Reviews

It's an old drama but it's a true gem for anyone who likes a good mix of action, romance and comedy! I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end! I was laughing myself out of my seat half the time, cheering the lead guy on during the fight scenes and gushing over the romance ^_^ I started it for Ahn Jae Wook and I'm SO glad I did!!! This is not to be missed if your a fan! :D I highly recommend it! There aren't many dramas I'm willing to stay up half the night to just finish it! This was one of those times where I just had to see the end - I just couldn't wait! ^_^

Ahn Jae Wook as Kang Joon Ho was so smexy in this role! (gosh I love that hair on him) ^^ He'd make me giggle like a school-girl over his cute actions towards our leading lady ;) So adorable ^^ I would totally fall for a guy like him! He may be poor but he's got a good heart and fights injustice and has an awesome best friend - their antics made me laugh so hard :P Oh Yeon Soo as Min Joo was so pretty for one and I have to say I became a fan through this drama, she did an awesome job playing a hairdresser who falls in love with a guy who walked into her shop one day ^^ Loved their relationship ;) Kwon Hae Hyo as Dong Wook was awesome! His bromance with AJW's character was so cool and fun to watch! Son Chang Min as Lee Hyun Soo was great in his role as the antagonist - I liked to dislike him if that makes any sense :P and I love the song they played for his scenes ^^ Lee Kye In - I nicknamed him Iceman (b/c of one scene I saw him in) He was the "dumb" one of the bad guys which made him hilarious to watch! :P Kim Hye Soo as Mi Kyung was good as Min Joo's friend who makes wrong choices but tries to make the best of them. and Kang Sung Min as Dal Soo (a hairdresser) was also fun to watch (mainly b/c I kept trying to think of who the actor was, but also b/c how he liked to help Joon Ho and Min Joo) He was a sweetie ^_^

Music: Perfect 10 for me! I love the two Korean songs 'Appointment' by Root One & 'Leaving' by ?, the Italian song 'Respiro' by Franco Simone, and the English Song 'One Life, One Soul' by Gotthard. There were also a few other English songs introduced once during a couple episodes and they were perfect for their scenes ^^ I also loved the non-singing songs (wish I could find them too)

I would most definitely re-watch this and recommend it to fans of Ahn Jae Wook or lovers of action, romance and comedy ^^ I watched it raw on MBC Classic channel on YT ^_^

Overall is a great drama that never gets boring. (I marathoned most of the drama in 1 day) and the ending is great too ^^

Read More

I just wanted to say something before I go ahead and write a review lol. I honestly did not begin to watch this out of interest or anything like I just kind of watched it bc I was waiting for episodes of another drama to come out. However, after watching a few episodes of this drama, the other drama is on hold lol. This drama is that good!

Cast & Acting: The cast was great in my opinion. Everyone had chemistry whether that be love or friendship or hatred, there was a lot of chemistry. The ML was great and I honestly did believe that he was sick lol. The FL was great too and I really enjoyed her character development as well as her emotional scenes. The 2nd ML and 2nd FL was what I lived for. I enjoyed their scenes A LOT and I genuinely wanted them to have a happy ending, especially after watching AOL and ATWIL, the 2nd ML lead kept dying in those series so I was praying he wouldn’t have to die in this series. I really like the bromance that Chang Ge had with ZY and the romance he had with JE, very realistic and sad lol.

Characters: Now I shall be talking about the characters themselves (separate from the actors and actresses). I think that this drama had very likable characters, even the bad people. The bad people are bad but not the type of annoying bad you know like they add the right amount of angst and problems to th Elliot which was very neat. Now the ML character, I genuinely adore his character. I’ve never seen any other character like him where he’s just really in it for FL. I also really like how reactive he was to knowing how she wanted to kill him. Yes he is very petty but I think that that’s what makes me like him so much. If it was any other ML, they would’ve been like yes you can kil me but instead he got angry which was a twist I did not see coming. I also liked how I couldn’t understand his character like when he poisoned FL or faked it whatever, that was shocking to me. I also enjoyed how he was kind of vicious and literally gave no mercy, it was refreshing to see how determined he was with his plan. For the FL character, I love her lol. I love how she’s so determined to save her shifu and how she doesn’t really take anyone’s shit. Her character development was clearly shown in the series as she went from being isolated to trusting others and building friendship as well as confessing her love to ML, I really liked how both leads were strong in their own way and became stronger together. As for 2nd leads, the 2nd ML character was good. I think the only thing I didn’t like about him is how he lacks confident in chasing 2nd FL or maybe that’s just me. I feel like he should’ve explained everything to her instead of waiting ya feels and he shouldn’t have made an empty promise but eh. 2nd FL character was enjoyable. She’s strong and she’s cute, esp in the earlier eps when she was waiting for 2nd ML in the rain. Chang Ge character was good too, at first I thought he would be annoying but I actually liked his character and his romance with JE was cute. I like how honest he is and how he knows right from wrong and doesn’t accept his clans wrongdoings. ZY character was okay, I didnt really lik shim or dislike him. I did think his scenes where he was battling with himself was getting repetitive and annoying but he ugh in the end so it’s okay.

Plot: I admit, I did fast forward some scenes, especially in the beginning because when politic got involved, it was just kind of boring, the beginning was slow and I was confused on why FL looks like a guy. However, as I kept watching, around ep 4-5, it’s getting more interesting and I enjoyed it throughly. I have to say that I enjoyed watching them getting the medicine than them helping the king but nonetheless, the plot was fast paced and never boring. Like when you kind of get tired of seeing a certain arc, it jumps to another which is refreshing. I enjoyed the love between the leads but I still think that if FL had to choose at the end of the series to save ML or her shifu, she would still save her shifu and not him. I love their love story but there’s just something about it that I feel isn’t the most “genuine” I guess. But I also really like that aspect because they’re not blindly in love, they have different priorities and tasks so it really is the definition of two individuals falling in love. The second leads love story was also the definition of two individuals falling in love and being logical as well as mature. 2nd FL didn’t jump right back into his arms after knowing and he didn’t force her. They needed time mad they took the time they needed to become better and it was really nice to see. The proposal was also really cute lol. Chang ge and JE love story was the most innocent and most cute but ended up tragic and sad. Honestly, I expected it but I didn’t expect her to go there and did what she did so when she did what she did, I cried a river of tears. The love story tied greatly into the plot and the scheme that the ML had was great and honestly I did not see a plot hole. Although the plot was already really good. I do think that ML should’ve died instead of. A happy ending because it just isn’t logical and honestly would’ve made a better impact if he died right then and there like in Princess Weiyoung.

Cinematography: The one thing that’s annoying in this drama is the cinematography bc after seeing so many wuxia dramas that are filmed brightly, this one just hits different. A lot of the scenes are dark and there are a lot of close up scenes. But after a while, you get use to it and you almost kind of prefer it to the regular pastel bright wuxia dramas.

Overall, I did not have high expectations but I was blown away. The angst and sadness and logic was intense and well done. There has been so many cute light hearted drama that it’s honetsky driving me crazy. This drama was a breath of fresh air and had the right amount of sadness as well as sweetness. It’s kind of bittersweet and because of that I highly recommend it. The eng sub is really slow but I do know that they’re subbing it on YouTube. The raw is also on YouTube if you want to watch raw. Thx!!!!

Read More

amazing

this was an amazing special episode for the “You are Mine” series.

it was so dang cute and I’m pretty sure I now have a toothache with how sweet this was. I was grinning from ear to ear the whole time.

I’d been looking forward to the special for months once I found out they were doing them for the series and I was not disappointed.

I adore we got to see their relationship progress, and it aligned so well with the story.

my heart is so full. if you loved the series you will for sure also love this added episode. I just want more of their story, this was so unbelievably loving an so well done. the perfect end to their story ❤️❤️❤️

Read More

very slow for a drama with such short episodes

Initially, I thought that the drama would be rather fast paced considering the fact that it only has 22 episodes. Yet, the pacing was sooooo slow, you only get to see them together towards the end of the show, with 5 episodes remaining. Their time together also didn’t make the wait worth it. There were many push and pull moments, and it was rather ridiculous when it was very obvious that they had feelings for each other. If they didn’t, then what they did would feel very uncomfortable when he had kissed her twice before they enter a relationship.

The ML’s character was annoying in the beginning, where he was the typical jerk who was kind of rude. However, just a few episodes in, you’ll actually notice that he was the sweetest one in the show. He’s kind, and always thanking the people who had helped him. I’m glad for his character development or I would have disliked his character. On the other hand, the FL’s character did not change throughout the show, and her character kind of annoys me.

To be honest, the casts lack chemistry. At a point in time, I actually want them to stop kissing because it doesn’t even give me the feels. Instead, it felt very unnecessary. Their love for each other doesn’t reach me too, it feels a bit superficial and just not the type of feeling I receive from seeing a couple.

Towards the end the show tries to rush every single thing in like 2 episodes? Where the annoying jerk, ML’s friend found his true love, and ML’s sister suddenly confesses to FL’s friend. Everything just felt so rushed and ridiculous when they could have paced it properly to add in all these couples from the start.

Overall, this is quite a disappointing drama after a long wait. As much as I like Zhao Yi Qin, I didn’t enjoy this drama. It may be good for people who doesn’t really care for plot and is just here for a slightly cute and funny drama. :)

Read More

A thriller that treats the teleporter like a detective too.

Generally, new-generation thrillers spoon-feed you everything, but The Truth Within is different. It treats you like you're part of the team, giving you the pieces to put together, making it so immersive. Everything is so well-written and mysterious. I like series like this, where I'm treated as someone who also wants to unravel the mysteries. The plot involving Qi Sizhe and Han Feng intrigues me so much; I want to know more about them, I want to know the reasons why their relationship is so bad, so bitter, so distrustful. I really like the cast; they're all great actors, and the villains are top-notch. Watch The Truth Within if you like series like Criminal Minds and CSI.

Read More

This is one hot mess! So confusing!

Umm… this drama is a hot mess! Literally! It jumped around and did not run smooth or make sense. The story was lacking so much! If my review sounds confusing… it is all because of this drama!!!! It messed with my brain. I think it made me confused… haha!!

But No, seriously… if you read my review and are confused well… that is exactly how you will feel watching this drama!

Storyline - I could tear this entire drama apart bit by bit and explain how it is confusing. I will only list the worst of them… from the description listed… it did not match up with the story that was told here. In the first episode I was like… um where does she “fall in love and confess to him and get rejected?” How is she his personal nutritionist, for years mind you, when all she did is cook one meal and then is let go because it was not the same as he remembered? And what is with the anorexia bit? Why did he have it and how to solve it? I was confused from the first episode. And her 12 yr old self and the age difference when they get older makes no sense… she aged yet he did not? How about… she disappeared for years yet he spent time with her parents and knew them even through her first time travel yet he could not find her? Her amnesia in 2024… she cannot remember him and her parents are even confused as to her loss of memory and they don’t recognize him??? She wakes up a year later at the end and… what? What FREAKING HAPPENED?!?!?? Confusion to the max! And the villain was no better. I am so lost, lost, lost…..

I could sort of understand what they wanted to accomplish here but it just was not executed properly or written well. I just don’t understand why they even released this drama for us to watch. Why?

Acting/Cast - I really think they could have done better with a MUCH better script/story. I have a hard time knocking them down because in all honesty I think they did their best with what they were given.

Music - was great! Loved it. Just wish the drama was better.

Rewatch - umm it is a definite NO!!! Don’t waste your time.

Read More

This is deffinitely worth all 10.
I never would've thought that I could like a drama about people in their 40's but after watching this I can (without a doubt) say that I was SO VERY WRONG. This is realy one of the best dramas I've ever seen. From hilarious scenes to heart breaking ones - everything was outstanding.
The story about four 41-years-old men might seem boring and etc. but it's not even similiar to what you might think at first. For people to stay such a good friends for more than 20 years seems impossible but these men take friendship to the whole new level. From playing starcraft together (LOL) to leaving everything because something happened to one of the four seems so amazing. And even from the screens they make you wish to have friends like that because it feels like with them you don't need anything else.
The females of this drama are also very strong so it's even more amazing. And there aren't any anoying ones (well, at least for me there weren't) that everyone hates. They are ALL fantastic characters.
This was the first drama I've seen that had prologues at the beggining of the every episode,too. They are so amazing to watch. You just laugh and you can't stop laughing. It's one big LOL. xDD
Oh, right there were also guests like SooYoung and YongHwa. ^. ^

So, the last thing I want to say is that this is REALY amazing drama and you should definitely watch it. It's realy good if you want to laugh and laugh, and laugh again ;) ;D

Read More

AN UNINTENTIONAL LOVESTORY

        From high school heartbreak to time travel, this is a very exciting romantic fantasy that will get you hooked from the very beginning and even as the series progresses.

         It's been a long while since Kris last starred in a BL drama and I can tell that in BE MY FAVOURITE that he has made an outstanding comeback.

         The series is interesting because of a number of things which I am going to point out in detail.

         First and foremost, the chemistry of the main leads is very outstanding and can instantly be felt from the very beginning which I admire, Be my favourite touches the spot rather than rotating around in circles which doesn't make it too confusing.

         Secondly, since TRIAGE aired back in 2022, it has another  element that I have been very eager to see in another THAI BL DRAMA which is TIME TRAVEL which is not much of a cliché, besides the series does away with a lot of our high school BL LOVESTORY STEREOTYPES because this I feel is one of the first mature dramatic plots that have been executed where characters act with some degree of emotional depth rather than psych.

         I was about to scream wild ever since our second main male lead FLUKE delivered a heartthrobing performance as a support character in NOT ME the series UNAR and I  can't help but keep falling for him in almost every scene.

         He adds a tone of humour to the series and self realisation, while he is equally the outgoing type of person I admire his role of being the charmer that he is.

         There's also the cliffhanger effect which though rare in a number of BL TROPES, BE MY FAVOURITE seems to have adapted it much better than a number of other series, generally, as there are yet a number of more episodes to air, the best that I can say is that this series has delivered a remarkable message that even mature lovestories are very sweet and the fact that the love between our main characters is unintentional but progressive with every scene, it doesn't  get too boring along the way and the pacing seems to hit the spot just right.

Read More

The best dual transmigrating story, no argument needed

I watched many dual transmigrating story and for me this one tops everything. I've been traumatized by a bunch of low-quality ensemble dramas, and this one has been a real healing experience. The four people chemistry were most natural from every aspect and you could mix match the CP even the same gender one. Their harmony were too perfect and I need to appreciate Chen Tian Xian, Liu Nian, Zhang Chi and Zhi Chun He for this drama. The interactions between the two couples are equally sweet, Essentially, it includes all the elements viewers want to see. I can relate with Nian and Chun He on their first scene. So fujoshis coded. I am on Chun He's mind want to make the Male Leads kissing each other. Zhang Chi's costume remind me of Seungho from Painter on The Night.

Within its limited runtime, it almost achieved perfection. It has a main plot, a coherent storyline, a complete narrative structure, laughter and tears, plot twists and redemption, rich content, and a tight, smooth pace. The screenwriter has achieved what is most difficult for an ensemble drama –complete dish! Moreover, the supporting characters aren't just plot devices; the villains' scenes are also entertaining, and the emperor is a source of amusement. While the ending leaves a cliffhanger, the story is already very complete (I am waiting for season 2 too). The costumes, makeup, and props are excellent, the visual quality is good, the filters are natural. The only drawback might be the lack of original voice acting; dubbing really detracts from the overall quality and the system voice was quite to squeaky for my personal taste. Overall, it's quite enjoyable.

Recommended if you like dual couple story with light tone drama.

Read More

realistic conflicts & great character dynamics

I can't believe it took me this long to find this series, but it's honestly become my favorite BL. My favorite part of it were the conflicts, and how realistic they were. The portrayal of homophobia with Jeng's team differs from other BLs, where homophobia is either seemingly nonexistent or is overly dramatized, instead showing the everyday normalized homophobia that gay men face. The relationship dynamics, both with Joke and Zo and Jeng and Pok were so well developed and allowed for great character development as well. The family dynamics in this series also hit close to home and left me bawling. Zo's mother doing too much and Joke's father not doing enough when it came to showing up for their sons left them both feeling like they weren't enough and reflecting their parent's efforts back at them. The series also did a great job in showing the theme of forgiveness all throughout it, even in the instance where it showed when forgiveness is not deserved in the case of James and Nita, a conflict which faithfully portrayed one of women's struggles in modern society. Overall, this series was full of angst, though it never seemed to be simply for entertainment, but rather as a reflection and portrayal of real-life struggles.

Read More

A kiss is never just a kiss

Once again, j-drama delivers a short, sweet, heartfelt romance with conviction. Our leads share great visuals, and you can sense the attraction between the two which translated to oodles of chemistry. Of course, it would not be a drama if everything is smooth sailing, but we are fully onboard for the ride.

Consider the short run-time of this drama, I am pleasantly surprised by the depth in the leads portrayals. They feel well nuanced and fleshed out. The vocalising of their inner thoughts allow us a great deal of insights into their psyches. It is an effective and impactful tool. The pacing is spot on. There is never a dull moment, but the show doesn’t feel rushed either.
The writer-san played the SML and SFL card intelligently. They are not used as the token antagonists to create tension and angst. Their intrusion into their bubble reality forced the leads to examine their true feelings and confront some uncomfortable truths.

There are three particular aspects that I really liked. Firstly, the FL is not the usual bubbly, giddy stereotype. She is a well-respected professional in her own right, but she is naïve in love. This vulnerability endears her to us and this extends to the ML when we find out more about him later in the show. This brings us to the second point; I think it is very clever of the writer-san to flip the perspective between the leads. We get a chance to feel his confusion, excitement and pain which is usually hidden behind the professional demeanours. Finally, while their meet-cute sets them up as friends with benefits, their skinship is not egregious. It is an integral part of their relationship and eventual growth. It is handled thoughtfully and delicately. There are some seriously swoon worthy moments.

The acting from our leads is on point and with a lot of heart and deft touches. There are good performances from the support cast as well and I’m definitely getting second lead syndrome vibes.

The ending is poetic and perfect. I love the kiss motif being used at both ends of the show to signify the final breakthrough in their relationship.

I have no problem recommending this show. It will lift your spirit and restore your faith in love.
Production value is good. OST is well integrated.

Read More

There appears to be an increasing trend of revealing corruption and darkness in dramas these days that is oddly refreshing and yet, heartbreakingly realistic. Angry Mom, despite its amusing logo and happy promotional poster, is definitely not for the faint hearted. The story is intense, and it had me eager to watch each episode the second it was released every week.

The story is heavily focused on the influence of political corruption on familial relationships and high school life. Hardly surprising from a show called 'Angry Mom' because the drama is very much about anger and the intense emotions and conflicts of being a mother. The drama is by no means 'realistic' - you have to watch with this in mind, things are of course going to be exaggerated for dramatic value but nonetheless, there are little hints of truth in everything.
But be not afeared, it's not all doom and gloom, the writer is absolutely brilliant at weaving in comic relief. I lived for those hilarious moments among the darkness that seemed to envelope every character. The thing that struck me the most when watching the drama was the character progressions. Each main and significant secondary character had their moment to shine and develop. This is simply not a one-woman show about a mock-heroic attempt to enact justice on behalf of the weak and unrepresented. It is a drama about developing awareness and tackling the problems head on with others. Problems simply do not go away if you do nothing about them, and it is up to you to make a difference - but also, the fight is not a lonely one. It is all about creating honest relationships, maintaining them, and working together to achieve the ultimate goal. This drama is filled with poetic and moral messages that make you realise that this was very much a writers piece. The directing was also great, but for me, the writing was just the star of the show.

The cast were also perfect for this drama. I have never seen Kim Hee Sun act before but my god, she can act. Her portrayal of this loving mother with a troubled past trying to protect her daughter was just so brilliant to watch - and you just can't help but love a strong female lead. She has shown so much versatility with her emotions that I cannot help but admire her and look forward to her next project. All the other cast members - villains and all - were all very well acted and I have nothing but praise. When an actor makes me hate a villain with great intensity, it means that they're doing a pretty darn good job at acting convincingly. I cannot write this without mentioning our breakout star Ji Soo, I don't think I know anyone who dislikes Go Bok Dong. He was a bad guy with a soft heart and I think everyone will have a soft spot for him. This was a wonderful breakout project for Ji Soo and it clearly displayed his potential. There are so many others who I want to mention and praise, but I think the one who left the strongest impression on me was Kim Hee Won - Ahn Dong Chil. I could never get myself to hate his character, and boy, Hee Won was perfect for Ahn Dong Chil. He begun as such a complex character and it was a real treat to see him unravel and in some ways, peel off the hardened layer bit by bit to see what he was truly like. I cannot go on without spoiling so I will leave it at that.

As much as I want to give this a perfect 10 just for sheer enjoyment and roller coaster ride over the past 8 weeks or so, I felt like it just missed the mark. I set the rewatch value slightly lower because I don't think I can handle watching this again because some aspects of the drama just make you angry. It's not about the execution of the drama itself, but the cruelness of reality really kicks in at times. But saying that, I will always be happy to skim over to the fun, adorable, and out-right hilarious moments for sure :)

Overall, I am very happy with how this drama went. I definitely recommend it because it provides a lot of food for thought for how we should view life and our experiences that will definitely be worth considering!

Read More

Some Romance but more life challenges in an office setting spolighting women in the workplace

The office scenes and situations were quite well portrayed and the idea of everyone RACE-ING constantly to some unknown was also well portrayed. While there were good examples of toxicity in the workplace it was good that they showed hope for positive workplace initiatives as well. The show felt mature in that sense.
It is rare to find a drama without truly annoying characters. There were unlikable characters but none truly annoying to me. I especially enjoyed the lack of female characters who disrespect other female characters. In fact, women uplifting and supporting women is one a compelling theme for me.
The relationships also had a similar feel. We saw the tough parts but also the supportive friendships and colleagues. I did not really “feel” the romance between the main leads. They did, however, have wonderful friendship and a deep connection which I appreciated. I also appreciated the attempts further normalize diversity in the romantic interests (same-sex, age-gap etc). Most importantly (for me) was a SML that wore his heart on his sleeve in his personal and professional life.
The music was wonderful as well and “Waterfall” of course is my favourite. https://youtu.be/4h-DAdMTECU
The overall feel of the drama was a decent mix of rom-com and pertinent societal issues. I would have rated this higher if it was in the mood for thoughtful drama content. I was not ready for it to make me think as much as it did. Plus the main couple romance… so even though the suggested is 9, I'll go for 8.5.

Read More

Untapped Potential in 'A Good Day to Be a Dog'

A Good Day to Be a Dog" offers an engaging story, yet there's a lingering sense that something crucial was missing, potentially in its direction. The narrative catches interest but doesn't fully satisfy, as if some key elements in the storytelling or progression were overlooked. This feeling of incompleteness leaves one wondering what could have been if these aspects were better addressed or given more attention.

Despite this, the main characters stand out remarkably, imbuing the series with charm and relatability. Their likable nature and dynamic interactions are the heart of the show, making it special and memorable. However, a desire for more depth and detail persists. Expanding on the characters' backgrounds, motivations, or the world they inhabit could have significantly enhanced the viewing experience, making it not just enjoyable but truly captivating.

Read More

This show is criminally underrated! To describe it briefly, I would say it is a darker and more mature version of Dream High, with better acting.

Each character is written with a lot of care. We delve deep into their back stories, and I find myself cheering on each one of them, and crying with each one of them. The lessons each character learn are hard but realistic. The show takes you on that journey of growing up.

If there is one thing I dislike about the story, it is the Park Tae Hee character. Yes she's the typical female lead - ditzy but really sweet, cute and talented, but can I just say how annoying I find her. Otherwise, the rest of the cast was just perfect, especially Jo Jung Suk and Im Joo Eun.

The soundtrack is quite unique compared to other dramas - fewer romantic ballads, more fist-pumping songs that make you excited to be young, aspirational and full of dreams.

Read More