Reviews

not what I was hoping for

Overall: I was hoping for a fun mess like the first one, but even setting the first season aside I had struggles with the characters/plot. Viewers do not need to have watched the first season. 12 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/6274/only-friends-dream-on-2026

Content Warning: vomiting around 43 min of episode 1, non con recording/sharing, punches, blood, past alcoholism, intimate partner abuse/violence, victim blaming, non con touching that turned consensual

What I Liked
- so many GMMTV actors in one series
- different dynamics (exes, hookup, secret crush)
- sweet moments
- Raffy and Rome

Room For Improvement
- Jack should have apologized multiple times and Dean shouldn't have apologized multiple times, you can't have boyfriend expectations when the label has not been agreed upon (and even vehemently rejected)
- intimate partner abuse response was terribly handled. She said she was repeatedly physically abused and Jack's response was "Whoa that's not okay Dao. How did you put up with a cheater like that?"
- made no sense to set this during/at university, could have been a play production post-university age
- the non con hugging with Arnold and Tua was awkward to watch and not romantic
- the interviews/tried to be edgy like Real World but shied away from being edgy
- I don't normally take off for production value but GMMTV has money and years of experience, the slower background music clashed with another beat on top of it

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The story started off well and it had a very good potential to be one of the best dramas this year, but the slow pace is what upsets me. I can't call it is ruined, but I was anticipating more.
It is not a slow burner. Normally, I am ok with this kind of pacing. But here is the pace is really slow of the kind that the actors take five minuets looking at each other without a word and the antagonist takes scenes and scenes before he could strike, not to mention some plot holes and some stupid acts by the police. In the last episodes, the pace lift up and the episodes became more intense, which made the rating process kinda perplexing for me.
Acting-wise, the child actors did a better job than the adult ones. Nam Da Reum and Ryu Han Bi really impressed me. Heo Joon Ho (father) managed to make me cringe every time he is on screen. For the protagonists, Jang Ki Yong (Na Moo) was really good in the dramatic and when-he-is-angry scenes, but failed -unfortunatley- is the romantic moments, which was a big let down as I had seen him in Go Back Couple and made me develop second lead syndrome. ?His looks to Nak Won felt mannered and artificial, trying hard to look endearing and fluffy. Other than that he did a good job especially in the aforementioned scenes.
For Jin Ki Joo (Nak Won), I hope there was another actress instead. I won't lie, I skipped a lot of her (romantic) scenes.
Seo Jung Yeon (mother) overacted while acting angry but she was ok on the overall level. Kim Seo Hyung's (reporter) character was very annoying and was depicted evil for a reporter.
Music was soothing and lovable.
Overall, it wasn't a bad journey, but it could be much more better if it was shorter. I don't regret my time, but I don't think I'll be able to watch it again.

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I am too emotionally involved

In the beginning I was actually rooting for Hyungyu and Sohui since they are highly intelligent and had winner potential. But as the shower progressed, I found myself rooting more and more for the underdogs (Eunyu specifically and even 7high) and was getting so frustrated with the upstairs alliance and their hypocrisy.

When the games began to favor those with more pieces, I knew their was no chance. Compared to S1, I think the games were still very fun and interesting. But everyone in S1 was at least likable and a good sport. I definitely had ups and downs of who I liked and didn’t have any particular favorite until we neared the end and I just wanted anyone BUT Hyungyu to win. It’s fine to scheme and strategize but the dirty plays and getting to just easily coast in the living room and never fight for yourself *cough Sohui cough* (like the prisoners have to continuously prove) just felt unfair and rigged even. I know that’s being emotional but so what, I’m like Hyunjoon.

Once again I think Hyungyu earned his win, but I can’t say he deserved it. It was just so predictable and disappointing and boring. I guess that’s real life for you. Love to Tinno, 7high, Eunyu, Justin, Jiyeong, etc.

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As a fan of the webtoon "Girls of the Wilds" I have always wished for a live action dram to be made from it. I was excited when I came across "Sweet Combat" shortly after it had started airing. However, this can only be described as a loose adaptation of the webtoon. Even though it's not an exact production of the original story, I do think that the main plot is there and the personalities of the all the main characters are also close to the original. It's obvious that around episode 15 the writers decided to veer away from the original story and just sprinkle things in here and there. But they did stay true to the main plot and the feelings of the main characters. The only thing that I'm really disappointed in is the fight scenes and the lack thereof compared to the original story. The intense fight scenes of the original story was one of the biggest draws I think. But, this is a Chinese idol drama and has to fit that mould as well as a budget that probably couldn't afford a Jackie Chan stunt team. All in all I think it is a decent drama to watch. And if you haven't read the original webtoon I would suggest checking it out, but maybe wait until after watching the drama.

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It's a keeper for me

I decided to write a review after a particular scene in episode 8 sparked a cherished memory. It reminded me of the classic film ‘Heaven Can Wait’ (1978, starring Warren Beatty), where a glance into his eyes reveals his true identity to her, despite being in another body. That moment always gives me tingles. Having watched the film countless times growing up, I find this drama evokes similar emotions. It’s a story that celebrates inner beauty and true love, transcending mere physical appearances. The series is not just about laughs—though it certainly has its funny moments—but also mystery, intrigue, and a compelling narrative. I was captivated from the first episode and eagerly anticipate each new one.

Liu Xue Yi is fantastic as always. He's a real star.

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Too many plots, too many questions, yet too many answers

A good mystery has questions and uncertainty, but gives answers as well, right or wrong. It lets viewers, even casual ones, come to their own concrete guesses, and when things are solved or revealed, it adds to the fun.

The problem with Mouse then, is that it has way too many questions, grossly overuses cliffhangers and fake outs, makes the viewer question the show's writers and not themselves, and has far too many subplots and characters to keep track of. In other words, the questions you as are "wait, what just happened again?" instead of "how does this evidence play into the story?"

First the good: all the actors play their role super well. The music, though mostly atmospheric, is fitting. The handful of characters you pay attention to get good development. And despite what I said above, the show holds your attention.

It's disappointing because the first half of the show, particularly the first episodes, was gripping. The plot was well paced, the writers let the viewers get answers and figure things out. Then things went down the toilet rapidly after the middle of the show. It got to the point that I, at least, wasn't really interested in any big reveals, cliffhangers, or those "character stares at something off screen in horror" moments because I knew in the very next episode it was going to be a fake out / misleading camera angle. That, to me, is bad writing to overuse plot progression devices and not give answers. Doesn't help that they tried to stuff a "conspiracy" plot in as well, as it hitting every genre possible.

Then there's the problem with way too many characters. It wouldn't be so bad if they let us match faces to names, but most of them, particularly the victims, get little to no screentime to get to know them before they're relegated to plot devices as victims or exposition dumps. This makes most of the characters have no depth and they all become the same thing: murder victims. Deep into the show, when they rapid fire off names and their relations without showing faces I just nod along and not care because they're just victims without history - they only matter that way, and not as their own character. Heck people had to make graphs and documents to keep track of who's who. That's really not fun to consult when watching.

Other minor things: the abusive use of jump cuts / supercuts, particularly in the mid-to-end of the show, is extremely jarring. Sometimes the scene would last like five seconds before it cuts into the character now in the next day with no proper transition. Some characters start off strong then turn into a wet emotional noodle (you know what I'm talking about). Some of the plot at the end will really make your eyes roll even if it does give closure to some scenes at the beginning.

In the end, It's a show carried by its wonderful actors.

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Too many episodes, not enough story…

I know I’m probably in the minority with my rating but this drama was good but not amazing to me. The plot was a basic setup, very similar to some other modern dramas but managed to keep me until the end.

What I liked:

The TCM profession was interesting and I would have liked to see more about it in the show. I know the focus was on romance so it only skimmed the surface of the profession. I also enjoyed the story between Shen Xifan and her ex. It definitely pulled on my heart strings when it reached the conclusion because it’s very relatable. Although there were some moments where I felt the directors trying to push the drama to be for a younger audience (i.e. them tiptoeing around Shen Xifan’s need to spend the night), overall, the drama did offer a more mature view on relationships and I appreciated that especially since most of the cast is late 20s/early 30s. I like when dramas provide a more realistic take on adult relationships in this age range.

What I didn’t like:

This show shouldn’t have been no more than about 16 episodes. There wasn’t much story to tell especially after the main couple got together. There was a ton of uneventful dialogue and basically we were just watching a couple date, sending random text messages about nothing, having conversations about who fell in love first and late night dinners. There just wasn’t a story, it was just a series of random events between two people. I wish I would have but I didn’t find that very entertaining because it dragged on for so many episodes. One thing that bothered me was the overuse of slow-mos. There were so many slow motion scenes throughout this drama when watching the main couple date or stare at each other. To me, it just dragged the already uneventful scenes even more. The supporting cast also didn’t add much value to the story. They attempted to give us a little bit of them here and there but most of the interactions with the main couple was just uneventful and they didn’t flesh those characters out at all. The final thing I will say is the character setup between Shen Xifan and He Suye was cliche. Follows the same formula as a lot of other modern dramas. Female Lead is in a long-term relationship when they meet and Male Lead is single but falls first. Would have been nice if maybe the roles were reversed or both were in relationships or single. I wish these dramas would give us something different.

Overall, if you’re just watching because you are fans of the actors, then you’ll enjoy this along with most of the ratings here. Judge it for yourself.

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Another "oversold" GMMTV show...

Has anyone seen any red flags? I did not find them.... Dean is just a promiscuous asshole and Moth is in my view just a closed up cold person because of reasons. But really any red flags in this series - nope. If I want to see red or black flags, I need to watch CBLs, because they do that stuff sooooooo much better.

And the story - where is it... It's extremely shallow. The beginning is questionable. If you are a promiscuous asshole would you want to help your friend? Does such a person have any friends? And I mean real friends, not just acquaintances. Is Ten really his friend or is he someone convenient to do good work for him? So for me this was not really believable and with that, the story falls apart.

The higher profile the couple is the less developed a script seems to be because they just have to push the series out. GMMTV overpromises 30-40 series, meanwhile doing as many GLs as BLs and they just don't have the capacity to make the shows good. On Nov. 3rd there will be the next lineup "show" where GMMTV will promise again 30-40 shows and we can bet, that some will just be scraped, some will have new cast because a ship sunk and for sure most mock trailers will not deliver what was promised. GMMTV turned from a craftship company to a BL/GL mass-product factory-floor. Quality is decreasing, but the fan sheeps are still happily baaing, buying tickets for fanmeets, concerts & merch, because they don't care about a story.

Just because the chemistry works does not make a story. This was very boring. It was going in circles for a time 'till the finale... They could have told this in four episodes and then maybe it would have been better. But so, it's a mediocre series for all the fan sheeps who will eat up anything as long as WilliamEst kiss, hug and f*ck. This is nothing against all the actors, they did a very good job for the script they got handed. They have three screenwriters and five executive producers (the president included) and they can't come up with something better? This is a pathetic showing for GMMTV.

Update: After the reveal of the lineup 2027 it seems, GMMTV does not care about the fans anymore. Edit: Four Bromances instead of two (and don't forget there was no series for SkyNani and they will get a new one for sure.) They increased also their standard "lacorn" and only announced eleven BLs (half from last year) and five GLs (also nearly half). At least some of the 2026 lineup will air in 2027. And don't forget their "christian" series with William as lead (without Est) a clear ingratiation to the US. Overall GMMTV is just maximizing profits and #StopBromanceGMMTV is trending.

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Have a drink... or two

After first couple episodes (which were very slow) I thought this is going to be drama revolving around struggles (over)sensitive people have living in such loud world. And, since it was male lead who was sensitive, not typically FL, I was more interested to see how drama will explore his world and how he will "adapt" once he falls for FL. Unfortunately, they shifted focus on FL, her struggles and it became just one more drama with "ML is there for FL" and "wow, he is such a sweet guy".
Do I regret watching it? No, I don't. Would I watch it if I knew half way writers will forget about his sensitivity and turn it into simple plot device? No, I wouldn't.
It is sweet drama about family and friendship and people should try it, with or without FF button.

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A Thrilling Descent into Chaos

Hellbound 2 wastes no time plunging us back into its dark, morally complex universe, where divine judgment and human corruption remain tightly intertwined. The stakes feel immediately higher this time, with the narrative digging deeper into the mystery of resurrection while widening its focus to include more volatile, layered character dynamics that are as shocking as they are compelling.

The return of Jinsu is one of the season’s most striking developments. His visions and eventual transformation into one of the very creatures that once inspired fear reinforce the show’s core idea: no one stands above judgment, not even those elevated to near-messianic status. It’s a chilling arc that blurs the line between prophet and victim, power and punishment.

At the same time, Kim Jeongchil’s political maneuvering becomes a central driving force. His alliance with the government and his calculated use of Park Jungja as a pawn add a sharp edge of manipulation and desperation to the story. Through him, the series leans harder into the idea that institutions built on belief can quickly become tools of control when fear is weaponized.

Thematically, the season continues to interrogate blind faith and the corruption that follows unchecked power. The New Truth’s “Resurrected One” plan begins as an ambitious attempt to solidify authority, but gradually reveals itself as a symbol of their unraveling grip. Meanwhile, the demonic entities remain an unpredictable, looming presence, constantly reminding both characters and viewers that whatever force governs this world cannot be controlled, only feared.

Hyejin once again anchors the chaos as the show’s moral compass. Her determination to protect Park Jungja and reunite her with her son provides one of the season’s most emotionally grounded arcs. In a world spiraling into fanaticism and violence, her resolve feels almost defiant. That reunion scene, quiet yet powerful, offers a rare moment of humanity amid the relentless tension.

Director Yeon Sang-ho maintains a careful balance between horror, action, and character-driven storytelling, allowing the narrative to build a sense of unease that never quite lets go. The introduction of figures like Senior Secretary Lee adds another layer of political intrigue, reinforcing the idea that power struggles operate just as dangerously behind closed doors as they do in the open.

While Season 2 does offer some answers, particularly around the mechanics of resurrection, it deliberately avoids full clarity. Instead, it leaves lingering questions about the true nature of divine judgment and who, or what, is really in control. The ending reflects that ambiguity, keeping the door wide open for future developments.

Overall, Hellbound Season 2 sharpens its exploration of morality, faith, and authority, delivering a season that is both intellectually engaging and emotionally intense. It leans fully into its unsettling premise, crafting a narrative that feels as thought-provoking as it is haunting, and solidifies its place as one of the more daring entries in psychological and religious horror.

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MY THEORIES:

While Jin-su taunts Se-hyeong for wasting his last chance by trusting Jin-su, it is ultimately proven to be Jin-su who wastes his resurrection. He spends his second chance the same way he did most of his first life: selfishly, seeking a salve for his emotional pain without care for the pain he knowingly inflicts on others. Jung-ja’s declaration is its own kind of decree, as Jin-su realizes they are not the same.

Jae-hyeon may have a latent power, just as Jung-ja does.

What we do in this life, and how we care for each other, does matter. Even when Jin-su came back from hell, he feared he might still be in it. We create our own hell, individually and collectively, and even when there is a supernatural power also getting in on the game.

Stories have power, and Hye-jin is giving Jae-hyeon a good and true one. It is the kind of story that Jin-su was never told when he was little and alone. The kind of story Secretary Lee, the New Truth Society, or the Arrowhead would never bother telling because it doesn’t feed the kind of fast, uncaring power they are looking to grow. The kind of story Detective Jin Kyung-hun (Yang Ik-june) tells his daughter, Hee-jung (Lee Re), as she dies from cancer in his arms. Hee-jung lived most of her life under the thrall of Jung Jin-su and his empty promises, but it’s a family picture, a story of love, that gives her comfort in her final moments.

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Be Your Own Prince Charming & Follow Your Joy!

Cinderella tropes are nothing new but what sets this drama apart is the depiction of the known characters in a different light.

Our FL Cinderella from the start is proclaiming herself as a sort of gold-digger, the Prince Charming ML is distrustful for those who proclaim love to him assuming they are in for his money - and this drama is a journey on how they both realize that what they are looking for is something within themselves and each other. Supporting them strongly are roles of the step-mother & sisters, who are not mean like in the fairytale but have their own way of supporting their Cinderella sister. The villains are funny more than evil. the SML momentarily seems mysterious only to become a catalyst in Cinderella's journey to find her calling.

Best Parts:
> The acting of the ML is worth investing time in this drama. He can be childish, rich spoiled brat but when need be he can be the most manly charming male lead that can make men/women around him swoon. And boy can fight!
> The entire retelling: seeing the age old story in a new light was a fresh perspective; the good have some flaws and the evil are not truly evil. Something that sets well in modern times, and the message of the drama is strong and apt: "Follow Your Joy" and be your own Prince Charming i.e. you yourself are the ones who can make/break your happily ever after.
> The illustrations in the start, background narration, comedic effects and cross over from Taxi Driver was a cherry on top that sweetened the deal.
> Short, well paced drama of 10 episodes

Weakness:
> Personal Opinion: The latter half of the drama did not arrest or hold my attention. I even watched some parts by fast forwarding. I was invested to finish the drama and know what happens in the end, but these parts could have been done better.
> The villains were there just for comedic effect - their actions in order to break the main couple as needed in a kdrama, was lacking. Again two ways to see it: it did not frustrate me but then it made me question what was their role? It felt half-baked to some extent

Overall:
Watch it cause of its short, well paced retelling of the Cinderella trope and for ML, Lee Jun Young's acting.

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Enjoying the angst that comes from misplaced revenge.

Call It Love was emotionally aesthetically pleasing. What I mean is, even the sadness, anger, frustration, regret - all were presented in a way that did not make me feel emotionally exhausted and tired. I was relating to and appreciating the sorrow.

What the show did an amazing job with was showing different sides of psychological issues - for some people it makes them completely detached from social interaction, for some it makes them forget about their needs, others would focus on the negative emotions as their driving force, some would be able to accommodate their lives around their issues. Depending on the character, their personality and past experiences, we saw all the different sides of how we as humans deal with difficult emotions.

About the cast - we got blessed with some well written and complex characters and well delivered portrayals of them. How the same people could be victims and perpetrators. How everyone had to learn from their mistakes and figure out how to set boundaries, but also respect the boundaries others set. How to understand yourself and be able to communicate with others. How to move on from past, how to move forward with the future, how to find happiness and peace.

Were all the characters well written, with many layers? Not quite. While Ahn Hee Yeon did a good job with her performance, Kang Min Young did not exactly have much to offer except from being yet another external factor the leads had to deal with. Similarly, Choi Sun Woo existed only in the context of leads’ issues and struggles, and presented no personal plotlines.

Cast wise, Kim Young Kwang ate the role. One of the most versatile actors we get in mainstream shows. Can do drama, action, comedy, romance, thriller - you name it and you will get it in one of his roles. In Call It Love he presented so many raw emotions from Han Dong Jin. Even though the character was not an open book, not the most expressive guy out there, it was still clear for the viewers what he was going through, what he was thinking and feeling.

At the same time, while for most scenes Lee Sung Kyung did great (it’s a role we have not seen her in yet), there were just a few moments where her delivery was too monotone and at times felt empty.

As for the production - I loved it, but I can see why someone else could hate it. The colors were not saturated enough and the whole show was presented in this pink/purple filter. For me, it perfectly fitted the overall mood of the drama, adding to the melancholic and stoic feeling. What also caught my attention was how the shots were centered vertically. In many the characters were presented in only 1/3rd of the screen. For me it seemed like the same way they were not centered in the frame, they were also not centered in their lives - still unsure about their place, a bit lost in their surroundings.

All that said, it’s a typical “you either vibe with it or not” drama. The same visual aspects I loved could look ugly and weird for others. The same characters I related to and enjoyed analyzing could be frustrating and unrealistic for others. The same dialogues I found touching, others could see as faking profoundness with no depth.

Why not a perfect 10 from me? I did not like some of the conclusions and I wished a few characters were developed better. For such a complex situation the drama presents, some aspects just lacked nuance.

Overall, I already miss this drama.

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