Reviews

strong start, weak finish

WE WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU!!!

Story 8/10 : The moment this came out, I was HOOKED. I think the first 6 episodes are incredibly strong and had me hoping to days would go by faster so I could watch the next few episodes! This is really up my alley. Student teacher, obsessive/yearning, darker themes, interesting characters, all around this started out SO strong. The build up of the plot and the chemistry between all the characters was great, it really was building up to something climatic/special. But WOW the ending was disappointing. Without spoiling anything, there were way too many loose ends, characters not reaching a satisfying character arc, conversations repeating them same thing over and over again, the last two episodes were a complete mess in my opinion.

Acting/Cast 10/10: I will say, the actors were all incredible. Aesthetically everyone in this show is beautiful (as is common with k-dramas lol), and everyone acted very well! I have no complaints about any of the cast, I think they all did a great job.

Music 8/10: I like the opening theme and the background music consistently created a good mood. Nothing distracting or ill-fitting.

Rewatch Value 7/10: I can't really see myself watching this again, maybe would recommend to friends? But they'd need to come out with a second season cuz wow what a terrible ending.

Overall 8/10: Overall, immeasurably disappointed BUT grateful for the first six episodes which honestly are some of my favorite KBL episodes I've watching in a while.

**Spice Level 4/10: Yeah there's really nothing here to worry about, there are some things that are alluded too, but overall characters really don't do anything over the PG-13 level.

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Small Town Remedy (小城良方 / Fei Dao): Xiao Zhan’s Acting Glow-Up as Dr. Liu Zheng Liang

Small Town Remedy, also known as Fei Dao, is a 2026 Chinese medical life drama adapted from Liu San Shu’s novel Fei Dao. The story follows Liu Zheng Liang (Xiao Zhan), a gifted neurosurgeon at a top-tier hospital who loses his job after an incident and returns to his hometown in Northeast China, where he starts working in the ER of a small community hospital.

But here’s the thing: he doesn’t just heal his patients. Along the way, he gets a little healing of his own from the resilience, warmth, and humanity of the people around him.

What really stands out from the start is Xiao Zhan’s acting maturity. He nails the complexity of an elite doctor who comes across as arrogant but is actually pretty fragile underneath, without going overboard or turning every emotional moment into a full-blown drama fest.

The Little Details That Hit Different
That subtle smile

Xiao Zhan doesn’t force a cute expression or give us the usual “idol smile.” His smile is faint, almost like a professional reflex he’s perfected over the years. But underneath it, there’s emotional distance and a hint of superiority.

When he interacts with colleagues and patients at the small hospital, that smile feels like a worn-out mask. Polite, sure, but not entirely genuine. It’s such a small detail, yet it makes his character feel incredibly real. He’s a doctor who’s used to being at the top and hasn’t fully come to terms with his new reality.

The ego of a top-20 neurosurgeon

In the early episodes, both before and shortly after his downfall, Xiao Zhan gives off major “I’m used to handling the most complicated surgeries at a big-name hospital” energy.

The way he speaks, carries himself, and looks at the equipment and systems at the community hospital all feel slightly condescending, but never cartoonishly so. It’s a very natural kind of intellectual arrogance. He’s not necessarily a bad person. He’s just someone who’s spent so long at the top that he’s gotten used to seeing things from that perspective.

And when he’s forced to adapt to limited resources and a completely different working environment, that confidence starts getting tested.

Those glassy eyes when he thinks about his mom

This is easily one of the most captivating moments. Xiao Zhan doesn’t burst into tears or start shouting to make the emotion land. Instead, his eyes slowly turn red, his gaze drifts just a little, and a heavy silence settles in.

The pain feels deeply personal and carefully contained, which makes perfect sense for someone who’s spent years learning to keep his emotions under control.

This tiny shift reveals the human side beneath his professional arrogance. Behind that “top-20 neurosurgeon” image is still a son carrying unresolved family wounds. And honestly, that contrast hits hard.

The Bigger Picture: Xiao Zhan Is Doing More Than Looking the Part
Overall, Xiao Zhan shows some clear growth as an actor. He isn’t just relying on his visuals or natural charisma. He builds the character through subtle micro-expressions, small hand movements, the way he suppresses his emotions, and even the slight changes in his voice when talking to the locals.

That combination of professional arrogance, personal loss, and slowly emerging tenderness makes Liu Zheng Liang feel genuinely alive and multidimensional.

And that’s what makes this performance interesting. He isn’t simply playing a brilliant doctor who needs to become a better person. He’s portraying someone whose entire sense of identity has been shaken, forcing him to confront the parts of himself he may have ignored for years.

The drama itself has a warmer, more grounded medical-life vibe rather than going full high-stakes hospital thriller mode. It also brings in the signature humor of Northeast China and explores the idea of people healing each other in unexpected ways.

If you’re into layered doctor characters and acting that speaks through the tiniest details rather than dramatic monologues, Xiao Zhan’s performance is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Sometimes, the most powerful acting isn’t about crying your heart out. It’s about a barely noticeable change in someone’s eyes, a smile that doesn’t quite reach their face, or a moment of silence that says everything.

And that’s where Xiao Zhan’s portrayal of Liu Zheng Liang really seems to shine.

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"Have you ever misinterpreted someone's kindness?"

The core of the drama were the characters and dynamics between them, no one can deny that. It was all about how their relationship developed, why, and where it led them. What’s beautiful about this drama is the fact it made me care not only about them as a couple, but also them as individuals. Putting aside the romance, it was a story about people, their traumas and how they try to heal from them.

Starting with Han Gi Woo - a character that was struggling with his identity, be it as a teacher, or as a human being. Attentive, caring for the students, trying to help them, not ignoring their struggles - just enough to show he cares, but never fully committing, balancing right on the line. He struggled deeply with what he expected from himself, and what other people expected from him - since these were often mutually exclusive.

No matter what the situation was, he tried to react in the most normal way. But what is normal? He did not know. Hence he did not really react. So he became "dull" - he couldn’t react as himself, but he also did not know what other reactions to give.

“Turning a blind eye, pretending not to know, acting like everything was fine… I realized I was way too cruel”. Cruel to other people, for always keeping them at arm's length, but most importantly, cruel to himself for ignoring what he thought, felt and wanted. Until he reached a breaking point and saw him take a step forward after staying still his whole life.

Then we had Lee Hyeon Jae - a child so deprived of affection, that he was willing to cause himself harm, just to receive the care. In a situation when everyone pretended he did not exist, his wounds did not exist and his pain did not exist - Gi Woo noticed him. That was enough. He was emotionally captivated by Gi Woo’s attention.

"I can handle myself, so just stay out of it"
"Then don't give people a reason to worry"
For Hyeon Jae it's something he did not experience - someone being worried about him, someone being concerned about his well being. The feeling of "I matter to someone" when your whole life you felt invisible, when people told you to act like you don't exist. When everyone pretends you don't exist.

What I found the most interesting is the fact that Gi Woo not only saw Hyeon Jae and paid attention to him, he also led Hyeon Jae to pay attention to himself. He forces him to think about his future, reasons for his actions. Because it's not only other people who ignored Hyeon Jae. What's worse, he ignored himself. Sadly, he was never fully able to set himself free of that thinking.

"Have you ever misinterpreted someone's kindness?"
"Yes. I think I'm going through that... right now"
I loved that he was aware of the fact he was reading too much into it, but he also desperately wanted to convince himself that what he saw, felt and interpreted was the reality. No matter what Gi Woo felt, he decided to read it in a way that he felt was right, that satisfied his wants, but when the feelings finally became mutual, that’s when he took a step back - unwilling to push forward anymore. The fact that despite mutual feelings Gi Woo still rejected him was what made him give up.

Their journey, as heartbreaking as it was, was also painfully well executed.
Gi Woo was forcing himself to stay in line all his life because of his mother, so he literally lost the sense of who he is, and that description of being "dull" became both the way he navigated through life without issues, but also the thing that created problems for him - and he hated it. But Hyeon Jae came and told him that he does not think he is dull, that he sees past that.

"This is the first time anyone's ever treated me as special. You're special to me too, sir" - on one hand this is something Gi Woo wanted to hear. On the other hand it was something he feared hearing. "I'm nobody special anyway. What I'm saying is, don't read too much into it.”, "What I think is my business"
Hyeon Jae was not putting a foot in the door, he was kicking the door open with full force and not backing down. And that's what got to Gi Woo. Someone not letting him stay in that dull state, someone who told him he is special no matter how many times he denied it.

With Hyeon Jae, being abused was one thing, but he was being ignored - that's the motivation behind his feelings for Gi Woo, because Gi Woo did not pretend like he does not exist, he noticed him and thought about him. He did not let him just leave when there were issues, but rather forced him to think about them and about himself. Gi Woo literally made him feel like he exists.

What started as just a misguided sense of being seen for who they are, that was being confused as love, developed into a real romantic feeling. I do think at first it was mostly a response to psychological and emotional deprivation they went through, but I also have to applaud the writer for clearly showing the contrast between what was happening between them, and how other relationships with Gi Woo’s students were structured. They were not the same. What they had was undeniably real.

As for the ending - extremely fitting and to some extent on brand with Hyeon Jae: will we stay in our delusion and assume they did meet in the future? Will we move to a more bittersweet ending of them living their separate lives slowly improving? Or will we dive deep into a hell fire of misery and assume Jeong Ha’s prediction happened and Gi Woo can only now live a life full of regret? Personally I live by the motto “staying delulu is the solulu” and in my brain they met on that bus stop in the epilogue. I do not accept any other ending.

On the brighter side, Kim Jeong Ha and Park Seong Won with all the miscommunication, confusion and teen angst, were able to pull through and set on the path of mutual feelings. I love how their “ending” was literally the beginning of exploration. The fact it ends on Jeong Ha giving Seong Won time to figure out his feelings - for me it was less about starting to like him, and more about accepting the fact he already does. They both cared for each other, they both loved each other and now they will slowly learn how to accept that and change the way they view the relationship.

The more I write this review the more I appreciate how well written the drama was, when even characters that did not have much screentime still felt distinctive and memorable.

Sure thing I hated Hyeon Jae’s father, Gi Woo’s mother, and the majority of the teachers. I felt some conflicting feelings about some students, the wife and Kim Ji Tae, but what’s most important - I feel like I fairly well understand these characters, I remember their personalities, motivations, scenes they were in. Each had at least one or two memorable moments I can point to. Even if they existed as a backdrop for the lead’s story, they did not really feel like props to me.

Aside from the characters, there were some themes and clever devices used for express them:

The use of the Amuna app as a storytelling mechanic deepens the understanding of the characters and their relationship. First of all, I need to say that there were some mistranslations happening: "Need to vent? Try Amuna Random Chat" - it should say: "Want to be honest" or "Want to be truthful" not "vent". And it perfectly matched Gi Woo's issue - he wanted to be honest and truthful with himself, but he felt like he did not know how. It's not about venting, it's about internal honesty. And this app was his tiny salvation where he could explore himself without the burden of any consequences. Where he did not need to keep the persona of normality. When he could express his thoughts freely.

And for Hyeon Jae, it was a kind bridge to connect with Gi Woo, to keep him in his life, to understand him better, to reach him. In some strange way they both achieved what they aimed for - Gi Woo wanted to open up to a stranger, and Hyeon Jae wanted to open up to Gi Woo.

The theme of abuse, neglect and the peace of ignoring the issues - all that presented through Gi Woo’s interactions with his co-workers. They disliked him, because he ruined their illusion of normalcy and easy ways out. Hyeon Jae became their answer to any troubles. They deluded themselves into thinking that as long as they push through the last semester there will be no victims - they will be able to move on and Hyeon Jae will graduate, as if the abuse would stop with him leaving the school.

But Gi Woo couldn’t make himself pretend like he did not see anything. And it bugged them. And the more he cared for the students, the more involved he was, the more their perfect picture was ruined. And that was one of the reasons Gi Woo left - he knew the truth and could not pretend like it does not exist. The fact he changed his path from being a teacher to wanting to be a career counselor was beautiful - someone who cares that deeply should not work in a place that punishes you for caring and pushing students towards improvement.

To the acting - I kind of want to cry. Everyone, and I mean everyone did an amazing job. Not only were the leads perfectly cast, but all the supporting characters and even the background actors delivered what was needed to make this story feel real.

Ryu Se Il with his restrained emotions hidden behind the micro expressions, that only exploded by the end of the show - that breaking down crying scene had so much impact, because we witnessed how much he was holding it all in throughout the show. Comparing it with how raw and exposed Ha Jung Hoon’s feelings were, how you could feel every tear, every shift of the eyes, every sad smile. Then we have Lee Jung Chan as Kim Jeong Ha - believable as the bully he was forced to be by the circumstances, but also a vulnerable teen who cannot lean on the friend he like, and Jung Si Wan with that fear in his eyes every time Seong Won had to let Jeong Ha go.

As for production, I can imagine they had a limited budget, but it truly does not feel like it. Great use of light and shadows to create more depth in the shots. Extremely well done make up for the injuries and bruises - that also was consistent with the time passing. Set design that did not look empty - spaces that fitted the characters and their personalities. And that intro. Second best right after Gray Shelter.

All that good things said, there were some details of the story I wish were explained/elaborated more. What did Park Seong Won do that Kim Jeong Ha’s hand got injured? Was Hyeon Jae locked in a mental hospital for 2 years after the drug issue at school, when they pretended he studied abroad? What happened to his mother? What was the Secretary’s deal - sometimes he was annoyingly cruel, sometimes it seemed like he was borderline on Hyeon Jae’s side, or at least feeling bad for him. I feel like some of these could literally get more closure with one or two lines of dialogue, so the vagueness felt unsatisfying. Honestly such minor issues taking into consideration the overall quality of the drama.

Overall, ending up on the mental list of my favorite BLs and short dramas. I just adore any project that makes me reflect on what I saw, want to discuss it with others, rewatch to check for details and better understanding.

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So cute! Great feel-good show ?

I do not usually gravitate toward university setting dramas, so Duang With You had a bit of a hill to climb with me from the start. And yet somehow this very sweet, occasionally ridiculous little drama got me.

Duang falls for Qin almost immediately, and when I say immediately, I mean Qin is basically just crossing the street and Duang’s brain appears to leave his body. Then Qin sings, and whatever chance Duang had of recovering is gone. From that point forward, Duang is all in.

He is silly, dramatic, lovestruck, jealous, persistent, and sometimes so over-the-top that I wanted someone to hand him a juice box and tell him to sit down for five minutes. But what kept him from becoming annoying in the wrong way is that he never really crosses over into entitlement. He pursues Qin constantly, yes, but when Qin sets a boundary, Duang listens. He may pout about it. He may look emotionally devastated for reasons that do not remotely justify emotional devastation. But he listens.

That mattered to me.

Qin, meanwhile, is basically an iceberg with excellent bone structure.

Por Suppakarn plays him as so reserved that sometimes even Duang seems unsure whether Qin is deeply in love with him or mildly tolerating his continued existence. And honestly, I understood Duang’s insecurity. Qin is very clear when Duang does something he does not like, but he is much less skilled at communicating what he does feel.

That becomes especially obvious when Thiu comes back into the picture. Qin knows what Duang is to him. Duang does not always know what he is to Qin.

And that is really the central tension of their relationship for me.

Duang externalizes everything. Every feeling he has is basically being broadcast live from his face. Qin could probably propose marriage while looking like he was asking whether Duang wanted rice.

But I ended up loving that contrast.

Duang brings warmth, noise, persistence, and emotional openness into Qin’s very controlled world. Qin gives Duang something steadier than his own chaos. And the show does a nice job of letting their relationship build through repeated small choices rather than pretending one confession magically turns two people into a couple.

By the time they officially become boyfriends in episode 9, I was ridiculously happy for them.

This is definitely not an NC- or kiss-heavy drama, but I actually preferred that here because the intimacy felt like an extension of the relationship rather than a substitute for one.

The drama does slow down in the middle. There were definitely moments when I felt like the story did not really need all twelve episodes, and both characters can get repetitive in their own ways. Duang can be too much. Qin can be frustratingly closed off. Neither of those complaints disappeared just because I liked them together.

But somewhere along the way, I stopped caring very much.

Part of that is because this became my low-stress drama. The one I could turn on when I did not want complicated plotting or emotional devastation or twenty moving pieces to keep track of. Sometimes I do not want television to wreck me. Sometimes I just want to watch two characters who are very clearly gone over each other while one of them behaves like an excitable golden retriever and the other slowly discovers that perhaps having feelings is not actually fatal.

And TeeTee Chakkrit surprised me.

Duang does not always give him much room to show range because so much of the character is bright, silly, openly lovestruck, and comedic. But in the moments when the story gives him something quieter or more emotionally grounded to play, there are flashes of something deeper there. Episode 9 especially made me think that with the right script and a more layered character, TeeTee could be outstanding.

That is actually one of the reasons I am now very interested in seeing TeeTee and Por again in Friend Benefit. From what we have seen so far, both roles look much more emotionally complicated, and I suspect that may give them more room to show what they can really do.

Duang With You is not extraordinary, and I do not think it is trying to be.

It is light. It is sweet. It is occasionally slow. It is occasionally ridiculous. Qin annoyed me sometimes. Duang annoyed me sometimes.

And I still adored them.

Because underneath everything else, what stayed with me was simply how much these two love each other.

And apparently that was enough.

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Park Minjae & Lim Youjin- The complex duo

I really wish more people could watch Between Steps because this drama deserves a much bigger audience. What I enjoyed most was how believable the romance felt. The leads have such effortless chemistry that even their simplest interactions are enjoyable to watch. I especially liked how their feelings developed in a way that actually made sense, without relying too much on the usual exaggerated K-drama moments. Their relationship has that messy, imperfect side that makes it feel closer to real life. It's frustrating that access to this drama is so limited, because I genuinely think a lot of romance lovers would fall in love with it if they had the chance.

Make sure to watch it if you love melodramas.

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Excellent show and every shipper’s nightmare!!

Mr. Fanboy hooked me very quickly because it has much more going on than a simple celebrity/fan romance. Wan enters the entertainment industry almost by accident, already carrying a complicated relationship with fame and fandom, and immediately finds himself surrounded by people who are judging whether he belongs there. Third starts out openly antagonistic toward him, but that hostility gradually shifts into reluctant support, then friendship, and by episode 3 there are already some very sweet glimpses that this relationship is heading somewhere beyond friendship.

Auau and Save have fantastic chemistry. Their antagonistic scenes work, their banter works, and once Third starts quietly helping and supporting Wan, the chemistry becomes even better. The small moments between them are especially effective because the relationship develops gradually rather than suddenly flipping from dislike to romance. Save is clearly the stronger actor of the two leads at this point, but Auau holds his own very well, and together they are extremely watchable.

The supporting cast is strong too. Ryujin apparently could have chemistry with a wall, because once again he immediately brings energy to every interaction he has. I’m especially excited to see more of him with Patji as the series develops. And James is doing an excellent job as Nine. Nine initially presents himself as warm and supportive, but Wan’s growing popularity—and particularly the attention Wan receives from both Third and the fans—brings out a much more jealous and threatening side of him. He is becoming a very effective antagonist.

One of the most entertaining parts of the story is that it is basically every shipper’s nightmare. Third and Nine are the established CP the fans expect to be affectionate, close, and happily feeding the ship, but behind the scenes they are anything but the lovey-dovey pair people imagine. That makes the fanservice side of the drama especially fun because it quietly raises an uncomfortable question: how many of our own favorite ships are nowhere near as smooth behind the scenes as fans assume?

Wan’s success also creates conflict far beyond the romance. Multiple people have reasons for wanting him brought down or removed from the production, while Wan himself remains largely unaware of how much resentment his growing popularity is creating. That gives the story real momentum and makes the entertainment-industry setting feel integral to the plot rather than simply background scenery.

Overall, the story is great, the acting is strong, and the chemistry is excellent—not only between Auau and Save, but throughout the cast. The sweeter Third/Wan moments beginning to emerge in episode 3 are particularly lovely, and the show has already given me enough character and industry drama to keep me thoroughly invested.

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A surprising pair that works !

I was quite curious about this pairing between Gawin and Krist. Surprisingly, it worked very well.
Even after watching many BLs with Gawin, I still believe this series is one of the best, if not THE best performance he has given in his acting career. We don't see him much as the love interest, but more as the "looking for a boyfriend" one, and he definitely pulls off an amazing performance in this role.

Now, talking about the story itself, I'd say I was not as satisfied as I was with the acting. The concept and the way you use to go back in time is creative, but apart from that, I think the story is missing something. You can easily predict what's going to happen, but even then, I couldn't fathom if Krist's character was really in love or not. He is so inexpressive at moments, and it feels like sometimes he does not have any interest in Gawin's character.

Still a good show ; not the best, but the pairing is definitely a good reason to watch this.

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Lovin' it so far

I wasn't expecting to get this attached to Between Steps, but the romance really won me over. There's something so genuine about the way the two leads interact. Their chemistry feels completely natural, and I love how even the smallest gestures or conversations can say so much about their feelings. The relationship develops like something that could actually happen in real life, which makes it even easier to connect with the characters. I honestly don't understand why this drama isn't getting more attention. It's such a shame that so many international viewers don't even have a proper way to watch it. More people deserve to experience this lovely little drama.

10/10 for me. RIP amazing director.

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Amazing Korean Drama

I honestly didn't expect Between Steps to become one of my favorite romance dramas, but here we are. There's something about this drama that makes it feel different from the usual K-dramas I've watched. The romance feels so natural, and the chemistry between the leads is probably one of the best parts of the whole show. You can actually believe these two people are falling for each other. The way they look at each other, their little reactions, the awkward moments, and even their disagreements feel so genuine. I also appreciate that their relationship isn't portrayed as some perfect fairytale. They have their flaws, they make mistakes, and sometimes they struggle to express their feelings, which honestly makes their story even more enjoyable to watch.
What bothers me is how underrated this drama is, especially when so much of that comes down to its limited availability. I'm sure there are plenty of international K-drama fans who would absolutely love it but simply have no way to watch it. It's frustrating because the acting and the romance deserve a much wider audience. I really hope more people get the chance to discover Between Steps, because it's one of those dramas that quietly grows on you until you realize how much you've fallen in love with the characters and their story.

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A Love Born from a Mistake

​Ujin arrives in Seoul for the very first time, but his trip gets off to a rocky start when he panics after losing track of his phone and wallet. Convinced he’s been pickpocketed, he confronts and chases down Jaehee, mistakenly accusing him of being the thief.
​The situation turns hilariously awkward when Ujin realizes his belongings were simply tucked away at the bottom of his bag all along. Jaehee, who was actually waiting for a completely different rendezvous, finds his day derailed. To make up for the mix-up and "debt," Ujin finds himself dragged into an unexpected series of outings across the city with Jaehee—turning a chaotic first impression into a sweet, spark-filled romance.
Seoul Trip (2026) is an endearing, bite-sized Korean BL web series perfect for a quick weekend binge. It offers sweet moments, lighthearted humor, and charismatic leads. If you enjoy cozy, short-form Korean romances, this one is a delightful watch!

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12 Episodes & CZY's Acting Jumped Another Bar

I like that it seemed throughout the series own theme was just like the title itself; Light the Dark; how they were determined that in all of their darkness that was created by the murders of their parents, they were going to light that candle and find out the truth. The ending was very much like that too; they went on a road trip or something and they were driving through these campgrounds and it was completely dark. It was just one family in a tent, but then they were driving past one tree and just into the light and it was very symbolic of the entire story. They now had their own gas plant, it wasn't large, but they were able to take maybe a small road trip and see what parts of the country held for them.

I remember watching this series as they were filming it and being a little worried for his (CZY’s) collarbone recovery because there was falling and other things, but I knew that this series was going to really showcase his acting skills. Other than that, I knew that this series had a solid storyline. It was retro and urban and it was a great series. I must admit I was definitely not prepared for the ultimate villain, the one who killed his father because we had a whole bunch of theories going on in the comment section of who it could be because literally everybody was suspicious. When you pretty soon knew that the godfather had something to do with their mother's death. There were a lot of smaller villains running around and the story was I think very nicely done and it wasn't really rushed. I know that some people had issues with the pacing, but I did not. I do wish they had gone more into her parents death in the beginning, but they opted to write the truth on screen at the very end.

Again, I have to praise CZY plays the character of CS and his acting because it totally jumped to another bar for me his emotions and the way he could go from regular happy to shock to just bawling his eyes out and all of us watching him and the actress that played his older sister, the heartbreaking scenes. Not only that him and maybe one other actor were young in this entire series of veteran actors and so it was very well done for him and I think that these types of series he's currently filming a cop/anti-narc drama perhaps he should film a doctor drama next as those are the ones that really showcase his acting skills and how far they have come and how he grows with each series. It also does well for his versatility, whether it's a modern romance or a historical romance, something or other palace politics or it's something in these types of sectors; the more genres and different characters he plays, the more good scripts and good production companies/directors will seek him out.

Continuing, it was good to see the BTS where they were all laughing and joking because that was much needed in a series that had very little if no joking at all. I'm not going to go into what the story was about because that's in the synopsis, but I really do love the fact of how they kind of tricked us into believing that once he got out of prison, which I don't even think he should've gone to it all, though it did teach him a lot about life; how supposedly he and his sister seemed to completely fall out when they were so close when in reality (they show a lot in flashbacks), they had a bunch of traps and things set because they were gonna get down to the bottom of who killed his father and ultimately were stunned to find out that his mother's death was not an accident either and it was someone so close to them who had done it. We thought it was CY's crush and then later her husband who had killed the father because an earlier eyewitness and friend of CS who unfortunately died in that vehicular accident said he saw him by the construction site and it made no sense for the design department to be there so he was the person of interest, but though he did not end up being the murderer, he definitely did some shady, illegal paperwork and stuff.

Would I recommend it? 100%. A lot of us watched it for CZY but if you're into suspense, crime, late 90s-early 2000s and getting to the truth than this type of drama is definitely for you. It's 12 episodes so it's not too long and it's just the right amount where sometimes you know who one or more of the perpetrators are and other times, you are left guessing and figure it out along with the characters.

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This does not deserve a higher score

Well, I got through the whole series and for that, I’m giving myself a pat on the back.

There are genuinely funny moments, mostly with Max being a goofball while Nat is playing the straight man. There are some romantic moments, because the guys do have chemistry and they’re well-known for being able to pull off NC scenes. This alone, however, does not a good BL make.

The story was a dumpster fire of nonsense. The best I could say about it is that it’s incoherent. I’ll leave judging the cinematography to other people; I’m here for the writing and characters, and we have to be honest and say that both absolutely suck, with the exception of Max doing his best impression of Willy Wonka. Once they get back from the tropical paradise, the already-very-ropey plot falls apart and stays muddled until the end, and the last couple of episodes after they get together are unwatchable.

I can’t comment on any secondary couples because they were barely on screen.

I can’t give it a very low score because it isn’t as bad as it could have been, and Max was great fun to watch. But it absolutely does not deserve the 9’s and 10’s some people are giving it. The criticism it’s getting in other reviews is well-deserved.

(Sad to see Max and Nat being done dirty with horrible writing; I maintain that Max is a phenomenal physical actor and deserves much better.)

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Came for Something to Watch, Found Someone to Watch

This drama was never on my watchlist. I only started it because I needed something to watch while waiting for another drama's next episode. And now? Kim Young Kwang, sir, why am I seeing you in a whole new light? 😂

Let's be real, the premise is ridiculous. A lightning accident turns a girl into a walking electric current who shocks everyone she touches, except, of course, our male lead. Sure, why not? It's a rom-com, and apparently, logic is optional here. I went in with zero expectations, ready to just switch off my brain and enjoy the ride.

But Kim Young Kwang!! His grumpy-but-clingy act is everything and easily the highlight of the show. He pulls it off so naturally without making it feel overdone or annoying. It's the little expressions, the subtle gestures, and the way he carries the character that got me. His performance feels so effortless that I genuinely started wondering if some of those mannerisms were just him being himself. ahahha. Honestly, I could watch more of this version of him. ✌️

As for everything else, it's pretty much your standard lighthearted rom-com, nothing particularly groundbreaking to write home about. But Kim Young Kwang makes the whole ridiculous premise worth sitting through. I came here just to pass the time and accidentally found another reason to appreciate this man. No regrets!

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A Groundbreaking Creative Vision
Zhao Lusi in her first official role as a chief producer and creative supervisor. Stepping completely into the background to nurture new talent, Zhao Lusi’s studio delivers a remarkably polished, high-budget aesthetic to a short-form format. From the stunning custom styling to the beautiful set designs in Hengdian, the production value is top-tier.

"Everyone is the Protagonist of Their Own Life"
The drama perfectly captures the definition of Sonder—the profound realization that every random passerby is living a life as vivid, complex, and filled with conflict as your own. Instead of treating side characters as mere background props to serve a main couple, the series focuses on a brilliant female ensemble.
The interconnected stories follow four women—played wonderfully by Wei Xiao, Bao Jieyi, Hou Ben, and Zhou Zhiyi—who boldly defy traditional societal constraints and fight to rewrite their predetermined fates. The chemistry between the cast is natural, refreshing, and deeply rooted in themes of mutual female support and genuine friendship.

The Perfect Blend of Comedy, Fantasy, and Heart
Despite its short length, the show balances humor, sharp wit, and high-stakes fantasy flawlessly. The pacing is incredibly brisk, ensuring there isn't a single wasted second. It pushes back against the toxic narrative of being a background "NPC" in someone else's script, delivering an empowering, modern message wrapped beautifully in historical settings.

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Did you know? This is s comfort show, indeed.

Weirdo 101 is indeed another GMMTV comfort show. It follows the footsteps of their typical high school drama, but this time round, a nerd that loves the space and a judo master. Personally this show gives a comfort feeling, in which it doesn’t go wrong with its storyline. It does have ups, and it does have its down, but they are all within the safe zone.

I think for me, its also SeaKeen’s acting, where i would love to give kudos to them, seeing them from Only Boo to Head 2 Head and now this, they did improve tremendously. My only issue with the acting/casting is Aungbao, which have the most area to improve in. Probably is the character that he holds, just doesn’t seem natural. As for the rest, i think they all did a really good job.

Will definately watch this again if i need a comfort show.

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