Reviews

you made mother cry, now i'm angry.

it is i, the niel.

i can't even begin to explain how frustrated and annoyed i felt while watching this show. the level of toxicity and problematic tropes made me feel exhausted. toxic storylines can be done in an interesting way, but this was not that. there was barely any story to be told. there was no plot after the first two episodes. the same plot was reheated throughout all 8 episodes. toxicity was done in a way that boils down to miscommunication, manipulation, and bullshit. i did not want them to end up together.

as for the production of this show, i was disappointed. the sets were bad, the lighting was dull (it was giving institutional), the cinematography was nonexistent, and the costumes were questionable. the acting was probably the best part of this show. the evil one's actor committed to the bit well. he was the only one i found entertaining and fun to watch. wanna one did his best, but his character was pathetic most of the time. the writing could've been better, and the dialogue felt repetitive.

also can we talk about how jeonghan is operating under the assumption that they're cousins?? frankly, incest?? what? why?? if you want a toxic korean bl, just watch secret relationships. it's like this, but better in every way. at least that show was entertaining. in all these bls, they just want that cookie. chow down!

best,

the niel.

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Desgarradora. Cruel. Como el ser humano.

Lo mejor de esta película es el control del ritmo, del momentum de la narrativa. No tanto la cara constante de Billkin con la boca medio abierta, pero sí su soberbia actuación. Hubo momentos en los que me habría encantado golpearle… a él y cada hombre de esa familia.

Hay varias escenas que me atormentarán durante mucho tiempo. Amah pidiendo a sus ancestros que se la lleven para no sufrir más. Amah diciendo que ya no le queda nada. Amah en la cama de esa residencia de mayores comunitaria. Amah sola, con su móvil y sus filtros.

Dios, esta película me ha roto un dique por dentro.

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A charming, heartwarming drama

A charming, heartwarming drama. What's not in it.. (similar to the "classic" dramas) It has no evil, chaebol-rich poor - classes, a love triangle, or a memory of love from first grade 🙂 , it has ... perfect casting of all the actors, great chemistry that builds slowly. , it has healing and recovery, stories of love / affection / support, greetings with kindness and sensitivity, humor, (and a little sadness) - of all age groups (youth, second and third age) and their coping in different situations. Admittedly, you have to get through the beginning and it is also a little slow (but it doesn't detract from the plot but is required). ..a charming soundtrack (I downloaded the criminalist to Spotify)
I enjoyed it…

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No Chaos, No Toxicity—Just a Solid Story

The Burning Sun is honestly a breath of fresh air in a genre that often relies on the same tired tropes. From the start, what stands out is what the drama chooses not to include. There’s no drugging, no abuse, no manipulative mistresses, no over-the-top revenge plots, and none of those exaggerated twists like hidden identities or long-lost children. Instead, it focuses on a grounded, simple story about normal people, and that alone makes it feel refreshing.

The story is straightforward but engaging. It doesn’t try to shock you with unnecessary drama, yet it still keeps your attention through consistent pacing and a clear narrative direction. The writing stays focused on its core idea until the very end, which makes the whole experience feel complete and satisfying. Even the plot twist, while not overly complicated, lands well and adds just enough excitement without breaking the tone of the drama.

The relationship between the main leads is one of the strongest aspects. It develops naturally, without forced situations or artificial conflicts. Their bond grows gradually through interactions that feel realistic and human. There are moments where you might feel frustrated with the male lead, and other times when the female lead might annoy you, but their reactions and decisions still feel believable rather than exaggerated for drama.

If you are expecting a heavy romance filled with intense intimacy and dramatic declarations, this might not be the right drama for you. The romance here is subtle and grounded. It focuses more on emotional connection and mutual understanding rather than physical affection. That said, the chemistry between the leads is still strong and easy to watch.

Another highlight is the supporting cast. The drama keeps its character list relatively small, which works in its favor. Every character has a purpose, and no one feels unnecessary. Zizi, the male lead’s friend, and other side characters all contribute meaningfully to the story. Special mention goes to the female lead’s brother and the male lead’s sister, whose roles play an important part in bringing the main couple together. Despite the limited cast, the scenes never feel empty or boring.

The villain is also handled well. Instead of being overly dramatic or cartoonish, the antagonist fits naturally into the story and adds tension without overpowering it. It keeps the conflict interesting while still staying within the grounded tone of the drama.

Overall, this is a well-paced, cleanly written drama that proves you don’t need extreme plot devices to tell an engaging story. It’s simple, realistic, and emotionally satisfying. If you’re tired of exaggerated tropes and want something more natural and easy to watch, this drama is definitely worth your time.

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Just a simple, uncomplicated story that made me happy

This is my first ever review on MDL. I'm not very good with words but I've been watching BL since 2008 and I can say with confidence that this series was a breath of fresh air.. was the story basic?yes. But that is what made it special. It simple,adorable and entertaining. As a neurodivergent person it's nice to see a character similar to me being loved so much. Some might think it's cringy and annoying,maybe it is and that's fine. If you are the woke type who wants mature and thought inducing series, DWY is not for you. If you just wanna feel happy and content 10/10 would recommend.

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Two Hits and a Miss

The large gap in quality between the segments makes it hard to provide an accurate overall rating for this anthology.

1. Interior Design (Michel Gondry): 4/5
Even though I had no clue where this story was headed, I felt like I was in good hands and I enjoyed the ride. It featured Gondry’s signature surrealist take on themes of alienation and personal purpose, and sparked an introspection that stuck with me after the segment was finished.

2. Merde (Leos Carax): 1/5
The "art" of this one probably went over my head. Between the unbearable main character and a plot that refused to make sense, the narrative was so unappealing that finishing this segment felt like a chore.

3. Shaking Tokyo (Bong Joon Ho): 4/5
Bong Joon Ho has dipped his toes into almost every genre, so I was excited to see his take on romance. As someone who isn't usually a fan of the genre, I appreciated how added a fantasy twist in this exploration of social isolation. The plot was engaging and the visuals were beautiful (some of which felt like visual ASMR designed specifically for A-type brains like mine). Much like Gondry’s piece, it left me reflecting on its themes even after it was over.

Overall: 3/5
Quality: 3/5
Enjoyment: 3/5

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people are dying, kim

it is i, the niel.

do these guys even have any professional ethics? i loved dunk's acting in this. he wasn't a useless character, and he was a real person. his eyes still remain open whilst kissing, but that's part of his charm. i was compelled, and i'm glad gmmtv didn't give him a goofy character this time. i liked him in a more serious role. there were still many hr violations. dunk is inherently goofy, yet i'm his biggest fan. joong also did a good job, unsurprisingly.

the plot was the real winner of this show. i was hooked from beginning to (almost) end. the last 15 minutes of the final episode were filler, but that's fine. there were so many characters, but i was able to keep up with what was happening with all of them. they made a smart choice by having only one couple, and keeping the show focused on them. i wasn't overwhelmed by unnecessary romance. ultimately, the crime aspect of the show's plot was kept central, rather than underdeveloped romance. the main plot was really interesting. this concept has been done before, but i was curious as to "who done it" the entire time.

i will say, i clocked the ending and other elements of the plot from the start. even so, that didn't take away from the enjoyment of it. there was room for improvement, though. i didn't mind their romance, but there could've been more of a slower development. they were u-hauling it. that sometimes made the dialogue between them unnatural. sometimes, they were developing the romance at times when they should've been focusing on their employment. they could've been investigating parts of this mystery way sooner, but they were too busy committing hr violations (lol). tbh if i were their boss, i would've been like "congrats on your relationship, you're fired." overall, thoroughly enjoyed! for a gmmtv show, impressive work. #longdunk4lyfe

best,

the niel.

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Pretty and emotional, but not very gripping

a nice show overall, but honestly it felt like it lacked a clear plot. The whole time I was watching, I kept wondering what the actual endgame was supposed to be. The concept itself is interesting—an immortal and a Spirit Lord—but the execution didn’t feel strong enough to keep me hooked. It wasn’t boring, but it also didn’t feel gripping. A lot of things were happening, yet it somehow felt like nothing was really happening. It felt more like narration than actual progression, and I never got that feeling that made me want to keep coming back for more.

The first half of the show felt especially slow. It leaned more into a fluffy and light tone, which was fun at times, but it made the central storyline feel weak. The whole “senses” plotline didn’t feel strong enough to carry the entire drama. The show only really picked up toward the end, where things became more action-heavy and exciting. I actually found the last part much more interesting because you could finally see things moving and progressing. It did feel like everything important was pushed into the final episodes, which made the earlier part drag in comparison.

That being said, the drama was still enjoyable. It had humor, it was a bit bittersweet, and it had some emotional moments that worked really well. It just didn’t have that strong, addictive quality or that memorability that makes a drama stand out.

Dilraba really carried the show for me. She was absolutely stunning, and her presence fit the character perfectly. She balanced the softer, more playful side and the cold, powerful Spirit Lord side really well. Her styling, costumes, hair, and overall look were incredible, and you can tell there was a lot of effort put into her appearance. Acting-wise, she was great, but I didn’t like how her character was written. The shift between her when she had her senses and when she didn’t felt too extreme, almost like two completely different people, which made her feel inconsistent at times.

Arthur Chen, in my opinion, can act, and I don’t really agree with people who say he can’t. He has presence and he delivers in emotional scenes. However, I did have an issue with his styling, especially the wigs. Most of them just didn’t suit him and honestly took me out of the scenes. He looked much better in armor, and I actually think he fits general roles really well because he has that strong aura. But in regular outfits, it didn’t always work for him. As for his character, I didn’t fully connect with his love for her. It felt like he fell for her too easily, and I never really understood why he loved her so deeply. It made the romance feel less impactful for me.

The chemistry between them was nice, but not something I’d call memorable. Some scenes were done really well, and you could feel the connection, but overall it didn’t fully convince me. Part of that might be the dynamic itself—she’s supposed to be centuries old, while he feels much younger—and it didn’t always come across with the depth it should have.

Miles Wei was really good as a villain, as expected. He always does a great job making you hate him, which just shows how good he is. My only issue was the dubbing because his voice didn’t match him at all, and it was very noticeable. It kind of took me out of his scenes. The rest of the cast did a great job as well, especially the child actor Chen Ying, who always delivers emotionally. His storyline was heartbreaking, and I really liked his end arc. Fang’s storyline was also very sad, especially everything he sacrificed, and the side characters overall added a lot to the drama.

Production-wise, the drama was beautiful. The cinematography, CGI, and fight scenes were all really well done, both in the mortal world and the spiritual world. The fight scenes especially stood out to me. You can clearly see the budget in the costumes and overall visuals. Everything looked polished and high quality. The OST was also amazing, and Liu Yuning, as always, did a great job.

As for the ending, I have mixed feelings, but I did enjoy it. I liked both versions of the ending, whether he stayed as a spirit with her or she became immortal. Personally, I preferred her becoming mortal because it felt more meaningful for her character and her dream. The last episode was very emotional, and I definitely cried, especially during his death and seeing her constantly losing the people she loves. His final act of giving her all the senses so she could live the moment fully, even at the cost of his life, was really beautiful and one of the stronger emotional moments in the show.

Overall, it’s a good drama, but it doesn’t bring anything new or particularly memorable. It’s softer than typical xianxia dramas and not very dark or intense. I would still recommend it, especially if you like emotional stories and strong visuals, but I wouldn’t go into it expecting a very strong or gripping plot. It’s more of a relaxed watch that you can enjoy without thinking too deeply about it.

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Magnificent but dark and disturbing series with 3 Red Flags

PLOT: Jira, a painter struggling for recognition, meets Pheem at a club. Pheem, an IT specialist at Ko's company, introduces Jira to Ko (who needs a fake Ko as representativ for his business). Jira and Pheem are attracted to each other. But while working under strange circumstances for Ko, Jira realizes that Ko is his muse, the one he wants to paint.

+++ Superb cast with Off, Gun (who gave their everything in this series), and Dew, all vying for the title of the most twisted, complex, and tortured character. The series allows them to showcase their talent and previously unexplored facets of themselves.
+++ Masterful direction, whether in terms of pacing, cinematography, framing, lighting, etc.
+++ The paintings are magnificent, sensual, and evocative.
+++ The entire cast is good.
+++ Excellent OSTs
+++ The story is realistic, both in terms of the economic and technological context, and the psychology of the characters.

### The message about AI dangers remains very superficial. It's alluded to through art, but only alluded to. It doesn't address the jobs lost, the slave labor of the AI ​​"controllers" (underpaid Africans who watch content 10-12 hours per day), the environmental consequences, etc.

=> This is far from your typical BL. The tone is unsettling, but I would definitely rewatch this drama, at least for some of the truly beautiful scenes.
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Dark and disturbing series with 3 Red Flags

PLOT: Jira, peintre en mal de reconnaissance, rencontre Pheem ds 1 club. Pheem, IT ds la Cie de Ko, fait se rencontrer Jira et Ko (qui a besoin d'1 fake Ko pr son entreprise). Jira et Pheem sont attirés l'un par l'autre. Mais en travaillant ds des circonstances chelou pr Ko, Jira s'aperçoit que Ko est sa muse, celui qu'il a envie de peindre.

+++ Super cast avec Off, Gun (qui ont tout donné ds cette série) et Dew qui concourent pour le personnage le plus tordu, le plus complexe, le plus torturé. La série leur permet de montrer leur talent et des facettes d'eux-même jusqu'alors inexplorées.
+++ Réalis° magistrale, que ce soit en termes de rythme, de beauté de la cinématographie, des cadrages, lumières, etc.
+++ Les peintures sont magnifiques, sensuelles, évocatrices.
+++ L'ensemble du cast est bon.
+++ Excellentes OSTs
+++ La story est réaliste, tant sur le contexte économique, technologique, que la psychologie des personnages.

### Le message sur les dangers de l'IA reste très superficiel. Il est évoqué à travers l'art, mais juste évoqué. Il n'aborde pas les emplois supprimés, le travail d'esclave des "contrôleurs" d'IA (africains sous-payés qui visionnent des contenus 10 h/jour), les conséquences écologiques, etc.

=> On est loin de la BL habituelle. Le ton est perturbant, mais je regarderais certainement à nouveau ce drama, au moins certaines scènes de toute beauté.

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