Of course I also have some hangups with this drama. In the middle episodes they tend to drag the story and highlight on some unnecessary scenes but all in all it's okay.
I would like to recommend it to those who want to laugh their heart out and fall in love with the main lead couple.
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What a Gem!
The quality of Korean BL is steadily improving! This is a short and sweet series that went above my expectations. The story was interesting and flowed well enough even though it was working with limited time. Also, the acting and chemistry were better than I have seen in similar BLs in the past.The female actors were also pretty good, which I have noticed to be lacking in other BLs. The friendships between the characters were lovely. The two main leads were also seriously so cute (Although their chemistry was a tiny bit lacking - in the case of the tall lead) . Fluffy and sweet wonderfulness of a series, definitely recommend. Especially if you're looking for something to make you feel all those warm fuzzies.
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Love can be messy
The two main leads have a lot of complexity written into their characters and they portray mixed emotions very well. My take on the drama;I see Mark as a person who knows he can love wholeheartedly and when he is disappointed in not winning his intended love interest he backs off and tries to deal with the aftermath of feelings by drinking and looking for random hook-ups. The scene of drunken mistaken identity is more a fanciful wish on his part and gives Mark the chance to act out the passionate love scene he has missed out on.
Vee is in a long term committed relationship with his girlfriend and has a strong need to be helpful and have others like him. He assists the very inebriated Mark and when Mark throws himself at him he finds himself turned on and reciprocates. This sexual encounter affects both of them badly. Mark is angry and hates Vee for the encounter. Vee is confused and begins to realise he is sexually attracted to Mark and then the story unfolds.
Youth in university exploring their sexuality without yet fully understanding what is required to maintain a relationship. Friends adding their own input to the confusion. Jelousy, judgements, sacrifice and selfishness overlaid with raging hormones and insecurities.
The parents add some interesting dynamics to the mix and the two male leads are influenced by their attitudes.
As a love story it has fulfilled this role. The two MLs have a strong chemistry and they are sufficiently different to add the angsty thought that maybe they won't be able to stay together.
Very watchable and rewatchable.
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If you're EXO-L or just really like EXO, watch it!!! It's literally just EXO being EXO while playing minigames verses each other and spawning more memes for the fandom.
Lee Soo Geun was a great, hilarious host. The minigames were great, sound effects were on point, and music was always fitting.
If you don't like EXO, well...I don't know why you're here.
The only cons to this variety show is that it's too damn short and there needs to be an EXO Arcade 2. Please another season, thanks. Now everyone go watch EXO Climb the ladder season 2 when it's out.
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1
1Amazing Short Story
In my opinion, this is a true masterpiece of short-form drama. Each story runs only 15–30 minutes, yet within this limited runtime, the director consistently delivers compelling narratives with no unnecessary dragging or dull moments.As each story is standalone and narrated in either one (15mins) or two (30mins) episodes. with no connection. So you don’t have to watch this in sequence, and can always randomly choose your favourite episode or the episode with your favourite casts in it to watch. Below I have a brief breakdown of the popular casts on the episodes.
Every character is thoughtfully written, carrying complexity and emotional depth that feels authentic to their circumstances. The richness of each scene clearly conveys the essence of its theme. The series explores a wide range of subjects—entrepreneurship, business ventures, social transformation, environmental issues, industrialization, relationships, kinship, choices, struggles, risks, and even sci-fi—creating a tapestry of stories that feel both diverse and cohesive.
Blending realism with heartwarming storytelling, the drama is infused with action, comedy, and occasional adventure. Many of the stories are inspired by real-life events, spanning the era when Shenzhen was still a developing region full of opportunity to its present-day status as a thriving metropolis.
The production boasts an impressive ensemble of nearly 80 well-known actors from the film and television industry, each delivering strong and memorable performances.
Special mentions and brief, low-spoiler impressions:
• Ep 1–2 – A poignant portrayal of a mother’s love and anxiety, highlighting how far a mother might go to help her son.
• Ep 3–4 – Hu Ge & Yu Shi: A powerful story about an ethnic tribe grappling with modernization, offering insight into cultural traditions and the pain of change.
• Ep 5–6 – Bai Yu & Wang Yu Wen: A lighthearted misunderstanding that unfolds into a sweet and fun romance.
• Ep 7–8 – Zhang Song Wen: A touching narrative about balancing habitat preservation with urban development.
• Ep 9–10 – Zhang Ye Cheng & Mao Xiao Tong: A deeper, more somber exploration of the finance industry, touching on stock market risks, greed, and exploitation.
• Ep 11–12 – Zhang Yun Long & She Shi Man: A story centered on friendship, social entrepreneurship, and the courage to take a leap of faith.
• Ep 13–14 – A romantic tale set around a bookstore, featuring subtle mystery and a hint of magical realism.
• Ep 15 – Wang An Yu: A moving story of a decades-long friendship between a young social entrepreneur and a cleaner who profoundly inspires him.
• Ep 16 – Jin Shi Jia: A capable performance in a storyline about early business opportunities in Shenzhen, though it personally resonated less with me.
• Ep 17 – Li Landi & Tu Song Yan: A heartwarming story about kinship and friendship, revolving around a young girl helping a man recover his lost memories.
• Ep 18 – A cute animated segment, though it didn’t leave a strong impression on me.
• Ep 19–20 – A comedic duo and a missing sculpture head—pure fun and laughter from start to finish.
• Ep 21–22 – Chen Xiao & Tong Yao: A tribute to construction workers and their resilience in building Shenzhen’s iconic Ping An Financial Center.
• Ep 23 – Lei Jia Yin: A delightful and thought-provoking story about an AI butler, ending with an unexpected and clever twist.
• Ep 24 – The finale beautifully closes the series with a story about merging Yong Chun martial arts and dance. Having seen such performances online before, I once questioned whether the fusion would dilute either art form. This episode offered fresh insight and challenged my preconceived notions, showing how the two can merge harmoniously.
The cons: I feel that this series would attract more viewers’ attention if the production team could put more thoughts in the episode sequence. Perhaps having the exciting and popular casts in the first few episode or having and overall theme that flows throughout the series so the viewers could be intrigued to follow through.
However, each story is inspirational and resonated with me in different ways. Whether you are someone who lived through that era and might feel a wave of nostalgia, or someone unfamiliar with Shenzhen’s history, this drama is both educational and perspective-shifting. It’s well worth a watch.
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Though the show does take a slow start with each of the cast getting an episode to explore their character, it is by no means boring. These episodes for each character not only let us connect with the character, but also lays out the ground work for later episodes. I'll let you know now, that as the series progressed; I was edging closer to the end of my seat. There was not a dull moment, and at no time were my eye's not glued to the screen. The music only added to the suspense making it that much more intense.
The acting of the cast is truly incredible. The stand outs for me were Gun and Chimon. Gun's character of Punn really does showcase his 10 years experience with the particular role he has taken on (I would elaborate but no spoilers), while Chimon was a complete slap in the face. I have seen him previously in other dramas, but I have never seen him take on such a serious character before with internal battles. His betrayal of intensity vs vulnerability was exquisite.
Chimon's and Nanon's acting complimented each other well as they played opposite each other a fair amount of time. Their real life friendship and chemistry definitely evident on screen; though they were actually at odds for a fair amount of the show.
Overall I can only sing high praises for the series, I hope more people choose to watch this show. GMMTV is known for their BL series and have a large BL fanbase, but I do hope more people take the time to explore their other shows. The Gifted is such a rare hidden gem that it makes me sad to think that so many people are missing out on such a show. I'm crossing my fingers for a season two since GMM left the ending open to a S2. Let's all wait and hope for the best.
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STH is my favorite drama, after my "happy fix" Autumn's Concerto. The characters were superb. At first I thought Shin Hyun Joon was too old to be cast as the stepbrother, but his acting won me over.
Every minute of this drama is romance, not a lot of silly fillers. So if you like Romance, you won't be disappointed. Warning: you won't be able to get the music or love story out of your head afterwards!
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Casting: wow!! Cha Seung Won really moved my heart in this movie. I was welling up all my tears till i can't no more. Cha Seung Won really nail it. No wonder he won in 2007 Chunsa Film Art Awards: as BEST ACTOR for this movie.
It's a recommended movie for those who appreciate movie that portray life and society.
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"People are awful, drink some beer." -Min Jin Lee
Min Jin Lee’s bestselling novel gets a tantalising adaptation that sweeps back and forth from Korea in 1915 to Japan’s Wall Street era. It’s a rollercoaster ride through time and space.Just like in the novel, the drama's multi-generational narrative allows this rich history to unfold at a pace that is beguilingly peaceful, opening in a deceptively idyllic coastline setting in Korea, shortly after the Japanese annexing of Korea.
Spanning nearly 100 years and moving from Korea at the start of the 20th century to pre- and postwar Osaka and, finally, Tokyo and Yokohama, the novel reads like a long, intimate hymn to the struggles of people in a foreign land.
It is breathtaking in almost every department. Pachinko the show is just as beautiful as the book on which it's based.
Sunja, the family matriarch, is the only surviving child of Hoonie and Yangjin. She is born in Yeongdo, Korea, around 1916.
The drama genuinely focused on the entire Japanese annexing of Korea along with the other characters.
It showed so many personalities in this drama and so many emotional scenes were shown in the drama.
Sunja became one of my favorite strong female characters that deserve more recognition just like other iconic characters from different dramas.
The drama isn't for everyone and there is a thin border between people liking it and not liking it.
Dive in if you feel like it, you're going to be in for a ride.
'There is nothing fu***** worse than knowing that you are just like everybody else. What a messed up lousy existence." -a quote from the novel.
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Cute lesbian romance in a fantasy setting
“There's something I still don’t understand. Can you enlighten me Ms. A-Ze? I don’t know why, but whenever I look at you, my heart starts beating strangely.”Legend of Yunze is a short series focussing on the developing romance between the cultivator Jiang Zhao Tun and the fairy-like A-Ze. It is also a Xianxia series since it combines the elements of magic and demonic cultivation.
As our protagonists investigate the mysterious evil that has taken over the Changshui Village, they start to fall in love slowly and Jiang Zhao Tun’s experiences teach her that there is an evil inside humans which supercedes that of demons.
In 12 episodes of merely 3 minutes or less, Legend of Yunze manages to cover a lot of ground. For one, the romance is really cute with all the hesitancy and sweetness of first love. The CGI is also commendable, its not over the top but looks better than some Cdramas I have checked out. The actresses bring the characters to life and feel different here as compared to their roles in a previous drama, Legend of Yun Qian. There are some comical moments too which attribute a more light hearted vibe to this series.
Despite being a low cost project, this drama has managed to deliver. 8.5/10.
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This review may contain spoilers
They let us have this ....
In the original story Ho Tae and Dong Hee had feelings for each other but out of respect for Ho Tae mother, as she loved him and cared for him as her own, Dong Hee didn't want to have a relationship with him. Ho Tae persistently begged for Dong Hee to date him but was constantly rebuffed. They were always friends and for me at least the prequel's ending fit nicely with the sequel beginning. The writers stuck to the backstory details to create the prequel and nothing was changed.Reason why it fit: After years of not seeing each other they finally meet. Old friends would smile as they remember their connection and the warm feeling they had for each other. As in the prequel Dong Hee still hides his feelings for Ho Tae. Ho Tae keeps forcing him to give him a chance which causes the friction between them. They are no longer boys but men with strong opposing convictions. Frustrated Dong Hee lashes out. This is where Unintentional Love Story begins.
The story was really the growth of both and nothing new was told, just the reason of why Dong Hee left and his return. Ho Tae is as thick mentally as he is insightful. As he understood his feelings for Dong Hee, he knew why he dated the girls. They would never replace the one he wanted at his side. He knew that he was wrong so he gladly took the injuries. Dong Hee ran away to come full circle back to him. Hence the reason Ho Tae told him he was not intouch with his feelings.
The story wasn't new but it felt fresh in its delivery. The moments were realistically light and not bogged down with melodrama. The actors were superb in their roles with great chemistry. What I would have loved to see, was one more episode with another 7 years passing and picking up where Dong Hee says, "Let me have this.", with Ho Tae's arms wrapped around him. Whatever errors (the story lag in 4 and 5, Won Young in the same town and school when he only newly arrived in ULS ) are easily forgiven as it was definitely worth the wait. I'm left wanting more of all four. As a movie this would have worked better than the series. Still very grateful. Rewatch - definitely!
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This review may contain spoilers
Fair but could be better..
The series is good, and it's nice to see the FL again. I love the height difference between the FL and ML—they somehow have great chemistry and portray their characters well. The ML did justice to his role and executed it impressively. His small, subtle smiles were also adorable.However, the storyline became a little strange in the middle of the series, particularly in Episode 15. It didn't clearly explain the relationship between the ML and FL—were they just friends, developing mutual feelings, or something else? After a brief infatuation, some scenes felt odd and lacked proper explanation. Their relationship felt like a whirlwind. The ML and FL didn’t have enough time to get to know each other or spend moments together to establish what they truly had. They also didn’t have time to clear things up or express their emotions fully. Perhaps the writers had different ideas regarding that aspect.
Additionally, there were moments when the characters' secrets weren’t explained well. Overall, the series is enjoyable for today's era, but I feel it lacks a stronger storyline that could have clarified important details and made it even more compelling. I could rewatch it at some point, but it wouldn't be one of those series I'd revisit often.
Lastly, I didn’t like the ending. It felt rushed and disconnected from the rest of the story. The last two episodes were fast-forwarded, and the series concluded without properly showing how the ML and FL officially became a couple, no clear development. They talked and kissed, but there was no deeper progression. It was quite disappointing. The part where the ML goes abroad also felt a bit odd.
Watch it for yourself, and you’ll understand what I mean! I just wish the ending had been better.
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This is the first ever drama that I ever reviewed and actually wrote (and I watched A LOT of dramas) I just think that this drama can be a BIG hit!! And that they NEED to make a season 2 ASAP!!
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1This review may contain spoilers
A lighthearted take on gender issues
I wasn't sure what I expected of this show, but I enjoyed it immensely. It's mostly fluffy, sweet fun. If you're looking for a cute romance to brighten your day, this is it! However, I also appreciated the handling of different kinds of gender issues in this show. There is the obvious one of Meguru being androgynous and his journey towards sharing his views on beauty and gender with the world was inspiring. However, there are also other gender and sexuality issues that pop up, like should women have to choose between work and family? Are men held to higher standards in the workplace than women are? Is it forgivable to out someone without their consent? Although it was sometimes a little too on the nose, I really enjoyed the lighthearted way the show approached these topics. My review kind of makes it seem like the show is heavy, but really it's the opposite (sometimes it's VERY goofy...which I loved!)Was this review helpful to you?
