Reviews

A True Desert Adventure Magical Masterpiece - Asian Version of Indiana Jones Meets Lara Croft

A man found a woman hanging by her neck from a bare tree. He was about to steal her things when she woke up and killed him instead. This is Ye Liuxi, a woman with unknown identity and scattered memories she could not make head and tails of. She had a bag with her, and in it were clues that led her to Chang Dong, a desert guide with a tarnished reputation after an expedition he led turned into a sandstorm disaster with him coming out of the desert as a sole survivor. With Chang Dong’s friend Fatty Tang a materialistic antique appraiser, along with Ding Liu the heir of a desert tomb-raider gang and Gao Shen her bodyguard, they ventured into the desert back to the exact place where Chang Dong lost his last expedition team. Each came along with various objectives, Ye Liuxi to find her origin, Chang Dong to bring back the bodies of the Camellia expedition team which includes his fiance, Fatty Tang to get his hands on the antique in Ye Liuxi’s possession the Sheep Horn Goblet, Ding Liu to bring back her godfather’s friend’s body, only to find themselves caught in a deeper mystery and conflict of a dystopian-like parallel world.

This is waaaaaaaaay beyond my expectation. I have seen many tomb raiding-desert-adventure action chinese flicks but none really came close to this, I have dropped many due to boring introduction, uninteresting characters with the plot going too dang slow. It is a total opposite with Parallel World. Not only does it has stunning cinematography, the plot is very engaging and each character is unique with a certain appeal that keep enticing the audience for more. The breathtaking beauty of the desert view only made it even more intriguing. The modern meets magical-ancient world made the story unique and extraordinary. Here they have laptops and computers with Ding Liu constantly taking selfies on her smartphone, and the next moment we could see magical creatures, sorcerers and armored soldiers using arrows and shields. It has such amazing characters and plot I could not believe this show never came across my line of sight before this. You can see why this show is so good when you see the supporting roles being filled by actors who are now big stars of the industry. From Li Yunrui to Meng Ziyi, Chen Duling, Lu Yuxiao and Xia Meng, theyre all making their mark as idol stars now.

I first saw Ni Ni in Love and Destiny so many years ago, and i thought she looks very ordinary with small slanted eyes and very much the usual chinese look. But when I saw Parallel World, I realised why people has been calling her a beauty. She really is stunning in Parallel World I barely recognized her as Ling Xi from Love and Destiny. Her freakishly badass and brilliant character only made the story more appealing and interesting. She really fits the badass role more than the gentle and demure one like she did in Love & Destiny. Ye Liuxi went through great character growth from being hardheaded and selfish to loyal and upright towards the end.

Although Bai Yu isnt extraordinary looking like most idol stars I know, he is still handsome in a class of his own. His bearing as Chang Dong is something that grows on you. Chang Dong is the type of guy who stands for no nonsense, it’s either he goes for it or not at all. He knows what he wants and he would do everything necessary to achieve his goal. You could not go wrong when you finally gets on his good side as he is very loyal and trustworthy. I love the chemistry between Baiyu and Nini, they look good with each other and isnt cringe-worthy at all.

I totally love Xia Meng’s Ding Liu here. She looked tough and crass in the first part of the show, but this mask is ripped once she is comfortable with her surroundings. She gets cheeky and cutesy every now and then but I could never find her annoying like I did with similar characters in other shows. Best of all, I finally get to see the work of Wang Deshun, the famous 80yo Grandpa with muscles that once been called the Hottest Grandpa in China after walking shirtless in Beijing Fashion Week in 2015.

And lets not forget Valley and Ocean Guardian! OMG the idea of having chickens as opposed to the usual cat or dog as pets is out of this world. The novel writer is so damn creative if they picked this up from the novel, but if this character isnt in the novel then mannnnn the screenwriter is so brilliant and creative. The chickens didnt look robotic or cartoonish too. I like the effort they put on the chickens, cuz they carry their own characters really well with Valley Guardian being the coward troublemaker and Ocean Guardian as the brave and reliable from the duo, and they really add colours and work magic into the show.

The action is so good, although you won’t see typical forms like in wuxia. It’s totally streetfight, ensuring the main characters to suffer injuries like their enemies do. I love the bit about magical beasts that could transform into people and imitate others, cuz everyone who had to play the impersonated persona did really well at portraying different personalities in one character.

I was dumbfounded when I saw the chats saying this is slow paced. Then I realized theyre all looking from the romance angle, so yeah, when it comes to romance it is really slow burn, but come on! The whole genre of the show is action-adventure. For an adventure-type show, Parallel World is fast paced! Honestly this is truly one of those shows I could not find much flaws because of how good they are. Even if they had plotholes, you somehow won’t notice it or it gets drowned by the rest of unexpected plot twists, unless you really mean to nitpick of course. If youre an action fan, then this is definitely going to make it to your favourite shows list.

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This is not just about romance its about friendship and having second family

I love this drama so much. Cause it had great plot, very sweet characters, such a great chemistry between leads. Yes there are some flaws, especially at the end of the series cause i think they tried to make it longer by creating some unnecessary drama. But it still doesnt change how i feel about this show. It was fluffy, warm story about chosen family. Except Xing Wu and his mom everyone in this family chosen to stay together. Not because of they are related by blood its because they chosen to be together. I loved their bond I loved how the main focus was never romantic love. Ml and fl had become each others family at some point. And then it developed from there and evolved to something romantic. If you want to watch drama about friendship, chosen family and romance this is the drama. Im givin 8/10 overall. I just think the 5 year gap thing was so out of character for both of them. And 5 is too much come on...

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Amazing!

I started this show after putting it off for a long time, and I'm glad I gave it a chance.

The actors did an amazing job. Whether it was for a funny scene, a heartbreaking scene, or a romantic scene. I loved it all. I think that they were perfect for their roles, as they all acted as their characters so well.

This is actually my first time watching something with Byeon Wooseok and Kim Hyeyoon (separately). I knew about them and knew that they're loved by many, so I had a feeling that this show would be good. Glad it turned out to be much better than "good". Also, I think that the producers/ director made a good choice by casting those two together. I honestly felt every emotion they portrayed. The love they had for each other felt so real that I really considered the possibility that they might've been crushing IRL lol. I will definitely check out their other dramas as well.

The side characters were really funny, and I enjoyed every little weird thing they did. They made me laugh a lot more than I'd like to admit. When Im Sol's brother and friend started to do aegyo with each other, I cringed so HARD haha.
Although the grandmother didn't make me laugh as much, she definitely surprised me. I know that actors are supposed to be able to play multiple characters with different personalities, but the fact that she played the same person but differently (pre-dementia and post-dementia) made me respect her a lot.
The bad guy wasn't always there, which I think I like better than them being in every episode for longer than they should be. He was a little mysterious and ominous, which I quite liked. He didn't act like some super villain with the biggest ego. Instead, he was tricky but still careful with his actions. For the record, I'm not praising the character lol, but rather the actor. He did really well.

At first, the whole time travel and different timelines made sense. But in the end, when Im Sol went back to erase herself from Sunjae's life, I had a few questions.
For starters, how did Sol's brother and friend still end up together? In the original timeline, they weren't together. They only started to have feelings for each other because Sol and Sunjae got closer when she went back in time. But then she changed the past by making sure he never met her. So how did they catch feelings again?
Second, Im Sol's mother's hand. Again, in the original time, it was different since her hand had a big scar on it from the fire, but Im Sol prevented that. How did her mother's hand come out perfectly fine in the final timeline? Did Im Sol go back again?
Lastly, how did Im Sol stop her own accident from happening? She tried a couple of times before but failed. So what changed this time for her to be perfectly fine in the end?
I actually have a few more questions, but I will keep them to myself.

In conclusion, this show is complicated in a good way. I honestly didn't know what to expect, but this show warmed my heart and left me with a big smile on my face. I loved it so much and would absolutely watch it again!

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A surprising drama…

When I first watched this, I had no idea who the actors were. I just clicked it because it was New Year and I was home and had nothing to do. Before that, I did debate because I had never watched Xianxia dramas before. I never liked how fantasy looked when it comes to chinese drama, but oh wow. Going in without expectations was the best thing that ever happened to me. At first, I only loved Lu Yuxiao’s role, Ming Yi. I wanted to know what she would do and what Hou Minghao’s Ji Bozai would do once he found out about her secret identity. The more I watched the more intrigued I became of Ji Bozai and kept watching til the end because of their unique acting, the angst, the comedy, the music (which I didn’t expect that my fave song was actually sung by jbz himself) and the chemistry. I have to admit though… Ming Yi did stress me out halfway. I kept shouting at the screen “girl just tell the truth!” But anyways, I kept watching as I felt bad for jbz lol. The good thing is… I could at least really feel that she loved ji bozai just as much as he loved him. They were both equally strong, equally devoted, and equally willing to live and die together. I’ve seen other dramas where it felt one-sided. Plus, there were both likeable characters, even as solo characters. I really rooted for them. So… that said… For 2026, this was my hidden gem. 1000000/10. In the end, I finished it in two days. With maybe two hours of sleep in between. I probably didn’t even eat.

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It gives off a vibe similar to Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, but feels even more fulfilling.

We can feel that the female lead is fragile on the inside, while the male lead is incredibly strong.

I love the scene where the female lead cries over her friend’s passing, and the male lead comforts her by saying she doesn't have to maintain high standards for everything. This ties back to how she holds such high standards in her service business; when it comes to grief, you don't need to overthink whether it's time to stop feeling sad. If people are sad, they should just let themselves feel it.

He doesn't expect anything and doesn't hold her back, but that doesn't mean he doesn't miss her or isn't waiting. He is waiting quietly, without putting any pressure on her.

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Watched it for the third time, still amazing

Last Twilight was my introduction to JimmySea and I have never regretted deciding to watch this. I just watched this for the third time, slowly watching it over the past few months. Its incredibly fun and enjoyable to rewatch even over a long period of time.

This is one of the best modern queer stories out here and also a great introduction into the world of Thai queer media. This story doesn't particularly focus on the fact that this is a queer love story, which is one of the reasons I love it. I love a good conversation on queer topics but it's also refreshing to see a story where the two people are just in love with eachother regardless of identity! It tackles topics like grief, disabilitys, loneliness, dreams and so so much more.

I will praise JimmySea's performance to the end of time. They bring these characters to life and make everything seem so incredibly real. You can tell they put their all into this piece of art, it really shows.

Though I love this to death. It is not perfect. My only really meangful criticism is that the story and pacing isn't the cleanest, especially towards the end. I noticed it way more rewatching it, because I'd have a harder time picking it back up again. On first watch though, it's hardly noticeable. I get criticism on the ending, but personally I wasn't as bothered by it as I thought I was. Without spoiling it, they do what you don't want them to do. And somehow you walk out of it pleased with the show.

10/10 please please watch it

I want to watch MMP again now..

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Not bad for a Thai GL comedy!

The comedy is decent, the chemistry between the leads is on point & nothing particularly annoying happens throughout the entire show. -review basically over

There is a minimum character limit on MDL, so let's talk about the story & setting a bit. Of course it's completely nonsensical aka utterly ridiculous, but the show does not take itself seriously at any point & the annoying tropes are for real kept to a minimum, and so the end result is a very unusual Thai drama that is actually worth watching.

Though I suppose personally I would have preferred less fan service. It's great that frequent sex is implied for a young couple, but it's almost softcore porn-ish here. Anyway it doesn't bother me much, I know how to use the fastforward button. If I had to choose between Korean style pre-teen romancing & this, I would go for the latter every time.

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Love from first principle

This is a highschool rom-com about first/young love that is as pure love story as it gets, which normally wouldn't be my thing but here it just works. It helps that all the characters are really cute and endearing, and the cast really captures the awkwardness and anxieties of having a crush as a teenager, especially Michieda Shunsuke as Aoki. Much of this felt like watching newborn fawns stumble their way into love for better or worse. Personally I hoped for a bit more development in Aoki and Ida's relationship after 10 episodes as many other series do more with less, but I think this is still well worth a watch for all the cute and silly moments. I think a S2 that explores the next stage of the characters' relationships could be really great.

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Even before I finished it I was thinking when to watch it again

I really loved this series.

For me, the biggest strength was definitely the main couple. They were simply lovely together — sweet, natural, and full of chemistry. Their relationship had a beautiful development throughout the story, and it felt genuine rather than forced. I really enjoyed watching how their connection grew, with just the right amount of tension, emotion, and softness.

The acting was also very good, especially between the leads. Their chemistry made even the small moments feel meaningful, and I think that is what made the story so enjoyable for me. The plot itself was not something overly grand or groundbreaking, but it was nicely written and had a good flow. Some small plot twists fit well into the story and added a nice touch without making things feel too dramatic.

What I appreciated most is that the series had exactly the kind of feeling I look for in this type of drama. It was not overloaded with unnecessary drama, but it still had enough emotional moments to make the relationship stronger and more memorable. It created those pure, warm, romantic feelings that make you smile and dream a little.

Even before I finished it, I already knew I wanted to watch it again. And a few months later, when videos from the series started appearing on my social media, I immediately felt that it was the right time to return to it. Watching it again only reminded me how much I loved the couple and the feeling the series gave me.

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Best K-Drama of 2026

As the title says, this is easily the best K-drama I've watched this year, and I've watched a lot of dramas.

After sitting through disappointing releases like Perfect Crown, My Royal Nemesis, Teach You a Lesson, and We Are All Trying Here (no offense if you enjoyed them), this one felt like a breath of fresh air. The gap in writing and acting quality was honestly huge.

I decided to give it a chance because the poster caught my attention, and I'm so glad I did. Lee Jae-wook absolutely delivered in this role.

From the very first episode, I was hooked. The writing is strong, the directing is great, and the cinematography is absolutely gorgeous. Some shots genuinely look like works of art. Everything flows smoothly, from the transitions to the dialogue, and I never felt like the story was dragging. At several points, I got so invested that I completely forgot I was watching a drama.

The story follows a doctor who gets sent to work on a remote island, which leads to all kinds of unexpected and often hilarious situations. Between his patients, the island residents, and the endless chaos that follows him wherever he goes, he's constantly dealing with one problem after another. By the halfway point, I was like, "Yep, the title makes complete sense now." It couldn't have been more fitting.

One of my favorite things about this drama is how well it balances comedy, romance, medical elements, and melodrama. That's not an easy mix to pull off, but it never feels messy or forced. Everything blends together in a way that serves the story.

What impressed me most is how the drama keeps getting better with each episode. It had me laughing one minute and tearing up the next. It's funny, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and incredibly human. The humor is always present, but it never takes away from the emotional moments. If anything, it makes them hit even harder.

The pacing is also excellent. It never feels rushed, but it doesn't drag either. The drama takes its time developing the characters and their relationships, which makes everything feel earned. The interactions feel genuine, and the whole experience is immersive.

I also loved the main couple. Their chemistry was amazing, and I enjoyed every scene they shared. Their relationship develops naturally instead of being rushed, which made it easy to get invested in them. There was something very warm and comforting about their dynamic that made me root for them from the start.

As for the acting, I honestly don't have a single complaint. The entire cast was great, but Lee Jae-wook deserves special praise. His performance felt incredibly natural, and his facial expressions alone had me feeling every emotion right along with him.

Overall, I can't recommend this drama enough. For me, it's everything a good slice-of-life drama should be: funny, emotional, heartfelt, and genuinely well written. If you enjoyed Dr. Romantic, there's a very good chance you'll enjoy this one too. They share some similarities in terms of atmosphere and medical themes, but this drama still feels completely unique and manages to stand on its own.

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Awaiting Part 2

These 4 episodes are part 1. Part 2 is yet to be announced but what an exciting start!

The story revolves around the ML who has been falsely implicated in a company corruption scandal and someone decides to help him anonymously. The episodes initally were a bit confusing since we weren't sure what was happening. Each episode reveals the information little by little so we get the full picture of the situation.

Sukfilm is known to hide extra kiss scenes behind membership but even without those, the drama is very intriguing. I'm glad they tried a mystery short. Also the other lead gave me chills with the way he switched personas. He has done a great job in this drama! I'm looking forward to seeing how this drama concludes in part 2.

The music as usual is really great but you won't find Sukfilm OST without a membership.

It's worth a binge or wait till part 2 is also out. Either way, part 1 is worth watching for the acting and the thrill!

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The Writers forgot to take their Adderall.

She was framed for her grandmother's death by her sister, her father, and her mother. When her mother is in prison, she admits to not liking her and didnt feel a connection with her. The only saving grace in her family is her maternal aunt who is an absolute gem of a human being. She was taken in my a mob boss who she saved during her nightshift. Im confused as she barely worked in the hospital during the show. But shes also a student who almost gets kicked out of school until the ML comes and saves her. It feels like the writers were trying to hit a bucket list of tropes. Honestly, I'm suprrised no one suffered amnesia halfway through. The revenge on her family was satisfying. So I guess there is that.

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