Reviews

so f****** peak

as a lover of romantasy books, this bl felt like a dream. everything about the forbidden romance, the palace set felt like a webtoon come to life. for book lovers out there, this is like twisted games but make it gay.

I was looking forward to this drama months before it was released, then I kinda of forgot about it and only just watched it now as it came on netflix. boy should I have watched ts sooner. the main relationship was SO cute I had to replay all their interactions it had me swooning.

I had seen some negative reviews about this drama being underwhelming so going in I was cautious. and yes, this is not without it's faults. the acting at the start from the side characters was quite bad and I usually don't say this. the few action fighting sequences we get with Charan acting as a guard and fighting off attackers were pretty underwhelming and felt scripted and not real. you couldn't see the strength in his strikes. maybe that's because I just watched bloodhounds and before that rewatched weak hero but idk. also although I love the main couple so much I couldn't help but think their kisses were a bit funny to watch..is that just me? idk. same with some of their spicier scenes like some bits were cute others just felt like -especially khanin- he was trying too hard to be sexy that it didn't feel authentic idk. it did at some bits too but other times both of them were cringe.

also I think the plot in general with the courts and the assassins was very weak and poorly written. the plot was so one dimensional and it felt very straightforward and uncomplex. honestly it was just too good to be true.

khanin's biological dad was just so nice that it honestly pissed me off because he had no personality other than being nice. it just felt so unrealistic that he was so kind and considerate to khanin and that he would accept him giving up his title, not competing in the competition etc.. like come on man, give us some backlash, some plot!! your sons actions quite literally affect whether you have a right to rule and your chilling??!? where is the sense of urgency?? we get a bit more substance from the grandfather's character, but still, I feel like the story could have been told better (i.e by me, I have some ideas).

we should have gotten more angst in charan and khanin's relationship due to it being forbidden (either due to them both being male or because of the class difference between a guard and a prince or both would have been interesting) and them navigating that and fighting backlash from the grandfather, the courts and the press. I feel like that would have made the plot of this drama so much more intriguing. instead of whatever the hell the plot was. the writer needs to hit me up.

and the ending in what happens to khanin as a character was honestly so underwhelming and disappointing. the way he and his father had a whole conversation and were like yeah we should have a democracy 😀👍like come on this storytelling is actually pathetic what are we 10??? like wdym your happy to give up your power that easily like for no reason. no explanation. like I said, this has been written very weakly with not enough backstory.

despite the fact that these multiple factors made me cringe quite a lot in this drama, I still was hooked and binged the entire thing in 3 days more or less. because despite all its shortcomings the romance at its heart was what kept me going and honestly now that it's over I'm distraught. all I want to do right now is rewatch from the beginning. and I rarely feel that with dramas. the episodes just kept flying by and all of a sudden I realised I was on 13 and a sudden sorrow washed over me that this was not enough!!

charan and khanin are actually my roman empire. I'm so obsessed with Charan and his stoic, strict nature, bound by duty, who slowly unravels because of his love for khanin. honestly I live for ts. I do wish we had more build up, more angst, sexual tension, longing glances and discreet touches in public before they got together. that would have been so peak. maybe I'm just inspired by Bridgerton season 2 and pride and prejudice idk. like this show was peak but it could have been even more peak😭😭so I understand why some people have negative reviews.

the second couple (ramil and his lover) omg I actually can't. I felt so bad for the lover (I forgot his name) like the poor boy does NOT deserve the coward pos ramil is omg!! every time they came on screen I was screaming for the boy to just leave him!! he deserved so much more it pained me and I physically recoiled watching their scenes. idk it just felt so toxic and icky. I am a fan of dark romance and red flags (or at least, I thought I was) but ramil's romance/obsession with his lover honestly made me physically cringe it was so repulsive. I just felt like there was a power imbalance and that it wasn't true love.

all in all, this has gotta be the longest review I've written for a drama. if you've gotten this far, props to you, and honestly please watch this drama it's actually so good if you just switch off and focus on the romance!!

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Excuse Me While I Laugh… This Show is Silly

What did I just watch? I can’t even stop laughing because huhhhh???!!! LMFAOOOO

I don’t even know what to say, it’s such a silly show, that’s just all it is. Now, to satisfy the curiosity of those who want to watch (it’s an older man falls in love with a younger cute guy trope) but it’s so untypical.

The first episode is …ummm silly?? or what’s another word for silly? It is just that.

I can’t even tell what else the other episodes would have but I may or may not keep watching lol

Don’t want to experience this alone so you better watch it too. (P.S: do not expect too much or even anything at all)

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A surprisingly funny first episode.

The story begins with a college student who is simply curious about sex rather than romance. His curiosity leads him into an unexpected encounter with a sophisticated older man—who later turns out to be the president of the company where he gets a job.

The setup is outrageous, but the comedy keeps it entertaining instead of awkward.

I haven't read the original manga yet, but the casting immediately caught my attention. Sho Sakai perfectly fits the innocent yet curious Ainosuke, while Yuki Kimisawa has exactly the mature charm needed for the company president.

After the success of Fukami-kun, it feels like Japanese BL dramas are becoming more confident with slightly bolder themes. I'm looking forward to seeing whether this series develops beyond its provocative premise.

Where to watch (Japan)
TVer (Free streaming)
DMM TV

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Did we need this?

Probably not, but it's always nice to see the characters again after the main series has finished. We got to see that Shulang's ex is doing fine, and Fan Xiao & Shulang are getting married, or they got married. Shulang helped Fan Xiao get over his trauma, which honestly took no time at all, but I get there were time constraints. I know they had to rush this special because of some problems with fans, and that we are lucky to have gotten it at all.

The only thing I wish we had gotten to see is them co-parenting Tiantian. Do I think Fan Xiao is someone you expose a child to? No, but I would have liked to have seen it regardless, and I feel like Tiantian has the same level of protection as Shulang.

"People are watching." Yes, yes, they are. Honestly, the tourists being actual tourists made it more real. So what if they gawked? I'd be sitting in the sand watching as well and squealing like the fangirl I am.

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Good drama

in my side of the story it's really good but idk bout others if u watch it's not a waste of time your just curious it includes romance and mystery and

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Comedy Done Right

Rebecca.
Chewbacca.
Olivia.
"Gwenchana, gwenchana." 😂

If you've watched this drama, you already know exactly why these live rent-free in my head.

I honestly didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did because I don't usually gravitate toward more comedy, and I rarely laugh at corny or cheesy jokes. But somehow, this drama proved me wrong. Every episode was just as hilarious as the last, and I found myself constantly looking forward to what ridiculous situation the characters would get themselves into next.

What made this drama so special was the chemistry between the entire cast. They worked so naturally together that none of the comedy felt forced. Everyone played off each other's energy perfectly, making even the simplest scenes incredibly entertaining.

I also appreciated how fresh the comedy felt. The jokes rarely felt repetitive, and the drama constantly found new ways to make me laugh. At the same time, it balanced the humor with romance and the characters' personal struggles as they worked toward achieving their dreams. More than anything, they genuinely felt like a family. Between all the banter, chaos, and unforgettable moments, there was always an underlying sense of love and support. I especially liked that, despite being a comedy, the drama never forgot the importance of friends helping one another through life's challenges.

I had an amazing time watching this, and it's one of the few comedy dramas I can confidently say I'd watch over and over again.

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Trigger Warnings for SA, rape, self-harm, drugs & alcohol, violence, & manipulation.

Even after this series has been over for months, I still see people who are obsessed with it. They post photos and reels almost daily about the show and the main actors, and after finally watching the series, I really don't understand. Overall, it was a good series, but nothing that I would put my time and energy into months after it's finished.

I have one question that I asked myself at the end, and that was, "Is this Stockholm Syndrome?" Is that the real reason Shulang goes back to Fan Xiao?

OST wasn't invasive, and when I do notice it, I like it.

I liked that they made Fan Xiao such a black flag. He's not the worst character in the series by far, but he's obsessive and possessive to a dangerous degree, and had the money to do what he wanted. All the trigger warnings are because of him. The man needs therapy to deal with his past trauma and his current obsession. They made it easy for me to want Shulang nowhere near this man, while also feeling a bit sorry for him when he's trying to be a better person, and Shulang is RIGHTFULLY pushing him away. (Sometimes my empathy is a problem; I see someone hurting and I hurt with them.)

I also like how Fan Xiao marks his territory. Sorry, not sorry.

Shulang was easily my favorite character (even though I got freaked out/worried by his hands a couple times) because of how much he reminds me of my mom. Kind to a fault, but you don't fuck with the people they love. He's stupid for going back to Fan Xiao, but I wasn't surprised either because no matter how bad the manipulation, you could tell he still loved him, and once the good things he did were brought to light, you could see that it was easily breaking down the walls Shulang built. This is why I suspected Stockholm Syndrome; he went back to him so easily.

The only thing I didn't like about Shulang was how quickly he moved on from his boyfriend that he'd been dating for years. At least I think it was years. He didn't seem affected by the breakup at all until he learned Fan Xiao's role in it.

I wouldn't blame Lu Zhen for breaking up with Shulang because he felt like Shulang wasn't emotionally available enough & he didn't see that until Fan Xiao started showing him attention. Sadly, it seemed less like he realized this and more like he liked the attention because after only the second meeting with Fan Xiao, he was already telling him that Shulang was a relative. He realized what he lost too late, and I can't bring myself to feel bad for him.

We have a relationship happening in the background between Xue Bao Tian and Zhang Cho, and I really wanted to know more about it. It was a red flag relationship that they just teased us with.

My least favorite character in the whole series has to be the brother. I don't know how old he was, but it acted like a 16-year-old who thought his brother owed him his life. Anyone who does a fake suicide attempt so they can live an easier life on the back of someone else's work should be ashamed of themselves. And his reasons made no sense. Why was he mad at Shulang for defending himself from bullies, but not the bullies themselves for his mother's death? How do we know if Shulang even defended himself? We get 1 flashback, and it didn't look like he was.

Alright, on to the things that I didn't like/annoyed me.

* The only thing that annoyed me more than it was actually a problem was that the main characters seemed allergic to closing doors sometimes. Multiple times, they just left doors open while having very private conversations or while it's freezing outside. Close the damn door!

* They smoked too much. Every time you turn around, they are smoking. Did they need to smoke that much?

* They say each other's names too much. Honestly, this goes for all Chinese dramas.

* Why are so many people speaking English? Why are so many people speaking Chinese? We are in Thailand a majority of the time, but everywhere our characters go, it's either Chinese or English being spoken. I'm not talking about the main or supporting characters either; I'm talking about the background/extra characters.

* The kissing was just okay, but the chemistry was good.

* Our main actors really didn't show that much emotion, and maybe that was down to direction so that it would be more impactful in the emotional moments. It made their acting feel stiff for the first couple of episodes.

* I didn't get invested in the story or the character until episode 8, where Shulang starts learning the truth behind Fan Xiao's lies and manipulations. For a series that is so highly rated and praised, that is too long before getting pulled in. I should have been gripped from episode 3 at least, but even after I got into the series, my feelings for it were still at "whatever". I was even a bit bored in the first couple of episodes.

* This series didn't need a happy ending, but if they had to give us one, I wish they had spent more time redeeming Fan Xiao in Shulang's eyes. Have Fan Xiao slowly redeem himself, not have them jump back into a relationship after Shulang's friend inadvertently points out that he's still in love with Fan Xiao, and that's why he can't let go. He should have already known that; what's important is Fan Xiao changing and winning Shulang over again.

* I hate that when time passes, they don't tell us how much.

* I would have liked to see Fan Xiao do some actual work, not just control & manipulate multiple people's lives, or drink & smoke.


Despite all the hype, I went into this show with little excitement or expectations, and my feelings stayed at a 7/7.5 the entire time. There was never a moment that got my blood pumping or my heart hurting so bad I cried. Nothing that made me mad or overly happy. I honestly didn't feel much of any emotion while watching this, which feels strange. I'm not going to tell anyone not to give it a try because it seems a lot of people really enjoyed it, but to me it was like throwing a pebble into the water.

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The Jokes Got Old

Do I think it's really bad? No.
Do I think we needed a Season 2? Probably not.

To be honest, the one truly carrying this season is Lee Yi-kyung. We already know how talented he is when it comes to comedy, but I didn't feel the same level of comedic impact from the rest of the cast. They certainly had their moments, but the humor just didn't land as consistently for me.

What made Season 1 so memorable was the cast's chemistry. Everyone played off each other's jokes so naturally that even the simplest scenes became hilarious. Here, that dynamic just wasn't there. Instead, it felt like the production leaned more toward casting visually appealing actors, with names like Kim Seon-ho and Moon Ga-young joining the cast.

I also noticed quite a few recycled comedy skits that had already been done in Season 1. Because of that, many of the jokes didn't hit as hard the second time around. It wasn't terrible, but compared to the first season, the comedy felt repetitive and lacked the same freshness.
I also wish they had kept at least a few more of the original cast members instead of replacing almost everyone and leaving only Lee Yi Kyung behind. I know why they did it, because he's easily the funniest character, but part of what made Season 1 work was how perfectly the entire cast complemented one another. Here, it often felt like Lee Yi Kyung was doing most of the heavy lifting.

Overall, I still enjoyed Season 2 and had a good number of laughs. It's still a fun watch, but compared to the first season, it lacked the same chemistry, freshness, and comedic impact that made the original so unforgettable.

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The dialogue is good the plot is a mess.

My response to this drama is quite mixed. The last 10 episodes were engaging and the dialogue and voice overs were good and thoughtful in a philosophic sort of way, but the rest of it had some serious problems.

One of them seemed to be an identity crisis. It was seeking justice but was not a legal drama, seeking revenge but lacked the requisite bitterness, it had hints of magic but was not a fantasy. Now I’m not averse to a non-genre specific drama, but, the reason that the legal framework and the bitterness and the flights of imagination are there in the first place is to add structure, interest and most importantly, tension to a story. If you do away with them, you need to replace them with something else. And here, for me, that just didn’t happen. One genre it did get right however, was the love story. Not a steamy, hot passionate love story, but a beautifully tender and caring one. However, as this is not a full on romance, you cannot ask it to carry the whole thing.

Let’s start with the plot. The flow of the drama was off. A good plot leads you by the hand on a path where the next step clicks into the past step, and significant characters are enmeshed from early on. But here the plot was erratic and was not helped by the disjointed editing. New characters were introduced and not firmly bound into the ongoing narrative. Things moved forward in a scrappy way and there seemed to be no driving central motivation that you could hang onto.

There was an emphasis on the wrong things. Important plot developments were not exploited but casually introduced as a throw away line in a conversation. Major events to featured characters were almost skipped over, as though they were less important minor characters. Dramatic scenes that were central, were presented with little tension building beforehand so landed with no real impact. I’m particularly thinking about Eps 26 - 28, where far too much was happening that distracted from landing the key scene.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t survive on character names alone. Even in western dramas where names are familiar, I can’t remember a character simply by their name, but need an indication or reminder of how they fit into the story. Well the first 5 episodes in particular were awash with names and I just had to let them flow by and hope to keep up. Also, the opposing factions had little to distinguish them in any way, with fairly nondescript characters which made it hard to remember who they were or where they fitted.

Talking of characters, Bai Lu was best in the early episodes but Ryan Cheng shone in the later ones. As this is a C-drama, half the praise needs to go to the voice actors. I’m not sure if the two leads had voice actors, but whoever spoke the lines in Eps 31-34, truly deserves the plaudits. The scenes on Li Mountain were genuinely moving and the best of the whole drama. The Empress had depth written into her part and was well played by Dong Jie. But the parts of Prince Li (Cai Zheng Jie) and his wife (Yang Shu Yi) were unconvincing. They felt shallow and cliche in a production that managed in general to have a bit more subtlety. It was almost as though their parts were written by someone else.

To finish with the positives, I really loved the sense of ordinariness that the slow pace, simple dialogue and understated acting created. Although very different in character, it reminded me of Ming Lan. The muted, natural colours and lighting help create believability. The sound track used the zither to great effect and overall the production values were very good. Aside that is from the person who got carried away with the mist generating machine on Li Mountain.

Overall, the dialogue was very well done and I suspect that a lot of it was lifted from the novel. There was a deliberate use of Chinese philosophical writings which added nuance to the characterisation and story.

A bit hard to rate as a 6.5 feels unfair to the overall nuance, but there was so much meh, so I think it will have to be 7.5.

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