Reviews

After My Second Watch, I Finally Understand the Ending

Twenty-Five Twenty-One: After My Second Watch, I Finally Understand the Ending — A Happy Ending for Her, a Lifetime of Regret for Him
The first time I watched Twenty-Five Twenty-One in 2022, the ending broke my heart. It stayed with me for weeks, and after that, I avoided watching dramas with sad endings because I didn't want to experience that kind of heartbreak again.
Recently, I watched Four Hands, Two Sonatas, and its happy ending reminded me how satisfying it can be when a love story gives its characters the happiness they deserve. That encouraged me to rewatch Twenty-Five Twenty-One. I wanted to experience the story again, and perhaps understand the ending differently this time.
After my second watch, I realized something: I still love this drama, but my feelings about Baek Yi-jin have changed. I no longer see the ending in quite the same way. This time, I felt that Na Hee-do deserved better.
Baek Yi-jin: A Good Person, but the Right Man for Na Hee-do?
Baek Yi-jin is not a bad person. He is hardworking, responsible, and someone who has endured enormous difficulties. I understand the pressure he faced because of his family's financial problems and his career. I understand that he wanted to succeed and rebuild his life.
But understanding his struggles doesn't mean I have to agree with his decisions.
Na Hee-do loved him sincerely. She supported him, believed in him, and shared some of the most important moments of her youth with him. Their relationship wasn't just a romance; it was built on friendship, encouragement, laughter, and growing up together.
That's what makes their ending so painful. They had something beautiful, yet he couldn't protect it.
The New York Decision Changed Everything for Me
The second time I watched the drama, Baek Yi-jin's decision to go to New York affected me differently. I understand why he went. His career mattered, and he was dealing with difficult circumstances. However, I couldn't stop asking myself why he and Na Hee-do couldn't have faced that decision together.
Why couldn't he have talked to her about it? Why couldn't he have tried to make their long-distance relationship work?
A long-distance relationship would have been difficult, especially given everything happening in their lives. But difficult doesn't automatically mean impossible. They could have discussed their fears, made a plan, and decided together whether they were willing to try.
What hurt me most was feeling that Na Hee-do was left to accept a decision that changed their future without being given the chance to fight for their relationship in the way I wanted to see.
I know Baek Yi-jin had his own pain, but Na Hee-do had feelings, dreams, and fears too. She deserved to be part of that conversation. Love shouldn't mean that one person quietly decides what is best for both people.
Na Hee-do Deserved to Be Chosen, Too
Na Hee-do was young, passionate, and determined. She worked hard for her dreams, and she loved Baek Yi-jin with her whole heart. She wasn't asking him to abandon his ambitions or forget his responsibilities. I wanted to see him make an effort to find a way for their love and their individual dreams to coexist.
What hurts is that their relationship seemed to become another sacrifice she had to accept.
I wanted Baek Yi-jin to fight for her, to tell her honestly what he was going through, and to give their relationship a real chance before letting it go. I wanted them to make that decision together.
Na Hee-do deserved someone who chose her—not someone who loved her but ultimately allowed circumstances and career decisions to separate them without trying hard enough, in my eyes, to preserve what they had.
And What About Baek Yi-jin?
This is where my imagined ending differs from the drama's ending.
I wish the series had shown us Baek Yi-jin in his forties: successful in his career, perhaps having achieved everything he once worked toward, but still single and carrying the regret of losing Na Hee-do.
I want him to remember her for the rest of his life. I want him to remember their conversations, their promises, their happiness, and especially the New Year promise that meant so much to them. I want him to look back and understand that success cannot replace every person we lose along the way.
In my imagined ending, he never marries someone else. He spends his life regretting that he didn't fight harder for the woman he loved. He realizes that he could have tried to make things work, that he could have communicated better, and that he made a choice he can never undo.
Some might say this is a harsh ending for him, but that is the ending I wish the story had given him. I wanted him to understand the weight of losing Na Hee-do—not just as a memory from his youth, but as the person he will always wish he had chosen differently.
My Happy Ending for Na Hee-do
Na Hee-do, on the other hand, deserves happiness.
I imagine her moving forward, healing from the heartbreak, and eventually meeting someone who chooses her wholeheartedly. Someone who communicates with her, stands beside her through difficult times, and doesn't make her wonder whether their relationship is worth fighting for.
I imagine her getting married and raising her daughter in a loving home. Her life continues, and she discovers that the end of her first great love isn't the end of her chance to be happy.
That is the ending I wanted for her: not a life spent waiting for Baek Yi-jin, but a future filled with love, peace, and the kind of commitment she deserved.
And perhaps, one day, Baek Yi-jin sees that she has built a beautiful life without him. He sees that she is loved, that she has a family, and that she has found the happiness he failed to give her. He can be proud of her achievements, but he must also live with the knowledge that he lost his chance to be part of that life.
In my version, Na Hee-do gets her happy ending, while Baek Yi-jin carries his regret for the rest of his life.
Final Thoughts
Even after my second watch, Twenty-Five Twenty-One remains a memorable drama. Its characters, friendships, youthful dreams, and emotional storytelling make it special. I understand why the ending was written the way it was, and I know that life doesn't always give us the love story we want.
But understanding an ending doesn't mean I have to like it.
My second watch changed how I see Baek Yi-jin. I can sympathize with his struggles while still believing that Na Hee-do deserved more effort, more communication, and a partner who would fight for their relationship alongside her.
I still wish the drama had shown us an older Baek Yi-jin, alone and successful but forever regretting losing Na Hee-do, while she had moved on and found the happiness she deserved.
Maybe that isn't the ending the writers intended, but it is the ending that would have given me a different kind of closure.
For me, Twenty-Five Twenty-One will always be a beautiful, heartbreaking story about first love, growing up, and the people we lose along the way. But after watching it again, I know exactly what ending I wanted: a happy life for Na Hee-do, and a lifetime of regret for Baek Yi-jin.

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Not Sure This One Is for Me…

I'm only 8 episodes in, so I'm fully aware that there's a lot of story left to unfold, and I might be jumping the gun here. I also genuinely love Cheng Lei and have enjoyed several of Xu Ruo Han's dramas, which makes this a little painful to write. But I'm honestly not sure I have the patience or endurance for 40 episodes of this dynamic.

I have nothing against dark romance, morally grey characters, or complicated relationships. What matters to me is how the story handles them. There's a difference between a man who's feared by the world but becomes a safe haven for the FL, and a man who's a threat to the FL herself.

What I'm struggling with is the ML's the persistent harassment, deliberate provocations, disregard for the FL's clearly expressed boundaries, and the fact that he knows she wants nothing to do with him and is already involved with someone else. And we're not even talking about verbal sparring here; he's physically crossed a line, too. Her refusal to be dominated seems to be treated as an obstacle for him to overcome rather than a boundary worth respecting. Whether they're romantically involved or not is beside the point. His behaviour doesn't become toxic only once a relationship begins, and I don't need to wait for the two of them to become a couple to question how this dynamic is being portrayed.

And perhaps this is what bothers me most: it's not simply his behaviour in the present, but the possibility of where the story is heading. I can already picture the eventual redemption arc, the gradual unveiling of his softer side, and the shift from hostility to romance. Maybe the writers will handle it in a way that genuinely works for me, but I'm struggling with the thought that all of his current behaviour might eventually become part of a romantic backstory, something we're expected to look past because he changes, falls in love, or becomes a better man for the FL.

I also understand that dark romance is ''fantasy'', that people enjoy different tropes for different reasons, and that enjoying a fictional character or relationship doesn't mean endorsing the same behaviour in real life. This isn't about judging anyone else's taste. It's simply that, when I think about how often women are ignored, harassed, and assaulted in the real world, watching a woman's repeated NO being treated as inconsequential is difficult for me to romanticize.

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Cashero — A Comedy of Other People's Entitlement

As the Author, I found Cashero to be a frustrating viewing experience whose central premise possessed a certain degree of comedic potential but ultimately failed to entertain me sufficiently to justify its more irritating elements. The idea of a protagonist whose superhuman abilities consume his money is admittedly amusing in concept, and the absurdity of having one's financial stability directly tied to one's capacity for heroism offers some opportunities for humor. Nevertheless, while I found the premise somewhat funny, it rarely elicited genuine laughter from me. An amusing concept, after all, is not synonymous with effective comedy.

What proved considerably more aggravating was the protagonist's apparent inability to exercise meaningful autonomy over his own affairs. Rather than allowing me to become invested in his predicament, the first episode repeatedly provoked my irritation whenever other people seemed to presume that they could make decisions on his behalf. His long-term girlfriend selling his belongings was particularly exasperating. Whatever her intentions might have been, the situation struck me as an unwelcome intrusion into his personal agency, turning what could have been an amusing superhero predicament into an exercise in secondhand frustration.

Equally unpleasant was the attitude displayed by the older woman and his officemates, whose apparent contempt for the protagonist when he failed to help them was difficult for me to stomach. Their reactions gave me the impression that his willingness to assist others was being treated as an obligation rather than a voluntary act. Apparently, his failure to accommodate their expectations was sufficient reason for them to look down on him. I found this attitude profoundly irritating. A person's capacity to help does not automatically establish a debt owed to everyone who might benefit from that assistance, nor does declining to help make someone deserving of contempt.

This is where Cashero lost me. Its premise could have provided an entertaining exploration of the absurd costs of heroism, particularly when doing good deeds comes at a literal financial expense. Instead, my experience of the opening episode was increasingly dominated by frustration with the protagonist's interpersonal circumstances. Rather than being amused by his predicament or eager to discover how he might navigate it, I found myself resentful of the people surrounding him and their apparent disregard for his right to make his own decisions.

Ultimately, I stopped watching after the first episode and deleted my copies of the drama. Although I can appreciate the basic absurdity of a superhero whose powers come at a monetary cost, that novelty alone was insufficient to overcome my dissatisfaction with the humor and character dynamics. Cashero may appeal to viewers who find its particular brand of comedy entertaining, but for me, its more irritating interpersonal conflicts overshadowed whatever amusement its premise could provide. I had little desire to continue watching a series that had already made the experience feel more aggravating than enjoyable.

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Alen Fang !!!!

Good Chemistry with any co-star, but why he has to die in every drama. I just completed Shadow Punisher where he gave all to save main lead but director gave open ending for him where is he in vegeative state. I hope in future he can have strong story and live long in drama.

Now continuing to review....

One of the strongest aspects of the drama is its central character, Zhan Zhao, whose bravery, intelligence, and strong sense of justice make him an interesting protagonist. His determination to uncover the truth and stand against wrongdoing adds depth to the story. The character’s actions keep the plot engaging, while the conflicts and mysteries create curiosity about what will happen next.
However, the drama is not without its weaknesses. Some parts of the storyline may feel predictable, and certain scenes could have benefited from tighter pacing. A few character developments and plot points might also have been explored in greater detail to create a stronger emotional impact. Nevertheless, these minor shortcomings do not significantly reduce the overall enjoyment of the series.
Overall, Zhan Zhao Adventures is a worthwhile watch for fans of Chinese costume dramas, historical adventures, and stories centered on justice and heroism. Although it may not be perfect in every aspect, it delivers enough suspense, action, and engaging storytelling to keep viewers interested. The protagonist’s determination and the drama’s adventurous spirit are its most appealing features.

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It is refreshing to see a child actor now an idol, acting again. Keep it up, Junhui! 🤍

Watching Exclusive Fairytale feels extra special knowing that Junhui has been in the entertainment industry since he was young. Seeing him return to acting while already having established himself as an idol makes this drama even more enjoyable to watch. There is something really satisfying about seeing how much he has grown, not only as an actor but also as a performer.

Junhui’s portrayal of Ling Chao is one of the things I enjoyed most about the drama. He has this natural charm that works really well for the character. Ling Chao can be caring and protective, but he can also be playful, teasing, and occasionally frustrating in the way only a childhood friend can be. Junhui managed to bring out those different sides without making the character feel overly dramatic.

I also enjoyed the chemistry between Ling Chao and Xiao Tu. Their relationship feels comfortable and familiar, which makes sense considering how long they have known each other. The playful bickering, small acts of care, and moments of jealousy make their relationship fun to follow. It has that lighthearted childhood-friends-to-lovers feeling that makes the drama easy to binge.

What I particularly appreciate about Exclusive Fairytale is that it does not take itself too seriously. It is sweet, funny, and comforting, with plenty of cute moments to balance the more emotional scenes. It may not be the most complicated or groundbreaking romance, but sometimes that is exactly what makes a drama enjoyable.

And of course, seeing Junhui act again is a treat in itself. From a child actor to an idol and now back on screen, it is wonderful to see him continue growing in another part of his career.

Looking forward to seeing more of Junhui as an actor. Keep it up, Junhui!

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In Defense of Luke

I haven't written a review in a while but I felt that for this drama, I just have to. I watched this only because the reviews were so split - some saying it's super toxic, some saying it's "true love" etc. Well, first of all, this was more of a business drama than a romance. I'm confused why they needed an intimacy coordinator for the few intimate scenes in this drama that barely even show anything? Anyway... what I really want to address is that I don't think the male lead is the (only) problem in the dysfunctional relationship mess of this drama.
Getting the obvious out of the way first: yes, it is a romance between a boss and subordinate with an age difference that's not explicit but probably around 7-10 years, so for both, the power dynamic is definitely not balanced. HOWEVER, I am shocked that so many people condemn the male lead. The female lead might be young and fresh out of college but she is an adult and while she might be a bit naive, she's not a clueless pushover and that is shown very clearly in the way she handles her interactions with the male lead from the very beginning.

Them being in this "tabu" relationship is on both of them, not just him. Maybe he should know better because he is older and because he is the boss but that's always the case and these relationships still happen. And in this case, yes, it's a bit unfair because this guy is not only brilliant at his job and very much needed by the company but he's apparently also loaded and doesn't even have to work if he doesn't want to. So no pressure on him in this regard and all pressure on her. Yet she still CHOOSES to start this affair with him.

Was he a bit pushy in the beginning and did he kind of initiate that first time? Yes. But only because he was sure that there was mutual attraction and he wanted her to admit it and give in. Is this partly because he's a guy who apparently gets his way all the time anyway? Probably. But that's not a crime. He made sure she is fully on board and did not pressure her or hold her job over her head. In fact, after they first slept together, it seemed like he was willing to try an ongoing thing (again, because for him, there was not a whole lot of risk) but she didn't want to and he did respect that but they kept being drawn to one another and again, he became a bit pushy to draw it out of her and she gave in to her desire without any blackmail or power play.
And she set the rules for their relationship/affair: No one can know and we only meet on Fridays.
The only times he abused his power as the boss, was a childish way of keeping her in his orbit. Is that wrong? Yes but again, he is never threatening her with "I won't promote you" or "you might get fired if you don't hang out with me" etc. He's trying very hard to get close to her while she keeps pushing him away. For her own very rational and important reasons, but still, she holds the actual power in the relationship with this.

Overall, she never had a disadvantage because he was her boss. On the contrary, while saying she did not want any special treatment, she kept being disappointed when she actually didn't receive any and the special treatment that she did receive (never "too special" or unfair to colleagues etc but he did definitely look out for her more than he would have for any regular employee) she never really acknowledged. He was doing his best to let her go her own way and make it on her own while quietly supporting her in the background as much as he reasonably could.

So what did he do that was "toxic"?
Well, because of his own insecurities of not being lovable etc, he did become very possessive and overreacted to seeing her with other men, for example. Then, instead of talking to her and making things clear, he goes on the offense and blames her and is harsh on her and says things he doesn't actually mean. Sound familiar to anyone? I think a lot of us have been there at least as a teenager. The thing is, over the course of the drama, he really does reflect on this and tries to change. He even realizes that he has become exactly like his dad who treats him that way and he hates it.
She asks him to be nicer and compliment her more and he's trying his best to do so. Some of the misunderstandings that made him overreact were caused by the female lead's poor communication or her sulking and silent / cold shoulder treatment of him.

She often doesn't treat him as a boyfriend and keeps things from him that later make him misunderstand something or just flat out hurt him and show him how little personal regard she has for him and their relationship. When they actually get to talking about it and she explains why she acted that way he accepts it and doesn't hold it over her forever as she tends to do when he overreacts and says some mean things.

The thing is, the viewer gets to witness very little of their actual relationship and interactions outside of the workplace. Yes, they are both workaholics and definitely see each other more at work than privately, but the lack of those private relationship scenes made it even harder to see them as a couple at all and understand their "love" for each other. It often seems like she's just horny and that's why she gives in, not because she actually has any deep feelings for the male lead. How easily they break up and the fact that he's always the one to initiate again kind of drives this point home.

Especially their last falling out could have been avoided if she had treated him like an actual boyfriend/ person close to her and told him about her friend dying. Then he would have known better what kind of emotional and mental state she's in. And he wouldn't have expected her to take it "professionally" and not mind how unfairly she missed out on her well deserved promotion. But again, she shut him out, he did his best to support her quietly in the background which she didn't know and then they ended up misunderstanding each other and BOTH saying deeply hurtful things they don't actually mean.

He's struggling with feeling unlovable and she constantly feels inferior because she holds on to the things he said to her in the very beginning before he even knew her and because when she's emotional she actually can't take his harsh but true criticism that she otherwise respects and keeps pointing out how it helps her grow etc.

What really bothers me is how, over and over again, he apologizes, he tries his best to change in a way that supports the relationship, he takes care of the actual relationship (for example by taking care of her dog that he didn't even like or want in the beginning) while all she does is take care of her career and her friends.
Not every fallout was all on him but yet, she barely ever acknowledges that and just lets him grovel. And that isn't toxic behavior?? She's also constantly upset that they don't have a "normal" relationship but it's not like that's his fault. It's just what happens when you date your boss. And it affects both of them, not just her. And then, when he actually resigns and isn't her boss anymore she asks him to come back because she likes working with him and feels like she can learn a lot from him etc. So it's on her that they keep having this boss-subordinate relationship that she apparently hates so much and ends up calling "shameful and filthy".

So, while she reaps pretty much nothing but benefits - personally and professionally - from this relationship, he's the one who has to do all the actual work to maintain it at all while she focuses on her career.
This especially upset me after their last fallout - as I mentioned, she withheld things from him that would have helped him understand her reaction better and then he would have comforted her instead of being all like "why are you reacting in such an unprofessional manner" etc. But no, she breaks up with him, disappears without a trace and then, those last two episodes he does nothing but grovel and basically beg to get her back.
And what does she do? She's still not sure and keeps pushing him away but not entirely. So he can't really give up but he's also not getting anywhere and she just keeps him in that limbo. I guess that's what happens when one person isn't sure but still, the ending was all him being like "oh I was such a jerk and I mistreated you so badly and I'm sorry for ALL THE THINGS" and he did actually change somewhat and was ready to truly commit by the end. But she was basically emotionally in the same place of "not sure I can actually be with him" and did not really reflect on her own part in their misunderstandings. She definitely could have treated him better as well but somehow that's not mentioned at all.

I absolutely hated how he is painted the villain because it was certainly not all "his fault" and he was actually the only one who truly reflected and really worked on himself to be better able to have a healthy relationship. He was also constantly gaslit by everyone around him about his personality and even his mother saying that it will be hard for anyone to stand him for longer. Yes, it's always better to be considered towards others and especially your loved ones and not just blurt out harsh things all the time but then again this is part of what makes him great at his job and he is extremely fair in his own way. When his ex had that meltdown at the restaurant he did take her to the hospital and informed her family but why should he wait for her and talk to her after that? It would just be giving her false hope and that would make things even worse. And the female lead constantly says how she actually appreciates how direct, strict and harsh he is because it helps her improve faster and she learns so much etc. Yes, maybe you shouldn't be all that blunt in a relationship but it's not fair to choose to be with someone who is that way and then constantly criticize them, blame them and tell them it's horrible to be with them when they are like that. Again, why is he apparently the only one that has to change some of their behavior to accommodate the relationship?
I have no idea what that whole thing with "I would have punished you by now" in the last episode was all about but I feel like at that point at least the male lead let it slip through that he was also not treated fairly all the time.

At that point, I also didn't really want them back together anymore because without actual work (and therapy) on both sides this relationship would realistically still be doomed. If anything, it should have ended with her also apologizing and realizing that she wasn't all that innocent in regards to their relationship problems. Maybe she could have found out how much he suffered and then chased after him for a change. Or just apologize for her part in everything and that at least would have been something. But those two final "grovel" episodes were juts awful. I felt so bad for him and really wished he could meet someone who's actually emotionally mature enough to work things out with him.

And despite all the groveling it was clear that he still held the upper hand when it comes to doing business (as he realistically should because he is way more experienced). It didn't seem like she was that much more self-confident in the end than for example midway through the drama. So this wasn't really a female business success story but also not a romance, at least not a healthy one. They ended up, yet again, involved professionally and privately and the viewer is supposed to believe that just because this guy does a grand apology and she started her own business, this time, everything will be great. Yep, sure it will!

It also felt like the writers didn't really know what kind of message they want to send. It seemed like this was a female centered business drama and all about how "Flora" makes her way in the business world with hard work and dedication etc. But then they have her end up with a struggling business and the male lead getting involved and "saving" her, yet again, quietly in the background by finding them potential business partners. So what's the message here? Woman can do well in business if they work hard and dedicate basically all their time but they can never truly succeed without a man backing them up? I also hated that.

So this was neither a good female centered and empowering business drama, nor a good romance. What really carried the drama was (mostly the male lead's) stellar acting and the fact that the male lead is very attractive.
I do not recommend this to anyone unless you want to feel frustrated and upset for 24 episodes and maybe even become a bit depressed - or I guess for the eye candy if you must.
But my main point remains, the male lead in this drama isn't the only one who is "toxic/ dysfunctional" and I just wanted to make that clear with this review.
I also want to add that I haven't read the novel and everything I'm saying here is about the drama.

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Disappointed Ending, good drama

With this drama i'm disappointed but in same time i enjoyed it. Before starting this drama, you have to know it's a drama with a big cliffhanger at the end, like it's just a season wich a didnt know when i started it!

I liked the first 20 episodes, pretty refreshing with a lot a humor, a ML who is not a cold guy and it's the FL who rule. The story and side characters are well written, everything is smooth. The second part have a lot more politics things and it's quite repetitive, not my favorite part.

I'have not much to say about this drama, if there a season i will watch it with pleasure, it's not a top tier drama but you can binge it and enjoy it very easy.

I'm rating it 7.5/10 because of the ending but overall its more a 8/10, a good surprise.

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Kinda a mess

In the first episode, I thought I'd come in part way through the drama, but no. It feels like there was more to the story but they cut it, too. Or maybe that's just my interpretation of it.
The ML has insta-love towards FL and then goes ahead and tries to pursue her... even though she's already married. In another drama he would have been the villain with how much he forced himself on her. The ML also comes to absurd conclusions regarding FL-in-disguise's business always tearing it down for NO REASON other than "it's suspicious" for NO REASON. There's nothing to say it's suspicious other than the FL works with the Second Prince and that's not against the law!!!
The Absurdism is a big part of the drama. Some of it is fun. Some of it breaks the immersion.
The drama doesn't take sexual assault seriously - for both the ML and the FL. There's a scene where ML gets touched by a lot of women and doesn't like it but FL just tells him to be a man. That's gross.
There was also an immersion break with the newspaper. In the end it needs to be reviewed by the crown before printing... which I felt was shocking until I remembered that this is a c-drama, so...

In conclusion: NO ROMANCE. Just ML chasing and being "heartbroken" by FL. Watch if you like absurdism where immersion breaks and some things don't make sense.

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Very interesting story about hidden identities with a good rewatch quality

Honestly, I was a little bit hesitant to watch this and afraid I might not like the movie, even if I really wanted to watch it for Ding Yuxi and Deng Enxi. That fear was mostly because of medium ratings and the info I could find about it in general being just scraps. But I am very happy I finally watched it.

The story had many elements I love, it gave me a variety of feelings, and it provided some plot twists that started circling in my mind just shortly before they were shown. The mystery of Ding Yuxi's character was well kept and made me question his motivation for quite some time. I really want to praise his brilliant acting in this role, which was once again something different from what he usually plays.
Though, he's not the only one who I enjoyed a lot. I don't think I have ever seen Peng Yuchang in anything, but in my opinion, his acting was as brilliant as Ding Yuxi's, and the girls, Deng Enxi and Li Manxuan, were just as amazing.

Overall, whether to recommend watching this probably depends on what sort of thing everyone is into, but to get a decent story about secret identities, some darkness, mystery, and crime, this is a good choice. And if you enjoy any of the actors who took part in telling us this story, I really recommend it.

P.S. I think this has good rewatch value, because once you get to the end you can watch it again and see all the details that already hinted at the ending. More observant viewers might notice them right away, but I wasn't as quick, so some reveals were great twists for me.

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We don't need to be perfect.

Overall 8.5/10
🌟🌟🌟🌟

For the majority of the show, my honest opinion was a 6/10, but the show went up to an 8.5/10 by the last few episodes, which pleasantly surprised me! The show only gets better toward the end, and I didn't think I'd enjoy it so much. Despite the relationship's toxicity for most of the show, they did a really good job building the story and making me like the other characters involved. I also feel like you get quite attached to the main leads as the story continues because they feel so real. Flora was also such an inspiring character, and I look up to her dedication and perseverance.
We aren't perfect, and neither were they, but in the end, things worked out more beautifully than we imagined. I was very invested in the Beijing flat mates/family.
I now have a quote that is forever ingrained in my heart. "I, Sun Yu, fell in love with an angel."

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A MASTERPIECE THAT NEEDS NO EXPLANATION!

Everything is so good to be true. From the acting to the cinematography, and I have no words. Like, it transcends any explanation.

Every detail is curated into making a perfect show. Definitely recommending it a hundred times over and over.

This all genuinely makes me wonder what really goes in the mind of the person who wrote this story, this MASTERPIECE! Like how do you even begin to understand love/emotions this deeply?

And HOW did the actors, the director, and everyone involved manage to portray it so perfectly?! Like, the writing alone is already so profound, but the way they brought it to life makes it feel so achingly real. Every emotion, every little detail, everything is OUTSTANDING

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A Little Universe of Love, Laughter and Self-Discovery

I had been looking forward to WEIRDO-101 ever since GMMTV unveiled its pilot trailer at Magic Vibes Maximized 2026. It is always a pleasure to see Sea and Keen lead a series together, and this project turned out to be a charming showcase of their growing chemistry and individual strengths as actors.

The series follows Cheewa, an academically gifted and unconventional astronomy enthusiast, and Niran, a laid-back high-school judo athlete whose life takes an unexpected turn after he protects Cheewa from a troublesome senior. Cheewa responds by openly pursuing Niran, expressing his attraction through a distinctive blend of nerdy enthusiasm, scientific references, and refreshing honesty. Niran, however, is considerably more guarded and initially struggles to understand both Cheewa's intentions and his own growing feelings.

WEIRDO-101 begins as a sweet, light-hearted, and slightly slow-burn school romance that quickly became one of my comfort watches. Although its approach is gentle and character-driven rather than plot-heavy, the series gradually unpacks a moving story about expectations, personal identity, and the challenge of reclaiming one's life. Some of Niran's early interactions with his father frustrated me, but gaining context for his father's perspective helped me appreciate the background of their relationship.

Cheewa is undoubtedly one of the series' greatest highlights. His straightforward approach to romance is both refreshing and endearing. He likes Niran, so he makes his intentions known without unnecessary games or elaborate strategies, perfectly captured when he simply asks, "Can I hit on you?". What makes him memorable is how he weaves astronomy into his affection. Gravity, stars, planets, and orbits are not merely random personality quirks; they become metaphors for feelings that are otherwise hard to articulate. Once you recognise the depth behind his words, his flirting sounds like an entire universe dedicated to a love confession.

Niran provides a compelling contrast. Reserved, emotionally guarded, and burdened by expectations, he initially appears oblivious to Cheewa's advances, only to become almost comically determined to act unaffected once he finally catches on. Beneath that facade is a young man dealing with exhaustion and burnout from a sport that has become a source of pressure. This vulnerability makes Niran deeply relatable and gives the romance a solid emotional foundation.

One of the most touching aspects of their dynamic is that Cheewa never forces Niran to open up before he is ready. Instead, he consistently shows up and offers a safe space where Niran does not have to maintain a specific image or prove his worth. Through Cheewa, Niran learns that affection can exist without added demands.

The writing does a fantastic job of balancing humour with emotional depth. There are plenty of hilarious and adorable moments, alongside quieter scenes that reveal Niran's internal struggles. Sea and Keen bring these characters to life brilliantly. Sea captures Cheewa's awkward intelligence and sincere enthusiasm, while Keen brings a cool, mature presence to Niran. Their chemistry has evolved wonderfully since Only Boo!, and even the younger actors portraying their childhood versions share a lovely rapport.

The supporting cast adds genuine warmth and chaos to the school setting. Niran's bonds with Hem, Thara, and Thipok feel completely natural, while Cheewa's interactions with his astronomy club mates, Jomyut and Newton, bring delightful energy. Furthermore, the original soundtracks elevate the viewing experience. SeaKeen's vocals are always a treat, and Gravity and Beside You fit the romantic atmosphere perfectly.

My absolute favourite moment arrives in the finale during Cheewa's speech duing Niran's graduation. His reminder to the graduating class that they do not need to search the sky for themselves because who they are already shines brightly genuinely moved me. It is a heartfelt reflection on self-worth, reminding us that finding yourself often starts with recognising the value of who you already are.

Overall, WEIRDO-101 is a warm and engaging coming-of-age BL romance. While it is not a heavy plot-thriller, its heartfelt characterisation, natural chemistry, and thoughtful message make it thoroughly rewarding. Highly recommended for SeaKeen fans and viewers who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth. The uncut episodes are available on YouTube, so let Cheewa introduce you to the wonders of astronomy, and you will easily fall for Niran along the way.

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Not for the weak-hearted!

Loving it so far! It’s not the storyline that sets this drama apart, but rather the dialogues, music, and acting. Who would have thought our Flower General could be so devious, ruthless, and cunning in both the roles she portrays? The Duke, meanwhile, embodies his cold yet wavering persona remarkably well. The dynamic between the leads is fascinating—a meeting of two clever minds, each trying to outsmart the other. Every time they are in close proximity, I find myself restless with anticipation. Will he uncover her secret, or will she manage to stay one step ahead in this game?
What I particularly love is that A’chou is a morally grey character. This isn't your typical evil twin meets innocent twin trope. One is ruthless, entitled, and stubborn to the point of self-destruction, while the other is headstrong, resourceful, and willing to do whatever it takes to survive. She is brimming with clever ideas, trusts no one, is constantly thinking on her feet, moving her chess pieces around just to survive.
The entire cast has done an excellent job of bringing their characters to life. The pacing is engaging, the dialogues are sharp, and the music is simply outstanding. Everything comes together beautifully to create an atmosphere of melancholy, intrigue and suspense.
It’s been a while since a series has left me feeling this satiated. I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing how the rest of the story unfolds.

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