Honestly, this is one of my new favorite dramas. The acting, direcing, writing, sets, costumes-- all stunning. We finally got a few REAL kiss scenes from Bie (who's a great kisser) and Esther (who's a good kisser compared to just about every other Thai actress).
STORY: Amazing. The storytelling was consistent, thoughtful, and heartfelt. I usually find melodramas cheesy (let's face it, You're My Destiny is a melodrama), but this one was able to make me laugh and cry without overdoing anything. I especially loved the character development in the last four episodes; it's obvious that both Wanida and Pawut changed, but they were still fundamentally the same people. The family values were sweet, and Taya was totally hot (poor second lead...). And no NANG RAI!!!! Thank goodness, everyone in this drama were logical, NORMAL people and not crazy psychopaths!
The story was a little out-there, but that's the point of You're My Destiny; Pawut and Wanida were brought together by fate.
The only complaint I have was with the ending. Sure, everything was satisfactorily wrapped up, aside from the aunt and her son (I'm not really even sure why they were in the drama... even the other characters seemed to forget about them), but the way it was wrapped up felt very abrupt. They should have split some of the wrap-ups between the last two episodes instead of spending three episodes being completely unproductive story-wise.
ACTING/CAST: I mean, Bie's cute, but I honestly think Esther and Taya were the standouts in this drama. Esther often plays the innocent pushover role, but when she transformed into the later Wanida who wasn't a pushover and who was willing to fight for her man, that's when her acting really shone. Taya was adorable and hot for one, but he also did a very good job of portraying his one-sided love for Wanida. You could tell he had feelings for her just by the way he looked at Nid. And his abs...
MUSIC: Lots of variety to this soundtrack, great OST by Bie. I especially loved the "Smile" song that Bie sang in English... that one made me bawl my eyes out when they played it at the end of episode 13, which is a first for me.
REWATCH VALUE: I would definitely rewatch this one, in spite of the slightly disappointing ending. The acting, directing, and story are just too good to limit to one watch.
I HIGHLY recommend this drama for anyone who enjoys beautiful dramas that avoid the Thai drama stereotypes, and loves heartwarming stories with happy endings.
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First impression: stands out more for its ambition than for consistently polished execution
In its opening episodes, Sammy’s Children’s Day presents itself as an ambitious entry within the BL genre, leaning less on the comfort of idealized romance and more on a narrative shaped by contrast. Setting the story in the 1980s Kowloon Walled City is not just an aesthetic choice, as it defines the entire viewing experience. The environment is chaotic, violent, and unpredictable, and that energy carries directly into the tone, which blends crime, humor, and melodrama in ways that aren’t always perfectly balanced, but are almost always engaging.The narrative structure stands out for its relatively brisk pacing. Unlike many slow burns that take their time laying the groundwork, the first episodes here quickly introduce conflicts, relationships, and even major turning points. This creates a double-edged effect: on one hand, it keeps the viewer engaged and avoids any sense of stagnation; on the other, it weakens the emotional impact of certain developments, which arrive before the audience has fully connected with the characters. Even so, there’s a clear intention to develop the central relationship gradually, building a steady tension that keeps the story compelling.
It’s in the dynamic between He ChuSan and Xia LiuYi that the series finds its strongest footing. Their contrast isn’t treated as a simple trope, but as a driving force of the narrative, exploring differences in personality, social standing, and worldview. Their chemistry works from the start, largely supported by performances that balance intensity with lightness. Even within a violent setting, the series allows space for humor and more spontaneous interactions, which humanize the characters and keep the story from becoming overly heavy.
From a technical standpoint, Sammy’s Children’s Day shows above-average care in certain areas. The cinematography and production design play a key role in immersion, with framing that enhances both action and quieter, more intimate moments. In contrast, the fight scenes reveal clear limitations, whether in the lack of polish in the choreography or in editing choices that disrupt the flow. The dubbing can also be distracting at times, creating a disconnect between dialogue and performance that undercuts some of the more emotionally charged scenes.
Overall, the opening episodes build a series that stands out more for its ambition than for consistently polished execution. There’s a strong identity taking shape, supported by a striking setting and characters with real dramatic potential. At the same time, issues with pacing, tonal balance, and technical finish suggest a production still searching for its footing. If it manages to better align these elements as the season progresses, Sammy’s Children’s Day has all the potential to move beyond a strong first impression and establish itself as one of the more interesting entries in the genre.
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This review may contain spoilers
I hate this
All is nothing like the novel. Kim dokja wants to save the world? The heck. He was fucking happy that this happened. And kim dokja's mom was the most important part of his life and he blamed his mother for his father's death but the director changed that. And my girl yoo sang ah being the typical cliche type of a healer is what disgusted me the most. Like bro, she is the opposite of what healer does. And they making my queen jung huiwon have not the original backstory speaks volume to me about the director bro.Was this review helpful to you?
Cheng lei did so good in comedy !
The story is good for me since it’s romance and the storyline is good I loved that they let the excitement and mystery till the end which make the viewer watch till the end.
The chemistry is so good I felt everything with them they did great.
The side characters are well written And the actors did the best !
I gave it 10 coz It’s the only drama that made me excited and waited for every episode since the beginning !
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Story: We know it & love it. Season 2 is coming in 2014(hopefully)! Yeah!!!! :) I've seen all the versions! The manga, It Started with a Kiss, They Kiss Again(ISWAK 2), Playful Kiss & this one. There is supposed to be a Chinese version of this story, Say that you love me, but it's very loosely based on Itazura na Kiss story(very very). So yeah! Huge fan of the story & series. Part of this series was a tiny bit dragging, but got over it
Acting: Miki is great as Kotoko! She made Kotoko more lovable than ever. Miki makes Kotoko like what a real girl could be like when it comes to liking someone. Yuki Furukawa was amazing a Naoki. He was cold & stoic, but not as "evil" as the other version of Naoki were. Yuki Yamada did a great job as Kin-chan. This drama made Kin-chan not annoying all the way through! I feel that Kin-chan was a little more mature in this version than the other. Like Kin-chan loves Kotoko, but will do anything to make her happy, even if it means letting go of Kotoko.
Music: Not very memorable at all, but theme songs cute.
Rewatch Value: I watched this as I was airing & I rewatched each episodes more than 3 times before the next episode aired! I truely was addicted to this drama from start to finish.
Watch this drama if you are a fan of:
The Itazura na Kiss Story. . .
The Comedy. . .
The Romance . . .
And The Friendship aspect. . .
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Good drama if you love main leads ❤️
I'm truly a big fan of drama especially Korea, so i just give overview, firstly it's interesting at the beginning but after 15 episodes you will find it a little bit annoying and just a waste of time. for me last 5 episode was boring so i skipped almost all 5 episodes 😁😁😁(it's just my. view)
Also support characters are good especially maids of princess and Kui Mulan
Devils are a stupid i think
especially when they defeated by main leads
good point i love female lead when they have power, i think Princess Qi Pa just did what she wanted and said what she wanted, i look forward to her next dramas ( I've already fallen in love with Kui Mulan)
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A New Age Wuxia
Unlike wuxia by Jin Yong and his contemporaries, this is a nontraditional wuxia drama. Though still embodies the basic wuxia elements of chivalry in social and moral codes, its heavy use of CGI in depicting the exaggerated inner energy and superpower with people flying like birds, has rendered it more like, rather, feel like a xianxia drama. And that makes this drama stand out from the other wuxia dramas.There are a lot of firework displays in the fighting scenes with characters showcasing their powers and prowess, zipping through buildings and landscape, moving mountains and dividing seas. More serious wuxia buffs may not appreciate such exaggerations, but the story and the characters are captivating.
Like most wuxia stories, there are many characters here and together with their criss-crossing relationships, it can be confusing. Some characters can also have multiple shifus (teachers) with different skills. On top of that, some characters may appear at the beginning episodes, never reappear until at very much later episodes. Therefore, watching with a character map can help greatly if spoilers are acceptable, at the same time, take notes.
All the characters are complex, interesting and lovable, and the selection of actors is spot on. I love Li Hongyi’s indifferent demeanor which is just perfect for the role as Xiao Se who has lost all his strength and doesn't seem to care a bit even if the sky is falling. Liu Xueyi’s cheekiness and funny aura are ideal as the hilarious Wu Xin the monk who makes me laugh whenever he opens his mouth. Ao Ruipeng looks and acts like a big baby, and fits seamlessly as the innocent and chivalrous Lei Wujie who has a terrible sense of direction. Every other character matches its actor, giving viewers a convincing performance. The dialogs are unexpected but logical and humorous.
The story spans from the initial episodes of adventure, meeting people and making friends, to later episodes of intense palace politics with deadly scheming and assassinations. There are several characters whom I like a lot but they either die early or never appear again. Thanks goodness there's no romance between the main leads, though there is some subtle love interest.
My Verdict
Fast moving, intense, humorous, captivating, lovely characters, great acting, superb directing, editing and production. Indeed kudos to the new and refreshing way of telling a wuxia story.
A must-watch. Two thumbs up! BRAVO!
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This review may contain spoilers
Regret. That's what I felt after wasting more than 3 precious days of my life binge watching this hot mess. But if you asked me how I felt, say, 28 episodes or so in, I would've gushed loudly and happily, rambling on about the great chemistry, suspenseful story and amazing atmosphere. Sure, I would've admitted to plot holes and glaringly obvious breaks of logic, but my love for the passionate romance would have made me gladly overlook the negatives.
What went wrong, then? What made me go from giving this show a solid 7.5 (or even an 8) to giving a measly 5 (which I have given very reluctantly, considering how I actually want to give it a 4)?
To start off, I'll say this: The female lead is utter bullcrap. I have never, in ANY of the dramas I've watched, seen such a fickle, pushy, entitled and naive female lead- she's about as frail and intelligent as a dandelion. There is a limit to how dumb you can be, but this heroine surprises me every time. I can't say anything without spoiling the show for you (if, you know, you're still adamant to watch the show), but she acts VERY immature and heartless sometimes.
She's beauty,
She's grace,
She's a COMPLETE waste of space.
The male lead is dense. There's no other way of saying it. He constantly pushes around the female lead, directly or indirectly dictating her life and clings like a vine. I get it, you like her (for reasons beyond my understanding), but, sheesh, get yourself under control, man. But I'd take him over her moody ass any day; he was at least likeable.
But despite the problems I had with the characters, the story was engaging. It made me stay up till 3:30 in the morning on weekdays, desperately trying to find out what happened next...
...which is probably what made the shit that went down after (maybe) the 30th episode feel almost like betrayal.
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
The heroine chooses, CHOOSES, to believe some random seedy looking dude she just met over the male lead (who she, by this time, already hooked up with and has his bun in her oven) that he killed her parents. She doesn't bother to confirm what she heard or to even ASK the male lead on if it's true or not. No, she just packs up and LEAVES.
And then, through some miracle of god, somehow ends up joining a group of rebels whose aim is to drive away the Japanese from Shanghai (and possibly, China). Yes, this chick, who has never held a gun in her life, got magically chosen to train with an elite group of rebels, who just happen to have the support of high-ranking officials in Shanghai, such as our male lead. Not only her, even the pissy and spoilt second male lead who just smells of bad decisions manages to snag a top spot with the group.
But maybe she's actually good? Maybe she actually learned some moves? WRONG! In the first fight we see her participate in, she comes in an expensive coat, loose hair and heels. HEELS! Not even practical block heels, but freaking 3-4 inch pencil heels!
Alas, somehow, I'm not even surprised at this point.
Final thoughts: Skip. Escape. This should go to the dustbin of Chinese drama history, where it should never rear its pitiful head again.
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Off-kilter visuals, clever dialogue and ingenious music choices provide plenty of humor (don't miss the little bonus scenes tacked on at the end of each episode), but they’re in the service of serious themes. Without ever becoming overly didactic, the show notes the fragility of life and the importance of embracing the here and now. The protagonists may long for extraordinary riches (in this case, tons of hidden gold), but their everyday interactions are where true value lies. For the viewer, though, the biggest prize is getting to savor this underrated gem of a show. Like all treasures, it may be hard to find, but you’ll be well rewarded if you seek it out.
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2Great chemistry but the emotional mess of second chance romance was missing!
This is one of those "It’s not the drama, it’s me" problem here. When I read the synopsis, I thought second-chance romance...and I was expecting an emotional mess, a little chaos, lots of unresolved tension, a little of that good kind of sting, you know classic lovers–enemies–lovers trope ingredients.But instead of leaning into all that, I felt the drama played it very safe. It felt like it tiptoed around like it was scared of making things too uncomfortable. Everything between the leads from the start felt very chill like coworkers catching up after a long break, instead of people with baggage and heartbreak. I wasn't asking for a full-on sobbing in the rain or creating a scene in the office but something to show that they have regrets and feelings, either love or resentment, that don't just vanish overnight.
That’s where it didn’t completely work for me and hence the 'me' problem. I had different expectations of a second-chance slow burn. But once I adjusted those expectations around episode 4, I started to enjoy the drama.
The chemistry between the leads was solid. Their banter was genuinely cute and effortless. It didn't feel forced or cringe. If I somehow forget the second-chance lovers and just look at them with an "enemies/strangers to lovers" lens, I would totally root for them. I could tell they were into each other, even when they were just messing around.
But sadly, the chemistry alone can't do the heavy lifting. The break-up that supposedly drove the entire narrative forward didn't really land the way it should have. The reason didn't feel strong or messy enough. It's like we were told, "This is so devastating", but there wasn't enough build-up to justify that kind of fallout and silence. I am not saying it had to be some toxic reason but at least give me something that hurts a little.
It was more like "Wait, that's it ?!"
Another thing that bothered me was that the transitions between past and present were confusing. I had to rewind a few times or maybe it was my tired brain after a long day of work.
Acting-wise, I do not really have any complaints about the leads. I have watched both of them before and they did a good job here too. It was easy to tell that they felt comfortable around each other and that genuine ease translated into their characters and the on-screen chemistry between them. Also, GMM TV had really innovative location names like "Peraya Hospital". Such a cute touch. And the cat was really cute! <3
Overall, I wouldn’t say it’s a bad drama at all (even if my review sounds kind of harsh lol). It’s actually one of those light-hearted shows that’s easy to binge, low on angst, high on cute moments and has good chemistry. The emotional depth and big dramatic wreckage weren’t really there for me, so if you are looking for something very intense, you might feel a bit underwhelmed. But it definitely has its own charm.
I would still recommend it, just go in with adjusted expectations. And if you are a Krist Singto fan, then yes, 100% give it a go.
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To those seeking answers if it's worth watching, what is it about or what can you expect. How is it? Well, it's lighthearted moments are fantastic and drama moments too. Sadly the writing, motivations of villains and overall frustration is something that you have to overlook to move on. Writers and villains will do everything in their power to make the drama frustrating just for the sake of frustration. The main cast tries to do everything but the GOD of this drama just plays with you and will frustrate you from the beginning till the end. Even the "redemption arc" is not enough to redeem these villains. Their actions and their writing is unacceptable. There was potential because you can see that people are actually mentally ill and should do something about it but you get only few mentions and nobody takes it seriously.
If you are looking for something where the main cast gets through the trouble by the first half and then will have happy moments, look somewhere else. People will be together and people will fight. Tears will be shed and blood shall be spilled (oh wait... I don't remember this part about blood being in the drama). The progress is really fast and mature and with that sadly comes the decision to make it frustrating even sacrificing some sanity and common sense. The frustration lasts till the end and it's not even frustration over the characters but more like frustration over writing stuff that will make you scream "how is this happening AGAIN! WHY! But you know what, I still have to say if you can watch some quality acting and magnificent chemistry, go for it and skip the parts you want to skip. You can sit through the hours of frustration and angst and unreasonable WTH moments and take it all in or you can just take parts of it and enjoy it by your standards.
Story: Feels like watching torture and degradation of main cast waiting for happy moments of insanely good chemistry and funny interaction.
Acting: Absolutely amazing. You might love some characters. You might despise some characters with passion. You might hate the writers but these people can act. Despite very questionable reasons, decisions, twists and whatsoever, these actors can act.
- If you hate angst, stupid decisions and don't want to be frustrated or don't like arrogant (and often rude) but strong female lead - avoid it.
- If you want just some sweet romance and skinship with good chemistry - avoid it or watch it and skip the parts you want to skip - make it your own experience.
- If you want to watch people burn - Go for it
- If you want some mature experience and are able to get through the frustration or are ok with skipping some parts - Go for it
- If you are a fan of one of the two main actors - Go for it.
Despite all my criticism here or down in the comment section, I had a blast. Maybe it was the acting, maybe it was the mature feeling. Maybe it was all of it and more. As I am writing this, only a few people on this site actually watched it and I wish these "hidden gems" could get more recognition.
More info and spoilers in the comment section.
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To be honest, at first i didn't really get it but then wow... so glad i choose to rewatch it. believe me, the time you spend watching this won't be for nothing. surely it will trully make your mood goes up and down!!!
Give it a try and you'll be so happy with yourself for doing so. :)
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Way too long
What is it with Chinese dramas? They tend to be, for the most part, twice as long as they need to be. I will be upfront and say that my rating is based upon my enjoyment of the whole thing. I found myself getting bored (a lot) and I left it for two weeks and finally went back to finish it up, because I can't leave a show unfinished.The main couple? I loved both of them. I really enjoyed her in Love Me If You Dare and I was so glad that their own voices were used. Dubbing makes the whole thing even worse. They were very cute together, the kind of cute that you just have to smile when watching them. I felt that toward the beginning she had some entitlement going on, which irritated me. She kept breaking rules and then didn't understand why he wanted her to leave the program she was in. She felt it was better to apologize than to ask for permission, apparently.
Second couple - if a woman continues to chase a man and he keeps shutting her down, my opinion of her lowers. It's like she has no self-esteem. His reason for shutting her down, when he obviously liked her, was missing so he irritated me as well.
The older couple - had an interesting back story, but I didn't feel overly invested in them, either.
A lot of the medical stuff was incorrect, as it tends to be in these dramas. Do you not have a medical consultant? That takes away from the story as well.
There is quite a bit of action, some bromance, and it's low on angst, so if you are patient and your expectations aren't too high, you might enjoy this show.
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Better read the novel, better life
At this point, everyone has already said everything. I'm gonna say the director shouldn't have messed with the original novel. Original storyline was far more better than the movie. Changing that only made the novel fans angry. The fans were hopeful that their favourite novel was getting an adaption. I was excited too. To see all my fav actors in my fav novel. But it all went in vain. They acted as if it was their first time acting. Why did they have to acte like that? Does this look like a zombie apocalypes??? They shouldv'e declined the role if they were not confident. Money hungry basta....Was this review helpful to you?
Story:
The story is nothing special. It is quite "safe" - a basic love story with predictable high and low notes. My biggest qualm was the attempt to boost the melodrama in the latter part of the drama by the characters making illogical decisions.
Acting/Cast:
Krystal and Rain were an okay couple, but their chemistry was lacking. Also probably due to their huge age gap the drama kept their skinship to a minimum and this further made their chemistry and romance lukewarm. Krystal is extremely young and although she did portray most of the emotions well, I still felt her character was less real compared to Rain´s. All in all the cast was okay, but most of the characters seemed hollow and not very interesting.
Music:
This drama is mostly about music so you would think they would pull out all the stops to push the music, but I only liked one of the songs in the drama. The worst song in the drama was unfortunately the one they played every time something romantic was going on. Of course music is very personal and someone else might enjoy the songs in the drama, but they just weren't for me.
Rewatch Value:
I don´t think I will be watching this drama again. There were no epic love scenes in the drama, nothing especially memorable or exciting.
Review Summary:
I gave this drama 7.5, because it was okay, but it didn't offer anything new. I would recommend this drama to anyone who really watches a LOT of dramas and enjoys either Krystal or Rain. This drama is also a good newbie drama, because it has most of the drama clichés, but it isn't too over the top and it doesn't delve into Korean culture as it feels very global and generic.
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