Reviews

Short but the storyline is really good. It's a sad short drama about reality. I recommend watching this a lot.
To be honest it broke my heart a little. I don't want to spoil anything, just watch it!
The synopsis does not tell a lot about the story and sounds a little bit boring, but trust me, it's good.

Seoyeon's choice surprised me a lot, didn't expect that AT ALL. At the beginning I found Minjae kind of creepy but then I understood what was happening.

The acting was great, they both did an awesome job portraying Seoyeon and Minjae. (In case you didn't know, both of them worked together in Thirty but Seventeen.)

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I wanted to leave a review while the show is still fresh in my mind. I just want to say exactly what I felt. This show is downright one of the most beautiful things you'll ever see. From the casting, to the cinematography, to the writing, everything is sheer perfection. It's kind of EPIC. You can feel the beautiful way the creator sees the world, with its particular touch of darkness. It will hurt you, and make you laugh, even in the midst of your pain, like the Grim Reaper in that one scene, you'll not have a choice. Rating the show the highest possible rating wasn’t even up for debate. The thing about a good story is that you can have a massive budget and top rated actors but if you have a stale, unworthy story and half boiled characters, it just doesn't work. The value of this show is that every character is so deep, so believable, so REAL, you can't help getting lost in them. Few minor gripes I have was that Duek Hwa and Jung Hae In should have had better storylines. Second, toward the end the amnesia bit dragged a bit for me. (Minor spoiler) Even the whole finding love in past lives instead of present was again a bit typical for a show of this caliber. What you can do in a next life you can do in this one, for this reason the last two or three episodes in places it got a bit boring for me. Still, I'm happy to have seen this show, I've never quite seen anything like it. All in all, bravo!

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I would first like to state that this drama contains mature content that I would only recommend for 18+ or anyone able to emotionally handle such mature content.

Intense. This Lakorn was one of the first I ever got into watching and It was worth every minute. The story line was so unique and dramatic that I couldn't wait to see what would happen next!

I didn't honestly get interested in the story until the second sister was introduced.

The main actor and actresses pretty faces were icing on the cake to their WONDERFUL acting. Some of the conflicts the actors and actresses were put into seemed to really affect me.

The main lead almost seemed too nice to me though.. if that is possible... and the first female lead introduced in the beginning seemed too naive to the point I got very angry.

The actor who played the main antagonist of this drama did a wonderful job because I truly despised his character with every bone in my body.

I didn't pay attention much to the music because of how interested I was so into the story.

There are a lot of different emotions in this drama and I would recommend going into this lakorn prepared to cry , and very much prepared to become angry.

The chemistry between the leads was not the greatest but somehow it was made up for by the end of the drama.

I definitely recommend this lakorn to anyone looking for a dramatic drama full of secrets, revenge and learning to forgive.

You should definitely check it out!! Enjoy!!!

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the lack of slice of life in cdramas

my sister recommended a drama to me because the male lead is her favorite k-pop idol. i declined several times, but after finishing taeri's drama, i decided to give it a chance. my dear friends or my unfamiliar family showed koreans doing slice of life so well but there's no good slice of life in cdramas, but i found "the forbidden flower" to be an exception. recently, i started watching "sweet games." these types of dramas may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you enjoy this genre, "sweet games" is a solid choice. i wish "do you like brahms?" had more comedic scenes like this drama because it strikes a great balance between drama and comedy.

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Story

Heo Im (Kim Nam-Gil) is a very famous acupuncturist doctor who worked in one of Joseon's superintendents, caring for the most needy people. It turns out that at the same time, he was accumulating a lot of wealth going to treat senior officials at night.

The opportunity Heo Im so much hoped emerged: he was cast to treat the King's disease, and completing the treatment, he could finally win the position of a royal doctor.

At the beginning of the journey to palace, he was surprised by a desperate father with his very sick daughter in the lap and decided to leave them waiting, giving priority to the treatment of the king.  It occurs that before starting with acupuncture, Dr. Heo's hand began to tremble and he wasn't able to apply even the first needle. The incident was considered an insult to the King and he had to flee the palace before being imprisoned. But the officers chased him and cornered him on a bridge. After receiving an arrow, Dr. Heo fell into the river and traveled in time.

~

Live Up To Your Name, Dr. Heo ... I started to watch without many expectations and I was completely stunned by the script! It is simply amazing and very well written. No flaws, the story flowed very well and was a phenomenal experience. It's from another level. It isn't a simple time travel drama.

The drama is a mix of medical, historical and romantic comedy genres with a more adult twist. The exchange of environments (Joseon / Seoul) is fantastic and very well made and occurs at the most opportune moments. They also succeeded in highlighting the change in medicine between the two centuries, focusing, for example, on equipment such as the needle, herbs, then scalpel, medicines and others.

Oh yeah, the story brings up several other historical points and characters that were important to medicine. The history pass in the time when the Japanese invaded South Korea. Let me cite an example: Dr. Heo Jun (Uhm Hyo Sup) was actually one of the best royal doctor during the King Seonjo Dynasty in Joseon and constantly appears in the drama , bringing brilliant lessons; So we still take a "bath" of historical knowledge.

Acting/Cast

It's even funny because, at the beginning of the drama, I watched two completely flawed protagonists. Dr. Heo had been torn apart by the injustices of the world and could no longer be considered a doctor, for his values had been lost in the arduous path that life was in Joseon. Choi Yeon-Kyung decided to be a doctor after losing her parents and resent her grandfather, she became apathetic (apathy - lack of passion), a little arrogant and did not sympathize with her patients.

The evolution of the characters is the big point of the plot! They with their own faults help each other, correct and grow in an impressive way. And you know what else? The story unfolds at a perfect and exciting pace.

I can say that I followed Dr. Heo's path and that today I am his great fan. That I understood your feelings, your inner conflicts, your responsibilities and your despair. And this is all merit of the brilliant performance of Kim Nam Gil.

The secondary characters are so charismatic and I've been falling in love with them little by little. Everyone has some influence on the plot and their presences have made the story even more unique.

Music

The OST is beautiful and exciting.

Rewatch Value

Yes, this drama has a flaw: it's over. Oh really! I'm missing this drama, I didn't want it to come to an end so quickly.

And the romance? The romance is beautiful! Perfect! The protagonists have a lot of chemistry! Really! And as the Japanese samurai said there in episode 16 ... They look beautiful together!

So if I could honestly say to you guys not to miss a drama that was broadcast in 2017 I would say that's the one. I know a lot of people don't know and didn't follow and that is why I need your help so that this review reaches the hearts of our chingus!

It's a drama to get involved, get excited, have fun and that's exactly what we're looking for!

~ Sorry for my English.

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Sometimes all we really need is a simple story, told with care

Sometimes, you start a show almost without thinking, with no expectations at all, assuming they’ll be just another high school story to fill a quiet Sunday. And then, suddenly, you realize you’re far more emotionally invested than you meant to be. School Trip is exactly that kind of BL.

At first glance, its long title and simple premise don’t suggest anything groundbreaking: an awkward boy slowly finding his place within the most popular group in class during a school trip. What the series actually does, however, is soften this familiar setup and turn it into something unexpectedly warm and comforting, as if gently untangling emotional knots many of us have carried since our teenage years.

At the center of the story are Hioki, shy, polite, and slightly out of sync with his classmates, and Watarai, tall, admired, and seemingly confident from the outside. There are no big twists or dramatic revelations here. Instead, the narrative unfolds through shared silences, lingering glances, and small moments whose importance only becomes clear with time. This quiet simplicity is where the show finds its strength. By focusing almost entirely on this single relationship and avoiding unnecessary side romances, the story allows their connection to develop naturally, at its own pace.

One of the series’ most striking qualities is its emotional gentleness. School Trip moves against a genre that often equates drama with suffering, choosing tenderness instead. The conflicts exist, insecurity, jealousy, fear of rejection, but they’re handled through conversation rather than cruelty. Hioki reflects before reacting. Watarai feels deeply, sometimes crosses a line with his protectiveness, but learns to recognize his limits. The love portrayed here isn’t polished or idealized. It’s uncertain, awkward, and deeply human.

This balance is supported by performances that feel more mature than the premise might suggest. Kan Hideyoshi brings Watarai to life with a blend of visible confidence and quiet vulnerability, while Fujimoto Kodai portrays Hioki as gentle yet quietly steadfast. Much of what matters is communicated without words, in pauses, glances held a second too long, and the way the two share space. Their chemistry doesn’t rely on grand declarations. Often, a hesitant touch or restrained smile says more than enough.

The world surrounding the couple also deserves praise. Rather than falling into the usual tropes of toxic popularity, the friend group becomes a genuine source of warmth and support. These boys welcome Hioki without judgment and accept Watarai without turning his feelings into something to be scrutinized. In a genre often filled with shallow antagonists and casual cruelty, this kindness feels refreshing and deeply comforting.

That said, the series does have its limitations. Its predictability, while soothing, may disappoint viewers hoping for bolder storytelling or more layered conflicts. At times, the world feels slightly too idealized, with social reactions softened beyond what feels fully grounded in reality, especially in how outsiders involve themselves emotionally in the couple’s relationship.

There are also moments where the writing feels a bit too transparent. Some lines explain more than necessary, and a few situations seem designed mainly to push the leads closer together more quickly. Watarai’s jealousy and possessiveness, although acknowledged by the narrative, aren’t always explored as deeply as they could be. These issues don’t break the show’s charm, but they do reveal its preference for emotional safety over narrative risk.

And then there are the kisses, or rather, the careful journey toward them. Nothing feels rushed or included for effect. Each step is guided by a clear understanding of where Hioki and Watarai are emotionally. The series allows anticipation to build through shared looks, hesitant closeness, and unspoken understanding, until physical intimacy feels like a natural continuation of their bond.

By waiting until that bond is fully formed and mutually recognized, these moments gain a quiet weight. They feel tender rather than performative, intimate rather than decorative, standing out even within the expectations of a Japanese high school BL. This isn’t fanservice. It’s emotional payoff, grounded in trust, timing, and honesty, and because of that, it feels earned.

In the end, School Trip never aims to be grand, and that restraint is precisely what makes it work. It’s a story about belonging, about being seen without having to reshape yourself to fit in, and about how adolescence can be painful but also gently rewritten, even if only through fiction. Soft, sincere, and gently luminous, it reminds us that sometimes all we really need is a simple story, told with care.

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I think ever since I have known that there are such things called 'dramas', this particular one called '1 Litre of Tears' exists. Wherever I looked for drama recommendations this one was always included. Now I know why. 1 Litre of Tears falls nothing short of a masterpiece. While I sincerely wanted to rate it 10 there were a couple of characters that bugged me so I'll give it a 9.

The story is absolutely brilliant. The fact that this happened in reality and that there are still thousands of people suffering from this disease is truly saddening and heartbreaking. I can the portrayal of a person's disability in it was 100% accurate. It was so realistic that I felt like it was actually happening in front of me. The main cast gave outstanding performances- especially Sawajiri Erika. She was so convincing that I felt her pain.

Apt to its title, this drama could make you cry a lot- depending on you. I am going to confess that there were a few times I absolutely teared up. In fact, I think not tearing up while watching this would be inhumane. Anybody who is capable of feeling sorry for the physically disabled or people suffering from painful diseases will be able to feel it here too. Aya (both the fictional and real one) is a very inspiring person. The things she recorded in her diary is deep and moving.

The way they showed the transformation of an ordinary girl's life after she encounters Spinocerebellar Atrophy was the main focus of the drama. More than her struggle, it was also focused on how it affects those around her- be it friends, parents, siblings, teachers or regular people you meet on the street. It makes me think of all the physically disabled people I have seen in public. I think I can understand their feelings more clearly now.

This drama is almost like a documentary made on Aya's life. Neither is it happy to begin with nor does it end happily. But the sadness and tears aren't the only things in it. Most of all- it will remind you to treasure life and be thankful for what you have. There's a deeper underlying meaning to it too. It also showcases the kindness and cruelty of humans and their attitude towards such people. In a lot of countries, people are still not aware of hardships such people have to go through and treat them badly. Just like Aya said, "Why did it choose me?" The matter of falling ill was not by choice but only cruel fate.

This drama is one of the rare gems that you should definitely not miss out on. Watching it once was enough for me, so no rewatch value where I am concerned.

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Absolute Disappointment

The live action doesn't even match the novel. The writer put much effort writing the story only for the live action to be a joke. What is this? Out of budget show?

Bihyung even look like a freaking labubu, what was that for? Is it so hard to follow the original story? Bihyung is a dokkaebi for god sake also a gun? So you telling me getting atleast a fake sword is hard now too? Wow. Rather saying "adaptation" It's more suitable to be "inspiration" the live action is a joke.

Yoo Sangah as a healer? What is this? I thought this is supposed to be Omniscient Reader Viewpoint not Director Viewpoint. Ridiculous, live action. Other than that, Yoo Joonghyuk look like a hongdae guy on his way to ask Kim Dokja number. Yoo Joonghyuk design were way more better than that, he's wearing a hight level clothes from the novel unlike the live action.

Honestly, the live action were completely different from the novel. I would not recommend this live action. The live action were nothing but a disappointment, changing the story won't make it cool because the original story were already peak. This live action is a total downgrade. Ain't Omniscient Reader Viewpoint anymore, It's Director Viewpoint no Hell Viewpoint itself.

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need a lot of patience to sit through the first half

first half is both annoying AND boring but if you have patience, the second half is truly beautiful.

The goods :
1. The way this drama showed grief and how different people confront it. The lack of healthy communication was frustrating at times but very realistic and relatable. Yongpil was the first one who realized they were drifting apart cuz they were all running away and decided to put an end to it.
" why you didn't run? why you didn't try to forget?"
" but what if I did forget you?"

2. Go Mija. easily the best character in the whole series. She is the most well written character along with Yongpil. Her character has layers and I cried each time a new layer was revealed. She was so kind and brave. A great mother for her daughters and Yongpil.

3. Go Mija and Bo Mija flashbacks. tear jerkers.

4. Yongpils dad redemption arc. God knows he is one of the most annoying characters I've seen in my 12 years of being into Kdramas but I'm happy with the result.

5. Samdals family ( minus Samdal herself ) are all intriguing both in characters and their relationships with each other. I wished we knew more about the sisters pasts. Their love stories were more interesting than the main couple in my opinion. The family dynamic is very fun to watch.

6. Samdalri island and its beatiful beaches and gardens.

Now the bad;
1. Our female lead Samdal. I dont know why she and her collogues were so dumbfounded that she fell into a scandal given the fact that she's both unprofessional and a BRAT. Samdal is unlikable from episode 1 to the very end. She is an immature girl with a big ego who constantly throws tantrums.

2. Alcoholism. Samdal developed a horrible drinking habit after going back to samdalri and I think its an irresponsible portrayal if none of the other characters in the drama mention it in a bad light. She wasnt just sad, she was Addicted.

3. Samdalri people and their big mouths. small villages where everyone know each other have their own problems for sure ( gossips, lack of personal space, fear of being judged etc etc) and this has been touched upon in few other dramas but it doesn't make watching them any less insufferable. Yongpils friend had nothing else to talk about other than Samdal.

4. Second male lead. What was the point of his existence?

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The synopsis here is totally missleading. It's no university setting at all. I mistakenly thought it was about him meeting a (healthy) girl when his girlfriend is sick and the sense of duty towards his girlfriend. It's also not him who is doing the growing and learning part but rather the girl. It's more like he is teaching her.

The guy-with-sick-girlfriend-falls-in-love-with-other-girl part is accurate, though.

That said, it was a nice and beautiful short story. It wasn't what I expected, but I liked it nonetheless.
The acting is really good, so it's easy to sympathize with the characters in spite of the short amount of time. I didn't watch this because of Lee Jong Suk, but it sure made me notice him a lot more. If you watch this because of him I'm sure you won't be disapointed.

The short time is another forte of this special - it never get's draggy.

I'm not much of a rewatcher, but I might watch this again because it's beautiful and Lee Jong Suk is so damn hot.


P.S. if you watch this, you will be rewarded with hot kisses ;P

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A complete disgrace. Dishonor to whoever decided this was a good idea

I still can’t believe or more like, it’s hard to understand how someone can ruin a masterpiece. One, Kim Dokja is NOT a prophet. He’s a READER. He knows what’s going to happen because he is a READER!! Even his name means “Reader” or “only child” but everything thinks it’s always the latter to which is true because he loves to READ.

The director have at the reach of a simple click the webnovel, the manhwa, sNs-nim to do a great live action yet they decided to yeet everything and do their own thing? To which btw it’s a disgrace, garbage, it’s like dragon ball evolution!

This is far from an adaptation. They ripped off almost everything to add nonsense. They eliminated characters developed!! Kim Dokja hating the story tls123 wrote for him? Really? That didn’t happen. NEVER.

Kim Dokja a bully? Really?! He was the one being bullied!! The character KDJ had admired for YEARS is Yoo Jonghyuk! That’s who he wanted to be, the name he had repeated for years like a mantra to get strength and to get through all the bad things that happened in his life.

And why everything looks so cheap?! The wigs? Their clothes? I can’t believe how a company couldn’t do better. Did they spent all their budget casting super famous people INSTEAD of using it for a better wig? They couldn’t even get YJH’s hair right.

And what’s with the guns?! In ORV NO ONE USES THEM. It was hard to read the first chapters for them? If you’re doing an adaptation I believe idk that you should take some time to READ the material, to talk with the authors and do a better job. But the kimchi head of the director probably doesn’t know how to read…

Instead of watching this is better to read the webnovel, manhwa and hope that the anime would do the Justice orv deserve.

Orv la doesn’t exist. This was just a bad dream… to bad I can’t give 0 to this crap

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Definitely a great watch!

Usually I avoid historical dramas because it mostly filled with wars and political schemes. But this one is different. I loved how the balance of comedy and politics is maintained. From the first episode, is like a hilarious rollercoaster ride. There is not a single moment i felt bored.

I really loved Ban Hua's character, she's strong, independent, and straightforward. Both her and Rong Xia are likeable characters. Which made them a perfect couple. Supporting actors were great too, especially The Ban Family, Du Jiu, A Ke Qi, Princess Dening, even Jiang Luo, they're so fun to watch. The OST are great too.

At first i thought 40 eps are too much and make me lazy to watch it. But now that i finished watching, 40 eps felt like nothing. Its a great show for those who like light&fluff drama.

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Beautiful World emanated full of bodacious feelings from the start. What started with a mere bullying scenario for which a 16 years old had to pay a heavy price ended up with completely different case. Young adolescents were involved in despicable act ostracizing their peers, instigating wrong doings, fawning, wheedling and so on. Often the mixed emotions the people of this age feel make them indulge in many activities which they mainly do out of impulse. Knowingly/unknowingly they go through so many changes that can be overwhelming to deal with. Although through dramas, movies or social awareness related programs in schools, parents are always reminded to be extra careful with the adolescent children; however, they are the ones remain in oblivion most of the time. Teenagers are on the otherhand constantly reminded of not getting afraid or to seek adult’s help are often times refrain from doing it since in many cases adults seem blasé or mordant to their problems. The story focuses on the root causes of the problems. Mainly the children who have feeble familial bondage, suffer from lack of appreciation, reared in an ostentatious environment, continuously taught about social stratification are most likely cause violence in their academic life. Sprouting from extreme abomination they have for themselves gradually being passed on to their seemingly weaker peers out of jealousy. When their formidable act goes out of control then interferes the adult (teachers, parents and the authorities) creating foment and coercion instead of bolstering them positively for their won betterment. Eventually they fall into doldrums; either destroys themselves or their supposed same aged victim.

Keeping this the main theme, which I suppose the writer got inspired from the book Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, the dramatization took place with some usual dramatic formula. Although it ended with a little unexpected twist but still it maintained to retain its main essence till the end. As the very name of this drama, the makers also ended it in a positive note rather than making it into a heart wrenching one, signaled from the first episode. The story dynamics and the pace of progress per episode was interesting all through.

Also liked the little optimistic message it delivered in the end – to always keep our hopes up and only move forward in order to make everything beautiful around us.

Bullying is a sensitive topic and is a wide social problem in South Korea. No wonder they always try to highlight this issue through visual media to indirectly create awareness. The mood of this drama and story writing is commendable by Kim Ji Woo. She has a certain style of writing which I really love. It exudes somewhat similar feel like the drama Memory and later found out she is the screenwriter of both of them. I just did not like the camera work - the peeping style camera angle or the extreme close shot of every face - which actually gave me a headache. Directions, OSTs, acting by the ensembles all were praiseworthy. All the child actors were excellent, mainly Nam Da Reum and Seo Dong Hyun. Seo Dong Hyun was remarkable in playing the negative role. Unimaginable, how he could manage to pull the skill so maturely at such a young age. He was phenomenal in portraying the evil expressions. Nam Da Reum is always exceptional. They both have the brightest future ahead. The actors in their parents’ role all gave their best performance.

All in all it’s a well - written, directed and acted- drama no one should miss.

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