Quantcast
Completed
The First Jasmine
45 people found this review helpful
13 days ago
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers

Started with so much potential... but slowly lost its spark.

When I started The First Jasmine, I was genuinely excited. I love Cheng Lei, and he usually has great script choices, so pairing him with Bai Lu made me think this drama was going to be something special cuz yk she's good actress.

The beginning was honestly really good. The female lead was smart, straightforward, and focused on getting her revenge instead of creating unnecessary drama. The male lead was cold and ruthless, which made their dynamic interesting. I also liked the backstory between the male lead and his brother because it added another layer to the story.

But somewhere around episode 20–25, the drama completely lost its momentum. The pacing became painfully slow. It felt like the story stopped moving, and even the characters seemed stuck in place. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never really did.

One character I absolutely loved was Ye Ying. I was really hoping her relationship with Mo Jinglin would develop more. She sacrificed so much for him and loved him no matter what, so I wanted to see him slowly realize her worth and genuinely fall in love with her. Instead, their scenes were cut short, which was disappointing. Even though he was one of the main villains. I love his acting. I found him far more interesting than some of the main plot. 😭❤️

The romance between the Cangbei princess and the male lead's friend, though... I honestly couldn't care less. It felt unnecessary and only slowed the story down even more.

I also expected the female lead's illness to lead to something much bigger, but it ended up feeling underwhelming. And don't even get me started on the male lead. The moment he learned the truth, his first reaction was divorce? Seriously? Then he rushed to Lishan Mountain after realizing she wasn't there, and somehow his hair turned grey in what felt like a few hours. That was just way too dramatic and made no sense to me.

One character I really enjoyed throughout the drama was the Emperor. The actor gave such a strong performance and made every scene interesting.

Overall, I don't think this drama is bad, but it definitely didn't live up to the expectations I had after such a strong start. It had good actors, interesting characters, and plenty of potential, but the slow pacing and some questionable writing choices made it hard for me to stay fully invested.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
The Red Envelope
0 people found this review helpful
13 days ago
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.5

Cute but a bit too silly

Genuinely started crying at the very last after the bloopers oh my god they’re married in their next life which is what I said half way through the film btw!! not a bad movie by any means but I do think the og took its self more seriously while still managing to be funny, not a bad thing that this one was silly but im result there was some substance missing yk, like for example whil Menn/Han Ming’s homophobia was something broken down throughout the movie here it was something that just resolved it self at the end
Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
The First Jasmine
2 people found this review helpful
13 days ago
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.5
This review may contain spoilers

I came back for Cheng Lei... and stayed because MoLi was actually good

I think Moli just ended my C-drama slump for the past two months. But weren't we all taking a break from ongoing dramas during that period? Lol.
Anyway, here's my review.

First of all, I'm a fan of Cheng Lei, but not really of Bai Lu. I've watched three of her previous dramas and only managed to finish one (Story of Kunning Palace). So when they announced Moli's release date, I packed my bags from K-drama land and immediately came back just for Cheng Lei. Lol.

When I watched the first few episodes, I noticed they didn't use that many filters. The editing and color grading felt so raw that I could actually see their pores, eyebrows, and even the girls' blush. I'm not complaining, but after spending years watching dramas with heavy filters and color correction, it was surprisingly refreshing.

Another thing I noticed was how quiet some scenes felt. The background sounded so empty in a few parts, and I don't know why they didn't add any BGM. Usually, there are birds chirping, leaves rustling, or at least some instrumental music playing in the background. But I eventually got used to it, and by the later episodes it felt normal. I really liked the couple's OST, though.
Story-wise, I didn't read the synopsis beforehand, so I went in with zero expectations and without comparing it to the novel. I honestly don't care how they portrayed Mo Xiuyao in the novel, I really liked him in the drama. And Ye Li too, of course. She has to be one of the strongest human beings ever. If I were in her position, I would've REALLY buried myself in that hole already. She suffered so much, and it's completely okay to pity her.

I think the pacing across all 40 episodes was executed pretty well. I read somewhere that they cut a lot of Cheng Lei's scenes, and as a Cheng Lei fan, all I can do is hope they'll release them as special clips or something. But I also understand that Bai Lu is the main highlight of this drama. Like I mentioned earlier, I'm not her fan, but I know she's a sweetheart and she's a very capable actress. Still, Cheng Lei was the one who kept me watching, so I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. I'm sorry :(((

The pacing was good overall, but the ending felt like a letdown. No, not the main couple's ending, I mean the supporting characters. Mo Jingli's final rebellion scene was such a disappointment. What do you mean he lost just like that? Mo Xiuyao didn't even do anything, like, no attack, no COOL entrance, nothing. Yes, he saved Ye Li, but... he didn't really save her. He was just... there... if you know what I mean. Come on, director. You could've given us an epic flying-blocking-attacking-stabbing three-way fight between Ye Li, Mo Xiuyao, and Mo Jingli 😭 Instead, the arrows ended everything. Oooookay.

Then there's the Empress Dowager's ending. It was so anticlimactic to let her die ‘peacefully’ in her own bed. I wanted her own son to issue an imperial edict FIRST, strip away her title, exile her, and let her die in the poorest conditions ever. Lol. I guess I was just craving some dramatic ending after my C-drama slump. But who am I? I'm not the scriptwriter or the producer haha.

The main couple's ending, though, was adorable. I loved how Ye Li finally succeeded in finding her husband on the battlefield, just like what she wanted to do when she was younger. I'm convinced they cut the bed scene after their reunion (I choose to believe that!), which was annoying, but the closure at Lishan Academy still had me in tears. You've worked so hard, Ye Li. Now please, just walk the flower path together from now on ☹️

By the way, I really don't understand why people are hating on Mo Xiuyao for divorcing Ye Li. What he did was actually valid and realistic. It was a misunderstanding. He genuinely believed Ye Li was only repaying a debt and didn't actually love him. He wasn't exactly in the healthiest state of mind either, so it's understandable that he misread her intentions. Honestly, Ye Li's initial reason for helping him was probably really to fulfill the promise she made to his brother. It just gradually turned into love so naturally that people couldn't even pinpoint the exact moment her feelings changed. That conflict was absolutely necessary for the story and it was actually my favorite part because apparently I enjoy watching my favorite characters suffer (?) hahahahaha. This isn't one of those smooth, too-good-to-be-true first-love stories from a youth drama, you know, and that's exactly why I liked it. I especially loved the main couple's love language, particularly Mo Xiuyao's constant nagging and scolding. He genuinely cared about his wife, he just... didn't really know how to express it in a green-flag way lol. Poor A Jin had to witness all of it. Anyway, they're both soooo cute.

And there's really nothing to say about their acting except that both of them are pros. Like, they can actually move their faces. I cried when they cried, and I laughed when they laughed. What more could I ask for? The supporting cast was also excellent. Ye Li's crew and Mo Xiuyao's crew absolutely deserved to be thereeee. I love A Jin so much. Please give this man a raise! He's a babysitter, an adopted son to his dad, a matchmaker, a bodyguard, and the most dedicated audience member throughout MoLi's entire journey. He even cried together with his dad ☹️

Shoutout to Senior Li too, because he deserved every second of his screentime. And Ye Ying... she really is the definition of "love is blind." I almost skipped her scenes with Mo Jingli in Episode 38 because she was just that frustrating to watch. So stupid, oops, sorry lol.

Style-wise, Cheng Lei with white hair looked FANTASTIC, although Song Mo still wins for me haha. Sorry, Cheng Lei. Xiao Dudu and Xiahou Dan are still your best looks in my opinion. But I'll always love you anyway lol. As for the girls, I never thought I'd actually like the Tang dynasty's tall, rounded hairstyles, but they looked beautiful, especially Ye Ying's. Qing Yu's side buns, though... she startled me every single time she appeared on screen. Haha. But I have to say, the actress really looks like those women from ancient Chinese Tang dynasty you see in history books.

Last but definitely not least, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MOLI BECAUSE CHENG LEI USED HIS OWN VOICE FOR DUBBING!! That is an achievement. Lol. That's it. That's all. I'm so proud of him. Please keep using your own voice in your future dramas, pleaseeeee.

Overall, Moli was a great cure for my C-drama slump. The empty release schedule in May and early June was so painful that I actually went back to watching K-dramas again. I actually watched Ashes of Crown and Dazzling before Moli (with a completely flat face and 1,5x speed, honestly), and I can confidently say that it wasn't until Moli that I finally felt like calling myself a C-drama fan again. As a Cheng Lei fan, it's still a little disappointing because of his ‘limited’ screentime. But considering the C-drama drought I've been going through, Moli was definitely a solid comeback and one that reminded me why I fell in love with C-dramas in the first place.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
The First Jasmine
57 people found this review helpful
13 days ago
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

The Final Episodes Were Disappointing

The first half of the series was captivating — Ye Li came across as formidable, with sharp schemes and remarkable foresight. She was always a step ahead, and those glimpses of her fighting skills in her delusions gave me hope for more action against worthy opponents. I was heartbroken when Mo Xiu Yao divorced her, leading her to the forsaken Li Shan Academy in a disillusioned state of mind. Another painful blow came with Princess Ling Yun’s murder, leaving Feng Zhi Yao devastated.

As the story moved toward its conclusion, the pacing slowed. Ye Li’s drive for business expansion faded, and she shifted into more of a supporting role. The formidable combat skills I anticipated never materialized, nor were there signs of a larger family or future offspring. Her rhetorical exchanges with the dying Empress Dowager felt subdued compared to her earlier sharpness. Most disappointing of all, Ye Li never fulfilled her revenge arc of killing the four people she had sworn to destroy.

Sadly, the final episodes left me struggling — the brilliance and intensity of the beginning gave way to a muted close that didn’t deliver on the promise of Ye Li’s character.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
High School Frenemy
0 people found this review helpful
13 days ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 5.5
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

The writers forgot what a Bromance is

Pros:
- Gayer than a lot of BLs I've seen.
- Saint and Shin are in love. Call it bromance if it makes you happy, but these boys are in love. You don't get to have at least one teary, heartfelt confession scene every episode and call this a bromance if you ask me.
- A bunch of hooligans slowly realize they have more in common than they thought and become a great found family.
- Several characters gets problems to work through besides just Saint and Shin. It's a full ensemble cast.
- The acting was on point. A lot of good GMMTV people are in this show. Sky and Nani knock this shit out of the part with the longing looks, the tears, the tight swallows and the righteous fury and all the teasing in between. But the cast is fire. Mark Pakin fucking nailed Chadjen, the twins were very convincing bullies, Mark Jiruntanin convinced me he was about to have a breakdown, Bonnie was wonderful in her expressions of trauma and fear of being replaced. A+ all around.
- Canon lesbian characters.

Cons:
- Who chose the free-to-use music in the background? Sometimes it hits and sometimes you hear the lyrics like "who tf picked this song? what?"
- They dragged out the guys not making up a little too long. Could have been resolved an episode earlier and saved us some frustration.
- The writers put several characters in situations where they should end up in a hospital and then... no one goes to the hospital. We get ...3? hospital scenes, and it should have been like 10.
- The entire school board and admin team fucking sucks. Like that's not how a school system works BAD. That's not how you treat kids BAD. Luckily most of the board has minimal screen time.
- No one kissed. - I know, with how often Saint and Shin stared at each other's mouths or shared an intense and close stare, you'd think it would happen, but no. I know, one lesbian character admits they used to have a crush on another lesbian character and they become friends, but no. No kisses.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Family by Choice
0 people found this review helpful
13 days ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 3.0

Incest bait

This show is practically as my header reads. The first half is very pleasant to watch and see how a family doesn’t have to be blood related…until the two leads end up dating each other😐 Sure, it’s not blood related, but still really weird considering they called each other brother and sister before the time skip.

The ending was a slog to get through unfortunately, every other scene was between Juwon and Sanha, which I feel had no chemistry together, which I find unfortunate given I decided to watch this show because of Hwang Inyeop. Although I did really love Haejun and his actor, definitely my favorite part of the show.

Haejun was the star of this drama for me. Despite being dumb and…just really dumb, he was charming to watch. His whole relationship with Dal was my favorite sub-plot by far, I really enjoyed their chemistry. Also Song Jihye is such a great actress and Dal is just so cute. Choi Wonyoung was also superb, but I expected that from him after Twinkling Watermelon.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
My Beautiful Man: Eternal
0 people found this review helpful
13 days ago
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 7.5
This review may contain spoilers

yes go see a doctor

What I Like
Hira doesn’t idolize Kiyoi as much as in the show which is so refreshing (still a fan but not borderline stalker) and he finally gains some confidence in himself. Kiyoi finally doesn’t kick or be mentally abuse towards Hira which I enjoyed.

What I Hated (a little nitpicky sorry)
They’re still fighting over the same things again (this is like the 3rd time now) and again there’s no true resolution.
Don’t get me wrong I like Anna but we lose focus on the main characters to focus on her relationship and her fan boy. These plot points feel like filler and to have a super climactic big moment and they just feel out of place.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Money, My Love
0 people found this review helpful
13 days ago
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

When the products of two dysfunctional families meet, It was a sweet and beautiful romance.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

The reason I wanted to check out “Money, My Love” is because of Kongthap Peak. I’ve liked him from the Dhevaprom series, and wanted to see him again. I got a slight bumpy ride with this drama, but the handsome, charming and adorable Kongthap guided me through the waves and arrived at a safe place.

Plot:
This is a story about a rich man from a dysfunctional family meeting a poor girl from a dysfunctional family. They are both smart in their own ways, sweet and really a good match for each other. They supported each other through their family traumas and crises, healed each other and became a better person because of the other half. There aren’t really any unique plot twists in this lakorn and the business plot isn’t unique either. We have seen greedy rich people vying for more money, rich and poor children not being loved by their parents, and evil people trying to take your money and happiness away from you. Add on to that is a little revenge, a lot of slaps and punches to the face. This drama’s overall plot might not shine, but it’s the relationship between the characters that really highlight the successes of the drama.

Romance:
For the first half of the drama, I was loving the leads’ friendship development. They supported each other and were very honest with each other. They truly understand the other half, have faith in them and believe in them. It was quite refreshing to see the leads communicate so honestly with each other. Then they started dating and the bumpy ride started. I was so worried that I would end up disliking their romance. At one point, as much as I love Kongthap, his character started to annoy me when he was not setting firm boundaries with his ex in front of his girlfriend. At least, he wasn’t really giving out mixed signals, thank goodness. Instead, it was rather growing pains to learn to be a really good boyfriend. Luckily, misunderstandings are cleared rather quickly through honest communication. I almost have second lead syndrome, almost only. There are many cute and fluffy scenes between the leads. They really are fun to watch. I just wish the kisses were better and not fish kisses. But it’s a lakorn, so that is to be expected.

Acting:
Compared to many other Thai dramas, the acting is not as over-the-top, though there is still some exaggeration. It still took me a little while to get used to the style of acting. I enjoy the performances by Kongthap and Pop the most. These brothers have some really powerful and emotional scenes, as well as fun brotherly love ones. The lakorn veterans are good and the younger cast are OK.

Relationships:
Aside from the romance, I really enjoy the development of the parent/child relationships and also the siblings relationships. The parent/child relationships are especially rocky but seeing them evolved throughout the drama was nice. I also really enjoy the bonding between the brothers. Their brotherhood is the most rewarding to watch, and it doesn’t hurt that we have two really good-looking and charming actors in Konthap and Pop. The friendship is sweet as well. I don’t think I’ve seen so much BBQ bonding time in a Thai drama before. I thought I was watching a K-drama! LOL


Even though I had to watch the last 5 episodes at 1.25x speed, I did enjoy “Money, My Love” for the most part. I might be biased towards Kongthap and bumped the rating a little bit because he’s just too handsome and adorable! As a younger brother, this is a playful side of Kongthap that I didn’t see in the Dhevaprom series. Kaykai is an adorable actress as well and I do like her character very much. If I judge this from a lakorn standard, this is a solid 8.0-8.5 drama for me. It’s not the most over-the-top lakorn I’ve seen and also not the most serious one either. I would only recommend this drama if you are a veteran lakorn watcher, and are looking for a sweet romance with strong family development and relationship plotlines.



Drama Completed: 6/29/2026 Review #699

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Night Has Come
0 people found this review helpful
by Meehu
14 days ago
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

You get all what you've never expected! =\

Pulled an all-nighter to finish this one. What a storyline. I can't expect in words. Where the ghost of Se Eun was shown I sticked to my seat with fear. Couldn't get out of my room man. It was fearful and extremely terrifying! If I would say the potential of this series is closest to Alice in Borderland, Squid Games, 19th Floor, or any good game/thriller series it won't be wrong!

When I started it, had zero expectations.. because honestly never heard of it before! Cast was also new to me, have never seen any of them before. Later I found out that ML is Kim Woo-seok who looks very similar to Cha Eun-Woo(His total doppelganger). He was in Twenty-Twenty too. All the actors played their part so well. As if characters were made for them. Was in a mood to watch some thriller so got it through MDL recommendations section of Alice in borderland. Glad I found it at the right time. Searched on google about second season, sad part it is not renewed till now. Maybe we won't be getting Season 2! **sob sob**

Let me tell you it has Open-ending ;)
Just go and watch without wasting any time! You'll thank me later.

10/10 for me!

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
14 days ago
1 of 30 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 6.5
This review may contain spoilers

got there in the end (vertical series)

Overall: spent too much time with a love rival. 30 short episodes. Aired on GagaOOLala.

Content Warnings: past child abuse (episode 1), non con touching, non con kiss, mental health struggles, past death

What I Liked
- the co-op living situation (brought back memories when my co-op application was rejected likely because I was a feminist I.e. I didn't/don't think women dancing in a club should be groped by random guys which a male resident thought was fine if the women were wearing short skirts...)
- the guys tried to be supportive

Room For Improvement
- the one resident's wig
- both guys looked at his back when he was visibly upset/not wanting them to
- the non con kiss
- love rival took up way too much screen time
- poor communication that was only resolved in the 2nd to last episode

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Dropped 4/8
Dinosaur Love
0 people found this review helpful
14 days ago
4 of 8 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 1.0
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 1.0
Music 1.5
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers

Why does this feel like a student project?

TRIGGER WARNING for self-harm and sexual assault

The sexual assault scene is blurred out; you literally see nothing, but I'm still warning you it's there.

Watched at X1.5 speed.

Too many visual and audio effects.

Bad acting and zero chemistry between the main actors. The best acting was from Sammy and Tonnam (who was also one of the directors--no comment).

Dino looks too old to be in college. He's also a walking red flag, and not the good kind. He's controlling, bossy, and possessive, but in a "I wouldn't touch you with a 50 ft pole" kind of way, not in a "that's hot" way.

Rek looks like a space case most of the time, and has zero personality. Kong's (the actor) face is also very stiff. Don't understand what these boys like about him. Not that they are very likable either; one tries to kill himself, and the other tries to rape Rek.

I watched 4 episodes thinking it would be at least bearable, but it wasn't. I'm not going to tell anyone not to give it a try, but please try to go in with no expectations.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Ongoing 5/6
Ticket to Heaven
3 people found this review helpful
by Fel
14 days ago
5 of 6 episodes seen
Ongoing 1
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
Every once in a while, a series comes along that reminds you why stories matter. Not just because they're entertaining, but because they stay with you long after the credits roll. Ticket to Heaven is one of those rare dramas. It doesn't just capture your attention—it completely draws you in emotionally.

From its beautiful cinematography and thoughtful direction to its seamless editing and well-written screenplay, every part of this series feels carefully made. Nothing feels unnecessary. Every shot, every silence, and every emotional moment has a purpose, creating an experience that feels intimate, authentic, and deeply moving.

Director P'Aof deserves huge praise for handling the series' difficult themes with so much care. Faith, religious devotion, guilt, institutional trauma, and the conflict between belief and love are explored with empathy rather than judgment. What stood out to me most was how well-researched everything felt. The story never exaggerates or sensationalizes its subject matter. Instead, it presents these issues with honesty and nuance, allowing viewers to form their own opinions while experiencing the characters' emotional struggles. The subtle symbolism throughout the series adds even more depth without ever feeling forced.

The pacing is another strength. The series never rushes its emotional moments, allowing them to unfold naturally. Silence often speaks louder than words, and the editing gives every scene the time it needs. That restraint creates a quiet but powerful emotional tension, making every heartbreaking moment feel genuine.

At the center of it all are Gemini and Fourth, both delivering what I believe are the best performances of their careers so far.

Fourth's portrayal of Tanrak is outstanding. He reminds us that great acting isn't always about dialogue—it's often about what's left unsaid. Without speaking, he shows us the exact moment Tanrak's heart breaks, the fear brought on by perceived sin, and the painful conflict between his faith and his love. His eyes tell an entire story. Every trembling hand, every tense posture, and every subtle expression reveal the weight Tanrak carries inside. It's a quiet, mature, and heartbreaking performance that stayed with me long after the final episode. With this role, Fourth proves once again why he's one of the most talented actors of his generation.

Gemini is just as incredible as Barth. He brings warmth, sincerity, and quiet strength to the role, making Barth feel like a real person rather than an idealized love interest. He loves deeply, hurts deeply, and isn't afraid to be vulnerable. Gemini gives the character so much honesty that every emotion feels real.

Together, Gemini and Fourth have effortless chemistry. Their relationship isn't built on dramatic romantic moments but on meaningful glances, quiet conversations, and simple acts of care. They understand each other without needing many words, making every scene between them feel genuine and natural. Their relationship never feels forced—it feels completely earned.

What makes Ticket to Heaven truly special is its humanity. Beneath its exploration of faith, guilt, and identity is a compassionate story about people searching for acceptance, forgiveness, and the courage to love honestly. It asks difficult questions without preaching, breaks your heart without feeling manipulative, and offers hope while remaining honest about its characters' pain.

This isn't just one of the best BL dramas I've watched—it's one of the best dramas I've seen in years. It's thoughtful, emotionally powerful, beautifully acted, and crafted with care from beginning to end.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
All Shall Be Well
7 people found this review helpful
14 days ago
Completed 8
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 7.5
This is one of those reviews where I’m so angry that I worry I won’t be able to write in coherent sentences. All Shall Be Well didn’t have contrived scenarios created to evoke emotion, instead it covered all too real problems and politely vicious human nature.

Pat and Angie have lived together in the apartment they bought for 30 years. To quote Forrest Gump they go together like peas and carrots. Once factory girls, they found a way to own a textile factory, which they sold years ago. They help Pat’s family financially when they can and always with deep seated affection. All seems well with this loving family until Pat dies suddenly without a will. With money and real estate involved, the familial bonds inexorably unwind. Angie found herself going from a life partner to a “best friend.”

I knew when I saw the synopsis where this film was headed. As same sex marriage is not currently legal in Hong Kong, Angie was in for a very rude awakening during her grief. If there is one complaint I have, it is that Pat and Angie had owned a business and had to know that everything needs to be in writing, documented, signed and sealed, especially for a particularly vulnerable relationship in the eyes of the law. * If a blow-up swimming pool has a deed or title, both people’s names better be on it or some greedy relative will appear to try and make a claim. Pat had too much faith that her family would honor her wishes. The situation in the film was that Pat’s brother became the executor and his say was all that mattered in regards to the funeral, the apartment, and other financial concerns. They quietly stole what was not theirs, all the while justifying it by minimizing Angie’s contributions through the years.

Patra Au gave a beautifully nuanced and complex performance as Angie’s grief was interrupted by the supposed loving family’s greed. Without screaming or wailing, she conveyed the pain of loss and the anger over the betrayals hurled her way. And the bitter resignation to her legal situation which saw her relationship minimized. There were also the gentle moments with Pat walking hand-in-hand and her kindnesses toward Pat’s family before they turned on her. Patra brought Angie to life and made her feel real.

Money can make even level-headed people throw away their ethics, rationalizing their despicable behavior. Pat and Angie’s love was beautiful and tender, the healthiest relationship in the family. Truly kind individuals, they were generous with their time and money. Luckily for Angie, she at least had the made family of friends she and Pat had cultivated who were far more caring and loyal than Pat’s biological kin. Pat’s family wasn’t overtly homophobic but that didn’t make their actions any less mercenary. This woman who had been an integral part of their lives for 30 years, who had shared their joys and sorrows was systematically erased. The one thing they couldn’t erase was the love and memories the women shared.

29 June 2026

Spoilery comments:



Edit---*PBG Note: Our beloved PBG brought up in a comment below that same sex couples who marry outside of HK/China are recognized for inheritance purposes. The movie did mention this legal maneuver that unfortunately, this older couple did not take advantage of. They made numerous mistakes. Pat put off writing her will for whatever reason, even though Angie helped pay for the apartment her name was not on the deed, some people have trouble recognizing their own mortality. I think the couple was so close to Pat's family that they never dreamed that they would be capable of stealing Angie's home and finances.

Vengeful Note: I hope that family never had a peaceful moment in the apartment and Pat's ghost haunted them for fun when she wasn't visiting Angie.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Pretend Lover
0 people found this review helpful
14 days ago
50 of 50 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

rich boy and poor boy vertical series

Overall: I rated this against other verticals of a similar genre. 50 short episodes. Aired on iQIYI.

Content Warnings: non con kisses, slap, coercion, workplace bullying, manipulation, punch

What I Liked
- chuckled at the push up part
- the dads (except for a couple of lines below)
- avoided the noble idiot trope
- visuals

Room For Improvement
- cliche wannabe wife
- love rival/jealousy
- comedy sound effects/music
- dad said teach your wife a lesson...make her submit
- gay for you trope
- hobbled around the next morning

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Ongoing 3/10
The Edge of Horizon
0 people found this review helpful
14 days ago
3 of 10 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers
Episode 3 is where this series truly embraces classic melodrama.

A prince and his servant fall deeply in love, only to be separated by family duty and social status. After their relationship is discovered, Phop is driven away while the prince is forced to choose between love and the honor of his royal family.

Eleven years later, they meet again.

Phop has become a military officer, trying to overcome the barrier of birth through his own efforts, while the prince still struggles between his lingering love and his responsibilities.

The story itself follows familiar melodramatic conventions—a disapproving father, an arranged fiancée, and an older brother who feels like a classic antagonist—but One31 tells it with enough sincerity that I couldn't look away.

Sometimes, all it takes is two people touching hands to convey everything they cannot say aloud.

Where to watch
oneD (Thailand)
YouTube (selected regions)
GagaOOLala
Heavenly
LINE TV Taiwan

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?