Reviews

A drama that will instantly boost your dopamine

Finally finished watching this. I think I’m a little late, but I really enjoyed the show.

First, I have to talk about the Jisoo × Seo Kang Joon chemistry. I swear their chemistry is still top-tier for me 😭 I seriously need a drama with just the two of them as the main leads. The way their characters dated and then reunited after 10 years felt so real that I almost thought they were the main couple.

Honestly, this drama feels like the perfect example of a rom-com. The way Jisoo delivers comedy moments is so natural that sometimes it feels like it’s just *Jisoo being herself*, not Seo Mirae.

And Seo In Guk’s cold character was charming too. At first I was wondering why he had fewer scenes, but in the last three episodes he really owned the screen, and it totally paid off with their chemistry.

No wonder people are loving this drama and calling Jisoo a rom-com goddess

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Recipe for a successful idol drama- A well assembled production crew

I can't say it's a massive success yet as we're still early on the show. But if this turns out to be one. I'll attribute it mostly to the whole production team especially the director (Zeng Qing Jie) his track record doesn't lie and the scriptwriter. I'm actually watching this coz I'm curious if the director can pull another successful idol drama after Blossom - with a better budget and actors that can act. This will prove that you don't need traffic stars to build a successful drama. All you need is a freaking good story/script and translating that story to your audiences with amazing visuals. It helps that ZLH acting has improved here and TXW is born to play chang yu. Director Zeng skills is amazing at maximizing the visual impact and aesthetic beauty of the leads. The framing (longshot, wide, angle, focus-you name it) of ZLH is almost ethereal ✨️ 😍 💕 and the way he makes him peek at that freaking window is like telling us - we're only allowed that, a sneak peek a bit of a time and no more. The OSTs are decent well placed and not repetitively overused. Characters are introduced properly and not confusingly thrown into the story. Well edited and paced. I can't help harping enough on the impressive cinematography. Director Zeng need to be big and famous enough after this so he can pick and chose his own project and have a say in the production he wants to make. If this happens- it's a win for us fans who love a good show.

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Undercover Chaos Done Right

What do you get when you mix financial crime, undercover antics, and comedy? A rollercoaster of twists, laugh-out-loud moments, and heartwarming sisterhood, packed with white-collar crime, chaebol family feuds, workplace equality, corporate politics, and powerful journeys of personal growth—all served with flair. Every character is perfectly cast, well-written, and brings something meaningful to the story. The narrative unfolds intelligently, with just the right pacing to keep you hooked.

At first glance, Hong Geum Bo (played by the ever-talented Park Shin Hye) might seem like the type to roll her eyes at anyone wasting her time. But as the story progresses, you realize she’s the sharp, competent, and quick-witted hero you didn’t know you needed. Armed with a razor-sharp tongue, she has a knack for outsmarting anyone who dares to underestimate her. Her banter with the Investigation Bureau director and her bickering with Cha Jeong Il, the Hanmin Research director, are some of the funniest moments in the show. Honestly, watching Geum Bo verbally dismantle Cha Jeong Il—who absolutely deserves every word—is pure, unfiltered satisfaction.

And let’s not forget the ladies of Apartment 301. Their unexpected sisterhood is the heartwarming surprise you didn’t know you needed. Even the villains are layered and purposeful—they’re not just there to be evil for the sake of it.

For those hoping for a sweeping romance, well, you might want to look elsewhere. This drama isn’t about love—it’s about wit, grit, outsmarting the system, and rooting for the underdog.

Set in the late 1990s, the production team has done a stellar job of bringing the nostalgia to life. From Motorola StarTAC phones to staff delivering internal documents with a stroller, the details are spot-on. Though I have to admit, some of the wardrobe choices are a bit of a mixed bag. (Albert O’s suits? Definitely more 1970s than 1990s. Someone get that man a new tailor.)

This drama is just so well-made, it would take forever to praise every character and actor. It’s a must-watch for anyone who loves sharp storytelling, layered characters, and a good dose of humor.

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Total trope experience

I can't disagree with the review by Raiana Freitas. The first half of it made me giggle. But I've got to give points for a drama that does a trope proud.

I enjoyed this drama. A lot. AWOL bodyguards? Yep. Can't break the trope. Yeah, the ex and his sister are annoying,. They are supposed to be. The privileged, entitled brats, righteously indignant, persona parts were well played, managing to get in all the requisite overstated bits with minimal whining. Incredulous disbelief replaced the "I'm the one being wronged and mistreated" loops I really dislike. Have to admit I was almost stopped cold when the ever present "impersonated savior" made its appearance.

All of this is offset by the schmaltzy unrequited, hidden love story. ✨💞 💍 Again, I don't think a single trope gets missed. Gauzey camera filters? Lots of aw gee, smile worthy moments along with misunderstandings, overly cautious ML (Cao He), and insecure slow on the uptake FL(Fan Chu Qi). Rock solid performances and HEA ending with no villains left unended.

A FIRST? The music in the subbed version I watched was overly loud. Intentional??? Kudos due to a mischievous or truly aware skilled editor/video creator? Although loud, the dialogue, and miracle of miracles, the subs, survived. Yay! But a demerit for conversion of character names to English. Sniffle...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ceMvygH7LG0

(Note: MDL Cao He is also known as Cai Jing Hao, Cao Jing Hao, Cao Jinghao)

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The inherent homoeroticism of having a frenemy

School 2013 meets Gokusen 3 meets GGMTV. That's it, that's the plot. The storyline of Go Nam Soon and Park Heung Soo was legendary in 2013 and it was not only because they were played by Koreas two biggest heartthrobs. The depth and rawness of their relationship is timeless and definitely worth revisiting.

The problem of High School Frenemy is that the plot, focused only on Shin-Saint, was going in frustrating weakly written circles. In Gokusen and School2013, the real leads are the teachers (adults). Their direct and constant involvement makes individual stories more impacful and level-headed, no matter how over the top or reused any students' storyline is. Where the teenage characters go crazy, teachers provide reasoning and almost-realistic solution. This doesn't happen in HSF. The true leads of High School Frenemy are Shin and Saint. While S2013 weaves the frenemy story between numerous other plots, HSF builds 90 % of the drama on their relationship and gives space to other classmates and teachers almost as an afterthought. When they finally focus on other stories (last 4 episodes!), the actual writing is, aside from one exception, just silly and lacking depth. And adults in this story? All of them are selfish, simple-minded, one-dimensional beings who shouldn't come near children.
Anyway, Shin and Saint are actually good teenage protagonists. Emotional trainwrecks, rowdy, imperfect (and closeted). And so everything between Saint and Shin lasts for too long and gets annoyingly convoluted. It was one step forward, two steps backward type of thing with them. The "chasing" arc takes forever and then they Misunderstand (again), Break up, Make up and have THE SAME. FUCKING. CONVERSATION again and again and again and it gets frustrating/boring to watch despite their great chemistry as characters/actors.

This drama is not bad, i swear. The components are there, but it lacks clear vision on directors and scriptwriters side. Was this about friendship? Pre-relationship? Were they gay? Was this queerbaiting? I choose to interpret it as gay pre-relationship, but I feel the director cannot give confident reply on this because they wanted it all. This is GMMTV, afterall.
Had this been a BL drama, Saint-Shin's 'will they/won't they' relationsip would lead to one epic kiss and make up session. And it would be so fucking good. To quote other user "if this was mainland China drama, this would be an adaptation of same-sex novel". BUT, unfortunately, as this is NOT a BL drama and neither it is from mainland China. There is no heterosexual or other explanation for their behaviour other than queerbaiting. Please director and scriptwriter, first make up your mind on the direction of this story. We DO NOT need this level of queerbaiting in 2024 drama. Like… what was even that last scene?!
You might argue this was intended, that this is the wonder of homoerotic subtext at its finest... And i would like to believe this argument, too. But to me there is very little sublety in this, no subtext to talk about. When everything is in plain sight, is it subtext? Maybe the line between homoerotic subtext and queerbaiting is for different people in different place.

As it stands, the (main) story feels somehow unresolved. The real emotional climax, that would somehow elevate this story of Saint-Shin situationship, doesn't happen (except for, you know, platonic bedsharing, platonic eye contacts, SEVERAL platonic "i love you"s, platonic headpats and platonically raising a child). They are superbestfriends, ocassionally roommates and always soulmates(?!). And while i can appreaciate good platonic friendship (especially in dramas of this genre)... These characters are written in such romantically charged way, there's no other explanation. These guys are gay and they don't know they are dating. And it felt so frustrating to watch at some point (and not in a good way).
The stories of other kids in Class 2 were also botched. I guess they are now all close friends..? But if you think about it, the only person who got their story fully developed was Chadjen. Others? Cable's storyline? Not revisited. The competition plot? Not revisited. Airy-Eve? Not revisited. Peeta's story? NOT REVISITED. So many plots that deserved more time than dealing 5x with the drug gang.

So yeah, this a two-man show. Sky (Saint) and Nani (Shin) are actually doing great acting job while the rest of the cast is giving amateur theatre. Honorable mentions for good perfomance go to Mark (Chadjeen) and Bonnie (Peeta) - perhaps because they were the only other characters who had stronger script.

For large part of the 16 episodes, i enjoyed the drama. But at the end, it was just frustrating to watch due to all i have said in previous paragprahs. I truly wish High School Fremenemy had clear vision because it could work. But they chose the only one way im not willing to truly accept. The queerbait way.

PS: What was with those super long eye-contact+silences scenes? That was definitely a choice.

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I fell in love with the MLs hair!

This show was an absolute dream to watch.
Apart from a little bumpy toward the end, which I’ll get to.
But first, all the gorgeous bits!
The virtual world aspect was so unusual and so well done, it drew me into the show instantly. I wish we’d spent more time in Rongcheng, because seeing Xiao Zhi Yu in his captain uniform was a treat for my eyes!
The leading pair were so good, neither were toxic nor problematic in any way. I loved the FL’s caring nature and her virtual world outfits! The ML had such a quiet, calming voice, every scene with him made you focus on every word.
The romance in this one was romancing. All the heart flutters for every little kiss or touch of hands. ML gave the best hugs, too!
There was a small love rival from Mr. Pei, the evilllll step-bro, but it came to nothing, and though that all was resolved by the end, I did wish he could have found someone to love him, because Pei wasn’t all evil, just under the influence of his dickbag of a father. Plus, I had a little crush on the way he pushed his glasses up his nose!

Now, I come to the not-so-good parts – mainly, the parents!
They absolutely ruined certain bits for me.
I was irritated by them all.
In my Asian drama watching history, I’ve come across some super annoying parent roles, some I’ve wanted to throw off a tall building (I’m looking at you, mother from ‘Something in the Rain’) and while Love Between Lines parents weren’t so totally ugly or overbearing, each had their way of irking my eyeballs.
The evil step dad who was fond of slapping his son or throwing hot tea at his face because he couldn’t get his own way. I felt so bad for Pei, and just wanted him to tell the dad to f*ck off and go and live his own life instead of under his iron thumb.
Then we had the weak-spined mother, who constantly had a look of nervousness no matter the scene. Like, babes, you didn’t know the man you married (I suspect for security) was the man who killed your son’s father?! Saving grace for evil step dad, he never displayed any anger or violence toward her.
Then we have FL’s parents – the busybody mom and the woe-is-me dad who played on his disability far too much. You walk with a cane, mate, you weren’t paralyzed from the neck down, stop pouting and whining!
I hate when the kids have to pay for the sins of the parents.
Around episode 24 was when the plot fell apart and we had to go through the eyerolling breakup, through no fault of the couple. It was a heartbreaking moment when the female lead, on her knees, confessed to her father that she had attempted to move on from the male lead.

Thankfully, we get our HEA, but had it not been for that plot swerve, this definitely would have been a 10/10 show for me.
It has great vibes and secondary cast (loved the two best friends to our couple) and a show I will watch again.
Now, I need to look up the lead couples other shows!

PS. It’s worth mentioning how incredible the OST is. Each song fit the scene perfectly and never overpowered it.

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Hilarious, Refreshing, Heartwarming

I surprisingly really adored and liked this drama.

I loved how it highligted growth, friendship, and perserverance.

The romance was cute. Especially during the first few episodes. Their interactions were pure comedy!

I also loved how both main characters are from two different main fields and both have shown struggle, progress, and success in each field. It highlighted how they were able to thrive in their fields independently.

My gripe that didn’t make this drama a full 10 stars isn’t about the separation they encountered. It was how the male lead acted during the female characters trying time. While he did help, I think what he failed to realize was that she needed him there with him, than him being away, quiet, but secretly trying to help with resources. I get what the show was implying. But it also came from the female main characters mouth that “she’d rather have him with her than have the approval of everyone else”. So yeah… I personally just feel like, she was always there for him, but when she needed him the most, he wasn’t fully there.

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This show has a quite good mystery. The original idea is good and the twist is alright. However, there are a lot of things going wrong in this show. Even with a good mystery quality, I couldn't find this show intriguing enough to convince me to seat and binge watch. The two main leads personality was extremely unbearable. Moon Jang Yeol was a heartless police officer with zero conscience. He did his job only by the book. He never considered other people's feelings, including his friends, even superiors and teammates. Bong Ye Bun was a doctor but I think she was emotionally dumb. She frustratingly trusted everyone she knew but Jang Yeol. She would even trust random person she met on the street, I think. After Gwang Sik killed, she kept going out alone in the middle of the night like wtf. When Seon U distracted the murderer, the murderer lost his knife and was in a difficult situation. They were having an advantage by number, but Ye Bun chose to run. All the time we had to bear watching Jang Yeol bullying Ye Bun. But the way Ye Bun kept provoking Jang Yeol by interacting with the suspect purposely was very annoying, like were these murders a joke to you? I don't understand why she blamed everyone after Seon U death, like this was your fault! These all wouldn't happen if she didn't insist to visit Seon U at his workshop in the middle of the night! Even after knowing who was the killer, they kept coming to him face to face with zero preparation and prevention measures. Very painful to watch them both, I prefer to watch Ok Hui and Yong Myeong or Jong Muk and Hyeon Ok.

The jokes in this show are mostly slapsticks. I even think some of them were forcefully added. Also how come they decided to use the same cast of their teenage version? Han Ji Min doesn't fit for that teenager role!

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this title.

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Peak savage comedy we miss so much

Knowing Bros was my ultimate K-variety obsession—a riotous classroom of chaos where seven hilarious hosts roasted guests with zero mercy. From its early days, the show exploded with unfiltered banter, iconic games like the "Guess About Me" segment, and that savage energy that left everyone in stitches. It felt like eavesdropping on the wildest group chat ever, packed with celebrity cameos, viral moments, and non-stop laughs.

My ultimate biases- Super Junior's Heechul, the king of witty burns and flawless charisma, and the legendary Lee Soo-geun, whose deadpan timing and brutal roasts could dismantle anyone.

But lately, It's lost its edge. The savage takedowns are gone, replaced by polite chit-chat and overly civil vibes—feels like they've sanded down the rough edges to appeal to a broader crowd. Guests get kid-gloved treatment, and the spark just isn't there. Bring back old-school Knowing Bros! We need that unhinged hilarity.

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An intense love - A lasting impression

Though I don't always want to write a review, I feel I can get a better closure after putting my feelings into words. And with this one I definitely need a better closure, because right now I can't let go and I don't feel like starting a new C-drama right away. This drama and its characters consumed me quite a lot.

The acting of both leads were superb. And as a little bonus you get this little guy (Chen Yu Zhe) who plays the child version of the ML. He was awesome but sadly only appeared in the first two episodes. He stole my heart in the blink of an eye.

Next to multi-layered and well written characters, one of the drama's biggest strengths is the unobtrusive yet unknowingly fast way the main characters develop their strong bond between each other during the first half of the story. Their raw and genuine feelings, their deep affection that runs deeper and deeper the further the story went, the constant shifting between submission and dominance yet always in balance, the trust and responsibility they shared even though there were unknown secrets in the background. I felt deeply touched by their emotions, their support and their sacrifices. They created an intense base for the main plot's later twists and heartbreaks.

Amnesia was of course a big part of the game here. Without it the drama wouldn't have worked. It was well placed and I was quite satisfied, how they balanced and played out the differences in the ML's attitude without changing his core character treats. That way they were able to prevent going beyond reconciliation during the later events and assured the ML remaining in-character.

I admit that even though the calmer and peaceful parts of the story were important as well for character growth, I started to become a bit impatient now and then during those times. And I also thought that they could have put more short scenes of the second kingdom's hidden agenda in between instead of not mentioning it at all for a long period of episodes.

The sidecast was somewhat mainstream but all of them were still entertaining and carved their way into my heart as well. I was especially touched by the ML's growing affection for his new friends even though it didn't always seem that way for the other part. And I was pleasantly surprised that the SFL wasn't hung up by her first love's interest but actually moved on and found happiness. I particularly enjoyed her interactions with Mo Yin.

A nice add-on was the CGI, that was well used here. You know that make-up they always put on the ML when he transforms in dramas? Usually you see that it's just painting on skin. But this time they amplified those skin-changes with well done glowing effects that boosted the make up's purpose.

I probably forgot some things to mention but I also think that everyone needs to make their own experiences with this gem. A well deserved 10 for me.

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Creative, smart, humorous and refreshing alternative to romantic dramas

This series was so enjoyable that I felt compelled to write a review and share my excitement about discovering such an addictive show. I looked forward to every episode.

The story captures many elements of modern work culture, corporate strategy, and different types of relationships, all woven into a funny and creative storyline. It also serves as a refreshing alternative to the many romance-focused dramas, offering something different while still keeping the storytelling engaging.

I also enjoyed how the series showcases modern China, including its innovative architecture and technology.

The casting is excellent, and the lead actor does a superb job expressing his character’s perspective throughout the series. It really makes you cheer for the average person who is simply trying to make it big in the world—or even just to make a living.

The music isn’t the series’ main selling point, so it doesn’t affect my overall rating. Every other aspect of the show has made me a huge fan.

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Okay to Pass the Time, But Nothing Memorable

This was an okay watch for me. I thought it was a decent pastime between other more significant watches, but if it hadn’t featured He Yiyao or Wang Xingwei, I probably wouldn’t have watched it. While it had a great start, I’ve seen too many similar dramas with the same rebirth-revenge theme and plot setup, and the lead relationship’s screen time reached its limit for me.

So, overall, I didn’t find much that kept me fully engaged outside of enjoying the performers. I did watch it to the end, but it’s not something I would have done if I weren’t reviewing it for others.

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