Reviews

Heartbreaking and hanting story

The storyline is amazing—dark, emotional, and deeply compelling. And the acting? Absolutely phenomenal. Tseng Ching Hua did an incredible job. His eyes alone were filled with so much emotion; you could feel every ounce of pain, rage, and heartbreak without him saying a word.

The story is genuinely sad. Watching Jen Yao face one terrible thing after another was just heartbreaking. He never stood a chance. I loved how Hsiao Tung always believed in him and supported him, even when the world kept knocking them both down. Their connection was the only light in an otherwise crushing story.

What makes this drama even more unsettling is how real it feels. This kind of thing happens everywhere. The system rarely helps the victims, especially when money and power are involved. After seeing how everything unfolded—how they were failed again and again—I completely understood why Jen Yao did what he did. The law was never on their side. Revenge became the only option left.

I was hoping for some kind of happiness, but it was obvious we wouldn't get it. Not really. Part one was about the love that bloomed between the leads—fragile and beautiful—only to be destroyed by the terrible events that will lead to all the killing we'll see in Part two.

Now I wait. And I'll be rooting for him.

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Healthy relationships despite the storm

I honestly created a profile to leave drama reviews because of the ml(his previous dramas which i always ended up disliking). Oddly i found this to be very interesting and engaging. Each character executed their roles excellently although i wish there would be more emotion in the ml acting (he still did a good job).

Every character kind of had their own plot and personality and it was nice to see them shine in a harmonious way. There was a particularly annoying side character (the king) but i tried to focus more on the good. I also enjoyed the fact that the lead characters had a strong relationship
, scerets werent hidden from each other for too long and the fl was also quite matured when dealing with the guy. It was fresh to see. I also loved seeing LuYiYao slay her role as the ml sister with a mental disorder. She did act it really well!

I would get tired along the way but the plot would often find a way to come back to life and had many funny scenes that had me laughing.
Overall, i think its a great watch that shows how team work is really the dream work!

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Nostagia, Childhood, Youth.

Always Home

I realized from this drama that youth dramas just hit different. I love the community around them, where everyone is so close with each other and will help, support, and protect each other as well. I love the bonds, friendships, relationships, and support that is formed within all youth dramas and how that friendship can carry on through adulthood. It’s truly the perfect portrayal of what everyone wants to obtain from their childhood, but very few people end up getting.

My thoughts after finishing it. Whoo! My favorite part of this whole drama is it’s portrayal of growing up. I have watched many youth dramas before, but none of them portray it as accurately as Always Home. The ups and downs of family, relationships, friends, careers, and homes are just perfect. Nothing is ever going to come perfect, but the people and the things that you care about and dedicate yourself towards will never leave you. “There are many times that will come and go, people, hobbies, events. However, I believe that they will always follow you and support you through all your future endeavors.” No matter what challenges are faced, everything will work out in the end. Good friends will stay good friends. Bad people will leave and life will go on. This drama’s big point is not even surrounding the romance. That is a sub-plot to me. It’s just the character growth and realization of how true reality is in life.

From the very start, I love this drama. I love the youth and school setting of it. The way that Xichi and Huan’er hit it off so quick. I love their dynamic, it’s definitely like a childhood best friend teasing dynamic. And Song Cong is the parent of the dynamic. He’s the calm and mellow one that controls when things get too rowdy.

I’m really moved by something that Huan Er said “Just because you have a planned life doesn’t mean that it’ll make you happy.” That’s a rlly impactful quote for everyone growing up and at an impasse. Even if there’s a path laid out, if it doesn’t make you happy, it’s not worth it.

I feel so bad for both Song Cong and his mom. I understand both perspectives. His mom is just working to try to make his life as easy as possible, so he doesn’t have to go through the same struggles as she did. However, Song Cong is his own person and has his own thoughts and wishes. If he doesn’t want to go study abroad, then he shouldn’t be forced to because he will never be happy that way. Something that Xi Chi said also stuck with me in that moment, “if u truly love something, then you will let it hurt you over and over and never regret it.” That’s such a true statement. You would be willing to give up everything for something you love.

The start of this drama with everyone’s baby crushes is so cute. It’s a love square. Xi Chi likes Qiqi. Qiqi likes Song Cong. Song Cong likes Huan’er. Huan’er likes Xi Chi. It’s a whole chain where there’s not one couple that reciprocates their feelings.

I really like Li Tian for some reason. He’s such a relatable character who helps people in need, but also tries not to bother them. He’s under so much pressure from his parents and they don’t even listen to what he wants one bit. I was really happy when Xi Chi, Song Cong, and Huan’er helped him attend that English competition instead of the math comp that his parents wanted him to go to. It was really sweet and he was able to do what he wanted for once.

Aww…Jing Xi Chi injuring his leg make me really really sad. That is his one dream in life and he’s trying so hard to be better and prove all the people that says he can’t do it wrong, but in the end, he ended up hurting himself even more. I still feel bad for Song Cong. He feels left out of the dynamic, no one truly understands him, they view him as this perfect guy when he just wants to play and mess around like everyone else.

When Song Cong’s mother was in the ICU and Song Cong was really devastated about it, Huan’er comforted him about it. She revealed some of her own struggles when she was sick as a kid and reassured Song Cong that his mother would be ok. Song Cong was really grateful for that and moved by her kindness. UGH I AM GETTING SECOND LEAD SYNDROME FOR LIKE THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE AFTER LIKE 30 DRAMAS WATCHED. I also loved how Li Tian stuck up for Song Cong too in the class when they were all gossiping about his mother’s situation.

The kids all caring for their parents more and thinking about them getting old is so relatable. I love this familial aspect of the show as all the kids understand how limited time is and how much the need to start caring for their parents wellbeing as well.

When there was the power outage in class before the Gaokao, the teachers speech got me rlly emotional. He reminds everyone to always try their best and live their life differently than everyone else. A test is important but it doesn’t determine your life. All of the kids crying shows just how affected they are. Not only are they great students, but they all understand the maturity of the world they’re going to enter. It’s so relatable esp when being close to becoming an adult, because u realize u have to part with the lie u once knew and adjust to the real world. I LOVE how this drama is so relatable. Huan’er getting sad thinking abt how everyone is moving so far away.

EPISODE 16!! WHAT THE HECK!! WHY DID EVERYONE CONFESS AT THE SAME TIME AND THEY ALL GOT REJECTED. Song Cong bro, he seemed so dejected after. ILL TAKE U IF SHE DOESNT. He asked Xi Chi first if he liked Huan’er because he thought of his best friend over his feelings. Then, he worked up the nerve, got rejected, then completely was like not himself after. He was no longer the stable, mature, Song Cong. The one time he tries to be honest and truthful, it fails. MY SECOND LEAD SYNDROME IS SO HIGH. AND THEN HE PUT THE GLASSES BACK ON😭😭. My heart is broken for him bro. Him and Huan’er is such a perfect match and I will stand on that. Huan’er and Xi Chi are too similar, but Song Cong balances her out. UGHHHHH💔 He even came to her and apologized for making things awkward saying to forget he ever said it. When he asked if they could still be friends and she said it would be hard, my heart broke for him even more bro. Not only did he lose his love, he lost his friend, and told her to think of him as a neighbor if it’s too hard for her. He’s always thinking of other people.

I’m not going to lie, I don’t really connect with the lead couple that much as I keep watching.

Awww I knew this would happen but it still hurt me. Tian Chi is so mature. He knew that Huan’er didn’t like him and still decided to reveal his feelings but then tell her that he understands. His giving back of the book from years ago was like the end of a book. That chapter is closed. Ugh Tian Chi deserves someone good. My 2 favorite characters rejected by the same girl: Song Cong and Tian Chi. They need happy endings.

Song Cong and Qiqi just don’t seem right to me. They come from 2 diff worlds no matter what Qiqi tried to do. She’s used to the luxurious lifestyle and always having money, living in big houses, and expensive gifts. He prioritized his family, small acts of love, and quality time. I actually hated how Qiqi didn’t realize that Song Cong paid for that expensive of a bill and how that affected him. Like, not everyone has unlimited money, so for Song Cong, that simple meal cost a lot. Yea, ok after that scene at the bar, it gave me a big ick. Qiqi knew he had a test tmrw and still forced him to drink with her. Not only that, she had the audacity to say she had to change for him to like her. He ate her up with that line: “is it fair if ur changing me into a person I don’t want to be?” That is exactly how the relationship was heading towards. He and her have such different goals and priorities that it wasn’t ever going to work out.

WOW WOW WOW!! I never even imagined that Du Man and Song Cong would be a fit for each other. But man, they are literally perfect. They literally have the exact same perspective on life and Du Man understands Song Cong in a way that no one else does. She’s not overly feminine, overly emotional, but more rational. And that is exactly how Song Cong is. Not only that, but the fact they live so close and work together, they can lean on eachother for support. And when she kissed him, bro. That was a power move and boy am I glad she did it. I don’t know how far this relationship is going to go, but she is what Song Cong needs and likewise.

Ok, yes. So, this is exactly what I was talking about. I know that Jing Xichi has good intentions and he truly loves Huan’er but their personalities are just disparate. Like, he got so jealous over Tian Chi’s help for Huan’er when he should have been thanking him. What did he expect Tian Chi to do? Watch Huan’er faint and call Xichi to drive over when he’s in a completely different city? And then he got mad at Huan’er for Tian Chi dropping her off from the hospital in the middle of the night. Like what? Tian Chi is her senior, so he is supposed to care for her and protect her just like any friend. I really don’t like how Huan’er and Xichi are making him seem like some jealous ex that did something wrong. He never overstepped his boundaries and he helped her when Xichi could not. This is why I actually like Du Man and Song Cong’s relationship more. It’s just more mature and reliable. Like their conversation in the mountains in episode 29 was the first time I saw any declaration of how much each other means to them. And with this being a 30 episode show, like, the lack of emotional depth at the beginning was just a limiting factor for me with that main couple. Like, I understand this show is about growing up and learning how to do these things and be vulnerable, but how are they together for like years before ever doing this? Idk, the maturity between them and then Du Man and Song Cong just has such a big difference.

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Not enough time

!grief, SA, bullying!

Sadly, this series didn't live up to my expectations. I've seen a lot of good stuff about it, but after watching it, I'd say it was pretty underwhelming. Not bad, just not what I expected.
The main couple was the underwhelming part for me; while I liked their interactions and I'd say they had pretty good chemistry, their overall story was really dragged out and not that exciting for me.
On the other hand, though, Kelvin and Archie's story is way too complicated for such a small series, especially for a side couple. I would love to see their story in a separate series with them being the main couple.
Overall it was quite underwhelming in my opinion but not too bad. A good 7/10 tiny series to binge-watch when you have nothing better to do.

Things I liked:
1. Main couple's chemistry.
2. Some cute moments.

Things I disliked:
1. Kelvin cheating on his wife, who he has a child with. Even though, from a viewer's standpoint, after learning everything about her, I really want to say she deserves it, it doesn't take away from the fact that Kelvin could've had some human decency and not done all of that behind her back.
2. Kelvin's wife filming Kelvin and Archie being affectionate and posting it back in school days, then watching Archie get bullied with a smile. As well as sexually assaulting Kelvin in order to baby trap him. I didn't expect her to be such a rotten person.

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Its Decent Watch.

As mentioned before in my each episode reviews, this drama had huge potential.
But nonetheless, there are few places the drama shines and few where it falters.

But the question is, should I skip it or stream it? Well, I would suggest you to give it a try and watch it. You will appreciate the potential of the story. You will be impressed by Jisoo's chemistry with someone else more than the ML. Won't spoil you but give it a try.

Now after watching the finale, I felt that there were few unresolved things which were left out, hence I was feeling somewhat incomplete after watching it.

Still, if you have time, give this drama a shot.

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A Light Family Drama Carried by an Adorable Baby

If you are looking for a light and short family kind of drama then definitely give this a try.

I started the drama with no idea what it was about and had zero expectations. What initially drew me in was baby U Ju who is honestly just too cute to resist.

The main leads do have chemistry but I would not say it is overflowing. It feels moderate but enough to carry the show. One thing that felt a bit disappointing is that their romantic moments are quite limited. At times some of the side plots were stretched for too long which made it feel like the main leads were almost forgotten during those parts.

Still the overall vibe of the drama is warm and easy to watch especially if you enjoy family focused stories with wholesome moments.

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Extreme politics and conspiracies

🌟If you are going into it thinking its going to have a romance in it maybe yeah a little but nothing worth . The main leads love story is boring, they have zero chemistry. Their love story felt very closeted because no one cares outside of those two.

🌟Then comes the 2nd couple i wont even call them a couple just a name sake one.
Sml loves fl and never cared about sfl. The sfl girl embarrassed herself begging him for love throughout, it was annoying and disgusting and i got 2nd hand embarrassment from it.
There are actual ppl who loved these 2 somehow lmao. Do they have a humiliation kink? That could be the only reason lmao.
Sml didn't even bat his eye at sfl didn't like her romantically at all.

🌟And his brother liked her and they are the only actual second couple. They had a love story going on at the end which ends in a tragedy. It was sad indeed.

🌟 And the princess reminded me of the Empress, she is a mini version literally. Because her husband didnt love her and loved another women they went maniacal. Both were pathetic.

🌟 Throughout the drama there was so much of politics and schemes and conspiracies which are too much to digest, felt a rage watching it. I literally had palpitations bec of that out of anger of how things were.
We already live in a world of such looking at news everyday is enough of rage. I wanted some peacefulness so picked this but ended with more rage . My bad luck i guess

🌟 what happened to the villains that is muyong yao and his father, the prime minister and the Empress was good. Ultimate revenge.

A person who is very empathetic cant watch such dramas. Not good at all. What do we obtain from it ultimately? Nothing but rage!!

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The worst k-drama I have ever watched

I don’t normally criticise k-dramas because I do genuinely love them but this one undermined my expectations.

I was expecting an exciting fantasy with deep plot twists and a forbidden love sort of romance

I was disappointed save for a couple of things

Liked:
The acting of the villains. The entire family of Seok min had me convinced. Both Seok min and No do gyeong seemed psychotic and their acting felt like a flame. I liked Se ra’s acting and thought she portrayed a terrified and traumatised mother really well. The gangsters also sometimes got a laugh out of me. And the scene where Jin ga yeong helped that little girl. I thought that was the only powerful moment in the show where she not only helps the abused child but she also heals her own inner child. Do do hee’s acting was good too.

Disliked:
Hated that from the beginning Gu won was always there to save Do do hee; so much so that it started becoming predictable and also stole Do do hee’s sense of independence. I know it’s a fantasy but in reality, there’s not always going to be a prince to save you so it sets unrealistic expectations for viewers. There has to be a level of realism and it lacked in that sense.

When Do do hee just woke up, when she was hanging of a building, and when she was dying , she looked perfect and this took away the believability/realism of the series. It was too idealistic. It restricted me from connecting with the story or the characters because I was completely being reminded that this is all fake. And when seok min came back alive. Like wth bro he just fell of a building the size of Big Ben and your telling me he’s still alive? Oh and then a huge rock feel on him and once again, he survived! How believable!!

The songs weren’t bad themselves but the song placements were appalling. The entire scene where Do do hee and Gu won dance on the balcony (you know when she stands on his toes and they dance to that music?) Yeah I hated that scene. They used the song that do do hee was literally TRAUMATISED from and Gu won had the audacity to label it ‘our song’. Get out. It was so unsettling and I had to pause the kdrama for a minute just to go over what the hell jus happened.

Do do hees trauma was overlooked. Her parents died, then Madam Ju dies, a serial killer is after her, and on top of that, Gu won is offering her no emotional support. Another scene where that creepy song starts playing is when someone’s phone starts ringing with that song and she clearly looks terrified but Gu won just looks at her. He might of asked her is she was okay but that’s all. That’s all you’re going to say to your lover who is suffering?? Oh and btw this was the scene before the dance on the balcony scene. He saw that she was terrified from that song and then labels it ‘our song’. Gosh he was such a red flag.


The series itself just dragged in general. I like the past life story but it was just so random and had no correlation with the actual story line. The writers should have gone with one or the other and personally I think they should have gone with the past life storyline and scrapped the entirety of the main story. It was so boring and I learned no moral message from it. It may have been good if it was written better and in less episodes. 16 episodes was a drag

When I discovered that Gu won made a deal with Do do hees father and he was the one that ended his life. Okay take away the fantasy element and he basically killed his wife’s father. No they hadn’t met yet but she was still very quick to forgive if you ask me. Like I was shocked when I found out but she was still chasing after him mad in love.

Also when they had that break and they weren’t seeing each other anymore, why did Gu won teleport to her house and watch her sleep? Again if you take away the fantasy element, it’s really strange and non-consensual. Like just because it’s a fantasy doesn’t mean he can break normal boundaries. Again, such a red flag

And I love Seok hoon I thought he was the only character to truly give emotional support to Do do hee. I genuinely wanted her to end up with him. BUT when he became chairman I was so disappointed. Yes it was a plot twist but it was bad. We wanted Do do hee to become chairwomen and reclaim her independence. We wanted for her to have a girlboss moment but in the end she’s just going to live as the damsel in distress.


The comedy parts were so unfunny. The parts where I was supposed to feel sympathy I felt none. The romantic parts felt forced. Everything about the k-drama just made me uncomfortable. It was a melodrama and I recommend it to no one. The only thing I learned from it is to drop my expectations for K-dramas and that fantasies/ magical elements will try to cover up poor writing.

And honestly there’s more I could delve into like the clichés, unnecessary side characters, rushed scenes with no time to emotionally process, superficial and hollow relationship between the main characters, Song Kang’s acting wasn’t the best, characters with a lack of self and mixed personalities which make them seem inauthentic, Seok hoons ‘burned’ face (it looked like someone smeared clay on his face and splatted red dye - again so artificial) . Uh and just so much more.





My friend recommended me this and now I’m never trusting my friend with kdrama recommendations again 😭

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Characters and Romance Fell Flat for Me

My rating 7.5/10

That Kind of Love** (2024) is a light-hearted Filipino romantic comedy that delivers the classic rom-com formula, adversarial at first, slow warming, then growing feelings. It stars Barbie Forteza and David Licauco (the reputed popular "BarDa" pairing) in their first film together. The premise— a dating coach helping a skeptical, high-standards guy find love—sets up plenty of banter, growth, and opportunity for heartwarming moments. There are beautiful visuals, some humor, and a focus on an imperfect people learning about relationships.  

It's entertaining and the couple had potential but the characters felt a little flat to me. The chemistry is there, but the relationship dynamics sometimes came off as lukewarm, especially in the middle when the attraction is obvious yet the push toward other matches drags on a bit and gets repetitive. It still works as a solid, easy-watch rom-com, especially if you love the leads, but it didn't quite hit the emotional highs I wanted for a truly captivating love story.

Spoilers

This par is supposed to be an exciting rom com match up but I just didn't feel it. Mila comes across as overly rigid and too quick to step back or sacrifice her own feelings, which made it harder to fully invest in the romance. Adam seems too open to other options at times, and their emotional stakes didn't always feel intense—there were moments of separation where the heartbreak felt muted rather than gut-wrenching.

The film's emotional core revolves around Mila (Milagros "Mila" Maharlika) falling for Adam while she's supposed to be matchmaking him, but her rigid professionalism and self-sacrificing nature lead her to keep pushing him toward Sofia (often called Sophie in casual talk), even as her feelings grow obvious. She sheds a few tears and shows quiet hurt during their temporary separations, but neither she nor Adam appears truly heartbroken or devastated when apart—Adam pursues Sofia seriously enough that it feels like he could have settled there, and Mila is too willing to let him go without a big fight for what she wants. This makes the romance feel lukewarm and less passionate than it could be; the "will-they-won't-they" stretches too long with her still coaching him toward others despite clear mutual attraction. In the end, they realize their feelings and come together for a happy resolution, but the lack of deeper emotional intensity (like more raw heartbreak or urgency) left me wanting more fire in their connection.

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Unexpected Show of 2026

This show was not at all what I expected, but it exceeded all my expectations in the best possible way. I started watching this show with 0 expectations as I had no previous experience with this network or the actors. I have to agree with many others, this was one of the best shows of the year. The storylines were compelling, the acting was phenomenal, and the pacing was perfect. The only downside is that it would have been great to have a few more episodes to fully hash out the storyline but every plot was well thought out. Worthy of rewatches! Hoping to see more and more of them in future projects, along with the same production team and director.

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Not groundbreaking but a good watch

This series ended up being much more mature than I expected. While it’s still a light and fluffy high school story, what really stood out was how the characters actually communicate with each other. Instead of dragging out misunderstandings forever, most conflicts are talked through, which is honestly refreshing for a BL. The writing feels simple but thoughtful, focusing on everyday teenage problems, insecurities, and first love.

Kim and Mon are absolutely adorable. From the moment Kim falls for Mon, their story is full of sweet and memorable moments. The library scene, Kim searching for the book Mon wanted, and Mon reading the entire Doraemon series because Kim recommended it were incredibly cute. Their stargazing scene and confession were also highlights. Even when they argue, they come back and talk things through instead of letting problems grow. Their relationship feels surprisingly healthy for a high school BL.

Shane and Kit were another great pairing. They’re total opposites: Shane is more serious and reserved, while Kit is playful and carefree. But that contrast works perfectly. Shane helps Kit focus on studying, while Kit teaches Shane how to loosen up and enjoy life. Their chemistry is fun and natural, and their scenes together are both funny and sweet.

Tar and Per were also very enjoyable as the supportive best friends. Their dynamic felt warm and natural, and there were definitely hints that their relationship could become something more in the future. I was disappointed that this storyline wasn’t pursued further, it left a sense of unfinished potential.

The teachers, Nat and Tan, were surprisingly charming and could have been my favorite storyline. At first, their interactions felt awkward, with some friction and forced proximity in shared spaces, but slowly, subtle moments built a quiet, believable connection. The way they navigated their differences , the calm, patient approach of one against the slightly more stubborn, principled personality of the other was both endearing and realistic. Their chemistry was understated but compelling : glances, hesitant gestures, and small acts of consideration carried far more weight than overt romance. I really wish the series had devoted more time to them, as their slow-burn development had the potential to rival the main couples in emotional impact.

Overall, the plot itself is simple and sometimes a bit too safe, but the charm of the characters and the wholesome relationships make it a very enjoyable watch. It’s not a groundbreaking story, but if you want a soft, heartwarming series about first love, friendship, and growing up, this one delivers.

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Silly BL, a waste for such great actors m(._.*)m

I watched this series because I really like Off, Gun, and Neo. I understand that the producers wanted to make something funny and lighthearted. There was potential, but it fell flat. This story is just simplistic... No, stupid.

PLOT: Ten, a rich and demanding medical student, tastes a dish made by Prem, a culinary student, after a day of fasting. He is blown away and pays Prem (a lot of money) to teach him how to cook. Prem has two friends, a sister, and a grandmother. Ten has two friends and relatives. At the same time, Dynamite (Team Prem) is madly in love with Fire (Team Ten) and stalks him. Prem and his team sign up for Top Chef.

+++ Off, Gun, and Neo, and a bunch of great actors. They did their best, but can't save a so poorly-wrtiten story.
+++ The storyline is quite realistic (especially regarding the sincerity of cooking shows).
+++ Part 2 (acceptance of gay couples by families) is more interesting.

### The production aimed for a comedy, but created too many over-the-top and ridiculous characters. Furthermore, many of the comedic situations are simply stupid.

=> I regret asking such talented, established actors to perform in such a poorly written script. What a waste!
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Silly BL, a waste for so great actors m(._.*)m

J'ai regardé cette série car j'aime bcp Off, Gun & Neo. Je comprends que les producteurs voulaient faire qqchose de drôle et léger. Il y avait du potentiel, mais c'est raté. Cette story est juste simplette ... Non, stupide.

PLOT: Ten, étudiant en médecine, riche et difficile, goûte un plat de Prem, étudiant en cuisine, après 1 journée de jeune. Il est ébloui et paie Prem (très cher) pr lui apprendre à cuisiner. Pr Prem, 2 amis, 1 soeur et 1 gd-mère. Pr Ten, 2 amis et parents. //t, Dynamite (team Prem) est fou amoureux de Fire (team Ten) et le stalke. Prem et sa team s'inscrivent à Top Chef.

+++ Off, Gun et Neo et a bunch of great actors.
+++ Storyline assez réaliste (notamment sur la sincérité des shows culinaires).
+++ 2e partie (acceptation des couples gays par les familles) plus intéressante.

### La production a voulu faire une comédie, mais elle a créé trop de personnages excessifs et ridicules. De mm, bcp de situations comiques sont surtout stupides.

=> Je regrette qu'on demande à des acteurs confirmés, de talent, de jouer un script aussi mal écrit. Quel gâchis !

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A masterpiece

This series is a raw and emotional look at teenage love, identity, and loneliness in a hyperconnected world. Following four teenagers in Bangkok, it explores messy crushes, jealousy, insecurity, and the complicated ways young people try to understand what love actually means. It doesn’t present romance in an idealized way instead, it leans into the chaos and confusion of being young, where feelings change quickly and nobody fully understands themselves yet.

One of the biggest strengths of the show is how realistic it feels. The characters spend a lot of time on their phones and social media, which might feel excessive at times, but it reflects how modern teenage relationships actually work. Playlists, messages, TikTok posts, and online validation shape the way the characters interact with each other. The series captures the awkward push-and-pull of having a crush, trying to look “cool,” and wanting to be loved while still figuring out who you are.

Fou4Mod is at the center of the story, searching for romance and validation, but what makes the series interesting is that the emotional dynamics don’t revolve around just one love story. The relationships constantly shift between the four main characters, creating a messy but believable web of feelings.

Baa is easily one of the most heartbreaking characters. He has been quietly in love with Fou4Mod for years but can’t bring himself to confess. His introverted nature and fear of hurting others keep him trapped in silence, which slowly builds into emotional pain. Some of the most powerful moments come from Baa’s perspective especially when he tries to express his feelings and then pulls back at the last moment. His loneliness and internal struggle feel painfully real, making him one of the most sympathetic characters in the story.

Bua, on the other hand, represents a different kind of vulnerability. As a mixed Thai-German teenager and a TikTok creator, he constantly seeks validation through attention and popularity. At first he seems confident and carefree, but underneath that image is someone who feels deeply lonely and unsure of what love actually looks like. His dynamic with both Chian and Baa adds another layer to the story: with Chian there’s confusion and mixed signals, while with Baa there’s a quieter emotional connection between two people who are both hurting in different ways.

Visually, the series stands out a lot. The cinematography, music, and editing style give it an almost scrapbook-like or documentary feel. Filming in real locations around Bangkok especially Siam Square adds to the sense that we’re watching real teenagers navigating their lives rather than a polished fantasy. The use of natural lighting, phone footage and street scenes creates a very intimate atmosphere.

The characters themselves are messy, impulsive, and sometimes frustrating, but that’s intentional. Teenagers make bad decisions, chase the wrong people and struggle to communicate their feelings, and the show doesn’t try to hide that. Instead, it embraces the emotional chaos of first love and growing up.

Overall, this is a unique coming-of-age series that feels very different from typical BL dramas. It’s messy, emotional, and sometimes painful to watch but that honesty is exactly what makes it powerful. With strong performances, a distinctive visual style, and complex character dynamics especially through Baa and Bua’s stories the series becomes a memorable exploration of youth, loneliness, and the search for connection.

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Love Story in The 1970s is a Love Letter to us all

I was TOTALLY CAPTIVATED by this beautiful drama!!!

It was in many ways remindful of Korea’s When Life Gives You Tangerines…both beautifully and sensitively made dramas a caliber above what is out there to watch. I have said it before and will say it again, it should be a requirement to watch both WLGYT and now also Love Story In The 1970s to learn the quality of dramas Asian has the capacity to create.

I loved them both!

Each touched me deeply and will stay with me a long time.

Each raised the bar for their respective countries as examples of what an exceptional drama looks like.

And each are, in my opinion, truly works of art.

I believe they are both wonderful examples of Slice-of-Life stories…When Life Gives You Tangerines is a generational slice-of-life drama…A drama that shows us a picture over a longer length of time in a family. Yet WLGYT also gives us more beautiful moments then I can mention that will have you laughing and ugly crying throughout it’s amazing story.

Love Story In The 1970s is truly a “slice"-of-life drama. It gave us stories of a single family as they navigate daily, finding their place in a world within the backdrop of the new China. Gifting us with glimpses of such poignant sweetness when they discover simple happinesses; like when Fang Muyang brought home the record player and together they listened to some Mozart tented in their “bunk bed” (I so loved watching his face when he watches her), or their special rooftop spot or sharing a tin of melted ice cream or creating their wonderful mural out of a spiteful mess on their wall. And then there were other moments we struggled alongside them with their attempts to find their own voice, or tentatively reach out for their dreams like Fei Ni’s persistent pursuit to get to university or Fang Muyang’s struggle to create and be acknowledged for his own art.

The outstanding secondary cast from LSIT7 also portrayed their characters and their stories superbly, and I often found myself as invested in their characters as I was the leads. All were multiplexed real personalities with good and bad traits just like all of us and I’d find myself alternately rooting for them, crying for them, hating them or feeling truly empathetic to their plight. All their portrayals were deep, complex and full of humanity.

Ever since watching L&P, Yesterday Once More, My Best Summer and a few other earlier works, I have followed Chen Fei Yu. I think he is a very talented actor…BUT that said, his last two dramas I watched (and so eagerly waited for) were disappointing for me. So, I was a bit afraid he'd lost his way...and was a touch trepidatious about trying Love Story In The 1970s. But I need not have been…Chen Fei Yu was magical in this drama. His Fang Muyang sweetly reminded me at times of WLGYT’s Gwan Sik…a man often misjudged as maybe "not so bright" or not the “best choice" but both, in reality, have an incredible depth of love, integrity, caring and quiet strength we should all aspire to. Fang Muyang's powerful optimism carried himself and all he loved when life knocked them down throughout this whole story. He was the soul of this family.

Sun Qian was a perfectly cast partner to Chen Fei Yu with, I thought, great chemistry between the two. She genuinely made me believe I was watching a young girl in China in the post revolution 1970s. She seemed to epitomize a simple yet driven girl who was alternately strong, gentle, naive and wise beyond her years. If Fang Muyang was the soul of this family, Ni Fei was the backbone.

In the end Love Story In The 1970s teaches us ways to deal with hardships, teaches us to keep getting up…teaches us to care for others and shows us how we each need to stand tall When Life Gives US Tangerines.

And Chen Fei Yu?.....Welcome back, it's so good to see you again on the screen, being the talented actor you really are, in a work of such quality.

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