Reviews

Quality Family Drama

The Gist

Go Ahead is a coming-of-age family drama following three unrelated children — Li Jianjian, Ling Xiao, and He Ziqiu — who are raised by two devoted fathers after being deserted by their mothers. After a nine-year separation caused by external family pressures, they reunite as adults to navigate careers, romance, and the lingering traumas of their childhoods.

My Thoughts

Now that I've finally watched this, I can tell you — I get it. I understand why this drama is so highly rated. And I'll be honest, I'm not typically a family drama person, especially family C-dramas because they can get extremely preachy and the two philosophical in a way where those scenes hog the screen. But Go Ahead earns its reputation. The biggest strength here is its multifaceted characters. Everyone — from the three leads to their fathers to even the gossipy neighbors — has a distinct personality that comes alive on screen. Nobody feels like a filler character or a cardboard cutout, and that's rare.

I'll admit I did skip certain extended dialogue scenes because I wasn't always in the mood for something this emotionally charged, but I watched most of it, and years after its release, the themes still feel extremely relevant. The mental health awareness in particular is something I appreciated, even if I would have liked to see it addressed more directly. Ling Xiao's mother, Chen Ting, is a manipulative narcissist with serious mental health issues who should have actually gotten professional help. She screwed up her child's life so badly that the poor kid was absolutely unstable and emotionally dependent on Li Jianjian to survive. The drama doesn't give the mother and the son, a neat resolution, and honestly? That's the most realistic choice the writers could have made. Sometimes there's nothing you can do. Sometimes the person just goes back to another country and you move on. Life is like that.

He Ziqiu's story with his mother, He Mei, is the opposite — we actually get a redemption arc here. The writers make it clear that unlike Chen Ting, He Mei genuinely had no choice but to leave her son to ensure he'd have a good life she couldn't give him at a time. I would have liked for her to seek him out earlier instead of waiting so many years and pushing him back after they met, but their reconciliation still hit me. Even the arc between her and Li Haichao comes full circle beautifully. And speaking of well-written side characters — Li Jianjian's school friends and later roommates have surprisingly interesting stories that add another perspective on the complicated expectations parents put on their children.

The Romance

Now, let me address the elephant in the room — the romance between Li Jianjian and Ling Xiao. People who said it was unnecessary or claimed they were "surprised" when it developed simply were not paying attention. The romance is clearly foreshadowed from episodes one through three and further while they’re still in high school. When Ling Xiao buys her a bra at sixteen, he's already seeing her as a woman — that's your first hint right there. Or when he indicates that they can’t sleep in one bed anymore. His mother essentially gives him to Li Jianjian. The woman tells Li Jianjian she can "have her son." Additionally, the writers never once place Ling Xiao in Li Haichao's apartment to stay overnight. If you've watched enough romantic C-dramas, you see these signals immediately. They were clearly drawing a line between Ling Xiao romantic interest later on and He Ziqiu being a brother figure. As a matter of fact, they should have not written that small portion about He Ziqiu having feelings for Li Jianjian at all.

That said — I do think the writers fumbled the romance after the separation. It's clear Ling Xiao always liked her, even before leaving for Singapore, but the writers needed to get things moving quickly post-reunion, so his confession came off extremely pushy without him first confirming she felt the same way. A few more episodes of romantic moments or mutual acknowledgment would have helped. I also wouldn't say the leads have explosive chemistry. Song Weilong was really good but Li Jianjian’s character didn’t feel like she actually liked him back. And I think part of it is the acting and directing here. But since this is a family drama, I'm not going to dock points for that. It's meant to be light, family-friendly, easy to digest — not a full-on romance drama. So perhaps that’s why it comes off that way on screen. My overall opinion about the romance is that if its development after the separation had been written a little differently, it would have landed better and probably would have earned a little less criticism. But the romance was central to the drama's final conflict, so it needed to happen when it did. And I actually loved it. I’m always up for a forbidden romance. I did like the fact that nobody judged them or tried to separate them except for mentally unstable and narcissistic Chen Ting.

The Verdict

The real strength of this drama is the acting. It's phenomenal across the board — especially the younger cast and the child actors, who absolutely deliver. The writing is sharp, with no silly clichés or manufactured misunderstandings between characters. It's realistic and very slice of life with great dialogues. The production quality is also impressive considering this was filmed before Covid, and the music complements the emotional beats well.

I recommend Go Ahead to anyone who enjoys family dramas or is a fan of any of the actors involved. It's extremely well written, emotionally rewarding, and still holds up perfectly. I just wish I hadn't waited this long to watch it.

P.S. I wouldn’t even attempt to watch the Korean version of this. Sometimes Korean remakes of Japanese or Chinese dramas are a real upgrade, but with this drama, it is a downgrade.

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Tbh, I feel like jawon is a cutie but as soonrok they felt two different people
I haven’t read the webtoon, but some behavior just felt SR coded while others were JW coded
Like that AI trend where they put different cast in a known universe, like TVD in twilight scenes, it felt like he wasn’t fully SR m

It also felt draggy yet rushed, I wanted more of their relationship, but her falling for him felt rushed and sudden, sure she could feel a crush cuz she’s been single for so long, and he was different from both guys she liked, he matched her in naivety and “pureness”, ie they didn’t have hidden agendas, they didn’t “want” anything out of the relationship
But I also get KGE saying she didn’t want this to be made cuz of the anticipation and image of the perfect match after the previous two that felt already perfect

And that’s why eventho I did feel the disappointment, I still felt this as a story was different in tone and so much more realistic and normal than other dramas
Like the SKJ drama, it feels too artificial I don’t wanna continue
But I wish for more

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A Beautifully Composed Story of Friendship and Rivalry

I was seated the entire time, eagerly anticipating each next episode. The acting was amazing—especially Lee Jun-young as Choi Jeong-yo, who absolutely slayed the role. I also have to praise Song Kang as Kang Pi-o, who brought the perfectionist pianist to life with real depth.

I loved the chemistry between the main leads—Song Kang as Kang Pi-o, an elite pianist whose life has been a rigid path to perfection, and Lee Jun-young as Choi Jeong-yo, a free-spirited, natural talent who abandoned the piano after a difficult childhood. The way they always care for each other, moving from rivals to friends and piano partners, was beautifully portrayed.

The storyline is amazing but sad, and it makes you think: would they have had to go through all that if only the adults had behaved like adults and supported them? I loved the suspense in each episode, waiting for the story to unfold. Great writing plus amazing acting makes it a full package.

I loved the ending, but I wish we could get at least ten extra minutes with them. I really hated Kang Pi-o's mother, Kang Ji-hye (Yoon Se-ah), as her manipulation started all the unfortunate events. I think it's an amazing story about friendship—both male leads did an amazing job, and I was so rooting for them to finally find their happiness. The music added so much to the story; it wasn't just background—it was the heart of the narrative.

Final Verdict: A beautifully composed coming-of-age drama with stellar performances from Song Kang and Lee Jun-young, a moving friendship at its core, and music that elevates every scene. The ending is satisfying, though you'll wish for just a little more time with these characters. Highly recommended.

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A Gentle Story, Outstanding Acting, and Every Character Matters, Excellent Character Development.

DUTY FIRST, KISS LATER — 10/10

* Positive Points
It has genuinely been a long time since I last gave a BL series a perfect 10/10. After watching so many Thai BLs recently and gradually growing tired of them, I happened to discover the Japanese series *Duty First, Kiss Later*. After finishing it, I can confidently say that this series absolutely deserves its score.

Although it has a few minor flaws, they barely affect the overall quality. From the script, acting, and character development to the cinematography, music, and technical execution, everything is handled so well that I can hardly find any significant weaknesses.

1. Script and Pacing

The story is light and easy to enjoy while still managing to keep the audience curious. The pacing is consistent, never dragging, and the dialogue feels natural without being unnecessary or overly cheesy. More importantly, the series delivers unexpected moments that remain convincing because the characters' psychological development is well written. I was genuinely surprised from the very first episode, something many BLs I've watched recently have failed to achieve.

2. The Two Main Characters

Heisuke Takoi is a mature, affectionate, and lovable character. Some viewers might find his indecisiveness frustrating, but I think it makes perfect sense for someone who is guided by his emotions and has never experienced being in love with another man. His awkwardness and shyness don't make him irritating. Instead, they highlight how endearing and genuine he is.

Shu Watanabe does an excellent job portraying Takoi's emotions, from perfectly timed comedic expressions to naturally awkward and vulnerable moments. The fact that everyone around Takoi cares for and cherishes him also feels entirely believable given the warm personality the series has established.

Shiono Shu, on the other hand, is straightforward and logical, always saying exactly what's on his mind. He can sometimes come across as lacking empathy, but his direct approach to solving problems gives him a unique and endearing charm. Beneath that exterior is someone who genuinely cares about Takoi, even if he doesn't always express his feelings through words.

Shiono's emotional development is conveyed clearly, especially during the confession scenes. Some lines last only a few seconds, yet they are powerful enough to move the audience to tears. This is the result of thoughtful dialogue and subtle, effective acting.

3. The Romance Between the Main Couple

The chemistry between Takoi and Shiono is one of the series' greatest strengths. Their date in episode 5 is both adorable and natural, creating genuine emotional warmth without relying on elaborate dialogue.

By episode 9, their dates and the proposal further demonstrate how mature their relationship has become. Everything feels so authentic that I genuinely feel as though I'm watching a real-life couple rather than two fictional characters.

The proposal scene is particularly touching. Its dialogue is simple but emotionally powerful, never becoming overly sentimental or cheesy. The brief revelation about their past connection is also presented clearly and charmingly without unnecessary exposition. Knowing that Takoi was Shiono's first love makes their relationship even more special.

I also appreciate how they navigate their relationship as mature adults: they communicate directly, treat each other thoughtfully, and don't deliberately postpone resolving issues just to drag out the storyline.

4. Supporting Characters and Comedy

The supporting cast is used very effectively. From the bar owner and his wife to the police officers, every character has their own personality and contributes to highlighting the two leads. Their dialogue is minimal but purposeful, with nothing that feels unnecessary. The bar owner is particularly perceptive, while Kamekichi the turtle is an incredibly adorable little detail.

The series also delivers natural comedy, relying primarily on facial expressions and acting rather than excessive sound effects. For example, Takoi's reaction at around the 6:40 mark in episode 9 is simple yet hilarious, perfectly fitting his character.

This is something I particularly appreciate: the series doesn't need to exaggerate situations or constantly insert sound effects to make the audience laugh. The humor comes directly from the actors and how they portray their characters.

5. Cinematography and Music

The visuals, cinematography, and makeup are all handled with care. The background music is gentle and appropriately placed during emotional and romantic scenes, enhancing the atmosphere without overpowering the performances.

Overall, the series feels mature and grounded in reality. The everyday moments between Takoi and Shiono are especially effective in making their relationship feel authentic, rather than like an overly manufactured romance.

*Negative Points

The only aspect that left me somewhat dissatisfied was the storyline involving the con-artist father in episode 4. The resolution feels somewhat lacking in depth, particularly when it comes to the little girl's psychological state. I think the series could have explored her emotions and trauma more thoroughly to make this storyline more convincing and emotionally impactful.

However, this is only a minor flaw and does not significantly affect the overall quality of the series.

Conclusion — 10/10

It has been a very long time since I found a BL series that made me want to give it a perfect score of 10/10. *Duty First, Kiss Later* gets almost everything right, from the script and pacing to character development, acting, and technical execution.

What I appreciate most is that the emotions come directly from the characters and the actors' performances, rather than relying on sound effects or exaggerated techniques to force the audience to laugh or cry.

In particular, when compared with some recent Thai BLs, especially productions from GMMTV, the difference is striking. I'm honestly so tired of series that overuse sound effects to manufacture comedy, exaggerate characters' reactions, or constantly drag out unnecessary plot points until the audience practically wants to fall asleep. Meanwhile, *Duty First, Kiss Later* proves that a good series doesn't need to rely on any of these tricks. The emotions, humor, and romantic moments all come from the acting, facial expressions, and characters' psychology. **That's what makes a series genuinely resonate with its audience.**

In short, this is absolutely a BL series worth watching. **10/10** — not because it's completely flawless, but because its strengths far outweigh its minor shortcomings.

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Complex relationship

Very interesting story that doesn't follow common tropes, really nice to watch something that felt unique. There are parts that needed fleshing out a bit more, and some bits were rushed or happened off screen as is often the case with shorter dramas with a time jump, but still a very solid series.

Only thing i felt was lacking is his relationship with his parents, i really wanted a proper up yours scene to them with how they treat him, but this was only real part of story that i feel is missing.

Really recommend watching, but it can be a bit heavy emotionally at times so if your like me an can have some anxiety over heavy topics, then make sure your in the right frame of mind for a heavy show as this isn't a fluff piece, but its worth the commitment.

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SUCH a cute couple!!

I loved this couple. She was a fish out of water (being an alien an all) but she wasn't portrayed as stupid. Typical cold businessman with a strange disease that causes him to forget women when it rains. Okay, you just have to throw logic out the window. Some really bad kisses that eventually got better. But during the times they are happy together, they are just lovely.

That being said, there were some problems for me:
-Evil stepmother trope, plus evil uncle
-His brother likes her too trope
-Domineering father trope.
-Evil woman that will do anything to get the ML trope.
-To top is all off, a psychopathic evil guy.
-Not enough consequences for the evil people.
-There were many, many episodes that could have been edited and pared down. Big example, ML has forgotten who the FL is, gets mad at her MULTIPLE TIMES and says he doesn't want to see her again, but she keeps coming to work and he keeps repeating the same thing. I felt like I was in a time loop.

I'm glad I watched it for the main couple, just could have done without most of the rest of it. I am going to give the sequel a chance.

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Mix of feelings! So funny, thrilling, and romantic.

Yim Si-wan's character is portrayed very well. I can see what character he plays in this drama. The little details in his acting is superb and very consistent. The same goes with Ina. She's pretty handsome. Her expressions are so funny. They have a good chemistry. They complement each other.

For the story, since it's still at ep 4, it gives a thrilling vibe. I became a detective. Can't wait for the next episodes.

The cinematography is good. The "king" atmosphere is there haha. Idk how'd you call it.

The only downside is that they only release 2 eps per week. :(

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Two leads who made every moment count

I honestly think When the Phone Rings is an outstanding drama, and its rating should have been much higher. Yes, the final episodes felt rushed and somewhat disjointed, but that doesn’t take away from what this series accomplished.
There are many dramas with simpler, more character-driven storylines and a slower pace that are loved by audiences and receive high ratings, and I think that’s perfectly fair. However, When the Phone Rings offers something different: suspense, tension, unexpected twists, and a romance that genuinely makes you feel something. Even the kisses felt real and emotionally charged, driven by genuine chemistry rather than being included just for fan service.
What impressed me most was how cleverly constructed the story was from the beginning through most of its run. So many details felt intentional, and the suspense kept me invested. My impression is that the main storyline could have been told in fewer episodes, and that some extra scenes may have been added to fill the 12-episode format. This might explain why the pacing felt uneven towards the end.
Still, the leads were absolutely phenomenal. The tension between them, their love, protectiveness, and all those unspoken emotions felt incredibly convincing. Their chemistry was one of the drama’s greatest strengths, and they made even the smallest interactions meaningful.

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A pretty good thriller under a divorce drama

This show is quite an underrated find. The initial 2-3 episodes were superficial but once the plot started to thicken, it became amazing; what a scheme!! Really good plot twists, and brilliant analysis of some of the worst possible human characteristics. I am especially glad that women victims teamed up against the predators. The storyline definitely kept me hooked and totally surprised me.

Li Yi Tong and Esther Wang nailed their characters in portraying the nuances and their emotions. And Chang Huasen too!! his subtle expressions and gestures are impressive. And I was totally swooning whenever he came in suits and specs 😌🙈

Anyway on a final note what a despicable character Di LiRen is. I mean Qiao Zhen Yu portrayed the character so well that I might hate him from now on (just kidding). And Peter Ho, again nailed portraying another despicable character.

The show is really a nice watch with a thrilling plot overall.

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Great until the last 6 episodes completely ruined it

This series was one I locked onto the moment I saw the leads. Revenge stories are one of my favorite genres in Chinese dramas, so there was no way I was going to miss this one. In the early to mid parts, the ratings on this site were looking solid, which made the wait for the ending almost unbearable. But once it got closer to the finale, the scores dropped sharply, leaving me wondering what on earth happened. After finishing it, I completely understood why the ratings tanked so hard.

The series starts off interesting and the middle is intense. The male lead Yan Rui is a character who’s smart, capable, doesn’t care about anyone, larger-than-life, and intimidating—everyone fears him. The female lead Qing Yuan is intelligent and excellent at planning, but in the later parts she ends up having to wait for the male lead to save her far too often, even though she was strong in the beginning. Xu Kai in this role is the most interesting thing about the whole series and the main reason it still has some entertainment value. He clearly differentiates the dual personas and radiates presence every time he appears. Zhou Ye’s performance, for me, felt a bit ordinary. I like her eyes, but sometimes her acting comes across as a little stiff. The chemistry between the two of them is good—I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the moments when they were together and working as a team. The cinematography, costumes, and production are beautiful. But as many people have said, the last 6 episodes are really bad. The male lead who I said was what made the show fun almost completely disappears from the story. Everything becomes way too easy.

The thing I disliked the most is Qing Ru. How does she get a Happy ending with a personality that terrible? She never shows any remorse or learns any lesson by the end. Qing Rong at least gets a redemption arc and turns over a new leaf. Qing He is a good person who was suppressed the entire time yet still doesn’t end up with a life as good as hers. I genuinely don’t understand why Qing Ru, who used to bully others, ends up with the best life in the story.

Overall, it’s a series that’s fun from the beginning through the middle. The leads have good chemistry, the supporting cast is solid, and the visuals, costumes, and production are beautiful. But those last 6 episodes are so bad that it left me feeling like I might as well not have watched it at all.

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I cried so hard

This drama might be on many people’s list of favorite K-dramas, or even one of the saddest K-dramas they’ve ever watched. And honestly, it really is.

The drama starts with comedy and the mystery surrounding the 4th Prince, but as the story goes on, it becomes more and more heartbreaking. One by one, the characters meet their tragic fates, leaving the audience crying their eyes out.

The female lead’s story is especially tragic. She witnesses the real history that people in the present know so differently, but no matter how much she knows about the future, she can’t change what’s meant to happen.

Other female leads who travel back in time get to change their fate, find love, and live a happy life. But for her, it’s different. She knows what’s coming, yet she can’t save the people she cares about or change the course of history. She becomes so deeply attached to the people around her that she can’t just watch everything happen without feeling their pain.

In the end, all she can do is accept the fate she already knows is coming, even when it breaks her heart. And that’s what makes her story so painful. She isn’t just watching history unfold. She’s living through it, loving the people in it, and losing them one by one.

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Korean Sherlock and Watson in Opposite Gender

Yoo Seol Ok can’t help herself from butting into police investigation because she just can’t calm down until she gets to the bottom of things. A simple market locker break in turned into a drug transaction that brought Yoo to butt heads with Detective Ha Wanseong who has zero confidence in her sleuthing skills, seeing her as a total nuisance instead, especially after discovering that she is a prosecutor’s wife. Constant threats could not deter the housewife as she dives into case after case but Ha realizes although he could benefit a lot from Yoo’s meticulous deducing skills, it could also put her in harm’s way.

This is a total contrast from Choi Kanghee’s kickass character in Good Casting, and I am super amazed at her transformation. She played the timid daughter-in-law and neglected wife really well I felt sorry for her, and mad that she never stood up for herself in the house. It just depicts how hard it is for a daughter in law to be accepted when they brought nothing to the household but their servitude to the family. Yoo is constantly looked down upon and never taken seriously because she never went to college and never earned a salary. However, her in-law family isnt all that nasty too, and although her husband was indifferent towards her, he was never physically or mentally abusive. You could really see that her mother-in-law genuinely cared for her despite taking her presence for granted, expecting the housewife daughter-in-law to do everything in the house without the in laws lifting a finger of help while never expressing appreciation for her effort. It’s this kind of mental abuse that made Yoo feel insignificant and transparent. The sleuthing work made her feel alive and motivated as a person, hence she could not stop even if she wanted to.

And wow, I am damn impressed with the actor for the ML’s appearance. I actually thought his actual age was waaay younger than Choi as her character keeps saying that the ML is young. My jaw dropped when when I read his MDL bio to realize he is actually one year older than the lead actress. Like for reallll? What’s with these Korean vampires? Anyway, this is the first time that I saw his work, i think he did an okay job. Despite Ha’s irritating personality, I could actually root him to be with Yoo.

Don’t get me wrong, this show is nothing about romance. It’s all investigation gig with somewhat love-hate relationship between the detective-civilian partnership. The screenplay is beautifully written to portray friendship and loyalty between the supporting roles. I love it. It’s like everyone has their own spotlight and they don’t merely focus on the two main leads. It’s a great slice of life/mystery/comedy piece. Looking forward to watching S2.

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