Reviews

Deserves a higher rating

*Between Steps* is honestly one of the most natural and believable romances I've seen in a K-drama lately. The chemistry between Kim So-hyun and Choo Young-woo is incredible, and what makes it special is how real everything feels. The awkward moments, the attraction, the misunderstandings, and even the little arguments feel like watching two real people fall in love. Nothing feels overly dramatic or forced. I love that their relationship isn't perfect, because real love rarely is. It's a shame that so many people can't watch this drama or haven't discovered it yet. They're missing out on a genuinely beautiful romance that deserves so much more attention.

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Everything Was Perfect Until I Asked, “But Does She Love Him?”

This drama is a masterpiece. A genuinely wholesome, beautifully written story and, for me, the real benchmark of what a women-centred drama should look like. It doesn't just put women at the centre of the story; it gives us different perspectives on what it means to be a woman. Honestly, this was so good that it easily surpassed Flourished Peony, which I once considered a solid women-centred drama.

What makes it even more impressive is how strong the writing remains across the entire female cast. Even the side characters aren't treated like accessories to the main story. The writing is remarkably thoughtful and layered, and the seasoned supporting cast deserves a huge round of applause for bringing their A-game, even with only a handful of scenes. One of the drama's greatest strengths is that the world feels bigger than the main couple. Every woman has a story, a struggle, a choice to make, and something to say.

The drama explores womanhood from almost every angle: the beautiful yet complicated bond between mothers and daughters, the sacrifices mothers make out of fear for their daughters' futures, the pressure to marry well, the burden of protecting one's reputation, and the expectations placed on women to be good daughters, wives, and mothers. It captures the struggles women face when their own dreams conflict with family obligations, when love demands sacrifices they may not be ready to make, and when choosing a life of their own means going against what society expects of them.

The drama starts incredibly strongly with one of the most horrifying openings I've seen, immediately making me wonder, "What the hell am I watching?" as we encounter not one but dozens of women choosing death in the name of preserving their "purity" and honour. From there, the story pulls us into a mother's desperate instinct to do whatever it takes to keep her daughter alive. Shen Jia Lan becomes Xu Lan Xiang, carrying with her the last wish her mother left behind: to live. And she holds onto that wish through every humiliation, betrayal, and obstacle that follows. She becomes a maid in the household that once betrayed her family. She is forced to navigate a life she never chose, yet refuses to let those circumstances determine the person she becomes. Her perseverance, intelligence, wisdom, and quick thinking allow her to slowly carve out a path of her own. What I love most is that Lan Xiang isn't portrayed as an ambitious woman. All she wants is a peaceful, ordinary life in which she can simply survive. Yet somehow, her journey becomes a catalyst for change. She doesn't just change her own fate; her choices begin to influence the women around her. In the end, she becomes an example of what is possible when a woman refuses to accept that the life assigned to her is the only life available.

Another honourable mention goes to Lin Xiu Wan, whose journey is one of my favourites. Watching her learn from her past mistakes, grow into a woman who can stand on her own, and eventually choose a life that makes her happy was incredibly satisfying. I especially love how she defies society's expectations by marrying someone she genuinely considers worthy, even when remaining unmarried past thirty-five was treated as something almost ridiculous at the time. Then there's Lin Xi Ru, who shows us another kind of strength: knowing what truly matters, when to stop enduring, and when it's finally time to take action. I love how the drama gives each woman her own way of thriving rather than making them follow in Lan Xiang's footsteps. They have different struggles, priorities, and definitions of happiness, yet each deserves the freedom to choose the life she wants. The drama isn't afraid to give its supporting women meaningful arcs, recognising that every woman's story deserves to be told.

However, hate to say it, but this drama isn't perfect, and I have a LOT to say about the romance. I understand that the drama chooses to put women's stories and social issues front and centre rather than make romance its main selling point, and I respect that. But after investing so much in Lan Xiang's emotional journey, I wish we'd been given more time to watch her relationship with Jin Qi develop beyond all the chaos.

Their relationship begins under rather questionable circumstances, to put it mildly. Li Jin Qi secures an imperial decree to marry Lan Xiang, despite her never having asked for such a marriage, defying almost everyone's expectations in the process. What I appreciate is that the drama doesn't simply romanticise his determination. The wedding is filled with tension. Everyone looks ready to have a mental breakdown except the man responsible, and then Lan Xiang delivers THAT slap. ICONIC. ABSOLUTELY ICONIC.

And that's exactly why I love that scene. Being in love doesn't give a man a free pass to decide a woman's future for her. His sincerity doesn't erase her lack of consent, and his devotion doesn't mean she owes him anything. You don't get to force your way into a woman's life and expect a romantic soundtrack to make everything okay. The best part? She doesn't let him get away with it just because he's the male lead and he's in love.

As a matter of fact, it takes him practically a lifetime to find his way into her heart, and thus begins his long, arduous atonement journey. And listen, I KNOW Li Jin Qi is undeniably a walking red flag, and yet here I am, fully self-aware that I'm putting on rose-coloured glasses just for this man. Hear me out, though!

Because after YEARS, yes, YEARS of devotion, not to mention two children, this man has spent 47 episodes trying to win her heart, and we are STILL left wondering whether Lan Xiang ever truly fell for him. EXCUSE ME? Forty-seven episodes, two children, a lifetime of devotion, and we're still not sure? The audacity. THE ABSOLUTE AUDACITY of this writer.

There are two moments in particular that left me emotionally conflicted about this romance. The first was when Lan Xiang listed the things she loved as reasons to keep living, and Jin Qi wasn't among them. MIND YOU, this happened in the final few episodes, after everything they had endured together and all the times they had stood by each other. The second was when Jin Qi, on his deathbed, expressed his wish to marry her again and continue their love in the next lifetime for what felt like a bazillionth time. And what did Lan Xiang say? She gently but deliberately replied, "One lifetime is enough."

I honestly didn't know what to make of that. GIRL, WHAT DO YOU MEAN? ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

Naturally, I went diving into the internet in search of emotional damage control, and I did find one interpretation that helped soothe my aching heart a little. Perhaps Jin Qi had always framed their relationship around repaying her for everything she had suffered because of his family's betrayal of the Shen family. By telling him that one lifetime was enough, Lan Xiang was reassuring him that their love was never a transaction or a debt he needed to repay. In that sense, it's a beautiful interpretation, if that's what the writer intended. But that's the problem. WHO KNOWS? Because apparently, we're left to interpret this relationship on our own.

And this is exactly why episode 39 was such a letdown for me. I'm not even talking about the anticlimactic kiss or how rushed their long-awaited consummation scene felt. I'm talking about how the writer seemingly decided to DELETE the emotional development of their entire relationship. One moment, Lan Xiang is still talking about how different they are and how differently they see the world. The next, it feels like everything has been forgiven and they've somehow reached their happily-ever-after. EXCUSE ME? HOW DID WE GET HERE?

After 47 episodes, I wasn't asking for some grand romantic declaration. I just wanted to understand what finally changed for Lan Xiang. I could even accept that her love might look different from his. But I needed to understand how she got there. What allowed her to see him differently? Where is the moment when we get to see her heart finally turn towards him? I refuse to believe that, after all this emotional investment, the writer expects me to fill in the most important part of their love story myself.

Jin Qi's journey is about learning to love her better and making amends for the ways he wronged her. I watched this man spend a lifetime trying to win her heart. The least the writer could do was show me when he actually succeeded. Lan Xiang's journey should also be about discovering what she feels for him and whether this is the life she wants. I wanted to see her choose him, not simply arrive at a point where it feels as though she has.

That said, I'd give this drama a 9.2. Its writing is strong enough to warrant an even higher score, but my one major complaint remains the romance's lack of emotional development. Turns out, even a drama this good can't stop me from craving my emotional romance crumbs. Nevertheless, Against the Current is an exceptional piece of storytelling.

What stays with me most, though, is how deeply this drama understands that there is no single right way to be a woman. Some women choose love, some choose freedom, some choose family, some choose ambition, and some simply choose to survive. None of those choices makes them any less deserving of happiness. And ironically, for a drama that celebrates the freedom to choose one's own path, one of my biggest takeaways is that perhaps fate isn't something we can entirely escape. We may spend years running from it, only to find that some things have a way of finding us anyway.

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A GREAT STORYLINE, BUT DISAPPOINTING ACTING AND SEVERAL PLOT HOLES

1. The Positives

First of all, I have to give *NOUR The Series* credit for having a rather unique storyline. Not many BL series explore the supernatural, investigation, and romance in this particular way. This is one of the main reasons I believe the series had the potential to score much higher if it had been executed more effectively.

The soundtrack is another major strength. The music is genuinely beautiful and used quite effectively, especially during kissing scenes and romantic moments, helping to enhance the emotions of these scenes.

I also appreciate the makeup. This is something I tend to be quite critical of when watching Thai BL series, as overly heavy makeup can make actors look artificial and unnatural. However, *NOUR* does a good job of keeping it subtle and balanced, allowing the actors' appearances to look more natural and harmonious.

I also like how the series gradually reveals new information with each episode, keeping viewers curious instead of explaining everything from the beginning. However, an intriguing storytelling approach does not necessarily mean the script itself is well constructed.

2. The Negatives

Plot Holes and Unanswered Questions

Despite its intriguing premise, the series leaves several details insufficiently explained. For instance, the origin of James's special ability and how he came to possess it are never explored in enough depth. In a series that relies heavily on a supernatural world, the fundamental rules and mechanisms should be explained more clearly to prevent the story from feeling superficial.

#Underdeveloped Supporting Characters and Poorly Handled Storylines

I am not satisfied with how the series develops and resolves the storylines of its supporting characters. Once a character is placed in an important situation, the writers should develop and resolve that storyline properly rather than introducing it only to move on from it too quickly.

Officer Tangmay is a good example. I do not understand why she would choose to go alone when she knew her opponent was an exceptionally powerful and dangerous Nour, only to end up paying for that decision with her life. Her death was not built up convincingly enough to feel believable.

Moreover, Tangmay serves as an emotional link between Ken and James, helping to develop their relationship. For that reason, I believe her character deserved much better development and stronger acting.

#Chita's Hatred Lacks Emotional Depth

Chita's hatred is another aspect that the series fails to explore in sufficient depth. Being transformed into a Nour could have provided a strong foundation for exploring his psychological trauma, but the series does not adequately portray the emotional changes that lead him to seek out and kill other Nours.

I understand why he feels hatred, but understanding a character's motives is not the same as feeling the emotional weight behind them. Because his character development is rather superficial, Chita's actions sometimes come across as abrupt and unconvincing.

# James's Father's Death Is Quickly Forgotten

This should have been a significant event that added psychological depth to James and further motivated his investigation. However, the series handles it rather superficially, failing to fully explore how this tragedy affects his emotions and actions. A storyline with so much potential deserved far more attention.

# Unconvincing Acting Is the Biggest Disappointment

This is ultimately what disappoints me the most. Most of the cast, including both the supporting characters and the main couple, show noticeable limitations in their acting. James, in particular, struggles to convey emotions naturally through both his dialogue delivery and body language, making several scenes that should have been moving fall short of their emotional potential.

When the acting feels unnatural, even kissing scenes and romantic moments become awkward and forced. Some romantic scenes are also inserted at inappropriate moments, such as when the characters are in the middle of an investigation. This disrupts the pacing and undermines the atmosphere of the story.

The cast is certainly attractive, but good looks cannot compensate for weak acting. To me, this is one of the main reasons the series fails to live up to its potential.

3. JIRAT — The True Standout of the Series

If I had to choose the character with the strongest acting performance, I would choose Jirat. Most of his scenes are effective, particularly those that require him to convey deeper emotions.

I especially liked the scene in Episode 5 where Jirat hugs and talks with his biological younger brother. It is a simple moment, yet it manages to evoke genuine emotion through its natural portrayal. Jirat's final scene, when he accepts going to his end in the flames alongside Chita, is also one of the most memorable scenes for me.

His family storyline is particularly well executed. These scenes add depth to his character and make him more relatable without relying on excessive dialogue or overly complicated plot developments.

On the other hand, the third couple feels rather underdeveloped. They are not given enough screen time or memorable moments to leave a lasting impression. Their romantic storyline is not explored to the extent it deserves, which limits the couple's overall appeal.

Overall, Jirat is one of the biggest highlights of *NOUR*. While many scenes fail to evoke the emotions they are intended to, the scenes featuring Jirat tend to be much more effective.

4. Final Thoughts

Overall, *NOUR* has an intriguing storyline, a beautiful soundtrack, and thoughtfully executed makeup. However, its weaknesses in character development, script execution, and especially acting significantly bring down the overall quality of the series.

I genuinely feel disappointed because *NOUR* had the potential to earn a 9/10 if the script had been more carefully developed and the performances had been more natural and convincing.

In short, *NOUR* has a great concept, but its execution does not live up to its potential. The storyline is engaging enough to draw viewers in, yet the unnatural acting and underdeveloped plot points prevent the series from delivering many of the truly memorable moments it could have achieved.

One final thing: despite all its flaws, *NOUR* is still a lot more tolerable than some other series, and at least it was watchable enough to make it all the way to the finale. Unlike certain BL series from GMMTV, where the writing is so unbelievably trash that you have to wonder how anyone could even sit through the whole thing. And honestly, if you've watched those shows without being blinded by fandom loyalty, you already know EXACTLY how much of a fucking dumpster fire they are. Need I say more?

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This is NOT your typical BL

I am only giving this show a high score for its production quality, and its artistic way of filming. Personally i do not think that the story was well shaped out, if I looked at the concept of the film, but I think that the actors does a really good job in jumping between them their actor character or them acting as their actor character. It’s slightly confusing to understand but its basically a film not for everyone, especially people who watches for CP feels or is new to BL. But if you’re someone who is into artistic quality of a film, this is something that you might love.

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Tedious FL, why why why

I wanted to love this show, and I still liked the progress of the plot, but this FL—why? Not her specifically as an actress, I have to assume the director wanted her to perform misery guts from start to practically finish, but it gets exhausting. The ML role clearly shows deep affection and love for her from almost the time they met, yet she seems to have blinders on the entire time.

It’s your typical cdrama with all the punishment tropes you could throw at her, and often its a little too much. However, light is right in front of her face, and the choice is as always self sacrifice and hiding.

Overall, the resolutions are nice but takes far too long. Why does iQIYI have a 9.7 rating? perhaps only 1 person has reviewed it so far lol.

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“If meeting me hadn’t brought you so much misery, then could we see each other again?” — Lee Hyeon Jae

I enjoyed this much more than I expected to, given the duration of the episodes. I loved how it felt short and yet, at the same time, whole—transitioning through its layers with each episode. The actors were amazing. Ha Jung Hoon did exceptionally well portraying that raw deprivation and emotional vulnerability. The way he nailed every expression of showering warmth while craving and yearning for the teacher's affection! It staggered me to see how his character, Lee Hyun-jae, who is quiet, isolated, and distrustful, cloaks himself as a brash troublemaker. He is someone who has entirely stopped expecting anyone to see him as a person, which brought so much curiosity to the story. I enjoyed the first few episodes immensely. Later, however, I must admit it didn't pique my interest as much, whether it was the pace or the script.

And how does one fall in love again? How does love bloom? Do just a few words of concern and comfort really move a soul? What does it take, and how much, for one to fall completely in love? Seeing Lee Hyun-jae made me ponder whether his 'love' for the teacher was true love or simply an attraction—an attachment he tried to weave because no one had ever shown concern for him before. How did his deserted soul instantly build an obsession and complete attachment to a teacher, driving him to go to extreme heights, even if it meant falling or being hurt by the public? And how does the teacher reciprocate that love? How does his heart waver for the younger student? Is it the boy's constant presence and unwithering, impulsive desire for him? The beginning of their love for one another was lost in blurred lights.

But I would say the series tried and succeeded in capturing the tone of dark, emotional, and complex relations, as the narrative focuses on emotional trauma, forbidden attraction, and the power imbalance of a teacher-student relationship. It carried the psychological toll and societal taboos of their bond with a solid intensity that gripped me the whole time.

Although I wasn't entirely into the second couple at first, their story became an instant highlight for me. I loved how the themes of pride and shame were deeply woven into Kim Jeong Ha and how they molded his embarrassment and the slight agony of confronting Park Seong Won (who was so gorgeous). Honestly, I was wholly taken aback by their confessions! I needed more of their scenes.

And I liked how it concluded with an open ending (I shall consider it that way), though I was a bit puzzled at first. This way, it ultimately emphasizes and weaves the story's themes more strongly, highlighting the difficulties of separating affection from responsibility and the consequences of their actions. Although there were a lot of unresolved things and it felt like the story got nowhere, it remained a truly interesting KBL.

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A calm movie about people. The main character lives with a friend and is looking for herself. She has many years of experience behind her, and now she is learning to enjoy simple things and sees poetry in them - in these almost inconspicuous details the real thing is hidden.

The poet's line is parallel, and, in my opinion, it is much stronger, more emotional and more sensitive. There is so much philosophy, sincerity and experience in it: it talks about life and death, about truth and love, about existence itself. His idea that looking for meaning is cowardice does not sound like categoricalness, but like a quiet invitation to just live: to appreciate the little things, to be grateful for what is in front of you, and to do it to the best of your ability. He doesn't give answers, he shows an attitude - calm, attentive.

There is also a small romantic line of a novice actor with a student, the poet's adopted daughter. She doesn't pull on the main story, and that's right: she's here as a subtle shade that adds fragility and warmth.

I can't help but note how Hong San-su made the poet look like himself: love for simple pleasures, the habit of playing "stone-paper-scissors", creative nature. Because of this, the film feels like a calm conversation between the director and the viewer - as if he does not impose meanings, but simply shares what is important to him.

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Depression and More Depression, but a Good Story

I am currently drowning in my tears after sitting through the ending. Its a perfect set up for a season two and honestly needs one to truly be considered an amazing series, but sad to know just how unlikely it is that we'd actually get one. So I am filled with dread. I really enjoyed this series though, it had a very good deep plot that explored heavy topics and emotions, quite nontypical of the majority of gay romances we tend to see. The cast also delivered with great acting performances to appropriately portray the heavier themes of the script, which alone deserves an applause as many other series fail to do so. Cheers to the alternate universe in which we would have seen the proper continuation and complete end to this story.

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Just go for it

A good xianxia drama, the actors did a clean and pretty job, the story didn't feel rushed, boring, or forced.
🍧Thing I like from this drama:
1. Ost
They take ost seriously. Every ten minutes or when the characters feels an emotion you're going to hear a music. I liked it though because all the songs are fire. They highlights the moment and give a statement that settle the surrounding and let you know what's going on.
2. Make up, costume, and hairstyle
WHO IS THE STYLIST!? YOU DID A GREAT JOB. Everytime, everyone looks beautiful, gorgeous, breathtaking. It's perfect like they always give the best outfit and the make up on the actors suit them, it's actually really suit my style And spoil my eyes. Especially bai lu, I think this is her best look up until this drama aired. Like, look at that make up, costume and her hair??. Also fu ling make up when she is still controlled by that evil was iconic.
3. The cgi
It actually beautiful, looks smooth and good so it doesn't look cringe or weird, it actually looks cool
🪂About the plot:
1. Death
Death showing up almost in every arc. Whether it's to open or ending the arc, it also give bai shuo a chance and lesson to grow and realize what's the true meaning of all this and why she is the choosen one. The death gives quite an impact to me because they slowly build friendships or collaborations and there are many of them but after a while they start to leave one by one.
2. The relationship
The relationship of fl and ml (includes tian huo and change shan), I think they regain trust and become ally quickly because they've been into a lot together. (Them versus everyone)
However the romance between the main leads didn't really get me a big deal and yeah it's pretty good. I like the dynamic of the second lead better or the chemistry between FL and her master.
In their world, the demon forms a group and live just like human back in the early days or more like animal pack? Because there is tiger tribe, wood tribe etc. or some even form a kingdom or a sect, it actually quite nice to see these tribe.
And I don't understand why almost every villain in xianxia drama want to destroy the world, like, they say if the villain succes, the world would turn to chaos and become ruins, so why did they are still doing that villainess thing? What is the motivation behind this? What would they do after succesfuly doing that? They would be lonely aren't they? Because what is the meaning of ruling and having the world beyond your grasp if you can't grasp the reality that you're just some lonely mad people that didn't have true love and care. I think it goes the same with the elites lol, they really want the world to end so bad.

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Molto carino.

Allora, vi devo dire che la storia mi è piaciuta molto, anche perché alla fine dei conti lui non guarisce mai, ma ci sono dei momenti in cui riesce a rivederla e per il resto appunto continua ad avere questo problema con i volti. Ed è una cosa non scontata in quanto appunto spesso in queste serie o c'è un finale aperto o ci sono delle guarigioni miracolese, mentre devo dire che qua la situazione si è stabilizzata su una malattia che ahimé non può essere curata e dove quindi i personaggi prendono quello che gli viene dato. La coppia principale mi è piaciuta e devo dire che vista la mia incipiente crush (e a voi nota) crush per l'attore protagonista sono molto felice di aver visto anche questa serie. L'unica cosa che devo dire mi ha fatto un po' storcere il naso, ma molto poco è stata devo dire i protagonisti secondari. Veronica Park ogni tanto con il suo essere così tanto over the top mi rendeva alcune scene del suo personaggio un po' meh, mentre il protagonista secondario mi pareva un po' troppo meh nelle sue scene da solo. Solo che erano veramente ilari come coppia quando facevano scene assieme. Per il resto mi è piaciuto molto il personaggio del fratello cieco, anche se mi sarebbe piaciuto un vero momento dove loro parlano di cosa vuole dire non vedere, perché in fin dei conti, entrambi sono ciechi per qualcosa.
L'ultimo appunto: mi è piaciuta la parte della segretezza e del fatto dell'associazione per i diritti dei lavoratori, anche non sono d'accordo su parte delle loro azioni. E vedere che alla fine volevano difendere uno che aveva quasi ucciso un uomo per la causa, nonostante fosse una persona del tutto estranea agli eventi un po' mi ha irritato, mi ha reso quasi la loro causa meno giusta.

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Elegance between fire and sword.

This is a compelling period drama centered on palace politics, the pursuit of justice, revenge, and a shared destiny. It follows characters whose paths cross as they seek their own versions of justice and unravel layers of conspiracy within the palace. Initially, they fight alone—much like two solitary swords—but over time, they become each other’s greatest refuge and armor. Unlike the slower-paced, traditional period dramas, this story carries a dynamic tone, rich with political mind games, mystery, and intense emotional tension.

The series features a brilliant performance by Xu Kai, who portrays a character that appears cool-headed on the surface but harbors a deep, internal commitment to justice. Xu Kai excels in balancing his heavy responsibilities with his personal desires, all while bringing a fluid grace to his fight sequences and commanding the screen with his charisma and expressive gestures in period attire. Opposite him is Zhou Ye, who plays a strong, determined, and unyielding woman—a character who transcends the typical "romantic lead" archetype to actively shape the course of the story. Her chemistry with Xu Kai, along with the sense of partnership and trust they build, is remarkably convincing.

Furthermore, the production quality—from the cinematography and set design to the intricate craftsmanship of the costumes and accessories—effectively heightens the tension of the political intrigue. The sword-fighting sequences are choreographed with a rhythm that is both aesthetic and realistic.

In short, this is a high-quality production that once again proves Xu Kai’s mastery of the historical drama genre, further elevated by his powerful chemistry with Zhou Ye.

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This went beyond my expectations.

The wait for YinWar is over, I expected nothing less than Jack & Joker and truly, they delivered! I can't stop marvelling at their amazing acting, especially War. We all know War's talent is of a different league. This show proves it again. Comedy is one of the hardest genre to pull off in terms of acting to come across genuinely believable, natural and funny. They did that perfectly well. I am enjoying the series so much. Story pace, side characters, balance of funny and serious, there's not a single negative thing I can think about. Possibly my favorite bl series of 2026. Yes, I enjoy it more than even Payback so far. Saturdays could not come sooner.

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A refreshing yet meaningful deliverance ✨

What I am feeling is absolute perfection ❣️.
It's not I was fan of any of them... TBH I am Cdrama watcher and this is my 2nd kdrama after a very long so I wasn't aware of any of the leads but I definitely became fan after watching this one...
They delivered best of their acting... and it was such a refreshment throughout the drama..
Although both and everyone was top notch but still if there's MVP award..it will go to Park hyung sik... like after watching this I am literally watching each of his dramas...he can deliver those comedy moments without making you feel like you are watching someone's acting...he makes each and every emotions so genuine like ✨❣️..
Yeah Park shinye on the other hand made me swoon over her too... her role and act for that was also amazing...
Amazing chemistry ❤️... everything perfect

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