Reviews

This is a must watch!!

I am absolutely speechless! This drama became everything to me, ever since the first episode, I was sold! This drama is one of the best, or even THE BEST drama I've ever seen! The cast, the acting, music, story, just everything was pure perfection for me and I was completely immersed in every single episode! I don't know how I can live without this drama now😭 I kept on thinking about the story after every episode and it was a sign that I really fell for this drama hard. This really might be the first ever drama that I will rewatch! maybe even more than once, and I NEVER rewatch anything! Song Kang and Lee Junyoung were absolutely, insanely amazing in their roles! The tension and chemistry they had, insane! I really could go on and on with these compliments

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Best usage of camerawork and plot writing EVER!

Although it took me a long time to get into, it was 100% worth it!! The first episode may have taken me a week to get into but afterwards I watched the whole series in a week (UPTIL today since I spaced it out).

From the acting to the cameras, this series was carefully planned out to portray every emotion and definitely was an amazing bromance!!

I think the fact Junyoung was amazing at portraying the betrayal of Jeongyo that I started hating him slightly. Whilst, Song Kang portrayed the inner issues with family over the truth because in order for him to be “innocent” he had to turn on his family, later causing him to just accept all the revenge jeongyo pours.

The plot was 100% 10/10 with multiple Easter eggs and there’s so many little details that you don’t realise until you watch afterwards making the message hit harder. Also, the minor details in junyoungs acting where he delayed his glance at characters to show how calculated he was.

The camera work aswell helped build the intensity and despite the actual plot being very complex, it was still easy to comprehend and was an amazing drama to watch!!

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Watch Godzilla Minus 1 instead

I watched Godzilla minus 1 and loved it. One of my all time favorite Japanese films. Godzilla minus 0 is coming out soon so it seemed like a good time to catch the original. I understand this is an important film for historical reasons but… for most people don’t waste your time.

First the film starts off with a lot of radio reports and committee meetings. I get that they wanted to give it the feeling of realism, but this stuff is just boring to watch. Second the dialog felt weird and stilted. The decisions and interactions were all off. If you were a guy about to ask a father for his blessing to marry his daughter would you start off with “before we get to your daughter let me tell you how your deepest held personal belief is completely wrong. Let’s spend the next five minutes arguing about it”? How do you think that would go? Or when the one-eyed scientist explains that he’s an “oxygen specialist”. Basically none of the characters were convincing or memorable.

On the positive side the theme of atomic weapons and the dangers of this type of technology was well thought out. It really comes together in the end. The music too holds up pretty well. The VFX were surprisingly good. Even though they were not realistic looking they were fun to watch. Although unfortunately Godzilla isn’t all that scary looking. It really looks like a toy dinosaur.

All in all this one is for committed fans only.

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Netflix’s Human Vapor drama was inspired by Honda Ishiro’s 1960 film of the same name. Sadly, I haven’t seen the original yet. As I sat through this drama I was honestly wishing to be watching Honda’s THV instead of this dreary, overly long re-invention of a man who can turn into a murderous vapor.

Detective Okamoto Kenji has been on suspension for 3 months after his reporter girlfriend Kono Kyoko uses his case file for a story. He’s called back into action when a professor Kyoko is interviewing on television is attacked by a vapor monster and blows up. From there Kenji is taken down a meteorite hole of government and police corruption in league with the yakuza.

What I liked:
The acting was strong for the genre.
The special effects were quite well done, though they were used sparsely.
The drama looked good.

What made me go hmmm….
~~The yakuza tied to all of the corruption doesn’t have their own surveillance around their super not so secrety building and gambling operation?
~~I was startled when a character ordered a cream soda and got a ghastly, ghostly green drink. Turns out it’s a very different drink in Japan than where I am. There it’s melon flavored. Here cream soda is a creamy, vanilla tasting drink. No shade, I just learned something. ^^
~~For the millionth time, tires do not squeal on grass or dirt.

What didn’t work for me:
~~This drama played out like a Korean political corruption drama. When I checked the writers, it turned out that it was written by South Korean writers. Wrong place, wrong genre, for this muddled mess of government/police/yakuza corruption.
~~Overuse of the worst thriller tropes:
Run to the most isolated place if being chased by gangsters.
“I have the only copy of the evidence that will prove everything, let me just physically take it slowly on a deserted road to turn it in.” I was ready to root for the yakuza when they were smart enough to avoid this trope.
~~Far too much filler. “We’re finally making progress with the story, let’s spend an episode going down a weird garden path that could have been revealed in minutes.”
~~The whole White Center meteorite story was a dumpster fire of illogical storytelling. A glowing meteorite origin story is okay in monster flicks, but not when they try to shoehorn it into realistic world building.
~~Monologuing villains. I do not care about Miguel and beekeeping. STFU and get on with it.
~~Most egregiously, they literally sucked all the life and human interest out of the Human Vapor. I really hated the plot turn regarding the Vapor.

To sum up:
This could have been an entertaining monster revenge drama, but they couldn’t help themselves from layering in the corruption. The only monster was the human syndicate of stereotypical villains that hogged the camera and dragged down the story. There were too many loose ends and unanswered questions. And by the end, I didn’t even care if they didn’t answer the questions, I just wanted the Vapor to evaporate.

4 October 2026
Trigger warnings:
Nudity. Turtles being spun on a roulette wheel. Torture. Exploding body.

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Intertwined Destinies

Take heart my friends. The ending of the series was just the beginning for Pio and Jeong Yo. Finally.

After years of struggle...torment...conflict...depression...they are both now free from the shackles of performance pressure and public expectation. The two embattled souls have finally reunited....but as free spirits to soar together.

At first I was disappointed with the ending...considering it a dull easy way out...a non controversial ending that was carefully crafted not to offend anyone's sensitivities. And...it is....dull and an easy way out. But...there is more.

Jeong Yo needed to find himself again...needed to heal again...needed to quietly find a place where he would be hidden from the world and no one would find him. And like a wounded animal, he remained in seclusion to heal until he was ready to re-enter the world. He returned to Europe...to the monastery....his place of healing....to once again heal....to heal his soul.

Jeong Yo did not become a priest. He's not even a monk. After carefully researching this I learned that in the Benedictine Monasteries the monks wear a black woolen robe with a black hood and a scapular. Jeeong Yo was not wearing the scapular. That ... then...identifies him as a Benedictine Oblate....an oblate is a layman who lives in the monastery and chooses a monastic type of life without ever taking vows. He is has not made a life commitment and is free to come and go...to live a secular life....as did Jeong Yo when he left for Korea and then returned back to Europe.

And is that it then? Is that where Jeong Yo is destined to be for life? No. Both his and Pio's worlds have been set on paths that are always changing. For the two of them nothing is forever...except, that is, for each other. They are the forevers in each other's lives.

I took pause to think.

Everything in this series has required a deeper analysis...a look between the lines....studying the glances...observing the body language...and most of all reading the eye language. The eyes have been the window to both of their souls. The eyes have told the story from the very beginning.

So...in this ending we are each given the opportunity to interpret it as it most comfortably fits into our own expectations. It is...not open ended...it is merely unfinished.

For those who wanted a friendship, in their minds the friendship will continue...like two planets orbiting around each other but always keeping a fixed distance from each other....and in this case, a safely fixed emotional and physical distance.

For those who wanted a bromance, the groundwork has already been laid out. The two healed souls...now free spirits...can more than orbit around each other...they can revolve their lives around each other's. They can break the physical/emotional boundaries and be both physically close to each other when they feel the need....but emotionally close to each other for life.

But...in truth...this story is the story of the romance of two tortured and lost young men. All one needs to do is to reflect upon the eye exchanges...the glances...the smiles...the rage...the emotional turmoil...throughout the entire series. They can NOT live without each other. In the final scene Jeong Yo and Pio are in a Catholic church...sharing the moment in front of a choir of children. Jeong Yo and Pio share glances, smiles....their eyes sparkle, and the look of joy between them is the look of victory... "We did it! Here I am! And here I am!"... when they finally reunite. Although the exchange between them didn't show longing and passion, it couldn't. The two of them are in a church in front of a choir of children. Their smiles were love..pure and simple.

The only status quo in their lives is their need...and their love...for each other. They just can not live without each other.

So...for those who were hoping for a romance, the stage truly had been set in the final act of the last episode for a romance. They are at last together. Nothing, it seems, could keep them apart. And in the finality of it all, Pio and Jeong Yo will finally be able to be with each other...exclusively....just the two of them...as adults...unhindered...and unrestrained. Their intertwined destinies from childhood had all along been setting the path for a life together of exclusive love and happiness.

Sorry for those who don't want to accept it...but this story is the story of love....the romance of two young men.

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magnifico

Magnificent in every aspect Story Direction Acting Actors Music There was no misses in this series Just two actors at the peak top of their acting Game Song Kang & Jun-young took the keys & ran with them in this Drama Not to mention the supporting Actors are Fantastic Jang Gyu Ri - Kim Joo Heon - Yoon Se Ah - Jung Jin Young not one bad actor in this series
I see the talk about what this series is -- is it a undercover BL no I don't think so but it is a soft launch in a main stream series with two famous actors names attached that shows two male characters in Love mentally Intellectually & artistically The only component missing for it to be an Epic love Story is Physically but there is no ambiguity here the Two main characters were in love with each other The ending scene of Kang Pi-o & Choi Jeong Yo was love
It goes so much deeper than Physical the are so many aspects to love that doesn't become physical -- there was everything in this series hatred trauma obsession criminal musicality friendship just all the emotions were present
I loved this drama so much most of my favorite actors were in this so go ahead folks be ready to cry and just enjoy a series done Right

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Having YinWar in Your Series Doesn't Automatically Make It Good

Listen, I love Yin and War, I think they're great actors and, when the trailer came out, even if I'm not a cop show guy or a comedy guy, I wanted to give it a try still because I do believe in them.
Long story short: I shouldn't have.
The series is boring and the plot is nowhere to be find, they have only a premise and they ran with it. They did not know where they were going, though.
Good actors can definitely improve a good series and help deliver a story, they're fundamental. In this regard, Yin and War will almost always be a good pick, no matter what you're making. But you gotta be making something. You gotta have a script, a solid idea, an objective, a message, some arcs. You can't just throw your best assets into a blender and expect them to make omelettes without eggs.
I don't think there's any juice to this series and, worst of all, it's not even funny, even though it's meant to be a comedy.
The team basically failed everywhere.
Very, very, VERY disappointing.

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What If Knowing How the Story Ends Is Exactly How You Change It?

We usually think knowing the ending ruins the story. But what if knowing the ending is exactly what gives you a chance to change it?

That was the idea that stayed with me while watching The Eternal Fragrance. The people who knew the history weren't simply waiting for it to repeat. They used what they knew to guide, protect, teach, and influence the people who could shape what would come next.
And that's what made the story more interesting to me than simply watching characters fight against fate.

- MAYBE THE REAL VARIABLES ARE THE PEOPLE -
What I enjoyed most was how many characters mattered to the bigger picture.
The story isn't carried only by the main romance. Friends, disciples, mentors, comrades, family, and even characters whose motives I questioned all leave their mark. A person's guidance can change someone else's thinking. A sacrifice can affect a future decision. Choosing compassion instead of revenge can break a pattern that has existed for generations.

The more I thought about it, the more I saw these relationships as "variables".
You can't change what already happened. But you can change who learns from it, who they trust, what they believe, and how they respond when history begins repeating itself.

That also made the morality of the story more interesting. Humans aren't automatically good, demons aren't automatically evil, and immortals aren't automatically righteous. I kept wanting to understand why someone became the person they were, before deciding how I felt about their actions.

Sometimes understanding didn't excuse a character. It simply made them harder to dismiss.

- WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS DRAMA -
Yes.

If you enjoy xianxia that gives you more to think about than romance and fantasy, The Eternal Fragrance is worth trying.
Come for the world, the mystery, the relationships, and the romance... but pay attention to the people who know the past and what they choose to do with that knowledge...

... because the most interesting part may not be watching fate unfold...

It may be watching people quietly change the pieces ... and wondering whether, this time, the ending will be different.

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Ngl but best bromance ever

I watch this series definitely cuz of Song Kang that I’ve followed his series since love alarm 1. I know since the start that’ll be bromance cuz I feel like Song Kang won’t play pure BL. But I never expected that I’ll love this series this frickin much. Song Kang and Lee jun young’s acting are way beyond. I love every scene they’re playing together, especially where they smile at each other cuz it’s so BL and I’m so pure bliss. Not gonna spoil the plot but like just saying that it gives all mood like happy, frustration, worried, crying. Lots of unexpectedness and feeling like the plots written are all well clicked and a perfect match. It’s been a great time so much feeling excited and waiting for every 2 episodes a week. But I wouldn’t rewatch it anymore cuz way too emotional break. I’m so happy watching this drama, hope to see more bromance like this again.

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Four Hands, Mixed Feelings

Honestly, Four Hands, Two Sonatas was a good watch for me. I liked how music was connected to competition, family expectations and the characters' personal struggles. It wasn't just about playing the piano.

Kang Pi-o (Song Kang) and Choi Jeong-yo (Lee Jun-young) were the main highlights for me. Their rivalry and different struggles made their relationship interesting. Hong Jae-in (Jang Gyu-ri) also added something to the story.

Kang Seung-woon (Jung Jin-young), Pi-o's grandfather, stood out because of his strict attitude and high expectations. Do Hyeon-soo (Kim Joo-hun), their piano teacher, added depth to their musical journey. I also appreciated Yoon Seon-ju (Seo Jae-hee) for giving Jeong-yo an opportunity, while Kang Ji-hye (Yoon Se-ah) added more complexity to Pi-o's family life.

However, I wouldn't call this drama perfect. Some character relationships and storylines could have been explored better, and certain moments could have had a stronger emotional impact.

Still, I enjoyed the music, the performances and the contrast between Pi-o and Jeong-yo. It has its flaws, but overall, I'm glad I watched it.

Honestly, the drama was good, but I feel like it was missing that little spark. Maybe it's just my personal feeling, and it's definitely not hate towards anyone. It just didn't hit me the way I expected it to.

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Vengeance, Punishment and Salvation: The Ultimate Language of Music

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the stills of Song Kang and Lee Jun Young together, which were so intriguing and irresistible—making it impossible not to feel curious and attracted to their story.

The comments section was also a part of the encouragement to watch it, as many people praized the story and acting of characters, so couldn't ignore all the positive vibes that was glowing from there so it was like watching the drama through reading them before starting it,

​Diving into episodes 1 to 3, the show gave me what many Korean dramas have been lacking: such promising and strong plots! Song Kang and Lee Jun-young presented a phenomenal and fiery chemistry that most couples in other K-dramas didn't excel to reach—this level of two male leads was much more interesting than any other romantic story! Just the way the drama started makes you captivated in the story already with no dull moments.

​The overall vibes of the story after episode 1 gave me a mix of similarities to two dramas, Weak Hero and At a Distance, Spring Is Green, especially for the short bullying part, the poor background of Jeong-yo, and the rich one of Pi-o. These three shows also look almost alike on the bromance side and in how characters started the story on the wrong foot, before developing a much deeper bond as male leads.

​Postponing watching it until the final week and binge-watching in 3 days was the best thing to do to avoid the tiring and tormenting Korean airing schedule!

​An unusual friendship turned the four hands of two rivals into a surprising and unmatched work of art in the musical notes of pianos, where you can feel the passion and thrill spoken through their story together. There is something so incredibly mind-blowing about how every one of them is performing with such deep emotions that no other Korean dramas of this genre showed such an interesting side of the story!

​The piano itself was a character of the story that bound both Pi-o and Jeong-yo together and strengthened their relationship to be more than friends, but soulmates and companions in playing, complementing each other.



●The complicated world of adults that shattered the leads away from each others

​The world of adults in this drama was merciless, turning the two male characters into shattered souls and tearing them apart. Starting with the harsh mother who—instead of making music an art meant to bring joy that her son Pi-o was supposed to perform—treated it as a competition where it was forbidden for him to lose to anybody. This stemmed from the psychological complex of her father, who never acknowledged the talent of his grandson born to an unknown father, blaming his daughter for giving birth to such a child when she followed her dream of being a ballerina and came back pregnant, while she herself considered Pi-o a gift from God.

I couldn't believe a mother could be so controlling and suffocating, acting as the first and main reason for his frustration and melancholia, showing deep pain when playing as others were always dissatisfied with his performance. This even made Pi-o moody with Jeong-yo whenever using him to appease adults and whenever rejecting him like they were never friends. Though I understand the deep psychological complex behind such behavior, it was disheartening to see them in that status.

That hateful mother is just a disaster to the plot! No matter how much the grandpa sounds so harsh and cold towards his grandson but still she is the worst in this drama! Seriously at everytime I see her I feel something is making my blood boiling and wanting to choke her! She is only bringing misery to her poor son! She urgently needs a big slap to her face, just to make her shaking and waking up that getting rid of someone else in order to make her precious son reach the first place and winning a competition, by cheating and being "criminal" is just a web of illusions that she knitted with her dirty hands and making Pi O sinking more and more in the unhappy path of popularity that never was a fortune for him cause deep inside he was missing an important part of his life all these nine years!

She is only enjoying by herself the euphoria of delusional victory by eradicating "his competitor"! She is utterly selfish and not realizing how her son is actually feeling all these years in this absence of Jeong Yo, his companion in music that was the only reason to see Pi O smiling genuinely when they were playing four hands!

It is was so saddening to see their friendship shattered away just because of her obsession to see her son winning the first place, while I think absolutely if Pi O wasn't surrounded with all this pressure from this cruel world of adults and he was just left to play piano because it is supposed to bring joy not frustration to him under an unbearable pressure to be always "the top 1", Pi O wouldn't have a suffocating life under the leadership of his evil mother!

The grandpa was so unforgivable for how hating his grandson just because of his unknown father and always disparaging his talents in music, was so repulsive to see, making also the "competition" between Jeong Yo and Pi O, that once was started with the greedy ambition of the mother, to tear that friendship of male leads apart and making Pi O no longer the same one who was happy and grateful to have his companion in music who changed his life and freed him from the cuffs of his ruthless mother and grandpa...

It was for real so frustrating to see how the pressure over Pi O, making him moving far away from his best friend Jeong Yo and not anymore treating him with the same way when he was feeling so comfortable around him when they were drowned in their four hands music world, making them to be two frenemies stuck in this storm of pull and push vibes!

Once Pi O said that he is having "unrequited love" with music while he was at his lowest point in his life, when he was feeling that nobody is acknowledging his talent in music, that part was so heartbreaking!



●The psychological dynamic of leads with music
Piano is incredibly a sword with double-edge in this drama, either a way to enjoy what you play, either to turn up against you to be just a way to feel inferior to others with endless fatigue just to prove yourself to others who are despicable and not appreciating the efforts you are doing!

You don't have to be the best in world of music and you don't have to appease everybody with the way you are playing! Two pianists may have different ways in the emotions they convey when they are playing but it is not meaning if someone having a better performance so the other should be thrown away! That was the dilemma with Pi O! Make both of them playing to make a masterpiece of unforgettable music, but don't make that feeling of Jeong Yo is better than him to tear apart this treasured friendship! Even if Jeong Yo excelled the most, but playing four hands is also a creative way to enjoy your passion for music, no matter who is the best playing! Make music for strengthening the bond of two companions, not to be a way of challenge or to turn them rivals instead of soulmates in playing!



● My favorite parts of the drama
​So, episodes 1 to 3 were the top, when you could feel their cooperation—helping Jeong-yo overcome his traumatic past of being unable to perform on stage when his mother passed away because of a hemorrhage. It was everything to see the soft side of Pi-o acting as his support, in addition to all their smiles when playing in synchronization, before everything faded away at the abduction incident that sent the story in an unpleasant direction.

Nothing compares to these golden, precious moments of friendship... they're the true heart of why this drama is so outstanding! Those unforgettable smiles and soft looks in their eyes, are permanently engraved in my memory and I can't move on! Their laughter back then felt so real, it's heartbreaking how much miss seeing them genuinely happy together, that I would be in the mood to relive this chapter a million times over!

​Episodes 10 and 11 were also the best. I liked how the plot used the musical piece "Nemesis" as a way for Jeong-yo to seek revenge on Pi-o, who just took the blame and lied to him, claiming to be the main reason for the abduction just to keep his mother out of danger. Pi-o sacrificed himself to be punished so recklessly and idiotically enough by his friend Jeong-yo and torturing himself endlessly in this turmoil of vengence that was devouring Pi O till being worn out!



●The phenomenal acting of Song Kang, Lee Jun Young and Yoon Se Ah
​The tension and heavy pain in Pi-o's eyes were something else, working hard just to please Jeong-yo, who had turned music into a tool of revenge. Though it was heartbreaking to see Jeong-yo giving Pi-o a hard time, disparaging his playing and acting authoritatively, it was executed with high-level acting performances from both of them.

​The male leads and the actress portraying Kang Ji-hye (the mother of Pi-o) should be awarded for the best performances in this drama. Even though the mother was hateful and a villain, acting-wise it was undeniably outstanding.


●Jang Gyu Ri in the story
​I think the character of Jang Gyu Ri shouldn't have been in the main cast of actors, but instead in the supporting ones, as she didn't get screen time comparable to the two male leads. That unnecessary part of the romance between her and Pi-o could really have been removed, as she was only left hurt by an unrequited love.


● The special parts of Ep 6-7
​I can't get over what I liked in episodes 6 to 7: how Pi-o was looking for Jeong-yo so genuinely, unable to live normally while searching for his best friend for nine years. It made it take so long for Jeong-yo to believe it, who had played along with amnesia to get revenge. Still, it was so surprising how Jeong-yo actually still cared about him despite all the grudges he held against Pi-o, before realizing the truth that Pi-o wasn't the one behind the abduction—while Pi-o kept denying he would ever do it, even after everything was revealed.



●Satisfying Ending though flawed in some places
I can consider that the final in general lived up to my expectations and wrapped up the story in a gorgeous way, though I found it unnecessary for Jeong Yo after reconciling with Pi O, to make him frustrated more with his sudden absence and disappearing out of the picture, like he did his duty to make sure his companion to come back in the world of music then he excused himself to be out of his life, like he is not anymore in any use for him until reuniting after three years... But why to make Jeong Yo a monk?! It was just maybe only for me so ridiculous to turn out in this
way, secluding himself from the world and leaving to another country was just a flawed idea to ending this drama like this!

At least it was so much satisfying to see though Jeong Yo's injury of right shoulder that affected his hand, he just sacrificed his medical condition just to be able go play again in front of Pi O, was just so impressive to see it from Jeong Yo, who also was the main reason for Pi O to remember him thay he shouldn't give up playing piano which was the connection to make them a soulmates and a salvation way for them to find happiness away from the merciless pressures and nasty world of adults!

It was so touching to see Jeong Yo confessing that Pi O was always "the hope and light" for him, adding so much warm and soft vibes to the final, especially breaking that cold ice between them and coming back to play even for once four hands again though the past injury of Jeong Yo, that even caused him medical complications after that, but he didn't mind just for the sake of his best friend to not give up on music!

In addition to the tears shed by Pi O when reading the message of Jeong Yo after he left him to unknown place, you can feel the strong bond between them that should have been even more shown in this drama in my opinion!

The redemption arc of the grandpa Kang and the mother was so pleasant to see, though I just preferred if they kept him alive, seeing how his grandson is now "playing freely like that day" as Jeong Yo asked him to do... I think the mother should have learned a dear lesson after her misdeeds!

It was also so satisfying to see the grandpa acknowledging his faults to what he caused a hard time for his grandson and apologizing to Jeong Yo who was the victim of the bad bringing up of Pi O's mother, what contributed in proving the innocence of Pi O who did the extreme just to take the blame and guilt for what happened to Jeong Yo...

I just wished to have at least one hug at the end between leads, after Pi O traveled all this distance just to track where Jeong Yo was, after a post card message he received from him... But anyway even if it wasn't in the best way I was looking forward it, but still it was a good ending...

I liked too how Pi O did that live performance, just as a way for being able to search for his friend and making him watching online in case Jeong Yo would connect with him through this and for real you can feel how they still care for each other, when he sent to Pi O that post card to give him some notes about his playing...



●Final Verdict
​I consider this drama to have lived up to my expectations, and I'm so glad I gave it a try because it is the best I've ever seen among K-dramas of this year and the last, even though it dragged in some parts between episodes 6 and 9.

​I would strongly recommend it for anyone looking for a deeply emotional story about a strong bond between two musical soulmates who couldn't for once admit that their friendship was more important than anything in their life, despite all the hatred and antagonist circumstances that pulled them apart.

Through everything explored in this drama, it honestly stands as the best watch among all Korean dramas of this year so far—a four hands, two frenemies, and one unforgettable journey of pain, passion, and deep attachment to music!

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A love that needed more than love

Overall, I enjoyed this drama, although I felt that it was a bit slow and dragged at some points. Again, I loved the costumes, the sets, and the cast.
I think the storyline in Part 2 is much deeper than in Part 1. In Part 2, we get to see the leads’ relationship and characters develop more, while the main plot, especially Ling Bu Yi’s investigation, gradually unfolds and gets resolved.
I also found the characters more complex in this part, especially Ling Bu Yi and Shao Shang. Their relationship isn’t just about romance; their personal goals, beliefs, and the political conflicts around them all affect their relationship. That made Part 2 more interesting for me, even though some parts felt slow.
What I love most about their relationship is that they don’t simply misunderstand each other. It’s that they don’t understand each other enough.

For them, loving each other also means learning to truly understand each other. When Shao Shang feels that Ling Bu Yi doesn’t understand her, she reaches a point where she no longer wants to continue the relationship. For her, love alone isn’t enough if the person she loves doesn’t understand who she is and what she needs.

But eventually, they come to understand each other better. That’s what makes their relationship meaningful to me. They don’t just need to love each other; they need to learn how to understand each other.

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They Always Found Their Way Back to Each Other

I finished Four Hands Two Sonatas not really knowing how to feel about the ending. It left me genuinely upset, not necessarily because I think the choice was bad, but because throughout the entire story it felt so obvious to me that there was a love story here that the drama never had the courage to fully acknowledge.

All the elements were there. Their happiness as teenagers, the ease they found in each other's company, the little things they discovered together, and even those familiar romance drama tropes: the scenes on the bus, on the subway, Jeongyo taking Pio to experience the things he loved. Everything built this feeling that we were watching two people who had found a place of comfort in each other while surrounded by a world that constantly hurt them.

And maybe that is exactly why watching them destroy themselves over the years was so painful. The story becomes increasingly heavy, filled with drama, jealousy, resentment, and the consequences of the adults' actions around them. Yet no matter how much they hurt each other, they always find their way back to one another. Even in the very last moments of the drama, they come back to each other.

To me, there is no simple explanation for a relationship like theirs. They were in love with each other. The drama can choose to call it friendship, leave everything unspoken, and end things ambiguously, but what is implied is incredibly clear. And that is exactly what makes the ending so complicated.

I understand that stories do not have to end the way the audience expects, and that this alone does not make an ending bad. But after everything that was built between them, it is impossible not to wish that, at some point, they could finally have the kind of ease they were always looking for in each other. After so much suffering, I wanted to see them simply be happy together.

And in a way, I suppose it is a happy ending. They found their way back to each other once again. After everything they went through, after all the years they spent hurting and losing each other, they are together again. Maybe it is not the kind of happiness I was hoping the story would give them, but there is something deeply comforting about knowing that, in the end, they still chose each other.

In the end, I see Four Hands Two Sonatas as a story about friendship, jealousy, and, above all, love. It is also about the way adults try to control young people's lives, constantly making decisions for them under the assumption that being young means they do not know what they are doing or what is best for themselves. And sometimes, in trying to protect them or shape their futures, they end up taking away their ability to choose for themselves.

It is a story about a love that could have been simple, but was constantly crushed by the world around it.

And I think that is what makes this drama so painful. It can take you from happiness to anguish so effortlessly. Watching it week by week, I was genuinely anxious for the next episode, constantly wondering where their relationship would go. I ended up becoming very attached to this story, so naturally the ending frustrated me.

But I can understand the choice. I understand what this story was trying to say and why it ended the way it did. The actors deserve so much praise for carrying all of this, because there is an intensity to their relationship that comes through the screen.

Overall, this is an excellent, painful, beautifully constructed drama. Maybe I will never fully accept the ending, but I think that also says a lot about how deeply this story managed to make me feel.

And yes, to me, this is a BL.

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