Reviews

Beautiful Icelandic scenery & Korean traditional food!

I enjoyed the second season just as much as the first. This time, the beautiful Icelandic scenery provided a completely different atmosphere, while the menu focused on Korean home-style cooking. The dishes included kkori-gomtang, galbi-jjim, dolsot-bibimbap, dakgalbi, sundubu-jjigae, yukjeon bibim-guksu, ttukbaegi bulgogi and hotteok. Korean drinks such as maesil-cha, yuzu ade, omija beverages and soju were also featured. The contrast with the Mexican seaside setting made the two seasons feel distinct, yet both were equally enjoyable.

The production felt more polished this time, with a larger restaurant and a beautifully designed interior that combined traditional Korean and Icelandic elements with a modern touch. The building had the character of a traditional house transformed into a contemporary restaurant, and the design, atmosphere and service suited the location very well. Iceland’s cold climate also added something distinctive to the experience.

The team continued to work impressively well together, with everyone contributing something unique. Jung Yu-mi and Park Seo-joon were once again like professional chefs, preparing and serving food with remarkable skill. Despite the demanding workload, the team managed to serve so many customers, and their reactions suggested that the food was very well received.

Go Min-si, the new intern, was a wonderful addition to the team. She was genuinely precious to watch and worked incredibly hard in the kitchen, quickly proving herself to be a valuable member. Her energy and efficiency were impressive, especially given how demanding the work became.

Woo-shik also surprised me by taking on the role of chef for two days, despite his limited experience in the kitchen. He handled a challenging responsibility and showed that he could adapt under pressure. His work as a waiter was equally impressive, thanks to his warm manner, charisma and ability to communicate naturally with customers. He was a valuable member of the team both in front of the house and in the kitchen.

One of my favourite moments was Woo-shik’s birthday. With the team seemingly focused only on work, he began to think that everyone had forgotten his special day. He ended up singing “Happy Birthday” to himself, which was hilarious and endearing. When the members finally surprised him with a birthday cake, his disappointment turned into happiness. It was a lovely reminder that, beyond all the hard work, these people had a genuine friendship.

Lee Seo-jin was once again excellent as the restaurant’s owner. Always smiling, organised and attentive, he played an important role in keeping the operation running smoothly. His management and service skills were especially valuable when the restaurant became overwhelmed with orders. The team’s professionalism was remarkable, but it was also clear how exhausting the workload could be for everyone.

I also found it interesting that the clientele seemed different from that of the first season. In Mexico, we saw Mexican customers alongside visitors from the United States, Europe and elsewhere. In Iceland, there were local customers too, but I noticed a particularly large number of Asian tourists. This added another interesting dimension to seeing Korean food introduced to people in different parts of the world.

My main criticism remains the format. The repeated focus on orders, cooking, serving and customers’ reactions takes up too much of the running time. I would have loved to see more of Iceland beyond the restaurant: excursions, sightseeing, local experiences and more opportunities for the team to relax and enjoy the country. The workload was so intense that I genuinely felt sorry for the members, knowing how exhausted they must have been. The production team even had to help with the dishes. Although this created a funny moment, it also highlighted just how demanding the work had become for such a small team.

I would have preferred a better balance between running the restaurant and enjoying the travel experience. After all, the main purpose was to showcase Korean food and entertain the audience, rather than push the members to maximise profits as though they were running a permanent business. A more relaxed schedule, additional help and more opportunities to explore Iceland could have made the show even more fun without taking anything away from the quality of the food or the team’s achievements. Recipe cards with ingredients and quantities would also have been a welcome addition.

Despite these reservations, the members did an excellent job. Their professionalism, teamwork and dedication were admirable, and the combination of Korean home-style cooking, Iceland’s spectacular scenery and the team’s chemistry made this season just as enjoyable for me as the first.

9/10

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Good Romance overshadowed by disastrous Family Drama

Wow, what a starter to Thai GL Series. I was eyeing a different GL series to watch on Netflix, but this one popped up on the recommendations when i refreshed, so i went for it, and damn... what a car crash.

The story had a good start, because it was them trying to salvage the marriage before their divorce. Internally, i think they're doing fine, but externally, goddamn. Because the mom is the main driving force as to why this relationship is falling apart, she is so against their relationship. In the beginning, i already noticed that whenever the family drama is being presented, it's not just a one-off, because it would keep going to the point that it's not even enjoyable to watch, and that's the thing with this drama. Everything else is good if you take out the family aspect.

The family drama definitely overshadowed the romance plot, that's why this show fell so hard. I like it where it progresses, but it was so grueling to watch.

The pacing was fine in the beginning, but as you go through, you'll notice the show getting inconsistent with its pacing. It quickly jumps from scene to scene without any sort of filler in between to ease the viewers in.

The acting, i would say, is good. I saw in the comments where some criticized the lead's acting. I don't know about y'all, but I think you're taking it for granted, because I don't see that many problems with the acting. In fact, I'm more amazed because it's family drama, there are a lot of high-emotion scenes, so you'll definitely have to be a good actress to deliver those scenes, and i think the actors managed to do it. Especially when they are shouting at each other, sometimes it felt so true to life. Though there is a side to the acting in this drama where it felt like I'm watching a stage play, more than a drama, because there's not much variety in their movements when characters are together in one scene.

The actresses are so pretty bro, what the heck?! I came for Orm, but I stayed for both leads. They definitely had such gay chemistry that it got me folding, ugh! Sadly, no amount of visuals from them could save the show. The Mom is such a hateable character. Good thing there was no redeeming arc, and they just went all the way on making her a mess of a character, but the actress is amazing though. The dad was so passive in the beginning, but i guess he was bottling everything before explaading, and i like that atleast he's making sense, not siding with the mom as well. The friends were totally NPCs, they pop up when they're only needed for a scene, lol.

The cinematography is aight, because again, it jumps from scene to scene, without in-betweens.

The Music is okay, there's not much variety to it, so sometimes it can get repetitive.

Overall, it's bad. We're just gonna leave it at that. It's very Asian Soap Opera Core. I'm not turned off from watching more Thai dramas, by the way, but I'm definitely not gonna continue for a while because of how bad this experience is. I don't recommend it either if you can't stand messy family drama.

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The hate on this series is so forced. I started You Maniac expecting a good time and got so much more than that, and I can't pretend otherwise just because some nasty voices online decided to pile on.
One thing is for certain though: the series had people having actual conversations. It got viewers debating, defending, questioning, and sitting with uncomfortable ideas even after the credits rolled, and that's exactly what good storytelling is supposed to do. So it did what had to be done.

The acting is where the series truly shines. William and Est are magical. Every small choices, a glance, a pause, a touch felt meaningful. They didn't just play their characters, they committed to them, even in the messy, questionable, morally gray moments that had people pondering if they were truly red flags. That kind of commitment deserves recognition instead of nitpicking.

Then there's the chemistry, which let me not even start. WilliamEst’s chemistry is undeniable. Those boys can act. I see why they shine even in real life. Their scenes together is pure perfection, whether they're arguing, flirting, or laying together in silence, you believe every bit of it. That connection had me yearning for the next episode.

Not every viewer has to love every choice the story makes, and disagreement is fine. But a lot of the criticism on this show is very exaggerated, repeated by people who seem to want a reason to dislike it rather than a reason to engage with it. Put that aside and the show still remains well-made, emotionally charged with strong performances and a clear voice.

I hope WilliamEst are super proud of themselves for another masterpiece. They took a risk, trusted their cast, and delivered something worth nothing. I can't wait for the next line up because they are certainly delivering another masterpiece

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10/10 in guilty pleasure

I'm not gonna write this review pretending like this was a healthy relationship with two very sweet people. This series was kind of... concerning, with a toxic couple who honestly scared me at times. The angst was through the roof and sometimes it was hard to like the characters, but... I always UNDERSTOOD them and cared for them, even when they were acting like assholes.

I have never really been a fan of the bully x victim troupe, but this was honestly such a guilty pleasure. The story was very well crafted, the characters interesting and compelling, and all the actors did a great job at making them come alive and feel consistent.

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Top Male Actor and Rookie Outstanding Male Actor falls in love

I didn't pick this up first as I thought it's drama heavy. There's indeed drama, but unexpected the cute lovestory with the protagonists.
One down side maybe is they're unable to reveal their relationship to the public and the course of the homophobia with the CEO that affects their relationship. But all of it is in the realm of what's in reality. This story is from a conservative world.
It's a good series, and love how there's interactions with their work at least.
I remember a manga with this kind of story (not same) but same: Dakaretai Otoko Ichii Ni Odosarete Imasu. (DAKAICHI)

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Dream bigger than a train station....

Some dreams begin with a little hope, but carry a whole lot of love.

What starts as a simple dream of building a train station turns into something so much more meaningful. Beneath Joon-kyung's determination is a story filled with love, longing, and things that are sometimes too difficult to put into words.

My favourite part has to be JoonKyung and BoKyeong's bond. The little arguments, the teasing, the way they look after each other without making a big deal out of it everything feels so natural and sweet. There's so much warmth in their relationship, and somehow, even the smallest moments between them end up meaning the most. I won't say much more about them, but their story is one of the reasons this movie stayed with me. ♡

Ra-hee was such a lovely addition, too. I loved her playful personality and the way she encouraged JoonKyung to believe in his dreams. Their little interactions bring so much charm to the story, making it feel just as sweet and funny as it is emotional.

And Joon kyung relationship with his father adds another layer to everything. Sometimes, love is there even when people don't know how to show it, and the things left unsaid can hurt just as much as the things we say. That part felt especially real to me.

What I love about this movie is how it makes something as simple as a train station feel so important. It's not just about a place where trains stop; it's about safety, hope, and wanting a better life for the people you love. It reminds us that what seems like a little thing to one person can mean the whole world to someone else.

This movie made me smile, laugh, and cry more than I expected. It has such a lovely balance of humour, warmth, and heartbreak, and the emotions never feel separate from the story. Everything comes together so gently that, before you realise it, you've grown attached to these characters and their little world.

I'd recommend this to anyone who loves stories about family, dreams, and the kind of love that doesn't always need to be said out loud. Go into it knowing as little as possible, because some of its most meaningful moments are best experienced for yourself.

Maybe miracles aren't always grand or extraordinary. Sometimes, they're found in the people we love, the dreams we hold on to, and the little moments we don't realise we'll miss someday.........♡

Some stories leave you with answers, and some leave you with feelings you can't quite explain. This one left me with a tender little ache in my heart, and I think I'll remember it for a long time amd i'm really glad I watched this one.

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One of the better gls of this year

I wished they committed to the theme. Why name the show juliet and juliet if the only thing that is romeo and juliet abt them is their family rivalry and the half assed fake death. Ik people are traumatized by tragic endings but come on, happy ending should not come at the expense of a good story.

Loved tokyo and blue's relationship and how they fell in love. Since the trend for gls is insta love, i liked how they took their time from having a crush to loving each other to the point of giving up everything. I liked tokyo's arc too, from being in a controlled environment to fighting for her dream. Both of them are good characters,

Since all the side characters had such a heavy involvement in their stories they could have been better. Tokyo's friends felt like fake friends from the beginning so them suddenly being so caring abt her felt out of the blue.

Even though the ending was not as tragic as I wanted it to be it still had those elements. The uncertainty of their future is also a good choice.

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Marriage contract

After *Pursuit of Jade*, Tian Xiwei has amazed me once again with her performance in this drama. Honestly, I think her acting alone is enough reason to give this show a try.

She plays a double role, and what really impressed me is how differently she portrays the two characters. You genuinely won't feel like both characters are being played by the same actress. It's not just her expressions or the way she carries herself that change when she plays the antagonist; even her voice changes! That attention to detail is something I really admire because it's not something every actor can pull off convincingly.

I was genuinely impressed by how she managed to give both characters such distinct personalities. You can actually feel the difference between them just by watching the way she speaks, reacts, and expresses herself. And honestly, that's what makes her performance so enjoyable to watch.

But there's more to this drama than just her acting. The storyline is really good, with plenty of suspense and unexpected twists that keep you hooked. There's always something happening that makes you curious about what's going to happen next, and I found myself wanting to know how everything would unfold.

Yan An also did a great job. The last drama i watched of him was veil of shadows in which there were'nt any romantic scenes But here his character is the one with romantic side. You will enjoy the development of their romance as well.

Overall, Tian Xiwei has definitely left an impression on me with this one. If you're someone who appreciates good acting and loves a story filled with suspense, this drama is absolutely worth watching. I started watching for the story, but her performance is what truly makes it stand out for me. ❤️

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Disappointing

The actors performances were impecable and the ost was good. The rest made me feel like I wasted my time. The storyline was contradicting, too many plotholes and unresolved issues by the end. Tin's character development was... a choice... While I understand not every story is going to look the same, when dealing with topics like the ones presented in the series, one need to be responsible about what and how such themes will be presented. I think the series fell short on that regard wich is unfortunate because the storyline gravitated around it, hence the poor rating. Only thing worth watching is the actors, however that alone doesn't justify watching all 11 episodes. Btw I wanted to rate 0 instead of 1 but the app wouldn't allow me... funny, right...?

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from red flag to green forest

This show will take you on an absolute roller-coaster ride. Every time you think things are finally going to get better for the leads, something chaotic happens, and you're back to wondering what could possibly go wrong next. 😭 The pacing of the overall story is pretty good, although I do feel that the development of the leads' relationship could have been handled a little better.

Now, let's talk about the male lead because this man really tests your patience in the beginning. He's quite the red flag, and there will be moments when you'll genuinely hate him for the way he behaves. But as you continue watching, something changes. You slowly begin to understand him, and before you know it, you find yourself feeling bad for him.

What I found most interesting was watching him gradually change as a person. He eventually becomes someone willing to break rules, challenge societal norms, and go against everything expected of him just to be with the female lead. His devotion to her is something else! He goes from being a walking red flag to what I'd honestly call a *green forest*. 😂 And no, this transformation doesn't happen overnight. He has to go through a lot of struggles and challenges before reaching that point, which makes his character development all the more satisfying to watch.

The actors have done a really great job portraying their characters, and I genuinely enjoyed watching the story unfold. The plot is engaging, and there's enough happening to keep you invested in what comes next.

But what I liked the most about this drama was the relationship between the leads. Their dynamic is such an interesting contrast: **his devotion versus her restrained feelings.** He gradually reaches a point where he is willing to put everything on the line for her, while she struggles to express what she feels. There's something about this difference in the way they love that makes their relationship so interesting to watch.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend binge-watching this one. I'd rather suggest taking your time with it and letting yourself slowly get into the story. Sometimes, a drama is much more enjoyable when you give yourself time to process the characters and their choices instead of rushing through every episode.

Overall, I really enjoyed this drama, especially the male lead's character development and the contrasting ways the two leads express their feelings. It's chaotic, emotional, and frustrating at times, but that's also what makes the journey worthwhile. If you enjoy watching a red-flag male lead slowly transform into someone completely devoted to the woman he loves, this one might be right up your alley. ❤️

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cute, heartwarming, and short series with some drama thrown in

If you’re going into Kanakana expecting a completely wholesome series, you might be a little disappointed. A good portion of the story focuses on Kana’s relationship with her uncle, Sawada (let’s just that their relationship isn't very good). There are still plenty of the wholesome childcare moments you’d expect, and they’re really sweet, but you’ll have to tough it through with the uncle subplot to get to them. While I do think that the payoff is worth it, if you’re looking for a drama-free series, this might not be for you unless you’re willing to sit through the occasional “uncle scenes.”

That said, Kana is extremely adorable and pairing her with Masa’s cluelessness makes for an iconic duo. I enjoy the fact that despite being more mature than her peers, Kana is still able to make irrational decisions & thinking style that is like that of her peers. The rest of the cast also makes the show livelier and funnier with some characters even managing to make me both love and hate them at the same time, a rare feat for me to feel. The comedy in this show is also superb, there are times where I find myself chuckling to scenes from the show, be it Kana’s inner monologue or Masa funny parenting style, you truly get it all.
Despite that, I do feel that some characters are underused. I would’ve liked to see more development in Kana’s relationships with the other kids (i.e. Eiko). Honestly though, I’d love more episodes in general as the story feels like it moves rather quickly. Most of the major plot points are addressed, but some minor ones aren’t explored much or even outright ignored altogether. Nevertheless, the show manages to end on a good note & most of my complaints about it can be chalked down to being very nitpicky.

If you decide to watch Kanakana, I wouldn’t recommend binge-watching it. The frequent recaps and flashbacks can get annoying, so I’d suggest watching 2-4 episodes at a time. Though the episodes are only about 15 minutes long, and with just 28 episodes, you could easily finish the series in a day if you wanted to.

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Love? Maybe in Stockholm? But the Music!

I love love love zombie stuff but I don't love this much:
I've watched dozens of zombie movies and series. BTW Korea produces some of the best zombie content ('Train to Busan' -- absolute best zombie movie ever; 'Happiness' best zombie series; and weird variations like, 'Badland Hunter' and 'Sweet Home' (all 3 seasons) and gritty High School! zombie apocalypse 'All of Us are Dead. I've watched most of the American ones like 'The Walking Dead,' 'The Last of Us' and even 'Zombieland' (1 & 2!) So when I read about this I was excited.

The post-apocalyptic landscapes and post-apocalyptic communities are well thought out. The production values (tho. there is some dodgy AI in some scenes which makes buildings look like architectural models and the landscape look not quite 3D) are high. There's accomplished acting by all the minor characters. And it is emotionally engaging that the communities that reflect Lin Zai's values are the successful ones.

The pacing overall is a bit odd. The beginning happened so quickly I couldn't quite understand what was going on. Then the wandering through the landscape; devolving into wilderness; was measured but interesting. Then it dragged for three episodes. I think because, tho what was happening was very zombie-world-deepening, it didn't really advance the plotline: despite a diabolical villain, exploiting Lin Zai's belief that open-heartedness is how humans as a species will survive.

I watched till the end to see how the relationship between the leads concluded. Though I hadn't been invested in their relationship -- they didn't seem to have much chemistry. -- though both leads portrayed their characters very well (and cold A Lie has some very explanatory and slightly exculpatory back story)

CONCLUSION:
YAY -- ZOMBIE HEARTS AND FLOWERS! A VERY SATISFYING FINAL EPISODE THAT WILL MAKE UP (if not for all; at least) FOR A LOT OF FAILINGS. AND WILL LEAVE INVESTED FANS HAPPY.

(My biggest reservation is that, early on, this promotes the HATEFUL TROPE of kind-hearted, warm Lin Zai falling for A Lie, the man who is going to deliver him to an uncertain future as a lab rat. That's not love - that's Stockholm Syndrome.)

**** NOW THE REALLY CONTROVERSIAL PART ***
I loved the soundtrack! The theme song is gorgeous and evocative - like sipping hot, embroidered velvet. I know AI is the d*vil -- but I have been drawn to the dark side. The OST has been one of the things I've enjoyed the most! And the overall 10 rating is strongly influenced by that beguilement.

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