Reviews

The killer moustache!

I highly, highly recommend this series, its just a sweet dose of amazing chemistry with a good humour spiced with drama. Be prepared for the last 3-ish episodes which are fluff, slightly repetitive, high sugar fluff, but they give you something you rarely see with BL, time to sit with the characters after the tension is over and just feel the relationship. I'm genuinely sad this series is over as it was like a soothing balm and i will be watching again as a new comfort show.

Biggest downer, the moustache, good lord, the moustache, its hideous. Seriously when it was gone i felt so relieved, but then it made a reappearance and i was terrified it would be back to stay, but fear not, it was but a brief short lived return.

I actually might go and just rewatch episode 1 again now actually.

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The type of asshole who should be shot in head.

Fifth young master asshole. Played completely well.

"When a women turns you down, a man should try even harder. That's what courting is about. "

-a**** philosophy

Things women have to go through because of a****

The more i see the more repealing.......the love ..... gets 10/10
Why?

People with this fetish (eg: toxic, good for nothing, Womaniser, power abusing, young master)




For them this drama provides a package deal. And the girl is good looking tooo plus she is pure, kind, flower
Who repeals him finally gives up... More like Brain washed.

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rule number 1: never believe the haters (imo)

"it wasn't until much later that i realised he was the only answer to all the questions of my youth."

i don't care for whatever ANYONE says about this series, this was absolute cinema.
admittedly, i was nervous about watching it since i didn't want it to be a waste of time and i had seen only negatives about this series but HOLY SHIT!! FUCK ALL THE HATERS (in the most polite way, everyone is valid to their own opinion 🫶🏻)
as i said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion but i do NOT PLAY about lu yei and chen ke, my babies 🤏🏻

"today, yu lei seemed really happy. when i asked him why, he wouldn't say. but seeing him happy makes me feel good too."

i don't think you understand how much they mean to me. i freaking adore them. i got confused at the time jumps since they did not make it obvious at all about what period of time they were in and how much time passed. however, they clearly had harbored their feelings for years and I AM A SUCKER FOR THAT TROPE!! having a secret gay crush that you don't even realise you have is so cool (as a series concept). THEY DESERVE SUNSHINE ☀️!! i believe chen ke clearly figured out his feelings before yu lei - he had to get like 3 people tell him to his face for goodness sake!

"lu yei, you're in love with chen ke."

case in point!! i treasure the concept of feelings developing and growing over years but not realising.

i've seen quite a few people being bugged by the fact that this series is meant to be set in the early 2000s and that it doesn't come across that way. i understand that and i get it - however, i was totally unbothered. the nokia and flip phones + chen ke's walkman were enough to convince me 💖. i honestly can't find a single thing that bugged me about this - except the second couple being ROBBED of screen time.
like who thought to just give them the sexual scenes and that would suffice. LIKE HELLO?!?! but i freaking adored li ming's OBVIOUS jealous the whole time. their nicknames were uhm questionable but lowkey cute in the end - gorilla and poodle 🥹.

i got SERIOUS flashbacks to stay with me at the beginning of ep 8 because HOLY SHIT, WHO JUST FUCKING STABS SOMEBODY OUT OF NOWHERE?! and if i remember right, chen ke didn't even exclude he jin from anything and DEFINITELY didn't bully him. if anything, he jin set him up the whole time - little bitch 🤗

"i think we're like binary stars. orbiting each other, bound together. pulled by gravity, we can never be apart."

actual soulmates. no one can convince me otherwise. LIKE JUST LOOK AT THEM!! and the fact that they played together when they were kids too - FATED! DESTINY! WRITTEN IN THE STARS! in love with everything about them. their miscommunication pissed me RIGHT OFF THOUGH. like excuse me, how are you just going to argue right in front of my salad? their angst is NOT for the weak

"i should've called out to him."

HELL YEAH YOU SHOULD'VE!! not chen ke tryna push yu lei away the WHOLE TIME. lu yei genuinely should've gotten drunk and kissed chen ke sooner - could've avoided ALL OF THIS. but you bet i cried like a baby.
ESPECIALLY in the limbo sort of scene when chen ke was back being a child and talking to his grandmother whilst getting the surgery. because it was the situation of if he stayed with his grandmother, he would've died; if he went outside to play with the children, he would live. even his own grandmummy was telling chen ke to be with his man.
"maybe the feelings and bond between you and him go beyond what it means to be just good friends."
this girl KNEW! enemies/rivals to lovers will never not be a favourite trope of mine. top 5 best experiences.
the gift idea from lu yei's cousin was honestly a stroke of genius. i love her so much. it shows how mature she is by letting chen ke go because she realised the bond of him and lu yei, even if they didn't themselves. I LOVE HER!!

"but for a long time now, i've wanted to be more than just brothers."

oh honey, we've BEEN KNOWING! glad you finally found it in you! so proud 🫶🏻

feel what you feel really did make me feel what i feel. i fucking felt it ALL! i fear i just found gold that everyone mistook for just a yellow rock 💛

"life is like a book, and we've only written the first few pages. and as for love, we've just finished
chapter one. but i believe that as long as we're together, our journey will take us far. very far" — ᨳଓ .

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Learning to Be Better Before Loving Again

MuTeLuv is a 28-episode anthology, with different stories blending romance, comedy, mysticism, magic, and superstition. Love Lock covers episodes 21–24 of the original series, and while I may not be interested in every story in the anthology, this one caught my attention.

The story follows Phayu, whose girlfriend, May, initiates their breakup. He initially seems fine with it, but things take a strange turn when he starts hallucinating his ex and travels to Japan to find an Ema plaque that he believes is connected to the problem. Along the way, he meets Satsuki, and his journey becomes less about breaking a supposed curse and more about confronting his past and understanding what went wrong in his previous relationship.

What I appreciated most was Phayu's personal growth. He is definitely not a green-flag boyfriend at the beginning, and I didn't find him particularly likable. However, watching him gradually recognize his mistakes, acknowledge how he hurt May, and genuinely apologize made his journey worthwhile. The story understands that loving someone isn't enough if you repeatedly fail to keep your promises or consider their feelings. I also liked that he takes time to reflect and work on himself rather than immediately jumping into a new relationship.

Satsuki was another highlight for me. Her character felt refreshing, especially because her performance didn't rely on the exaggerated, manga-style reactions we sometimes see in Japanese characters portrayed in dramas. The cultural and language differences between her and Phayu also created some genuinely funny moments. The scene involving the Thai lead, a Chinese couple, and a Japanese police officer trying to resolve the situation was particularly hilarious! The cinematography was beautiful, too, offering a lovely view of Japan through a Thai drama's lens. The music and OST complemented the comedic moments nicely.

The romance itself wasn't necessarily what kept me invested. I could have enjoyed Phayu's journey even without a new love interest because the heart of the story is his realization that a breakup can be an opportunity for reflection and growth. Still, the four-episode format worked well. The story was short, easy to watch, and didn't overstay its welcome.

Overall, MuTeLuv: Love Lock was a cute, lighthearted watch with a meaningful message about accountability, second chances, and becoming a better person. Phayu isn't someone I'd call a dream boyfriend, but I appreciated that he learned from his mistakes instead of expecting forgiveness without changing. This story may not be for everyone, especially those who struggle with the idea of giving an ex a second chance, but if you enjoy quirky romantic comedies with a little magic and personal growth, it might be worth checking out.

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Quiet, unhurried movie. It seems to have two halves, two sides of the same story. In the first - good now, bad later; in the second - vice versa: bad now, good later. The locations are the same, the places are the same, but the conversations and words seem to be put on a different frequency.

The first half is the complete opposite of the second. Communication there is not soulful, not honest, not sincere. And that's what makes that heaviness at the end. And in the second half, everything changes: dialogues become deeper, more honest, sincere - and this makes her feel especially soulful.

The key point is the scene at the lecture, when the director says that words do not matter. At that moment, he finally seems to understand: what matters is not how beautifully you speak, but how real you are. It seems to me that this is the main message of the film: true intimacy is born not from the right phrases, but from sincerity - even if it causes pain.

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The Emptiness of Manufactured Excitement

Here we go again: another invincible heroine, conveniently unintelligent supporting characters, superficial political intrigue and an endless succession of manufactured dramatic twists. Instant emotional gratification takes precedence over believable character development, psychological depth and coherent storytelling.
Once again, we encounter an extraordinary “superwoman” who emerges from poverty only to transform, almost miraculously, into a graceful, sophisticated noblewoman, possessing impeccable manners, exceptional intelligence and an apparently limitless ability to outsmart everyone around her. Her extraordinary abilities require little explanation or convincing development. They simply exist because the plot demands them.
Naturally, fate is relentlessly on her side. Every coincidence favours her, the right people appear at precisely the right moments, and even the most dangerous situations conveniently unfold to her advantage. The narrative is so wildly implausible that it might as well be classified as fantasy, and a rather shallow one at that.
And, of course, we are treated to yet another masterclass in manipulating men, whether for good, evil or personal advantage. But beyond these calculated confrontations and displays of supposed brilliance, what exactly is this drama trying to communicate?
Unfortunately, this seems increasingly symptomatic of a broader problem affecting many recent mainland Chinese dramas. The formula has become painfully familiar: protagonists whose intelligence is established not through credible actions, difficult decisions or genuine growth, but through the convenient incompetence of everyone around them. Political intrigue becomes childish scheming, while psychological complexity and meaningful character development give way to exaggerated confrontations and effortlessly engineered victories.
Rather than exploring human relationships, moral dilemmas, social realities and the complexities of human nature, these dramas increasingly rely on sensational twists, romantic manipulation and superficial displays of power. Emotional stimulation replaces emotional depth, manufactured excitement takes precedence over meaningful storytelling, and spectacle becomes a substitute for genuine artistic expression.
Surely, Chinese literature, history and culture offer an extraordinary wealth of remarkable stories worthy of adaptation. Why, then, do we so frequently encounter variations of the same predictable formula?
What troubles me most is this apparent decline in creative ambition, originality and intellectual substance within a genre capable of offering so much more. A compelling drama should leave something behind: an emotion that lingers, a question worth contemplating or a deeper understanding of human nature.
A drama does not need to be realistic to be meaningful. Even fantasy requires emotional truth, internal logic and characters whose intelligence, struggles and achievements feel genuinely earned.
Not boring, perhaps. Just another exercise in empty spectacle, entertaining enough to watch, but offering remarkably little to think about once the screen goes dark.

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Cold CEO type does not just soften or melt for main girl he implodes

Rating: 7.5/10

Recharge My Heart has a unique and interesting premise, charismatic leads, and good acting. I was entertained through most of it, and I don't regret watching it. Unfortunately, the writing kept getting in the way of my enjoyment.

The drama feels very formulaic, almost as if the writers understand the concept of the Korean romance formula but not quite the delivery. With well over 400 Asian romance dramas watched, I've seen plenty of familiar tropes, but the plot holes and inconsistent character development here were hard to ignore.

Spoilers

My biggest issue was Baek Ho-rang. He starts off strong, charismatic, and capable of standing up to anyone. Then he falls for Na Bo-bae, and suddenly he seems to lose his backbone around practically everyone, from his grandmother, Gong Man-seol, to his fake fiancée, Han Seol-hee, and even his assistant. He doesn't just soften for love; he practically implodes.

His "I can't live without you" behavior is exhausting, especially when Bo-bae decides to leave without having a proper conversation with him. A healthy relationship means communicating and working through problems together. You can be better together without being completely incapable of functioning apart.

Ho-rang eventually abandons his dream of running the resort, becomes dependent on Bo-bae for confidence, and cries over her career success. Why can't he support his woman while maintaining his own ambitions? His jealous scenes are embarrassing, too. He acts like a petty child when he should be behaving like a professional.

Bo-bae's career also becomes a major focus, but her success doesn't feel entirely earned, especially when Ho-rang's power and influence seem to play a role. Meanwhile, the business storyline relies on convenient resolutions, and Man-seol's sudden acceptance of Bo-bae feels unconvincing given her supposedly profit-driven nature.

The way the drama handles serious crimes is disturbing. Seol-hee admits to trying to have Bo-bae's brother run down, spreads slander, and releases photographs, yet faces little meaningful accountability. Choi Do-yoon spikes Ho-rang's drink, putting his life at risk, but that incident also seems to go nowhere.

The heart condition is another source of frustration. For someone with such serious heart problems and major surgery, Ho-rang recovers remarkably quickly whenever the plot needs him to. And remember when he suggested testing how Bo-bae could charge him? I expected some awkward, potentially romantic experimentation, but that opportunity was largely wasted.

I also developed serious second-lead syndrome with Ji Eun-ho. He stands up for Bo-bae during a major scandal, even at the risk of his career, and accepts her rejection without abandoning his own life. He shows more backbone and emotional balance than the main male lead does by the end.

Overall, I liked the premise and the acting, but the writing undermined the story too often. I'm not sorry I watched it, but I wouldn't watch it again and would probably change the channel if it came on. I'd recommend it with reservations, especially if you can suspend your disbelief and don't mind a male lead who loses himself in the relationship.

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A MUST WATCH ... JUST GO IN BLIND AND ENJOY

its such a easy breezy watch ... watched it over weekend in a single day all 10 episodes ... i did go in blind didn't know any of the cast or story and thought it will be like bank heist or something as haven't' watch the trailer either and after 1 st episode i thought someone will try to steal the money and all but to my surprise it become a wholesome show how in this modern society we feel alone at home in big cities and how our work colleagues became our family and if you do what you love and have security you will be happy in life. just loved it ... music, cast, cameos, story, business talks, cooperate espionage etc etc ... had a blast thank you for making my sunday btw PRIME should fix the subtitles as they lag behind a lot.

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Kind of sitcom-like for half of it

First half of series is… just meh. Shrug. The focus wasn’t on the mains, it was more kooky sitcom-like involving lots of local villagers, scheming military stuff, slice of life differences, etc. I liked a handful of the side characters (esp the ML’s comrades in arms), but I wanted way more focus on the ML/FL and their budding romance, not spinning wheels on loads of side characters. Except the soldiers. Loved them.

Picked up midway through the episodes, and I liked it again with the change of venue and emotions, and a bit (barely) more focus on the main characters.

It’s watchable and respectful of North Korea people in that yeah, it’s obviously more rural and undeveloped, but just like anywhere, it’s mostly filled with good, decent, people who still manage to find ways around things (from body wash to posh rice cookers to electricity).

I felt that the fish out of water vibe was more waaaaay more fun to watch when we were in the South (2nd half of show) vs the 1st part in the North.

It’s not something that I loved or will remember well, but it’s kinda/sorta fun escapism. And the soundtrack, with its classical and piano touches, is amazing. Definitely memorable.

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Bringing Back the Golden Days of K-Dramas

I FINALLY UNDERSTAND THE HYPE!

I’ve been putting off watching Lovely Runner for almost two years because I genuinely thought it was going to be another overhyped drama. Well, I was SO wrong. Not only does it deserve every bit of the hype, but it also reminded me of everything I used to love about K-dramas.

First of all, this drama gave me such nostalgic K-drama vibes! It reminded me of shows like Extraordinary You and The King: Eternal Monarch, where romance is intertwined with fantasy, time travel, and a storyline that goes beyond your typical rom-com. THIS is the kind of K-drama I’ve been missing! I’ve been away from K-dramas for quite some time because I feel like they’ve lost a bit of that magic. That feeling of being completely transported into another world. And Lovely Runner brought it all back for me.

The story hooks you from the very first episode, and despite its rather heartbreaking premise, it somehow manages to balance sadness, romance, and comedy perfectly. Even during the emotional episodes, there were moments that had me laughing out loud. I loved that it never lost its goofy, sarcastic charm. Sure, there were a few episodes that felt a little like fillers, but I honestly didn’t mind because I was enjoying myself THAT much.

Now, BYEON WOO-SEOK. OH MY GOD.

This was my first time watching him, and I genuinely did not expect him to be THIS good. He completely blew me away! His acting felt so effortless and natural, and he brought so much personality to Sun-jae. I initially expected the typical cold, serious male lead, but NO. This man was the complete opposite, and I think that’s one of the biggest reasons the drama worked so well.

He was shameless, goofy, quirky, sometimes an absolute loser in love, and just ridiculously adorable. I loved how comfortable and natural his character felt. He wasn’t trying to be this mysterious, untouchable male lead. He was just a guy hopelessly in love, and I ADORED him for it. And can we talk about how handsome he is?! The styling, the height, the charisma, EVERYTHING. He was literally a giant baby and the biggest green flag.

And that’s what makes their love story so beautiful. He fell in love with her in every single timeline, even when he had no memory of her. And she continued loving him through every version of their lives.

I absolutely loved Im Sol as a female lead. Her persistence, her dedication, and the lengths she went to save Sun-jae were genuinely touching. It was so refreshing to watch a female lead fighting over and over again to save the man she loves rather than having the male lead constantly be the one doing all the saving.

What made their relationship even more meaningful was their backstory. She wasn’t simply a fangirl trying to save her favorite idol. They had a history together, one she had forgotten, but one that had always existed between them. He saved her once, and then he saved her again with his words. Those simple words of kindness eventually became the reason she traveled through time to save him. There’s something so incredibly beautiful about that.

And I loved how she initially believed she couldn’t change anyone’s fate, only to realize that, in the end, she had changed everyone’s fate.

This drama is truly about fate. Two people destined to find each other, no matter how many times the timeline changes or how many memories disappear. Honestly, they could’ve called it Fate instead of Lovely Runner, but considering Sun-jae spent practically every timeline running toward her, I guess the title works perfectly too!

AND THE CHEMISTRY?!

INSANE. Absolutely insane.

The tension, the playful banter, the awkward moments, the longing, the way they kept falling in love over and over again. Everything about their chemistry was PERFECT. It’s the kind of romance that makes your stomach flutter and your feet tingle. I was smiling like an idiot throughout the entire drama. Their chemistry was so effortless, and I genuinely believed in their love.

Even the supporting characters were wonderful! I loved the second male lead, his dynamic with Sol, and the friendships and relationships surrounding the main couple. Everyone added something to the story without making it feel unnecessarily crowded.

Another thing I really appreciated was how well the time-travel element was handled. I was honestly expecting the writers to mess things up toward the end, especially when Sun-jae lost his memories. I remember thinking, “Oh no, they’ve ruined it!” But surprisingly, I ended up LOVING that decision.

Throughout the drama, I always felt a little sad that Sol was the only one carrying the memories of their love across different timelines. She remembered everything while he kept forgetting. So having him eventually remember all those lifetimes made the ending so much more satisfying. For once, they both got to carry the memories of their love, and he finally got the happy life he deserved.

I also loved how the villain was handled. He wasn’t given some unnecessarily elaborate backstory or an entire arc that distracted from the main plot. He was almost like a representation of fate itself, an obstacle that Sol had to overcome to save Sun-jae. The writers understood that the story wasn’t really about him, and I appreciated that they didn’t waste time trying to make him more important than he needed to be.

And THE FINAL EPISODE.

Genuinely one of the best final episodes I’ve watched in a K-drama. No unnecessary misunderstandings, no last-minute drama, no ridiculous plot twists just for the sake of creating tension. Just happiness, love, and the kind of closure these characters deserved after everything they’d been through. I cannot explain how satisfying it was to watch an ending that simply allowed its characters to be happy.

The OSTs deserve their own appreciation because OH MY GOD. Every time one of those songs started playing, I felt like crying. The music elevated every emotional moment, and I don’t think the drama would’ve had quite the same impact without it. The cinematography was equally beautiful, and the entire production had this magical, nostalgic atmosphere that made everything feel even more special.

All in all, Lovely Runner was such a refreshing experience. The writing was engaging, the pacing made it incredibly bingeable, the comedy was genuinely funny, and the romance was absolutely unforgettable. It had its emotional moments without becoming unnecessarily depressing, and it knew exactly when to make you laugh, cry, or fall in love with the characters all over again.

I genuinely don’t understand some of the negative reviews because I had SUCH a good time watching this. It brought back that old K-drama magic I’ve been missing for years, and I couldn’t be happier that I finally gave it a chance.

A beautiful story about fate, kindness, second chances, and a love that finds its way back no matter how many times the universe tries to rewrite it.

I LOVED IT. Every single bit of it.

10/10. Worth the hype, worth the wait, and absolutely worth watching.

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Adult japanese world is about work, work, work

Spoilers

After reading the comments, I was very sceptical about whether I’d finish watching the series. I finished it today. Like many others, I preferred the first series, but the second series wasn’t really such a fiasco either.

‘The adult world’, which isn’t entirely characteristic of the BL (Boy’s Love) genre. Throughout the entire second series, I didn’t get the impression that the main couple had any doubts about their love. About the fact that they love each other, or that the other might not love them (the be-all and end-all of the BL world).

Yes, ‘ex’ partners do turn up (perhaps in excessive numbers), but I didn’t feel any of them posed a real threat to the relationship. Yes, Miyato is keeping an eye on everything, but I never felt that Takashi was re-evaluating his relationship with Miyato.

The adult world – societal pressures, work; the expectations of others, but also one’s own expectations of oneself. Not having a ‘close’ friend is normal for someone who’s been working from dawn till dusk for the last ten years or so. Having a job, colleagues one can go for a beer with, and a loving partner is, in fact, a fair bit of luck.

Takashi is doing his best to give Miyata ‘proof’ that he’s counting on him for the rest of his life. And yes, I’m tempted to give him a slap on the wrist and say – how about buying a new watch (rather than a flat)? But that’s Takashi sensei for you – a new watch isn’t proof of a lifelong commitment, whereas a flat is.

And Miyata? He’s been under a lot of pressure from the start (being compared to his ex, the threat of losing his job). Nothing he tries to achieve works out. That would get to anyone. I reckon Takashi doesn’t think he’s perfect, but in Miyata’s eyes – and in the eyes of society – he comes close to perfection. And that doesn’t do the relationship any favours either.

What frustrates me quite a bit is Takashi’s helplessness (yes, I’m on his side). He doesn’t deal with his exes because they aren’t important to him (nor any ‘gifts’ they might have left behind). Or rather, he only deals with them to the extent that Miyata does. It’s very difficult to cope with a situation where you love someone unconditionally, and that person sees you as Mr Perfect, while they themselves see themselves as someone who doesn’t deserve such a perfect relationship. It’s hard to convince someone like that to stay.

Ending was rushing and too "perfect", If I may say. And to tell the truth, I didn’t understand why it was important that Takashi had seen Miyaki while studying at university. ... Sorry, Miyato, your arguments were a bit confusing

PS: Shiraishi didn’t disappoint again (though he could have had more scenes) :-)

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NOT lifelike, except for a few moments

The concept is outdated by twenty years or something like that. Back then filming a documentary for a pop band would make sense but since then most bands are forced to do endless streams and promotions on social media, so all of the footage of them being silly on camera is already there, there is nothing new to film.

The story line is not believable at all because the band, its name, the songs, the whole things belongs to the studio. It is impossible to go against top management. You can not rebuild the band because it is not your property.

COME ON, just how bad William character is?

He dares to say he, as a person who is leaving hurt like those whom he is leaving behind. But it is flaring false equivalence because he is living for the riches and fame of solo career while those who are being left get their careers and future busted.

That said, a band leader is not a hostage of the rest of the band members, he does not owe them anything other than what they already got while becoming a successful band.

Though there is an important qualifier. Just how much the leader is free to act, how deserving it is, depends on his talents. Most importantly, if he is a composer himself or not.

The most famous example is Michael Jackson. After twenty years in a band he has finally went to fully solo after 1984. Of course, his brothers were not glad about this, but by that time everybody was already a millionaire.

This is different from this Thai series situation because even locally successful band members are not earning crazy millions, so the end of the band most often means a major setback.

MORE details are in a spoilers tagged comment below.

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