Reviews

lacking a bit but still shirt and cute

The story and premise of the show had potential, and I found myself genuinely enjoying it at points. But J
just as I started to form a connection with the characters, however, the show came to an end. It felt like there was so much more to explore,in the characters and around them if that makes sense. Also,, I believe that if the episodes had been longer and the production budget slightly higher, they could have effectively concluded in at least 10 to 12 episodes to get that part extra in.
Although the series brought a smile to my face and featured adorably sweet moments, there were parts that I struggled to get a connectiuon to—something about it felt off. It seemed like there was a noticeable void or lack of substance in the storyline. Ultimately, I didn’t feel compelled enough to wait for all the episodes to air or to binge watch it, as there wasn’t enough plot development to keep me fully engaged from start to finish.

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this is the skin of someone with jaundice, bella

it is i, the niel.

i have no idea what i just watched. kind of perfect??? objectively, this show is bad in every way, but it's so entertaining. the low-budget flop that it was made the experience enjoyable. the episodes were incredibly short, so it was very easy to get through. nothing really happened plot-wise. i was kind of confused.

the acting wasn't bad, it was just funny. i appreciated that the actors were giving their all for a script that was nothing. i also liked the vampire's facial expressions. he had some really goofy moments. shoutout to my favourite uncredited character, the foundation-caked turtleneck.

the amount of ai used, foul. some scenes were ai-generated, music was ai-generated, and visuals were ai-generated. i understand you all had no budget, but oof. in no world was this worth the water it used. sheesh!

best,

the niel.

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this is what i needed

the moment i set my sights on this series, i knew i'd leave it with a full heart and warm feeling.

contrast beautifully explores two different boys and the completely different lives that they live, the experiences that they both go through yet they're slowly brought together.

although it's definitely not ideal that akira beeing groomed by kanda was not addressed, i disagree that the series should be rated so low with a star or half a star - the story still does so well in showcasing the feeling that akira is left behind with, especially through the performance of akune haruse which strongly relies on his eyes and his facial expressions - the pain that lingers within his eyes, flickering whenever he sees kanata truly reflects not only the impact from his past but the impact that kanda had on him. (i also feel it's unfortunately quite realistic that this would not be addressed in anyway as this happens in so many places and is never truly addressed (which needs to change !).

iuchi haruhi as kanata was fabulous too, his acting and body language coupled with his facial expressions completely and entirely immersed me as a viewer and clearly showed his yearning for akira, the small little touches, the hidden gazes and the gentle smiles - his love for akira was overflowing every time he was on screen.

the final episode was so beautiful, especially the moment of akira crying and kanata reassuring him and mentioning his significance to kanata. the cinematography and lighting in that scene was also just soft and gentle, especially as the light rays slowly started to basically bloom onto akira's face as kanata told him he's supposed to light up his life

i love kanata and akira so much, their love is tender and caring, they're gentle with each other and soft, just how everything about them become more clear by the end.

"so, you're the one who's supposed to light up my life."

AND I CRIED. 😭

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Could have been the perfect Chinese BL but....

This had the elements for being one of my favorite Chinese BL's so far. We had very interesting set up for the couple, there was very much plot involved, with the story evolving trough the whole series, however unlike with some of the longer Chinese BLs, the plot was not complex to the point that it took away the entertainment value of the show. Unfortunately where this failed for me was the aspect of relationship development which is kind of the whole idea of a romance themed series.

As separate characters both He Chu San and Xia Liu Yi have complexity to them that ties together really well with the main plot. The characters actually evolve trough the show quite a bit, which we don't always see in the genre. Sadly it just feels like forever until things start developing the relationship part. I would understand the slow development arch, if this would have been another +10 ep Chinese BL. However, with nine episodes I expect to see a lot more than few kissing scenes and both of the characters just trying to avoid facing their feelings most of the series. Right when there is finally realizing of mutual feelings Xia Liu Yi gets dragged to prison and the show ends.... Considering that there has been some hints but not real confirmation on a sequel this type of ending as a viewer leaves more questions and then feeling of closure. With a fully confirmed season 2 I might have been able to be more lenient on the ending choice.

Aside from the first couple not delivering on the relationship side of things, the second couple desperately needed more on screen time. They should have brought them to the show earlier, bc right until the last episode it felt really unclear why they were even introduced to the plot and what the relationship between them was. Even after the very open ending to the show, still not 100% sure where they would go from the situation the show ended in.

Conclusion:
- Generally plot and length wise a perfect show, with great individual character performances.
- Unfortunately the romance part for both main and second couple leaves a lot to be desired.
- There is quite a bit of violence and other heavy themes covered in the show, so this is not for sensitive ppl.

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another disappointment

i thought this series could be great based on the premise, but i don't understand why it ended up being such a disappointment.

the beginning and the ending were good, but many things in between weren't good. thankfully, poon joined the cast. his silly antics always manage to make people laugh. juniormark is a couple i like, but junior has a problem: even though his character shouldn't be in love with mark's character, junior always looks at mark with love. this really ruined his character.

we expected the series to have angst, but that pain in between never reached us and the story started to get increasingly boring. i was watching it currently, but i stopped after a while. even the actors said it was related to director new. i don't know how he manages to ruin every script. ohmpoon, despite being new couple, weren't that bad. as I said, despite having a new and good premise, the script was handled terribly.

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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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