Reviews

A Sweet “Noona” Romance

A dashing rookie employee boldly pursues his senior co-worker to turn an unrequited crush into a heart-racing office romance 💜

“But if you come to me, I’ll show you the most beautiful love ever.” How can you not fall for a ML who’s says such sweet things to you?! I’m not generally a fan of younger man/older woman romances but this one is really good. For one, the ML doesn’t act younger than the FL - he’s competent, responsible, mature, & independent. While his experience in the workplace is less since he’s just starting out, he isn’t a naive fool who’s constantly making mistakes, which I appreciated. He’s not there just to flirt - he takes his job seriously…and woos his leading lady while he’s at it 😉

This drama is filled with wonderful chemistry & a beautiful love story. There are so many memorable scenes as the ML’s steady devotion to the FL helps her heal from the SML’s betrayal. His constant care for & protection of her slowly win the ML his FL’s heart. 💕

The support characters stories are interesting too, so it doesn’t feel like a lot of wasted, filler scenes.

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.10💋
- Together : ep.10 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: ep.14 💔
- BackTogether : ep.16 ❤️‍🩹

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“Never Give Up… Never Back Down”

A group of former Olympians become cops & are placed on one team to use their unique talents to now fight crime. They have a rough start due to nobody taking them seriously but as they learn to work together they start gaining recognition… & jealous rivals.

This is by far the bloodiest & most gruesome kdrama I’ve ever watched but OMG it is so good! Honestly, the only part I didn’t like was how much screen time the villains got (side note: kudos to Oh Jung Se for being so evil! 😈) simply because I just wanted to see the heroes more!

The cast did ah-mazing, imho. I was hooked on each of their stories, hurting for their pain & cheering for their triumphs. Each had such a core of goodness in them, overcoming so much & continuing to live each day. They went through a rollercoaster of emotions & I was right along with them for the ride.

The overall case was intriguing with good pacing; each of their talents were impressive; their character growth was excellent; the romance was so sweetly satisfying; & the bond that forms between the ML & SML is perfection! 🫠

Park Bo Gum was definitely the star of the show, but his fellow actors { Kim So Hyun, Lee Sang Yi, Heo Sung Tae, & Tae Won Seok} didn’t at all disappoint! 👏🏻

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.5 💋
- Together : ep.8 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💝

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There’s a reason why it’s so many viewers’ favorite comfort drama…

When a big-city dentist opens a practice in a seaside village, she clashes with a charming jack-of-all-trades who’s her polar opposite in every way. Will this chaotic duo ever learn to peacefully coexist in this close-knit community? Watch & find out! 😉

This is an often-talked about drama for a reason. The Leads have great chemistry & give life to the story. From their initial misunderstandings about each other that turn to grudges to their deep bond of love that everyone envies, they bring humor & heart to every scene.

Watching them slowly let down their walls & reveal their true selves to one another is a joy to witness. They have so many hilarious squabbles & emotional moments throughout. And when tragedy strikes & the ML retreats from everyone to protect himself, it’s the FL’s unconditional love for him that pierces though the darkness to let light into his world once again.

As a bonus, the other members of the community bring their own flavorful stories to the screen. They add a lot of chaos but also a lot of heart. And the SML isn’t toxic or overbearingly annoying so yay for that!

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.10 💋
- Together : ep.11 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💍

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Really felt like I am back to 2016

I'd like to start off this this by saying that I've been in a kdrama slump for a while now and to say that this kdrama hooked me is an understatement. Eventhough there are mixed reviews, I think going in blind was the best thing I did, because now It became one of my favorite kdrama in a village/countryside setting.

Ep1 took off and the opening part was very interesting enough to hook me but I think what really sold me was the cinematography of the village scenes and the humor of the show.

Overall it felt like I was back to the 2016 era of kdrama in a way? It had a complete story (no plotholes), a mix of genres I love (romcom and thriller/action all in one) and amazing cast supporting characters and all. Also first time I enjoyed an amnesia plotline.

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A Love Worth Everything

A voice actress’s life changes after meeting a chemistry professor. Despite it being only a brief encounter, neither one is able to forget the other. When his family tries forcing him into an arranged marriage for business purposes, the ML reaches out to the FL with a proposition of his own.

His family is hecka toxic. A controlling & judgmental mother. A corrupt & envious brother. A sister-in-law who wants the ML for herself. Will the Leads ever have peace amidst their drama?

Now, the Leads together are super precious. I loved how, despite everything swirling around them, they never had any drama between the two of them. They fully trusted one another & only had eyes for each other, never allowing any room for potential love rivals. They were loyal, affectionate, & 100% devoted. Their relationship was a top priority & they continuously protected each other - physically, as well as emotionally & mentally, which are just as important!

I loved watching the ML change his usual demeanor & lifestyle to better fit with the FL. Not because she demanded it, but because he cared about making her more comfortable in their new life together. And the ways the FL worked to understand & appreciate his quirks was heartwarming. They’re so green together. 💚🫠

Not all his family was bad. His younger brother & sister were both sweet. The grandmother was kind. The staff was like a real family to the ML. Their best friends were also supportive with no toxicity.

Overall, I enjoyed this drama. The cast did a good job getting me invested in their story. And the Leads have a love that we all wish to find 💖

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.9 💋
- Together : ep.4 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💍

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Mystery. Action. Romance. Check, Check, & Check.

When a prince has his military rank revoked, he goes undercover as a commoner to unmask the villain behind the treachery. Along the way, he meets a smart & resourceful female detective whose skills impress him. They quickly form a bond &, along with other young sleuths, they team up to uncover the truth.

I really enjoyed the Leads & the progression of their relationship. It felt realistic, their growth from partners to lovers. I always fall for a protective man so this ML had my vote from the start with his immediate protection of & support for the FL. The actors had good chemistry & very natural “skinship”. And their relationship leads to some humorous scenes since the ML is the only one who knows the FL is a woman for a fairly good portion of the drama…😉

Their little squad was great, too. No betrayals, jealousies, or fall outs. When FL’s secret is found out there’s a fight between the ladies due to hurt feelings, but they work through it fairly quickly. Bonus - no toxic love rivals, yippee!

I wasn’t really all that interested in the evil plot line portion so I skipped a lot of the villain scenes, especially towards the end as the pacing started to drag a bit. Overall, though, I enjoyed this historical drama & I’m happy I watched it.

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.14 💋
- Together : ep.14 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💝

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For all the fangirls (or boys) & the ones who love them…

A gallery director & his curator clash when he takes over the new position. With things they both wish to keep hidden will they ever learn that they’re safest with one another?

I admit, at first I wasn’t real keen on the FL since obsessive fan-girling isn’t something I can relate to BUT she definitely grew on me & I came to love her character. She’s quirky, loyal, independent, & kind - all things that catch & keep the ML’s attention. Now him I was always a fan of with his own quirky personality & confident aura. They were such a good match for each other, both as coworkers & as lovers - their chemistry is fantastic with all the beloved swoon-inducing scenes 🔥🫠! And I really loved how they both handled discovering one another’s secrets & then helping protect each other afterwards.

If you like mature couples who know how to communicate & genuinely care for one another then this is a duo I highly recommend you spend some time with 💕

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.9 💋
- Together : ep.10 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💝

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Awww...this is just so goofy and cute, and yet, kinda deep

Ep 6 - Yaaay...their thread is starting to turn red.....I cant believe myself...lol......I have been constantly talking in my head - show us the thread, show us the thread...I want to know what colour it is now......after 6 episodes, I'm so invested in them 🥰

BL Needle Score: 8.5 Very High BL-ness

Chia Kai can sense and see things beyond the normal and that leads him to do what he does...in the goofiest and adoringly cute ways...with Ta Wei he almost seems like a lost dog following him around, without knowing why...and Ta Wei himself, with all that hard exterior, seems like a softie waiting to unfold

Even the synopsis talks about a supernatural element, the story is so much more than that...to me, the show doesn't seem to focus on a lot of thrills of the supernatural kind, but a lot of human elements instead, including some of the difficult and painful parts of human psyche.....and an endearing connecting forming between this unlikely pair...

Both leads are cute, and particularly Chia Kai.

This is unlike anything that has come out of Taiwan in a while and I am definitely sat for all the beautiful human and emotional elements it promises

Verdict: Watch for sure

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Want sweet romance & addictive chemistry? Look no further!

Their bond formed in childhood as “siblings” but her parents’ divorce tore them apart. Now as adults, she sets out to find him. But the man she meets isn’t the brother she remembers - the studious & obedient little boy has become a rough bad-boy into underground boxing & street racing. Can she get past his walls again or will he forever keep her at a distance?

First - whoaaaa, chemistry!🔥🫠 As siblings & as lovers this duo does NOT disappoint! Their every interaction is laced with enticing tension & once it ignites it’s an inferno that neither intends to put out - they can’t stop ki$sing or keep their hands off each other. That’s how couples behave in reality so I love when they play that out in dramaland too!

I really loved the relationship progression between the Leads, as well as the way his friends took care of her. The Leads are precious as they navigate their new dynamic as adults, rediscovering & nurturing their bond that never d!ed. He’s hot, rough, & protective; she’s beautiful, sweet, & 100% about him. I hated their breakup, but they both matured & grew during those years apart. When they reconcile, they’re able to love one another better. And I absolutely adore that we get a whole last episode dedicated to their HEA!!💃🏻

If you’re a fan of the bad-boy & sunshine girl trope then this is a love story you don’t want to miss! This has such a unique confession scene too 💜🩵

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.15💋
- Together : ep.15 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: ep. 20 💔
- BackTogether : ep.25 ❤️‍🩹

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heartwarming youth series ??

"from now on, we might have to face a lot of things. we may face changes and misunderstandings. smiles or tears - they're memories we want to keep forever."

wow. honestly, this was a pg 13 only friends in my eyes because why did everyone have a crush on each other...but it was so fun!! entered with mondpro, left with: mondpro still, yuri, aim, mick, ohm, per, win and earn. everyone else either i don't remember or they were annoying as hell.

☆ punn+noh (mondpro)
i can only guess the brief was "be cute as fuck during the whole thing" because HELLO?! they were so adorable, it hurt!! even as minors, they had such good body language and emotion control, it really made me feel the pain and happiness in every scene. i didn't really expect to cry, so obviously i did. how could i not?? towards the end, they always had something to fight and sulk about but i understand since that's the way with teenage relationships so it didn't bother me a lot. plus, it was always resolved in the same ep. i cried so hard when punn's dad said "they dont have to be a girl". i was so happy for their relationship. i actually get more than a little mad when people are rating this series low and all their review says is "900 minutes and only one kiss". like when did bl just become about the kissing?? also, they were still minors, and progress 15!! i didn't expect even any physical contact, so i did not care in the slightest!! obviously, anybody can have opinions and im not critising, i just loved the high school story! honestly, the colour green suited them so much, it's kind of scary. but it was so entertaining!! i continue to adore almondprogress and will treasure them in my heart while i wait for the blue company to treat them right 💗.

☆ mickohm
first of all, OHM LIKED NOH??!! my jaw DROPPED at this news. i thought he was so whipped for mick. but it all worked out in the end 🥹. you know when the side couple has you hooked more than the main one?? kind of how i felt with these two...the tension was INSANE! gift giving will forever be my favourite act of service so when ohm brought mick the horn, i giggled so hard. even at the end when ohm said he wouldn't try to win noh and mick said he would never let him go to anyone else to which ohm said "you better keep that promise" OH, I FOLDED! i was so sad to see one of them left the company and the other had to carry on 💔. i need more actually.

☆ yuri / aim
oh my dear girls, you deserve better 🥀. these girls were definitely my favorite characters out of this whole series. they captured my heart. when they both slapped the SHIT out of jeeb, i screamed and cheered so loud, the neighbours probably heard and my throat is still sore. they were just everything i needed. literally yuri representation!! i was hooked by aim's toxic backstory and how she broke out of it and came into her own badass, lesbian self 🧡🩷🤍. honestly, i think yuri was so fair in her decision to ignore noh and punn because i would too if i was a different person (i'd just straight up confront them) but i understand it. i could never be mad at her. i can never let go.

☆ overall
like in when oranges fall, the message of the whole series is to enjoy your youth! the good and the bad. honestly, series like this are so wholesome to me because i am nearly at the end of my youth days and i feel like i have wasted them continuously. i dont have a big friendgroup. i dont have a caring partner. i dont have a fun or laidback family. however, i have a friends that feel like family. bl is better than having a partner to me. though my family is hard at times and is separated, i love them thoughourly and we have fun! thank you i think just almondprogress in general for having two series that tell me to enjoy my youth while i still have it! honestly, my life has been a hard one to life. i still struggle to this day, like the next person eventually will one day. but i have seen a lot of things that tell me to embrace the bad along with the good, because they make up who i am and what i do.
this series was so fun, please keep letting almondprogress making these. don't let them hop on the NC train so fast 🙏
fighting, mondpro!! 💌🌺

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Like Law Shows? Watch This

After joining a top law firm, our FL, a rookie lawyer, navigates the complex legal world under a demanding mentor, our ML. Will her tenacity, unique perspectives, & sense of justice ultimately win him over or will he forever judge her by her less-than-stellar first impression at her interview?

If you’re a fan of law shows, then I definitely recommend this drama. The cast played their parts very well, keeping the viewers entertained with each case they tackled. I enjoyed the character growth throughout, as well as the bond of friendship that grew among the whole team of the senior lawyers & their newbie juniors.

This is also a slice of life drama as our Leads have some heavy family issues they’re navigating. These dynamics bring a message of forgiveness & the many ways that can come about. Their personal journeys have influenced & molded them into the lawyers they’ve become/are becoming.

The only downside for me was that they didn’t deliver on the romance arc that was brewing between the Leads. I heard a lot of viewers complained about the age gap so the writers changed the story, which stinks for those of us who were wanting to see the spark ignite to a flame! It is hinted at in the end, but still disappointing. (I heard there’s possibly a second season so fingers crossed!) Aside from that, though, it’s a very well done & solid drama. 👏🏻

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Wade through the ick to reach the swoons!

Two words, fellow drama lovers -
Sweetness. Overload! 💕
Two more to describe this amazing duo?
Power. Couple! 💗

Seriously, just get through the first 10eps of the FL working through her crush on the man-child SML (mad props to the actor for making the fandom despise him!) because her finally noticing the ML’s awesomeness is completely worth it, trust me! From then on the show becomes addictive & their every interaction fuels the obsession!!

This is such a healthy, mature, & healing drama. Honestly, I didn’t care for any of the business aspects outside of the sweet interactions between characters, but everything else? That’s my jam!
- workplace free of competition or jealousy? ✔️
- loving, supportive, loyal families who like each other? ✔️
- strong Leads with self-respect & great character growth? ✔️
- “baddies” only playing minor roles with not much screen time? ✔️
- multiple kisses & affectionate scenes between our Leads? ✔️
- no unnecessary misunderstandings or lame breakup trauma? ✔️
- an entire last ep. devoted to their adorable HEA? ✔️✔️✔️
- + MORE!!

Honestly, just watch the show. I can’t imagine how you’d possibly regret it!


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.27💋
- Together : ep.24 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💍
- BackTogether : ep.26 ❤️‍🩹

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If Agatha Christie wrote a Chinese novel

I started writing this review when I was only on Episode 10, so I had no idea how this story would end. But I already had a feeling about this series. Now that I’ve finished it, I can say that my initial impression was actually right but the ending gave me an even greater appreciation of what the writer was trying to accomplish.

Ripe Town is one of those rare C-dramas where the production itself deserves movie-quality resolution. The cinematography, particularly the use of light and shadow, creates an incredible sense of depth. More importantly, the story demonstrates something I always appreciate in a drama: an understanding of humanity.

It reminded me a lot of Under the Microscope, wonderfully acted by Zhang Ruo Yun, where historical events gradually lead to mysteries in the present. Both shows trust the audience to follow the clues rather than simply throwing answers at us.

And perhaps what I enjoyed most about Ripe Town is what it doesn’t have.

It’s missing the very handsome A-list actor whose impeccable looks easily distract the audience and somehow make an unbelievable character believable.

It’s missing people flying through the air attached to invisible strings, performing acrobatic moves that defy every known law of physics.

It’s missing CGI that makes a serious historical drama look cartoonish, and sometimes downright garish.

It’s missing the horrible fillers that somehow take a story that should have been 12 episodes and stretch it into 40.

And it’s missing that dreaded C-drama finale that seems to simply drop off a cliff.

Instead, Ripe Town trusts its story.

The cinematography is particularly impressive. The director of photography uses beautiful soft lighting and filters that emulate the warmth of afternoon sunlight. Reflected light coming through windows often frames the characters’ faces with a softness that almost feels like a painting. As a photographer I always appreciate the use of shadows to add depth and there was a lot of that in this series.

What impressed me even more is how seamlessly the studio scenes blend with those filmed outdoors. Nothing feels artificial. If CGI was used, it was used sparingly enough that it never became a distraction.

The writing is equally impressive.

Masterfully written scripts can tell a story in only so many episodes. You don’t need 40 episodes when the story itself is strong enough to carry the audience.

Though this is a serious drama, I love the occasional light comedic moments that actually made me laugh, especially because our lead actor maintains such a wonderfully stoic face.

At the center of the story is our young lead, Qu Sangeng who is torn between his own moral values and his corruptible master. What makes him fascinating is the contradiction in his character. Despite essentially being his master’s lackey, he demonstrates intelligence and deductive skills far beyond his young age. Yet he still manages to maintain the respect of the more seasoned people around him.

The dynamics between the characters are complicated, and that is what makes the story so interesting. Everyone seems to be connected to someone else, and every relationship has another layer underneath it.

The script is complex without feeling unnecessarily complicated.

The writer and editor do something I particularly admire as they peel away the mystery layer by layer. Just when you think you understand what is happening, another piece of the puzzle changes your understanding of the previous one.

I was especially impressed by the young actors. For their age, they demonstrate remarkable skill. I truly admired young Lu Zhi, played by 15-year-old Yu Yao, who demonstrates acting ability far beyond his age.

And then I finished the series.

That’s when I realized that Ripe Town wasn’t really just a murder mystery. It is a story about revenge, morality and the consequences of allowing the past to control the present. The secrets they kept. What initially appears to be a story about murder gradually becomes something much darker. Lu Zhi’s desire and anger is something understandable. He has suffered, he has lost people he loves, and he wants justice. But revenge has a way of changing the person seeking it.

What begins as justice eventually becomes another form of violence. “Justice when it is late is not justice”.

And this is where the series becomes much more interesting to me. The real tragedy isn’t simply discovering who is responsible. It is watching how victims eventually become perpetrators themselves. The events that happened twenty years earlier continue to affect everyone in the present. Without giving away the story woven into the script, I was totally surprised

Twenty years. Think about that. An entire life shaped by something that happened when they were simply teenagers. And when the truth finally comes out, there isn’t the kind of satisfying ending we normally expect from a mystery drama. There is no great heroic victory where everyone gets what they deserve.

Instead, revenge has consumed almost everyone. After everything they have gone through, after twenty years of hatred and revenge, death ends it all.

The series isn’t really asking us to decide who is good and who is evil. At what point does a victim become the very thing he hates? Vengeance only begets vengeance. That is what I ultimately admire about this drama.

It doesn’t rely on handsome faces, spectacular wire work, excessive CGI or endless filler to keep us watching. It relies on its characters and the gradual unraveling of the truth. And perhaps most importantly, it understands that there is rarely such a thing as clean justice when revenge is involved.

Now that I know how the story ends, I actually want to watch Ripe Town all over again. Not because I didn’t understand the story the first time, but because I suspect I missed many of the clues. The beauty of a good mystery is that the second viewing can sometimes be better than the first.

The first time, you’re trying to figure out what happened. The second time, you already know what happened. Now you can see why it happened.

And that, for me, is what makes Ripe Town worth watching.

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Beware : Swooning Imminent!

From meeting in a fantasy game to becoming boss/employee in reality, it seems this duo was destined to meet. Will their interactions in both fantasy land & the real world bring them closer together or drive them apart?

I enjoyed this story of the stoic, jaded CEO ML melting under the influence of the friendly sunshine FL. Their chemistry leaps off the screen as they navigate their dual roles of the game & workplace. Being roommates adds extra tension, the kind us viewers love to watch!

They’re both great characters. I really liked the FL - she’s kind, honest, mature, & genuine. She doesn’t play games or suffer fools. I loved how she handled the SML’s attention - she was neither naive nor a pushover. Her stance was clear & she left no room for misunderstandings. Yay for strong Leads who don’t lower themselves to cater to others’ feelings!

Hers is a quiet strength while the ML’s is more in-your-face. I really liked him too, even with his flaws. He started cold & closed off, but he was never cruel. There was some push & pull as he fought his feelings for her, thinking he didn’t deserve happiness. But once he surrendered to his heart? That man was ALL IN! They were such a mature & healthy couple whose interactions & affections were realistic for their ages (thank you, writers!!)

Beautiful cinematography. Great support characters. Easy to follow plot. Solid pacing. Both heartfelt & humorous. I definitely recommend this for lovers of the romance genre!

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.13/19💋
- Together : ep.19 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: ep.24 💖
- BackTogether : ep.26 ❤️‍🩹

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