Reviews

Cat's got 5 lives and so does the mouse!

Time loop stories are risky business. They can be addictive brain teasers when done right or endless deja vu when done wrong. Mobius starts with a bang, where Ding Qi ( Bai Jingting) gets 5 chances to redo and live the same day, and whatever sticks around Day 5 is the final outcome.
However, when a story is built on the idea of re-tries, the repetition of sequences somehow dilutes the tension and I think that is where Mobius didn't entirely work for me.

On paper, the idea is airtight. The rules seemed crisp and logical.
The early episodes (Ep 1-5) were sharp and I was completely intrigued. It felt like a tight, high-stakes setup. Every failed attempt felt like a nail-biter. It was fun to see Ding Qi outsmarting the criminals and fate.

I honestly thought this drama was going to give us different cases spread across the 16 episodes, but after the first introductory case, we get stuck in one giant MOMA investigation.
That shift wouldn’t have been a problem if the loops had actually kept the tension alive. But after a point, repetition took over. Instead of ramping up tension with each attempt, they kind of drained it. The loops started dragging, especially the third loop. It doesn’t feel like suspense anymore, just reruns. We did get new revelations and characters, but the way they were delivered failed to keep my 100% attention.
Instead of feeling like fresh layers being added, it often felt like the same scenes stretched thinner with slight tweaks. By the time the big pieces actually connected, the earlier loops started to feel more like filler and a just mere dry run for the 5th loop.

I feel this was 3 or 4 episodes extra. 12 or 14 episodes would have told the same story in a tighter, more impactful way.

And also, Qi’s whole “I will just reset, no biggie” mindset got to me a few times. I understand he was focusing on important details but sometimes that line just kept reminding me that this (that particular loop) doesn't matter. It took away that tension because I knew the 5th loop was what they were focusing on. Somehow, the whole 5-time loop idea ended up being both the twist and the trap!

Another thing that I thought was out of place was the romance. Even though it was minimal, unfortunately, I couldn't feel any chemistry between the leads. They work better as colleagues or friends navigating tense situations rather than romantic partners. It wasn't distracting to the point of ruining the show but we would have gotten the same story more or less without it.

Still, it’s not a total loss. The concept remains clever and I found the camaraderie between Ding Qi and his team. Even though the drama relies heavily on personal choices, he doesn't act in a vacuum. His team around him supports him, especially his boss Duan Zheng. The level of trust was amazing. The team isn’t always front and center, but Qi never forgets that he’s not alone. He knows he has people who have his back.
Also, all the sprinkles of comedic moments kept it from feeling too grim. It was portrayed as very unintentional but was genuinely funny.

Another positive aspect was the production. It gave me those slick, almost American thriller vibes. It is a Netflix-licensed drama, so I wasn't expecting anything less than that. Cinematography was very sharp too. Somehow, I was never confused between the loop and which timelines we were in. The cities were filmed beautifully.

Acting-wise, BJT was very charismatic as Ding Qi and kept me invested even when the writing was slipping. Zhang Ruonan was An Lan, who didn't get much material to shine, but she played her role well, except for her chemistry with BJT. Other actors also did a solid job overall. I have no complaints in this department.

And lastly, about antagonists of the drama. Credit where it is due, for almost 60% of the drama, I couldn't guess who the real squid (culprit) was. I want to keep this review spoiler-free, so I will speak about the antagonist in the comment section with a spoiler tag.

Overall, Mobius does have the bones of something great with its unique premise, talented cast, and a very polished production, but somewhere along the way, the pacing and tension don’t quite land. Instead of building that urgent, ticking-clock energy, it leans more into style than momentum, circling back without always pushing forward.

I would recommend giving it a watch, just don’t plan to binge it all at once. Had they actually followed the airing schedule without releasing the express package, I might have rated it better. It's a decent watch.

Quick TL/DR if you don't want to read the whole review.
✨ What worked for me :
- I liked the premise
- Overall acting performances
- Team dynamics
- Production and cinematography
- Antagonist's reveal

✨ What I didn't :
- While the premise was unique, the execution could have been better and tighter
- Romance because not every story needs it.
- The plot dragged a bit in the middle, though it picks up in the last 2 loops.

Thank you for reading my review! <3

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Park Eun-Bin and cast fabulous. Do you like Brahms not so much.

This series is about a young lady of 30 choosing to study music as a violinist. What follows is all the struggles that came with that decision. There are 6 main characters, all of which are connect to each other thru music and intertwined love triangles.
I believe the best way to review this series is by pros and cons.

Pros

The series stars Park Eun=Bin as the main female lead. And as would be expected, her performance was flawless. Other stand out performances were given by Park Ji Hyun as the stoned faced, cold hearted silver spoon violinist Lee Jun Kyung. And Seo Jung Yeon as the down to earth, consoling voice of reason, performance planner Cha Young In. Other actors not listed were also very good.

There were a few very touching and thought provoking moments in this 16 part series that were really clever. But far too few to support the show. If the show had been written to the standard of those touching and thought provoking moments, it could have gotten a much higher rating.

Cons

As you can tell by the short Pros list, there are a lot of Cons to this series. The writers seemed to have crammed in every single cultural hardship they could think of to add misery to this story. I would judge 90% of the entire series were characters in pain and suffering. Most of which the characters tried to cope with within themselves. Misunderstands and setbacks were abound. Everything connected to social class status ranging from income status, musical talent, what school you attended, ticket sales, who your tutors were and years of experience you had been playing your instrument, and social and family connections just a few problems facing the characters. Add in the relationship/love struggles and the pressures the parents put on their children to be the best at their chosen craft AT ALL COSTS and you end up with a very depressing viewing experience.

Watching this program was a marathon of how much sadness you could bare in hopes of a happy ending. They did seem to wrap up the program in a satisfying way. But the payoff was just not worth the effort it took of watching all the continuous agony and depression.

Rating

Because of the performance given by Park Eun-Bin and most of the other cast, I will give 5 points. There was no music that I wished to add to my music list. And too few standout "wow" moments to helped support the show. The lack of a really good story will take away half a point. It really pains me to say this. But unless you are a fan of Park Eun-Bin and can watch her character endlessly suffer for many episodes (not to mention all the other characters also suffering), I would not recommend this series.

My rating is 4.5 out of 10.

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Just watching it will kill your braincells.

Tonhon Chonlatee - Breaking up at Episode 3, dead because of Fremdschämen

"Fremdschämen (German): to feel embarrassed on behalf of someone else when they do something awkward or cringeworthy."

Powers help me. I so wanted to see Pod in a role not being sidechar. So googling I heard of Tonhon Chonlatee. Already Episode 1 with the cartoon "sissy gay" being beaten was... borderline bearable.

Then Ton (Pod), the supposed hetero living with THREE most obvious gay guys is oblivious and dumb like toast. Each step gets worse. He leads (forces almost) them all into a brothel to "have happy time with women". What is that, the soft version of "conversion therapy"?

In the middle of Episode 3, I could take it no more. What rubbish is this? I mean, seriously? In the not yet so long list of my watched BL series this was the worst, most embarrassing, cringe and outright offensive series I so far had the dubious privilege to watch.

What in the Twelvegods names were they THINKING? SO like a boxing judge I can only yell: OUT OUT OUT, with a relentless

0/10
Just watching it will kill your braincells.

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A Beautifully Heartbreaking Ride

This drama is a deeply emotional journey, woven with a gripping storyline and a well-crafted script. It's been a while since I've seen something this sorrowful yet captivating. The narrative is rich with love and action, keeping you emotionally invested throughout.

One of its standout elements is the OST — so powerful and moving that I found myself watching episodes just to hear it again. The cast delivers strong performances, bringing authenticity and depth to every scene. It's a drama that tugs at your heartstrings and stays with you long after the credits roll.

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Maybe revenge isn't supposed to be satisfactory, but come on, this is a K-drama

This drama had the potential- the actors, the premise, the plot. But somehow it miserably failed to reach the expectations. It could have been done if it did not try to satisfy tropes and cliches. The second half dragged on, and although it was sometimes boring, I finished it hoping that it would get better and to see what would happen. Episode 13 onwards, it got better.

Ra El's character was a bit underdeveloped. we know and see what happens to her, but we don't see her do the planning, preparation and execution as much. Something was missing, therefore it was a bit difficult to connect with the character. But perhaps she was written that way intentionally, it might be my fault of perception.
Instead i found myself more interested in Han So Ra, as her character was more fleshed out. We actually knew her story and motives- why she is the way she is, and why she does the things she does- more than the lead. Despite the many chances to redeem itself, the story kept missing the mark.

Anyways, the romance seemed forced, more like a trauma bond. Like many of the people here, I found Seo Eun Pyeong more likeable, and more suitable. I wonder why they even had a second lead in the first place, if she did not have a good ending or bonding with her. He could have been a far better character as brother figure. I wish the dynamic between them was explored more before they thrust the confession at our face. I won't say that I disliked the dynamic with Kang Yoon Kyeom, only that instead of dragging those scenes, the story could have been nicer if we explored Ra El's past and actually saw her planning her revenge. Personally I think this she would have been more enjoyable without Ra El's confusion about the chairman.

I like Han So Ra's wardrobe the most (especially the red leather revenge dress.) I wonder why but Ra El's outfits were a bit haphazard, all over the place (what was that green dress when she went for the reveal, though I loved the mansion feast dress.)

Ra El's parents should have been explored more, as the synopsis made them seem more involved. I should say, this drama does have a lot of plot holes, and character backgrounds are left to the imagination. Things could have been done better than leaving it up to plot armor (how convenient that Da Bi stored her shoes in the vault haha.) I personally like my dramas to have the ending tied up in a neat bow, something I expect after investing 16+ hrs on a show, but this one left me with some questions unanswered. But it was not so big a deal-breaker.

The drama does have the hook factor, it is good if you want to watch something fun. It is enjoyable, just go in with lesser expectations. Though I would suggest that if you want to watch this for the revenge plot, it wont be satisfying. Take this as a messy (in a good way) romance, with mature themes.

Overall, I didn't regret watching this. It wasn't as good as I hoped after learning about the set-up, but it was satisfactory.

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Such a sweet drama with a new star

The title did not attract me and also not the names of the actors. However, from episode 2 onwards, the charme of the story and the actors caught me. I laugh and smile while watching as the FL is sassy (totally normal:-) to the king, so shocking for the old Joseon days:-) Very funny this combination of an independent and strong FL and the king expecting people to kneel and bow in front of him. Funnier as he is actually a very young man:-) I saw in other reviews all the old FL vs young ML discussions. Hello, we are in 2025 and still discuss that someone is 10 years older? As actors? Do you see this age difference in the roles? And if so, who cares? Just enjoy the funny and strong Yoona and Chaemin who plays a non-highschool student the first time. I think he will be one of the leading actors of his generation. Also enjoy the great food presentations! Very interesting how the Korean cuisine has evolved. Just a good K drama with a new twist

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Short and Sweet

I did not have a lot of expectations with this one, but just needed a break from the costume dramas I have been watching of late but I was pleasantly surprised at how good this show was. It was pretty short that you can bingewatch in a day (as most professionals do), but also entertaining. It is quality drama. I enjoyed the legal cases, the office and courtroom drama, the hint of romance, and the overall vibe of the series. This was well-done. It was satisfying to watch from start to finish. The main leads did a great job. If you're looking for a quick watch with a good story and great acting, this is for you!

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You're never late for love! A sweet drama to treat and heal your heart and eyes.

10 things I want to do before I turn 40 is your typical J-BL, enticing you with sweet treats and slow-burn romance. This will surely remind you of "Old-fashioned Cupcake" in every way possible.

As a slow burn enthusiast, I liked this drama. I liked it more because I binged it, otherwise one might feel a bit disconnected waiting for it every week. Suzume-san's personality was very relatable, and Keishi's straightforward aura blended so effortlessly that as an audience I wanted to watch their daily lives together more.

Overall, it was a lovely watch for me. If you don't mind slow, emotional fluff, then you're going to like it.

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Ansich eine spannende Serie

Die Geschichte ist unglaublich spannend erzählt. Sie hält das Niveau kontinuierlich. Die Story erinnert stellenweise an The Flower of Evil. Sehr erfrischend mal wieder etwas zu schauen, was der Handlung nahe kommt. Die Geachichte ist gut erzählt, es gibt kaum Filler. Auch die Musik ist gut gewählt. Die Chemie zwischen den Hauptdarstellern passt gut und auch die Nebendarsteller sind nicht zu viel eingebunden. Man hätte an der einen oder anderen Stelle noch etwas besser die Beziehungen darstellen können und mehr ins Detail gehen können. Gerade zwischen den Schwestern, gibt es kaum interessante Szenen. Ausserdem hätte man komplett auf den Argan Strang verzichten können. Ja schon klar, warum die das derart eingebunden haben...Um ein Rundes Bild zu erzeugen, was den Anfang der Serie angeht, aber dennoch war das unnötig und stumpf. Meines Erachtens war das auch extrem unglaubwürdig. Wäre das nicht gewesen, hätte die Serie definitiv eine höhere Wertung bekommen.
Alles in allem, lohnt es sich aber, hier mal rein zu sehen. Man wird gut unterhalten und muss sich nicht zu Tode langweilen.

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Fun as a copaganda romance drama, less fun as a supernatural romance drama

It was a fun copaganda show, but I’m not a huge fan of the supernatural storyline they went with.

Acting:

It was mostly solid. I think everyone did a good job in their roles. I really liked Akk as Akk, I think he did a great job along with the rest of the supporting cast. The story was a bit wild and overdramatic in its writing, but I think Billy and Babe still did a good job with their performances. I needed more impactful breakdown scenes, though.

Writing:

It was pretty good up until the end. I am not a huge fan of past life karma and all that jazz, but I do typically like reincarnation stories. I just think the story was a bit too much. Like they bit off more than they could chew with this one. I need more from a time apart followed by a reunion situation. I need there to be a devastating emotional impact shown through the writing and cinematography choices in a drama. I think Thai dramas need to take a note out of New Moon and do the changing of seasons/passing of months falling into darkness vibe for these time apart plots to really fuck you up and make the reunion feel more impactful. Idk, I needed a bit more than what the story gave and how they executed it. I enjoyed the first like 10 or so episodes though.

Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:

Chemistry was pretty solid. I think it was better in the first half of the show, though. This was an okay romance. I think they could have executed it a bit better. The kissing was good all around.

NC Scenes:

Loved the dream sequences, gotta appreciate someone with a good imagination. The first scene was pretty darn well done. It has sensuality, desire, and intimacy. The second one felt so out of place, I lowkey may have skipped through it.

Music/SFX:

Music was fine, nothing amazing but nothing horrendous. SFX were mostly good, with a couple of exceptions like some of the footsteps were too loud and stuff like that.

Production/Cinematography:

Most of it was pretty good. However, I can’t review this without pointing out that, MAYBE just maybe, we should have designed this story to fit the level of CGI it called for. Maybe just tone it down a bit because it really do be taking me out of the story. Like I said before, they may have bitten off more than they could chew. That being said, I do appreciate that they stuck by the decision to make the story like this and use CGI, which I don’t often see in dramas. It could open up some doors and whatnot. Costumes were a bit lackluster as well. I think there were some interesting shots, some maybe a bit too peculiar for the mood of a scene, though.

It was alright. Didn’t love it, but it never turned into a hate-watch situation.

Now, for some highlights from my notes:

- Okay, love a cold open
- It’s reeeal convenient that there are 5 of them in this little group and there are only 5 spots to fill for the special investigation force
- Wasn’t expecting this to be quite so supernatural but also it’s called The Sign so I should’ve known
- Girly read my mind with that Aokigahara comparison
- Doc is a mf snaakkee
- The visuals are givinggg
- Grandma is lowkey kinda annoying
- Giving a new meaning to going hard in the paint
- Shit’s sensual, bro
- Please stop killing EACH OTHER???? Bro WHAT do you MEAN
- “He’s dead. Please try to get over it.” Thanks, grandma. You’re a real gem
- Bro is broken fr
- Baby just waltzed his way up the hill like that 365 days later
- Not the best reunion scene out there, but not the worst

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“Together, we keep fighting.”

this was such a heartwarming series and definitely one of the best competition shows i’ve seen. when i saw this was upcoming i thought it reminded me of physical 100 but japanese so of course i had to check it out, but i was pleasantly surprised by how different the two shows are. while physical 100 focuses on outlandish challenges and sets to push the participants past their limits, final draft does the same while keeping the various tasks simple while still being entertaining.

the bond between both the participants and the crew as a whole was definitely the highlight of this show as we see the competitors living together and eating with one another, having late night talks about their journeys and their futures around a bonfire. there was definitely awkwardness but it was all very natural and endearing and seeing how close the contestants got was adorable. seeing them speak one on one to their families made me tear up a lot considering how basically all of the participants were able to continue on thanks to the encouragement from back home. near the end of the show somebody ends up injured and the competition takes a pause to make sure he was able to get proper treatment rather than forcing him to push through the pain while also giving him a chance to do his very best in the final few challenges. seeing how everyone genuinely worried for him and wanted to make sure he was okay is the best example of the kindness in this show.

i hope this ends up getting a second season with even more challenges because i’d love to see what other kinds of insane former athletes japan has and hear their stories.

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Sell Your Haunted House" effectively blends the horror genre with drama and comedy, offering a fresh and entertaining experience. The series not only meets the expectations of ghost story lovers but also delves into the pain, forgiveness, and redemption of its characters.

The plot follows Hong Ji-ah (Jang Na-ra), a hot-tempered exorcist who crosses paths with Oh In-beom (Jung Yong-hwa), a con artist posing as a psychic who unknowingly has the ability to communicate with ghosts. They form a strange yet efficient partnership.

What sets this drama apart is its balance. Despite dealing with themes of ghosts and exorcisms, each haunted house story is a standalone case that often culminates in a touching and sometimes tragic conclusion. The spirits aren't just monsters; they are lost souls with unresolved stories, which adds an emotional layer to every episode.

The performances are one of the series' strong points. Jang Na-ra shines in her role as the stoic and solitary exorcist, and the chemistry with Jung Yong-hwa is palpable, making their "enemies-to-allies" relationship a delight to watch. Their dynamic, full of witty banter and moments of vulnerability, is the heart of the show.

Although the pacing can feel a bit slow at first, once the main plot develops, the series hooks you. "Sell Your Haunted House" is a drama that uses the supernatural as a backdrop to explore loneliness, grief, and the search for peace. It's a perfect mix of action, mystery, comedy, and human drama, making it a highly recommended K-drama for those looking for more than just a simple ghost story.

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Interesting Start Turned Trashy, then Grew A LOT Better.

I almost gave up on it lots of times, it started strong, but once it went to living as royalty, dynamics changed for the worse, and the aesthetics just felt trashy, especially combined with the theme tune, the awful bad-taste old-fashioned instrumentals and the level of advertisements. It all felt OTT and too camp for a while, and the politics were just boring.

From around episode 8 things changed, and the show just got better and better. Pre-ep 8 seemed to be like the getting to know you stage, that was hit or miss, and it just dragged. I stayed so long purely because I'm a ZeeNunew fan. The later on in the show it was, the more natural and realistic the characters were and the better the music and story was, and by the last ep, ALL relationships, scenes and music was great. Episode 14 was VERY good, and felt like watching Cutie Pie, but more elevated and with even more connection.

Overall, it should probably get an 8, with the best and worst of the show, but given how good the best parts are (strongly rivaling the best of BL), I rate it an 8.5 instead.

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feel back and relax

I’ve just started A Hundred Memories and I’m already hooked. From the very first episode, it draws you in with heartfelt storytelling, layered characters, and a nostalgic atmosphere that feels both emotionally rich and visually authentic. Set in 1980s South Korea, the drama doesn’t just lean on retro aesthetics for charm — it uses the era meaningfully to explore themes of dreams, sacrifice, and friendship.

The main characters — Go Young-rye and Seo Jong-hee — are immediately compelling. Young-rye is hardworking, grounded, and relatable, a young woman juggling dreams of going to university with the burden of supporting her family as a bus conductor. Jong-hee, in contrast, is vibrant, charming, and confident, but not without her own complexities. Their bond feels real, and watching their friendship unfold against the backdrop of growing tensions (and possible romance) adds depth to the story.

What really makes this drama stand out so far is how it captures the feel of the 1980s. The uniforms, the buses, the handwritten tickets, even the sound of old radios and bustling stations — it all brings a wave of nostalgia, whether you lived through the era or just appreciate stories grounded in a time of transition. It gives the show a warmth and sincerity that’s hard to fake. The atmosphere is comforting, even as the story deals with serious themes like societal expectations, lost opportunities, and emotional wounds.

The pacing has been well-balanced so far — thoughtful but never slow — and I’m genuinely curious to see how the characters grow, especially with the hints of a love triangle and family pressures simmering beneath the surface. I’m particularly interested in Jae-pil’s backstory and how his relationship with the girls will develop. There’s a lot of promise here for emotional depth, and the chemistry among the leads makes it easy to get invested.

Overall, A Hundred Memories is shaping up to be a beautiful period drama — nostalgic without being overly sentimental, grounded in relatable struggles, and filled with the kind of sincerity that makes you want to keep watching. I’m definitely excited to see more, and I have a feeling this one is going to leave a lasting impression.

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