Perfect leads,perfect acting,perfect second and third couples,MUST WATCH.
Okay, so this is lowkey my first time writing a review. So the reason why I ended up watching this drama is because I was searching dramas for Cheng since I loved his role in Coroner's Diary, it was a show i rewatched it whole for like 7 times because of how good it was. I'm hoping in the future to see him act with Yu (Princess Ning Yue) from Coroner's Diary. The reason why I loved this drama not only because I was searching for amazing visuals, basic storyline, giggly romance, and something worth my time before school starting, I loved everything about this drama, just hoped that the third couple would get more screentime but it's fine since it's obvious he likes her. This is your sign\chance to watch this drama if you want a ROMANTIC drama, very but not that very simple storyline, amazing visuals, this drama is for you. However, at the beginning, I lowkey hated the female lead, and I hate myself for that, like she was a bit annoying with her lying but then we got over it. The reason why I rated the music so low is because there was no music like lyrics except once in the car, I love Chinese osts they always speak different to me, I hope the rest of the dramas I watch the music and lyrics will be very clear, I personally rewatch dramas when I can't find something else to watch, but this drama is not my style to rewatch it is a one-watch-drama and it is really worth it. I get the hype and I will recommend it to someone with free time and enjoys basic storyline sometimes like me.Was this review helpful to you?
Watch 10 rewatch 0
I saw a lot of people commending on this drama 4,5,...Lets be real its a rom com and its korean
What even are we expecting other than same....
Its watchable its cute the actor for example the protagonist.. His black card show at some point becomes Unbreable still.. You can watch it onces.... @nd that one time its a 10.
The point is dude is cute, drama is a feel good comedy romatic.....is it a 10 no is it a 9 no but what metrics are we using to measure whats the comparison
Overall watch value is 10 because its a romcom which is korean and it completely served the traditional purpose 🫴
1. Romatic comedy
2.obessed male lead who is toxic
3.and he acts cute and is good looking
4.the female who needs saving
5.tickytaka
In italiano drama è perfetto
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This story has some unique representation of a good relationship, indeed a great series.
not a single unnecessary scene, interesting plots. character improvements were seen in each ep. definitely hasn't had a rushed ending. sincerity in the presentation of each character especially representing some social problems such as PCODs, social anxiety, recovering from past trauma. mostly when the characters understood each other's problems and tried to be more understanding, handling each other's problems in a mature way showed that this series is certainly worth watching. [P.S. i had already watched this series several times, perhaps 6 times. if anyone is interested to explore about a gl series based on a healthy relationship with trust, ups and downs, flaws, fun & nice plots, companion, enemies to lovers plot, mutual understanding and obviously happy ending then this series is indeed for you.]Was this review helpful to you?
A series which makes you question even yourself
People who refuse to watch this just bc it's a bromance are missing out on so much.Who cares if it's romance or not, if the plot is actually very interesting with excellent acting and good writers. What more do you need honestly.
I love how it doesn't let your attention slip, and makes you deeply immerged with the story. You have to keep paying attention to every little detail to understand the story and the characters more.
I think all the actors did an incredible job with this project. Especially Dew. Everytime he appears on the screen I get goosebumps all over my body. I've seen multiple of his works but his acting here is nothing comparable to any of his previous work. He really went all out on this role. You can tell how much effort he put in it. I wish nothing but big success to him and everyone who worked on this project. They truly created something incredible. Can't wait for the remaining episodes to come out. At this point I really have no idea what to believe in who's the killer. This series really messes with your brain really bad.
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Bland...Lacked some depth to get into it
I usually love friends-to-lovers trope but this drama, while centred around it, felt super bland to me. It lacked some spice or gripping factor to get me invested...And the way the tone of the series shifted but was superficially addressed did not sit very well with me...Regarding the acting, I did not feel very impressed by the chemistry between the leads but to be honest, the script and the way the characters were relatively empty and one note, probably did not help them...Maybe the male lead role had a bit more meat but the female lead role was really more an empty vessel than anything else...Any of the inner and outside conflicts that happened was resolved so quickly that it felt lacking.
I would not recommend this to people as it felt like a very mid run-of-the-mill office josei story. Would it have been spicier, crazier or simply more heartfelt, it could have been good...But here it remained at a very mid level, with nothing outstanding nor memorable.
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It was more like a nightmare to me.
Sadly, I’m dropping this one. Idk, something just feels off. I feel like I’m watching actors play characters rather than actually seeing the characters themselves. The framing often throws me off, and the editing feels a little clumsy at times. The use of AI is also WAY too obvious in some scenes, which pulls me out of the story even more. I just can’t seem to get immersed in it.I don’t really feel much emotionally either. It feels like the drama is just showing us things without actually making us feel anything, if that makes sense. Even the dialogue feels kind of hollow.
The plot is also a mess. It feels like a random pile of events being thrown at you without any real depth or development, rather than an actual story that’s being built. Everything feels disjointed, and the pacing is weird and all over the place, which makes it even harder to get invested.
I also get the feeling that the drama took some inspiration from the C-drama When I Fly Towards You, but honestly, I don’t think I’m missing much by dropping it.The only thing I really like is the color grading sometimes. It has that kinda 2016 vibe that I actually enjoy lol. But yeah, that’s pretty much it.
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Beautiful noona romance
What I like about this drama:The script
The three girlfriends
Male lead moments of giddiness
Flashbacks of childhood days
The music
Pacing of the story
Moment when both leads are together
Least favourite:
The amount of alcohol drinking
Mr Hua's side of the story. Seems a bit purposeless and much less of interesting filler. I would have much prefer if third girlfriend has her own story.
Lawyer boyfriend story left hanging
Overall one of the best noona romance I've seen so far.
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Only if you can separate the problematic man from the problematic role
Doll House is one of those films that I wish I’d checked the cast list more thoroughly before watching. Baron Geisler gave a strong performance as a drug addict and alcoholic. Unfortunately, his real life is even more problematic than a burnt-out singer looking to connect with a child he’d never met.Singer Rustin burns through each day performing with his band, hanging out at the beach with his buddies, and snorting cocaine. When a friend dies, he wanders around ending up in Rotterdam, the place where he’d left the love of his life. Turns out his ex-wife has died and his eight-year-old daughter is being raised by people who care deeply for her. He ingratiates himself and talks Uncle Bok into letting him babysit.
The film asks the viewer to take a lot of leaps over illogical ravines. Let’s see, I meet a guy dressed in leather stinking of soured booze and old cigarette smoke and since he’s from my homeland, I trust him with a child I adore. Not a chance in hell. Aside from that egregious plot setup, at least the film didn’t shy away from Rustin’s drinking and drug addiction. Yumi’s guardians were right to protect her from him once they realized who he was. Though director Mancheta laid on the father-daughter connection thick with numerous scenes of laughing in the park and rain. Which were ruined by a scene of Rustin putting Yumi in a barrel of cold water to teach her to sing.
Doll House attempted to walk the line between reality and familial fantasy, with a rough landing in reality dusted by a smidgen of hope. I wish I could separate an actor’s personal life from their role, but now the only thing I can think is that they should never have let Geisler near a child actor, much less a female one. I tried to rate it as fairly as possible, but I’m not sure I succeeded.
11 August 2026
Problematic behavior: Geisler’s had at least 4 sexual harassment/assault cases. Groping women’s breasts and performing lude acts in front of them. Two children on the television show Noah were said to have been traumatized by his behavior. That’s not including the car accidents and brawls. But by all means, give men lots of chances that women will never have. :/
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This review may contain spoilers
The Romance Was Cute, But the Boys Had My Heart
I went into this expecting a romance, but honestly, that is not what made me love this series. The romance is there, and I actually really liked the main couple and their story, but this is ultimately the boys story.What I loved most was watching this group of boys slowly find their confidence, become friends, and learn to believe in themselves again. When the story begins, they have basically accepted that they are going to lose every match and that playing football isn't even fun anymore. Watching that slowly change was honestly so heartwarming.
I loved seeing how they found comfort and support in their coach, how the team slowly became a real family, and how they started to think about their futures and believe that they could actually achieve something. There is so much heart in this story, and I think that is what will stay with me.
I can understand why some people found the series a little slow or boring, because it is a fairly calm drama (for the most part). But if you go into it expecting a romance-heavy drama, you might be disappointed. If you go in wanting to watch a group of teenage boys grow together, find their confidence, and figure out where they want to go in life, I think this series is really worth watching!
I will personally rewatch it!
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Why You should watch this drama
I know this drama looks weird because a human X an animal but it's not. The relationship are so well written and for a cute drama like this it's kind of deep. Also the "cat" is so funny. There are a lot of misunderstandings but they are bearable.The more you rewatch the more you understand the choice of the characters. The romance is also very good and well put and the FL is not annoying she seems like she is bit she isn't. Well I don't have anymore to say without spoiling the drama so watch pls it's so good funny and interesting.Was this review helpful to you?
Kept me guessing till the end - A testament to crime BL
What a mind blowing series. Crime, mystery, thriller, ethics, police, medics and some queer romance, this had it all.The plot is fantastic. It has almost no plot holes (except the main character acting like a fool that one time with the texts). The story is well written, well thought and well executed. It is amazing how I was so invested in finding the culprit and kept on guessing one by one yet each of the guesses came with their own twists. Till the ending ep it upheld the premise and the meaning of a true crime mystery series. It talked about such an important topic in modern medicine. It left me conflicted at the same time emotional. Sammon is undoubtedly one of the best writers Thailand ever had.
The direction was precise, compact yet managed to show every character in depth. The color grading brought the vibe of a thriller mystery. The choice of scenery, realistic sets and the attention to even the most minute detail made it a pleasure to watch. Loved how they captured the original sounds instead of adding random background music. Made it feel like I was in the realm. The casting is probably one of the best I have seen. The supporting characters felt very much like real people.
Tor (Dr, Kan) is one of my favorite actors and he once again proved his versatility through this. JJ created amazing chemistry with Tor. The actor playing Boss was splendid. While Gandhi and the actress playing nurse On are veteran, they once again captured my heart. Fantastic acting by the cast. It was so thrilling to see most of the roles being played by actors I have never seen on screen.
This cannot be put into the box of just a crime mystery series or simply a BL. This is something that will make you question yourself one more time.
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the finale wasconfusing beacuse everything happened so suddenly. Despite these flaws, it's a good overall watch with great comic timing & excellent acting, especially the female lead.
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This review may contain spoilers
Didn't meet my expectations; a good watch for xianxia beginners
Unpopular opinion but sorry to say, I don't think I got what I was looking for from this drama. I expected way better. This drama did disappoint me a lot.The editing is a clear problem, especially in the first episodes. They cut the episodes mid conversation and scenes, resulting you to lose flow even if you watched episodes back to back. The scene editing in a single episode too is floppy, again interrupting the flow. But as the drama progresses, it gets a lot better.
Speaking of characters, starting off with the main leads. The usual naive girl and cold male trope typical to xianxia - felt too used. I genuinely didn't like Esther Yu's Orchid character. She is too naive in the beginning, and her character growth isn't clwarly visible. Being cute and overboard in a cringey way is one thing and being foolishly naive is another. Dongfang Qingcang is introduced as an unbeatable force but he soon lost his charm the moment he started developing feelings. The condition of no emotions for using hellfire just dampened the whole weight of the so called devil. Again, he isn't even a devil per say. That wasn't what I expected. The last minute addition of glazed fire concept is also not helpful, because we don't get to see him use it at all. Also, I feel the idea of having to teach an emotionless being to love is too old, frustrating and unhealthy. Esther Yu and Dylan Wang(especially) did not ensemble the weight of the characters they were playing; not because they aren't good actors but because they just don't visually fit in. In fact, I feel they did a wonderful job with the acting. A round of applause for both of them. But again, I don't think it's necessarily Esther Yu's acting that is faulty. Her acting is just not my cup of tea.
The characters that actually impressed me were Changheng and Danyin. Changheng is the one who really broke the usual xianxia norm and brought in freshness. Unlike the known outcast Qingcang, he, a god and someone who had never once broken a rule, chose to stand for Orchid even if it meant execution. That is not what you usually see in thos genre. Zhang Linghe's acting capability truly shines through in this drama. The different roles he played within a single drama was amazing. The mortal arc was definitely the best. Him and Qingcang's sworn brother scenes were hilarious. Dylan Wang does it really well too. Danyin is my next favorite. The most sensible character of all. Yes she loved a man, made the impulsive choice to face mortal tribulations with him, but also knew when to stop and let go. That is yet another breath of fresh air, considering how second female leads in xianxias are icky, petty and obsessive in all the most frustrating ways.
I couldn't give the slightest care for Ronghao and Chidi though. Their acting was good, I could say from the scenes I did watch. But for the most, I couldn't find myself involved in their storyline at all. Skipped a lot of it.
Jieli felt like a very fickle character too. All actions she does had a selfish gain and thus, the entire idea of 'it hurts to see you love me when I'm lying to you' wasn't convincing enough. I couldn't sympathize with her, viewing her as a good character who had her reasons. Just liked few moments here and there.
Lord Yunzhong of the fairy realm as well. I think he needed to be at least stripped of his post. He was clearly not a good leader.
Still there are plenty of good reasons to keep going.
The drama does a great job with visuals. Beautiful landscapes, costumes and special effects. Although the many immortals in the hall looked weird with the mask, it was adjustable. I loved the pink skies of the fairy realm and the night views of the moon tribe.
The depth and seriousness of being 2 lovers from different realms who are enemies, torn apart by responsibilities, is well potrayed. You can feel the helplessness and the moral dilemma. As much as I wasn't invested, I did tear up during the parting scene (but well, I'm prone to crying while watching shows T_T). The drama also has original ideas. Even if the 3 realm concept was retained, what the characters did and how they interacted are original to this drama. There isn't a whole new 'falling in love again' side quest, not just in the mortal realm (where it usually happens) but anywhere in the drama. It has it's own pros and cons though. Also, the drama doesn't drag with the same 2 things. There was a lot for 36 episodes.
The OSTs and background music are very big plus points too. I loved the songs.
Ya, final opinion is, I'm definitely not rewatching it ever because I had to force myself not to drop it. This drama to me was either 1) you are into a bunch of characters and watch them with a little skipping or 2) you don't and skip them entirely. If you are new to xianxia or in early stages of the genre, this one is considerably a better one.
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This review may contain spoilers
Speechless: Top-tier storytelling that’s not your typical BL
I’m still speechless after finishing this drama last night. This is the top-tier storytelling that all future queer dramas need to take note of.Let me start my review by saying that calling Payback a BL drama feels like a disservice to what the creators pulled off—it is so much more than that. While it has the elements you might expect from the genre, this drama isn't just a simple romance set against the backdrop of the entertainment industry. It is a raw, intense character study about guilt, survival, and redemption.
Our male lead is Sun, a young man carrying a crushing weight of grief. Five years ago, his brother was brutally killed, his mother passed away, and his boyfriend ran away after stealing every cent of his money. Because of his past as a ruthless debt collector, he truly believes he is the one who caused his family's destruction. Sun’s real journey begins when he accidentally discovers his treacherous ex-boyfriend Bank (now Sunny) is a rising star at a major entertainment agency, but worse—Sunny was the one who pointed the thugs directly at his younger brother. Fuelled by this shattering revelation, Sun decides to become an actor to look his destroyer in the eye and exact total revenge.
On paper, this setup sounds like the perfect recipe for a fun, soapy ride where a man becomes a famous superstar to publicly ruin his ex. But that is absolutely not where the show goes. In fact, Sun never actually becomes a famous actor, and he gets very little acting to do throughout the series.
Instead, Payback subverts all expectations to deliver an exquisite character study. It is about a man who rights wrongs—not even for himself, but for all the vulnerable people around him.
The drama is dark, and I’m not talking about a toxic romance. I am talking about the dark side of the entertainment industry. There’s murder—more than one actually—multiple assaults, and prostitution. None of it is being glossed over. In fact, it’s graphic so the viewer can understand the characters better. If you are into lighthearted college BL or if you like things like Jack and Joker, Payback is not it. This drama is truly dark and brutal. If you are easily triggered by those topics, this is not going to be a show for you. I recommend simply staying away. Don’t try to push through it hoping for quick NC scenes and easy chemistry. You simply don’t have the guts for everything else.
The show has absolutely amazing writers. There is not a lot said between some of the characters, and the fact that Sun does not speak much actually speaks volumes. As a viewer, you have to learn how to read between the lines and pick up on visual clues. Some things are deeply confusing and make no sense at the beginning. However, the writers masterfully feed those bits and pieces of information throughout the show. If you think that Min’s acting is stiff for the majority of the series, just wait. Once you get to those final three episodes, you will completely understand the reasons why he is the way he is. Additionally, his fight scenes are superb and first and foremost very realistic.
The acting, production quality, and storytelling in this drama are unlike anything I have ever seen in the genre. Honestly, it doesn't truly feel like a BL drama. While there is a central romance plot between Sun and his mysterious backer, Jay—who turns out to be his one-night stand from five years ago—their romance is not the core of the story. Yes, it’s very important for Sun’s character development, but Jay gets surprisingly little screen time, and the spotlight remains firmly on Sun. So I do recommend adjusting your expectations here as well.
Rightfully so, because Min’s performance as Sun is absolutely mind-blowing. He seamlessly balances two entirely different sides of the same man. On one hand, we see him in flashbacks as a brutal debt collector who only cares about hurting people for money. On the other hand, we see his current self: a man completely numb on the inside, hollowed out by intense guilt.
Yet, the best part of the show lies in the profound vulnerability during the few scenes Sun and Jay share. Their intimacy needs its own separate mention. The beginning of their dynamic is quite rocky. Jay is arrogant, doesn't take no for an answer, and is a possessive man who wants what he wants. He doesn't really care to talk to Sun about anything. As a matter of fact, these two don’t really talk about their relationship, and their romance is not a traditional one. It’s obvious that they first connected because of an physical attraction, and their relationship built on that chemistry first. Because they are both screwed up and don’t know how to communicate, they have their own quirks that somehow work for them. While it started off strangely, it developed into something meaningful and fulfilling. They are a bit codependent and toxic, but because they are both broken men, they find contentment with one another.
The chemistry itself between the actors is amazing. They delivered some of the best screen kisses and probably the best, most realistic NC scene I’ve seen in a BL. And I have watched a lot of them, and you will definitely blush watching this one. I’m glad the director didn't go overboard with too many of those; there is just one scene, and it works nicely with the romance storyline to serve the character development. I highly commend the actors for putting on such a great performance. I really hope they get more dramas together.
Additionally, the side characters added immense depth to the story. Sun’s manager Kajorn, Jay’s uncle, Jo, and Grandpa Suchat were all amazing, interesting, and funny. I loved seeing these older actors on screen. Even the minor actors did a devastatingly good job. The pool scene in the final episodes was absolutely heartbreaking, and the horror of the moment came through clearly via the incredible acting of the performer playing the drowning victim. I also absolutely adored the cameos from Max and Boss. It was great to see them showcase their acting range separately from their usual work as a fixed couple, and Boss did extremely well. He was so interesting to look at in the role of the photographer.
I need to give special mention to the music. I am a music junkie and music is extremely important for me when I watch something. In Payback music adds real depth and character to each scene. What I like is that there is a combination of different types of soundtracks from funky to heartbreaking and each one helps the viewer to understand the mood and to feel what character feels when watching a scene. The NC scene had an absolutely devastating background score.
Everything about Payback—from the sharp camera angles and dark color grading to the weird pink bunny mascot—truly made this show unforgettable. It impacted me in a way where I know I will be thinking about it for a very long time.
Is Payback perfect? No. There are definitely some things I would improve as far as the romantic storyline goes. I would clean up some of the scenes and dialogue in the first half. But is it memorable? Absolutely. It is unlike anything that has ever been done before. The production quality is top-tier. I highly recommend Payback to anyone who wants to step away from the typical BL flare and watch something with genuine depth, amazing chemistry, and dark themes that will make you think.
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Best Healing Drama of all time
Actually the plot is not for those who like burning this drama is cure and healing of our heart and soul to get love and beloved. It's really precious love story to be remembered. Actors are too good and chemistery between them is always matched every life. Really can't moved on this couple, I will always think about Shi Xian couple daily life to spend in normal human being ways.....🌲Was this review helpful to you?
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