Fast Food entertainment with a secret ingredient - crack.
This show took me to the times when I was a young teen reading Harlequin Romance and being obsessed over the domineering, rude, but deep DEEP down inside actually good and caring male leads. The best type of trash entertainment anyone can offer.This is just that, but on screen format. Fang Tian Yi is hot and that’s the main trait this man possesses. That and good kissing skills. Saying Dong Ting Yao is brainless would be an understatement. Girl got so easily manipulated and used - customers at McDonalds have more respect for the workers than the majority of the characters had towards hers. The rest of the characters were just place holding NPCs.
The plot? Nothing made sense - her falling in love, him being surprised she does not trust him, the conspiracy and the barely existing investigation. The level of abuse she faced and always being completely fine the next day.
So how come I binge watch it all in one sitting? Because it’s a good type of trash tv. One that does not pretend to be more. One that is here for your entertainment and your eyes, giving your brain a moment of relaxation since you shouldn’t use it watching it. It’s a makjang, but with more shirtless scenes and abs and less kimchi slaps (but overall slaps it delivers). It’s so dramatic you end up having fun even during the intentionally sad scenes. You are here for chemistry and abs only!
Why does it also work? Because it actually has good acting and production. As cheap and ridiculous the plot is, it’s actually packed in a nice to look at box with pretty costumes, pretty faces, pretty make up, pretty set and pretty abs.
Overall, I think it should have been shorter, but it’s still highly enjoyable. I guess even with my brain off, at some point I just could not take how stupid female lead is. Enough is enough.
Now I regret my choices as I drink my coffee trying to wake up. I’m too old to stay till 3am to watch dramas.
Side note - that one guitar string they kept using, am I the only one who got Chuck Norris vibes from it?
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This review may contain spoilers
This felt like watching a shortened family drama. Most of the side couple content has been removed & they focused on the family conflict and the main couple, but it still had that family drama presentation. I think this could have worked better in the 50 episode format as well. Not because I would have wanted more of the same, but rather had the side couples each gotten a couple episode's worth of screen time I think the annoying things could have been far less pronounced and we had so many sidelined characters with immense rom-comedy potential, or I don't know we could have watched the younger sister training as a haenyo..The biggest problems I've had with this drama are the absurdity of the old breakup & the absurdity of the decade long unrequited loves. Of course I found the toxic dad extremely annoying & his sudden change of heart ridiculous as well, but that is ultimately just one bad episode of 16, so that would not have been a deal breaker.
Overall I would say that this drama has been a bit sloppily executed. The cast is absolutely amazing, but many of the actors did not take this very seriously & immersion breaking performances were not corrected. In case there is a problem, it's the director's job to call out the ng, in this drama they settled for "barely acceptable" way too many times. This is very common with family dramas, but those are typically far lower budget, so the lower production values are to be expected.
The writing is all over the place & there are countless problems with character motivations, personality adjustments and just nonsensical stuff, even for this genre.
Can Triangle haters watch this drama? Well, I'm not sure. The second ML does not really do anything, there are no three way handgrabs and whatnot, but I found his character to be extremely annoying. (It's a poorly written character, doubt any of the triangle lovers would be able to feel SLS for him)
To say something good as well, I found the non-gloomy parts of the drama quite funny & it's nice how it's relatively low on product placements. Jeju Island is the product placement, but this is the best kind there can be :-)
Ah, I almost forgot. While this drama is not very tropy, it's really annoying how 30 somethings who have dated in the past for many years acted like preteens in love & we have even gotten two typical sleep together, but do nothing scenes.
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Based on this review it may not seem like it, but there really was a lot of wasted potential here. They had most of the ingredients to cook a great meal, but unfortunately the cooks were drunk.
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It is always nice to find a drama with almost zero antagonist. All the conflict are self inflicted by the leads mostly by the female lead. I love that the show focus on everyone on the show and seeing everyone grow.
There are any cute scenes in the show that would make you smile. the leads are just too cute together.
You would see how they fall for each other with their every encounter... How Khun Tam slowly fall in love for Cha aim while she try her best to hide her real identity. The way he looks at her such swoon worthy.
The Music is really entertaining and fun. The characters are not just one color. They are young and impulsive especially Ameeka (Cha aim). They may not be easily understand their logic but she's just too lovable and funny so you'll end up letting it go.
I would love to rewatch this show if want just to be giddy and just need a fluffy cute couple and a good laugh. Definitely Recommended. A MUST WATCH!!!
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"Everyone is lonely. Maybe it's because loneliness is necessary…
It allows you to face yourself."A journey of imperfect people throughout their imperfect lives, dealing with daily struggles in an imperfect manner. The journey of mundane humanity that puts a mirror to our faces and shows us the side we would rather ignore.
It’s easy to criticize the characters and the choices they made while also thinking you would act more holy than Jesus himself in the same situation. I did it, everyone I know did it. And so will you. That’s just part of our nature. It’s far easier to judge others' mistakes than to face our own flaws and I feel like the drama does a great job highlighting that.
Both female leads are complex and lost women, drowning in problems they themselves created, problems they cannot let go. Depending on your personal history you’ll relate more to one over the other, but hopefully by the end of the show, you’ll be able to appreciate how much depth both of them had.
It’s a story about resentment, anger, rejection, doubt, fear, depression, obsession and never ending regret. It’s about making choices and dealing with consequences. It’s about love, loyalty, company, It’s a tale of life.
I want to be perfectly clear - it’s not a drama you want to enjoy, feel good. It’s not a positive slice of life that will leave you hopeful for better tomorrow, inspired to work hard for your dreams. It’s a harsh reality wrapped into 8 impactful episodes.
The performances were stellar. While I for sure related far more to Rebecca, I did enjoy Ariel Lin’s portrayal of honestly low-key unhinged Chien Ching Fen far more. I honestly disliked the character, but I was greatly fascinated in her, her behavior, her motivations. She was the one that made the neurons in my brain fire.
Visually speaking - great. There was a level of simplicity in the way they shot the show which was a perfect contrast to the turmoils the characters were going through. I did have some issues in terms of the storytelling and how non-linear some parts of the story were told, but by the end of the show, it did not impact my viewing experience much.
Overall, it’s a gloomy show. One that will make you feel annoyed and frustrated more often than happy and joyful. But it’s worth it. Some shows are there to make you think. Some shows are there to make you evaluate. Some are there to make you face the ugly - the one that surrounds you and the one that hides inside you.
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The first reason why people would actually get interested in this movie must be that beautiful poster. Hands down, they did a great job with that. But don't get your hopes up if you expect something epic.
The story is quite simple. A business man is developing a new area and in the process is killing mermaids whose existence he of course doesn't know of. Therefore the mermaids send their most beautiful girl to kill him. That doesn't go so well because she falls in love with him - and he with her. Of course.
Well, storytelling is as fast as a high-speed train (write off authentic feelings). The scenes are completely exaggerated and (in the beginning) went over the top. After a while though it achieves a balance and holds its ground to a point where the jokes are getting quite funny. There are some hilarious moments that really stuck in my mind. And suddenly the story turns from comical to sober within seconds. The movie takes on a new perspective and shows some really nice action scenes and drama. Adding some beautiful sceneries and sometimes well done CGI and it was easy to go on with the film and finish it.
Like this the movie managed to keep me watching till the end despite all the flaws, and the leads were also kinda charming.
To summon it up:
I went from "Oh sh**, what's that?!" to "Oh well, it's nice and sweet and stupid but enjoyable."
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A Beautiful Story of Healing Hidden Beneath Revenge
Going into The First Jasmine, I expected a gentle healing drama with mature romance, quiet emotions, and soft aesthetics. It definitely delivered those vibes—but what surprised me was how psychologically rich the story turned out to be. Beneath its elegant cinematography and slow-burn romance lies a tale of trauma, revenge, healing, and emotional resilience.A'Li is one of the strongest female leads I've seen this year. Her painful past, fragile mental state, and gradual journey toward healing felt incredibly layered. Instead of magically recovering overnight, her wounds remained a part of her, making every small step forward feel meaningful. On the other hand, A'Yao wasn't just someone she healed physically by treating his injured leg—he became the person who quietly stayed by her side, offering patience, understanding, and unwavering companionship. Their relationship wasn't built on grand romantic gestures but on trust, mutual healing, and silent support, which made it even more beautiful.
A'Ying's story - She deserved so much better. I really wish she focused on her becoming independent rather than defining her happiness through mo jingli. She had so much potential to grow into her own person.
And then there's Mo Jingli. Oh, Mo Jingli... He gave me serious Qi Min vibes. Unlike Qi Min, though, he wasn't outright toxic. Yes, after marrying Ye Ying, he remained obsessed with Ye Li and neglected his wife, which was undeniably frustrating. But his character wasn't one-dimensional. His ambitions, regrets, and internal conflicts made him surprisingly compelling, even when I disagreed with his choices.
Princess Lingyun deserved a happier ending too. Her story was tragic in a way that lingered long after it ended. I can only hope that in another lifetime, she and Feng Zhiyao finally get the peaceful life they were denied.
Of course, I can't finish this review without mentioning Bai Lu and Cheng Li. Their chemistry never relied on excessive romance—it thrived through subtle glances, quiet conversations, and an unspoken understanding that made every shared scene feel intimate. The cinematography, costume design, and soundtrack elevated the emotional atmosphere, creating a drama that felt both visually stunning and emotionally immersive.
The First Jasmine isn't just a revenge story or a romance. It's a story about broken people finding reasons to keep living, choosing trust over isolation, and discovering that healing doesn't erase the past—it teaches you how to live with it.
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SLICE OF LIFE
I love this genre of cdrama; it's quite slice of life, and ml talk about movies and books every night, The acting is better than a lot of recent dramas, and I really miss this kind of drama. The before sunset reference made me tear up, I love when dramas talk about movies and books. When the weather is fine kind of drama. Yanyue and his headphones for escaping from his traumas... This drama deserves a try!Was this review helpful to you?
I dont recognised the actors well. I never knew Ma Tian Yu and Wan Qian before.
So, they arent my bias
I came to watch because they deserve to be watched!
First drama that i never skip even one single scene.
Love the leading couple and love the antagonist cast, too.
Everything went as purposely.
No dragging story eventhough it has 54 episodes. Love the plot and its pace.
Love the opening and the ending music plus song. They dont put any scene for opening instead of picture with black and white colour. So does for ending. They put picture of the cast. And it made the drama looked elegant.
This is drama that i watch raw and subs and rewatch before it come to an end.
Drama that will be kept in my memory.
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The pace is a bit slow and story is told in a very leisurely way.
The plus side and take aways from the drama would be
1. No really horrible villains / evil mother in law trying to separate the lead couple- even the girl Yuri pursuing Zheng Lan and the guy protecting Shui Guang are shown with lot of character and fair spirit
2. The CEOs character is mature and he handles issues both at work and personal life with great amount of perseverance. I like to learn such things that a good leader cannot be impulsive and have lot of ego but must treat his employees with trust and kindness. I liked how the writer /director portrayed that this character accepts that their mother leaves him and young brother to go abroad (the reason is explained in later episodes and how she redeems herself by helping her sons boyfriend to overcome her own tendency to escape from reality) and despite this comes across as a sane and balanced guy.
3. All the characters redeem themselves in the end. They prove that love, understanding and patience/ kindness help in bringing back people together
(I believe we all become what we constantly watch so watching good things will influence us to make us better people- as watching hatred revenge etc make for interesting watch but they do not make us better human beings- sorry for the preachy tone...this is a reminder to myself)
4. The guy never gives up on the girl or his love - he makes up his mind and does not let others influence him unlike other dramas which create stupid misunderstandings. And the way Yuri accepts that she is rejected is nice and refreshing. She is very cute and along with Luo Zhi make a nice pair
The negatives the lead actress's acting is a bit wooden - yes her character is supposed to be that way but the liveliness and expressions after she falls in love could have been portrayed much better. The main reason why the lead girl is blamed for her ex-boyfriends death is too thin and doesnot warrant such a heavy reaction. The accident is nothing so ghastly as they make it out to be and the scenes are repeated a lot
The episodes from 32+ etc is a bit draggy and i ran through them as it was just fluff - could have ended by 30 i think. Some characters such as the policeman and his girl in coma are shown with lot of promise but end very thinly.
But overall go for it if you are in a mood (and a lot of time 45 mins of 40 episodes) for a light romantic flick with some techie background.
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1"But there must be a reason behind it all"
"Do you want me to teach you how to be good at work? Don't ask yourself: Why?''. I think this whole show was a commentary on how we stay in the well known patterns, even if they are not productive, simply because things have always been this way or they bring us monetary gratification. But why do we even care so much about money? Because this is what society tells us is important. A vicious circle of bullshit.Trying to suggest change is scary, and since everyone accepts the current state, it means it's working so why would anyone even try to challenge it? Everyone cannot be wrong, it's more likely I don't understand why it's like that. Stuff like the Milgram experiment or Asch Conformity Experiment explain it well. Both good examples how awful people are at going against:
1. Authority
2. Groups of people.
And if you add actual reward (money) for the conformity, people will do a great type of mental gymnastics to justify the current state.
Like drawing the circles, then erasing them and doing the same with x, just because the boss said you have to do it. I'm sure many of us did things we knew were pointless, but they were orders we just had to do. You can think you are not part of the problem, but you most likely are. Not to the same extent as the characters in the show, since everything was over exaggerated, but as long as we participate in the society, we do stupid things for the sake of some kind of benefit - money, popularity, recognition from strangers. But why do we care?
Each episode presents us with different takes on what one can sacrifice for money: pride, self-esteem, time, family, morality. It also shows what we truly want - connection, love, freedom, a feeling of belonging, self-worth.
The show opens with the best episode, so keep that in mind. On one hand it sets up the story well, but it also makes the remaining episode have less impact. Each short story is connected to each other, even though they changed the main character. Personally, my favorite episodes were “Dancing on the sand” and “Family Vacation”. Both had strong messages that resonated with me and my experience.
The production and the acting were phenomenal. Truly would not change a detail. The short duration of the episodes (most were a bit over 20 minutes) made the show more digestible and left some room for interpretation and reflection for the viewers. I feel like depending on your own life experience, perspective and expectations, you will see something else in each and every story.
Overall, great watch, but not for everyone. It’s weird and symbolic. While on the surface the overall message is easy to understand, there is far more than “what people will do for money” if you start digging deeper. It’s also an impactful watch if you are willing to reflect on how the messages fit into how you are handling your life.
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Last Doubts Vanished: One of THE most meaningful LGBTQIA+ series
A mindful spirit, braveness, and an open mind are what it takes to possess the power to produce something meaningful. GMMTV has again gifted us with another meaningful, heart-wrenching, and impressive series called "Last Twilight".The story, which evolves around the disability to see efficiently, dealing with heavy burdens like the suicide of a loved one and being reliant on others, is well-written and paced. Both Mohk and Day are realistically flawed characters and are also portrayed as such. I´m convinced this is one of the best series in the genre of LGBTQ+ in Southeast Asia to be released in 2023 and 2024.
STORY 9.0 >> 9.5
As I have already mentioned at the beginning of this review, the innovation and braveness to portray a story that evolves around disability - which shouldn´t be left out of the film industry as it is part of our world and nothing to be ashamed of or shushed about - has pleasingly surprised me. The issues that come with disabled eyesight are not coming too short and it doesn´t feel like the disability is only a tool for more views and attention, but honestly more as if GMMTV wants to raise awareness for and normalize the thematizing of disability in our lives, as well as showing what those affected by the suicide of a loved one go through. This series offers the possibility to reflect on our world and the entertainment industry, by raising awareness for both these crucial topics and also offering to witness a romance forming despite all the burdens faced by the main characters. Truly beautiful. Truly insightful. Truly inspiring.
I have never changed my opinion on the rating of the STORY to a better rating, UNTIL now. "Last Twilight" has convinced me to be one of the most time-worthy series out there to watch. I feel so blessed to be a witness to this tragic but beautifully written story between two young men trying to overcome this world's difficulties.
ACTING / CAST 8.5 >> 9.0
The chemistry between Jimmy and Sea is probably already well known among GMMTV viewers, but this series raises their bar even higher and makes me feel really happy and warm inside. I wonder what they´re doing in their workshops etc. to create such a natural tension. In "Last Twilight" they have gone over and beyond many bars I have ever imagined to see in the next few years. I am so happy they came this far and immensely pleased by the performance.
What I also like about "Last Twilight" is that the side characters have also become more meaningful for the main story and are not separately dragged along. Especially since they don´t have "that side couple", but it´s focused on Day and Mhok. I´m very pleased to witness that this again proves that most series of GMMTV have improved their screenwriting, especially since I have been part of the journey for more than 6 or 7 years now.
MUSIC 7.0 >> 7.5
The music is usually what provides room for comic relief. With heavy topics as portrayed in this series, it´s unavoidable to provide uplift, as it can also help deliver a more meaningful picture of what it is like to live with a disability where life will most likely also have a shift of positive and negative events and feelings, as we are all are feeling humans after all.
OVERALL 8.5
Masterpiece. Over n´ out!
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That's my word for it...FRESH. It feels GOOD to watch it and I can't really say that for any other drama other than It Started with a Kiss.
Coffee Prince is probably the best drama I've seen. Ever.
I've had the very unfortunate experience for it to be one of the first dramas I've ever watched, so since then all the ones I've watched after was crap. It seriously raised my standards.
The rewatch value is VERY high. I've seen it so many times now (this site should have a # times watched option!) maybe about 4 or 5. I will probably make it an every year or second year thing. Even my very white-washed brother and skeptical mother watched and enjoyed it. Yeah it can be a family thing too.
The storyline was great and I felt like every single scene was important. When you watch it its like you're so engrossed in what's happening you don't even notice that time is passing. The story was so good that I was surprised it wasn't a book to begin with. I think its best to watch in your late teen - 20s years, when you can really empathize with the characters after all the heart breaks. It helps you move on and has good morals.
If you want to watch something inspirational, creative, fresh, heart warming, heart wrenching, sometimes tear inducing, beautiful, hilariously funny, wholesome and passionate drama/comedy, then watch it. It makes you laugh, cry, sympathize, fall in love, be inspired, and just plain happy. Its a MUST SEE.
p.s.
If you're sick and tired of the lame "peck on the cheek" kiss scenes (usually at the end) that you see in soooo many dramas, then see this. Passionate acting and kissing. This drama satisfies everything that you don't get in all the other dramas.
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Although the clear intention of wanting to showcase something emotional and deep, a story that perhaps adults can relate to more was there, personally, this drama came off as vague. It lacked Playlist's usual "sparkle", that element of endearment that leaves you sad that the series is over, that makes you want more, that leaves you... attached.
The characters (all very gorgeous) had empty-like personalities, built around in a very basic way around the relationships each of them carried out. It seems that to be more mature, the writers sacrificed their characters, making them one dimensional. The story was okay, put as dramatic as they could in 12 episodes, and the performances, especially Soo Min's, were great, although I did wish that Geon Won wasn't pouting 90% of the time.
One thing I must praise is the choice of osts (sung by Rothy and Park Won) and the incredible quality of their filming. It helped paint and shape the scenes a lot more. The art within the drama was also beautiful.
Overall, Ending Again isn't exactly bad, but for someone that has seen many dramas from the same team, it's a bit disappointing.
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A beautiful three hour long journey ride
Hamaguchi Ryusuke released two amazing films in 2021, Fortune and Fantasy and Drive My Car. I have to say this, Drive My Car is such a beautiful movie. Please watch "Drive My Car" (2021) it's a three hours long movie, it takes you on a beautiful ride. The screenplay of this movie is so well written. I am so happy this movie got nominated for OSCARS. Drive my Car is the best first Japanese movie to be nominated for the BEST PICTURE. I am so happy! In fact, there is another movie by Hamaguchi Ryusuke you must watch, that is "Happy Hour".Was this review helpful to you?
