Reviews

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Part 2 is finally over... and now I'm wondering what I'm supposed to do without this university gang. 🤍

Watching each couple find their own happy ending was such a joy, and I ended up loving this part just as much as the first.

Saying goodbye to characters you've grown attached to is never easy. I'll definitely miss them. 🩷✨


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🌸✨🌈 Hiii~ Welcome to my kawaii corner~ ♡(≧▽≦)ﾉ✨🌸

You can find more of my reviews on Instagram~ 🌟💖

Check my homepage for my account~ (｡♥‿♥｡) 🌷

Some reviews are under 500 words, so I can’t post them here~ (≧ω≦)ﾉ💫

Thank you sooo much~ ☆:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:☆ 💕🌸

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Welcome to Cheongdam International High School

I’m officially back in my crime thriller era, and Bitch X Rich reminded me exactly why I love this genre so much. The premise hooked me almost immediately, and despite being a fairly short drama, it packs a surprising amount of mystery, suspense, and twists into every episode. It kept me guessing the entire time, and I genuinely didn't see some of the reveals coming.

What I enjoyed most is how the characters live in that beautiful gray area I always gravitate toward. Nobody is purely good or purely evil. The protagonist isn't your typical goody two-shoes. She makes questionable decisions, gets messy, and somehow you still find yourself rooting for her. The antagonist, despite being an absolute menace, isn't reduced to just being "the bad guy." You slowly realize there's more beneath the surface, and that moral ambiguity makes the story so much more engaging. Half the fun was constantly asking myself, "Are they an ally... or are they about to stab someone in the back?"

For such a compact series, Bitch X Rich never felt rushed. It managed to juggle multiple twists, shifting loyalties, and layered characters without losing momentum. If you're into crime thrillers where everyone's motives are questionable and every episode leaves you second-guessing your theories, this is definitely one I'd recommend.

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I'm always happy to see BL series explore new themes instead of sticking to the same formula. 🤍

I wasn't sure if this one would be for me at first, but it turned out to be much better than I expected. The story kept me interested, and I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. ✨

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🌸✨🌈 Hiii~ Welcome to my kawaii corner~ ♡(≧▽≦)ﾉ✨🌸

You can find more of my reviews on Instagram~ 🌟💖

Check my homepage for my account~ (｡♥‿♥｡) 🌷

Some reviews are under 500 words, so I can’t post them here~ (≧ω≦)ﾉ💫

Thank you sooo much~ ☆:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:☆ 💕🌸

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Do you believe in magic?

The Sound of Magic was definitely a unique experience for me. The magical atmosphere and deeper message were beautiful, but I'll admit, I couldn't help giggling whenever a serious conversation suddenly turned into a musical number. That's more on me than the drama though. I rarely watch musicals outside of animated films, so it took some getting used to. Once I embraced the genre, I found myself appreciating what it was trying to do.

The story carries a meaningful message about dreams, growing up, and the realities of life, but I wish the pacing had been more balanced. It felt like a slow burn for the first half, then suddenly sprinted to the finish line. For a six-episode series, there were surprisingly many storylines to juggle, which made some of the subplots feel a little underdeveloped. I would've loved to spend more time understanding each character because they all had stories worth exploring.

And can we talk about Ji Chang Wook? The man is an absolute scene stealer. I genuinely had moments where I forgot to pay attention to the plot because I was too busy wondering why he had to be that handsome. 😂 Despite my tiny musical culture shock and the rushed ending, I still had a great time watching it. It's a nice weekend binge if you're looking for something different, heartfelt, and just a little bit magical.

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Measured pacing, Strong Lead Chemistry and Satisfying Stakes

Ashes to Crown is a quietly compelling political romance that marries the grit of palace intrigue with a character-first love story. Chen Du Ling’s Chu Zhao is the heart of the series: reborn with the memory and steel of a woman determined to refuse the role of a pawn, she carries the show with steady resolve and small, revealing moments of tenderness. Zhou Yi Ran as Xie Yan Lai gives a layered performance too — his arc from sidelined, illegitimate son to a principled leader is believable because the actor invests in the character’s quieter vulnerabilities as much as his growing strength. Their chemistry never feels rushed; instead it grows from mutual recognition and shared purpose, which makes the romance feel earned.

The series excels when it slows down to show strategy, loyalty, and moral cost. Political machinations are portrayed with enough complexity to keep stakes real without drowning the emotional core. Production design and costume work lend period weight, and the pacing generally balances plot moves with character beats. Weaknesses include occasional exposition-heavy stretches and a few supporting threads that could use deeper payoff, but these rarely derail the central relationship.

Verdict: A thoughtful, character-driven melodrama for viewers who prefer romance rooted in agency and political consequence. Strong leads and emotional clarity make it worth watching.

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Perfect with All the Imperfections

I started watching this drama with no expectations. I was simply excited to watch another Bai Lu drama. But once I started, I couldn't stop. Every character slowly pulled me into the story, and each one had an important role to play.

The setting was beautifully designed, and it was clear how much effort and time went into making this drama. Everyone involved did an exceptional job. The production quality, writing, cinematography, music, editing, color grading, casting, and direction were all excellent and deserve appreciation.

Every actor gave their best performance. From the main leads to the supporting cast and even the actors with the smallest roles, everyone played their part sincerely.

Bai Lu has never disappointed me with any of her roles, but this is easily one of her best performances. I honestly can't imagine anyone else doing justice to Ye Li the way she did. She truly outdid herself and deserves all the praise she's receiving.

Cheng Lei was a hidden gem for me. I wasn't very familiar with his work before this drama, but his performance as Mo Xiuyao completely impressed me. He conveyed so much through his expressions alone. His micro-expressions were incredible, and he didn't always need dialogue to express his emotions.

The story wasn't perfect and had a few flaws, but no drama is. Considering everything else this drama delivered, those flaws were easy to overlook.

In the end, thank you, The First Jasmine (Moli), for taking me on such an emotional rollercoaster and giving me such a wonderful experience. This is a drama I'll remember for a long time.

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Second Leads Story ??

Only thing that got me hooked to this drama was the second Leads story. It was so cute 😍. The second female lead was so beautiful, cute and gorgeous 😍 😍. If it wasn't for the 2nd leads story, I wouldn't have finished this drama. Their story screen time was very less, they could've increased the screen time of both. Anyways loved the 2nd Leads and their story. 👍

Only thing that got me hooked to this drama was the second Leads story. It was so cute 😍. The second female lead was so beautiful, cute and gorgeous 😍 😍. If it wasn't for the 2nd leads story, I wouldn't have finished this drama. Their story screen time was very less, they could've increased the screen time of both. Anyways loved the 2nd Leads and their story. 👍

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Beautiful and interesting

I can't say anything about the authenticity of the sets, but they looked very real to my untrained eye. I think they must have put a lot of time and effort into the sets and clothing. The story was a beautiful romance, but I think the backdrop of the distance past made the love story more incredible and sometimes heartbreaking. I also truly enjoyed the additional plot of the opium smuggling and trying to clear Klao's father's name. The music was good and I really thought the cast outdid themselves. Everyone played their parts so well and I would definitely watch this again.

That said, please don't hate me, but I miss James. I don't hate JJ, but honestly, sometimes he has such strange expressions that I can't totally fall in love with his character. Its like the comic, Not Sew Wicked Stepmom where the stepmom is one of those people who looks like she's evil every time she smiles, even if she's really nice. JJ has that smile. Not really resting b face, but the smile that makes it look like he's untrustworthy and plotting evil behind your back. Even when he's supposed to be making a loving face, that's the smile I see. I'm sure other people don't see it, but for some reason every smile in this series reminded me of the evil stepmom smile. I loved Net, as always. I honestly thought the whole cast was so talented, despite the evil smile. Sorry to all fans of NetJJ. Still love the series and would recommend!

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MANIFESTING A BAI LU & CHENG LEI REUNION!!! ?✨

It’s been a while since I last reviewed a drama, but 'Moli' literally brought my soul back to life....

It’s such a huge relief to see Ali finally heal from her shadows and Ayao recover from his injuries and past. Honestly, I thought their romance would be way hotter, but this was so much more than that. Just their subtle skinship alone was enough to make me blush, cry, and get emotional... Their chemistry is truly on another level; they literally healed each other. For about 21 days, Ali and Ayao's love story kept me in tears. At first, I thought 'Moli' would drop or flop due to some scandals and issues during filming, but it completely exceeded my expectations.

I love Ali because she taught me to love myself more—something many of us often forget to do because we’re too busy loving and thinking about others. Ali....... 🥺💗

I’m going to miss those days when Ayao would lecture Yeli; honestly, it felt like I was getting lectured too LMAO.

I really hope Bai Lu and Cheng Lei can reunite for a second project, bai tuo bai tuo (please please) 🙏✨

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peak leads mid finale

this drama started off so strong! the characters were enjoyable and the plot was genuinely good. that scene in ep 13 with grandma and seori was absolute emotional peak television. sobrang gandaaaa! the writers clearly knew how to pull the heartstrings and build up incredible character dynamics, which is probably why the finale felt a bit nakakabitin! the last ep was underwhelming bc i was actually hoping for more scenes between segye and his grandfather. just a few more quiet meaningful scenes would have given their dynamics the closure it deserved. also, i was expecting a much more satisfying downfall from choi mundo. super sayang nito bc he was actually a great villain (talagang kuhang kuha nya pika ko ever episode) so he deserved a proper, drag down ruin. but looking at the big picture, it’s still a massive win. the chemistry between the main leads was top-tier, and as far as time travel dramas go, it was such a refreshing, well-paced ride for the most part.

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*1. Plot & Storyline*
In Love Forever is a Thai BL series that blends romance, destiny, and time-travel elements into one emotional package. The story revolves around two leads whose lives are intertwined across different timelines. What starts as a normal college romance slowly unfolds into a deeper narrative about fate, choices, and second chances. The plot doesn’t rush. It takes time to build the connection between the characters, making their bond feel earned. The time-travel twist isn’t just a gimmick. It actually serves the emotional core of the story. Every jump to the past reveals new layers about their relationship. The writing balances fluff and angst well. You get cute, heart-fluttering moments in one episode, then emotional gut-punches in the next. The pacing in the first half is slow-burn, which might test some viewers. But episode 6 onwards, the stakes get higher and the story becomes addictive. The series asks a big question: If you could change the past to save the person you love, would you? And more importantly, should you? The climax doesn’t take the easy route. It respects the characters’ growth instead of forcing a fairy-tale ending. The finale is bittersweet but satisfying. It closes the time-loop logically without plot holes. Overall, the story is about how love isn’t just about staying together. It’s about wanting the other person to be happy, even if it costs you.

*2. Acting & Chemistry*
The two male leads carry the entire show on their shoulders, and they deliver. The lead playing “Tin” has incredible emotional range. His crying scenes don’t feel forced. You genuinely feel his helplessness when he keeps losing the person he loves. The lead playing “Phayu” is the perfect balance. He’s warm, protective, and his micro-expressions sell the romance. Their chemistry is the biggest strength of the show. It’s not just physical. You can see it in the way they look at each other during silent scenes. The domestic moments hit harder because of how natural they are together. Cooking scenes, studying scenes, just lying together — all feel lived-in. The supporting cast also does a solid job. The best friend characters aren’t just comic relief. They get their own arcs and actually impact the main plot. The antagonists aren’t cartoon villains. Their motivations make sense, even if you don’t agree with them. Special mention to the actors’ performance in episode 9. That confrontation scene is acted so raw, it’s hard to watch without tearing up. There’s no overacting, which is rare for Thai BLs dealing with heavy themes. The intimacy is handled with maturity. It’s romantic, not fanservice. You believe these two are in love because the actors convinced you, not because the script told you.

*3. Production & Cinematography*
Visually, In Love Forever is gorgeous. Thailand series have leveled up, and this is proof. The color grading changes with timelines. Past scenes have a warm, golden tone. Present scenes are cooler, more muted. It’s a subtle way to tell you when you are without exposition. The camera work is intimate. Lots of close-ups during emotional beats to capture every tear and smile. The soundtrack deserves a separate award. The main OST “Forever Isn’t Long Enough” will wreck you after you finish the series. They use silence perfectly too. Some of the most powerful scenes have no music, just breathing and ambient sound. The set design for the college and dorm rooms feels authentic, not like a studio set. Costume design is on point. They dress like real college students, not models. The time-travel VFX is minimal but effective. No cheap CGI. Just smart editing and sound design to show the transitions. Lighting in night scenes is especially good. It creates mood without making it hard to see what’s happening. The director clearly storyboarded everything. No wasted shots. Every frame pushes story or character.

*4. Themes & Emotional Impact*
This isn’t just a love story. It’s about grief, guilt, and acceptance. Tin’s character deals with survivor’s guilt in a way that feels real. The show doesn’t romanticize mental health struggles. It shows therapy, breakdowns, and slow healing. The theme of “letting go” is explored maturely. Sometimes loving someone means not holding on too tight. The series also talks about how small choices change everything. One missed text, one wrong turn, and your whole life shifts. That idea will stick with you after it ends. The concept of fate vs free will is the core conflict. Are Tin and Phayu meant to be, or are they forcing it? The show lets you decide. It will make you call your best friend. It will make you appreciate people while they’re here. Episode 10 is an emotional nuke. Keep tissues ready. The writing trusts the audience to feel instead of over-explaining every emotion. That respect makes the sad scenes hit 10x harder. Even the happy moments have a tinge of melancholy because you know what’s at stake. It’s the rare BL that makes you reflect on your own life, not just the characters’.

*5. Flaws*
No show is perfect. The first 2 episodes are slow. If you’re impatient, you might drop it before it gets good. Some side characters disappear in the second half. Their arcs feel unfinished. The time-travel rules get a little confusing in episode 7. You might need to rewatch to fully get it. There’s one subplot about Tin’s family that gets introduced late and resolved too quickly. The English subtitles on some platforms had grammar issues early on. Got fixed later, but it was distracting at first. Compared to big-budget GMMTV shows, the scale is smaller. Don’t expect huge crowd scenes or elaborate locations. If you hate angst, skip this. 40% of the show is emotional pain.

*6. Final Verdict*
In Love Forever is not for casual viewing. It’s for when you want to _feel_ something. It’s one of the most emotionally mature Thai BLs in recent years. The acting, music, and story work together to create something memorable. It respects your intelligence and your heart. You’ll need recovery time after the finale. Rewatch value is high because you’ll catch foreshadowing you missed the first time. I’d rate it 9/10. The -1 is only for the slow start and minor pacing issues. If you loved shows like “Until We Meet Again” or “180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us,” this is a must-watch. Don’t binge it. Take 2 episodes per day. Let it sit with you. It’s a story about how love can be forever, even if the people aren’t. And that’s what makes it break you and heal you

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Wuxie meets Alien - discount edition.

I don't even know where to start. To say the movie felt disconnected feels like an understatement. We had Aliens that are not really Aliens, prehistorical "animals", discount version of Grave Robbers' Chronicles, biologist that was determined to die, bur failed even in that.

Why does this movie start mid scene. I've got whiplash from the opening scene, to only around half way through figured out the "opening scene" are just random scenes from various moments in the movie - and with that you kind of know how it ends.

As for the production - hard to tell if a lot of it was AI generated or just poorly done CGI. Or both. I'm leaning towards poorly done CGI, because I feel like AI generated models would look better. I'd take poor CGI done by person, over AI generated images any day though.

Overall, there truly is nothing to talk about. We had vague treasure, mid team trying to find it, no explanation, no exposition, no proper closure.

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Absolutely Legendary Camp

**Review Title:** Absolutely Legendary Camp: A Hilarious Throwback with Real Heart

I managed to catch Drags to Riches on its premiere night on 23 June 2026, and honestly, it was an absolute ripper of an evening. The cinema was completely packed and bursting with non-stop laughter from the opening credits right through to the end. But what really blew me away was that underneath all the glorious, chaotic madness, this film has a massive amount of genuine heart. It is not just mindlessly chasing a string of jokes; it actually handles a really uplifting story about family, acceptance, identity, and the importance of being true to yourself, which gives all the comedy some proper emotional weight.

Directed by the brilliant Victor Villanueva, Drags to Riches proudly embraces its own unique brand of unapologetic camp. It does not bother trying to conform to a conventional, safe comedy structure, nor does it try to ground its most outrageous moments in reality. Instead, the film fully commits to the utter madness, and that is exactly why it works so beautifully. If you are willing to just leave your logic at the door and go along for the ride, you will be rewarded with one incredibly hilarious sequence after another.

The plot follows fierce office rivals Andre (played by Elijah Canlas) and Troye (played by Iñigo Pascual), who are both desperately gunning for the exact same corporate promotion. Things quickly spiral out of control when their blunt boss, Don Manny (Benjie Paras), bypasses them completely and hands the position to his son, Jarold (Christian Bables). But when Jarold suddenly vanishes into thin air, the desperate duo stumbles upon his long-lost twin brother, Jonas—a absolutely fabulous drag queen, also played by Bables. They somehow convince Jonas to impersonate Jarold to save their corporate skins, setting off a wildly entertaining, escalating chain of events.

First things first, we have to talk about Christian Bables. Honestly, once you see his name attached to a cast list, you already know you are in incredibly safe hands. No matter the genre, he consistently delivers outstanding, masterclass performances. But he is far from carrying this whole film on his own. The entire casting is a massive win. Iñigo Pascual continues to prove himself as a seriously dependable actor, while Elijah Canlas demonstrates once again why he is hands-down one of the most versatile and gifted performers of his generation. Whether he is doing gritty independent films, mainstream cinema, or international projects, Canlas always brings something deeply memorable to the screen. With a core cast this strong, you are already sold on the movie before the story even begins, and thankfully, the material completely lives up to the immense talent on display.

Victor Villanueva proves yet again that he truly understands the mechanics of comedy. His sharp direction gives every single actor plenty of room to shine while perfectly maintaining the film's wonderfully chaotic, fast-paced rhythm. Every single punchline lands beautifully because the cast never treats the jokes like they are trying to be funny—they fully commit to every ridiculous situation as though it is just another normal day at the office. That deadpan, straight-faced commitment makes the sheer absurdity even more hysterical.

Christian Bables is undoubtedly the standout star of the show. His portrayal of both Jarold and Jonas is remarkably distinct. He builds two entirely separate characters through unique body language, speech patterns, mannerisms, and physicality. Switching between the two personas looks completely effortless for him, and his comic timing is absolutely impeccable. You never confuse the twins for a single second.

Iñigo Pascual delivers what is easily one of the funniest, most energetic performances of his career. His comedic timing feels incredibly natural, and his bright chemistry with the rest of the cast makes every single interaction a joy to watch. Meanwhile, Elijah Canlas surprises everyone with an incredibly successful comedy debut. After watching him excel in so many heavy, dramatic roles over the years, it is immensely refreshing to watch him embrace full-blown, chaotic comedy with total confidence. One particular emotional breakdown scene perfectly showcases his phenomenal range. Instead of relying on the typical, exaggerated fake crying you usually see in comedies, Canlas delivers the moment with genuine emotion and actual tears running down his face, without losing a single bit of the humour. It is both sidesplittingly funny and unexpectedly impressive. And fair warning—after watching this film, you will never look at a can of whipped cream the same way again.

There is also an understated, brilliant chemistry between Elijah Canlas and Iñigo Pascual that quietly becomes one of the absolute highlights of the film. Their playful rivalry is genuinely charming, their contrasting personalities complement each other naturally, and honestly, in another universe, I could easily see these two leading a massive hit BL series together. They just work so well as a duo.

The humour itself perfectly captures that classic, uniquely Filipino style of comedy. There are so many scenes that make absolutely zero logical sense, yet they are so unashamedly ridiculous that you cannot help but laugh out loud. Intrusive thoughts somehow instantly become reality on screen. The impossible simply happens, and everyone in the scene acts as though it is perfectly normal behavior.

Even the camerawork joins in on the fun. The constant, dramatic zooms, sudden camera movements, and intentionally exaggerated framing give the film a fantastic, old-school energy that recalls the golden era of Pinoy comedy. Whether it is an instant PowerPoint presentation appearing out of thin air, stairs somehow moving as fast as an elevator, elaborate international costumes magically materialising in seconds, or a serious street fight unexpectedly turning into a game of luksong baka, the film never stops to question its own absurdity—and neither should the audience. It is pure joy.

The supporting cast also delivers some solid value. Benjie Paras fits the role perfectly as the casually homophobic father whose blunt, unfiltered remarks are both deeply frustrating and unexpectedly funny due to his perfect delivery. K Brosas brings a lovely warmth and absolute sincerity to the screen as Jonas' supportive mother. Macoy Dubs adds an infectious, effortless best-friend energy to every scene he is in, while real-life drag performers Deja, Mrs. Tan, and Feyvah Fatale show some seriously impressive acting versatility that goes way beyond their stunning, glamorous looks.

Admittedly, not every single supporting role lands with the same impact. Adam Domingo (Panginoon ng Kababawan) feels like he is holding back a bit when his character really needed a much bigger, louder energy. Pau Dimaranan lacks the commanding screen presence required for her role, while Eli Padilla, Marco Navarra, and Kobe Francisco do not really contribute much to the overall progression of the story. On the bright side, young KD Omalin leaves a surprisingly strong impression despite his limited screen time, looking every bit like a talented future star to watch out for.

Beyond all the laughs, I really appreciated how the film highlights the vital importance of a supportive family in a child's life. That grounding emotional core gives the narrative way more weight and prevents the entire thing from becoming just another over-the-top, mindless comedy.

Drags to Riches genuinely feels like a beautiful love letter to the classic era of Filipino comedies. At a time when modern local comedies have become much more grounded, subtle, and sentimental, Victor Villanueva proudly revives the loud, unapologetically camp, and delightfully unserious style that many of us grew up watching and loving. It even carries wonderful echoes of the late, great Wenn V. Deramas' unmistakable comedic spirit, while still feeling uniquely fresh under Villanueva's vision.

The screenplay is not completely perfect, and there are admittedly a few missed opportunities in the writing that could have made the overarching story even stronger. But thanks to Villanueva's confident, visionary direction and the fully committed, brilliant performances from Christian Bables, Elijah Canlas, and Iñigo Pascual, Drags to Riches succeeds exactly where it matters most—it keeps its audience roaring with laughter while delivering just enough heart to make the entire experience incredibly memorable.

If you are looking for strict realism and heavy logic, this probably is not the film for you. But if you are after a wildly entertaining, proudly queer, and gloriously camp comedy that completely embraces every bit of its own beautiful chaos, Drags to Riches is an absolute blast that you should not miss.

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Brilliant acting by Ayden Sng

What makes this series work is the actor who plays Lu Feng. He is incredibly handsome, with a fantastic range of expressions and very charismatic. His evolution from a naive hot-headed passionate young man, to a conniving and destructive character to finally healing and admitting his weakness is what made me watch this series. Unfortunately, the actor who plays Yi Chen has this strange open-mouthed expression along with a laugh - pretty much 2 expressions only. It is not clear why such an intelligent and passionate man would even fall in love with him. So it seems more like obsession. There are similarities to To my shore which cannot be discounted . There is also a lot of attention paid to detail especially all the scars that Lu Feng gathers for love. The SA scenes were graphically shot, so this show needs a trigger warning. Until the last 2 episodes Yi Chen comes across as someone who just sleep-walks through life or is perpetually high and never tries to defend or protect himself, which ironically feeds Lu Feng's insanity . In some ways, his extreme passivity serves as a trigger for Lu Fend which shows the perfect toxic combo.

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