Reviews

As someone who considers Deep in the Act one of my favorite yaoi novels, I had high expectations for this adaptation. The original story drew me in with its psychological depth, heartbreaking situations, twisted personalities, and the complicated relationship between Fang Chi and Gao Zhun. Unfortunately, the live-action adaptation left me quite disappointed.

I understand that adaptations have to make changes to the original story, and I'm perfectly fine with that. My problem isn't that they omitted or altered certain events, but that the series failed to capture the mature, dark, and twisted atmosphere that made the novel so compelling.

My biggest disappointment was the casting and how the characters were portrayed. Ollie and Shu Yuan looked too young for the characters they were playing. Since both characters are in their mid-thirties in the novel, I expected them to have a more mature appearance and presence. Unfortunately, the casting didn't quite match the image I had of them. They looked more like college students than men in their mid-thirties. The chemistry between the leads also fell short of my expectations, and even their kissing scenes felt forced. I wanted to feel the tension, obsession, and emotional turmoil in both relationships, but much of that was missing.

I'm not saying the actors didn't do their best. In fact, I was quite impressed by Ollie. Considering that he's only 20, I think he did a good job and really nailed certain aspects of both characters he portrayed. I appreciate his effort and what he brought to the roles. However, I still felt that the overall portrayal lacked some of the depth and intensity I had imagined from the original novel.

Shu Yuan's portrayal was particularly disappointing to me. Some of the most heartbreaking scenes were supposed to be emotionally intense, but even when he shed tears and put on a sad expression, I couldn't feel the pain his character was supposed to convey. Instead of feeling heartbroken, I found the performance somewhat forced, as though the emotions were being shown to me rather than making me feel them.

I also think the series could have done much more with its sexual tension. A mature romance doesn't need explicit scenes to be compelling. Expressions, body language, dialogue, and convincing acting can create just as much intensity. I understand the limitations that censorship may place on BL productions, but the tension that made the original story so fascinating barely came through here.

I accept that the adaptation has its own interpretation of the original, but I wish it had preserved more of the characters' essential traits, psychological depth, and emotional complexity. Those were the things that made the novel so memorable to me, and I missed them in the live-action version.

Overall, 6/10. The source material had so much potential, but the adaptation didn't quite do it justice. I finished the series feeling that it had missed what made the original novel so compelling.

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Don't mind the rating; give it a try

What to look forward to:
1. Revenge arc against a corrupt sect.
2. Running cons against bad persons/people.
3. A subtle romance between the leads.
4. Mysteries, twists, intrigue, suspense and thrills

I looked forward to this drama since I saw the trailer, and I enjoyed watching it. The drama delves into dark themes like greed, betrayal, manipulation, and corruption. The actors really put a lot of effort into their characters, and when they shift personalities, playing different identities and behaviours unlike their characters, it feels equally good.

I thought the plot was really refreshing because it focuses on cons, trickery, and scams, with a subtle romance between the leads that develops early on but becomes more apparent as the story progresses. There are twists after twist that actually make sense; I'm not trying to exaggerate, but be real. One moment I'm like, "I understand everything," and the next, another mystery is unveiled, and I'm like, "So there was something more to this". Anyway, I say this show is really unpredictable most times, if not all times, and it was a good ride.

There is also an ugly display of how people can be morally bad, utterly wicked, greedy, manipulative, and all. The bad/morally devoid guys deserved to be conned and killed a thousand times; no amount of excuses can clean their slate, and I'm glad for the end they got. It was their retribution.

I felt a lot of thought went into how they scammed/conned (bad) people out of their money, and also the end they received. If I were one of the people being conned, I believe I would fall for it so easily. It felt really convincing.

I would recommend it, just so you know, it doesn't really go into the romantic aspects; it was particularly subtle. It is a mystery-thriller with conning tactics, revenge, and romance.

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A Masterclass in Enemies-to-Lovers Done Right!

Fated Heart is an absolute masterpiece that deserves every bit of its 10/10 rating. It delivers a perfectly paced narrative that hooks you from the very first episode and never lets go.

What makes this show stand out is the phenomenal dynamic between the male and female leads. Their journey begins with immensely fun, high-energy interactions when they are initially at each other's throats. The witty banter, sharp tension, and undeniable chemistry during this enemies-to-lovers phase are incredibly entertaining and full of life.

However, the real triumph of the series happens after they fall for each other. Instead of relying on lazy misunderstandings or forced drama to keep things interesting, the show gives us a beautifully healthy, mature, and supportive relationship. Seeing two characters communicate, trust one another, and face external challenges as a united front is deeply refreshing and emotionally satisfying.

Compounding this brilliant character writing is the breathtaking soundtrack. There is something truly amazing about the music in this show; every track perfectly elevates the emotional weight of a scene, whether it is a comedic argument or a tender, heartfelt confession.

If you are looking for a romance that balances addictive friction with genuine, healthy relationship progression, all wrapped in a stellar audio experience, this is a must-watch.

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The Chemistry Did the Heavy Lifting

Ash had the ingredients for a compelling crime romance: an undercover police officer, a businessman connected to the criminal underworld, and two men falling for each other while hiding the truth about who they really are. Their relationship could have been a natural extension of the suspense, with attraction, mistrust and conflicting loyalties all working against them.

Unfortunately, I never felt that the writing made the most of that potential. The romance and the crime storyline often felt as though they were competing for space rather than strengthening each other. The criminal investigation and power struggles should have given the story a sense of urgency, but I found myself increasingly disengaged from the actual plot. Even when the stakes were high, the writing didn't always make the developments feel convincing or particularly impactful.

What kept me watching was Leo Peng Ziye and Kingston Yi Xuan. Their chemistry is incredible, and they bring an energy to their scenes together that the writing doesn't consistently manage to sustain on its own. Whether they're flirting, clashing or simply sharing a moment, there's something about their dynamic that kept me invested even when the story didn't.

In fact, I might be even more interested in their interactions outside the series than in the relationship they portray on screen. Their behind-the-scenes dynamic has only made me more curious about them as a duo, and I'd genuinely love to see them work together again — ideally in a project with a stronger script that gives them more to work with.

For me, Ash is a case of the leads carrying a story that never quite lives up to its own potential. I finished it because I wanted to see more of Leo and Kingston, not because the plot had me desperate to find out what happened next.

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Cute, worth watching

Note: I am using spellings from kisskh. The romanizations/transliterations in the subtitles use a different system.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Bruce Chiu as Lin Chia Kai is believable as a somewhat oblivious college student and Liu Yu Ren does a good job of portraying a stern police officer. Lin Da Her as Chia Kai's friend Chao Nan was at first a bit obnoxious to me, but with time he "grew on me."
Kate Pang as the psychologist/professor Peggy makes an appearance at the end of each episode, giving a quick piece of advice to a viewer of her "live streams." This occurs in the middle of the closing credits, so if you want to see her, do not click away at the end of the episode.
Overall, the series is light and gentle, but be aware that there are some more intense moments, particularly in episode 12.

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Like the FL said in the interview, "it's a well known taste but it's really tasty"

I feel like it's been so long since a normal romcom has been dropped. Great actors. 1st episode was funny and really engaging. Nothing new or ground breaking but fun.
A good romcom to binge watch in this cozy fall! The fl is so cute with the curly hair and the makeup lol
I'll edit or rewrite my review once i completely finished it.
Since it needs 300 words for a review,
I'm gonna suggest a webtoon "electrifying confession " in which the fl is similar to this drama fl but not the same story.
I've been craving superpower + romcom since wonderfools. Now here i am.

Edit: Binge watched it in 2 days. The plot is rushed within 10 episodes. Sometimes i found the ML arrogant in the beginning(very typical)and i feel like his characterisation isn't as strong as the fl(he turned from unapproachable, sharp stoic boss in ep 1 to cute and a little clumsy and cute very soon by script). I also feel like her superpower is underutilized in the plot. BUT the romance is so fluffy and cute so as a romcom it did its job.Yeah loved the actors. Special mention to 2nd FL,she's great. The couples are so cute and I'm viewing their promotional videos now as i miss that couple.

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It's a cute show, nothing groundbreaking but also not bad.

Honestly, while scrolling to find something to watch and this came up. At first I was hesitant about it cause I'm not a huge fan of romance but this was pretty cute. The FL is just super adorable and ML is the typical cool type with a quirky personality and actual emotions.

Overall in terms of the plot it was alright I was more invested at the start but it did feel a bit draggy, the concept to me felt unique.

Some positives:
- I'm glad there were less force touching and the FL was trying to be the one who takes the initiative when it came to charging.
- Adorable FL
- skin texture (??)
- good start

Some negatives:
- The crush from the idol (although I think they handled it alright but it felt a bit stressful to watch the FL be so dense about it TAT)
- A bit draggy
- The villain...
- I just don't like the fact most climax have to involve life threatening situations.
This could have been just a cute simple romance that gives butterflies ><

idk I think its worth a one time watch :)

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Two Gorgeous Men, Explosive Sexual Tension and 20 Episodes of Pure BL Heaven!

WOW! This is hands down the BEST ongoing Thai BL I'm watching right now! After just two episode, I'm completely hooked and already obsessed! I wasn't bored for a single second, and the best part? We're getting a whopping 20 episodes, each around 40 minutes long, with TWO episodes every week leading up to Christmas! What more could a BL fan ask for?

From the very first scene, I could tell this was going to be something special. The production quality is absolutely outstanding! Everything feels so polished and expensive, from the gorgeous cinematography and beautiful soundtrack to the incredible opening OST, which I'm already in love with. The directing, pacing, visuals and acting are all top tier. Honestly, I couldn't find a single thing to complain about!

The story takes us into Bangkok's wealthy and powerful elite, where family rivalry, jealousy, ambition and forbidden desires are all waiting to explode. Ing is the handsome, confident and rebellious eldest son of the wealthy Jian family. Despite his success in business, his relationship with his jealous half brother Itt is far from perfect. Then we have Yok, the intelligent and reserved son of the Li family, who carries the weight of his family's expectations while hiding a much more intense side beneath his quiet personality. When these two worlds collide, you just know we're in for one hell of a passionate and complicated romance!

This is my first time watching both Bank as Ing and Copter as Yok, and BOY, WHERE HAVE THESE TWO BEEN HIDING?! They're both incredibly tall, ridiculously handsome and such talented actors! Their chemistry is absolutely EXPLOSIVE, and we've barely even started their love story!

Ing is such a shameless flirt, and I LOVE IT! The moment he lays eyes on Yok, he's completely captivated. It's practically love at first sight! The way he keeps staring at Yok, especially when he's getting changed, had me laughing because this man has absolutely no shame! He's constantly finding excuses to get closer to him and spend time together. He even attends his half brother Itt's birthday celebration just for another chance to see Yok! Luckily for Ing, Yok happens to be Itt's friend, so he now has the perfect excuse to keep appearing in Yok's life. This man knows exactly what he wants, and he's clearly not afraid to chase after it!

On the other hand, Yok is much quieter and more reserved, but MY GOD, HE IS SO HOT! That opening boxing scene was absolutely incredible! Knowing that Yok has a background in professional boxing makes his character even more fascinating. His punches, kicks and movements looked so realistic, and the fight choreography was seriously impressive. Then we get to see him playing basketball, all sweaty in that Thai heat, with sweat running down his body. GOOD LORD! How am I supposed to concentrate on the storyline when he looks that good?! Copter is absolutely killing this role, and I love how his character can appear so calm and gentle one moment, yet so powerful and intimidating the next.

And can we PLEASE talk about their chemistry?! IT'S INSANE! Every stare, every lingering glance, every little interaction between Ing and Yok is filled with tension. They don't even need to touch each other to make the screen feel electric! I absolutely love the contrast between Ing's bold, playful and flirtatious personality and Yok's quieter, more guarded nature. You can already sense that Ing is going to bring out a completely different side of Yok, and I cannot wait to see how their attraction develops into something much more intense, obsessive and dangerous.

What makes this BL even more exciting is the storyline itself. This isn't just another sweet university romance. We're dealing with wealthy families, complicated relationships, jealousy, power struggles, hidden motives and two men who could end up loving and hurting each other in equal measure. I've heard that both the original novel and manhwa are incredibly toxic, and YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M HERE FOR IT! I'm honestly getting a little bored of all these perfect green flag BL romances. Sometimes I want something messy, possessive, obsessive and completely unpredictable! Give me jealousy, give me emotional chaos, give me that intense love and hate relationship that keeps me screaming at my screen! As long as the storytelling delivers, I'm ready for all the drama!

What I love most is how addictive this series already feels. The pacing is excellent, the cinematography is gorgeous, the music perfectly complements every scene, and the characters have already captured my attention. Not once did I feel the need to check how much time was left in the episode. In fact, I was genuinely disappointed when it ended because I wanted MORE!

And the thought that we still have 18 episodes to go makes me ridiculously happy! I cannot wait for Ing and Yok's first kiss because with this level of chemistry already, I just KNOW it's going to be EXPLOSIVE! If their innocent glances are already making me feel this way, imagine what will happen when they finally give in to their desires!

Having new episodes every Thursday and Friday night for the next ten weeks is going to be AMAZING! I already know I'll be counting down the days every single week. It's rare for a BL to completely win me over after just two episodes, but Fool in Love has done exactly that.

10/10! An absolutely phenomenal start! Stunning production, gorgeous actors, outstanding chemistry, fantastic music and a deliciously complicated romance that has all the ingredients to become one of my favourite Thai BLs of 2026! I'm completely addicted, and I seriously cannot wait for the next episode!

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One of the very best! 10/10. A+.

It’s hands-down one of the very best fantasy-romance/xianxia-ish/xuanhua-ish dramas I’ve ever seen and it’s stayed that way no matter how many others I’ve watched. Loved it so much I’ve watched multiple times. It’s truly a set-the-bar-high kind of drama, and if you love the fantasy-romance genre it’s an absolute must-watch.

Fantasy, romance, action, intrigue, visuals, music, it’s all here a million times over. Both leads’ characters are strong, fun, romantic. Side characters are fabulous (cat and the dragon in their human forms are awesome!).

You’ll cry, laugh, cheer, and probably tap the rewind button a few times in the steamier parts. Hou Minghao and Yu Luxiao have rare and perfect onscreen chemistry, and it shines through. Nice cinematography gives it an eye-candy feel, you’re happy to spend time in this realm.

That’s ML Hou Minghao singing his character Ji Bozai’s beautiful main theme you’ll hear throughout.

If you love this one, also check out Love Between Fairy and Devil. It’s another best of the best fantasy romance dramas, and equally deserving of all the applause once you get past the FL’s voice choice for her character).

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Highs and Lows

There were parts of Teach You a Lesson that I really liked and others that I found incredibly frustrating. My biggest issue was the imbalance between the crimes being committed and the punishments handed out. In a drama built around delivering justice to people who have abused their power or escaped accountability, I feel like the punishment needs to fit the crime. Unfortunately, in a lot of these stories, the consequences felt nowhere near severe enough to match the damage that had been done.

I don't necessarily think this was a problem with the writing, though. I think it's more a limitation of the premise itself. When so many of the perpetrators are children, there's only so far the show can realistically go in punishing them. You can't exactly have the protagonists brutalising schoolchildren, no matter how reprehensible their actions might be. But that creates a frustrating imbalance when the show spends so much time establishing just how cruel these characters are, only for their eventual punishment to feel relatively insignificant.

Episode 4 was easily my favourite, and I think it's because it avoided this problem almost entirely. The victim suffered no lasting damage and was still able to sit his exam, while the teacher responsible lost absolutely everything. He was exposed, sent to prison, and effectively had his entire future destroyed. Even after serving his sentence, his chances of finding another job, particularly in education, would be practically nonexistent. There was something genuinely satisfying about seeing someone face consequences that reflected the severity of their actions.

Compare that to some of the other stories, where a student can torment a teacher to the point of suicide, permanently destroying someone's life and devastating their family, only to potentially receive a couple of years in juvenile detention. The disparity is enormous. The damage inflicted is irreversible, but the punishment feels temporary. I understand that the show is dealing with minors and that the justice system treats them differently from adults, but that doesn't make the resolutions any less unsatisfying. For a drama that relies so heavily on the audience wanting to see justice served, that lack of proportionality really undermines the payoff.

Another aspect I wasn't particularly fond of was the backstory involving the male lead's wife being stabbed. I understand why it was included, as it gave his character a personal tragedy and helped explain his motivations, but I never found the storyline especially compelling. I think it could have worked considerably better if the murderer had been a genuinely charismatic or intimidating antagonist. Someone with enough personality and presence to make the conflict feel personal and memorable. Instead, I found him incredibly dull, which made what should have been one of the show's most emotionally significant storylines feel strangely underwhelming.

Where the drama really succeeded, however, was with its central cast. The characters working at the ERPB were easily one of its greatest strengths. They all had distinct personalities, worked well individually, and had an enjoyable dynamic whenever they were brought together. Their interactions gave the show a sense of camaraderie that helped balance out the often miserable subject matter.

The standout performance, though, was undoubtedly Jin Ki-joo. In a drama that can be relentlessly bleak, her humour and energy were desperately needed. She brought a warmth and liveliness to the show without undermining the seriousness of the situations the characters were dealing with. Her comedic timing was excellent, and she managed to make even relatively ordinary interactions entertaining. Without her, I think the drama would have felt considerably more exhausting to watch.

Ultimately, Teach You a Lesson is a drama with an entertaining cast, some genuinely satisfying moments, and a premise that lends itself to compelling stories about justice and accountability. But it's also a premise that creates its own biggest weakness. The more horrific the crimes become, the harder it is for the show to deliver punishments that feel equally significant, particularly when the perpetrators are children. When it gets that balance right, as it did in Episode 4, the results are excellent. When it doesn't, I was often left feeling more frustrated than satisfied.

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Une impression en demi-teinte

Le sentiment qui m'est revenu le plus sur ce BL est : "Si c'est pas pour l'utiliser correctement, pourquoi le mettre?"

Les 2 premiers épisodes m'auraient presque fait arrêter, car j'en ai un peu marre des enemies to lovers qui n'en sont pas vraiment. On passe d'un « ennemi » (je dirais même d'un gros salopard) à un petit chat qu'on pardonne trop facilement, voire qu'on n'aurait même jamais dû pardonner.

Mais finalement, une fois ces 2 épisodes passés, je suis rentré dans la série et je me suis mis à vraiment beaucoup l'apprécier jusqu'à l'épisode 9.

On a une évolution lente de la relation. Idem pour les personnages secondaires, qui apportent des éléments à l'histoire et ne se contentent pas de passer à l'écran sans intérêt. C'est bienveillant, et j'ai adoré voir Perth dans un rôle sensible et un peu torturé.

J'ai trouvé son jeu avec Chimon plein de complicité. Trop, en fait. On ressent cette amitié si fortement que je n'ai jamais réussi à les voir comme un couple. Surtout que, comparées à l'intensité de leur amitié, les scènes de couple sont catastrophiques.

De manière générale, à partir des épisodes 9-10, c'est toute la série qui devient catastrophique. On perd toute logique, certaines scènes sont mal jouées, d'autres sont filmées comme s'il s'agissait d'un projet d'élèves du primaire, sans parler des incohérences d'un plan à l'autre.

On dirait qu'ils se sont réveillés le dernier jour du tournage en réalisant qu'ils devaient tourner les trois derniers épisodes en une seule prise, sans relire le script.

C'était très long et pénible à regarder, sans compter la frustration de passer d'une bonne série à ça.

Une série qui me laisse sur ma faim et qui m'a vendu du rêve pour finalement se conclure en cauchemar.

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A good mystery that gets a little lost in its own plot.

Coroner's Diary has a solid story at its core, with enough mystery, intrigue, and investigative twists to keep things interesting. The main plot is compelling, and the drama has a good foundation to build on. Unfortunately, the pacing isn't always as sharp as it could be.

The biggest issue for me was the collection of side quests before the main characters finally arrived in the Capital. While these detours added cases and gave the story more room to develop, they also made the journey feel longer than necessary.

For a plot that starts off so promisingly, the way everything eventually comes together feels unnecessarily convoluted. There are so many threads, twists, and explanations competing for attention that the overall payoff loses some of its impact. A little more clarity and tighter storytelling would have made the conclusion much more satisfying.

Still, there's a good drama underneath all the detours and tangled plotting. Coroner's Diary has an engaging premise and a story worth following; it just needed a more disciplined approach to pacing and a less complicated way of tying everything together.

Good story, uneven pacing, and a finale that works harder than it needs to.

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Where Acting Ends and Obsession Begins

Deep In is an absolute triumph, a bold, sensory-driven masterpiece that blends psychological drama with an intensely raw romance. Instead of relying on cheap sensationalism, every passionate moment feels entirely earned, serving as a vital piece of the emotional puzzle rather than mere fanservice.

At its core, the series follows two seemingly straight actors, Zhang Zhun and Zhen Xin, both with girlfriends in real life, who are cast as leads in a gay romance drama. As production progresses, the boundary between performance and reality completely dissolves. What begins as a professional job rapidly spirals into obsession, emotional manipulation, and a terrifying blurring of lines where neither can tell where the script ends and true desire begins. The title couldn't be more fitting: both men end up hopelessly submerged in their roles, and in each other.

What makes the show truly mesmerizing is its meta narrative structure. The storyline constantly shifts between their off-screen lives and the drama they are filming, where they play a doctor (Dr. Fang Chi) and his patient (Gao Zhun). Watching them transition between these dual personas as their real-world feelings start echoing the script feels like watching two distinct, intertwined stories unfold simultaneously.

The heavy lifting rests on its extraordinarily young lead cast, and they deliver performances far beyond their years:

Ollie (20), playing Zhen Xin / Dr. Fang Chi, brings a striking emotional gravity and nuance to a complex role.

Shu Yuan (24), playing Zhang Zhun / Gao Zhun, matches him with incredible intensity and vulnerability.

Tackling two drastically different characters in the same project is a massive challenge, yet their dynamic feels effortless, magnetic, and deeply authentic. That raw screen presence is matched by stunning cinematography, a captivating soundtrack that keeps the pacing tight, and brilliant direction from 28-year-old actor-director Liu Jun Hao, who manages this intricate web with surprising sophistication.

Ultimately, behind all the psychological tension and obsession lies a beautiful core: two people who simply found the courage to listen to their hearts.

Viewer Tip: Make sure you don't skip the post-credit scenes, every single episode includes extra footage that adds significant depth to the story.

If you are a fan of mature romance, obsession, blurred reality, and unforgettably fiery chemistry, Deep In is an absolute must-watch.

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Emotional, Flawed, yet Wholeheartedly Captivating

Reset takes on the popular time-travel trope and delivers an engaging emotional journey, balancing high-stakes drama with genuine romance. The story follows the lead character, who wakes up in the past after dying, determined to change his fate, rewrite history, and navigate a web of hostility and envy from those around him.

What Worked

Unstoppable Chemistry & Performance: The strong, unconditional love between the leads is the beating heart of the series. Armin and Thada share an effortless, heartwarming connection that carries immense emotional weight, and Thada’s smile alone lights up every scene they share. Both lead actors deliver solid, grounded performances that make their relationship feel deeply believable and captivating.

Standout Supporting Cast: The bodyguard/assistant stole every scene he was in. His charm and presence provided a perfect counterbalance to the heavy tension of the main plot.

What Could Have Been Better

Over-the-Top Melodrama & Predictability: The show leans a bit too heavily into traditional drama tropes. The plot twists are mostly predictable, and the villains feel like exaggerated caricatures from older classic movies rather than complex antagonists. Thiwthit’s character comes across as overly melodramatic, and the main villain’s final arc, losing his mind in prison, felt like a tired cliché.

Continuity & Styling Choices: On a minor detail level, Armin’s hair in the opening episodes missed the mark. More glaringly, there was a noticeable continuity error: after taking a bullet near his heart, a subsequent intimate scene shows him completely scar-free without any explanation.

Final Verdict

Despite some predictable writing, melodrama, and a few production slip-ups, Reset succeeds where it matters most: delivering impeccable lead performances, an intriguing central concept, and a genuinely moving love story. If you enjoy time-travel romances anchored by palpable main-lead chemistry, it’s well worth a watch.

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