Reviews

Action-packed crime drama not for the faint-hearted

I am a Zhen Zi Qi fangirl so I was excited when There is No Turning Back dropped on 8 September - after being postponed twice! My reddit & MDL friend sbranflake & I watched this drama and wrote a joint review in subreddit CShortDramas. This drama is different from the usual vertically shot dramas. I enjoyed There is No Turning Back.

Trigger warning: Rape, Violence

What I liked:
1. Acting - Superb acting by the cast led by Zhen Zi Qi. I was impressed by the actors who portrayed ML's two right hand men: Zhao Si Hai (the muscle man) and Huang Tie Xin (the one who looked dorky).
2. Main character - Wu Xiao was an anti-hero - a ruthless gangster who upheld a certain set of principles. I liked him because he was protective of his family and he knew what’s right and what’s wrong (every single decision was carefully thought out).
3. Brotherhood - It was wonderful that the viewers got to see how this brotherhood was formed. The set of principles that they follow led them to be gangsters with conscience.
4. Writing - Supporting characters were fleshed out. I must say that the antagonist had one of the best villain arcs in vertical dramaland. The plot twist just blew my mind.
5. Styling - The drama took place in 1998. I liked outfits for ZZQ as they added edge & ruggedness to his character. I really liked Feng Xiang's outfits although I found them very 80s looking.
6. Action - Plenty of fighting scenes. So satisfying to see ZZQ fighting those thugs.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - Damn, he was vicious!
2. Duration - The drama is 3 hours long. It was a challenge for me to watch in one sitting because of its duration and dark / heavy themes.

Favourite scene
There was a fight between ML and his two righthand men and their brotherhood was tested.

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Went to the top of my favorites list.

I just finished this drama and if anyone told me I would feel sad and empty after I finished it, I wouldn't believe them. Honestly, very few dramas leave a lasting impression on me and this one definitely did.

I am not a perfectionist when it comes to judging dramas. I believe no drama is ever perfect and there will always be something other people wouldn't like. But what makes a drama a solid 10 in my opinion is how much I enjoy the time watching it. This drama has 36 episodes and as someone who only watched a few cdramas in my lifetime, that is too long. But with this one, there was no dull moment and I enjoyed every minute of it. I didn't want it to end. I could even watch another season of just the main cast living a happy life. That's how attached to them I was. 😭

I won't get into too much detail why this drama is worth a watch. There are so many good reviews already. I'm just so glad I listened to them.

P.S. I just found out Liu Yi Ning sang the OST that I like the most. I am in love. 😭

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Don't waste your time on this!!

The problem with The Next Prince is that it doesn’t seem to know what story it actually wants to tell. It throws in a little bit of everything—royal politics, romance, family drama, even random side plots—but instead of blending into something powerful, it ends up feeling scattered and unfocused.

The first few episodes were quite promising, almost making you believe this would be a solid series. But as it goes on, it feels like a roller coaster that never finds its track. The storyline gets messy, the pacing uneven, and the excitement quickly dies down.

By the middle, the series becomes boring enough that you don’t really need to pay full attention. It’s the kind of drama you can put on in the background while scrolling through your phone or doing chores, because missing parts of it doesn’t change much—you already know where it’s going, and it’s not anywhere interesting.

In the end, The Next Prince feels like wasted potential. Beautiful visuals and a talented cast are let down by weak writing and lack of direction. This is something that you would want to watch while multitasking without minding if you missed out most parts of it.

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To the mountains and rivers

oh what good times were that, waiting for this to be airing. at the end i was smiling and crying simultaneously, at least they got the life they longed for. I'm happy for that, death necessarily doesn't mean of a sad ending.I think what shu he did was reasonable, he still wanted to take revenge but didn't know how, because he loved this man undeniably.It'll be too painful if one has to die at the end and one has to live afterwards.He knew duan zi ang didn't have much more time,so he took his revenge by taking what ZI ang loved the most, shu he himself. He had what he wanted, Zi Ang suffered before he died at the thought of shu he dying before him. what is painful more than the feeling that the one we loved to die infront of our own eyes. I've realised that, They only needed to be together , and they had it at the end. I'm truly greatful for the cast and crew for bringing out such an amaizing master piece. I'll remember u forever,farewell Duan zi and and xiano shu he.

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If You Make Excuses, You Lose

"We lost because we didn't have enough money? I didn't go to college as I didn't have tutors. I lost because I was sick. Everyone can't be in same environment. They are fighting with what they have. If we make excuses, we'll lose in same way again." -- Baek Seung Soo

That encapsulated the driving force in Stove League: to face the obstacles and overcome them without excuses or whining.

I love baseball (go, KC Royals!) and Namkoong Min's acting, so this was a treat to watch. There was a huge cast of great actors but no cardboard characters; they all existed for a purpose. The story was superb with twists, losses, wins, and great personal development arcs. Oh Jung Se played a complex villain. Watching his story develop was satisfying.

I was a wee disappointed with the ending, but I reminded myself that the Korean drama culture is more about enduring rather than winning.

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Heartwarming tale about adapting oneself after a memory gap

I had seen Ma Le Jie dramas when I first explored vertical dramas. After 2 or 3 dramas, I deliberately her dramas because she always played damsels in distress and cried a lot. However this drama came with positive reviews and since I had not seen any Li Bo Yan dramas, I decided to watch it today. I enjoyed it immensely.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - FL had the mind of her 18 year old self when in reality she was 10 years older. I liked that she was sensible & righteous despite the confusion. She did act impulsively once but that was based on her strong gut feeling which turned out to be the right decision.
2. Romance - Slow but rewarding. There were good kisses but what hit me the most were the conversations they had with each other. For example, FL asked ML what she was like at 28 years old. That was heartearming moment because it showed that ML knew FL through and through. I also loved the big argument because that was when their relationship was really tested. When trust is broken, a relationship falters.
3. Pop culture - I liked the scenes of idol worshipping because it reflected real life. Delusional fans are PR nightmare. Anyway I liked how FL tackled that challenge.
4. ML characterisation - The moment ML made his entrance at the start of the drama was amusing because of Lighter & Princess song. Anyway ML was patient and loving man. I liked that he was supportive at work - helping FL with her work challenges.
5. Acting - I liked Ma Le Jie's acting in this drama. I wish she upped the emotions when FL was slandered by the antagonist & their colleagues at the work event. Anyway MLJ got good chemistry with Li Bo Yan. I liked his acting too and will check out his other dramas.
6. Styling - Great outfits for both FL & ML. I liked FL's black top & black skirt she wore to work. Li Bo Yan's shirts were rarely buttoned - nice chest!
7. Length - The running time is 1 hour 45 minutes. Easy to watch & digest.

Disliked:
1. Antagonist - ML's secretary was unprofessional. She did some scheming to get FL into trouble. She should put her personal feelings aside at work.

Favourite scene
When a misunderstanding escalated into a big argument.

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Falling for Demons Again – Judge from Hell Had Me Hooked!

Damn, I absolutely loved it! Why do I always end up falling for demons, whether it’s Guwon or Kang Bitna? 😅 This drama had me hooked from the start. My adrenaline spiked every time she punished sinners in the exact way they killed their victims—it really made them realize how painful their actions were.
The male lead also did his part so well. Even though he didn’t do anything “cute” in the drama, I still found him adorable—just like the female lead. Their dynamic worked perfectly.
That cliffhanger ending though! Totally unexpected, and now I can’t stop wishing for a Season 2. Fingers crossed they give us one! 🙏✨

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A Soothing Slice of Life Drama That Ends as Beautifully as It Begins

The found family trope was executed in the best way possible. A simple storyline backed by heartwarming storytelling, powerful direction, mesmerizing cinematography and performances from both experienced senior actors and refreshing rookies, what could possibly go wrong?? Often dramas start strong but collapse by the end, yet here, things began beautifully and ended on a very satisfying note. The conclusion wasnt rushed nor did it feel forced, it was truly fulfilling. I tried to find flaws but there were almost none.

At its core, the drama explored giving love a second chance in one’s 40s, paralleled with a tender youth romance. Yet, the true highlight was the mother-daughter bond, which became the emotional heart of the story. That connection carried the drama, making it both soothing and deeply healing, enhanced by beautiful scenery and moving storytelling.

Lee Jian, played by Yeom Jung ah, had a backstory similar to her character in The Defects, which aired around the same time. Both were abandoned by their mothers, yet the way their lives shaped them was entirely different. In The Defects, her character became a monster, killing her own children out of insecurity. But here, she transformed into the best possible mother, even to a child who wasnt biologically hers. Yeom Jungah’s range, from portraying a chilling villain in The Defects to a heartwarming mother here, was absolutely insane.

Lee Hyori, played by newcomer Choi Yunji, was a complex character. Initially, she drew dislike due to her anger, frustration and insecurities, which stemmed from battling a life threatening illness alone. Yet, as the story progressed, her growth was remarkable. Her relationship with Jian gradually softened as they spent more time together, learned to understand each other, and visibly matured through that journey.

Male characters such as Jeong Seok and Bohyeon had their own story arcs, explored with depth and care. Their love stories with the leading ladies were beautifully shaped. Other supporting roles were equally heartwarming, whether it was Tae Oh, Dr. Jung or even the villagers, none felt annoying or out of place. In fact, Dr. Jung finding a family in Jian, Hyori and Sunyang was touching to watch.

Even the third angles, often frustrating in dramas were handled gracefully. When they realized they werent meant to be, they backed out without creating unnecessary drama, whether it was Bohyeon’s best friend or his mother. Bohyeon’s best friend, who had feelings for him, showed wonderful growth by eventually becoming close to Hyori and Suk after letting go of her unrequited love. That kind of maturity was refreshing.

The romance between both couples, the elder and the younger was delightful. Ironically, the younger couple came across as more mature, while the elder couple’s playful childishness made their moments fun to watch. I also liked how the drama and its characters didnt sensationalize the relationships between Hyori-Bohyeon and Jian-Jeong Seok, despite the layered connections of them being children of the other couple (though not biologically related).

Overall, Love, Take Two was a gentle, heartwarming and healing slice of life drama that left me thoroughly satisfied from beginning to end.

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Diverse Concept Show

I just started watching Handsome Guys this year and i liked the bingo concept, but i just cant understand why they need to turn this show into an eating show. Just the first episode i realized they can skip the meal when they secured a square for bingo but the next few episodes they made it compulsory to eat, unfortunately became a contra to the main concept which was bingo game. The bingo episodes brought so much of knowledge to viewers and I skipped most of the eating show episodes cause this show didnt really leave a hype anymore, only the last episode of eating season i think was one of the funny episodes. But still, i am looking forward to the third season which was previewed to be a survival theme. anyway, fightinggg!

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This isn't a BL and that's okay.

Reading the reviews for this one, I was apprehensive to start it, but the biggest complaint most people seemed to have is simply based on the fact they were expecting it to be a BL when it is actually a K-drama. "Not enough focus on the main couple/too much time spent with the side characters." That's just how k-dramas operate. "Instead of comedy, I got an emotional roller-coaster." That simply isn't true, there are many comedic moments, and also how is that a bad thing? "I thought I would get some BL vibes." It never marketed itself as a BL.

The only criticisms I agree with are 1) yes Kang Minyu is an annoying pick-me and 2) yes Park Yunjae should man up and actually set boundaries with her.

So, put aside the expectations of getting any boyslove moments and enjoy the show for what it is: a lighthearted, comedic K-drama with a touch of magical realism.

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I watched it for the first time when it was out in 2020. And.. I hated it. Too cringe, too slow, and I hate but I hate Teh.
I was confused, because ITSAY got everyting I loved, good OST, actors that I love, Boss and TangBadVoice, a beautiful screenwriting.
And you know what? Sometimes, people are wrong. I re-watched 5 years later, older and most importantly more focused on it (Yes because I couldn't focus, I was busy with mental health and my degree...)

And GOD I love it! (But I still hate Teh)
EVERYTHING IS PERFECT

They are young messy and yes cringe but that now what I love about them!
Every screenshot you can take feel like art, because it is art!

The relationship with Bas and Oh, show us the differencee between loving someone and being in love... I hope Bas find someone in love with him.

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