BL" - and always finds space to make some dismissive comment about BL fans. Then we're told that The Shipper is a vastly superior product - with more than a few reviewers going out of their way to pour scorn on BL, yaoi, m/m romance, LGBT material etc. Next, they tell you that this series is an edifying moral lesson, or a series of inspiring moral messages. Finally, they award it a series of 9s and 10s.

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This show is fantastic; it's something new. This is among, if not the best, kdrama I have ever watched. Although I do have a few sentiments to share: (1) The show had an extremely strong beginning, however somewhere in the middle, it felt lukewarm. It did pick up again eventually. (2) I almost dropped it out of annoyance towards Yi Seo because of her obsessive tendencies and unnecessarily rude attitude. I had to continuously remind myself that she was sociopathic to rationalize the way that she was acting. One thing I cannot forget, however, is the scene where she kissed Saeroyi without his knowledge. That was creepy and unneeded. I would remove that, if I could. (3) There was a lack of romantic development between Yi Seo and Saeroyi. I wish the build up were shown more gradually and naturally because I never really figured out when Saeroyi started feeling differently. Was Saeroyi already lovestruck when Yi Seo confessed her feelings? If not, then when did he fall inlove? I don't know. I don't know if it was done purposely as romance is not the storyline's focus, but the romance between the two came out forced.

Despite what I've said, I absolutely loved watching this. It was a wild ride, and it made me feel so intensely. It isn't surface level. It is above and beyond Saeroyi's relationship with Yi Seo. In fact, it tackles many aspects of being human exceptionally - the importance of bonds, the sturdiness we should possess in hardship, the search for meaning, the effort it takes to abide by our principles, the way that everything else gets clouded in pursuit of something, the effect of upbringing to one's viewpoints, self-interest, dehumanization. Not to mention it also touches societal issues such as racism, bullying, and the scorn that transgenders receive. It's just so well-made and well-executed. Moreover, the casting is simply outstanding, both the protagonists and antagonists are effective. They give full justice to their roles.

All the characters are flawed, and while they are unconventional, they are also substantial. They are oftentimes irritating, self-serving, and unreasonable - but that's what makes them all the more enthralling. While they undoubtedly manifest all these qualities, they continue to move forward, gasping, struggling, improving themselves in their own way, seeking for reasons to continue on, even if their reasons are repugnant, such is life.

The plot encapsulates being human in such a spectacular way, and I truly admire that. You would find yourself disagreeing with plenty of things. You would encounter absurd worldviews. You would question your own morals. And you won't even notice it, but you would find yourself engrossed and attached. The flow, the storytelling, the dialogues, the OSTs - everything is impeccable. The ending was pure satisfaction.

Needless to say, watching this has been a great pleasure to me. Give this show a chance to prove that it deserves the hype.

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I’m Your Sky & You’re My Sea.

Game recognises game, and my man LEE, has GAME! The boy had 6mins, 41secs (yes I counted) and some nonsense line about the moon and walking or something and he worked!! Effortlessly. *Standing ovation* the real MVP. Also, that scene in ep8 almost gave me a heart-attack. I was screaming, ‘Noooo P’Fah do not put our cute fluffy boo-boo’s hand there!’ LMAO, for a second I think we all forgot this show was from Domundi and they real thirsty over there.

Listen, real talk, what’s in the water over at Domundi? Beauty juice, anyone? Do their dramas make me cringe, yes, do I keep rewatching? hell yes! One thing I’ll give them though, their dramas may be cringy but their face cards would never decline. In the first episode I was like, ‘are these models or actors?’ where the normal ugly looking humans at? where my people who roll up to school like we got ran over by a truck on the way?

Anyway, here’s my quick review checklist:

#1. Episode 1 had me rolling my eyes, judging. I literally said to myself. ‘Oh great, another childish show with nonsense plot. Literally what’s with all that cringe over a damn shirt? Give it a rest already.’ But by episode 3 my arse was going ‘ahhhhh why are they so cuteeeeeeeeeee. Sunday, where the eff you at? Come early!’

#2. The creepy vibes from Oh was so strong, like damn dude did you take extra courses for this or what? Thank God he disappeared halfway through the series and we all just forgot about him. He’s probably out there following that one dude who showed him kindness and still being creepy. #savethatonedude.

#3. Hia had me rolling my eyes after Real confessed his feelings. This child gave me a headache. Dude, you’ve been touchy touchy with your best friend and initiating stuff since episode 1, and now you wanna play Mary the virgin? Then of course, he’d make out with Real, and still say he’s not sure about his feelings. If only I could reach into the screen and slap him with a rubber chicken. No, every time he opens his mouth to lie about his feelings I go, ‘my brother, my brother, my brother, let us have peace. Go sit somewhere with your nonsense.’ Ain't no way his arse was still confused after that third kiss. Heck they should have married after that second kiss.

#4. Not gonna lie, I was bored the first few episodes, almost dropped this. And that one cringy scene where Rak shouted Fah’s name during that football game. Ahhhhh, I wanted to find some nice earth, dig a deep hole and just, lie inside. The secondhand embarrassment I felt...yikes. Man was out there having his High School Musical moment, and I wanted to disappear on his behalf.

#5. Also what the hell is up with Rak, a uni student acting like a child? Was he cute, sure, but what grown up acts like that? Bls needs to stop letting grown ups act so childish, it’s really unbecoming and nonsense.

#6. PUNLEE IS THE MAN: There was no nonsense on his part. He sees it, he likes it, he wants it, he gets it. I wish he’d have taught Hia a thing or fifteen, dude was wasting screen time with his nonsense.

#7. I did not care for the stupid misunderstandings from both the main and second leads. Especially that whole sequence with the confession at the airport. Boy you did not even wait to hear an answer and ran away to sulk at some abandon parking lot. Like??? Let us to be serious in this life people.

#8. The shock I got when Fah took Rak’s hand and led it south. I was like. ’NOOOOOO, not the baby, he’s not ready. He’s too innocent, please don’t do that! Stop it!’ Loved that he saw he wasn’t ready and stopped. The breath I let out. Fast forward to ep12, and I am singing 'The innocence is goneeeee.' Like, what angle was that even?

#9. Though, FAH did not waste 1 single second the moment Rak said he was ready. LMAO, my man was hungry!!! Rak grew up too fast. Tears. But it was done really sweet and beautiful, and it turned out Rak was not as innocent as I assumed.

#10. Episode 11 was so emotional. I went through anger, tears, understanding, then happiness for the two. We need to retire this whole episode 11 curse. For the love of all things bl, please, stop breaking our hearts!

#11. I repeat, PUNLEE IS THE MAN: For that one cafe scene alone, he’s officially my fav bl character of 2025.

12. FINALE: Everyone got their happy ending, so smiles all around for our couples. Liked how Rak's father apologised to Fah, and how mature Fah was about everything. Like how Rak sister has been supportive of him throughout this drama as well. That scene with Rak and Fah was... yeah innocence don't live here no more. Lee still the man! Hia and Real, about effing time.

#13. That theme song always had me doing a happy dance.

All in all. I enjoyed the stories of all the couples, they were entertaining even with the cliches and unnecessary misunderstanding. The plot wasn’t anything new or special, it’s been done in other bls. Fake dating turns real. The cast being new was noticeable, cuz the acting was nothing to write home about, so there’s a lot of room for improvement, but they still managed to hold my attention and kept me entertained so it was not time wasted. I will recommend this to anyone looking for a new bl to watche, especially Domundi lovers. It’s cute and fluffy and serious in some parts. I look forward to more from the cast.

Anywho, see you all for the next Domundi drama, my arse will tune in for anything Domundi.

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Whispers of Fate: A Masterclass in Visual Grandeur and Emotional Depth (10/10)

"Whispers of Fate" is a breathtaking wuxia drama that transcends the genre, establishing itself as a pinnacle of production quality and performance. Anchored by Luo Yunxi’s mesmerizing portrayal of Tang Lici (A'Li), the series is an absolute triumph that combines high-end fantasy visuals with a deeply complex and moving narrative.

The drama’s aesthetic appeal is immediate and stunning. The artistry in the costuming, especially for Tang Lici, is unparalleled. From the contrasting beauty of the black and white wig to the rich colors and intricate details of his elaborate robes, every ensemble is a work of art, enhancing the character's mysterious allure. These visuals, coupled with the truly gorgeous settings and anime-like CGI, elevate every action sequence and magical display, making the world feel expansive and alive.

Yet, the true core of the drama lies in its characters, particularly Tang Lici. Much like Tantai Jin in Till The End of The Moon, Tang Lici is a figure of immense complexity and so many layers. Luo Yunxi’s acting is nothing short of a masterclass. He seamlessly navigates the character's duality: the cunning cultivator, the composed martial artist, and, strikingly, the wild little fox with big, innocent eyes.

His ability to convey profound internal turmoil a storm of pain and doubt beneath a calm exterior is captivating. In scenes of intense emotion, like the raw, childish outbursts, his tear-filled eyes and trembling lips deliver a masterclass in human vulnerability. It truly feels as though Tang Lici was a role specially crafted for him; it's impossible to imagine anyone else inhabiting the character so completely.

The story, penned by the same author as The Lotus Casebook, weaves a compelling and suspenseful narrative focused on themes of love, power, and the high price of choices. While brotherhood and intrigue are central, the subtle, meaningful glances and nuanced expressions between the leads add a delicate, fluttering layer of romance. The supporting cast is equally strong, each member bringing their own flavor without overshadowing the central conflict.

While one might wish for slightly more natural special effects or a tighter edit in certain arcs, these are minor quibbles in the face of such overwhelming quality. "Whispers of Fate" is a drama full of beauty, smart writing, and Luo Yunxi’s truly fantastic acting. It is a must watch for fans of high end fantasy and complex character studies.

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I didn’t think I’d like this, but I really did

I’ve watched so many college BLs. And just when I thought I couldn’t possibly be satisfied by yet another 2 young and dumb boys … I SOMEHOW LOVE THIS!

The story of Kluen and Daonuea is a classic tale of meeting your high school crush after entering college and falling in love with them (all over again). Variations of this plot have been done to death – recall 2moons, 2gether and Bad Buddy? OK, so the plot isn’t terribly original, but so what?

I think Joong and Dunk have created a pretty solid product together with their chemistry. It’s always the chemistry that makes or breaks a typical plot or trope.

The entire show is a string of misunderstandings that could have been averted if they were brave enough to speak plainly from the start. But as the web gradually untangles and their feelings for each other are uncovered, this frustrating rollercoaster ride turns out to be quite lovely and rewarding after all.

Yes, this is yet another college BL. And one day, maybe this high school sweetheart plot will well and truly go extinct. But not this time. And until then, please take it from me: Go watch Star In My Mind.

My full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/05/27/star-in-my-mind-bl-review/

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Warning BL CLICKBAIT, played more like a Bromance

I was in total disbelief when i saw Tine crying before the end of the penultimate episode. WHY WOULD HE cry like that? Way to go from being Mr Chic to becoming a confused little sissy.

The problem is I see this a lot in Thai dramas - the one main lead gets jealous of the other main lead when he sees him kissing or hugging another guy (or girl). There will be no talking, just the couple breaking up. It is just lazy writing, cant they think of other ways to create drama for their series?

I blame the show's weakness on the story, the script and the directing. This one started out strong - 2 alpha males fake dating and falling inlove. Although Tine was a typical Thai BL character of a 'straight boy' loving a guy, I liked the fact that Sarawat was always a guy who likes a guy and never pretended to like a girl.

What happened in the later episodes were somewhat of a mess - after they became 2gether and lived in the same flat, the editing and jumping from one scene to next just happened way too fast in an attempt to give us more story from the source material. There was also lack of real conflict to further develop and create a mature story. There was also obviously a conscious effort not show a lot of couple emotions and activities. Its like watching 2 bros living together. What i think the series needed is 2 to 3 more episodes to better tell the story.

However, despite all the flaws, cliches and shortcomings, I still immensely enjoyed it.

First, the cast. Win and Bright - definite eye candies however may need a bit of acting workshop. I love Frank and Drake and i think they have relegated them to a very minor supporting role- i keep wishing they used them more, Mike and Toptap, Gun, and even the friends did a good job. Without The 4 main lead i would have dropped this series midway.

Second, the music - this is probably the Thai series with the best choice for music, i loved the opening and end songs, and i loved the songs they used within the show.

Would i rewatch it, i would initially say yes, but after careful considerations i think ill just move on to the extension series. If you are new to the BL genre, this may be a fun watch, just keep in mind that it is definitely not the best drama.

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One more "Flower Boy" series are over... and I am left with yet another broadly smiling face. Though I will not spill compliments that these series left me breathless, like the previous, "Shut Up Flower Boy Band", did, but this drama, in its genre of bubbly, funny, cutey-cutey-cutey, totally had me from the first moment till the last.

First of all, I am now noticing a pattern in the series as I have watched all of them, though they are called "Pretty Boy" and hey, who can say you don't see enough pretty here, but has anyone also caught him/herself on the thought that the characters crated for these series seem very real? I mean, forgetting about the bubbly front, there were real people, real feeling, real problems, and I like it so much, that it feels real watching these characters. I like characters that have depth, and the series have never failed to give me the characters. And though at first you may thing Enrique is the most funny, cute and bubbly character you could ever see, throughout the series he will show you so much humanity, so much sadness, so many unforgettable words... Though Dok-Mi may seem the girl who has closed herself and hasn't thought about her life ever since, will show you so much smile, so much strength, so much pain that she has been through and how much she grows by the end of the series, how much she changes Enrique and changes herself...

As the drama is mostly a comedy, I thought it is important to note that you'll find here not only comedy but also real characters who will make you feel for them, which I really appreciate.

This was the 3rd drama I was watching with Park Shin-Hye, and she again proved her abilities, I adore the girl.
Yoo Si-Yoon was just adorable as puppy-panda Enrique, I hope to watch other things with him.

Music was, like the drama, cute and calm. I really like the slow piece during the sad parts, and Park Shin-Hye's song, so alike her character and warm to my heart.

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My First Hong Kong BL and What an Epic Premiere. Ash Has Action, Romance, Crime and Insane Chemistry

I grew up watching Hong Kong 🇭🇰 TVB dramas throughout my childhood, so I have always had a special attachment to Hong Kong dramas. When Ash was announced, I was incredibly excited because this is my first Hong Kong BL, and after watching first 3 episodes, I can confidently say this drama has exceeded my expectations. You can watch Ash on Youku or YouTube, with Episode 1 available for free. And despite the “Miniseries” tag, this definitely does not feel like a typical miniseries. Episode 1 is around 50 minutes, Episode 2 is around 45 minutes and Episode 3 is 43 minsutes, so we are getting a proper full length viewing experience.

And WOW, what an epic premiere! I already had a feeling Ash was going to be good after watching the trailer, but the first five episodes completely sold me. This drama gives us action, crime, romance, police investigation, undercover work, fighting, suspense and intense chemistry all in one package. We have Hui Leuk Tou, our CEO, and our undercover police officer. During his undercover operation, the police officer goes by Cheung Wai Keung, complete with his dyed hair and completely different appearance. Once the operation is over and he returns to his life as a police officer, he takes on the identity of Fei Foon. I LOVE this dynamic because it genuinely feels like we are watching two different versions of the same character. The change in appearance, personality and circumstances makes his character so much more interesting.

And then he meets Hui Leuk Tou. Their first encounter, especially the moment their eyes meet, immediately gave me love at first sight vibes. Their fighting scene together was also SO good. The action was well done, and I already knew these two were going to have incredible chemistry. Then we got the white singlets, and that scene alone deserves its own review. 😂 The chemistry between them was so hot and intense, especially when they were taking care of each other’s wounds. The slow romantic music playing in the background made everything feel even more intimate and sensual. And when they lit each other’s cigarettes? THE EYE CONTACT. THE TENSION. THE CHEMISTRY. I also love that this drama does not waste time dragging out the romance. Within the first 30 minutes, we already get an intimate moment and a kiss. There is no endless waiting around or unnecessary dancing around their attraction. The drama knows exactly what we came here for and gives it to us. And that intimate scene with the belt? WOW. The restraints, the kiss, the music and the chemistry all came together so well. It was intense without feeling disconnected from the story.

One of my favourite emotional moments was when they had been missing each other and finally reunited in the alley. I also love how the drama plays with perspective. At the end of Episode 1, we see the events from Hui Leuk Tou’s perspective, and then Episode 2 begins by showing things from Fei Foon’s point of view. That was such a clever choice because we get to understand what both men were experiencing and feeling rather than simply following one side of the story. The flashbacks also work really well and gradually give us more context about their relationship and everything happening around them.

One thing that made me especially happy is hearing both leads speak fluent Cantonese throughout the drama. They are Hong Kong actors and the series was actually filmed in Hong Kong, so seeing the familiar buildings, taxis and streets immediately gave me that nostalgic Hong Kong drama feeling. 🇭🇰 There is something so satisfying about watching a BL that genuinely feels connected to its setting. The Cantonese dialogue makes the interactions feel so much more natural, especially because the actors are using their real voices. Unlike Sammy’s Children’s Day, where the actors’ voices were dubbed, Ash lets us hear the leads speaking in their own voices, which makes the performances feel more authentic and natural to me.

Both actors are absolutely stunning. This is my first time watching Kingston act, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he grew up in the UK and Canada while being fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English. Pairing him with Leo Peng, who is also a model and actor, was such a good choice. They look incredible together, and their chemistry is already one of the biggest highlights of the series for me. They have the looks, the acting ability and, most importantly, the chemistry.

It is honestly so difficult to find a BL that manages to combine intense kissing scenes with a genuinely interesting plot, good action sequences, fighting, crime, thriller elements and police investigation. Ash is ticking every single box for me. The story is not simply about two men falling in love. There are secrets, dangerous connections, an undercover operation and a much bigger criminal situation unfolding around them. The deeper they get involved, the more complicated their relationship becomes, and that is exactly the kind of BL I love. I want romance, but I also want an actual story that keeps me invested between the romantic scenes.

And we can talk about episode 3? The hair washing, the forehead kisses, the soft cuddles, the sleepy good mornings, the kitchen hugs, grapes fed from one hand to another, white singlets and stolen kisses on the sofa.
Every little moment feels like a love poem, so warm and intimate, like they have already built a little life together.
And then they kissed for so long their sausages got burnt 🥵They are ridiculously hot, ridiculously cute, and so effortlessly married. I could watch hours of them and still never get enough.

If I had to mention one criticism, it is the use of Anime AI in the flashback. Yes, I agree it would have been better to use real actors, but it was less than two minutes and honestly did not take away from my enjoyment of the series. The plot, chemistry, acting and overall production are far more important to me, and this series delivers on all of those. It may also have been a budget decision, and I would rather have a short anime flashback and still get the show than not have the show at all. Plus, this was not Kingston and LeoPeng's decision, so I would hate to see people dropping their ratings over a couple of minutes when these actors worked so hard to bring this story to life.

Ash has exceeded my expectations. It has everything I want from a BL: intense chemistry, gorgeous leads, passionate kissing, romance, action, crime, suspense, undercover police work, fighting and an actual plot that makes me want to know what happens next. Most importantly, it finally gives me something I have been wanting for a long time: a Hong Kong BL that actually feels like a Hong Kong drama. The Cantonese, the locations, the atmosphere, the action and the overall style make this such a refreshing watch.

And those two leads? I am already completely invested in them. Ash gets a 9/10 from me. If you enjoy BLs with strong chemistry, intense romance, action, crime, undercover police work and a more mature atmosphere, PLEASE add this to your watchlist.

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